Human and environmental factors driving Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Lizana, Víctor; Gortázar, Christian; Muniesa, Ana; Cabezón, Óscar; Martí-Marco, Alba; López-Ramon, Jordi; Cardells, Jesús

doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.10.007

Cited by 11 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…S5b) [ 44 ], further supporting the dilution effect of biodiversity [ 36 ]. Apart from wildlife management, environmental anthropization - i.e., a set of processes transforming or adapting landscapes by human actions [ 45 ]- also favoured pathogen circulation [ 46 , 47 ], as shown by the higher T. gondii prevalence in wild boar from periurban habitats with stray cats, agreeing with previous reports [ 48 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Using integrated wildlife monitoring to prevent future pandemics through one health approach

et al. 2023

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Using integrated wildlife monitoring to prevent future pandemics through one health approach

et al. 2023

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“…Conversely, lower seroprevalence rates were recorded in the Slovak Republic (8.1%)(Antolová et al 2007) and Switzerland (6.7%) (Berger-Schoch et al 2011). The overall seroprevalence (24.5%) in our study is comparable to that recorded in Germany (24.40%) (Bier et al 2020), and in the Netherlands (24.4%)(Opsteegh et al 2011) but higher than the infection rates recorded in Spain (14%)(Lizana et al 2021) and Central Italy (14%)(Ranucci et al 2013). The variations in the data reported emphasize the challenges with comparing seroprevalences among different surveys, which can be attributed to geographical differences among areas, the absence of standardized diagnostic techniques, and the application of different epidemiological approaches(Veronesi et al 2011).…”

supporting

confidence: 77%

“…Sardinia is characterized by fairly rainy winters and hot dry summers and, similar to other Mediterranean areas, it is subjected to both rural abandonment and crop intensi cations (Lombardi et al 2019). The combination of forest, cropland and anthropogenic food resources constitutes a suitable habitat for wild boar (Rutten et al 2019;Lizana et al 2021). Recent studies on Toxoplasmosis in Sardinia revealed a prevalence of 51.7% and 54.5% in domestic pig by ELISA and PCR, respectively (Pipia et al 2018a), and of 36% and 77.5% in sheep (Dessì et al 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dynamics of Toxoplasmosis epidemiology in large islands: the role of wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Sini,

Manconi,

Varcasia

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite able to infect all warm-blooded animals. T. gondii is the aetiological agent of toxoplasmosis and is one of the most relevant foodborne diseases globally. The consumption of wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat derived from recreational hunting has been linked to outbreaks of human toxoplasmosis. The island of Sardinia (Italy) hosts a large wild boar population, and thus provides an opportunity to assess the distribution of Toxoplasma in this species and the associated risks of transmission to humans. A total of 562 individual heart and its meat juice samples collected from wild boar hunted in Sardinia were screened for the presence of T. gondii DNA via nested-PCR and the presence of IgG anti-Toxoplasma by commercial ELISA, respectively. IgG anti-Toxoplasma were detected in 24.6% (138/562) of examined animals, while 37.2% (209/562) of the heart samples yielded positive PCR results. The high prevalence of T. gondii antibodies and DNA highlights the role of wild boar as an important reservoir for this parasite. The study suggests that wild boar play a significant role in spreading the parasite to humans. As wild boar numbers are increasing throughout their range, their role in transmitting toxoplasmosis should be highlighted amongst stakeholders, and the impact of different methods of population control on disease transmission should be thoroughly assessed to effectively manage and mitigate potential threats.

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“…Environmental contamination with oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii has been found surrounding rubbish deposits associated with feral cats [104]. Toxoplasmosis infection rates in local wild boar (the most killed big game) is 14.1% [105]; hence, organic remains are potentially risky; 33.2% of answers disclosed the abandonment of offal and other remains directly in the field. This method, being legal in some EU states (Regulation (EC) No 853/2004), is a source of contamination and a way to help parasites complete their life cycles [15,[106][107][108].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under proper climatic conditions, infective Trichinella larvae can remain viable in carrion for a long period [110,111], acting as a source of infection for mammal scavengers [33] and synanthropic carnivores [112]; 12.8% of surveyed hunters use the remains to feed domestic animals (essentially dogs but also cats and pigs). Wildlife is a reservoir of a plethora of pathogens that is able to affect domestic species, for example, T. gondii [105], Aujeszky's virus [113], Alaria alata [114,115], Echinococcus granulosus, transmitted from ruminants' offal [116], and E. ortleppi from wild boar viscera, accessible to dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) [117]. Weaknesses in biosecurity protocols, particularly in small pig farms, can facilitate disease transmission from wild boar populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safe Game: Hygienic Habits in Self-Consumption of Game Meat in Eastern Spain

Lizana

Muniesa

Cardells

et al. 2022

Foods

Self Cite

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We used anonymous questionnaires to assess the hygienic and sanitary aspects of game meat self-consumption in Eastern Spain as the first step towards a health risk assessment. The survey yielded 472 valid interviews from active hunters. The maximum possible score was 65 points (average 29 ± 8; range 1–52). Most participants were men (95%), but women achieved significantly better scores (p = 0.003). Hunters above 65 years old scored significantly lower results than younger groups (p = 0.007). The score increased with the educational level (p = 0.046). A 92% of the collaborators consumed game meat. Veterinary inspection and freezing were irregular among the participants. Most respondents declared carrying the animals in their personal vehicles. Of the dressing process, 61% of sites were outdoors, 68% of the participants declared using specific knives, 64% used the same clothes as in the field, and 42% used disposable gloves. The most usual way to dispose of the remains was garbage containers (41%); offal abandonment in the field was 33%, and 13% fed domestic animals using the remains. We conclude that public health authorities should increase their interest in the self-consumption of game meat. Clear guidelines about domestic dressing facilities and hygienic habits should be published, these being essential when looking for synergies with hunter associations.

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Human and environmental factors driving Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Cited by 11 publications

References 38 publications

Using integrated wildlife monitoring to prevent future pandemics through one health approach

Using integrated wildlife monitoring to prevent future pandemics through one health approach

The dynamics of Toxoplasmosis epidemiology in large islands: the role of wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Safe Game: Hygienic Habits in Self-Consumption of Game Meat in Eastern Spain

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