Toxoplasma Gondii in Selected sites of Central Ethiopia: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors and Bioassay in Pigs
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2014-06
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to estimate the sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection, assess potential risk factors and isolate viable T. gondii tissue cyst in mice from hearts of seropositive pigs. A cross-sectional study was used to collect blood samples from a total of 557 pigs in Central Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used for blood sample collection. For bioassay 5 mice were used per pig sample. Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) was used to test sera of pigs and mice. A questionnaire survey was made to assess potential risk factors and knowledge of farm attendants about toxoplasmosis. For investigation of risk factors questionnaire and sera samples from 402 pigs were considered. Results of the questionnaire survey indicated that most of the farm attendants had no knowledge of health risk of cats either to human or animals. Absence of rodent control, neonatal mortality and history of abortion was found among herds of the study farms. The overall estimated seroprevalence was (32.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.288-0.366). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that extensively managed pigs are nearly twice (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:=1.91, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.63) at higher risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis than intensively managed pigs and pigs supplied with feed containing additional animal byproduct had four times (OR=3.84, 95% CI: 2.01, 7.36) higher risk of acquiring T. gondii infection. Viable T. gondii was isolated from 48% (24/50) of the seropositive pigs. Most isolates (91.7%, 22/24) are avirulent for mice. One isolate from Bishoftu which killed four mice on day 28 and 29 postinoculation suggesting intermediate virulence. A perfect agreement was observed between MAT and microscopic cyst detection (Kappa =0.85) used as diagnostic method on mice.This is the first report of detection of T. gondii antibodies and isolation of viable T. gondii from pigs in Ethiopia. The high seroprevalence and isolation rate indicate that T. gondii parasite is widespread in the study areas and pigs could serve as an important source of T. gondii infection for pork people. Further epidemiological studies are essential for designing appropriate prevention and control strategies in pigs.
Keywords: T. gondii, sero-epidemiology, bioassay, pig, mice, Central Ethiopia
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Keywords
gondii, sero-epidemiology, bioassay, pig mice, Central Ethiopia