Toxoplasma gondii infection and biosecurity levels in fattening pigs and sows: serological and molecular epidemiology in the intensive pig industry (Lombardy, Northern Italy)

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan affecting animals and humans. One of the major routes of human infection is through the consumption of raw or under-cooked meat, particularly of certain animal species, including pigs. Although T. gondii represents an important public health issue, its control at slaughter is not mandatory. Consequently, available information on T. gondii infection in domestic animals destined for human consumption is scarce. Thus, an epidemiologic survey was designed to update information on T. gondii infection in pigs from intensive production. Fattening pigs and sows from conventional farms were sampled. Sera were tested with a commercial ELISA for anti-T. gondii antibodies, whereas molecular analysis by 529 bp repetitive element PCR and B1 real-time PCR with subsequent genotyping was performed on heart samples. Statistical analysis was carried out to detect farm management features and sanitary procedures enhancing the risk of infection. At the farm level, 63.6% (7/11) of farms housing sows and 6.7% (1/15) housing fattening pigs scored positive, with individual prevalences of 8.6% (13/151) in sows and 0.5% (1/219) in fattening pigs. T. gondii DNA was detected in eight sows and one fattening pig, and sequencing revealed the presence of all three genotypes (types I, II, and III). Furthermore, the decrease in the biosecurity level enhanced the risk of infection within a farm. The present survey outcomes confirm the spread of T. gondii infection in pig farms in an area of intensive swine production. The application of stricter sanitary procedures may contribute to a further reduction of infection.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in meat-producing small ruminants: Meat juice serology and genotyping

“…The present survey, aimed at estimating the presence of T. gondii in small ruminants' meats consumed in Italy, revealed seroprevalence values lower than those previously reported in sheep J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f Journal Pre-proof (59.3%) and goats (41.7%) bred in Northern Italy [6]. In the study area, T. gondii showed to be widely spread also in other domestic [11,12] and wild animals [13][14][15]. Moreover, compared to the previous epidemiological survey [6] mostly focusing on adult meat producing sheep and dairy goats, in the present study both adult and young sheep and goats were sampled since a large proportion of lambs and kids are slaughtered in Italy (respectively 90.3% and 86%) (data obtained from the National Institute of Statistic, ISTAT, http://dati-censimentoagricoltura.istat.it/).…”

Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected goats: Monitoring of specific IgG levels in serum and milk during lactation and parasitic DNA detection in milk

“…1 Toxoplasma gondii infection is a sanitary issue having a high economic impact on goat farming; particularly in the study area, Northern Italy where high seroprevalence rates were recorded in small ruminant farms, with 41.7 and 59.3% seropositive goats and sheep, respectively (Gazzonis et al, 2015). In addition, as a proof of the high environmental spread of the pathogen, in the same study area, T. gondii showed to be widely spread also in other domestic (Gazzonis et al, 2015;Gazzonis et al, , 2018b;Villa et al, 2018) and wild animals (Gazzonis et al, 2018c, d), with values varying according to investigated host species and on considered farming conditions.…”

First detection of anti- Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in horses and donkeys in Italy

“…(2.3-28%) has been reported in equids reared in Southern Italy [7,8,9,10]. In Northern Italy data are limited to T. gondii infection in horses destined for human consumption (17.6%) [11], although the presence of the parasite in this area was recently reported in other domestic and wild species [12,13,14,15]. Therefore, the study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of Besnoitia spp., T.…”

“…gondii infection for humans. Although prevalence is lower in horses when compared to other species such as small ruminants and domestic and wild pigs [12,14,15] and the burden of tissue cysts is less consistent if compared to pigs, horse meat is often used for preparation of dishes containing raw meat, therefore also equids could represent a risk of parasite infection for humans.…”