Abstract
BackgroundNothing is known about Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in donkeys in Mexico. Meat from donkey is consumed by humans in Mexico and also exported to other countries. We sought to determine the presence of antibodies against T. gondii in 239 domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) for slaughter in Durango, Mexico using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Donkeys were sampled in four premises (trade centers) where donkeys were gather for shipment to abattoirs in other Mexican states.ResultsAntibodies to T. gondii were found in 26 (10.9%) of 239 donkeys, with MAT titers of 1:25 in 7, 1:50 in 11, 1:100 in 6, and 1:200 in 2. Seropositive donkeys were found in three (75%) of the four gathering premises studied. Seroprevalence in donkeys varied from 0% to 23.1% among gathering premises. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was comparable among donkeys regardless their age, sex or health status. Seropositivity to T. gondii was found in donkeys between 1 to 12 years old. Multivariate analysis showed that seropositivity to T. gondii was associated with the gathering premises (OR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.11-2.24; P = 0.009).ConclusionsThis is the first report of T. gondii infection in donkeys in Mexico. Results indicate that consumption of undercooked or raw meat from T. gondii-infected donkeys is potentially a source of T. gondii infection for humans.
Highlights
Nothing is known about Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in donkeys in Mexico
The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was comparable among donkeys regardless their age
Age was not included in the regression analysis because it did not show a correlation with T. gondii seropositivity by bivariate analysis
Summary
Nothing is known about Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in donkeys in Mexico. Meat from donkey is consumed by humans in Mexico and exported to other countries. Toxoplasma gondii infects warm-blooded animals including equids [1]. Infections with T. gondii in equids are of epidemiological importance because their meat and milk are used for human consumption [2]. Infections with T. gondii in humans may lead to ocular and nervous system disease [3]. Primary T. gondii infection in pregnant women may lead to congenital disease with disastrous consequences to the fetus [4]. Cases of fatal toxoplasmosis due to consumption of imported horsemeat in France have been reported [6]. In France, a case of severe pulmonary toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent man who had consumed imported raw horsemeat
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