Anti–Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Cattle and Pigs in a Highly Endemic Area for Human Toxoplasmosis in Brazil

Abstract

Sera from 77 cattle and 61 pigs from herds of Campos dos Goytacazes and neighborhood, north of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, were analyzed for the presence of antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii via ELISA. The seropositivity was confirmed at 49.4% (38 of 77) for cattle and at 11.5% (7 of 61) for pigs. Pigs bred under free-ranging systems presented with 20.6% (7 of 34) seropositivity and no pigs bred under indoor systems were positive (n = 27). The seropositivity verified for cattle and pigs confirmed the extensive distribution of the parasite in this region. In the face of these data, we discuss the potential risk for human infection by consumption of raw or undercooked meat in this geographic region of Brazil. This is the first report of seropositivity for anti-T. gondii antibodies in cattle in the north of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs in southern Piauí

“…A recent review reported that the association between sex and T. gondii seroconvertion is a bias linked to the high number of females in the studies collected (DA SILVA et al, 2010). We obtained a balanced number of females and males (ratio of 1.47) and, therefore, the data from this study in southern Piauí refutes the relationship between sex and T. gondii infection in pigs, and supports the data collected by Frazão-Teixeira and Oliveira (2011). Another recognized risk factor for infection by T. gondii in livestock is the pig's age (DA SILVA et al, 2008).…”

Serum occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dairy cows slaughtered in an abattoir for human consume

“…Cows showed 29.1% (35/120) of prevalence for T. gondii. Seroepidemiological surveys for toxoplasmosis in cattle showed anti-T. gondii antibody occurrence ranged from 1.03 to 71% in Brazil (MARANA et al,1995;GONDIM et al, 1999;GARCIA et al, 1999;SANTOS et al, 2008;MOURA et al, 2010;FRAZÃO-TEIXEIRA & OLIVEIRA, 2011), and 0 to 91% in some parts of the world (DUBEY & STREITEL, 1976;HASHEMI-FESHARKI, 1996;MORE et al, 2008;OPSTEEGH et al, 2011). Therefore, caution should be taken when the results of prevalence studies are being evaluated, since the differences in results might be directly related to the serological techniques employed, the cut-off values, sample size, and the type (breed and/or species) of animal that is being investigated.…”

Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs intended for human consumption in Cuba

“…The seroprevalence obtained (22.2%) is of the same magnitude than those reported globally (19%) and for Central and South America (23%) (reviewed by Foroutan et al, 2019 ). Higher mean seroprevalence values in pigs (ranging between 32.5% and 96.6%) have been observed in other Central and South American countries (reviewed by Dubey, 2022 ), while lower seroprevalence values have been detected in fattening pigs raised in intensive farms in Brazil (ranging between 0% and 8%) (Frazão‐Teixeira & de Oliveira, 2011 ; Miura et al, 2019 ; Oliveira et al, 2019 ), Chile (9%) (Muñoz‐Zanzi et al, 2012 ) and Mexico (ranging between 1% and 9%) (Alvarado‐Esquivel et al, 2012 ; Cubas‐Atienzar et al, 2019 ).…”