Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose de distribuição mundial, causada pelo protozoário Toxoplasma gondii que infecta os vertebrados de sangue quente. Este estudo objetiva estabelecer a prevalência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e o estudo de associação em uma população de gatos domésticos atendidos em uma clínica veterinária exclusiva de gatos localizada em Curitiba, estado do Paraná, Brasil. As amostras de soro foram obtidas e processadas pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta IgG. Títulos de anticorpos foram encontrados em 46/282 (16,3%) das amostras analisadas, com título de 16 em oito gatos, 64 em 23, 256 em 14 e 1024 em um gato. Diferenças estatísticas não foram encontradas no estudo de associação entre idade, gênero e região da cidade (p > 0,05). Nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada para qualquer variável, quando comparando a soropositividade com a ocorrência do possível fator de risco. A soroprevalência foi relativamente menor quando comparada a outras regiões brasileiras, provavelmente por serem gatos de proprietários, que tinham hábito domiciliado e alimentação restrita baseada em alimentos industrializados, com acesso restrito a rua e sem acesso a caça. em conclusão, a baixa soroprevalência de toxoplasmose felina pode estar relacionada a gatos com proprietários devido aos cuidados alimentares e acesso restrito à rua, e também pode estar associada à baixa exposição ambiental local

Detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em animais de uma comunidade rural do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

The rate of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was evaluated in equines, cats, dogs, poultry, pigs, cattle and sheep of farms in Eldorado, southern Mato Grosso do Sul. Blood samples were collected and sera were examined by the modified agglutination test (MAT), considering positives samples reactants with titers >= 25. Rates of reactor animals in the antibody detection test were: 22.89% (46/201) in poultry, 5.15% (20/388) in cattle, 47.61% (20/42) in dogs, 60.87% (14/23) in equines, 57.14% (8/14) in cats, 14.7% (5/34) in pigs. None of the sheep (0/14) were positive. High antibody rates were found in several species, a fact that raise concerns due to the possibility of risk to humans, once these animal species either share the same source of infection with humans or are food sources for them.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in ostriches (Struthio camelus) from commercial breeding facilities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Toxoplasmosis is widespread zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii,a protozoan that may infect mammals and birds. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of T. gondii in ostriches (Struthio camelus) from commercial breeding facilities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in a way to increase the knowledge on the behavior and importance of the parasite in this animal species. A total of 195 serum samples were collected from ostriches from Sorocaba, Campinas, São Carlos, Aracatuba, São Paulo, Vale do Ribeira, Botucatu and sao Jose do Rio Preto, in the state of São Paulo. These samples were analyzed by means of the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) in order to investigate the occurrence of Toxoplasmagondii antibodies. The test showed that 14.36% of the animals were seropositive to Toxoplasmagondii. Minimum titer was considered to be equal or greater than 1:16, and the greatest dilution observed was 1:16,384. No statistically significant differences were found between males and females. Seronegative animals occurred in only two regions (São Paulo and Sao Jose do Rio Preto). These results point out the importance of further studies on this infection in ostriches, and on management practices that may minimize the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission in these birds which would, in their turn, decrease the risk for the final consumer.

Experimental infection of pregnant queens with two major Brazilian clonal lineages of Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii isolates from Brazil are biologically and genetically different from European and North America isolates. Recently, four genotypes were considered the common clonal lineages in Brazil and were designated as types BrI, BrII, BrIII, and BrIV. The pathogenicity of two major Brazilian lineages was investigated after oral inoculation of queens in the middle third of their pregnancies with T. gondii cysts. Twelve pregnant queens without T. gondii antibodies were distributed in group A (infected with a type BrI isolate); group 2 (infected with type BrIII isolate), and group 3 (non-infected control). Infection with type BrI isolate caused toxoplasmosis manifestations and abortion from one litter. Toxoplasmosis manifestations besides premature stillbirth of one litter were observed in queens infected with type BrIII isolate. Indirect fluorescence antibody test showed T. gondii antibodies in all eight infected queens at 30 days after inoculation. In two 10-day-old kittens of the same litter (group 1), titers of 16 and 64 were detected. At the same time, titers of 16, 32, and 32 were detected in three kittens from the same litter (group 2). Experimental infection with tissue cysts from a type BrI and type BrIII isolates of T. gondii developed similar reproductive disturbance in primary infected pregnant queens.

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. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Histopathology of the reproductive system of male sheep experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii

The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes in reproductive system (testicles, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate) of small male ruminants after Toxoplasma gondii infection. Eight sheep were inoculated with T. gondii: group I, four sheep (2.0 x 10(5) P-strain oocysts); group II, four sheep (1.0 x 10(6) RH-strain tachyzoites); and group III, two uninfected sheep maintained as control. Infection with T. gondii was confirmed by seroconversion (indirect fluorescent antibody test-IgG) in all the infected animals beginning on post-inoculation day (PID) 7. on PID 70, all the animals were euthanized and tissue samples (testicles, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate) were collected and processed for histological analysis. The main changes detected were a focal mononuclear interstitial inflammatory infiltrate in the prostate and seminal vesicles; diffuse testicular degeneration associated with calcification foci and a multifocal mononuclear interstitial inflammatory infiltrate; and a mononuclear interstitial infiltrate and focal necrotic areas of the muscle fibers surrounding the seminal vesicles. The histopathological findings of this work, along with the detection of T. gondii in the examined parenchyma tissues (immunohistochemistry) and the results obtained by other authors examining different tissues, suggest that histological changes diagnosed in the reproductive system of rams infected with T. gondii are strongly suggestive of toxoplasmatic infection.

Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira spp. infection in free-ranging armadillos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Lack of association between ABO histo-blood groups, secretor and non-secretor phenotypes, and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among pregnant women from the northwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anticorpos em bovinos (Bos indicus e Bos taurus) e bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis) inoculados com oocistos de Toxoplasma gondii. Estudo comparativo

Três animais de cada espécie (Bos indicus, Bos taurus e Bubalus bubalis) foram inoculados, via oral, com 2×10(5) oocistos de Toxoplasma gondii. Seis outros animais, dois de cada espécie, foram mantidos como testemunhas. A resposta de anticorpos avaliada por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta iniciou-se a partir do quinto dia pós-inoculação (DPI) nos zebuínos e bubalinos, e no sétimo DPI nos taurinos. Os títulos sorológicos nos taurinos permaneceram elevados até o final do experimento (70º DPI), alcançando níveis máximos (1:16.384) entre o 42º e 49º DPI. Nos zebuínos e bubalinos o maior título de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma foi de 1:256. A resposta de anticorpos mais ou menos acentuada não está necessariamente relacionada à sensibilidade ao T. gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum serological status of different canine populations from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii em estudantes de medicina veterinária de Campo Grande, MS, Brasil

Amostras de soro obtidas de estudantes do curso de Medicina Veteriná ria da Universidade para o Desenvolvimento do Estado e da Região do Pantanal, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil, foram examinadas para a presença de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii. Dos 145 soros testados, 44 (30,34%) foram positivos na hemaglutinação, com título igual ou superior a 1:16. Não foram observadas associações entre as caracterí sticas epidemiológicas examinadas, tais como hábitos alimentares (ingestão de carne bovina crua ou malpassada, vegetais crus/não lavados, produtos lácteos não pasteurizados) ou contato constante com cães e a presença de anticorpos contra T. gondii, exceto pelo percentual significativamente maior de estudantes soropositivos que relataram ter contato freqüente com gatos (P=0,03).

Clínica e hematologia de Bos indicus, Bos taurus e Bubalus bubalis inoculados com oocistos de Toxoplasma gondii (Apicomplexa: Toxoplasmatinae)

Três animais de cada espécie (Bos indicus, Bos taurus e Bubalus bubalis) foram inoculados, via oral, com 2,0 x 10(5) oocistos de Toxoplasma gondii. Seis outros animais, dois de cada espécie, foram mantidos como testemunhas. As alterações clínicas surgidas a partir do 3º dia após inoculação (DAI) foram: hipertermia, taquicardia, taquipnéia, anorexia, prostração, corrimento nasal e lacrimejamento. Estes sinais foram mais evidentes nos taurinos, espécie que apresentou, ainda, diarréia, fotofobia e conjuntivite. Foi possível isolar T. gondii da corrente sangüínea em todas as espécies. Nos taurinos, a partir do 5º DAI até o final do experimento, o parasito foi isolado de todas as amostras de sangue colhidas semanalmente, com exceção do 14º, 35º e 63º DAI. Os bubalinos apresentaram parasitemia no 7º, 14º, 35º e 70º DAI e os zebuínos apenas no 7º e 28º DAI, correspondendo aos picos de temperatura, em todas as espécies, sendo mais evidente em taurinos. Os parâmetros clínico-laboratoriais demonstraram que os taurinos foram mais sensíveis ao T. gondii do que os zebuínos e estes não diferiram significativamente dos bubalinos, que tiveram aparente normalidade clínico-laboratorial.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in captive maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) from southeastern and midwestern regions of Brazil

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of antibodies against T gondii and N. caninum in captive maned wolves from Brazil, considering that little information is available at the literature about infections by these parasites in this wild animal. Serum samples were obtained from 59 maned wolves originated from six zoos and from one ecological reserve of the southeastern and midwestern regions of Brazil. To detect IgG antibodies against T gondii, an ELISA protocol was used and the results were expressed as ELISA reactivity indexes (131). Serology for N. caninum was carried out by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and cut-off titers were established at 1:25 dilution. From the total of the analyzed samples, 44 (74.6%) were seropositive for T gondii and only 5 (8.5%) for N. caninum. Seropositivity for T gondii ranged from 0 to 100% in the seven different origin locals, with rates over 50% among the six zoos, whereas no positivity was found in the samples from ecological reserve. For N. caninum, seroprevalence varied from 0 to 50% in the different locals, with the highest rates also detected in zoos. Seroprevalence for T gondii was strongly related with age, with rates significantly higher among adult wolves (91.7%) when compared to newborn or young animals. Seropositive samples for N. caninum were found predominantly in adult wolves. For both parasites, seroprevalence did not show a significant distinction in relation to gender. Although seroprevalence for T gondii was significantly higher when compared to N. caninum in the Brazilian captive maned wolves tested, these findings reflect the great exposure of this species to T gondii and, in lower extension, to N. caninum. Also, the present study demonstrated for the first time the presence of antibodies to N. caninum in wild life from South America. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of IgG antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in dogs examined in a veterinary hospital from Brazil

A total of 163 dogs with neuromuscular, respiratory and/or gastrointestinal disorders, was admitted at the Veterinary Hospital, Federal University of Uberlandia, Brazil, and submitted to serology for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Assays for T gondii included indirect haemagglutination (IHA), indirect fluorescent antibody (IFAT-Tg), immunoenzymatic (ELISA), and immunoblotting (IB-Tg). Assays for N, caninum included IFAT-Nc and immunoprecipitation (IP-Nc). Based on concordant results by three serological tests (IHA, IFAT-Tg and ELISA) for T gondii, and divergent results further confirmed by IB-Tg for reactivity to TgSAG1, the 163 sera were divided into two groups: 59 (36%) Tg-seropositive samples and 104 (64%) Tg-seronegative samples. Antibodies to Neospora were detected in 11 (6.7%) out of 163 analyzed dog sera, with 5 (3.1 %) samples reactive to both parasites (Tg+/Nc+), and 6 (3.7%) reactive only to Neospora (Tg-/Nc+). Antibodies only to T: gondii were found in 54 (33%) samples. Among the 11 Neospora-positive sera analyzed by IB-Tg, the five sera Tg+/Nc+ showed strong reactivity to Toxoplasma antigens, especially to TgSAG1 (p30). No reactivity was observed to TgSAG1 in the six samples Tg-/Nc+. By TP-Nc, two highly immunodominant antigens (29 and 35 kDa proteins) were recognized by all 11 IFAT-Nc positive sera. Our results suggest that the infection by N, caninum can be concomitantly present in dogs from this area, although less common, and therefore should be considered in the differential clinical diagnosis with T. gondii in dogs presenting neuromuscular, respiratory and/or gastrointestinal disorders. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats from Brazil

The occurrence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasmagondii was determined in 400 domestic cats (Siamese, Persian, and undetermined breeds) from the Municipality of Aracatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, through the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). of the 400 cats, 100 were seropositive to T. gondii (25%, titer >= 64) and 98 to N. caninum (24.5%, titer >= 16). The rate of seropositive cats for T. gondii was correlated with age (chi(2)=35.7; p < 0.001), with a higher number of infected animals at older ages. of the 219 cats younger than 1-year-old, 13.2% were seropositive for T. gondii, while 39.2% were positive in the 181 older animals. The presence of N. caninum was also correlated with age (divided by(2)=8.8; p < 0.01), with 18.7% (41/219) and 31.5% (57/181) of positive animals at ages below and above 12-month, respectively. An association between the occurrences of both protozoa in the felines was also observed (chi(2)=19.6; p < 0.001).