Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic and wild felids as public health concerns: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hatam-Nahavandi, Kareem; Calero‐Bernal, Rafael; Rahimi, Mohammad Taghi; Pagheh, Abdol Sattar; Zarean, Mehdi; Dezhkam, Asiyeh; Ahmadpour, Ehsan

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-89031-8

Cited by 46 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 64 publications

(86 reference statements)

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“…The prevalence rate found in red fox (2.1%; 4/187) is in agreement with worldwide reported data for the excretion of oocysts of the closely related Toxoplasmatinae parasite Toxoplasma gondii by Felidae (Hatam-Nahavandi et al, 2021). With this in mind the presence of bovine besnoitiosis could be explained in regions where the disease is endemic not only by animal trade and mechanical transmission but also by the possible high prevalence of oocysts shedding and wide abundance of foxes.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain. Short running title: Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp in faeces from wild carnivores.

González‐Barrio¹,

Köster²,

Habela³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Numerous studies have unsuccessfully tried to unravel the definitive host of the coccidian parasite Besnoitia besnoiti. Cattle infections by B. besnoiti cause a chronic and debilitating condition called bovine besnoitiosis that has emerged in Europe during the last two decades, mainly due to limitations in its control associated to the absence of vaccines and therapeutical tools. Although the exact transmission pathway of B. besnoiti is currently unknown, it is assumed that the parasite might have an indirect life cycle with a carnivore as definitive host. Current lack of studies in wildlife might underestimate the importance of free-living species in the epidemiology of B. besnoiti. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess the presence of Besnoitia spp. in free-ranging mesocarnivores in Spain. DNA was searched by PCR on faeces collected from wild carnivores as a first approach to determine which species could be considered as potential definitive host candidates in further research. For this purpose, a total of 352 faecal samples from 12 free-living wild carnivore species belonging to the Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae, and Viverridae families were collected in seven Spanish regions. PCR testing showed that Besnoitia spp. DNA was present in four faecal samples from red foxes collected in western Spain, an area with the greatest density of extensively reared cattle and associated to high incidence of bovine besnoitiosis in the country. To date, this is the first report of a Besnoitia besnoiti-like sequence (99.57% homology) from carnivore faeces in a worldwide context. Red foxes might contribute to the epidemiology of B. besnoiti, although further studies, mostly based on bioassay, would be needed to elucidate the accuracy and extent of these interesting findings.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain. Short running title: Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp in faeces from wild carnivores.

González‐Barrio¹,

Köster²,

Habela³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…However, the pooled prevalence of T. gondii infections observed in wild felids 79% (95% CI: 60-94%) in this study is higher than the pooled prevalence reported in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America [10], while in north African countries, no data were available on wild felids [66]. The role of felids (domestic and wild) in T. gondii epidemiology has been documented in several reports [10,67,68]. In this review, seven (7) studies were on wild felids, while five (5) studies were on domestic cats.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 75%

Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Animals and Humans in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2022

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Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite with zoonotic importance worldwide especially in pregnant women and immunocompromised people. This study is set to review the literature on T. gondii infections in humans and animals in southern Africa. Methods: We extracted data regarding T. gondii infections from published articles from southern Africa from 1955 to 2020 from four databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO Host, and Science Direct. Forty articles from eight southern African countries were found eligible for the study. Results: This review revealed a paucity of information on T. gondii infection in southern African countries, with an overall prevalence of 17% (95% CI: 7–29%). Domestic felids had a prevalence of 29% (95% CI: 7–54%), wild felids 79% (95% CI: 60–94), canids (domestic and wild) 69% (95% CI: 38–96%), cattle 20% (95% CI: 5–39%), pigs 13% (95% CI: 1–29%), small ruminants (goats and sheep) 11% (95% CI: 0–31%), chicken and birds 22% (95% CI: 0–84%), and humans 14% (95% CI: 5–25%). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) constituted the most frequently used diagnostic tests for T. gondii. Conclusions: We recommend more focused studies be conducted on the epidemiology of T. gondii in the environment and human population, most especially the at-risk populations.

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“…Although only age was significantly associated with the anti- T. gondii IgG antibody in case group, other variables should not be ignored. In this regard, cats as the definitive hosts of T. gondii , play a key role in the transmission of sporulated oocysts to humans as well as polluting the environment [ 6 ]. A global meta-analysis study on contamination of soil with T. gondii oocysts was performed in different public places of the world [ 7 ]; in this regard, the estimated prevalences in Europe, South America, Asia and North America were 23% (95% CI 4–65), 22% (95% CI 18–26), 15% (95% CI 0.06–33) and 8% (95% CI 0.00–97), respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to published literatures, this zoonotic parasite affects approximately one-third of the world’s population, especially in communities with low socioeconomic level in many developing countries [ 3 , 4 ]. The life cycle of T. gondii consists of the felids (definitive hosts) and warm-blooded vertebrates (intermediate hosts) [ 5 ], and pollution of environmental resources occurs only by the felids via shedding oocysts [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sero-molecular survey on Toxoplasma gondii infection among drug addicted and non-addicted individuals: a case–control study

et al. 2022

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Background Up to now, epidemiological studies on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among drug addicted individuals have been rarely performed. By designing an age and sex matched case–control study, we sought to determine the prevalence and associated factors with T. gondii infection in these population using serological and molecular techniques. Methods One hundred and thirty-seven drug addicted individuals and 141 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Informed consent as well as a standard questionnaire were obtained from all subjects participating. Blood samples were collected from each participant and the serum was screened for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG and IgM). PCR assay was performed using the primer pair targeting the RE and GRA6 genes of T. gondii. Then, PCR products were sequenced to determine genotype. Results The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection based on IgG titer was 34.3% in case and 9.9% in the control groups, revealing a statistically significant difference (OR = 4.37; 95% CI = 2.46–9.12; P = 0.001). After analyzing the variables studied through the questionnaire, age was the only significantly factor associated with the anti-T. gondii IgG antibody in case group. Considering PCR assays with RE genomic target, the prevalence of T. gondii infection was 5.1% in the case and 3.5% in control groups which the difference was no statistically significant (OR = 1.46; 95% CI = 0.45–4.73; P = 0.521). Subsequently, all sequenced samples were genotype #1 using the GRA6 genomic target. Conclusions T. gondii exposure is relatively high among drug addicted individuals in Iran, and there is a need for health policymakers and researchers to establish enlightenment and prevention programs for these population at risk of infection.

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Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic and wild felids as public health concerns: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 46 publications

References 64 publications

Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain. Short running title: Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp in faeces from wild carnivores.

Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain. Short running title: Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp in faeces from wild carnivores.

Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Animals and Humans in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sero-molecular survey on Toxoplasma gondii infection among drug addicted and non-addicted individuals: a case–control study

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