Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Beef Cattle and Dairy Cattle in Northeast China

A Meta-Analysis of the Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Livestock and Poultry Worldwide

Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis with a global prevalence in the world. A large proportion of human illness is most frequently associated with consuming raw and undercooked meat or other animal products containing infective parasitic stages of T. gondii. This systematic review and meta-analysis study evaluated the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in cattle, sheep, camels, goats, and poultry worldwide. The search was performed in databases including PubMed, WoS, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and ISC from 2000 to 2019 in Persian and English. The main inclusion criteria were the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among livestock and poultry and the prevalence indices by sample size. During these 20 years, the overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in livestock and poultry was 28.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 25-31.9%) using the random-effects meta-analysis model. The highest prevalence of T. gondii in livestock and poultry animals was found in Asia in 2014 with 89.8% (95% CI 78.5-95.5%). The lowest prevalence was found in Asia in 2013 with 1.26% (95% CI 0.4-3.8%). A quarter of livestock and poultry were infected with T. gondii. Since livestock products are globally important sources of people's diet, our findings are useful for policymakers to control T. gondii infection in livestock.

The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in bovines: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bovines, especially cattle, are considered as one of the main sources of Toxoplasma gondii infection for humans. A more comprehensive understanding of the occurrence of T. gondii is needed to provide a global perspective on the prevalence of T. gondii in bovines. Here, we present the results of the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the global T. gondii seroprevalence in bovines. Six databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest and Google Scholar) were comprehensively searched for relevant studies published between 1 January 1967 and 30 May 2019. Among 7691 publications searched, 178 studies (from 50 countries) with 193 datasets were included in the meta-analysis. The global pooled and weighted seroprevalence of T. gondii among bovines was 17.91% [95% confidence interval (CI): 15.32–20.6]. Weighted prevalence based on the host was as follows: cattle 16.94% (95% CI: 14.25–19.81), buffalo 22.26% (95% CI: 16.8–29), yak 23% (95% CI: 14–33) and bison 8.1% (95% CI: 3.9–13.7). Continued monitoring on the status of T. gondii seroprevalence in bovines is essential. Study on the prevalence of T. gondii in the products of bovines such as milk, meat, etc., which are considered as the source of transmission of infection to humans, is recommended.

Public Health Significance of Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Cattle: 2009-2020

Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. The ingestion of food or water contaminated with oocysts excreted by infected cats or ingesting uncooked or undercooked meat containing tissue cysts of T. gondii are the 2 major modes of transmission of T. gondii. Viable T. gondii is more prevalent in pork and lamb than in beef. In the past decade, there have been many articles on the high seroprevalence in cattle, particularly from China. There is a report of an outbreak of acute toxoplasmosis in humans suspected to be linked to the ingestion of Artisan fresh cheese from cow's milk. There are conflicting reports concerning the rate of congenital transmission of T. gondii in cattle, especially from Brazil. In a report from Brazil, viable T. gondii was isolated from the blood of 1 of 60 pregnant cows slaughtered at an abattoir and from 1 fetus. The role of beef in the epidemiology of T. gondii infections is still not clear. Here, we review prevalence, persistence of infection, clinical disease, epidemiology, and public health risks of T. gondii infections in cattle from beef and cow's milk worldwide for the past decade.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle in China from 2010 to 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Toxoplasma gondii can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including cattle, causing serious disease to animals and humans. Because cattle provide milk and meat for humans, an increasing number of people are raising cattle as a source of income. However, T. gondii may be transmitted to humans through the meat and milk of cattle. Although substantial relevant studies have been performed, overall data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in cattle is still lacking. In this meta-analysis, 71 relevant studies were included from five databases that investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in cattle in China from 2010 to 2019. The overall pooled T. gondii seroprevalence in cattle was 10.1% (4217/39,274) in China. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was highest in southwestern China (21.6%, 727/3117) and lowest in northern China (4.5%, 185/1966). Due to the implementation of disease control measures during 2012 to 2020, the lowest positive rate was seen in the post-2017 subgroup of sampling years (5.8%, 170/3022). In the cattle breeds subgroups, the seroprevalence was highest in yaks (14.3%, 1695/10,777). Cattle aged ≥12 months (9.6%, 1248/12,438) had a higher seroprevalence than those <12 months (6.7%, 226/3132). Female cattle had a slightly higher seroprevalence (12.5%, 793/6670) than male cattle (11.7%, 418/3856). The seroprevalence in summer (11.8%, 517/4744) was the highest of all seasons. The present study shows that T. gondii is common in cattle in China. Therefore, monitoring measures and further research are needed to control T. gondii and improve public health.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dairy cows in Hebei province, China

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Neospora caninum (N. caninum) are protozoan parasites that cause severe disease in animals and significant economic losses for farmers worldwide. Neospora caninum is considered to be a serious parasite for dairy cows, while T. gondii infection is a serious parasitic disease that can infect people and livestock. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in dairy cows in Hebei province, China. A total of 723 dairy cow sera samples from three regions in Hebei were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results revealed that 19.92% (144/723) of the individual serum samples were seropositive for T. gondii, 37.34% (270/723) of the individual serum samples were seropositive for N. caninum, and 8.7% (63/723) of the individual serum samples were seropositive for mixed infection. A higher seroprevalence of N. caninum was found in the present study, when compared to previous data. To the best of the author's knowledge, the present study is the first to detect T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies in the vast areas of Hebei province, China.

Seroprevalence and potential risk factors of T. gondii infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bonga Hospital, Southwestern Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES

To determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of T.gondii infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bonga Hospital, Southwestern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out from February to May 2016. Systematic sampling technique was used to collect sera from 210 pregnant women. Sample was tested for anti-T.gondii- antibodies by Latex Agglutination Test (LAT). Risk factors associated with T.gondii infection in pregnant women was assessed through structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to check association of T.gondii infection with different risk factors using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

The overall seroprevalence of T.gondii infection in pregnant women was 75.7% (95% CI: 69.9-81.5). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of T.gondii infection was higher in pregnant women between age range of 36-44 (AOR=2.82; 95% CI:1.2-7.82; P=0.031), in multigravidae (AOR=3.3; 95% CI:1.36-8.04; P=0.009), in those eating raw meat (AOR=5.1; 95% CI:2.22-11.68; P=0.000), in those eating raw vegetables (AOR=5.5; 95% CI:1.03-29.5; P=0.046), in those who have history of abortion (AOR=4.4;95% CI:1.10-17.49; P=0.036), in women who drink river/streams water (AOR=5; 95% CI: 1.67-15.44; P=0.004) and in those who didn't handle raw meat (AOR=2.4; 95% CI: 1-5.56; P=0.049).

CONCLUSION

The present result shows high seroprevalence of T.gondii infection in pregnant women. Public education on identified risk factors and screening of pregnant women during their antenatal care should be recommended.

Seroprevalence and epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in farm animals in different regions of Egypt

Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan protozoan disease that has been recorded in a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans. In response to the paucity of available data, this study was undertaken to comprehensively establish the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among various farm animals in different localities of Egypt. The latex agglutination test and TgGRA7-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to screen the investigated animals for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. When only samples with simultaneously positive results for both the latex agglutination test and the TgGRA7-based ELISA were considered positive, 174 (26.7%) of 652 serum samples from different animals were seropositive. The prevalence of antibodies according to species was: sheep 38.7%, goats 28.7%, cattle 23.6%, and donkeys 22.6%. Thus, prevalence rate was significantly higher in sheep than in cattle or donkeys. The prevalence was also significantly higher in Kafr El Sheikh than in the other governorates investigated (Qena, Sohag, Minoufiya, and Matrouh). No significant differences were observed in age, sex, locality, or breeding system when evaluated as predisposing factors for T. gondii infection in cattle. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the high prevalence for T. gondii-specific antibodies among different animal species in southern and northern localities of Egypt, and provides valuable new data on the prevalence of T. gondii in donkeys, which are used as a food for carnivorous animals, particularly in the feline family, at Giza Zoo, Egypt.

Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii Isolates from Pigs in Jilin Province, Northeastern China

Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent in humans and animals worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from pigs in Jilin province, northeastern China. A total of 100 DNA samples were extracted from the hilar lymph nodes of slaughtered pigs, and 9 (9.0%, 95% confidence interval: 3.4-14.6%) were detected positive for T. gondii B1 gene by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The positive DNA samples were typed at 11 genetic markers, including 10 nuclear loci (SAG1, 5'-SAG2, and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, and PK1) and an apicoplast locus (Apico) using the multilocus PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technology. Only three isolates were completely typed at all loci, showing that they all belonged to the clonal type I. One isolate was typed at five loci, including 5' +3'-SAG2, SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, and L358, revealing the possible clonal type I. This is the first report of the genetic characterization of T. gondii isolates in pigs in Jilin province, northeastern China, which has implications for better understanding the population structure of T. gondii infection in China.

Herd-level prevalence and associated risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Chlamydia abortus and bovine viral diarrhoea virus in commercial dairy and beef cattle in eastern, northern and northeastern China

Although the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Chlamydia abortus and bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in cattle have been reported in some areas in China, most of them were conducted with small number of cattle samples and very limited districts and neglected the assessment of herd management factors associated with herd-level prevalence of these pathogen infections. Thus, from September 2013 to December 2014, a large-scale seroprevalence study was conducted to determine the animal-level and herd-level seroprevalence and identify herd-level risk factors associated with these pathogen infections in 4487 cattle from 134 herds in five provinces (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Hebei) and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. At animal level, the true prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii, N. caninum, C. abortus and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was 10.48, 17.14, 11.92 and 50.10%, respectively. At herd level, the true prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii, N. caninum, C. abortus and BVDV was 27.16, 29.10, 37.31 and 40.30%, respectively. Multivariate analysis of these characteristics showed that source of water and presence of felids were significantly associated with T. gondii infection in the studied cattle herds. Source of water was significantly associated with N. caninum infection in the studied cattle herds. While herd size and management system were significantly associated with BVDV infection in the studied cattle herds, this is the first report of herd-level prevalence and associated risk factors of T. gondii, N. caninum, C. abortus and BVDV infection in cattle in China.

Prevalence and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle from Jilin Province, northeastern China

Abstract The prevalence and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle in Jilin Province, northeastern China was investigated. A total of 1040 serum samples were collected from eight administrative regions from September to October, 2011, and antibodies to T. gondii were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in cattle was 12.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.8-14.8%), with a higher prevalence of 22.2% (95% CI 13.6-30.8%) in Siping. Sixty-six tissue samples were collected from Changchun, and T. gondii DNA was detected by a nested PCR. There were nine (13.6%; 95% CI 5.4-21.9%) positive samples, which were genotyped using 11 genetic markers for PCR restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). Only one sample could be completely genotyped, and all of the loci were grouped into clonal type I, except for type III at the GRA6 locus, implying that T. gondii in cattle in Changchun, Jilin Province was type I variant. This study is the first report on genotype of T. gondii infection in cattle in China.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in horses and donkeys in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, with a worldwide distribution. There have been limited reports about the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in equids around the world and little is known about the seroprevalence of T. gondii in equids in southwestern China, in particular in Yunnan Province. The objective of the present investigation was to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in equids in this area.

Methods

A total of 399 serum samples (266 from horses and 133 from donkeys) were collected in 2012, and assayed for T. gondii antibodies by Indirect Haemagglutination (IHA) test using a commercially available kit.

Results

A total of 108 (27.1%) equids, including 81 (30.5%) horses and 27 (20.3%) donkeys were positive for T. gondii antibodies, and the seroprevalence ranged from 18.8% to 37.5% among different sampling areas. The seroprevalence was 27.4% and 26.8% for male and female equids, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The seroprevalence ranged from 21% to 32.9% among different age groups, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of the present survey indicated the existence of high T. gondii seroprevalence in Yunnan Province, southwestern China, which has significant public health concern. Therefore, it is imperative that improved integrated measures be carried out to prevent and control T. gondii infection in equids in the studied region.