Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the metropolitan region of Belém, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

The relevance of consuming raw or undercooked beef in the transmission of toxoplasmosis is unclear due to the high resistance of cattle to infection. However, this possibility needs to be considered in endemic areas, such as the Amazon, where the consumption of beef is frequent. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the metropolitan region of Belem, Pará state, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 500 animals of both genders in a licensed slaughterhouse in Belém. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a cut-off titer of 1:64. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were found in 203 animals (40.6%), with a titer of 64 in 112 animals (55.2%), 128 in 68 animals (33.5%), 256 in 15 animals (7.4%), 512 in 5 animals (2.5%), and 1,024 in 3 animals (1.4%). No significant difference was observed between males and females (p > 0.05). The high frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies observed in beef cattle slaughtered in Belém indicates that the meat of these animals may be an important source of infection for humans and carnivorous domestic animals when inadequately cooked beef is consumed.

Low prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in dairy cattle from China’s central region

“…The maximum titer against T. gondii antibodies in dairy cattle was 3200 in this study. Considering the effective immune response to T. gondii infection in cattle, cattle with high antibody titers may be in the post-acute phase of toxoplasmosis, whereas those with low antibody titers may be in the chronic phase and may contain viable cysts of the parasite in their tissues [ 1 , 25 , 26 ]. However, seronegativity does not guarantee that the meat or milk from cattle will be free of T. gondii .…”

Toxoplasma gondii in cattle in Brazil: a review

“…Although the role of beef consumption in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans is unclear (Dubey & Jones, 2008), outbreaks related to meat consumption in Brazil and worldwide are well documented (Batz et al, 2012;Eduardo et al, 2007;Kean et al, 1969). Since beef is widely consumed by Brazilians (IBGE, 2011), toxoplasmosis must be considered to be an issue of public health importance, especially in endemic areas (Carmo et al, 2017). Consumption of raw or undercooked beef is culturally widespread in many countries, with strong presence also in Brazil, and this favors infection of the human population by T. gondii (Belluco et al, 2016;Tenter et al, 2000).…”

“…Among the Brazilian states where at least three surveys were carried out (Bahia, Minas Gerais, Pará, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo) (Table 1), the highest average frequency of occurrence of T. gondii antibodies in cattle was in Pará (51.8%, in the northern region) (Carmo et al, 2017;Silva et al, 2015Silva et al, , 2017, followed by Paraná (34.5%, in the southern region) (Daguer et al, 2004;Garcia et al, 1999;Marana et al, 1995;Moura et al, 2010;Ogawa et al, 2005). These results corroborate the copious capacity for dissemination and adaptability of this parasite, both in tropical and subtropical areas, from the north to the south of the country, respectively.…”

“…Out of 35 studies that have been conducted in Brazil, 24 (68.5%) used IFAT to make the diagnosis, among which 22 (91.6%) established 64 as the cutoff (Table 1). It has been suggested that the low antibody titers usually presented by these ruminants (Opsteegh et al, 2011a) are due to presence of the chronic phase of T. gondii infection, in association with resistance mechanisms against the parasite (Carmo et al, 2017).…”

“…Beef is the type of meat with the highest average consumption (g/day) per capita among Brazilians, according to the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE, 2011). The importance of this food in the epidemiological chain of toxoplasmosis in humans, especially in endemic areas, cannot be ignored (Carmo et al, 2017). Therefore, given the severity of this disease among pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals, transmission of protozoan diseases through meat consumption should be considered to be of great importance for public health (Dubey & Jones, 2008;Opsteegh et al, 2011a).…”