Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in free-ranging moose ( Alces alces ) hunted for human consumption in Estonia: Indicator host species for environmental Toxoplasma gondii oocyst contamination

Remes, Noora; Kärssin, Age; Must, Kärt; Tagel, Maarja; Lassen, Brian; Jokelainen, Pikka

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.11.001

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…Notably, the seroprevalence estimate (41.71%; 95% CI 39.31-44.14) was 1.7 times higher ( p < 0.001, chi-square) than an estimate reported from Finland (24.6%; 95% CI 22.7-26.5), which was obtained with the same method and cutoff for seropositivity and from a similar sample of sheep ( Jokelainen et al 2010). Similarly, the seroprevalence in domestic cats, a key host species for the epidemiology of T. gondii, and the seroprevalence in free-ranging moose (A. alces), an indicator species of environmental oocyst contamination, were higher in Estonia than in Finland ( Jokelainen et al 2010, Must et al 2015, Remes et al 2018. These data together show that the epidemiological situation differs in the two countries.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

“…In our previous studies, more than half (55.8%) of the individuals representing the general human population (Lassen et al 2016) and more than half (60.8%) of the domestic cats examined were T. gondii seropositive (Must et al 2015). Furthermore, almost a quarter (24.0%) of examined free-ranging wild boars (Sus scrofa) and moose (Alces alces), which are considered good indicators of environmental contamination with T. gondii, were seropositive , Remes et al 2018. In domestic animals, the seroprevalence was estimated to be 5.8% in domestic pigs from breeding herds (Santoro et al 2017) and 18.6% in cattle ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Flock size was evaluated as a dichotomous variable (small flock: <100 sheep vs. large flock: ‡ 100 sheep) (Deksne et al 2017). The location of the farm was evaluated by using counties as dummy variables and Harjumaa County, where the capital city Tallinn is located, as the reference county (Remes et al 2018) and alternatively as a dichotomous variable: mainland vs. islands (the two large islands, Hiiumaa County and Saaremaa County).…”

Section: Statistical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Large-Scale Epidemiological Study onToxoplasma gondiiSeroprevalence and Risk Factors in Sheep in Estonia: Age, Farm Location, and Breed Associated with Seropositivity

Tagel

Lassen

Viltrop

et al. 2019

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of major veterinary and public health importance. The parasite is common in many host species in Estonia, however, information about the seroprevalence in the local sheep population is lacking. We estimated T. gondii seroprevalence and evaluated a limited selection of possible risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity in sheep raised in Estonia. Sera from 1599 sheep from 122 flocks, collected during 2012-2013, were diluted to 1:40 and screened for the presence of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies using a commercial direct agglutination test. The cutoff titer for seropositivity was 40. A total of 667 of the 1599 sheep were T. gondii seropositive, yielding an apparent seroprevalence estimate of 41.71% (95% confidence interval 39. 31-44.14). At least one seropositive sheep was detected on the majority (88.53%) of the farms. T. gondii seroprevalence was significantly lower in lambs (age <12 months) than in adults (age ‡ 12 months) (11.11% and 42.16%, respectively). The seroprevalence increased steeply with age in the first years of life. A multivariable random-effects logistic regression model identified being an adult (odds ratio [OR] 9.55) and being from a farm located on the islands (OR 2.51) as risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity, while being of Texel breed appeared as a protective factor (OR 0.34) when compared with the Estonian Blackhead breed. Exposure to T. gondii was widespread among the investigated sheep. Undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk from sheep from Estonia should be considered possible sources of T. gondii infections to other hosts, including humans.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Statistical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Large-Scale Epidemiological Study onToxoplasma gondiiSeroprevalence and Risk Factors in Sheep in Estonia: Age, Farm Location, and Breed Associated with Seropositivity

Tagel

Lassen

Viltrop

et al. 2019

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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“…of moose of unknown age (no. of seropositives)Apparent seroprevalence (%)Vikøren et al, 20042004Norway1992–2000SerumDAT a n.r.n.r.607 (27)1468 (233)67 (10)12.6Jokelainen et al, 20102010Finland2008–2009SerumDAT a n.r.n.r.454 (24)729 (90)32 (2)9.5Malmsten et al, 20112011Sweden2000–2005SerumDAT a n.r.n.r.122 (17)295 (68)020.4Remes et al, 20182018Estonia2015–2015Serum or plasmaDAT a n.r.n.r.143 (18)316 (91)4 (2)24.0a = Commercial modified direct agglutination test (DAT), Toxo-Screen DA bioMérieux, Marcy-l'Étoile France [Cut-off, dilution of 1:40]. n.r.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs, sheep, cattle, wild boars, and moose in the Nordic-Baltic region: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Olsen

Berg

Tagel

et al. 2019

Parasite Epidemiology and Control

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BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is an important foodborne zoonotic parasite. Meat of infected animals is presumed to constitute a major source of human infection and may be a driver of geographical variation in the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in humans, which is substantial in the Nordic-Baltic region in northern Europe. However, data on seroprevalence of T. gondii in different animal species used for human consumption are scattered.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of seroprevalence studies and meta-analysis to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in five animal species that are raised or hunted for human consumption in the Nordic-Baltic region: domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), sheep (Ovis aries), cattle (Bos taurus), wild boars (Sus scrofa), and moose (Alces alces). We searched for studies that were conducted between January 1990 and June 2018, and reported in articles, theses, conference abstracts and proceedings, and manuscripts. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify variables influencing the seroprevalence.FindingsFrom a total of 271 studies identified in the systematic review, 32 were included in the meta-analysis. These comprised of 13 studies on domestic pigs, six on sheep, three on cattle, six on wild boars, and four on moose. The estimated pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii was 6% in domestic pigs (CI95%: 3–10%), 23% in sheep (CI95%: 12–36%), 7% in cattle (CI95%: 1–21%), 33% in wild boars (CI95%: 26–41%), and 16% in moose (CI95%: 10–23%). High heterogeneity was observed in the seroprevalence data within each species. In all host species except wild boars, the pooled seroprevalence estimates were significantly higher in animals >1 year of age than in younger animals. Not all studies provided information on animal age, sensitivity and specificity of the serological method employed, and the cut-off values used for defining an animal seropositive.ConclusionsA substantial proportion of animals raised or hunted for human consumption in the region had tested positive for T. gondii. This indicates widespread exposure to T. gondii among animals raised or hunted for human consumption in the region. Large variations were observed in the seroprevalence estimates between the studies in the region; however, studies were too few to identify spatial patterns at country-level.

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“…Finland (Jokelainen et al, 2010), Sweden (Wallander et al, 2015) and Estonia (Remes et al, 2018). As game becomes a more and more popular meat source, an increase in the number of farmed game can be expected and should therefore also be included in the studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar and deer in Brandenburg, Germany

Bier

Stollberg

Mayer‐Scholl

et al. 2020

Zoonoses and Public Health

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Consumption of game in Germany has increased during the past 10 years. Wild boar (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) are the most frequently hunted and consumed game animals in Germany, yet information on the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in these animal species is scarce. To better estimate the public health risk emanating from handling and consumption of game, this study investigated seroprevalences of Toxoplasma gondii in game hunted in the German federal state of Brandenburg during two hunting seasons from 2017 to 2019. Toxoplasma gondii‐specific antibodies were detected in 24.4% (44/180, 95% CI: 18.4%–31.4%) of wild boar, 12.8% (16/125, 95% CI: 7.5%–20%) of roe deer and 6.4% (3/47, 95% CI: 1.3%–17.5%) of red deer using a commercial ELISA kit. Seroprevalences were similar in the two hunting seasons. Correlation between sex and seropositivity could not be observed. A rise in seroprevalence was seen with increasing age in all studied game species. Observed seroprevalences suggest that T. gondii is endemic in the sylvatic environment in the German federal state of Brandenburg and imply that game could represent a relevant source for human T. gondii infection.

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Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in free-ranging moose ( Alces alces ) hunted for human consumption in Estonia: Indicator host species for environmental Toxoplasma gondii oocyst contamination

Cited by 11 publications

References 16 publications

Large-Scale Epidemiological Study onToxoplasma gondiiSeroprevalence and Risk Factors in Sheep in Estonia: Age, Farm Location, and Breed Associated with Seropositivity

Large-Scale Epidemiological Study onToxoplasma gondiiSeroprevalence and Risk Factors in Sheep in Estonia: Age, Farm Location, and Breed Associated with Seropositivity

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs, sheep, cattle, wild boars, and moose in the Nordic-Baltic region: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar and deer in Brandenburg, Germany

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