Prevalence of trichinosis in southern Louisiana swine

After an outbreak of human trichinosis in Louisiana involving 45 cases and 1 death in 1979 and 1980, a survey of pigs killed in 21 selected small slaughterhouses in southwestern Louisiana was conducted from November 1980 to September 1981. The sera from 1,225 pigs were examined for trichinella antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); 1,223 diaphragms were subjected to peptic digestion and examined for the presence of Trichinella spiralis larvae. One diaphragm (0.08%) was found to contain T spiralis (26 larvae/g of muscle) and 4 of the slaughterhouse sera were positive (0.33% seroprevalence). Pigs in 52 herds throughout the state were also tested for ELISA antibodies. The ELISA-positive pigs were not found among the 267 pigs tested from the 52 herds.     

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in California swine.

In a serologic survey for Toxoplasma gondii in 891 swine from 20 California counties, 478 (54%) were seronegative, 153 (17%) were nonspecific reactors, and 260 (29%) were seropositive. Most of the titers (81%) were low, ie, from 1:64 to 1:128, but a few (2%) were high, ie, 1:1024 or greater.     

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in roe deer from Spain

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is an important game animal in Spain. Sera from 278 roe deer from eight areas in mainland Spain were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by modified agglutination test (MAT). Titers of 1:25 or higher were found in 109 (39.2%) of 278 deer. No significant differences in antibody prevalence were found between sex or age categories. In contrast, significant differences in seroprevalence between locations were evident. Roe deer from the Northern coastal habitats (high humidity and roe deer density) had the highest prevalence, compared with low prevalence in Central Spain (arid areas and low roe deer density). There was a positive correlation between antibody prevalence and mean annual rainfall (r(s)=0.85, n=8, P<0.01). These findings have environmental and/or public health implications because venison can be an important meat source of T. gondii infections for humans and feral cats.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dairy goats from 1982 to 1984

Serum samples from 1,000 dairy goats from northwest United States (1982 to 1984) were examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by a modified agglutination test. Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers were less than 1.40 for 779 goats, 1.40 for 153 goats, and greater than or equal to 1:400 for 68 goats. Seroprevalence increased with age of goats; 3.7% of 54 six-month-old goats were seropositive (greater than or equal to 1:40) vs 17.8% of 218 one-year-old goats.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in stray cats in Sari, northern Iran

Cats are important in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete environmentally resistant oocysts. T.gondii is a major zoonotic agent which infects up to one-third of the world population. Toxoplasmosis in neonates and immunocompromised patients can lead to severe disease and death. A cross- sectional parasitological and serological survey with latex agglutination test (LAT) to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies was conducted on 100 serum samples collected from stray cats in five urban areas of Sari, Northern Iran, from April to November 2004. Classification by age, sex, weight, season and region was made. Results analyzed according to specific variables. The overall prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies (LAT titre ≥1:1) were found in 40 of 100(40%) of stray cats, with regional variations. Overall 16 of 100(16%) of stray cats had diagnostically significant antibody titres (LAT ≥ 1:64). Prevalence was significantly higher in adult cats (1.5–3.0 kg, 54.5% of 66) than in juvenile cats and kittens (≤1.4 kg, 11.8% of 34) and higher in female stray cats (44.4% of 72) than in male stray cats (28.6% of 28). Toxoplasma seroprevalence was highest in the season of spring (22.4%). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of infection relative to host age and weight (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the prevalence of infection relative to host gender, urban sites and season (P > 0.05). Prevalence of T. gondii oocyst was also analyzed by a routine coprological method in 100 cats. T. gondii oocysts were not found in any faecal samples analyzed. Only 2 out of 100 smear preparations of intestinal mucosa showed trophozoites of T. gondii.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in cats, dogs and horses in Sweden

Samples of serum or plasma taken during 1986 and 1987 from 244 pet cats, 303 dogs and 219 horses, randomly selected among animals referred to the Animal Clinics of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. 42% of cats, 23% of dogs and 1% of horses examined were found seropositive.     

Prevalence of antibodies against Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in dogs and foxes in Austria

Sera from 1770 dogs and 94 red foxes from Austria were examined for antibodies against Neospora caninum using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). 3.6% of the dogs were seropositive with titres ranging from 1:50 to 1:6400. Dogs from rural areas were significantly more often seropositive for N. caninum than those from the urban area of Vienna (5.3% versus 2.1%). There were no significant differences in sex or breed, but a slight increase in seropositivity with age was apparent, indicating postnatal infection. None of the foxes had antibodies against N. caninum. Additionally, sera from 242 dogs and 94 foxes were examined for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the IFAT. Thirty-five percent foxes and 26% of the dogs were positive; 1.7% of the dogs were positive for both parasites. This is the first report of the prevalence of N. caninum infections in dogs and foxes in Austria.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibodies in wild boars in the Czech Republic

Sera collected from hunter-killed wild boars (Sus scrofa) during 1999-2005 from seven different regions of the Czech Republic were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by indirect fluorescence antibody test and to Neospora caninum by competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by indirect fluorescence antibody test. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 148 (26.2%) of 565 wild boars with serum dilutions of 1:40 in 40, 1:80 in 40, 1:160 in 27, 1:320 in 19, 1:640 in 18 and 1:1280 in 4 wild boars. Antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 102 (18.1%) of 565 wild boars with 30.1-94.6% inhibition in ELISA; statistical significant differences were observed between sampling regions, ranging from 0% to 31.8%. Sera, positive in ELISA, were examined in IFAT; 58 of 102 (56.9%) were positive with titres 1:40-1:160. Mixed infection (concurrent presence of both T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies) was found in 38 wild boars. It is the first report of antibodies to N. caninum in wild boar. Serological results indicate a common exposure to T. gondii and to N. caninum among wild boars in the Czech Republic.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibody in wild macropods

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to measure total antibody to Toxoplasma gondii in serum samples from macropods. The validity of the assay was established by comparing parasite isolation in mice for 17 Tasmanian pademelons (Thylogale billardierii) and 17 Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus). The ELISA was then used to detect antibody against T. gondii in serum from 236 macropods, collected from 21 locations in Tasmania, including Flinders Island. Antibody against T. gondii was detected in 20 animals (15 T. billardierii and 5 M. rufogriseus). There was a significant (p less than 0.01) difference in possession of T. gondii antibodies between adult (greater than or equal to 1 year of age) Tasmanian pademelons and Bennett's wallabies.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in raccoons.

Serum samples from 427 raccoons (93 from Pennsylvania, 45 from New Jersey, 72 from South Carolina, 68 from Virginia, 30 from Iowa, and 119 from Ohio) were evaluated for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dilutions of 1:25, 1:50, and 1:500. The distribution of T gondii antibody titers was less than 1:25 for 212 raccoons (49.6%), 1:25 for 34 raccoons (7.9%), 1:50 for 117 raccoons (27.4%), and greater than or equal to 1:500 for 64 raccoons (14.9%). Tissue cysts were seen in the liver, and tachyzoites were in the brain of a raccoon with abnormal neurologic signs and concurrent infection with canine distemper virus. Organisms in the liver were stained with anti-T gondii serum, and the raccoon had a T gondii titer of 1:160 in the agglutination test.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibodies in Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica)

A cross-sectional study was carried out on Spanish ibex populations in Southern Spain to assess the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum and to investigate the risk factors associated with these infections. Using the modified agglutination test, the seroprevalence to T. gondii was 27.5% (146/531; CI(95%), 23.7-31.3), and this seropositivity significantly increased with age. Among adults, statistically significant differences were observed between geographical locations and over different sampling years. Thirty of 531 (5.6%) ibex had antibodies to N. caninum using a competitive ELISA, of which 27/30 (5.1%; CI(95%), 3.1-7.1) were confirmed as seropositive by the indirect fluorescent antibody test. This study is the first to report the presence of N. caninum antibodies in Spanish ibex and also indicates widespread exposure of this species to T. gondii. The findings indicate that ibex are more exposed to T. gondii than to N. caninum in their natural environment and there is little evidence of co-infection with both parasites. The seroprevalence levels reported suggest a role for ibex in the sylvatic cycle of both parasites with potentially important environmental and public health implications.     

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among Brazilian white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris)

Considering that Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of global importance which affects several animal species including humans, the current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii among 72 white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from Botucatu Municipality (22°53'S 48°26'W), S?o Paulo State, Brazil. The investigation was carried out from January 2008 to December 2009, when the animals had their blood samples collected and subjected to the modified agglutination test (MAT); 12 specimens had brain samples bioassayed in mice. Seroprevalence was 5.5% (n=4) and bioassays were negative. Older animals had higher prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii. Opossums in closer contact with the urban environment are likely more exposed to T. gondii than animals from the sylvatic environment.     

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.     

ELISA for assessing Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs

The ELISA technique was applied to assess Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs. Among 925 swine examined 36.4 per cent of the animals were seropositive. Serum titres ranged from 100 to 3,200.     

Prevalence and relevance of avian Toxoplasma gondii infections in Europe

Toxoplasma (T.) gondii is a parasitic protozoon whose life cycle includes a definite and an intermediate host. Besides a wide range of mammals also birds are suitable intermediate hosts. There are a high number of case reports, prevalence data and experimental studies regarding avian toxoplasmosis. In many domestic, wild and zoo bird species which are relevant in Europe the susceptibility for T. gondii infection could be demonstrated though susceptibility for clinical disease often seems to be low, especially in gallinaceous birds. Comprehensive Europe-wide studies concerning the occurrence of avian toxoplasmosis have not been conducted so far. The general infestation ratio of birds on European free-range poultry farms seems to be relatively high. The European wild bird population represents a significant reservoir for the pathogen. When evaluating the seroprevalence it has to be considered that sensitivity and specificity of the detection methods for T. gondii specific antigens which are used frequently in mammals often are not satisfying in birds.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Belgian house cats

Five hundred and sixty seven sera of healthy house cats aged 3 months to 7 years, were examined for the presence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay and compared to SAG1 and TLA enzyme linked immunosorbent assays as alternative test. Twenty-five percent of cats tested positive for IgG and/or IgM. Seroprevalence increased with age from 2% below 12 months of age up to 44% at age 7. Sensitivities of SAG1 and TLA ELISA were 84.1% and 88.6%, respectively. Peak levels in seroprevalence were correlated to increased IgG titers in TLA ELISA. Our results suggest that T. gondii infections are common in house cats and that there is a high chance for a negative cat to seroconvert in its second life-year.