Abstract
We present a set of data on human and chicken Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence that was investigated and analysed in light of groundwater vulnerability information in an area endemic for waterborne toxoplasmosis in Brazil. Hydrogeological assessment was undertaken to select sites for water collection from wells for T. gondii oocyst testing and for collecting blood from free-range chickens and humans for anti-T. gondii serologic testing. Serologic testing of human specimens was done using conventional commercial tests and a sporozoite-specific embryogenesis-related protein (TgERP), which is able to differentiate whether infection resulted from tissue cysts or oocysts. Water specimens were negative for the presence of viable T. gondii oocysts. However, seroprevalence in free-range chickens was significantly associated with vulnerability of groundwater to surface contamination (p < 0.0001; odds ratio: 4.73, 95% confidence interval: 2.18-10.2). Surprisingly, a high prevalence of antibodies against TgERP was detected in human specimens, suggesting the possibility of a continuous contamination of drinking water with T. gondii oocysts in this endemic setting. These findings and the new proposed approach to investigate and analyse endemic toxoplasmosis in light of groundwater vulnerability information associated with prevalence in humans estimated by oocyst antigens recognition have implications for the potential role of hydrogeological assessment in researching waterborne toxoplasmosis at a global scale.
Highlights
Global efforts have been made to reduce risk factors for waterborne diseases worldwide
Chickens from areas of high and extreme groundwater vulnerability were respectively 4.38 and 4.75 times more likely to be T. gondii seropositive than those from areas of moderate groundwater vulnerability (OR: 4.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19-8.74) for high vulnerability areas and (OR: 4.72, 95% CI: 2.1810.2) for extreme vulnerability areas (Table)
The DRASTIC methodology has been increasingly employed in Geographic Information System-based mapping to geospatially represent and predict groundwater quality and to provide the basis for policy decisions regarding protection of aquifers from chemical and biological pollutants
Summary
Global efforts have been made to reduce risk factors for waterborne diseases worldwide.
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