Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Raw Milk and Sera of Cows in China

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide food-borne protozoa that has harmful influences on animal and human health. Raw milk containing T. gondii has been considered as one of the possible infectious sources for humans. Although China is one of the world’s leading milk consumers, there is still no study to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in raw cow milk in China; especially for cows in rural areas. Thus, we conducted this study to examine the specific anti-T. gondii IgG-antibody in the raw milk and sera of domestic cows in China. In total, 894 cows were randomly selected from rural areas in northeastern China. The positive rate of T. gondii in the milk and serum samples were 6.38% (57/894) and 7.16% (64/894), respectively. Moreover, a history of abortion (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.11–3.72, p = 0.022) was identified as the only risk factor for T. gondii infection in the studied cows. This study investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the raw milk and sera of cows in China; it provided timely and useful data for public health and food safety, especially in rural areas.

Molecular surveillance of Toxoplasma gondii in raw milk and Artisan cheese of sheep, goat, cow and water buffalo origin

“…Although it has been stated that large ruminants are more resistant to Toxoplasmosis, T. gondii has been detected in the milk of large ruminants in a few previous studies (Dehkordi et al 2013;Cisak et al 2017;Liu et al 2022). Therefore, it cannot be excluded that milk might be a potential source of acute toxoplasmosis if consumed raw (Liu et al 2022). The presence of T. gondii in goat and ewes' milk, rather than cow or water buffalo milk, is presumably related to breed-specific grazing differences.…”

“…We demonstrated that none of the analysed cows and water buffalo milk samples were positive for T. gondii DNA. Although it has been stated that large ruminants are more resistant to Toxoplasmosis, T. gondii has been detected in the milk of large ruminants in a few previous studies (Dehkordi et al 2013;Cisak et al 2017;Liu et al 2022). Therefore, it cannot be excluded that milk might be a potential source of acute toxoplasmosis if consumed raw (Liu et al 2022).…”

“…2017; Liu et al . 2022). Therefore, it cannot be excluded that milk might be a potential source of acute toxoplasmosis if consumed raw (Liu et al .…”

“…Therefore, it cannot be excluded that milk might be a potential source of acute toxoplasmosis if consumed raw (Liu et al . 2022). The presence of T. gondii in goat and ewes’ milk, rather than cow or water buffalo milk, is presumably related to breed‐specific grazing differences.…”

Advances and Challenges in Diagnostics of Toxoplasmosis in HIV-Infected Patients

“…Because many pathogens that threaten human health are foodborne parasites, in addition to the diagnostic methods mentioned above, there is also a need to test food for contamination by parasites. Detection of T. gondii infection in animals or animal products has been reported in numerous publications [ 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. It has been indicated that, in the USA, adult sheep and lambs had high T. gondii seroprevalence, and thus they should be considered a significant source of the parasite for humans [ 72 ].…”