Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence and identify the risk factors associated with transmission of T. gondii to chickens raised in different systems (free-ranged and conϐined) to produce eggs or meat. The 810 animals were allocated in two experimental groups according to the production system purpose: 460 broiler chickens (Group 1) and 350 layer chickens (Group 2). In order to analyze the possible factors involved in T. gondii infection in the chickens, an epidemiological questionnaire was developed for all properties.The serological detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was performed by Indirect Immunoϐluorescence (IFAT) and by Enzime Linked Imunossorbent Assay (ELISA). Since the agreement index (kappa) between these two serological techniques was considered high, 21.2% of the 810 animals were considered reactive. In Group 1, 12.2% (56/460) were positive, while in the Group 2 the positivity rate was 33.1% (116/350). The production system may be inϐluencing the seropositivity of the animals in both groups. However, only in Group 2 it was possible to notice a statistically signiϐicant relationship between the breeding system and the frequency of positive sera. This result indicates that, at least for laying hens, the production system is directly involved in T. gondii infection. The contact with cats in Group 1 did not inϐluence the distribution of seroreactive animals, but in Group 2 a signiϐicant relationship was observed. The occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was high in both groups (broiler and posture chickens). Free-ranged chickens raised for egg production proved to be the most exposed group to the T. gondii infection. This can be related to the fact that these animals stay for longer periods in the farms, in direct contact with possibly contaminated soil by the presence of domestic cats.INDEX TERMS: Toxoplasma gondii, broiler chickens, laying hens, transmission.RESUMO.-[Ocorrência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii e fatores associados à sua transmissão em aves de corte e postura produzidas em diferentes tipos de criação.] A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose causada pelo protozoário Toxoplasma gondii. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência e identiϐicar os fatores de risco associados à transmissão de T. gondii para frangos criados em diferentes sistemas (caipira e conϐinado) para produzir ovos ou carne. Os 810 animais foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais de acordo com o propósito do sistema de produção: 460 frangos de corte (Grupo 1) e 350 galinhas poedeiras (Grupo 2). A ϐim de analisar os possí- symptoms of toxoplasmosis in birds, even those infected with virulent strains, are rarely reported (Hepding 1939, Fankhauser 1951, Nobrega et al. 1967, Dubey et al. 2002, Dubey et al. 2006, thus chickens are considered resistant to clinical toxoplasmosis. Torticollis, inability to stand, lateral recumbency and anorexia are clinical signs already described (Dubey et al. 2007, Dubey 201...

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Ingestion of raw/undercooked meat is considering an important route of infection. Consumption of meat from equids is common in European and Asian countries and an increase in Brazil has been observed. The aim of this study was to evaluate occurrences of anti-T. gondii antibodies and risk factors relating to infection in equids slaughtered for human consumption in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Blood samples from 192 horses and 208 donkeys were collected in the exsanguination area during the slaughter. Serum samples were subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Association analysis was performed using Pearson’s chi-square test (χ2) or Fisher’s exact test, to evaluate risk factors relating to the prevalence of seroreagents. Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 13.5% of the equids, with higher occurrence in horses (18.75%) than in donkeys (8.65%). Associations between seropositivity and the following variables were found (p ≤ 0.05): species, animal origin, purpose of rearing and source of water for animal consumption and contact with cats. Farms need to implement preventive measures to control T. gondii infection in these species and avert transmission of the parasite to the human population that will consume their meat.

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Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent zoonotic parasite in Brazil capable of infecting mammals and birds. The increase in the urban populations of pets and the narrowing of the human–animal relationship can facilitate the transmission of important public health zoonoses, such as toxoplasmosis. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and spatial distribution of T. gondii infection and its risk factors in domiciled dogs and cats attended at the Jorge Vaitsman Institute, Rio de Janeiro. Serum samples from 400 dogs and 272 cats were evaluated by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies. Epidemiological questionnaires were used to interview the animals’ owners to identify risk factors for infection. Of the total, 34% (136/400) of dogs and 8.1% (22/272) of cats had anti-T. gondii antibodies. Breed (OR: 2.10–95%, CI 1.27–3.46) was a risk factor for dogs, while sex (OR: 3.40–95%, CI 1.10–10.52) and homemade food consumption (OR: 8.49–95%, CI 2.48–29.05) were risk factors for cats. Offal consumption was considered a risk factor for both species evaluated (OR: 2.74–95%, CI 1.38–5.43 for dogs; OR: 7.66–95%, CI 1.24–47.29 for cats). The spatial analysis showed that T. gondii seropositive animals were widely distributed in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro state, with a concentration observed mainly in the west and north zones of Rio de Janeiro city. The results emphasize the importance of adopting prophylactic measures to control T. gondii transmission in domiciled dogs and cats in Rio de Janeiro, contributing positively to public health.