Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar and deer in Brandenburg, Germany

Abstract

Consumption of game in Germany has increased during the past 10 years. Wild boar (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) are the most frequently hunted and consumed game animals in Germany, yet information on the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in these animal species is scarce. To better estimate the public health risk emanating from handling and consumption of game, this study investigated seroprevalences of Toxoplasma gondii in game hunted in the German federal state of Brandenburg during two hunting seasons from 2017 to 2019. Toxoplasma gondii‐specific antibodies were detected in 24.4% (44/180, 95% CI: 18.4%–31.4%) of wild boar, 12.8% (16/125, 95% CI: 7.5%–20%) of roe deer and 6.4% (3/47, 95% CI: 1.3%–17.5%) of red deer using a commercial ELISA kit. Seroprevalences were similar in the two hunting seasons. Correlation between sex and seropositivity could not be observed. A rise in seroprevalence was seen with increasing age in all studied game species. Observed seroprevalences suggest that T. gondii is endemic in the sylvatic environment in the German federal state of Brandenburg and imply that game could represent a relevant source for human T. gondii infection.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in southern Italy: Epidemiological survey and associated risk for consumers

“…These aspects suggest the need to carefully evaluate T. gondii infection in hunted animals for public health protection in the Mediterranean ecosystem, in accordance with Almería et al (2018). To date, several studies have reported T. gondii seropositivity in wild boar populations in Italy (14.0%- Ranucci et al, 2013;12.2%-Papini et al, 2018) and an estimated pooled seroprevalence of 26.0% in Europe (Bier et al, 2020;Rostami et al, 2017). However, little is known about the main route of infection in these wild ungulates.…”

“…(2018). To date, several studies have reported T. gondii seropositivity in wild boar populations in Italy (14.0%—Ranucci et al., 2013; 12.2%—Papini et al., 2018) and an estimated pooled seroprevalence of 26.0% in Europe (Bier et al., 2020; Rostami et al., 2017). However, little is known about the main route of infection in these wild ungulates.…”

Seroprevalence and risk factors ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in wild ungulates that cohabit in a natural park with human–animal interaction in the Mediterranean ecosystem

“…Previous studies have shown widespread distribution of T. gondii in wild ungulates in Europe, with a high heterogeneity in the presence of the parasite depending on the geographic area and species tested (Bartova et al, 2007;Bier et al, 2020;García-Bocanegra et al, 2012;Gauss et al, 2006;San Miguel et al, 2016;Witkowski et al, 2015). However, few studies have assessed the seroprevalence of this parasite in wild ungulates sharing the same habitat (Bier et al, 2020;Panadero et al, 2010). The aim of the present study was to determine seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in large game ungulates that cohabit in Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park (SCSV-NP) (Southern Spain).…”

Prevalence of Alaria alata mesocercariae in wild boars from Brandenburg, Germany

“…Animal age was defined by the hunters based on teeth eruption, teeth replacement, and physical appearance (Habermehl 1961;Bier et al 2020). Further, wild boars were divided in three age groups (0, 1, 2).…”

“…Wild boars younger than 1 year belong to age group 0 and 1 year old animals are part of age group 1. All wild boars aged 2 years or older belong to age group 2 (Game Management Directive of the German federal states of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 2001; Portier et al 2014;Bier et al 2020).…”