Toxoplasmosis of animals and humans, second edition
Abstract
Found worldwide from Alaska to Australasia, Toxoplasma gondii knows no geographic boundaries. The protozoan is the source of one of the most common parasitic infections in humans, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife, and has gained notoriety with its inclusion on the list of potential bioterrorism microbes. In the two decades since the publication of the first edition of Toxoplasmosis of Animals and Humans there has been an explosion of knowledge concerning T. gondii and toxoplasmosis. Still used extensively as a cell model, its genome has recently been published making it a subject of even greater scientific interest. Keeping the organizational style that made the previous edition so popular and usable, this second edition has been completely revised and updated. New in the Second Edition: Expanded information on the cultivation, maintenance, and preservation of T. gondii Expanded information on the cell biology and molecular biology of the parasite Reviews all literature from the past 20 years for each domestic animal Summarizes information on the worldwide prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and the devastating disease it can cause in newborn Written by one of the pioneers of the field, the book provides unique information on all known host types for this parasite. It distills the voluminous and potentially confusing scientific literature that has grown geometrically in the 20 years since the publication of the first edition into a comprehensive resource. The single author approach ensures a strong foundation in the biology and a seamless integration of topics. The new edition of this groundbreaking work is the only volume to cover toxoplasmosis of animals and humans thoroughly in one source. It supplies an entry point to further research by cutting through the morass of literature to identify the most relevant references.
... Tissue cysts can range in size (5-70 mm) and can contain a few to hundreds of bradyzoites [11]. Toxoplasmosis is diagnosed using a variety of techniques, most frequently serological ones. ...
... Common symptoms of T. gondii infection in cats can include fever, ocular inflammation, anorexia, lethargy, abdominal discomfort and neurologic abnormalities [16]. Most infected cats are asymptomatic, whereas clinical toxoplasmosis is mostly manifested in pneumonia, and in cats that subsequently died the most common signs were sensory depression and anorexia [11]. Other consequences of the infection are hepatitis, pancreatic necrosis, myositis, myocarditis, uveitis, dermatitis, and encephalitis with the worst lesions being in kittens with congenital infections [90,91]. ...
... Generally, in immunocompetent patients' treatment is usually unnecessary since the infection is subclinical and the immune response is able to control it. However, in immunocompromised patients (including HIV and other risk groups), the patients need to be treated and monitored since toxoplasmosis is a major cause of death among AIDS patients [11]. In these patients, the recommended treatment is a combination of two drugs, pyrimethamine (25-100 mg daily) and trisulfapyrimidines (2-6 g daily), administered for 1 month where this combination acts by inhibiting the enzyme, dihydrofolatereductase, of T. gondii preventing the synthesis of DNA and proteins. ...
Toxoplasmosis is an obligate intracellular protozoon that infects warm-blooded animals and humans, causing multiple manifestations. It can cause serious ocular disease, even in immune competent people, as well as abortions and encephalitis in domestic and wild animals. It can also result in fatal encephalitis in immunosuppressed individuals; if first contracted during pregnancy, it can result in miscarriage or congenital defects in the newborn. The parasite then penetrates the intestinal epithelial barrier and spreads from the lamina propria to a wide range of other organs in the body. The disease has a complex epidemiology and is spread by consumption of oocysts that are shed in the faeces of definitive feline hosts and contaminate water, soil, and crops, or by consumption of intracellular cysts in undercooked meat from intermediate hosts. Congenital infection is mostly diagnosed through laboratory testing, such as PCR and serologic assays, which also helps with the confirmation diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis and ocular toxoplasmosis. For prevention and control, programs on the parasite and avoiding contact with infectious stages; biosecurity and sanitation to ensure the safety of food and water; chemo-and immunotherapeutic to control active infections and disease; prophylactic measures to prevent the infection of livestock and the formation of cysts in meat; and vaccines to prevent oocyst shedding by permanent feline hosts.
... The present study used an ELISA technique for the detection of both parasites, which is considered to have higher specificity and sensitivity compared to other serological methods [47]. Cross-reactions between T. gondii and N. caninum have been demonstrated to occur when IFAT was used given that a high concentration of fluorescent antibodies against apical organelles antigens of numerous apicomplexan parasites is common [48]. Notably, the majority of goats seropositive for T. gondii and N. caninum were adult animals. ...
... In Malaysian ruminant farms, semi-intensive management systems provide opportunities for livestock to graze externally in contrast to intensive systems where the animals are confined. Such practices heighten the exposure to oocysts, which are widely distributed in the environment, thereby increasing the risk of T. gondii infection [48]. ...
... Such animals are more likely to be exposed to these infections from various sources since they have lived longer. Therefore, older goats are less resistant to T. gondii infection as a result of lower defense mechanisms associated with aging [3,48]. ...
Apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Besnoitia besnoiti are widely recognized as causes of production diseases in ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the serological occurrence of T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. besnoiti in cattle and goats from smallholder farms in Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 19 farms by collecting 404 bovine (n = 225) and caprine (n = 179) serum samples, which were then essayed for T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. besnoiti antibodies using commercially available ELISA test kits. Farm data and animal characteristics were documented, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. The seroprevalence of T. gondii at animal and farm levels in cattle was 5.3% (95% CI 1.2–7.4%) and 36.8% (95% CI 22.4–58.0%), respectively. Animal-level seropositivity for N. caninum was 2.7% (95% CI 0.4–4.2%) and 5.7% for B. besnoiti (95% CI 1.3–9.4%) with corresponding farm-level seropositivity of 21.0% and 31.5%, respectively. For the goat samples, a high animal- (69.8%; 95% CI 34.1–82.0%) and farm-level (92.3%) seropositivity was recorded for T. gondii, but was relatively lower for N. caninum antibodies, at 3.9% (95% CI 1.5–6.2%) and 38.4% (5/13). The factors associated with T. gondii seropositivity were older animals (above 12 months) (OR = 5.3; 95% CI 1.7–16.6), semi-intensive farms (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.3–6.2), the presence of either dogs or cats (OR = 3.6; 95% CI 1.1–12.3), a large herd size (>100 animals) (OR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.4–10.0), and a single source of replacement animals (OR = 3.9; 95% CI 1.6–9.6). These findings are vital in developing effective control measures against these parasites in ruminant farms in Selangor, Malaysia. More national epidemiological research is required to elucidate the spatial distribution of these infections and their potential impact on Malaysia’s livestock industry.
... Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can cause severe disease in humans and many species of animals (Dubey, 2022). Felids are the definitive hosts of this parasite, while other warm-blooded animals serve as intermediate hosts. ...
... Felids are the definitive hosts of this parasite, while other warm-blooded animals serve as intermediate hosts. The infections can be acquired through the ingestion of raw/undercooked meat or vegetables containing oocysts or drinking water contaminated with the feces of the infected felids (Dubey, 2010;2022). ...
... There are numerous surveys of T. gondii infection in domestic and wild animals worldwide, but little is known of its infection in Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) (Loeffler et al. 2007;Dubey, 2010;2022). Heilongjiang Siberian Tiger Park and Dujiangyan Panda Park are two popular scenic spots in China. ...
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a worldwide zoonosis. The aim of the present study was to detect the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and associated risk factors among Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China. Blood samples from 112 Siberian tigers and 22 giant pandas were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) against T. gondii by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 7.14% among Siberian tigers and 9.09% among giant pandas. No risk factors were found to be significantly associated with seroprevalence (P > 0.05). This is the first study to evaluate T. gondii infection in Siberian tigers on a large scale in China, and it also updates the information regarding the positivity rate of T. gondii infection among giant pandas in China.
... Toxoplasma gondii is one of the intracellular protozoan parasites that could infect mammals and birds, including humans and felines (Dubey, 2010;Pappas et al., 2009;Waldman et al., 2020). Generally, felines serve as the definitive host of T. gondii; they specifically excrete millions of environmentally resistant oocysts. ...
... Furthermore, cats could re-shed oocysts after secondary or tertiary T. gondii infection (Dubey, 1995;Zulpo et al., 2018). Under the mild environmental condition, the infectious sporulated oocysts could survive more than 1 year (Dubey, 2010). Hence, captive felids (e.g., in zoos) infected with T. gondii can be a possible contamination source for other animals and humans. ...
... Tissue samples (50 g: namely heart, tongue, skeletal muscle, diaphragm, or brain) from the four tigers were homogenized and digested in pepsin solution, respectively (Dubey, 2010). The homogenates were injected subcutaneously into Swiss mice (n = 3-5) and IFN-γ − /− mice (n = 1). ...
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world. Felines excrete Toxoplasma gondii oocysts, which play a key role in the transmission of this protozoon. Pathological diagnoses were performed on four carcasses of captive tigers collected from 2019 to 2021 in China, and T. gondii was surveyed using serology, molecular analysis, and aetiology. Striated muscle samples of the tigers (n = 4) were bioassayed in mice. DNA derived from T. gondii tachyzoites was isolated and characterized using PCR–RFLP. The pathological diagnoses revealed that ageing, declined immune function, liver, and kidney failures caused the deaths in the tigers examined. A modified agglutination test (cut–off: 1:25) revealed that IgG antibodies to T. gondii were 100% (4/4) in the captive tigers. Two viable T. gondii strains (TgTigerCHn3 and TgTigerCHn4) were isolated from tiger striated muscles and seeded on the Vero cell culture for further propagation. The genotypes of TgTigerCHn3 and TgTigerCHn4 were ToxoDB#20 and ToxoDB#2, respectively. The two strains were avirulent for Swiss mice, which matched the ROP18 and ROP5 gene alleles of TgtigerCHn3 (3/4) and TgtigerCHn4 (3/3). Few brain tissue cysts (0–213) were observed in the mice after inoculation with TgTigerCHn3 and TgTigerCHn4. This is the first documented isolation of T. gondii ToxoDB#20 and ToxoDB#2 from tigers. The results provide additional direct evidence of tiger as intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma gondii. Tigers in the zoos may potentially transmit T. gondii to other animals and humans.
... Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, is an intracellular protozoan parasite (Dubey, 2010a) with a worldwide distribution with the exception of Artactica (Li et al., 2020;Al-Malki et al., 2021). The definitive hosts for T. gondii are cats and other felids (Dubey, 2010a). ...
... gondii), the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, is an intracellular protozoan parasite (Dubey, 2010a) with a worldwide distribution with the exception of Artactica (Li et al., 2020;Al-Malki et al., 2021). The definitive hosts for T. gondii are cats and other felids (Dubey, 2010a). The parasite has a broad range of intermediate hosts (Markovic et al.,2014) comprising mammals including humans and birds which harbor the cysts stage in their tissues (Foroutan et al., 2019;Opsteegh et al., 2016). ...
... In humans, infection with T. gondii occurs through ingestion of oocysts shed by cats (Wang et al., 2017), consumption of bradyzoites in raw or undercooked meat from intermediate hosts (Tenter et al., 2000;Weiss and Dubey, 2009), congenital infection, blood transfusion, and organ transplant (Morris et al., 2010). The main sources of T. gondii infection for domestic animals including donkeys are water or feed contaminated with sporulated oocysts and probably from mother to fetus (Dubey, 2010a). In livestock, especially small ruminants, T. gondii is mainly involved in abortions (Hussein et al., 2011), reproductive failure (Fernández-Escobar et al., 2020), loss of milk production (Ali et al., 2021), and production of weaker offsprings (Khan and Noordin, 2020). ...
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite of zoonotic concern and economic importance in humans and animals, respectively. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of T. gondii and associated risk factors in domestic donkeys from Kirinyaga and Meru counties in Kenya. Blood samples were collected from 363 randomly selected donkeys for detection of antibodies to T. gondii using a commercial kit ID Screen® Toxoplasmosis Multi-species indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data on risk factors were collected by interviewing donkey owners using epidemiological questionnaire. Serum antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 26.4% (95% CI: 22.2–31.3) of the donkeys. The analysis showed that age of donkeys (OR = 2.484, 95% CI: 1.315–4.693; p = 0.005) was associated with increased risk for T. gondii seroprevalence while county of origin of donkeys (OR = 0.182, 95% CI: 0.083–0.400; p = 0.000), residential place of donkeys (OR = 0.301, 95% CI: 0.136–0.665; p = 0.003), rearing chicken (OR = 0.203, 95% CI: 0.064–0.644; p = 0.007), and donkey production system (OR = 0.644, 95% CI: 0.456–0.909; p = 0.012) were associated with reduced risk of T. gondii seroprevalence. This is the first report to provide epidemiological information on T. gondii infection among donkeys in Kenya. The presence of antibodies to T. gondii in donkeys suggests the high potential of transmission to other animals and humans. Regular monitoring and control of T. gondii infection in donkeys were recommended in the study area.
... Sexual replication of T. gondii occurs in the intestine of felines, which are the end host of the protozoan parasite. Humans and most animals are considered intermediate hosts because they harbor tissue cysts containing tachyzoa [1]. It is estimated that one-third of the human population is infected with T. gondii [1]. ...
... Humans and most animals are considered intermediate hosts because they harbor tissue cysts containing tachyzoa [1]. It is estimated that one-third of the human population is infected with T. gondii [1]. Prenatal infections can lead to severe problems and even death [2], whereas postnatal toxoplasmosis, although rare, can cause eye and behavioral problems [3][4][5][6][7][8]. ...
... The high prevalence in Slovenian wild boar is surprising. Although Slovenia (46 • 8 57 N/14 • 59 34 E) has an ideal Mediterranean/Continental/pre-Alpine climate that allows successful survival of T. gondii and wild boar [1,17,31], only 55% of the territory is populated with wild boar [31]. Steep and rough terrain in mountainous regions is not an optimal habitat for wild boar [31], which explains why only a small number of animals were sampled in some regions. ...
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of great public health concern. Wild boars could be considered an emerging source of toxoplasmosis in humans due to the popularity of venison and their increasing population. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the Slovenian wild boar population and evaluate risk factors for human infection. Of 353 samples, 62% were positive for T. gondii using ELISA tests. This is the highest T. gondii seroprevalence reported to date in wild boar worldwide. The increase in prevalence with increasing age (p = 0.003) and weight (p = 0.002) were statistically significant, whereas gender was not (p = 0.781). Odds for being T. gondii-positive increased with age with the largest difference being between 2–3-year-old and 1–2-year-old animals (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.03–6.85). Animals weighing 20–40 kg had a higher risk than animals weighing 0–20 kg (OR = 2.74, 95%CI: 1.21–6.20), whereas a further increase in the weight was not associated with increasing the odds. Due to the high Toxoplasma prevalence, the study concluded that the risk of exposure to T. gondii from handling raw or undercooked wild boar meat is high. Surveillance protocols should be established at the national level together with increased awareness within the hunting community.
... It can cause spontaneous abortion and neonatal mortality in humans and animals. The only definitive hosts are members of the cats' family Felidae, including domestic cats (Levine, 1985;Dubey, 2016) and almost all domestic mammals including sheep, goats, cattle, humans, and birds serve as intermediate hosts. The main source of infection is primarily through the ingestion of meat containing tissue cysts (pradazoites) or milk and water contaminated with sporulated oocysts (Tenter, Heckeroth and Weiss, 2000) In Libya and most Arab and African countries, sheep, goats, cattle, chickens and camels represent the most consumed animal species (Tonouhewa et al., 2017), therefore these livestock animals play an important role in the epidemiology of the disease caused by T.gondii or Toxoplasmosis (Dubey, 2010;Hill and Dubey, 2013;Rouatbi et al., 2019). ...
... The severity of the disease in livestock animals is associated with the stage of pregnancy. Infection during the early stage of gestation can result in fatal death, mummification, abortion, and stillbirth, while infection in the later stage of gestation may have no clinical effect, and lambs are usually born normal but infected and immune (Dubey and Beattie, 1988;Dubey, 2016;Buxton et al., 2017). Many studies have 2021 University of Benghazi. ...
... from Nigeria (Ishaku et al., 2018). The differences of seroprevalence in these studies could be related to the risk factors which include age, sex, breed, climatic variation, diagnosis test (sensitivity and specificity), geographical location, and samples size of population studies (Skjerve et al., 1998;Tenter, Heckeroth and Weiss, 2000;Gebremedhin et al., 2014;Lahmar et al., 2015;Dubey, 2016;Tonouhewa et al., 2017;Tilahun et al., 2018;Alghanaei and Abdulsalam, 2019). The statistically significant difference in T. gondii seroprevalence based on animal species (goats and sheep) with higher prevalence in sheep (P=0.02) ...
Based on the Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG) kites, 260 samples were found positive for this parasite. In this study, serum samples from four hundred and seventy (470), comprising 234 local sheep (Ovis aries) and 236 goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) of different ages and gender were collected and analysed for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG) using the latex agglutination test (LAT) kits according to manufacturer's instructions. The result showed that of the 470 serum samples of tested animals (sheep and goats) analysed, 260 were positive for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG) given an overall prevalence of 55.3%. A significant difference in seropreva-lence of T. gondii antibodies was observed between the two species of tested animals with a higher prevalence in sheep (P=0.02). No significant differences in the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies between males (61.5%) and females (45.5%) of both species (P=0.339). The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was higher in tested animals of less than 2 years of age, though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.225). According to the breeding site, Almagzha region showed significant (P=0.00) high seroprevalence (77.4%) compared with other sites. The highest T. gondii seroprevalence was recorded in the spring season. This study showed that local sheep and goats from Benghazi and the near by areas may represent a significant source of T. gondii infection in the human population through consumption of undercooked meat.
... Feral cats pose a significant threat to wildlife, agriculture and human health through predation, competition and transmission of diseases. While their devastating impacts on wildlife are widely reported (Burns et al. 2003;Canfield et al. 1990;Dubey 2010;Hardman et al. 2016;Medina et al. 2014;Medina et al. 2011;Short 2016;Woinarski et al. 2015), the impacts of feral cats on agriculture and human health are often overlooked. Cat-borne parasites Communicated by Christian Imholt. ...
... Cat-borne parasites Communicated by Christian Imholt. contribute to significant losses for livestock producers, with parasite-induced diseases such as toxoplasmosis responsible for increased lambing losses through abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death (Dubey 2009(Dubey , 2010Habibi et al. 2012), and macroscopic sarcocystosis causing significant economic losses due to reduced meat quality and aesthetics (Dubey et al. 2015;O'Donoghue and Ford 1986). Infection with Toxoplasma gondii, the cat-borne parasite responsible for the disease toxoplasmosis, also poses a significant risk to human health, with some infections leading to miscarriage, congenital defects or ophthalmic disease (Burnett et al. 1998;Dubey 2010;Wong and Remington 1994). ...
... contribute to significant losses for livestock producers, with parasite-induced diseases such as toxoplasmosis responsible for increased lambing losses through abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death (Dubey 2009(Dubey , 2010Habibi et al. 2012), and macroscopic sarcocystosis causing significant economic losses due to reduced meat quality and aesthetics (Dubey et al. 2015;O'Donoghue and Ford 1986). Infection with Toxoplasma gondii, the cat-borne parasite responsible for the disease toxoplasmosis, also poses a significant risk to human health, with some infections leading to miscarriage, congenital defects or ophthalmic disease (Burnett et al. 1998;Dubey 2010;Wong and Remington 1994). In Australia, the cost of feral cats to livestock and human health has been coarsely estimated at $6 billion per year (Legge et al. 2020), with the prevalence of cat-borne diseases in Australia ranking among some of the highest levels reported globally (Fancourt and Jackson 2014). ...
Reducing the damage caused by feral cats (Felis catus) to wildlife, livestock and human health is a key objective for many land managers and human health agencies globally. The lack of safe and efficacious lethal control tools in many regions, however, makes the control of feral cats and their impacts challenging. We performed a baiting trial in central Queensland to measure the efficacy and safety of Eradicat®, a feral cat bait currently approved for use only in the state of Western Australia, as a potential tool for the broadscale control of feral cats in eastern Australian environments. We used camera traps, cat-borne GPS collars and chemical residue analysis to monitor mortality and changes in feral cat populations following baiting. We also used camera traps and bird count surveys to monitor the response of key at-risk non-target species, specifically wild dogs (Canis familiaris), common brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and 10 bird species at risk of consuming baits. Feral cat abundance reduced significantly (29–40%) following baiting, with reductions observed across 83% of the site. There were no significant changes in wild dog, possum or potentially bait-consuming bird populations following baiting. Our findings suggest that Eradicat® could potentially be a safe and efficacious tool for the landscape control of feral cats at some sites in eastern Australia. Future research is required to test the safety and efficacy of Eradicat® at other sites in eastern Australia, as suites of non-target species will vary among sites in different environments.
... The conduct control theory recommends that parasites can modify in such a way that helps the parasite rather than the host (1,2). The proliferation of the parasite in the host stimulates the immune system on the protozoan, leading to the formation of cysts that contain a slow-growing form (bradyzoite) in the nerve tissue and skeletal muscle and cause infection (3). This parasite is a significant illustration of parasites that control the behavior of their hosts, and it has been found that rodents infected with this parasite are less sensitive to felines as the definitive host, which is important in the spread and epidemiology of the disease (4,5). ...
... Infection with T. gondii is often asymptomatic; however, in immunocompromised individuals, cysts containing bradyzoites can rupture, leading to the reactivation of the latent infection (3). Immune responses to T. gondii infection vary depending on the clinical signs of the disease. ...
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a psychiatric neurological infection of the focal sensory system and is accepted as a multifactorial disease. Chronic Toxoplasmosis is sometimes associated with the proliferation of bradyzoites in the nervous system. The measurement of interleukin-5 (IL-5) as an inflammatory mediator in patients with PD and Toxoplasmosis infection may be helpful in determining the correlation between these diseases. In the present study, 80 examples were collected, including 35 patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD and 45 samples from healthy people from Najaf, Babylon, and Baghdad provinces, Iraq. After measuring the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody of Toxoplasma gondii, the level of IL-5 was evaluated in different groups. Serological examination showed that the IgG antibody of Toxoplasmosis increased (P
... Em animais domésticos de produção, a infecção por T. gondii geralmente é assintomática, porém em algumas espécies, como os ovinos, a toxoplasmose pode causar surtos de aborto, morte neonatal e fetos macerados ou mumificados nos rebanhos (6). Por outro lado, os cavalos são resistentes à infecção toxoplásmica e raramente manifestam a doença (7). A soroprevalência global da infecção por T. gondii é de 11,3% em equinos e de 56% em ovinos que apresentaram episódios de aborto (8,9). ...
... No presente estudo, foram avaliados animais criados com a finalidade de desenvolvimento de pesquisas em diferentes áreas do conhecimento. A interferência da exposição dos ovinos e equinos criados na Fazenda Nhumirim ao protozoário deve ser considerada e melhor investigada, principalmente nos estudos de desempenho reprodutivo na espécie ovina, tendo em vista uma maior suscetibilidade à ocorrência de abortos (7). ...
RESUMO A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose de distribuição mundial que acomete vertebrados homeotérmicos, incluindo o ser humano e animais de produção. É causada pelo protozoário Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) e pode ser transmitida pela ingestão de cistos teciduais, presente na carne crua ou mal-cozida, pela ingestão de oocistos esporulados, presentes na água e alimentos contaminados, ou até mesmo ingestão de taquizoítos presentes no leite. Dentre estes, a contaminação ambiental com oocistos esporulados apresenta-se como um importante fator de risco para a infecção toxoplásmica em animais herbívoros, como equinos e ovinos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo pesquisar a presença de anticorpos para T. gondii em equinos e ovinos criados na Fazenda Experimental Nhumirim, propriedade da Embrapa Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, em amostras de soro de 101 equinos e 99 ovinos coletadas entre março de 2011 e maio de 2015. Os soros foram submetidos à reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), sendo consideradas positivas a partir da diluição 1:64. Anticorpos para T. gondii foram detectados em 15,2% (15/99) dos ovinos e 9,9% (10/101) dos equinos. A ocorrência observada aponta contaminação ambiental da propriedade, onde, possivelmente, felídeos silvestres estariam atuando como dispersores do parasita. A exposição dos animais estudados ao parasita deve ser considerada ao avaliar resultados dos estudos de desempenho nos quais estes animais são utilizados, em especial os ovinos, devido à sua alta sensibilidade à infecção toxoplásmica. O presente estudo corrobora outros estudos sobre o risco de infecção de animais domésticos e a presença de T. gondii no ambiente do Pantanal brasileiro. Diante das dificuldades de se aplicarem medidas de prevenção e controle nos sistemas produtivos agropecuários praticados, sugere-se aplicá-las com foco na saúde humana. Palavras-chave: Toxoplasmose, Sorologia, Ovinos, Equinos, Pantanal.
... As amostras foram testadas para o Teste de Aglutinação Modificado (MAT), no ponto de corte de 1:25 (Dubey, 2010). O mix com antígeno de T. gondii foi preparado juntamente com Tampão Borato, 2-mercaptoetanol e azul de Evans. ...
... Cerca de um terço da população mundial humana está infectada com T. gondii, revelando ligação intrínseca com seus hábitos culturais e alimentares, representando risco real aos consumidores, inclusive gerando episódios de surtos de toxoplasmose ligados a esse costume. Outra fonte de preocupação está ligada aos derivados cárneos, tais como curados, maturados, salgados, embutidos e outros produtos de origem animal, que, se não empregadas corretamente técnicas de higiene, conservação e inativação do parasita, tornam-se outra fonte de preocupação para a disseminação da doença, representando risco na segurança alimentar(Dubey, 2010).O presente trabalho objetiva detectar anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em produtos cárneos comercializados em feiras livres da região sul da Bahia, gerando dados para comprovação ou não de emprego de técnicas adequadas na fabricação dos produtos, seu armazenamento e se estes procedimentos são eficientes em inviabilizar o protozoário.Foram coletadas 70 amostras de derivados cárneos, sendo 45 carnes de sol (bovina e suína), 23 linguiças curadas (suína) e duas amostras de linguiça frescal (frango), entre Dezembro de 2020 a Março de 2021. As amostras foram coletadas nos municípios de Ilhéus (26), Itabuna Figura 01: Feira livre visitada, mostrando cortes de carne disponíveis para consumo humano.Durante a aquisição, foram coletados dados acerca dos procedimentos tecnológicos aos quais os produtos foram expostos, tais como temperatura de cozimento, concentração de sal, tempo de cura, tipo de defumação (a frio ou a quente), entre outros aspectos relevantes.Após a coleta, as amostras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária da Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, onde fragmentos foram macerados com o mínimo de PBS (Solução Fosfato Salina) para obtenção do soro e em seguida armazenados a -20ºC até a realização do teste. ...
... As amostras foram testadas para o Teste de Aglutinação Modificado (MAT), no ponto de corte de 1:25 (Dubey, 2010). O mix com antígeno de T. gondii foi preparado juntamente com Tampão Borato, 2-mercaptoetanol e azul de Evans. ...
... Cerca de um terço da população mundial humana está infectada com T. gondii, revelando ligação intrínseca com seus hábitos culturais e alimentares, representando risco real aos consumidores, inclusive gerando episódios de surtos de toxoplasmose ligados a esse costume. Outra fonte de preocupação está ligada aos derivados cárneos, tais como curados, maturados, salgados, embutidos e outros produtos de origem animal, que, se não empregadas corretamente técnicas de higiene, conservação e inativação do parasita, tornam-se outra fonte de preocupação para a disseminação da doença, representando risco na segurança alimentar(Dubey, 2010).O presente trabalho objetiva detectar anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em produtos cárneos comercializados em feiras livres da região sul da Bahia, gerando dados para comprovação ou não de emprego de técnicas adequadas na fabricação dos produtos, seu armazenamento e se estes procedimentos são eficientes em inviabilizar o protozoário.Foram coletadas 70 amostras de derivados cárneos, sendo 45 carnes de sol (bovina e suína), 23 linguiças curadas (suína) e duas amostras de linguiça frescal (frango), entre Dezembro de 2020 a Março de 2021. As amostras foram coletadas nos municípios de Ilhéus (26), Itabuna Figura 01: Feira livre visitada, mostrando cortes de carne disponíveis para consumo humano.Durante a aquisição, foram coletados dados acerca dos procedimentos tecnológicos aos quais os produtos foram expostos, tais como temperatura de cozimento, concentração de sal, tempo de cura, tipo de defumação (a frio ou a quente), entre outros aspectos relevantes.Após a coleta, as amostras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária da Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, onde fragmentos foram macerados com o mínimo de PBS (Solução Fosfato Salina) para obtenção do soro e em seguida armazenados a -20ºC até a realização do teste. ...
... As amostras foram testadas para o Teste de Aglutinação Modificado (MAT), no ponto de corte de 1:25 (Dubey, 2010). O mix com antígeno de T. gondii foi preparado juntamente com Tampão Borato, 2-mercaptoetanol e azul de Evans. ...
... Cerca de um terço da população mundial humana está infectada com T. gondii, revelando ligação intrínseca com seus hábitos culturais e alimentares, representando risco real aos consumidores, inclusive gerando episódios de surtos de toxoplasmose ligados a esse costume. Outra fonte de preocupação está ligada aos derivados cárneos, tais como curados, maturados, salgados, embutidos e outros produtos de origem animal, que, se não empregadas corretamente técnicas de higiene, conservação e inativação do parasita, tornam-se outra fonte de preocupação para a disseminação da doença, representando risco na segurança alimentar(Dubey, 2010).O presente trabalho objetiva detectar anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em produtos cárneos comercializados em feiras livres da região sul da Bahia, gerando dados para comprovação ou não de emprego de técnicas adequadas na fabricação dos produtos, seu armazenamento e se estes procedimentos são eficientes em inviabilizar o protozoário.Foram coletadas 70 amostras de derivados cárneos, sendo 45 carnes de sol (bovina e suína), 23 linguiças curadas (suína) e duas amostras de linguiça frescal (frango), entre Dezembro de 2020 a Março de 2021. As amostras foram coletadas nos municípios de Ilhéus (26), Itabuna Figura 01: Feira livre visitada, mostrando cortes de carne disponíveis para consumo humano.Durante a aquisição, foram coletados dados acerca dos procedimentos tecnológicos aos quais os produtos foram expostos, tais como temperatura de cozimento, concentração de sal, tempo de cura, tipo de defumação (a frio ou a quente), entre outros aspectos relevantes.Após a coleta, as amostras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária da Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, onde fragmentos foram macerados com o mínimo de PBS (Solução Fosfato Salina) para obtenção do soro e em seguida armazenados a -20ºC até a realização do teste. ...
... 24,25 In addition to cats which are widely highlighted as a risk factor for toxoplasmosis, eating habits increase the risk of infection with T. gondii in humans. 26 In Europe, for instance, more infections occur as a result of consuming meat and its processed products that have not been completely cooked, 27 ; while in Brazil, most of the infections are due to ingestion of oocysts that contaminate drinking water or vegetables. 28,29 Similar findings are also reported in several developing countries. ...
... 53 In contrast, the mode of transmission of toxoplasmosis in humans in developed countries such as in Europe is mostly by consuming meat or processed products that have not been cooked completely. 27 Based on these findings, it is essential to promote hygienic behavior among members of the society regardless of their location in urban or rural areas, by publicizing prevention messages, especially those relating to food processing and storage, and making adequate clean water accessible along with prioritizing the provision of better sanitation facilities in the society. ...
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with the parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The health and social impacts of the infection are enormous, including miscarriage, hydrocephalus, blindness, and mental retardation. The occurrence of toxoplasmosis in maternal women cannot be separated from cats around their houses. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of the parasite in cats found in the human carriers residences and identified the risk factors of toxoplasmosis in maternal women in Badung District, Bali Province, Indonesia. A total of 80 cat serum samples were obtained from two residential groups, 40 from the housing where the maternal women were infected and another 40 from where there were no identified sufferers of the disease. All the samples were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to detect the presence of antibodies T. gondii in feral cat serum. The results showed that 47.5% of the examined subjects had the said antibodies. As much as 65% came from housing with cases of toxoplasmosis in maternal mothers, and 30% came from residences with none. The presence of feral cats is a major risk factor for the transmission of T. gondii to humans.
... The zoonotic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans and other warm-blooded animals, congenitally or later in life (Dubey, 2010;Moncada and Montoya, 2012;Montoya and Liesenfeld, 2004;Robert-Gangneux and Dardé, 2012). In Denmark, immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. gondii have been reported in 27% of pregnant women (Lebech et al., 1993) and in a substantial proportion of animal hosts (Henriksen et al., 1994;Kofoed et al., 2017;Laforet et al., 2019;Nielsen and Wegener, 1997;Nielsen et al., 2019;Olsen et al., 2019), together indicating that the parasite is common and endemic in the country. ...
... Most of the disease burden estimates have focused on congenital toxoplasmosis, including ocular toxoplasmosis as one of its typical manifestations (Lebech et al., 1993;Kortbeek et al., 2009;Nissen et al., 2017;Abu et al., 2016;Bustillo et al., 2015;dela-Torre et al., 2009;Gilbert et al., 2001;Glasner et al., 1992;Havelaar et al., 2012;Havelaar et al., 2007;Jones and Holland, 2010;Pires et al., 2020;Röser et al., 2010;Schmidt et al., 2006;Takeda et al., 2017). Ocular toxoplasmosis can also be acquired later in life, but the disease burden caused by acquired ocular toxoplasmosis has only been estimated in few studies, none of which have been performed in the Nordic countries (Dubey, 2010;Moncada and Montoya, 2012;Montoya and Liesenfeld, 2004;Robert-Gangneux and Dardé, 2012;Dubey et al., 2012;Peyron et al., 2017). ...
Background
Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution. Information on the contribution of ocular toxoplasmosis to the disease burden caused by this parasite is limited or lacking from many countries.
Methods
We estimated the minimum occurrence of ocular toxoplasmosis in Denmark using results from direct detection of T. gondii DNA with qPCR and determination of the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient on ocular samples submitted by ophthalmological clinics and departments to the national reference laboratory in 2003–2019. In addition, we inferred incidence estimates using retrospective data that are publicly available in the National Patient Register, and we used unstructured expert elicitation as the basis for sensitivity analyses. We estimated the disease burden of ocular toxoplasmosis in 2019 in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
Findings
Ocular samples from 263 individuals (median age 57 years, range 2–88) had been tested with at least one of the methods during 2003–2019, and 42 (16%) tested positive (median age 65 years, range 14–85). In 2019, five (16%) of 31 tested individuals were positive, giving a minimum annual incidence estimate of 0.09 per 100.000 population. From this, we calculated a disease burden of at least 4 DALYs (95% confidence interval, 3–5). The age range suggested that this figure represented postnatally acquired ocular toxoplasmosis. The disease burden of ocular toxoplasmosis due to congenital toxoplasmosis has been previously estimated to be at least 12 DALYs, resulting in an estimated minimum total disease burden due to ocular toxoplasmosis of 16 DALYs. In 2005–2018, the mean annual number of diagnoses of ocular toxoplasmosis reported to the National Patient Register was 186, and the corresponding disease burden estimate was 134 DALYs (95% confidence interval, 113–158). Sensitivity analyses focusing on incidence and severity resulted in disease burden estimates in the range of 9–523 DALYs.
Interpretation
Because most diagnoses of ocular toxoplasmosis are based on clinical observations, ophthalmoscopy, and serology without confirmatory testing, the disease burden caused by ocular toxoplasmosis is likely substantially higher than our minimum estimates. Our results indicate that ocular toxoplasmosis contributes to the disease burden caused by T. gondii in Denmark, but uncertainty about the incidence and severity precludes reliable estimation of its importance.
... But small mammals play an important role in the life cycle of several parasites as definitive hosts, but also can be paratenic host, connecting the parasite with the final host as in T. gondii infection. After getting infected in the environment for the ingestion of sporulate oocysts (Horta et al., 2018), the small mammal can act as one of the main sources of infection of domestic and wild cats through the trophic network (Dubey, 2010;Gennari et al., 2015). An isolated duo of host-parasite was Oecomys cleberi ( =1), that showed infection only by Trypanosoma dionisii ( =1) and vice-versa (this parasite was described only in this host), highlighting as the highest specialization value in the complete network. ...
... The seropositivity of T. gondii antibodies in cats, although not an indicator for the current shedding of the parasite, is a useful indicator of infection in a cat population and can be used to evaluate the infection risk in both the definitive and intermediate hosts in the same area [6]. The seroprevalence for T. gondii in cats was reported to vary between 30% and 40% worldwide [5,7]. Although previous studies have reported the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in cats in some areas of China [8,9], related information is still lacking in many provinces. ...
Background
Toxoplasma gondii infects almost all warm-blooded animals, and cats play a crucial role in the epidemiology of T. gondii as the definitive host. Despite sporadic reports on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in domestic cats, systematic surveys are lacking and some regions remain in China uninvestigated.
Methods
A total of 1,521 serum samples were collected from 10 regions of China and analyzed by antibodies against T. gondii by ELISA with the purpose of identifying risk factors of T. gondii infection in cats across China and obtaining seroprevalence data from some previously uninvestigated areas.
Results
Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 62 of 1,478 (4.2%) urban pet cats and in 9 of 43 (20.9%) stray cats. Among the regions examined, the prevalence was 13% in Sichuan, 12.8% in Chongqing, 6.4% in Hunan, 2.5% in Hubei and 0.9% in Guangdong. Additionally, this is the first report on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in urban pet cats from Qinghai (6.2%), Anhui (3.1%), Jiangxi (2.5%), Shaanxi (2.4%) and Ningxia (1.6%). The age and lifestyle (stray or pet) of cats were identified as the risk factors for seropositivity by multivariate analysis of the data.
Conclusions
Our findings improve our understanding of seroprevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in cats across China, and provide useful information for the formulating of preventive and control measures against this widespread zoonotic parasite.
... Different species of warm-blooded mammals, birds, as well as human [14,67] comprise the wide range of hosts that have been found exposed to T.gondii. Several studies have shown the occurrence of antibodies against T.gondii in rabbits, mainly the European rabbit (O. ...
Wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) can be important sentinel species for the presence of zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, we collected blood samples from wild rabbits harvested by hunters during the hunting season 2019–2020 on the island of Lemnos, to determine exposure of wild rabbits to the zoonotic pathogens Leishmania infantum, Toxoplasma gondii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia caballi, as well as aqueous humor to assess its diagnostic performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios. Antibodies against these pathogens were detected by Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody (IFA) assay. Out of the 72 wild rabbits included in the study, 4.2%, 5.5%, 18% and 9.7% were seropositive to L. infantum, T. gondii, A. phagocytophilum and B. caballi, respectively. Although less frequently, antibodies were also detected in aqueous humor of wild rabbits. The antibody detection in aqueous humor presented 100% specificity but decreased sensitivity compared to serum suggesting that aqueous humor could be successfully used in epidemiological studies to confirm exposure at the population level but has little diagnostic value at the individual level. This is the first report on the seropositivity of wild rabbits to A. phagocytophilum and B. caballi and the detection of antibodies against A. phagocytopylum, L. infantum, T. gondii and B. caballi in the aqueous humor.
... gondii) is a protozoan parasite that, like Cryptosporidium spp., belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. The parasite has a complex life cycle for which usually domestic cats are the definitive hosts [163]. Intermediate hosts are all warm-blooded animals, including livestock and humans. ...
This book, Proteomics and Food Analysis: Principles, Techniques, and Applications, edited by Dr. Mónica Carrera and published by MDPI, is an excellent collection of a wide range of proteomics approaches applied in food analysis.
Proteomics methodologies are an advantageous strategy for food science studies, where research institutions, agencies, food industries, and regulatory laboratories are combining efforts to acquire necessary knowledge on food composition, quality and safety.
The potential of proteomics in food analysis is highlighted in this book, which contains
one editorial article and six scientific manuscripts covering different applications of proteomics methodologies to ensure food quality and safety. This book is an ideal and up-to-date guide for researchers seeking to understand the proteomics methodologies applied to different foods.
Finally, the editor wants to express her gratitude to all the coauthors for their assistance in the preparation of this book.
... Each gram of infected cat feces may contain between 1 million and 13 million oocysts; assuming a mean of 6 million oocysts per gram for the 56 million grams of infected cat feces would produce a total of 336 trillion (336,000,000,000) T. gondii oocysts each day. Although it is not known how many oocysts are needed to infect a human, studies have been done in pigs which weigh about the same as humans, and it only took one oocyst to infect them [3,4]. ...
This chapter examines some additional implications of the Toxoplasma gondii problem. Especially impressive is evidence suggesting that this parasite is contaminating our land and waterways. The infection of marine mammals by this parasite is little known but disturbing. The chapter then proposes various solutions to the problem: specifically by better control of feral cats to decrease the distribution of T. gondii oocysts; by research, including the development of vaccines for cats; by improving the treatment of toxoplasmosis in humans; and by educating the public regarding these issues.
... Toxoplasma gondii; Phylogenic analysis; Genetics polymorphisms evaluation Introduction oxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite and the causative agent of toxoplasmosis that considered as an important public health concern not only for humans but also in veterinary field and animal husbandry worldwide (1,2). The definitive host of T. gondii is feline species and other animals as intermediate hosts could be infected by ingesting oocysts from food or water sources (3). ...
Background:
A high correlation is observed between specific clonal lineages and host types in toxoplasmosis. The main objectives of this study were comparing polymorphism and evolutionary analysis of the B1 and ROP8 genes, as well as the evaluation of phylogenic and Toxoplasma gondii isolates obtained from different hosts and regions.
Methods:
Overall 96 brain/diaphragm tissue samples of livestock and poultry from three provinces of Iran (cows: 9 from Yazd, 9 from Qom; sheep: 19 from Yazd, 7 from Qom; goats: 7 from Yazd, 4 from Qom; one camel from Yazd and 37 chickens, 2 roosters and one duck from Golestan) were tested during 2018-19. A nested PCR and PCR-PCR methods were developed with the B1 and ROP8 genes. Evaluation of genetic proximity, genetic diversity and evolutionary analysis were done using MEGA-X and DnaSP5 software. Thirty samples of both genes were sequenced (18 B1 and 12 ROP8 genes), and submitted to the GenBank (MN275903-MN275932).
Results:
Tajima's D index analyses showed that both genes were in the negative direction of evolution. The B1 gene was more sensitive than the ROP8 gene. The ROP8 gene showed better and more acceptable results in terms of the relationship between the host and the genotyping of the samples.
Conclusion:
The B1 gene was only an attractive target for rapid detection of T. gondii parasites, whereas the ROP8 gene due to a high level of polymorphism was able to isolate the three clonal lineages (type I, II and III), intertypes and even atypical strains from different isolates of T. gondii.
... Introduction oxoplasma gondii, a pervasive coccidian parasite is an obligatory single-celled intracellular protozoan that can infect a wide range of warm-blooded animals as well as humans. Approximately 30%-80% of the world's human population harbor infection and due to the bulk of the burden disease, it was ranked as the second most important food-borne parasitic disease in Europe (1,2). T. gondii has a heteroxenous life cycle in which a member of the Felidae family (particularly cats) acts as a definitive host wherein sexual reproduction happens and oocysts shed in the feces result in parasite dissemination into the environment. ...
Background:
Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive protozoa pathogen that could manipulate its intermediate host's behavior. However, the possible link between T. gondii infection and the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed, we tested the hypothesis that in chronic toxoplasmosis neuroinflammation, and molecular mediators potentiate behavioral-cognitive impairments in BALB/c mice with PD.
Methods:
To establish chronic toxoplasmosis by Tehran strain, cysts of T. gondii were injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice in Kerman, Iran in 2019. To induce the PD model, mice (BALB/c) were treated with Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The behavioral experiments such as anxiety and motor coordination were performed using the Open field and Rotarod tests. Additionally, we investigated the contribution of Toxoplasma-induced neuroinflammation, and behavioral-cognitive impairments in the PD mice model.
Results:
Chronic toxoplasmosis caused PD-like symptoms and induced various behavioral changes in infected BALB/c mice. In T. gondii infected+MPTP treated group, T. gondii infection could potentiate PD in infected mice receiving MPTP and caused remarkable dysfunction in motor coordination and change in anxiety and depression-like behaviors similar or more severe than PD group.
Conclusion:
Chronic T. gondii infection exacerbates pathological progression of PD in BALB/c mice brain by promoting neuroinflammation, and behavioral changes establishing.
... Infection caused by T. gondii is widespread among homeothermic animals including birds, wild animals, domestic animals and humans (Dubey, 2009). According to Dubey (2010), domestic and wild felids are the only definitive hosts, with production and release of oocysts occurs in the feces, and thus contaminate the environment. After sporulation, these oocysts can maintain their infectivity for several months in water and soil and are responsible for infestation of intermediate hosts, including humans and other animals (Buxton et al., 2007). ...
A serological, molecular and histopathological study was carried out in order to investigate occurrences of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs slaughtered with and without inspection service. Serum samples were collected from 60 pigs to detect anti-T. gondii antibody by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFAT). Tongue, masseter and diaphragm fragments were also collected for parasite DNA detection by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histopathological analysis. The serological results showed that 77% (44/60) of the pigs were positive. Regarding PCR, 66.67% (40/60) were positive for T. gondii. Among the tissues evaluated, the diaphragm was the one with the highest frequency of positivity (40%; 24/60), followed by the masseter (38.33%; 23/60) and tongue (33.3%; 20/60). Histopathological changes were only observed in the diaphragm, which presented inflammatory infiltrates of lymphohistiocytic and neutrophilic types. These results not only show the potential threat of T. gondii to human health, but also demonstrate the dynamic epidemiological situation of toxoplasmosis in pigs in the city of São Luís, providing support for food security regarding pigs and for T. gondii control programs in Brazil.
... The prevalence of T. gondii infection in goat sera in this study was 45.71%, which is higher than the 35.5% reported in Malaysia [34], Greece (30.7 %) [35], Brazil (30.6 %) [36], Mexico (31.3 %) [37], and Thailand (27.3 %) [38]. T. gondii infection was found in 49.44% of sheep and 45.71% of goats in the current study, which is higher than Pakistan (11.2 % sheep, 25.4 % goats; [25], Pakistan (2.5 % sheep, 0 % goats [26], and Iran (6.7 % sheep, 4.6 % goats; [8], but lower than Brazil (60.8 % sheep, 81.8% goats; [4]. In comparison to previous research [28,29], we found a higher positivity rate of 47.44% in animals (goats and sheep) in our study. ...
The goal of this study was to find out how common Toxo�plasma gondii infection is in goats and sheep in Peshawar,
Pakistan. T. Gondii antibodies were detected in serum us�ing the Indirect Haemagglutination Test (IHA). T. Gondii an�tibodies were identified in 192 goats (45.71%) out of a total
of 420 goats. Male goats had a prevalence of n=49 (28.82%)
while female goats had a prevalence of n = 147 (58.80%).
Prevalence was greatest in goats aged 3 years (56.90%), fol�lowed by those aged 1-2 years (45.59%), and those aged
1 year (28.18%). Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were
found in 178 of the 360 sheep tested (49.44%). Out of 150
male sheep, n=79 (52.67%) were found to be seropositive
for T. gondii infection, while n=95 (45.24%) were found to
be seropositive out of 210 female sheep. Male sheep had
a higher incidence of T. gondii than female sheep. Three�year-old sheep had the greatest infection rate (63.57%),
followed by 1-2 year-old sheep (52.46%), and one-year-old
sheep (25.51%). T. gondii antibodies were found in greater
numbers in all goats and sheep, with titers ranging from
1:80 to 1:160. In comparison to goats, sheep had a greater
infection rate. The findings of this study show that T. gondii
infection is highly frequent in Peshawar goats and sheep,
which might be a public health concern in this area because
goats and sheep are intermediate hosts for T. gondii. In or�der to reduce the danger of human infection by T. gondii,
proper control methods and appropriate measures should
be implemented in this location.
... Toxoplasma gondii is an important parasite of humans, livestock and wildlife (Dubey, 2010;Smith et al., 2021). The proliferative stage of the parasite exhibits an extraordinarily broad host range, being able to infect virtually any nucleated cell in mammals or birds. ...
Since Nicolle, Manceaux and Splendore first described Toxoplasma gondii as a parasite of rodents and rabbits in the early 20th century, a diverse and vigorous research community has been built around studying this fascinating intracellular parasite. In addition to its importance as a pathogen of humans, livestock and wildlife, modern researchers are attracted to T. gondii as a facile experimental system to study many aspects of evolutionary biology, cellular biology, host-microbe interactions, and host immunity. For new researchers entering the field, the extensive literature describing the biology of the parasite, and the interactions with its host, can be daunting. In this review, we examine four foundational studies that describe various aspects of T. gondii biology, presenting a ‘journal club’-style analysis of each. We have chosen a paper that established the beguiling life cycle of the parasite (Hutchison et al., 1971), a paper that described key features of its cellular biology that the parasite shares with related organisms (Gustafson et al., 1954), a paper that characterised the origin of the unique compartment in which the parasite resides within host cells (Jones and Hirsch, 1972), and a paper that established a key mechanism in the host immune response to parasite infection (Pfefferkorn, 1984). These interesting and far-reaching studies set the stage for subsequent research into numerous facets of parasite biology. As well as providing new researchers with an entry point into the literature surrounding the parasite, revisiting these studies can remind us of the roots of our discipline, how far we have come, and the new directions in which we might head.
... The prevalence of T. gondii infection in goat sera in this study was 45.71%, which is higher than the 35.5% reported in Malaysia [34], Greece (30.7 %) [35], Brazil (30.6 %) [36], Mexico (31.3 %) [37], and Thailand (27.3 %) [38]. T. gondii infection was found in 49.44% of sheep and 45.71% of goats in the current study, which is higher than Pakistan (11.2 % sheep, 25.4 % goats; [25], Pakistan (2.5 % sheep, 0 % goats [26], and Iran (6.7 % sheep, 4.6 % goats; [8], but lower than Brazil (60.8 % sheep, 81.8% goats; [4]. In comparison to previous research [28,29], we found a higher positivity rate of 47.44% in animals (goats and sheep) in our study. ...
... Toxoplasmosis is a very important and prevalent foodborne parasitic disease, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, infecting all warm-blooded animals including human beings, livestock, birds, and marine mammals (Dubey, 2010). Normally, T. gondii infection does not result in obvious clinical symptoms. ...
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide zoonotic protozoan. Donkeys are often susceptible to many pathological agents, acting as carriers of pathogens for other animal species and humans. However, data on the prevalence of T. gondii in donkeys during lactation and on the status of antibodies against T. gondii in donkey milk are lacking. A cross-sectional study evaluated the variation of the anti- T. gondii antibodies in the blood and milk of domestic donkeys during lactation. A total of 418 domestic donkeys were randomly selected from the Shandong province, eastern China from January 2019 to March 2020. The anti- T. gondii antibodies were found in 11.72% (49/418) serum and 9.81% (41/418) milk samples using a commercial ELISA kit, respectively. There was a very high consistency between the serum and milk (Spearman’s coefficient = 0.858, p -value < 0.0001 and Kendall’s tau = 0.688, p -value < 0.0001), particularly at the 45th to 60th day of lactation. The present results of the statistical analysis showed that the history of abortion ( p = 0.026; adjusted OR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.15–4.20) and cat in the house ( p = 0.008; adjusted OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.26–4.44) were significantly associated with T. gondii infection in the domestic donkeys. This is the first report to detect antibodies against T. gondii in donkey milk in China. These results indicate a potential risk of humans contracting the infection through the consumption of raw milk from the naturally infected donkeys.
... The disease was first discovered in Gondi Rats in Tunisia in 1908, it was estimated that approximately one third of the world's population is infected with this parasite. (14) Toxoplasma parasite gondii -passes in two stages without specificity in the host. The asexual stage, can parasitize in all mammals, including humans, animals and cats in addition to birds, while in the sexual stage it is limited only to the cat family as the original host. ...
This study is to investigate Brucellosis, Toxoplasmosis and Foot and Mouth disease of buffalo herds in Baghdad villages. 114 samples (serum) were collected, including 22 for calves less than 6 months and 92 samples of females aged between three to seven years, the samples were collected by staff of Baghdad Veterinary Hospital / Veterinary Directorate, and has been working in Central Veterinary Laboratory/ Veterinary Directorate. The ELISA diagnostic kits are selected for the detection of antibodies of Brucella abortus, Toxoplasmosis and Foot and Mouth disease (Multispecies). The result of the research is the presence of different levels of infection in the same herd 58.18% of Brucella abortus, 11.40% of Toxoplasmosis and 44.73 % of Foot and Mouth disease (Multispecies). The purpose of the study is to investigate the three diseases and their compatibility with the symptoms, although buffalo herds have not been previously vaccinated against the diseases, which proves the existence of different levels of infection in one herd and it adversely affect the development of livestock.
Rats
serve as carriers of Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a global zoonotic disease referred to as toxoplasmosis, and thus play a very important role in the epidemiology of the disease. This study evaluated the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, haematology and serum biochemistry in wild rats and humans in Nigeria where wild rats are consumed by humans as source of animal protein. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) was used to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in serum of 33 wild rats (Zyzomys pedunculatus) caught in the villages and 20 consenting humans in the study area. Blood samples collected from the rats and humans were further subjected to haematological and biochemical evaluations. Out of the 33 rats sampled, three (9.09%) were positive for T. gondii antibodies, while three out of the 20 persons sampled (15%) were positive. Rats seropositive for T. gondii antibodies had significantly (p < 0.05) lower platelet count, higher granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio (GLR) and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR) than those seronegative for T. gondii antibodies. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower while LMR was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in humans that were seropositive for T. gondii. It was concluded that anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies is moderately prevalent (9–15%) in rats and humans who consume rats as source of animal protein in the study area. High GLR in rats and high LMR in both rats and humans may be good pointers to toxoplasmosis.
The current study was carried out to evaluate the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii –T.gondii among blood donors individuals in Samarra city. One hundred blood sample were randomly collected from blood donor male (aged 20-57year) attendance to blood bank in Samarra general hospital. The results indicate that the total ratio for infection with T. gondii was 58% (58 from 100 person).While the incidence of infection according to the type of blood group were 37.5% for A blood group, 70% for B blood group, 71.42% for AB blood group and 46.66% for O. In addition to that the incidence of infection with parasite in Rh blood group were 60%(54 form 90) in positive Rh and 40%(4from 10) in negative Rh. Otherwise the incidence of infection with T. gondii between age group were 63.33% in age group(20-29)year,28.57% in age group(30-39)year,78.57% between blood donor with age group(40-49) year and 85.71% in age group(50-59) year. The incidence of infection with T. gondii according to the residence area were 58.13% (50 from86) in urban and 57.14%(8from 14) in Rural. The study also include determination of serum sex hormones (testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone-FSH and luteinizing hormone-LH). The concentration of LH were 3.15±1.156mU/ml in infected group and 2.722±0.942mU/ml in non-infected group, and the concentration of FSH were 3.16±1.35mU/ml, 2.156±0.809 mU/ml in infected and non-infected respectively, while the concentration of testosterone were 3.187±0.995mU/ml, 4.653±1.66 mU/ml in infected and non-infected respectively. From all the results we can conclude that the infection with T. gondii was high incidence between blood donor, so its importance to add this investigation acts one factor of strategies for blood safety.
The use of apitherapy and natural herbal medicines for combating toxoplasmosis has garnered major attention from many researchers. However, there is no available information regarding the potential use of a combination of propolis and wheat germ oil (WGO) in the treatment of toxoplasmosis. In the present study, the potential effects of propolis, WGO, and their combination in the treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis in Swiss albino mice were investigated. Following induction of chronic toxoplasmosis, the potential antiparasitic effects of these substances were evaluated by parasitological assessment and by counting of Toxoplasma cysts. Additionally, the effects of the treatments on parasite loads were analyzed using TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR targeting the Toxoplasma P29 gene followed by investigation of the major histopathological changes in the brain, uterus, and kidney. Interestingly, the combination of propolis and WGO significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased the parasite burden in experimental animals compared with burdens seen in groups treated with propolis or WGO alone. Furthermore, the quantification of the DNA concentrations of Toxoplasma P29 gene after the treatment with propolis and WGO revealed a reduction in parasite load in treated groups versus the control group (infected untreated animals). Importantly, the severity of histopathological lesions was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved following treatment with propolis and WGO. Collectively, the present study indicated a potential novel role for propolis and WGO as an active apitherapy and natural herbal medication for treating chronic toxoplasmosis, combat the disease, and which could also help overcome the side effects of chemical drugs.
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic, parasitic infection caused by the intracellular, apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii , which infects all homeothermic animals including humans. The parasite has a major economic impact on the livestock industry. This is especially true for small ruminants (sheep, goats) as it is one of the most likely reasons for reproductive disorders in these animals. Primary infection in sheep and goats can result in a fetus that is mummified or macerated, fetal embryonic death, abortion, stillbirth, or the postnatal death of neonates, all of which threaten sheep and goat rearing globally. Humans can also become infected by ingesting bradyzoite-containing chevon or mutton, or the contaminated milk of sheep or goats, highlighting the zoonotic significance of this parasite. This article reviews the advances in vaccine development over recent decades and our current understanding of the immune response to toxoplasmosis in small ruminants (sheep, and goats).
The influence of climate on parasite distribution has been demonstrated in different regions worldwide. Despite its small size, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) constitutes a ‘biodiversity laboratory’ due to the huge climatic differences between municipalities. Feral cats may represent a threat to biodiversity due to their predatory behaviour. In addition, they may be a source of pathogens zoonotic to humans. To study the climatic/seasonal influence and prevalence of feral cat parasites throughout the island, a total of 290 stool samples from 29 feral cat colonies were analysed following standard concentration protocols (sodium chloride, formol-ether and zinc sulphate). In total, 13 feline parasitic taxa were found, with the most common species being Ancylostoma spp., which, together with Toxocara spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Giardia spp., are considered a concern for human health. Nematodes were the most common parasites in all areas. Nematodes and protozoans were significantly more prevalent in temperate mild (75.0% and 30.0%) than in dry desert areas (29.3% and 18.7%). In contrast, cestodes were significantly more prevalent in dry desert than in temperate mild areas (26.0% and 13.3%). Only protozoans exhibited statistically significant seasonal patterns, mostly in the wet season. Data reported in this study endorse the usage of small and diverse islands such as Gran Canaria to study the climatic influence on parasitic communities in wild/feral animals. Cat colonies require better management to reduce their threat to endemic wildlife, domestic animals and public health, being invasive species that harbour zoonotic parasites.
The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody detection in serum and filter paper (FP) blood spots using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA) and to evaluate the potential impact of the packed cell volume (PCV) on antibody detection in FPs. A pair of a serum and an FP sample was collected from 96 sows at various farms in Greece, with previously identified high seropositivity and/or risk factors associated with high seropositivity against T. gondii. The PCV value was determined using the microhematocrit method. IFA was used for the detection of antibodies against T. gondii. T. gondii-specific antibodies were detected in 45.8% serum samples and 41.6% FP samples showing almost perfect agreement. Detection in FP samples presented high sensitivity (87.1-92.8%) and excellent specificity (100%) when compared with detection in serum, regardless of the PCV values. The findings of this study support the reliability of FPs for the evaluation of the serological status of swine against T. gondii. FPs could be a good alternative sample type compared with serum for large-scale epidemiological studies.
Sarcocystis neurona , Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are related protozoans; they were considered the same parasite until 1970s. Two of these parasites, S. neurona and Neospora spp. are associated with a neurological syndrome in horses, called equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). The diagnosis and treatment of EPM are difficult. Most cases of EPM are related to S. neurona while only a few are due to Neospora spp. infections. There are two species of Neospora , Neospora caninum that has a wide host range and Neospora hughesi that has been found only in horses. Currently, T. gondii is not considered as a cause of EPM in horses, although it causes neurological illness in many other hosts, including humans. The present review provides an update on history, life cycle, diagnosis and treatment of these three infections in horses.
Despite public concern on the role of free-roaming cats as reservoirs of zoonotic agents, little is known about the influence of urban and peri-urban landscapes on the exposure risk. We evaluated the seroprevalence of three zoonotic agents (Chlamydia felis, Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii) in domestic cats (Felis catus). Two hundred and ninety-one free-roaming cats were trapped in Murcia municipality (Southeast Spain), and their sera were tested for specific antibodies against T. gondii using a modified agglutination test (MAT), and for C. felis, C. burnetii and feline immunode-ficiency virus (FIV) antibodies with ELISA technique. Pathogen seroprevalence at 95% CI was calculated for each sex and age category (up to and over 12 months) and compared with a chi-squared test. The role of human population density and urban landscape characteristics on the risk of pathogen exposure in the cat population was explored using generalized linear models. Seropositivity against a single pathogen was found in 60% of the cats, while 19% was seropositive for two or three pathogens. Seroprevalence of C. felis was 8% (CI 95% : 5-11), 37% (CI 95% : 31-42) for C. burnetii and 42% (CI 95% : 36-47) for T. gondii. In addition to these three pathogens, FIV seropositiv-ity was low (1%, CI 95% : −0.1 to 2) and adult cats were more likely to be seropositive to C. burnetii than young individuals (OR: 2.3, CI 95% : 1.2-4.2). No sex or age class differences in seroprevalence were observed for the rest of the pathogens. Seropositivity was correlated with water surface areas for C. felis, and not with crop areas. Coxiella burnetii seropositivity was correlated with the percentage of urban areas (continuous with only buildings and discontinuous, that include buildings, parks, and pedestrian and urban green areas), human population size and peri-urban areas with shrubs, and not correlated with other agricultural landscapes (orchards and crop areas). However, the seroprevalence of T. gondii was only associated with agricultural landscapes such as orchards. The detection of hotspot areas of high pathogen exposure risk is the basis for municipal services to implement surveillance and risk factor control campaigns in specific-risk areas, including (a) efficient health management of urban cat colonies by geographical location, population census and health status monitoring of the components of each cat colony, (b) improvement of hygiene and sanitary conditions
Dihydroquinine (DHQ), is a quinine-based compound with anti-malarial properties. However, little is known about its mechanism of action against T. gondii inhibition, which shares similar biology with Plasmodium spp. In order to explore DHQ activity as an inhibitor of T. gondii using in vitro assays, we first used an in silico approach to decipher its mechanisms of action based on previous knowledge about its disruption of nucleic acid and protein synthesis. An in silico study was performed on T. gondii parasite replication, transcriptional and translational machinery to decipher the binding potentials of DHQ to some top selected enzymes. We report for the first time, using an in silico analysis that showed that DHQ binds strongly to DNA gyrase, Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (CDPK 1), and prolyl tRNA synthetase and thus could affect DNA replication, transcriptional and translational activities in T. gondii. Also, we found DHQ to effectively bind to mitochondria detoxifying enzymes (i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidoxin, and Catalase (CAT)). In conclusion, DHQ could be a lead compound for the treatment of toxoplasmosis when successfully evaluated using in vitro and in vivo models to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
This open access book analyzes the evidence linking Toxoplasma gondii to the increasing incidence of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the United States. Initially establishing that infectious agents are regularly transmitted from animals to humans, lead to human disease, and that infectious agents can cause psychosis, it then examines the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in detail. Infecting 40 million Americans, Toxoplasma gondii is known to cause congenital infections, eye disease, and encephalitis for individuals who are immunosuppressed. It has also been shown to change the behavior of nonhuman mammals, as well as to alter some personality traits in humans. After discussing the clinical evidence linking Toxoplasma gondii to human psychosis, the book elucidates the epidemiological evidence further supporting this linkage; including the proportional increase in incidence of human psychosis as cats transitioned to domestication over 800 years. Finally, the book assesses the magnitude of the problem and suggests solutions.
Parasites, Pussycats and Psychosis: The Unknown Dangers of Human Toxoplasmosis provides a comprehensive review of the evidence linking human psychosis in the United States to infections of Toxoplasma gondii. It will be of interest to infectious disease specialists, general practitioners, scientists, historians, and cat-lovers.
A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose de distribuição mundial que acomete vertebrados homeotérmicos, incluindo o ser humano. Toxoplasma gondii, seu agente etiológico, é capaz de infectar seus hospedeiros por diversas vias de transmissão, dentre elas a ingestão de cistos teciduais, presente na carne crua ou malcozida, e a ingestão de oocistos, presentes na água e alimentos contaminados, sendo essas as principais rotas de infecção na cadeia epidemiológica da toxoplasmose. Neste sentido, a contaminação ambiental com oocistos esporulados apresenta-se como um importante fator de risco para a infecção toxoplásmica em animais herbívoros, como os equinos e ovinos. Enquanto os equinos mostram resistência à infecção e a manifestações de sinais clínicos da doença, em ovinos, a toxoplasmose pode ser responsável por importantes distúrbios reprodutivos como aborto e morte neonatal. Sendo assim, este estudo teve como objetivo pesquisar a presença de anticorpos específicos anti- T. gondii em equinos e ovinos criados na Fazenda Experimental Nhumirim, propriedade da Embrapa Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Para tanto foram coletadas amostras de soro de 101 equinos e 99 ovinos entre março de 2011 e maio de 2015. As amostras de soro foram enviadas para o Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, na Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/RJ. Os soros foram submetidos à reação de imunofluorescência indireta, sendo consideradas positivas as amostras sororreagentes a partir da diluição de 1:64 para ambas as espécies. Anticorpos anti-T. gondii foram detectados em 15% (15/99) dos ovinos e 10% (10/101) dos equinos. A ocorrência de anticorpos específicos anti-T. gondii nas amostras de soro desses animais, aponta para uma contaminação ambiental da propriedade, onde possivelmente, felídeos silvestres estariam atuando como dispersores do parasito. A exposição dos animais estudados ao T. gondii deve ser considerada ao avaliar resultados dos estudos de desempenho nos quais estes animais são utilizados, em especial os ovinos devido à sua alta sensibilidade à infecção toxoplásmica. Corroborando com outros autores, sobre o risco de infecção de animais domésticos e a presença de T. gondii no ambiente do Pantanal brasileiro, e diante das dificuldades de se aplicarem medidas de prevenção e controle nos sistemas produtivos agropecuários praticados, sugere-se aplicá-las com foco na saúde humana.
Toxoplasma gondii has evolved different developmental stages for disseminating during acute infection (i.e. tachyzoites) and for establishing chronic infection (i.e. bradyzoites). Calcium ion (Ca ²⁺ ) signaling tightly regulates the lytic cycle of tachyzoites by controlling microneme secretion and motility to drive egress and cell invasion. However, the roles of Ca ²⁺ signaling pathways in bradyzoites remain largely unexplored. Here we show that Ca ²⁺ responses are highly restricted in bradyzoites and that they fail to egress in response to agonists. Development of dual-reporter parasites revealed dampened Ca ²⁺ responses and minimal microneme secretion by bradyzoites induced in vitro or harvested from infected mice and tested ex vivo. Ratiometric Ca ²⁺ imaging demonstrated lower Ca ²⁺ basal levels, reduced magnitude, and slower Ca ²⁺ kinetics in bradyzoites compared with tachyzoites stimulated with agonists. Diminished responses in bradyzoites were associated with down-regulation of Ca ²⁺ -ATPases involved in intracellular Ca ²⁺ storage in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and acidocalcisomes. Once liberated from cysts by trypsin digestion, bradyzoites incubated in glucose plus Ca ²⁺ rapidly restored their intracellular Ca ²⁺ and ATP stores leading to enhanced gliding. Collectively, our findings indicate that intracellular bradyzoites exhibit dampened Ca ²⁺ signaling and lower energy levels that restrict egress, and yet upon release they rapidly respond to changes in the environment to regain motility.
Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite that infects warm-blooded animals and influences host physiology. T. gondii is known to target the host's central nervous system, affecting circulating levels of steroid hormones, fear-related behaviors, and health, although these effects appear to vary among host taxa. Here, we investigated the relationship between T. gondii infection and levels of plasma testosterone and cortisol within a wild population of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta, n = 109). In our analyses, we accounted for age and sex via stratified regression analyses. We detected a negative association between circulating plasma testosterone and T. gondii infection among female cubs and subadults as well as adult male hyenas. We found no associations between T. gondii infection and cortisol in any age class or sex group of hyenas. Our work adds to a growing body of literature by characterizing the relationship between T. gondii infection and physiology in a novel host in its natural habitat. In a broader context, our findings indicate that responses to infection vary with characteristics of the host and point to a clear need for additional studies and priorities for future work that include diverse taxa and ecological settings.
Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a pathogenic and zoonotic parasite, which felines implicate as
definitive hosts; intermediate hosts are warm-blooded vertebrates. The protozoa can cause serious symptoms in
humans, while in poultry is usually asymptomatic. The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in poultry due to the
way poultry are fed is an important indicator of the distribution of oocysts in the environment; in addition,
consumption of raw or under cooked meat of chickens can cause infection in human and other animals.
Therefore, in this study, the prevalence rate of infection to toxoplasma gondii in domestic and industrial breeding
poultry in Isfahan City, Iran, was assessed.
Methods: From three groups of domestic breeding, broiler, and laying eggs poultry, 60 blood clot samples were
collected. On collected serums, serological modified agglutination test (MAT) was performed. Toxoplasma
gondii-specific antibodies were assayed by this test. Then, the obtained results were analyzed.
Findings: By performing the MAT serological test, 20, 15, and 30 samples were positive in domestic breeding,
industrial broiler, and in laying eggs samples, respectively. Therefore, relative frequency was 33.3, 25.0, and
50.0 percent in domestic breeding, industrial broiler, and industrial laying eggs, respectively, which by
performing chi-square test and calculating the P < 0.050 between the three groups, a significant difference was
observed serologically.
Conclusion: A considerable percent of domestic and industrial poultry was infected with Toxoplasma gondii.
Therefore, preventive measures should be conducted to provide safe foods for vertebrate animals and human.
Keywords: Agglutination; Poultry; Prevalence; Serology; Toxoplasma gondii
This is the only book to cover toxoplasmosis of animals and humans thoroughly in one single source. Found worldwide from Alaska to Australasia, Toxoplasma gondii is the cause of one of the most common parasitic infections in humans, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife, and is included on the list of potential bioterrorism microbes. Furthermore, T. gondii has been and continues to be used extensively as a model for the cell biology of apicomplexan parasites. In the decade since the second edition of this book was published, there has been an explosion of knowledge concerning the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and toxoplasmosis. This update provides unique information on all known host types for this parasite, with an additional chapter on history, substantial updates throughout, and a detailed focus on the biology of the parasite in Chapter 2. The third edition is compiled by author JP Dubey, an authority on T. gondii who has worked with virtually all hosts of the protozoan during the last 55 years, including humans, all livestock species, wildlife, and zoo animals. The book distills the voluminous and potentially confusing scientific literature, that has grown geometrically in the 30+ years since the publication of the first edition, into a comprehensive resource for all professionals, graduate students and researchers working in this field.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti- T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1–16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm’s location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan that infects warm-blooded animals and humans. Approximately one third of the global population is infected by T. gondii. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the
risk factors and One Health knowledge of toxoplasmosis in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. From July through December 2020, we collected data using questionnaires. The results showed that 60% of participants had heard or read about the disease, 23.3% of participants had no knowledge about the disease, and 16.8% participants
were not sure about the disease. More than half of the participants (53.3%) reported that toxoplasmosis was caused by toxins, 5.3% reported that toxoplasmosis was an animal disease, 13.8% reported that toxoplasmosis was a human disease, 65.8% reported
that it was both an animal and human disease, and 15.3% reported that it was neither an animal nor a human disease. Approximately 80.5% of participants reported that individuals acquired toxoplasmosis by changing cat litter. Our study findings revealed a low level of knowledge and awareness about toxoplasmosis among males. Therefore, there should be awareness programs to educate individuals about the risks of this deadly disease and to provide information on the major routes of transmission.
Macroecological approaches can provide valuable insight into the epidemiology
of globally distributed, multi-host pathogens. Toxoplasma gondii is
a zoonotic protozoan that infects any warm-blooded animal, including
humans, in almost every ecosystem worldwide. There is substantial geographical
variation in T. gondii prevalence in wildlife populations and the
mechanisms driving this variation are poorly understood. We implemented
Bayesian phylogenetic mixed models to determine the association between
species’ ecology, phylogeny and climatic and anthropogenic factors on
T. gondii prevalence. Toxoplasma gondii prevalence data were compiled for
free-ranging wild mammal species from 202 published studies, encompassing
45 079 individuals from 54 taxonomic families and 238 species.We found
that T. gondii prevalence was positively associated with human population
density and warmer temperatures at the sampling location. Terrestrial
species had a lower overall prevalence, but there were no consistent patterns
between trophic level and prevalence. The relationship between human
density and T. gondii prevalence is probably mediated by higher domestic
cat abundance and landscape degradation leading to increased environmental
oocyst contamination. Landscape restoration and limiting freeroaming
in domestic cats could synergistically increase the resiliency of
wildlife populations and reduce wildlife and human infection risks from
one of the world’s most common parasitic infections.
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite capable of infecting almost all warm-blooded animals. Currently, studies assessing the viability of cysts present in sheep meat are still scarce, especially in the northeastern region of Brazil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, isolate the parasite from tissue samples, and determine factors associated with infection of sheep intended for human consumption in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 205 sheep slaughtered in Paraíba were tested using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT ≥ 64) for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Among the animals sampled, 30.7% (63/205) were seropositive, with antibody titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:16384. Sixty-one bioassays were performed in mice, and an isolation rate of 47.5% (29/61) was obtained. The infection was lethal to at least one infected mouse in 24.1% (7/29) of the bioassays. The mean length of survival of infected mice was 36.4 days. Females (OR = 3.183; CI = [1.452–6.976]), extensive breeding system (OR = 2.612; CI = [1.120–6.094]), and purebred animals (OR = 2.157; CI = [1.009–4.612]) were considered to be factors associated with infection. These results revealed that the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies and the percentage of viable cysts recovered from sheep destined for human consumption in Paraíba, northeastern Brazil, were high.
In this study, 20 blood, heart, and brain samples were collected from euthanized cats at the Zoonosis Control Centers and Veterinary Clinics in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The sera were examined for anti- T . gondii antibodies using the indirect hemagglutination test. The brains and hearts of seven seropositive cats were ground, and peptide digestion was performed for bioassay in mice. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated in 5/7 (71.42%) of seropositive cats. In these isolates, the parasite was genotyped using the Polymerase chain reaction, associated with the DNA fragment polymorphism obtained by restriction enzyme PCR-RFLP technique with 11 markers (SAG1, 5’-SAG2, 3’-SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3) and 15 microsatellite markers (TUB-2, W35, TgM-A, B18, B17, M33, IV.1, XI.1, M48, M102, N60, N82, AA, N61, N83). The analysis of the isolates by PCR-RFLP revealed five distinct genotypes. Three of these genotypes have never been reported before; one corresponded to the TgDgCo13 genotype, and one incomplete genotype. In genotyping analysis using microsatellite markers, it was observed that the isolates showed atypical alleles in the typing and fingerprint markers. This revealed five atypical genotypes. The typing marker B17 showed the highest degree of atypia. This study is the first to report the genotyping of T . gondii obtained from naturally infected cats in Bahia, Northeast Brazil. The genotypes found in this study were different from those found in other studies conducted in Bahia, which included different species of animals. None of the clonal lineages I, II, or III were found. This study demonstrates the diversity of T . gondii in the study region, with the presence of unusual genotypes, reaffirming the genetic variability of the parasite in Brazil.
Modified agglutination test (MAT) was applied to 150 chicken sera (90 were farm-bred and 60 house-bred chickens). The prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was 18.7%. In house-bred chickens positive cases were 18 out of 60 (30.0%), while in farm-bred chickens positive cases were 10 out of 90 (11.1%). Histopathological sections of the seropositive chickens showed tissue lesions which were most likely to be induced by T. gondii. Tissue cysts of T. gondii were demonstrated in the liver, brain, heart and skeletal muscles of 22 (78.6%) out of 28 positive chickens. These tissue cysts were found mostly in the brain of seropositive chickens. Epidemiological implications of these data for public health significance were discussed.