Incidence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Workers that Occupationally Handle Animals: A Systematic Review

Fernandes, M. M.; Ribeiro, Marcelo M.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-41486-3_37

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…A systematic review performed in 2020 supports these findings, affirming that WOE had, in general, higher anti- T. gondii seroprevalence compared with general population. Despite this, evaluating risk factors frequently posed multiple difficulties mainly due to their complex relationship [ 7 ]. Although our results are consistent with various other studies, other authors have provided distinct conclusions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the last few years, determining risk factors for T. gondii infection in humans has been a priority for investigators. This allowed identification of contact with soil, age, poor hygiene, consumption of raw and undercooked meat, drinking of untreated water, consumption of uncleaned vegetables and contact with animals [ 1 , 7 , 8 , 9 ] as some of the most important risk factors. A few epidemiological serosurveys tried to ascertain the risk for T. gondii infection in individuals in close contact with animals and their raw meat and viscera [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Livestock in Portugal

et al. 2022

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Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease with different and complex routes for transmission. Workers occupationally exposed to animals or raw meat and viscera (WOE) may be at more risk than the general population, however conflicting data exist on the risk of developing toxoplasmosis due to this close contact. To add knowledge to this topic, the aim of the present study was to ascertain if WOE were more likely to be anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive than the general population as well as to study risk factors for T. gondii infection such as professional activity, gender, age, years of work and region. For this purpose, a case–control study using archived samples was setup. A total of 114 WOE (including pig slaughterhouse workers, butchers, veterinarians and farmers) and 228 anonymous volunteers (matched with cases by region, age and gender) were studied for anti-T. gondii IgG. A significantly higher anti-T. gondii IgG occurrence (p = 0.0282) was found in WOE when compared with the general population (72.8% [CI = 64.6–81.0%] versus 60.1% [CI = 54.6–65.6%]). Multivariate analysis showed that WOE of more than 50 years of age were more likely to be seropositive for anti-T. gondii IgG (aOR = 16.8; 95% CI 3.6–77.5; p < 0.001) than those aged less than 50 years. To our knowledge, this is the first case–control study on the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG in WOE in Portugal, also showing an added risk for T. gondii infection in those exposed to animals or their meat and viscera.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Livestock in Portugal

et al. 2022

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“…Human infection caused by Toxoplasma is usually asymptomatic and occurs due to ingestion of tissue cysts by consuming raw meat. 8…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Human infection caused by Toxoplasma is usually asymptomatic and occurs due to ingestion of tissue cysts by consuming raw meat. 8 Vertical transmission is also very common in T. gondii, in which the rapidly growing tachyzoites are transferred from mother to fetus. It results in severe malformations in neonates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular evidence of toxoplasmosis in people living with HIV in Pakistan

et al. 2023

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Background Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotically important parasite infecting almost all vertebrates. The parasite can easily infect humans through the fecal-oral route, particularly immunocompromised individuals, and children. Due to lack of epidemiological data regarding the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in people living with HIV in Pakistan, the present study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in people living with HIV. Methods Briefly, 384 blood samples were randomly collected from people living with HIV registered under Punjab AIDS Control Program. DNA of all samples was extracted and the 18S rRNA gene of T. gondii was amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by using genus-specific primers. The amplicons were spread on 1.5% agar rose gel and visualized under gel documentation system. Then the amplicons were purified from the gel and subjected to sequence and phylogenetic analysis. Results Overall prevalence of T. gondii was observed as 23.96%. The prevalence of T. gondii was significantly ( p <0.05) higher in females and in middle age group (26–40 years). Similarly, the prevalence was significantly ( p <0.05) higher in people with poor socioeconomic status, symptomatic patients, drugs users and people using unfiltered water for drinking. Furthermore, bodyweight (46–70 kg) and dry seasons also significantly ( p <0.05) affected the prevalence of T. gondii. Conclusions Our findings illustrated a high infection rate of toxoplasmosis in people living with HIV which could be a significant cause of mortality. More studies need to be conducted for other opportunistic infections caused by parasites and other pathogens.

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“…Throughout the years, it has been considered imperative not only to understand T. gondii ’s lifecycle and how the parasite affects public and animal health but also to seek and identify the risk factors predisposing humans and animals to infection and disease. These investigations allowed for the identification of the consumption of raw/undercooked meat, a lack of hygiene in preparing vegetable and fruit, contaminated water, age, and the intensity of contact with soil and animals as important risk factors for T. gondii infection [ 2 , 12 , 13 ]. Occupationally exposed professions, such as veterinary practitioners (VP), slaughterhouse workers, butchers, farm producers, cheese makers, workers exposed to under-washed raw vegetables, fruits and working with soil, are commonly considered to be at a higher risk of infection by T. gondii due to their direct and permanent contact with potential fomites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Risk Factor Investigation in Portuguese Veterinarians: A Matched Case–Control Study

et al. 2022

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(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread zoonotic agent that greatly impacts Public Health, being responsible for one of the most important parasitic zoonosis worldwide. T. gondii has a heteroxenous life cycle, with cats being the definitive hosts and all warm-blooded animals, including humans, being intermediate hosts. Veterinary practitioners (VP) may be at a higher risk than the general population for T. gondii infection, as they have direct and daily contact with many animal species. The aim of the present study was to ascertain if VP were more likely to be anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive than the general population, as well as to understand if age, accidents with blood-contaminated sharps (cross-blood contamination), gender, working years, and geographic regions play a role as risk factors for T. gondii infection. For this purpose, a case–control study using archived samples was performed. (2) Methods: A total of 350 veterinary practitioners were tested using a commercial semiquantitative enzyme immunoassay for anti-T. gondii IgG. From the general population, 175 anonymous volunteers (matched with cases by region, age, and gender) were studied for anti-T. gondii IgG. (3) Results: There was no statistical difference found between the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG in practitioners (26%; CI = 21.40–30.60%) and the general population (33.14%; CI = 26.17–40.12%) (p = 0.108). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that only age (older groups) was found to be associated with a higher prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG, with significant p values (p < 0.05) for both univariate and multivariate analysis. (4) Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case–control study fully focused on the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG in VP in Portugal, showing that there was no significant risk for T. gondii infection in veterinarians exposed daily and repeatedly to different species of animals.

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Incidence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Workers that Occupationally Handle Animals: A Systematic Review

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Livestock in Portugal

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Livestock in Portugal

Molecular evidence of toxoplasmosis in people living with HIV in Pakistan

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Risk Factor Investigation in Portuguese Veterinarians: A Matched Case–Control Study

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