Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in goats (Capra hircus) in the state of Espírito Santo, Southeast Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii is described as a potential cause of abortion in goats and as a threat to public health. To estimate the prevalence of goats infected by T. gondii, in different cities in the Espírito Santo State, and to identify possible risk factors for infection a serological study was conducted. A total of 146 goat serum samples from the cities of Cariacica, Serra and Vila Velha were analyzed. The presence of IgG Class Immunoglobulins was serologically evaluated by Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii was 46.6% (68/146) in both techniques and the same samples got the same results in both techniques. Among the analyzed sera, 70.6% (48/68) exhibited high-avidity IgG antibodies, and 29.4% (20/68) exhibited low-avidity IgG antibodies, suggesting that the infection was chronic in the infected animals. Female sex, age group over two years old, water from the public supply system, storage of food and supplies in an open and unprotected place, and the presence of a domestic cat on the property were identified as risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats. The state of Espirito Santo has a high frequency of infected goats, and this is the first research on caprine toxoplasmosis seroepidemiology in that region.

Cryptosporidium parvum gp60 subtypes in diarrheic lambs and goat kids from Israel.

Cryptosporidium parvum is the second-most prevalent Cryptosporidium species that infects humans worldwide. In European countries, it is the most prevalent species in sheep, suggesting that these animals are a source of zoonotic infection. Preweaned lambs and goats are particularly susceptible to infection by the parasite and may suffer from severe diarrhea whilst excreting large quantities of infectious oocysts. Fifty fecal samples from preweaned lambs and goats with diarrhea from 35 farms across Israel, found to be Cryptosporidium-positive by microscopy, were tested by PCR and sequence analyses to determine the infective species and subtypes. Cryptosporidium parvum DNA was detected in most samples from both lambs and goats (46/50). Cryptosporidium xiaoi DNA was detected in three samples from kids, with co-infection detected in a single sample. Eleven different C. parvum subtypes were found, 10 in lambs and 5 in goats. All subtypes were from the IIa and IId subtype families, with subtypes IIdA20G1 and IIaA15G2R1 being the most prevalent and widespread. These subtypes were previously found in calves and humans in Israel and are considered the most prevalent C. parvum subtypes in small ruminants globally. These results underline the zoonotic potential of C. parvum from small ruminants and the high subtype diversity compared to previous reports from other Middle Eastern countries. In addition, this is the first report of C. xiaoi in Israel.

High infection rates of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle, sheep and pigs from Israel.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa, which causes the zoonotic disease toxoplasmosis. T. gondii infects almost all warm blood animals. Generally, infected animals are asymptomatic and remain infected for life. Infection of humans occurs by consumption of infected undercooked meat or contaminated vegetables, fruit and water. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and seroprevalence of T. gondii in livestock in Israel. For the serological screening we investigated the presence of antibodies against T. gondii in sera using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Molecular screening was preformed using conventional PCR and nested PCR for the detection of T. gondii DNA in tissue samples. Serum samples of 249 cattle and 138 sheep were collected from farms. This serological survey showed high seroprevalence with seropositivity of 29 % in cattle and 33 % in sheep. In addition, 526 paired sera and tissue samples from cattle, sheep and pigs were obtained in slaughterhouses. The serological prevalence of T. gondii in healthy animals intended for human consumption was 29.4 % in cattle, 26.1 % in sheep and 8.1 % in pigs. The molecular detection of T. gondii in the tissue samples was 7.5 % in cattle, 7.3 % in sheep and 6.3 % in pigs. Considering the combined positive results from both serological and molecular assays, exposure to or infection with the parasite was present in 26.2 % of the samples (33.8 % in cattle, 30.3 % in sheep, 12.5 % in pigs). The prevalence of T. gondii in pigs was significantly lower compared to that of cattle and sheep (P < 0.001). All PCR positive samples from animals and 12 human positive samples were genotyped using a restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The results showed the existence of atypical genotypes in the majority of the samples and no correlation between animals and human samples could be determined from this study. Widespread exposure to T. gondii in Israel with the presence of parasite DNA in meat from cattle, sheep and pigs meant for human consumption was found.

Neospora spp. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Seropositivity in Apparently Healthy Horses and Pregnant Mares.

Equine Neospora infection has been linked to neurological disorders and infertility in horses. This study looked into the risk factors for infection and the exposure to Neospora spp. in horses. The study was performed in two independent populations in Israel. The first consisted of apparently healthy horses, and the second consisted of mares examined during pregnancy and after parturition. Sera samples collected from horses and mares were tested for Neospora exposure by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The study revealed seroprevalence of 24% in apparently healthy horses and 66.4% and 48.6% in mares during gestation and after parturition, respectively. Among the investigated risk factors, older age (p = 0.026) and housing in both stalls and paddocks (p = 0.033) in apparently healthy horses, and Arabian breeds (p = 0.005) in pregnant mares, were found to be significantly associated with Neospora spp. seropositivity in univariable, but not multivariable, statistical analysis. This study revealed high exposure of equines to Neospora parasites, especially mares. Horse farm management, in combination with active surveillance, including serological testing and follow up, could help reduce the spread of the parasite among horses in endemic areas.

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.

High Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora Spp. in Donkeys in Israel: Serological Survey and Case Reports.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. are closely related cyst-forming coccidian parasites, which infect various animal species and have considerable zoonotic and economic implications, respectively. Both parasites are endemic in Israel and have been reported to infect wild and domestic animals. This study was conceived to evaluate the serologic exposure of donkeys to these parasites. Serum samples were collected from 98 donkeys. Half of them (n = 49) were from animal shelters in Israel, and the rest (n = 49) were working donkeys from the Palestinian Authority. The donkeys were screened for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma and anti-Neospora antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFATs). The seroprevalence of T. gondii and Neospora spp. was 94% and 70%, respectively, and 69% of the donkeys were exposed to both parasites. In addition, N. caninum tissue cysts were documented in two donkeys during post-mortem examination. This is the first report of the exposure of donkeys to T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the area. The high prevalence found in this study suggests that donkeys may have a role in the maintenance of these parasites in the area, thus serving as a source of infection for the definitive hosts.