Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of <I>Toxoplasma gondii</I> in Pet Dogs in Central China

Abstract

The prevalence and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs in Henan Province, Central China was investigated. A total of 125 blood samples were collected from pet dogs during April to June 2013, and all samples were examined by indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA) and nested PCR. The overall T. gondii prevalence in pet dogs was 24.0% (30/125), with 20.8% (26/125) in IHA and 10.4% (13/125) in PCR, respectively. No statistical associations were found between animal gender and age and the prevalence of T. gondii infection. Thirteen positive DNA samples were genotyped using 11 PCR-RFLP markers, including SAG1, (3’+5’) SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico. Of these, only 2 samples were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and a novel genotype (type III at SAG3 and GRA6 loci, and type I at other loci) was identified. This is the first report of genetic characterization of T. gondii infection in dogs in China.

Seroprevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiin goats in Hunan province, China

“…No survey of the seroprevalence of T. gondii in goats in tropical China has been reported. IHAT is a simple technique for detecting T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) and has been used extensively in many animals in China [ 7 , 11 , 13 , 17 ]. Therefore, the present study used IHAT to detect T. gondii antibodies in goats using a commercially marketed kit.…”

“…Serum samples were tested for antibodies against T. gondii by the indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) viable kit (NY/T 573-2002, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The kit is commercially available and has been used for many years in China to detect specific antibodies to T. gondii in goats and other mammals [ 7 , 11 , 13 , 17 ]. The serum samples were identified as positive if an agglutination reaction was seen in wells with dilutions of 1:64 or higher.…”

A Review on the Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Humans and Animals Reported in Malaysia from 2008–2018

“…The African and Asian continents were the least explored. In particular, pockets of research in Asian countries have documented patterns similar to the ones in South America [ 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 ]. Only two studies were carried out in Malaysia to genotype T. gondii strains ( Table 7 ).…”

Prevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Dogs in Zhanjiang, Southern China

“…Limited data about genotyping of T. gondii isolates from dogs in China is available. A previous study reported the genotype of T. gondii isolates from dogs in Henan province and considered it as a type I variant [ 25 ]. The present result shared the same type at the (3'+5') SAG2 loci with T. gondii isolates from dogs in Henan [ 25 ].…”

“…A previous study reported the genotype of T. gondii isolates from dogs in Henan province and considered it as a type I variant [ 25 ]. The present result shared the same type at the (3'+5') SAG2 loci with T. gondii isolates from dogs in Henan [ 25 ]. This may suggest that T. gondii isolates from dogs in Zhanjiang city may belong to type I or a type I variant.…”