Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in free-ranging moose (Alces alces) hunted for human consumption in Estonia: Indicator host species for environmental Toxoplasma gondii oocyst contamination.
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports
; 11: 6-11, 2018 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31014620
ABSTRACT
In Estonia, northeastern Europe, antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii are common in many host species, including wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Our nationwide study aimed to estimate T. gondii seroprevalence and its geographical distribution, and to evaluate plausible risk factors for seropositivity in free-ranging moose (Alces alces) hunted for human consumption in 2015. We screened sera or plasma from 463 moose for presence of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies with a commercial direct agglutination test, using a cut-off titer 40 for seropositivity. Altogether 111 moose tested seropositive, yielding a seroprevalence estimate of 23.97%. Seropositive moose were detected in all the 13 counties where the samples originated from. Based on a multivariable logistic regression model, 'being female', 'being adult', and 'being from the northern part of the country' were significant risk factors, with odds ratios of 2.91, 3.07, and 3.11, respectively, and there was interaction between the variables 'being female' and 'being from the northern part of the country'. A substantial proportion of the moose investigated had been exposed to T. gondii. Presence of the parasite in edible tissues of the moose was not shown in the present study, but moose hunted in Estonia should be considered a potential T. gondii infection source to other hosts, including humans. Seropositivity indicates previous exposure, and because the seroprevalence was higher in adults than in calves and because moose are herbivores, the exposure was likely exposure to and ingestion of T. gondii oocysts. The results can thus be interpreted to indicate that the environment in Estonia was widely contaminated with T. gondii oocysts, in particular in the northern part of the country. Investigation of samples from a free-ranging herbivorous host that is hunted in large numbers appears useful in revealing environmental distribution patterns of T. gondii.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
3_ND
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cervos
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Toxoplasmose Animal
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Oocistos
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Animais Selvagens
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article