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Gos ML, Venturini MC, De Felice L, Dellarupe A, Rambeaud M, Pardini L, Campero LM, Bernstein M, Bacigalupe D, Basso W, Moré G, Unzaga JM. A 20-year serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in dogs with neuromuscular disorders from urban areas in Argentina. Vet Parasitol 2024; 330:110235. [PMID: 38908047 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections may be associated with neuromuscular disorders in dogs. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence to these protozoan parasites in dogs with neuromuscular disease from urban areas of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, over a period of 20 years, and to evaluate the association of seropositivity and antibody titres with different variables such as sex, breed and age. For this, a total of 7238 serum samples from urban owned dogs were analysed by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for specific IgG antibodies. The observed seropositivity rates were 35.7 % for T. gondii and 25.7 % for N. caninum. Crossbred dogs had a significantly higher seroprevalence for T. gondii than purebred dogs (41 % vs. 29.3 %), while a trend towards significance was observed for N. caninum, which was slightly higher in purebred dogs (26 % vs. 23.6 %). Seroprevalence for both parasites increased with age and was higher in older animals. Regarding the distribution of specific antibody titres, the most frequent IFAT T. gondii titre found was 100 and for N. caninum it was ≥800. For toxoplasmosis, there was no association with age group, and low titres (50, 100 and 200) predominated in all groups. However, for neosporosis, age and titres were significantly associated for one age group, with dogs under 12 months of age having a higher proportion of high titres (400 and 800). The trend in the seroprevalence for T. gondii is increasing over the years and lower antibody titres predominate in the dogs studied, which may be more related to the presence of chronic infections and not necessarily to the clinical signs of the animals. Despite the generally low titres observed for toxoplasmosis in this study, it is important to highlight the high seroprevalence found in our region, as dogs can act as sentinels of environmental contamination and as indicators of possible human infection. In the case of neosporosis, although the trend in seroprevalence in dogs with signs appears to be decreasing over the years, our work shows that higher antibody titres predominate, and are probably related to the clinical signs presented by the dogs. This study provides the most recent epidemiological data and serological profiles of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in a large number of canine sera from urban areas in Argentina, providing relevant information for clinical veterinarians and epidemiologists in order to understand the circulation of the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Laura Gos
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina; Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Venturini
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina
| | - Lorena De Felice
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina; Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina
| | - Andrea Dellarupe
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina.
| | - Magdalena Rambeaud
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina
| | - Lais Pardini
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina
| | - Lucía María Campero
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226 km 73.5, Balcarce, Buenos Aires 7620, Argentina
| | - Mariana Bernstein
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina
| | - Diana Bacigalupe
- Zoonosis Departament, Municipality of Rauch, Rivadavia 750, Rauch, Buenos Aires B7203, Argentina
| | - Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Gastón Moré
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina; Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Juan Manuel Unzaga
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory (LAINPA), Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina; Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, La Plata National University, 60 and 118 s/n, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina
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Sioutas G, Gelasakis AI, Symeonidou I, Tsokana CN, Alevizos P, Bitchava D, Papadopoulos E. Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Dogs in Greece. Vet Sci 2024; 11:339. [PMID: 39195793 PMCID: PMC11360327 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11080339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is a zoonotic disease that affects various animal species, including dogs, that can serve as sentinels for indirectly estimating the environmental contamination. The current study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in dogs across different regions of Greece and assess their living area as a potential risk factor. In total, 1282 blood samples were collected from dogs in urban and rural areas of Greece, including Attica and Thessaloniki. Serum samples were tested for T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. A chi-square test was performed to assess the association between seropositivity for T. gondii and geographical location (urban/rural). The overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 47.6%, while the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies was 34.3% and 22.2%, respectively. Dogs from rural areas exhibited a significantly higher seroprevalence (53.8%) than those from urban areas (43.9%) (p < 0.001), with the estimated odds ratio being equal to 1.49 (95% CI, 1.18 to 1.65) and the relative risk increased by 22.4%. Dogs in Greece are highly exposed to T. gondii, particularly in rural areas. Measures to prevent canine infections are necessary, and basic hygiene practices, such as hand washing after petting dogs, are required to reduce human infection risk and safeguard public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Sioutas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.S.); (I.S.); (C.N.T.)
| | - Athanasios I. Gelasakis
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece;
| | - Isaia Symeonidou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.S.); (I.S.); (C.N.T.)
| | - Constantina N. Tsokana
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.S.); (I.S.); (C.N.T.)
| | - Panagiotis Alevizos
- Vet in Progress Plus, Veterinary Laboratories, Agia Paraskevi, 15343 Attiki, Greece; (P.A.); (D.B.)
| | - Dimitra Bitchava
- Vet in Progress Plus, Veterinary Laboratories, Agia Paraskevi, 15343 Attiki, Greece; (P.A.); (D.B.)
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.S.); (I.S.); (C.N.T.)
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Arruda IF, Millar PR, Barbosa ADS, Abboud LCDS, dos Reis IC, Moreira ASDC, Guimarães MPDP, Amendoeira MRR. Toxoplasma gondii in domiciled dogs and cats in urban areas of Brazil: risk factors and spatial distribution. Parasite 2021; 28:56. [PMID: 34236311 PMCID: PMC8265318 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent zoonotic parasite in Brazil capable of infecting mammals and birds. The increase in the urban populations of pets and the narrowing of the human-animal relationship can facilitate the transmission of important public health zoonoses, such as toxoplasmosis. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and spatial distribution of T. gondii infection and its risk factors in domiciled dogs and cats attended at the Jorge Vaitsman Institute, Rio de Janeiro. Serum samples from 400 dogs and 272 cats were evaluated by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies. Epidemiological questionnaires were used to interview the animals' owners to identify risk factors for infection. Of the total, 34% (136/400) of dogs and 8.1% (22/272) of cats had anti-T. gondii antibodies. Breed (OR: 2.10-95%, CI 1.27-3.46) was a risk factor for dogs, while sex (OR: 3.40-95%, CI 1.10-10.52) and homemade food consumption (OR: 8.49-95%, CI 2.48-29.05) were risk factors for cats. Offal consumption was considered a risk factor for both species evaluated (OR: 2.74-95%, CI 1.38-5.43 for dogs; OR: 7.66-95%, CI 1.24-47.29 for cats). The spatial analysis showed that T. gondii seropositive animals were widely distributed in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro state, with a concentration observed mainly in the west and north zones of Rio de Janeiro city. The results emphasize the importance of adopting prophylactic measures to control T. gondii transmission in domiciled dogs and cats in Rio de Janeiro, contributing positively to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Falco Arruda
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Patricia Riddell Millar
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico/Universidade Federal Fluminense Rua Professor Hernani Melo, 101/212a-São Domingos 24210-130 Niterói Brazil
| | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico/Universidade Federal Fluminense Rua Professor Hernani Melo, 101/212a-São Domingos 24210-130 Niterói Brazil
| | - Luiz Claudio de Souza Abboud
- Instituto Municipal de Medicina Veterinária Jorge Vaitsman, SUBVISA/Secretaria Municipal de Saúde Av. Bartolomeu de Gusmão, 1120-São Cristóvão 20941-160 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Izabel Cristina dos Reis
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Alex Sander da Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Mariana Pedrosa de Paula Guimarães
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Yang Y, Su C. Toxoplasma gondii infections in dogs: 2009-2020. Vet Parasitol 2020; 287:109223. [PMID: 33160144 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, diagnosis, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in dogs (Canis familiaris) from 2009-2020. Seroprevalence estimates of T. gondii worldwide were tabulated. Reports of high seroprevalence in canine population and high congenital transmission of T. gondii in dogs in Brazil are reviewed. Most reports from China were published in Chinese, and these reports are now summarized here. Dogs have an additional importance in some countries such as China, Vietnam, and Nigeria; whereas in many cities dog meat is sold commercially for human consumption and given to felids, and transmission of T. gondii could occur if meat is not cooked properly. Dogs can ingest T. gondii-infected cat feces and these oocysts remain viable after passage through the digestive tract of the dog; T. gondii DNA was found in feces of dogs from New York City parks in USA. Most clinical canine cases of toxoplasmosis were in immunosuppressed dogs, and ulcerative dermatitis was one of the main presentations. Genetic diversity based on PCR-RFLP markers using DNA derived from 133 viable T. gondii isolates from dogs from several countries is discussed. T. gondii strains from Asia and Americas were more genetically diverse than those from Africa. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - Fernando H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Camila K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Oliver C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Yurong Yang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, PR China
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
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