Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs intended for human consumption in Cuba.

Domestic pigs are considered as one of the main intermediate hosts in the zoonotic transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in many countries. Serological and molecular studies are warranted to better understand the epidemiology and transmission patterns of this parasite worldwide. To date, seroepidemiological information on T. gondii in domestic pigs in Cuba is very scarce and there are no reports of T. gondii genotypes circulating in this country. Here, we aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and provide genetic characterization of the strains circulating in slaughtered pigs intended for human consumption in Central Cuba. Seroprevalence was determined in 450 serum samples from slaughtered pigs in Villa Clara province using ELISA. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 100 animals (22.2%, 95% CI: 18.5-26.2). Conventional PCR of the 529-bp marker of T. gondii was performed in hearts and diaphragm tissues of all ELISA-seropositive pigs. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in four animals. Further genetic characterization of the positive DNA samples was performed by multilocus PCR-RFLP and PCR-sequencing typing tools. Molecular analysis revealed four different genetic profiles that were combinations of type I, II, III and u-1 alleles, suggesting the circulation of non-clonal genotypes of T. gondii in domestic pigs in Cuba. Our results indicate that T. gondii is widely distributed in slaughtered pigs in this country, which might have important implications for public health. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on genetic characterization of T. gondii in Cuba. Although preliminary, the results suggest a high genetic diversity of T. gondii in the study region. Further studies based on parasite isolation are needed to definitively identify the genotypes circulating and characterize the virulence of strains detected in pigs in Cuba, and to assess the risk of zoonotic transmission from pork products in this country.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1-16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm's location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.

Seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra Leptospira spp. en cerdos criados en Portoviejo, Ecuador / Seroprevalence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. in pigs raised in Portoviejo, Ecuador

Introducción: La leptospirosis es una enfermedad infecciosa bacteriana causada por leptospiras patógenas, que afectan a una amplia variedad de mamíferos incluido el hombre. Es considerada como una de las enfermedades zoonóticas de mayor distribución a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Determinar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra Leptospira spp. y factores de riesgo asociados a la leptospirosis en algunas poblaciones de cerdos de Portoviejo. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, realizado entre octubre de 2018 a marzo de 2019. Se estudiaron cerdos criados en parroquias del cantón Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador. Se colectaron un total de 280 muestras de sangre (115 de cerdos en crianza tecnificada y 165 en crianza de traspatio), 140 en el periodo lluvioso (enero-marzo) y 140 en el periodo seco (octubre-diciembre), de forma tal que fueran representativos los animales para ambas épocas. El diagnóstico serológico se realizó mediante la prueba de aglutinación microscópica. Resultados: En la crianza tecnificada, la seroprevalencia fue de 16,52 por ciento (19/115) y en la crianza de traspatio, 20,61 por ciento (34/165). Se presentó con mayor frecuencia en serovares Australis e Icterohaemorrhagiae en 14,28 por ciento (40/280), respectivamente, y Bataviae en 13,21 por ciento (37/280). El riesgo asociado a la infección por leptospiras fue mayor en los cerdos del sexo femenino, en las poblaciones de cerdos que consumieron agua de ríos y en los predios donde no se realizó un control de roedores silvestres. Conclusiones: La seroprevalencia a anticuerpos contra Leptospira spp. en la población de cerdos en crianza tecnificada y traspatio fue moderada, pero constituye un peligro potencial para la población humana expuesta. En ambos sistemas de crianza, los serovares más frecuentes fueron Australis, Icterohaemorrhagiae y Bataviae(AU)

Introduction: Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira sp. bacteria. It affects a large number of mammals, including humans, and is considered to be one of the most widely distributed zoonotic diseases worldwide. Objective: Determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. and the risk factors associated to leptospirosis in some pig populations from Portoviejo. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted from October 2018 to March 2019 of pigs raised in parishes from Portoviejo Canton in Manabí, Ecuador. A total 280 blood samples were collected (115 from pigs raised technically and 165 from pigs raised in backyards), 140 in the rainy season (January-March) and 140 in the dry season (October-December), so that the samples were representative of the two seasons. Serological diagnosis was performed with the microscopic agglutination test. Results: In technical breeding, seroprevalence was 16.52 percent (19/115), whereas in backyard breeding it was 20.61 percent (34/165). It was most common in serovars Australis and Icterohaemorrhagiae, with 14.28 percent (40/280), respectively, and Bataviae with 13.21 percent (37/280). Risk associated to Leptospira infection was greater in sows, in pig populations which drank river water, and in areas where wild rodent control was not present. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. was moderate in technical and backyard pig raising populations, but it is a potential hazard for the human population exposed. In both breeding systems, the most common serovars were Australis, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Bataviae(AU)