Occurrence Of Toxoplasmosis Research Articles

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Occurrence of Toxoplasmosis in Animals Slaughtered in Brazilian Abattoirs.

Toxoplasmosis is mainly transmitted to human beings through the consumption of contaminated food, and several outbreaks caused by infected meat consumption have been reported in Brazil. We performed a systematic literature review on the prevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in slaughtered animals and performed a meta-analysis of its prevalence for different species and regions. Furthermore, we also discussed the infectivity of seropositive animals, risk factors, and preventive strategies. In the meta-analysis, the overall prevalence estimates for poultry, ostrich, goats, swine, equids, sheep, and bovines were 42.4, 40.4, 23.0, 19.9, 19.1, 17.3, and 16.2%, respectively. Regarding the Brazilian regions, the highest prevalence values were detected for bovines and equids in the South (32.3 and 34.4%, respectively) and swine, goats, sheep, and poultry in the Northeast (29.3, 23.0, 22.9, and 69.8%%, respectively). High proportions of Toxoplasma gondii viability in bioassay conducted on seropositive animals were seen for sheep (34/40 = 85%) and swine (12/15 = 80%). Toxoplasma gondii infections are widespread on Brazilian farms, and the summarized data allow the establishment of high-priority areas and/or species for the adoption of preventive strategies to control this parasite at different levels of the food chain.

The Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii in Cats at the House of Maternal Women with Toxoplasmosis in Badung, Indonesia

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with the parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The health and social impacts of the infection are enormous, including miscarriage, hydrocephalus, blindness, and mental retardation. The occurrence of toxoplasmosis in maternal women cannot be separated from cats around their houses. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of the parasite in cats found in the human carriers residences and identified the risk factors of toxoplasmosis in maternal women in Badung District, Bali Province, Indonesia. A total of 80 cat serum samples were obtained from two residential groups, 40 from the housing where the maternal women were infected and another 40 from where there were no identified sufferers of the disease. All the samples were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to detect the presence of antibodies T. gondii in feral cat serum. The results showed that 47.5% of the examined subjects had the said antibodies. As much as 65% came from housing with cases of toxoplasmosis in maternal mothers, and 30% came from residences with none. The presence of feral cats is a major risk factor for the transmission of T. gondii to humans.

Toxoplasma gondii In Morocco And Palestine: General Review

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous intracellular parasite, which is commonly known to infect all warm-blooded animals. Almost 30 % of the world’s human population is infected with this parasite, though the infection varies depending on the region and ethnic group. Also, almost half of pregnant women in Morocco and one-third in Palestine have been infected with toxoplasmosis. Several studies have been conducted in order to estimate the prevalence of this parasite among pregnant women in Morocco and Palestine. However, studies revolving around the occurrence of this parasite among livestock and the environment in Palestine and Morocco are inadequate. This review will shed light on the underlying risk factors associated with the prevalence of this parasite by drawing on a comparison between the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in two different countries. It also intends on increasing the awareness and knowledge regarding this parasite among the general population. Nonetheless, Congenital toxoplasmosis as well as the seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among women who have undergone abortion still need to be studied further, particularly in Morocco.

Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Due to Bone Marrow Transplantation: Validation by an Experimental Model.

Toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic infectious disease and may present a fatal outcome for human bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients, due to the rapid disease course in immunosuppressed individuals. Several reports about occurrence of toxoplasmosis after BMT have been published in the literature, but this disease has been associated mainly due to reactivation of latent infection rather than primary infection. Even though there are reports of acute toxoplasmosis in recipients who were seronegative for T. gondii, suggesting transmission of infection after BMT, the source of infection in those cases has not been clearly demonstrated, whether it is due to the transplantation procedure by itself or from environmental source. Thus, the present study aimed to observe if it could be possible to demonstrate the parasite‘s ability to infect bone marrow (BM) cells and cause toxoplasmosis, when using an experimental model. Our results showed that 11% of hematopoietic and 7.1% of nonhematopoietic lineages may become infected when using in vitro experiments. Also, in vivo experiments demonstrated that, when C57BL/6 mice were infected with RH-RFP or ME-49-GFP T. gondii strains, the BM cells may be infected at different time points of infection. The parasites were detected by both fluorescent microscopy and qPCR. Also, when those BM samples were collected and used for BMT, the transplanted animals presented high rates of mortality and 87.5% of them became seropositive for T. gondii. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrated that it is possible to acquire primary T. gondii infection from the donor cells after BMT. Therefore, we are emphasizing that, before transplantation, serological screening for T. gondii infection from both donors and recipients, in addition to DNA search for this parasite from donor bone marrow cells, are necessary procedures to avoid the risk of T. gondii infection for immunocompromised patients.

Preliminary Investigation of Toxoplasmosis in Selected Domestic Animals in Wondo Genet, Ethiopia

A cross sectional survey was conducted with the objective of determining the occurrence of Toxolasmosis in Wondo Genet, Ethiopia. The study animals were sheep, goats and chickens and a total of 96 animals were included in the study. Serum samples were collected from these animals and tested using Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) at 1:40 cut off point. A seroconversion rate of 48.75%, 75% and 12.5% was found in sheep, goats and chickens, respectively. The effect of some selected risk factors in sheep was studied and a higher occurrence was observed in older age, females and in ewes with history of abortion, neonatal mortality, or weak birth (ANW). However, this difference was found to be statistically not significant (p>0.05). This study showed that there was a high occurrence of toxoplasmosis in Wondo Genet in domestic animals. Therefore, further detail investigation is needed to further understand the importance of toxoplasmosis in animal productivity and public health.

Toxoplasmosis; Seroprevalence, Comparative analysis of diagnostic techniques and identification of risk factors in humans in Malakand Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and is a wide spread parasitic zoonoses affecting a broad range of mammals and birds. Members of family Felidae are specific hosts for T. gondii. Specific IgA, IgM, and then IgG antibodies appearance usually indicate the onset of an acute T. gondii infection. The aim of the study was to check the seroprevalence of T. gondii and related risk factors in Tehsil Batkhela, Malakand Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 420 females were screened during four months study. Sera were collected and examined by Immune Chromatographic Technique (ICT), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) for detection of antibodies against T. gondii. The results were evaluated for occurrence rate; age wise occurrence, comparison of occurrence of T. gondii in pregnant and nonpregnant females, relation between animal contact and toxoplasmosis, T. gondii and abortion, comparison of ICT, ELISA and LAT. The overall occurrence rate was 65.71%, which was quite alarming. Middle age group (2130 years) females were highly affected (41.31%). Pregnant women had high infection level than non-pregnant. No any positive relation was found between the occurrence of toxoplasmosis and cats contact. Higher occurrence rate was found in aborted women. ELISA IgM method was found to be the most sensitive, reliable and accurate for the detection of T. gondii infection as compared to other methods. It may be recommended to study the same work on large population to identify further risk factors and to develop a molecular diagnostic assay for the accurate diagnosis of the infection.

Seroprevalence of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection among HIV-infected pregnant women in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

The deficit of cellular immunity, as found in HIV infected individuals, may lead to the reactivation of latent Toxoplasma gondii cysts, with as consequence, the occurrence of toxoplasmosis and an eventual vertical transmission of the disease during pregnancy. The present study was designed for determining the occurrence of latent Toxoplasma gondii among HIV-infected pregnant women during the first trimester in Bobo-Dioulasso. Thus, 348 pregnant women aged from 17 to 47 years (average age of 6.64 ± 4.75 yaers) were enrolled. The specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were quantified from whole blood specimens using the high-sensitivity direct agglutination and the enzyme linked fluorescent assays, respectively, the IgG avidity test being used for the dating of the primary infection. The results revealed that the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii latent infection was 34.7%. It was significantly higher in HIV-infected women compared with uninfected ones (68,7%; CI 95%: 43,6%-88,9%) versus (33,1%; CI 95%: 28, 2%-38,3%). In addition, all the occurrences of the high IgG avidity were closely linked with the presence of IgM. These results underlined the need for the clinical follow-up of the maternal HIV diseases including the toxoplasmosis during the pregnancy since; the newborns are still exposed to vertical transmission of Toxoplasma infection in endemic areas like Burkina Faso.

Occurrence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected pigs

The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded vertebrates. The data about the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in slaughter pigs in the Slovak Republic are still missing. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pigs from Slovakia during the period of 2006-2010 by ELISA and PCR methods. In sera of 970 slaughter pigs, 2.16% seropositivity to T. gondii was detected. In tissue samples of seropositive pigs the presence of T. gondii DNA was confirmed. In six monitored Slovak regions the seropositivity varied between 1.11 and 3.48%. The statistically significant differences were recorded between the Košice and Prešov region. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in sows (4.26%) was two times higher than that in slaughter pigs (2.06%) (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 0.48-9.36). Presence of Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of seropositive pig isolates was confirmed by TGR1E and B1 genes and analysis of DNA polymorphism at SAG2 and ROP1 genes revealed the presence of virulent strain of genotype I in 85.7% of infected pigs and an avirulent strain (genotype II) in 14.3% of pigs.

Seasonal Variations in HumanToxoplasmaInfection in Serbia

Seasonal variations in the occurrence of toxoplasmosis have been studied only sporadically. We thus examined the seasonal distribution of acute toxoplasmosis in Serbia during a 4-year period (2004-2008). A total of 391 consecutive symptomatic (recent lymphadenopathy) and 715 asymptomatic (women tested for obstetric reasons) patients were tested for Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) (including IgG avidity) and IgM antibodies. The distribution of patients with acute infection, and of all patients from both groups, was analyzed for seasonality. In addition, factors (including undercooked meat consumption, contact with cats and with soil) possibly contributing to seasonality were analyzed in patients with acute infection (cases) matched by age, sex, and time (month and year) of infection (symptomatic) or presentation (asymptomatic) with seronegative patients (controls). Acute toxoplasmosis was serologically (IgG avidity low, IgM positive) diagnosed in 39 (10.0%) symptomatic and 38 (5.3%) asymptomatic patients. In both groups, monthly distribution of acute infections showed significant (p < 0.0001) seasonality, which was related to the four seasons of the year (p < 0.0001). Importantly, the observed seasonality was not related to the distribution of all examined patients in either group (p < 0.001). In the symptomatic patients, acute infections occurred more often between October and March (p = 0.0486). Although more asymptomatic acute infections were diagnosed between February and July (p = 0.0037), low IgG avidity suggests that infection had occurred within the previous trimester (between November and April). Undercooked meat consumption was shown as a risk factor for symptomatic infection in the October-March period (odds ratio 7.67, 95% confidence interval 1.61-36.45). Seasonality patterns should be taken into account in the health education guidelines for the prevention of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.

Prevalence of anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dairy cattle, dogs, and humans from the Jauru micro-region, Mato Grosso state, Brazil

In order to determine the prevalence of anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, 2000 serum samples from female dairy cattle belonging to 50 farms in the southwest of Mato Grosso state were analyzed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT ≥ 64). Serum samples from 61 dogs (IFAT ≥ 40) and 116 humans (IFAT = 40), all from the same farm, were also tested. Among these samples, 1420 (71.0%) cattle, 54 (88.5%) dogs, and 113 (97.4%) humans were seropositive for the infection. No significant differences ( P ≥ 0.05) were observed for risk factors associated with the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in humans due to contaminated sources such as fresh milk, cheese/sausage, and contact with felines or other animals. The presence of felines can indicate the likelihood of a contaminated environment, posing a risk to the human population and other animals. The work presented herein is the first report to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in bovines from the Southwest region of the Mato Grosso state, Brazil.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in dogs in Trinidad and Tobago

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii agglutinins and to investigate the relationship between various risk factors and occurrence of toxoplasmosis in dogs in Trinidad. Of a total 250 dogs, comprising domestic, hunting and stray dogs, 80 (32.0%) were positive for T. gondii agglutinins at a titre of ≥1:32 using a latex agglutination test. Stray dogs (60.5%) had statistically significantly higher ( P<0.001) seroprevalence for toxoplasmosis than hunting dogs (30.5%) and domestic dogs (25.5%). Amongst dogs whose ages were known, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was significantly highest ( P=0.037) in dogs in the >2–3 years age group compared with other age groups. Dogs that consumed home-cooked foods had a seroprevalence of 32.9% compared with those fed commercial dog foods (17.2%) and dogs fed both home-cooked and commercial foods (21.0%). However, the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05; χ 2). The rather high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in stray dogs is a good indication of the extent of the infection in the environment.

Toxoplasma antibody and stool parasites in public school children, Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil.

The occurrence of toxoplasmosis and enteroparasitosis was studied in 434 children from elementary schools in the rural and urban areas of Rolândia, Paraná State, Brazil. Sera and fecal samples from all the students were submitted to IFA for Toxoplasma gondii and coproparasitological tests, respectively. The children were tested by Amsler grid and 72 of them were examined for the presence of lesions compatible with ocular toxoplasmosis. Some variables were tested but none showed increased risk for toxoplasmosis. The distribution according to sex and age and also same other variables are presented and discussed. Correlations between Amsler's grid test, toxoplama RIFI, occurrence of eyes lesions and enteroparasitosis are also considered.

Predictive factors of occurrence of cytomegalovirus disease and impact on survival in the Aquitaine Cohort in France, 1985 to 1994. Groupe d'Epidémiologie Clinique du SIDA en Aquitaine.

Our objectives were to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of a first episode of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in an HIV-infected population and to estimate the overall impact of CMV disease on survival. The study population consisted of the 3525 patients included in the Aquitaine Cohort between 1985 and December 31, 1993. Eligible patients (n = 1868) must have had at least one CD4+ lymphocyte count of <200 cells/mm3 during follow-up, which represents the baseline period. CMV disease manifestations were investigated using standardized definitions. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the factors independently associated with the probability of developing a first episode of CMV infection and the probability of death. During follow-up, 111 patients presented with a first episode of CMV disease. Four factors were independently associated with the onset of CMV disease: older age at baseline (risk ratio [RR] = 1.03 by a 1-year increase; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.05), homosexuality (RR = 1.90; CI = 1.18-3.02), the progression to a CD4+ lymphocyte count <50/mm3 (RR = 10.58; CI = 5.58-20.05), and the occurrence of toxoplasmosis (RR = 3.00; CI = 1.97-4.57) or a neurologic disease (RR = 2.59; CI = 1.38-4.86) during follow-up. After other predictors were controlled for, CMV disease was associated with a high risk of death in the cohort (RR = 1.58; CI = 1.24-1.94). The development of prophylactic strategies for CMV disease for selected groups of HIV-infected patients must be a priority to improve their quality of life.

Risk factors for severe disease due to Toxoplasma gondii in HIV-positive patients

The objective of this study was to assess the risk of toxoplasmosis in HIV-positive subjects as a basis for primary prophylaxis. A retrospective chart review of 400 consecutive patients was carried out and clinical and laboratory markers at first presentation and follow-up data on the occurrence of toxoplasmosis were recorded. Independent variables were identified, laboratory parameters were stratified, and estimates for the risk of toxoplasmosis and the impact of different variables on its occurrence were made using conventional statistical methods. An increased risk of toxoplasmosis was strongly associated with a positive Toxoplasma gondii IgG EIA in conjunction with a CD4+ cell cont below 0.15/nl (the estimated risk of toxoplasmosis was 20% and 35% after 12 and 24 months, respectively) or a history of one or more opportunistic infections (the estimated risk was 12% and 30% after 12 and 24 months, respectively). Toxoplasma gondii-seropositive patients with CD4+ cell counts below 0.15/nl and those with antecedent opportunistic infections are most likely to develop toxoplasmosis and thus might benefit from primary prophylaxis. The risk of disease probably outweighs the risk of medication in these subjects. Prospective clinical trials are needed to define the optimal choice of drugs.

Clinical manifestations of toxoplasmosis in the adult

UNUSUAL NUSUAL protozoan, fungal, and viral infections have been reported during the use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of autoimmune and malignant diseases. The occurrence of toxoplasmosis during our study of advanced cancer prompted a review of the clinical manifestations of this disease. As a result a modified classification of toxoplasmosis in the adult is proposed. The protozoan,Toxoplasma gondii, may produce a congenital or an acquired disease. The congenital type is usually recognized at birth or very early in life and may remain dormant or may progress.1In the inactive congenital cases the stigmata of the disease are present in later years. Some cases with systemic manifestations in the adult may represent a previously dormant congenital disease in relapse,2such as a late relapse of congenital ocular toxoplasmosis.3,4Acquired toxoplasmosis may have minimal symptoms5or be completely asymptomatic; the latter is

Toxoplasma in Frogs

There has been for many years a question as to whether any species of coldblooded animals either harbor naturally acquired toxoplasmosis, or are experimentally susceptible to it. Splendore (1913) reported the successful infection of frogs (Cystignatus ocellatus) with a strain of Toxoplasma isolated from the rabbit, and Plimmer (1916) believed he had found a case of toxoplasmosis in a Mexican snake (Coluber melanoleucus) which had been in the London Zoological Garden. Unsuccessful attempts to infect frogs (Rana pipiens) were made in the senior author's laboratory some years ago, but on too few animals to be conclusive (Manwell, Coulston, Binckley and Jones, 1945). In view of the widespread occurrence of toxoplasmosis in man, and in such animals as the dog, cat, and pigeon, it is of obvious importance to know as much as possible about the host-range of the organism. For these reasons we have repeated and extended our earlier work, using in all 52 frogs (Rana pipiens). Of these, 12 each were inoculated by one of the following routes: oral, intramuscular, and intracerebral. Sixteen others were given the parasites intraperitoneally. The inocula consisted of heavily parasitized peritoneal exudate from acutely infected white mice, and the amount given to each frog varied in different experiments from 0.05 to 0.40 ml. Counts have established the fact that such quantities of exudate usually contain from one to ten million organisms. The frogs were kept at room temperature in individual battery jars, with separate compartments for water. The first series of 20 animals were checked for infection by the injection into mice of peritoneal aspirate, withdrawn at intervals of 6, 20, 24, 30 and 48 hours and of pooled homogenates of viscera (brain, liver, spleen) into clean mice. Examination of stained organ smears under the microscope was also done after death of the frog. (Frogs so inoculated lived in most cases for about a week, the range in survival time being from 2 to 12 days.) The second series of animals was treated differently. The 32 frogs of which it consisted, were divided into 4 groups of 8 each, according to the routes of infection, which were the same as listed above. Two of the members of each were then sacrificed after each of the following intervals: 1, 2, 3, and 7 days, and homogenates of liver, spleen, lung, and brain in isotonic saline injected into mice. If these showed no evidence of toxoplasmosis after an observation period of 14 days, a second series of mice was inoculated from the first, and still a third series from them, if the results were still negative. Several experiments were also done to discover the effect on the parasites of exposure to frog blood. For this purpose peritoneal exudate from acutely affected mice was incubated with whole frog blood at 3? C., and inoculated into clean mice after intervals of varying length. The mice were then followed for the development of toxoplasmosis. The results of the attempts to infect frogs were again essentially negative. None