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Li Z, Cheng WJ, Deng CQ, Deng ML, Peng HB, Zhu XQ, Zou FC. Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Yunnan Semi-fine Wool Sheep (Ovis aries) and wild Rodents in Yunnan, China. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1592-1599. [PMID: 39162923 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00875-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii, a globally distributed zoonotic obligate intracellular parasite, infects a wide array of mammals, including humans, sheep, and birds. As a unique sheep breed in southwestern China, Yunnan semi-fine wool sheep occupies an important position in animal husbandry in Zhaotong due to its strong adaptability, high reproductive rate, and excellent wool quality. Lambs infected with T. gondii are prone to neurological symptoms and growth retardation, while T. gondii infection in ewes can cause abortions, stillbirths, and deformities, thus affecting sheep reproduction and sheep product quality. Meanwhile, mutton and dairy products contaminated with T. gondii can become potential sources of human infection, potentially threatening public health and safety. METHOD To understand the T. gondii infection in semi-fine wool sheep in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, 586 blood samples were collected and subjected to indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) for T. gondii antibodies, and the infection-related factors were analyzed through cross-sectional analysis. In the meantime, nested PCR was conducted on a total of 217 samples collected from 31 rodents caught in and around the sheep breeding ground to test the T. gondii B1 gene in rodent tissues. RESULTS A total of 94 sera tested positive for T. gondii antibodies, with a total positive rate of 16.04% (94/586) (95% CI: 14.77-20.89). Cross-sectional statistical analysis on factors related to semi-fine wool sheep infection rate, including sampling season, sex, age, and weight, suggested that age (< 6 months: 23.81%; 6-12 months: 11.74%; > 12 months: 15.83%) was a significant factor explaining the infection rate differences (P = 0.003 < 0.05, χ2 = 11.62, df = 2). Thus, age was considered a key risk factor for T. gondii infection in this study (odds ratio, OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.42-3.87). Nested PCR analysis on 217 (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, and muscle) tissues from the 31 rodents indicated that 11 tested positive. The total infection rate of rodents in and around the breeding ground was 35.48% (11/31), and 14 samples tested positive, with a positive infection rate of 6.45% (14/217). CONCLUSION The T. gondii infection rates of semi-fine wool sheep and rodents from their breeding environment in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, were high, necessitating enhanced prevention, control, and treatment measures to ensure the healthy breeding of semi-fine wool sheep and veterinary public health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Li
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China.
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Center for Life Science, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China.
| | - Wen-Jie Cheng
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China
| | - Cai-Qin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Center for Life Science, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China
| | - Meng-Ling Deng
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China
| | - Hai-Bo Peng
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China
- Agricultural and Rural Bureau of Yongshan County, Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, 657300, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Feng-Cai Zou
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650201, PR China.
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Ahaduzzaman M, Hasan T. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats from different geographical regions of the world: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3790-3822. [PMID: 36345796 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which significantly impact small ruminant productivity, international animal trade and transboundary movement of animal across the globe. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection (toxoplasmosis) in sheep and goats is widely studied in many parts of the world and there is a lack of comprehensive information on prevalence estimates considering the global and regional perspectives. The aim of the study was to use systematic review and meta-analysis methods to estimate the global and regional pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goats, as well as factors that influence prevalence estimations. Relevant articles reporting the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in sheep and/goats were searched in five electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and ProQuest. After the publications were checked to verify they fit the inclusion criteria, a total of 225 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, reflecting data from 70 countries/regions. The pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effect meta-analysis model. Overall, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 33.86% (95% CI: 30.47-37.25%) in sheep and 31.78% (95% CI: 28.99-34.58%) in goats, with significant variation in prevalence estimates across geographical locations (p < .001). Substantial heterogeneity (I2 > 75%) was observed in most pooled seroprevalence estimates. The T. gondii infection in global sheep and goat population showed uptrend over the period. This information would be useful for epidemiologist, health authorities and farmers in order to plan future T. gondii survey and infection management strategies both locally and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ahaduzzaman
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Tanjila Hasan
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
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Yang J, Ai J, Qi T, Ni X, Xu Z, Guo L, Sun Y, Li Y, Kang M, Li J. Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum Infections in Stray Cats and Dogs in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area, China. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111390. [PMID: 35681854 PMCID: PMC9179287 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Diseases caused by parasites have introduced serious threats to human health and the development of animal husbandry in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA), such as toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii and neosporosis caused by Neospora caninum. However, information on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in stray cats and dogs which are the definitive hosts of T. gondii and N. caninum in the QTPA is limited. The aim of this study was to establish a detailed record of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum samples and the molecular epidemiology in feces from stray cats and dogs in the plateau area. The results revealed that stray cats and dogs in the QTPA, China present both T. gondii and N. caninum infection through the antibodies and antigen detection of the indirect ELISA tests and qPCRs. The present study suggests the prevalence of acute neosporosis and chronic re-emergence of toxoplasmosis in stray cats and dogs in the testing area. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii and N. caninum infection in cats and dogs in the QTPA, and the first determination of N. caninum infection in cats in China. In conclusion, stray cats and dogs play key roles in the transmission and prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in the plateau area. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum belong to the Apicomplexan protozoa which is an obligate intracellular parasite, causing toxoplasmosis and neosporosis throughout the world. Cats and dogs are the definitive hosts of these two parasites. However, information on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in stray cats and dogs in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA) is limited, and little is known about the diversity of the diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform indirect ELISA tests based on recombinant TgSAG1, TgGRA1, NcSAG1 and NcGRA7 proteins to establish a detailed record of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum samples and to develop qPCR amplification based on TgB1 and NcNc5 genes to conduct molecular epidemiology in feces from stray cats and dogs in the QTPA. In the current study, a total of 128 cat serum samples were analyzed through serological tests in which 53 (41.4%) and 57 (44.5%) samples were found positive for T. gondii specific-IgG and IgM antibodies, and 2 (1.6%) and 74 (57.8%) samples were confirmed positive for N. caninum specific-IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Out of 224 stray dog sera, 59.8% and 58.9% were recorded as positive against anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies, 17.9% and 64.7% were detected positive against Neospora IgG and IgM. On the other hand, 1 of 18 cat fecal samples was successfully amplified within the Ct value of 10 to 30 while no cat was positive for neosporosis. Moreover, a higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis in stray dogs (14.5%, 16/110) than of neosporosis (5.5%, 6/110) with different parasite numbers were found. Further analysis showed that no significant sex differences were found nor between the overall infection rates of T. gondii and N. caninum in this study. This study suggests that stray cats and dogs play key roles in the transmission and prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in the plateau area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Jingkai Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Tongsheng Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Xiaomin Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Zichun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Liangting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Yali Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogen Diagnosis for Animal Diseases and Green Technical Research for Prevention and Control, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Ming Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Jixu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; (J.Y.); (J.A.); (T.Q.); (X.N.); (Z.X.); (L.G.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.); (M.K.)
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogen Diagnosis for Animal Diseases and Green Technical Research for Prevention and Control, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- Correspondence:
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Seroprevalence and Epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in Animals in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area, China. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040432. [PMID: 33917355 PMCID: PMC8067442 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii belongs to the Apicomplexan protozoa-an obligate intracellular parasite-causing toxoplasmosis that has a worldwide distribution and is very harmful to both human health and the livestock industry. However, the information on toxoplasmosis in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA) and the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the food-borne animals in that area has been limited. Therefore, this study focused to T. gondii and toxoplasmosis to perform an indirect ELISA test based on recombinant TgSAG2 protein to establish a comprehensive record of the seroprevalence of T. gondii infections in a wide range of animals, including Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries), yaks (Bos grunniens), cows, chicken, pigs, and horses, in the QTPA. Overall, the seropositive rates of the specific-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in all investigated animals were 44.1% (1179/2673) and 18.0% (469/2612), respectively. The 14.9% (389/2612) sera were determined to be both IgG and IgM positive samples, 30.2% (789/2673) were single-IgG seropositive, and a total of 80 in 2612 animals (3.0%) were single-IgM seropositive. Moreover, for the animal species, the pig was the most prevalent animal (90.2%, 304/337) for IgG positivity, followed by Tibetan sheep (50.7%, 460/907), chickens (45.8%, 229/500), yaks (21.1%, 140/663), cows (18.5%, 38/205) and horses (13.1%, 8/61), respectively. For the IgM antibody positivity, the pig was also the most prevalent animal (41.8%, 141/337), followed by Tibetan sheep (21.2%, 191/907), cows (15.1%, 31/205), chickens (12.4%, 62/500) and yaks (6.6%, 44/663), respectively. The significant differences in the prevalent distribution of T. gondii were found in the different altitudes. In conclusion, this study found the high seroprevalence for T. gondii infections among these animal species in the QTPA, and provides new data to facilitate further research for development of control measures against T. gondii infections in the surveyed locations.
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Su C. Economic and public health importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep: 2009-2020. Vet Parasitol 2020; 286:109195. [PMID: 32979682 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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, control, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in sheep in the past decade. There is debate and uncertainty concerning repeat congenital infection as evidenced by finding T. gondii DNA in progeny of chronically infected sheep. However, there is no concrete evidence that T. gondii is the cause of repeated abortions in sheep. Recent data concerning pathogenesis of abortion in acutely infected sheep are reviewed. PCR-RFLP typing of T. gondii DNA derived from viable T. gondii isolates or tissues of infected sheep revealed low genetic diversity in sheep in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America but high diversity in South America. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - F H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - C K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - O C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - C Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
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Dubey J, Murata F, Cerqueira-Cézar C, Kwok O, Su C. WITHDRAWN: Economic and public health importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep: the last decade. Vet Parasitol X 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2020.100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Ai K, Huang CQ, Guo JJ, Cong H, He SY, Zhou CX, Cong W. Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in the Slaughter Sheep and Goats from Shandong Province, Eastern China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 20:193-196. [PMID: 31545151 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally recognized that sheep are susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii and play a very important role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans. In China, sheep toxoplasmosis has been reported in some regions based on serological investigations. However, little is known about sheep toxoplasmosis in Shandong province, eastern China. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in the slaughter sheep and goats from three cities (Weihai, Yantai, and Rizhao) of Shandong province, eastern China. From November 2016 to March 2018, a total of 692 meat samples (438 sheep and 254 goats) were collected and detected by a seminested PCR-targeted T. gondii B1 gene. The overall prevalence of T. gondii in sheep and goats were 9.84% and 10.73%, respectively. Meat collected from rural markets (16.04%) had a significantly higher T. gondii prevalence than those collected from supermarkets (6.84%) (p < 0.001). Moreover, sheep and goats raised in backyard were more easily to be infected by T. gondii compared with those raised in farms (p < 0.001). This is the first report of the molecular prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goats in Shandong province, eastern China, which would provide effective data for prevention and control of sheep and human toxoplasmosis in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Ai
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Cui-Qin Huang
- Longyan University & Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Biotechnology, Longyan, P.R. China
| | - Jing-Jing Guo
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Hua Cong
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Shen-Yi He
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Xue Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Wei Cong
- College of Marine Science, Shandong University at Weihai, Weihai, P.R. China
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Wang YG, Gui BZ, Li RC, Wang GP, Ge M, Liu GH. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Growth Stages of Pigs in Hunan Province, Subtropical China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:945-949. [PMID: 31313974 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection is prevalent in humans and animals worldwide. In the present study, a total of 612 serum samples were examined using indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 49 (8.0%, confidence interval [95% CI]: 5.9-10.2) serum samples (IHA titer ≥1:16). The T. gondii seroprevalence ranged from 4.4% (95% CI: 0-10.5) to 14.3% (95% CI: 0-40.2) among different regions in Hunan province of subtropical China. The highest seroprevalence was found in breeding sows (18.8%). The T. gondii seroprevalence was higher in winter (18.3%, 95% CI: 8.5-28.1) and spring (10.9%, 95% CI: 5.7-16.1) than in summer (6.4%, 95% CI: 2.8-10.1) and autumn (4.9%, 95% CI: 2.2-7.7), and the differences were statistically significant excepting summer. In addition, developmental stage and season were identified as risk factors for T. gondii infection. Our findings revealed the seroprevalence of T. gondii in growth stages of pigs in the Hunan province of subtropical China, indicating that it may cause public health and economic problems. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the comprehensive survey of T. gondii seroprevalence in pigs in the Hunan province of subtropical China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Gui Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin-Ze Gui
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Run-Cheng Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, Changsha, China
| | - Gui-Ping Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, Changsha, China
| | - Meng Ge
- Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, Changsha, China
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Pan M, Lyu C, Zhao J, Shen B. Sixty Years (1957-2017) of Research on Toxoplasmosis in China-An Overview. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1825. [PMID: 28993763 PMCID: PMC5622193 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous zoonotic pathogen belonging to apicomplexan parasites. Infection in humans and animals may cause abortion and other severe symptoms under certain circumstances, leading to great economical losses and public health problems. T. gondii was first discovered in China in 1955 and the corresponding work was published in 1957. Since then, a lot of work has been done on this parasite and the diseases it causes. This review summarizes the major progress made by Chinese scientists over the last 60 years, and gives our perspectives on what should be done in the near future. A wide variety of diagnostic approaches were designed, including the ones to detect T. gondii specific antibodies in host sera, and T. gondii specific antigens or DNA in tissue and environmental samples. Further work will be needed to translate some of the laboratory assays into reliable products for clinic uses. Epidemiological studies were extensively done in China and the sero-prevalence in humans increased over the years, but is still below the world average, likely due to the unique eating and cooking habits. Infection rates were shown to be fairly high in meat producing animals such as, pigs, sheep, and chickens, as well as in the definitive host cats. Numerous subunit vaccines in the form of recombinant proteins or DNA vaccines were developed, but none of them is satisfactory in the current form. Live attenuated parasites using genetically modified strains may be a better option for vaccine design. The strains isolated from China are dominated by the ToxoDB #9 genotype, but it likely contains multiple subtypes since different ToxoDB #9 strains exhibited phenotypic differences. Further studies are needed to understand the general biology, as well as the unique features of strains prevalent in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Congcong Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine in Hubei ProvinceWuhan, China
- Hubei Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig ProductionWuhan, China
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine in Hubei ProvinceWuhan, China
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Yang Y, Feng Y, Yao Q, Wang Y, Lu Y, Liang H, Zhu X, Zhang L. Seroprevalence, Isolation, Genotyping, and Pathogenicity of Toxoplasma gondii Strains from Sheep in China. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:136. [PMID: 28217119 PMCID: PMC5289961 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important cause of reproductive failure in small ruminants that also poses a risk to consumers who consume undercooked meat. However, little is known about sheep toxoplasmosis in China for the world. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep from China, to isolate T. gondii via bioassay in mice and to evaluate the virulence of the isolated T. gondii based on vero cell invasion and mice. A total of 840 samples (304 unfrozen hearts and 536 sera) from sheep in China were collected from 2014 to 2016. Heart samples (n = 36) of T. gondii seropositive sheep (MAT, ≥25) were bioassayed in mice individually. DNA derived from cell cultured tachyzoites of the isolated T. gondii was characterized by PCR-RFLP of 10 loci (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico). The virulence of the T. gondii was evaluated based on the mortality and encystation in mice, as well as their growth characteristics in cell culture. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 174 of 840 (20.71%, 304 hearts juice and 536 sera) sheep by the modified agglutination test (cut-off 1:25). Viable T. gondii was isolated from the hearts of two of 36 seropositive sheep hearts. Both genotypes of the sheep heart isolates were ToxoDB#9. The virulence of the two ToxoDB#9 isolations varied significantly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of ToxoDB#9 strain of T. gondii from sheep in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- YuRong Yang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
| | - YongJie Feng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
| | - QiuXia Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Lanzhou, China
| | - YingHua Wang
- Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention of Henan Province Zhengzhou, China
| | - YaoYao Lu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
| | - HongDe Liang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
| | - XingQuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Lanzhou, China
| | - LongXian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
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11
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Yin MY, Wang JL, Huang SY, Qin SY, Zhou DH, Liu GX, Tan QD, Zhu XQ. Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Tibetan Sheep in Gansu province, Northwestern China. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:41. [PMID: 25889907 PMCID: PMC4345026 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0358-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite, infects almost all warm-blooded animals and humans. Limited information is available about T. gondii infection in Tibetan Sheep in Gansu province, northwestern China. In the present study, we estimated the seroprevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in this region of China. Results A total of 1732 Tibetan Sheep were included from Tianzhu and Maqu in Gansu province. Antibodies to T. gondii were examined by modified agglutination test (MAT), and 352 (20.3%) out of 1732 Tibetan sheep were found positive. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors associated with seroprevalence, the results showed that age, gender, and numbers of past pregnancies were not the significant risk factors. However, Tibetan sheep in Maqu had a 1.64 times (odds ratio [OR] =1.637, 95% CI =1.291-2.075, P < 0.001) higher seroprevalence compared to Tianzhu, and the seropositivity in summer were 1.61 times (OR =1.608, 95% CI =1.122-2.303, P = 0.010) higher compared to Tibetan sheep in winter, followed by 1.42 times (OR =1.419, 95% CI =1.002-2.011, P = 0.049) in spring. Thus, season and location were considered as risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in this study. Conclusions This is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in Tibetan sheep in Gansu province, which enriches the epidemiological data of T. gondii infection in Tibetan sheep in China. The results of this study indicate that Tibetan sheep in Gansu province are frequently exposed to T. gondii, posing a direct threat to the public health as well as to local sheep industry. These data is useful to strengthen future prevention and control of T. gondii infection in Tibetan sheep in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu province, 730046, PR China. .,College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province, 410128, RR China.
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu province, 730046, PR China.
| | - Si-Yang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu province, 730046, PR China.
| | - Si-Yuan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu province, 730046, PR China. .,College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin province, 130118, PR China.
| | - Dong-Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu province, 730046, PR China.
| | - Guang-Xue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu province, 730046, PR China.
| | - Qi-Dong Tan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui province, 230036, PR China.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu province, 730046, PR China. .,College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin province, 130118, PR China. .,College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui province, 230036, PR China.
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12
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Guo M, Dubey JP, Hill D, Buchanan RL, Gamble HR, Jones JL, Pradhan AK. Prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in meat animals and meat products destined for human consumption. J Food Prot 2015; 78:457-76. [PMID: 25710166 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-14-328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Guo
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agriculture Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA
| | - Dolores Hill
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agriculture Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA
| | - Robert L Buchanan
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Center for Food Safety and Security Systems, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - H Ray Gamble
- Fellowships Office, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Jones
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
| | - Abani K Pradhan
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Center for Food Safety and Security Systems, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
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Liu ZK, Li JY, Pan H. Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in small ruminants in China. Prev Vet Med 2015; 118:488-92. [PMID: 25591976 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Little information is available about the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep and goats in China. In the present investigation, the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in sheep and goats were investigated in Qinghai province, China between January 2012 and June 2013. A total of 1250 serum samples (600 sheep and 650 goats) collected from 8 administrative regions of Qinghai province, China were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of specific antibodies, and sera positive were subsequently confirmed with indirect fluorescent antibody test. Specific IgG against T. gondii were detected in 21.33% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.06-24.61%) (128/600) and 29.54% (95% CI: 26.03-33.05%) (192/650) and against N. caninum in 10.33% (95% CI: 7.9-12.77%) (62/600) and 7.23% (95% CI: 5.24-9.22%) (47/650) of the sheep and goats, respectively. The risk factors significantly associated with T. gondii and N. caninum seroprevalence were the presence of cats and dogs, the pasturing system, the herd size, the hygiene in the farms. The results of the present survey indicate that T. gondii and N. caninum infections are highly prevalent in sheep and goats in Qinghai province, China. This is the first time that antibodies to N. caninum have been detected in sheep and goats in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Kui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, China; National and Provincial Union Engineering Research Center for the Veterinary Herbal medicine resources and initiative, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, China; Hunan Agricultural University Animal Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Liuyang 410311, China.
| | - Jian-Yong Li
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Hu Pan
- Lanzhou Institute of Animal Sciences and Pharmaceutics of CAAS, Lanzhou 730050, China
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