The Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Wild Boars from Three Voivodeships in Poland, MAT Analyses

Abstract

Purpose The European wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a popular game animal species. Its meat, however, can represent a reservoir of dangerous foodborne diseases and can play an important role in the transmission of many pathogens, including Toxoplasma gondii, in humans and animals worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of antibodies to T. gondii in the serum of hunted wild boars in Poland. Methods Using the commercial direct agglutination test, 398 serum samples collected during the hunting season 2009/2010 were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies, and the titre of 40 was considered indicative of T. gondii infection in analysed samples. Results It was found that nationwide, 37.7% were seropositive to T. gondii, although seroprevalence varied from 11.6 to 50% depending on the Voivodeship. Significant differences were observed between the Great Poland and Lubusz Voivodeships and between Great Poland and Warmian-Masurian. Conclusion Serological test indicated widespread exposure to T. gondii by wild boar; therefore, consumption of raw or undercooked game meat of infected animals can carry a significant risk of T. gondii infection.

Revealing the Prevalence of Toxoplasma in Sierra Morena’s Wild Boar: An ELISA-Based Study Using Meat Juice

“…In agreement with previous authors [ 7 , 21 , 32 , 36 , 49 ], T. gondii infection in wild boar may represent a potential source of infection for humans.…”

“…In Sweden, ELISA analysis revealed a prevalence of 50% (29–65%) [ 33 , 56 ]. In Poland, MAT analysis of abdominal cavity blood showed a 37% prevalence [ 49 ], with regional variations of 11.6–50%. In Germany, ELISA analysis of abdominal cavity samples showed a mean prevalence of 24.4% [ 57 ].…”

Survey of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in retail red meat samples in Erbil governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

“…However, our results are lower than prevalence found in Mosul governorate (Iraq) (27%) (Zakaria, 2011), but higher than recently documented in Al-Diwaniyah province (Iraq) (17.5%) (Sakban & A'aiz, 2020). In contrast, significantly higher prevalence findings were reported from Ethiopia (24%) (Tilahun et al, 2018), Czech Republic (28%) (Lorencová et al, 2016), Tunisia (28.37%) (Amdouni et al, 2017), Yemen (28.94%) (Al-Shaibani et al, 2018), Poland (37.7%) (Kornacka et al, 2020), Lebanon (38%) (El Safadi et al, 2019), and Pakistan (42.80%) (Ullah et al, 2018).…”

Consumers’ Perception and Preference for the Consumption of Wild Game Meat among Adults in Poland

“…The meat of game animals, especially wild boars, is considered as the main source of Trichinella spiralis in Europe [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], and the meat of deer, hares, and game birds poses a risk of infection with toxoplasmosis. There may also be a risk of Yersinia enterocolitica [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], Toxoplasma gondii [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ], Salmonella [ 45 , 46 , 47 ], dioxins and PCBs [ 48 ], and the potential hazards of heavy metals due to the progressive degradation of the natural environment and their accumulation in the feed of wild game [ 37 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. Due to the presence of environmental pollutants in the food chain of wild animals, and the presence of parasites and infectious diseases, meat obtained from these animals should be thoroughly tested.…”

“…In many respects, game is a decidedly safer meat than livestock meat, especially in countries where restrictive veterinary regulations are in force, and levels of harmful compounds do not exceed acceptable limits and do not constitute a risk to consumers. Barriers to wild game consumption also include: high price, difficulty of access to the product [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ], limited supply [ 27 , 54 ], health safety concerns [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ], specific taste and smell, lack of the habit of consuming it, as well as an inability to prepare dishes properly [ 27 , 54 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ].…”