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High prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in domestic pigs in Oaxaca State, Mexico.

Abstract

Pigs are important in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in North America. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in 525 domestic pigs (337 backyard raised, 188 farm raised) in Oaxaca State, Mexico was determined using the modified agglutination test (MAT, cutoff 1:25). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 58 (17.2%) of the 337 backyard pigs with MAT titers of 1:25 in 10, 1:50 in 12, 1:100 in 18, 1:200 in 6, 1:400 in 6, 1:800 in 3, and 1:1,600 in 3. Seropositive pigs were found in 39 (37.9%) of 103 homes in all 7 municipalities surveyed. Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in backyard pigs varied with age, gender, geographic region, climate, and altitude. High seroprevalence was found in pigs ≥ 9-mo-old (40%), in females (40%), in pigs from the Istmo region (33.3%), and in those raised in a tropical climate (65%). Seroprevalence was higher (24.5%) in pigs raised at 100-660 m above sea level than in those at 20-60 m of altitude (14.2%). With respect to farm pigs, only 1 (0.5%, MAT titer 1:100) of 188 pigs from 5 farms was positive for anti- T. gondii antibodies. The results affirm that the management system (outdoor vs. indoor system with biosecurity) is a key factor in the epidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis. Because there is no national system of determining the T. gondii infection status at the time of slaughter, precautions should be taken while handling pig carcasses, and all pork should be cooked thoroughly before human consumption.

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  • Publisher Full Text

    • Authors

    Alvarado-Esquivel C, Estrada-Malacón MA, Reyes-Hernández SO, Pérez-Ramírez JA, Trujillo-López JI, Villena I, Dubey JP

    Institution

    Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State Avenida Universidad S/N 34000 Durango, Mexico. jitender.dubey@ars.usda.gov

    Source

    The Journal of parasitology 98:6 2012 Dec pg 1248-50

    MeSH

    Age Factors
    Agglutination Tests
    Animal Husbandry
    Animals
    Antibodies, Protozoan
    Female
    Male
    Mexico
    Seroepidemiologic Studies
    Sex Factors
    Sus scrofa
    Swine
    Swine Diseases
    Toxoplasma
    Toxoplasmosis, Animal

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    22559725