Seroprevalence and Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Southwestern Iran

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a cosmopolitan protozoan, which infects the human body and many warm-blooded animals including wild boars. Wild boars have an important role in maintenance and transmission of T. gondii and may pose a potential risk to humans and wildlife health. Objectives: The current study was conducted to find out the seroprevalence and genotypes of T. gondii in wild boars in southwest of Iran. Methods: Twenty five adult wild boars were hunted, in 2013. Blood and tissue samples (muscle, tongue, liver, and brain) were collected from each animal. Blood samples were assessed for antibodies against T. gondii by the modified agglutination test. DNA was extracted from the tissues and PCR-amplified, targeting a 529 bp DNA fragment of T. gondii. The PCR products were purified and sequenced. Results: Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in sera of 4 out of the 25 (16%) wild boars. There was no gender or age-related differences in seroprevalence of T. gondii in the studied animals. PCR detected the 529 bp band of T. gondii in brain samples of 5 out of 25 (20%) of animals. Molecular evaluation confirmed the presence of type III (4 cases) and type I (1 case) of T. gondii in the studied wild boars. Conclusions: Findings of the study demonstrated that the T. gondii infection is common in wild boars in southwest Iran and could represent a significant health risk for animals, hunters, and local residents who may consume wild boar meat.