Abstract
BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, with a worldwide distribution. There have been limited reports about the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in equids around the world and little is known about the seroprevalence of T. gondii in equids in southwestern China, in particular in Yunnan Province. The objective of the present investigation was to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in equids in this area.MethodsA total of 399 serum samples (266 from horses and 133 from donkeys) were collected in 2012, and assayed for T. gondii antibodies by Indirect Haemagglutination (IHA) test using a commercially available kit.ResultsA total of 108 (27.1%) equids, including 81 (30.5%) horses and 27 (20.3%) donkeys were positive for T. gondii antibodies, and the seroprevalence ranged from 18.8% to 37.5% among different sampling areas. The seroprevalence was 27.4% and 26.8% for male and female equids, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The seroprevalence ranged from 21% to 32.9% among different age groups, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThe results of the present survey indicated the existence of high T. gondii seroprevalence in Yunnan Province, southwestern China, which has significant public health concern. Therefore, it is imperative that improved integrated measures be carried out to prevent and control T. gondii infection in equids in the studied region.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, with a worldwide distribution
108 of 399 examined equids were seropositive for T. gondii antibodies, the overall seroprevalence was 27.1%, and the seroprevalence ranged from 18.8% in Dehong to 37.5% in Diqing. 81 (30.5%) of the examined horses and 27 (20.3%) of the examined donkeys were seropositive, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05)
T. gondii seroprevalence in horses may vary from 0% to 90% [8]
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic parasite, which can infect humans and almost all warm-blood animals, with a worldwide distribution [1,2,3,4,5]. Horses and donkeys are important and useful animals to humans in many ways, such as sport competitions, police work, carriage, and so on. Horse and donkey meat are the popular and delicate food for people worldwide. Infection of T. gondii is subclinical in horses, atypical clinical signs includes fever, ataxia, retinal degeneration and encephalomyelitis, and abortion or stillbirth in pregnant equids. Human toxoplasmosis cases associated with consumption of horse meat have been reported in some countries [6,7]
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