Spatial serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in individuals with animal hoarding disorder and their dogs in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Despite vulnerability and unsanitary conditions of animal hoarding may predispose environmental contamination and spread of vectors and pathogens, no study to date has focused on their impact on public health and zoonotic diseases. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and associated factors in individuals with animal hoarding disorder (AHD) and their dogs in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 264 dogs (21 households) and 19 individuals with AHD (11 households). Their blood was tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Overall, anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity was found in 21/264 dogs (7.95%; 95% CI: 4.69-11.22) with titers ranging from 16 to 4096, and in 7/19 individuals with AHD (36.84%; CI: 15.15-58.53) with titers ranging from 16 to 64. Serological analysis for anti-T. gondii antibodies were considered positive in at least one individual or dog in 9/11 (81.82%; 95% CI: 59.03-100.00) cases that were thoroughly assessed. Surprisingly, the seropositivity of individuals with AHD and their dogs was among the lowest reportedly observed in human and dog populations of Brazil. There was no significant association between positive owners and positive dogs or the presence of cats in the household. Regard epidemiological variables, a significant association was found between dog's seropositivity and the type of dog food. To the authors' knowledge, the present study represents the first investigation of T. gondii seroprevalence in individuals with hoarding disorder and their dogs. In conclusion, despite low sanitary conditions, anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies frequency in individuals with AHD and their dogs are lower than the general population likely due to low protozoan load in such isolated households.

From the Approach to the Concept: One Health in Latin America-Experiences and Perspectives in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia

“…In such scenarios, wild boars, hunting dogs, and hunters have been surveyed in Brazil for vector-borne, waterborne, and foodborne diseases, for the first time worldwide (21). Moreover, One Health research and outreach community projects with community leaders toward Brazilian social classes vulnerability have provided interesting results in animal hoarders, homeless, incarcerated, indigenous, slum, low-income, and traditional island populations in their environments (22)(23)(24)(25). In such a hands-on approach, companion and livestock animals have been concomitantly surveyed along with their owners, reaching holistic results, and establishing new roles in pathogen cycles of urban and anthropized settings.…”

Serological survey of anti‐Leptospira spp. antibodies in individuals with animal hoarding disorder and their dogs in a major city of Southern Brazil

“…Interestingly, another study in the same population of individuals with animal HD and their dogs sampled herein shown a low occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, despite the observed unsanitary conditions (da Cunha et al, 2020). The social isolation and reclusive nature of many individuals with HD and, consequently, their animals (Nathanson, 2009) may decrease the exposure to both pathogens.…”

“…Given the build‐up of cluttering, households of individuals with hoarding disorder (HD) are, in many instances, considered a public health threat. These environmental conditions could lead to infestation and proliferation of insects and rodents, favouring disease transmission (da Cunha et al., 2020 ; Lockwood, 2018 ). In animal hoarding situations, improper animal care, such as lack of food and water and small, crowded and unsanitary spaces for animal maintenance are reported (Patronek, 1999 ), such as in Figure 1 .…”

Association of hoarding case identification and animal protection programs to socioeconomic indicators in a major metropolitan area of Brazil

“…The One Health approach, defined as a holistic assessment of human, animal, and environmental health, has reportedly been used to better understand zoonotic diseases in hoarding disorder cases, as previously shown by our research group for leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis ( 13 – 15 ). In addition, our group has also recently proposed and applied a One Health Index (OHI) to comprehensively measure human, animal, and environmental health indicators in Curitiba as a tool for the worldwide assessment of major metropolitan areas ( 16 ).…”