Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii in pigs in Haryana, India

Abstract

AimsToxoplasmosis is one of the most common food‐borne parasitic zoonosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. A cross‐sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in Haryana, India.Methods and ResultsSerum samples were collected from 429 pigs from three agroclimatic zones (I–III) of Haryana and analysed for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti‐T. gondii antibodies were detected in 106 animals (24.7%), with the highest seropositivity in zone II (31.3%) followed by zone III (24.4%) and zone I (18.3%). Risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were farm size (higher in large‐sized farms), age (higher in pigs >1 year of age), sex (higher in males), type of feeding (higher in combination of homemade and hotel waste) and housing (higher in free‐ranging pigs).ConclusionsThe findings of the study testify to the exposure of pigs (of all agro‐climatic zones) to T. gondii. Hence, the observations are of significant medical and veterinary importance for devising and implementing control measures to check the dissemination of toxoplasmosis to pigs and eventually to humans.

Seroepidemological investigation of Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs reared by tribal communities and small-holder livestock farmers in Northeastern India

“…Moreover, the reported seroprevalence of T . gondii in our study (45%) falls within the range of previous reports [ 21 , 26 ]. In this study, a T .…”

“…This study represents the first large-scale investigation covering five northeastern states of India. Moreover, the reported seroprevalence of T. gondii in our study (45%) falls within the range of previous reports [21,26]. In this study, a T. gondii seroprevalence of 45% in pigs was observed.…”

“…Thakur et al [ 16 ] reported a seroprevalence of 48.3% (73/151) in pigs reared in Punjab. In a recent study, a seroprevalence of 24.7% was reported among pigs raised in various agroclimatic zones of the North Indian state of Haryana [ 26 ]. This study represents the first large-scale investigation covering five northeastern states of India.…”