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Milton AAP, Das S, Ghatak S, Srinivas K, Priya GB, Angappan M, Prasad MCB, Wahlang L, Sailo B, Lalhruaipuii L, Singh M, Garam GB, Sen A. Seroepidemological investigation of Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs reared by tribal communities and small-holder livestock farmers in Northeastern India. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298357. [PMID: 38377066 PMCID: PMC10878514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. are critical tissue-dwelling foodborne zoonotic parasites associated with pork consumption and pig rearing. Despite being a major pig-rearing region in the country, Northeastern India has not undergone any investigation regarding the presence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs. Therefore, this study aims to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. and identify associated risk factors in pigs reared by tribal communities and small-holder livestock farmers in the northeastern region of India. In a cross-sectional serological survey, 400 pigs from 400 households across five northeastern states of India underwent testing for the seroprevalence of porcine toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis. Serum samples (80 from each state) were analyzed using commercially available ELISA assays. Data on backyard farm characteristics and various management aspects were collected, and risk factors linked with prevalence were analyzed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The findings revealed that the apparent and true prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies were 45% (40.12-49.88, 95% CI) and 45.7% (40.7-50.69, 95% CI), respectively. As for anti- Trichinella antibodies, both the apparent and true prevalence were 0.75% (-0.1-1.6, 95% CI). The univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that age above 24 months (OR 7.20, 95% CI 2.45-23.71), exposure to cats (OR = 5.87, 95% CI 2.55-14.05), and farms operating for breeding purposes (OR = 5.60, 95% CI 3.01-11.04) were significant risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii. This study marks the initial documentation of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs reared by tribal communities in Northeastern India. The results emphasize the significance of these parasites as foodborne zoonotic threats in the region, potentially posing substantial public health risks, especially within tribal and rural communities. The insights derived from this research could be valuable in formulating targeted preventive and control strategies against T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs, not only in this region but also in areas with similar rearing practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. A. P. Milton
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - Samir Das
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - S. Ghatak
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - K. Srinivas
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - G. Bhuvana Priya
- College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Kyrdemkulai, Meghalaya, India
| | - M. Angappan
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - M. C. B. Prasad
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - L. Wahlang
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - Blessa Sailo
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | | | - Mahak Singh
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - G. B. Garam
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development, Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh, India
| | - A. Sen
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
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