Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Dogs in Sichuan Province, Southwestern China

Abstract

There is a lack of information concerning the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs from southwestern China. In the present study, serum samples from 314 household dogs were collected from Wenchuan, Heishui, and Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, in May and June 201; sera were assayed for T. gondii antibodies using an indirect haemagglutination test (IHA). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 11 of 314 (3.5%), with IHA titers of 1:64 in 4 dogs, 1:128 in 3, 1:256 in 2, 1:512 in 1, and 1:1024 in 1. No regional difference was observed among the 3 counties (P > 0.05). The results of the present study indicated that infection with T. gondii in dogs is common in China, including household dogs in Sichuan Province, and should be of public health concern.

Evaluation of recombinant granule antigens GRA1 and GRA7 for serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondiiinfection in dogs

“…Serological tests are still considered useful for evaluation of the infection in humans and animals. IHA, MAT, LAT, IFAT and ELISA have been used to detect T. gondii infection in dogs [4,25-28]. However, the sensitivity and specificity of these tests may vary between sampling methods, or reference populations, even when the same tests are used in different species.…”

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Police Dogs in Shenyang, Northeastern China

“…Dogs are often regarded as faithful friends and intimate companions of humans. Unfortunately, however, dogs are known to be involved in mechanical transmission of T. gondii oocysts to humans by excreting oocysts [6,7], which can pose a health problem for humans.…”

Investigation on the co-infections of Toxoplasma gondii with PRRSV, CSFV or PCV-2 in swine in part of China

“…For T. gondii, the total seroprevalence in pigs from 9 provinces/municipalities was 9.14% (34/372), which kept at a relatively low lever. Recently, sero-epidemiological surveys about the T. gondii infection in swine have been conducted in some parts of China, the infection rate of T. gondii was 4.6-53.4% (Huang et al 2010;Zhou et al 2010;Tao et al 2011;Yu et al 2011;Li et al 2012;Wang et al 2012;Wu et al 2012;Chang et al 2013). Among the 34 positive samples, 26 samples were simultaneously infected with T. gondii and viruses, while the remaining 8 samples were infected with T. gondii alone, which indicated that viral infections seem to increase the chances of T. gondii infection in pig.…”

“…In addition, T. gondii infection in pigs poses risk for human infection with T. gondii through consumption of undercooked pork of the infected pigs (Huang et al 2010). The serological prevalence of T. gondii in pigs has been reported in different provinces of China, ranging from 4.6 to 53.4%, and indicated a common exposure (Huang et al 2010;Zhou et al 2010;Tao et al 2011;Yu et al 2011;Li et al 2012;Wang et al 2012;Wu et al 2012;Chang et al 2013).…”