Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Swine From Slaughterhouses in Lima, Peru, and Georgia, U.S.A

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic and wild guinea pigs (Cavia spp.) from the Marangani district in Cuzco, Peru

Toxoplasmosis is a foodborne disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, and transmitted to humans by eating raw or undercooked meat, mainly. Poultry, beef, and pork are the main meats consumed in Peru; despite this, guinea pig meat is also widely consumed. For this reason, the objective of this study was to molecularly detect T. gondii in domestic and wild guinea pigs from the Marangani district in Cuzco, Peru, and identify some risk factors associated with this pathogen. DNA was extracted from the brain tissue samples of guinea pigs (30 domestic and 30 wild), and PCR protocols were used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) region and a 529 bp fragment from the T. gondii genome. T. gondii DNA was detected in 14 (23.3%) guinea pigs. T. gondii frequency was 33.3% in domestic guinea pigs and 13.3% in wild guinea pigs. Our results demonstrated that guinea pigs represent an important source for T. gondii infection in human populations in this locality.

Toxoplasmosis in Human and Animals Around the World. Diagnosis and Perspectives in the One Health Approach

Toxoplasmosis is a unique health disease that significantly affects the health of humans, domestic animals, wildlife and is present in ecosystems, including water, soil and food. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the best-adapted parasites in the word. This parasite is able to persist for long periods in its hosts, in different geographic regions of the word. This review summarizes the current literature of these themes, focusing on: (1) toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection; (2) One health approach and toxoplasmosis; (3) human toxoplasmosis; (4) animal toxoplasmosis; (5) toxoplasmosis diagnosis, as immunological, parasitological and molecular diagnosis; (6) T. gondii outbreaks caused by infected meat, milk and dairy products, as well as, vegetables and water consume; (7) studies in experimental models; (8) genetic characterization of T. gondii strains; (9) extracellular vesicles and miRNA; and (10) future perspectives on T. gondii and toxoplasmosis. The vast prevalence of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals and the dispersion and resistence of T. gondii parasites in environment highlight the importance of the one health approach in diagnostic and control of the disease. Here the different aspects of the one health approach are presented and discussed.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in cats from Lima, Peru

Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonotic disease worldwide caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Cats, being hosts, act as a good sentinel for this disease. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in cats by examining serum from seven districts of Metropolitan Lima, Peru. We collected and analyzed 303 cat serum samples, and the owners answered a questionnaire about age, gender, lifestyle (indoors only and outdoors access) and feeding (commercial and home food). The samples were tested using indirect hemagglutination (IHA) for detection of antibody IgM and IgG. Among the animals analyzed, we found 52 (17.2%, 95% CI: 13.1% - 21.9%) seropositive cats to T. gondii, of which one corresponded to acute infection (IgM) and 51 to chronic infections (IgG). In addition, the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was associated with feeding commercial food and living outdoors access. Our results concluded that T. gondii infections are common in cats with owners in Metropolitan Lima and will be useful to future epidemiological studies.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Swine: Implications for Public Health

Toxoplasmosis, due to Toxoplasma gondii, is a parasitic disease with global importance. Among livestock, chronic T. gondii infection has been reported in higher rates in pigs and small ruminants, but with subclinical infections in case commonly encountered in pigs. Seroprevalence in the global pig population ranges according to the age or species of pigs, geographical distribution, production programs, and systems. Generally, T. gondii infections are noticed in low prevalence rates in conventional pig farms with high hygiene standards. In contrast, higher prevalence is common on free-ranging farms, outdoor or backyard small pig fams, as well as in farmed or hunted wild boars. The T. gondii average worldwide seroprevalence in pigs is reported to be 13% in Europe, 21% in Africa, 25% in North America, 21% in Asia, and 23% in South America. Human toxoplasmosis outbreaks have been correlated with the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, especially from infected pigs or wild boars, as well as of contaminated drinking water. The risk of infection in processed pork products is lower compared with fresh pork, as meat processing can reduce or inactivate T. gondii tissue cysts. Hence, the prevalence of T. gondii in the pig population may be a useful indicator of the risk of human toxoplasmosis associated with the consumption of pork products. The lack of obligatory screening methods at farm level for the detection of antibodies in farmed animals or the viable T. gondii in carcasses at slaughterhouse level increases the risk of contaminated pork or meat products. For this reason, the application of biosecurity and surveillance programs at farm level is very important to prevent a T. gondii infection.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range pigs in northern Peru

Toxoplasma gondii is an important foodborne pathogen worldwide, with undercooked meat as the main source of human transmission. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii in free-range pigs from two adjacent villages in the Tumbes region of northern Peru, El Tutumo and Nuevo Progreso. We randomly selected 100 pig serum samples collected during a prior study and processed these using Western Blot to detect IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies. Results indicated a prevalence of 32% (32/100) to T. gondii in pigs. Free-ranging pigs from northern Peru represent a substantial risk for transmission of T. gondii to humans.

The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is an important disease with worldwide distribution. Infection can occur from ingesting raw or undercooked infected meat, and among food animal species, pork is known to be one of the main sources of meat-borne infection. Here, we present results of the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the global T. gondii seroprevalence in pigs. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and EMBASE databases were comprehensively searched for relevant studies published between January 1, 1990 and October 25, 2018. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled seroprevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and analyzed data from five continents. We also conducted subgroup and meta-regression analyses to evaluate the effects of geographical and climate variables on pooled seroprevalence rates. Among 1542 publications identified, 148 studies containing 150 datasets were included in the meta-analysis, and comprised 148,092 pigs from 47 countries. The pooled global T. gondii seroprevalence in pigs was estimated to be 19% (95%CI, 17-22%; 23,696/148,092), with the lowest seroprevalence in Europe (13%; 10-15%) and highest seroprevalence in Africa (25%; 17-34%) and North America (25%; 19-33%). The seropositivity rates in Asia and South America regions were (21%, 16-26%) and (23%; 17-30%), respectively. A significantly higher T. gondii seroprevalence was associated with higher mean annual temperature and lower geographical latitude. The presence of cats on farms was identified as a potential risk factor for T. gondii seropositivity (OR, 1.41; 95%CI, 1.00-2.02). Our findings highlight the importance of pigs as a possible source of human T. gondii infections.

A Systematic Meta-Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Prevalence in Food Animals in the United States

Toxoplasma gondii is a widely distributed protozoan parasite. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that T. gondii is one of three pathogens (along with Salmonella and Listeria), that together account for >70% of all deaths due to foodborne illness in the United States. Food animals are reservoirs for T. gondii and act as one of the sources for parasite transmission to humans. Based on limited population-based data, the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization estimated that approximately 22% of human T. gondii infections are meatborne. The objective of the current study was to conduct a systematic meta-analysis to provide a precise estimation of T. gondii infection prevalence in food animals produced in the United States. Four databases were searched to collect eligible studies. Prevalence was estimated in six animal categories (confinement-raised market pigs, confinement-raised sows, non-confinement-raised pigs, lamb, goats, and non-confinement-raised chickens) by a quality-effects model. A wide variation in prevalence was observed in each animal category. Animals raised outdoors or that have outdoor access had a higher prevalence as compared with animals raised indoors. T. gondii prevalence in non-confinement-raised pigs ranked the highest (31.0%) followed by goats (30.7%), non-confinement-raised chickens (24.1%), lambs (22.0%), confinement-raised sows (16.7%), and confinement-raised market pigs (5.6%). These results indicate that T. gondii-infected animals are a food safety concern. The computed prevalence can be used as an important input in quantitative microbial risk assessment models to further predict public health burden.

Prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in meat animals and meat products destined for human consumption

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is responsible for approximately 24% of all estimated deaths attributed to foodborne pathogens in the United States. Human infection results from accidental ingestion of oocysts from the environment, in water, or on insufficiently washed produce or from consumption of raw or undercooked meat products that contain T. gondii tissue cysts. This review focused on studies of T. gondii in meat because many human T. gondii infections are acquired through consumption of raw or undercooked meat. Prevalence of T. gondii is higher in conventionally reared pigs, sheep, and poultry than in cattle and is greater in meat products from organic than from conventionally reared meat animals because of outdoor access, which poses substantially greater opportunities for exposure to infected rodents, wildlife, and oocyst-contaminated feed, water, or environmental surfaces. Risk factors related to T. gondii exposure for livestock include farm type, feed source, presence of cats, methods of rodent and bird control, methods of carcass handling, and water quality. This review serves as a useful resource and information repository for informing quantitative risk assessment studies for T. gondii infection in humans through meat consumption.

ANTICORPOS IgG ANTI-TOXOPLASMA GONDII EM SUÍNOS ABATIDOS EM MATADOUROS DA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DO RECIFE, PERNAMBUCO, BRASIL

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a frequência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em suínos abatidos para o consumo humano em dois matadouros na Região Metropolitana do Recife, Pernambuco com inspeção Sanitária Estadual. A pesquisa de anticorpos foi realizada por meio da reação de Imunofluorescência indireta, adotando-se o ponto de corte 1:64. Foram analisados 327 animais provenientes de seis cidades, Abreu e Lima, Igarassu e Paulista, Carpina, Paudalho e Tracunhaém. Observou-se frequência de 9,78% de soros positivos, com diluições iguais ou superiores a 1: 64. Os resultados obtidos alertam sobre os riscos de infecção por T. gondii pela ingestão da carne suína crua ou mal cozida, pois é provável que os suínos soropositivos abriguem cistos teciduais, ressaltando a importância de um manejo de criação adequado, visando a diminuição do risco de infecção nesta espécie.

Increased urban seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infecting swine in Panama

Toxoplasmosis gondii causes one of the most common zoonoses worldwide. The rate in Panama is one of the highest in the world. Infections are primarily asymptomatic in immune competent individuals; however, in immunocompromised patient and congenital cases can be lethal. Exposure to the pathogen is hypothesized to occur when handling or consuming infected food such as swine meat. In this study, we analyzed 290 swine sera collected from six provinces in Panama by Indirect Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) against T. gondii. Toxoplasma-specific IgG were found in 32.1% of the samples. The highest seroprevalence was found in the province of Panama.