FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Zoonoses Public Health / Seroepidemiological study of Toxoplasma gondii in equids in ...
Zoonoses and public health2023; 70(3); 276-283; doi: 10.1111/zph.13026

Seroepidemiological study of Toxoplasma gondii in equids in different European countries.

Abstract: Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is a worldwide parasitic zoonosis. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the exposure to T. gondii in equids in Europe. Serum samples from 1399 equids (1085 horses, 238 donkeys, and 76 mules/hinnies) bred in four European countries (Italy, Spain, United Kingdom [UK], and Ireland) were collected during the period of 2013-2021. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 18.9% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 16.9-21.0) by using the modified agglutination test (MAT) at a cut-off of 1:25. Seropositivity by country was 27.1% in Italy, 16.6% in Spain, 12.0% in UK and 7.0% in Ireland. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 12.8% of the horses, 43.7% of the donkeys, and in 28.9% of the mules/hinnies. A Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis was carried out to study the associations between seropositivity and explanatory variables related to individuals, herds, and management measures on these herds, selected based on the bivariate analysis. The risk for being seropositive for T. gondii was 5.3 and 2.7 times higher in donkeys and mules/hinnies than in horses, respectively. In addition, significantly higher seropositivity was observed in horses from herds that used disinfectants less than once a week (13.9%; p = 0.038, odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.03-2.62) compared with those from herds that performed weekly disinfection of the facilities (9.4%). This is the first large-scale seroepidemiological study on T. gondii comprising horses, donkeys, and mules/hinnies in Europe and the first report of T. gondii exposure in horses from Ireland and UK. We found a widespread distribution of T. gondii among equid populations in different European countries. The seroprevalence found in these species, especially in donkeys and mules/hinnies, highlights the potential risk of human infection through the consumption of their raw/undercooked milk or meat.
© 2023 The Authors. Zoonoses and Public Health published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-01-23 PubMed ID: 36688475DOI: 10.1111/zph.13026Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research examined the prevalence of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic disease, in equids, including horses, donkeys, and mules/hinnies, across four European countries. The findings reveal a potential health risk for humans consuming raw or undercooked milk or meat from these animals.

Study Goals and Framework

  • The research aimed at determining the prevalence and spread of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in various types of equids—horses, donkeys, and mules/hinnies—across four European countries (Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and Ireland).
  • The study is of great significance as it is the first extensive seroepidemiological study focusing on T. gondii in these animals in Europe.
  • Utilizing a cross-sectional study design, serum samples were collected from 1399 equids between 2013-2021, and the modified agglutination test (MAT) was utilized to determine the presence of T. gondii.

Results of the Study

  • The seroprevalence of T. gondii was discovered to be 18.9%, meaning approximately 19 in every 100 equids tested had been exposed to the parasite.
  • Different countries showed varying rates of seropositivity with Italy recording the highest prevalence at 27.1% and Ireland the lowest at 7%.
  • Among the different species, donkeys had the highest infection rate at 43.7%, followed by mules/hinnies at 28.9%, and horses at 12.8%.
  • Using a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis allowed for the understanding of relationships between seropositivity and several other factors related to individuals, herds, and herd management measures.

Risk Factors and Conclusions-Derived Implications

  • The risk of being seropositive for T. gondii was 5.3 times higher for donkeys and 2.7 times higher for mules/hinnies as compared to horses.
  • It is suggested that a less frequent use of disinfectants in managing herds correlates with higher instances of T. gondii seropositivity.
  • This research has revealed a widespread distribution of T. gondii among equid populations in the countries studied.
  • Given the prevalence rate, especially among donkeys and mules/hinnies, there is a potential risk to humans who consume their raw or undercooked milk/meat, emphasizing the importance of proper food safety standards.

Cite This Article

APA
Cano-Terriza D, Franco JJ, Jose-Cunilleras E, Buono F, Almería S, Veneziano V, Alguacil E, García J, Villena I, Dubey JP, Jiménez-Martín D, García-Bocanegra I. (2023). Seroepidemiological study of Toxoplasma gondii in equids in different European countries. Zoonoses Public Health, 70(3), 276-283. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.13026

Publication

Zoonoses and public health
ISSN: 1863-2378
NlmUniqueID: 101300786
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 3
Pages: 276-283

Researcher Affiliations

Cano-Terriza, David
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Franco, Juan J
  • Inmunología y Genética Aplicada, S.A. (EUROFINS - INGENASA), Madrid, Spain.
Jose-Cunilleras, Eduard
  • Servei de Medicina Interna Equina, Departament de Medicina Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Buono, Francesco
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Almería, Sonia
  • Division of Virulence Assessment, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment (OARSA), Laurel, Maryland, USA.
Veneziano, Vincenzo
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Alguacil, Eduardo
  • Uplands Way Vets, Diss, UK.
García, Jesús
  • Fethard Equine Hospital, Tipperary, Ireland.
Villena, Isabelle
  • University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, EA 7510, National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Laboratory of Parasitology, Reims Hospital, Reims, France.
Dubey, Jitender P
  • Animal Parasitic Disease Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland, USA.
Jiménez-Martín, Débora
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
García-Bocanegra, Ignacio
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Animals
  • Toxoplasma
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Equidae / parasitology
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology

References

This article includes 36 references
  1. Al-Khalidi NW, Dubey JP. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in horses. The Journal of Parasitology 65(2), 331-334.
  2. Almeria S, Dubey JP. Foodborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the last decade. An overview. Research in Veterinary Science 135, 371-385.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.10.019google scholar: lookup
  3. Aroussi A, Vignoles P, Dalmay F, Wimel L, Dardé ML, Mercier A, Ajzenberg D. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in horse meat from supermarkets in France and performance evaluation of two serological tests. Parasite 22, 14.
    doi: 10.1051/parasite/2015014google scholar: lookup
  4. Bártová E, Machaèová T, Sedlák K, Budíková M, Mariani U, Veneziano V. Seroprevalence of antibodies of Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in horses from southern Italy. Folia Parasitologica 62, 1.
    doi: 10.14411/fp.2015.043google scholar: lookup
  5. Bártová E, Sedlák K, Syrová M, Literák I. Neospora spp. and toxoplasma gondii antibodies in horses in The Czech Republic. Parasitology Research 107(4), 783-785.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-1929-4google scholar: lookup
  6. . The Center for Food Security & Public Health. .
  7. de Oliveira E, de Albuquerque PPF, de Souza Neto OL, Faria EB, Júnior JWP, Mota RA. Occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in mules and donkeys in the northeast of Brazil. The Journal of Parasitology 99(2), 343-345.
    doi: 10.1645/ge-3210.1google scholar: lookup
  8. Dubey JP. Toxoplasmosis of animals and humans (3rd ed.). .
  9. Dubey JP, Desmonts G. Serological responses of equids fed Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Equine Veterinary Journal 19(4), 337-339.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb01426.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  10. Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH. Toxoplasma gondii infections in horses, donkeys, and other equids: The last decade. Research in Veterinary Science 132, 492-499.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.07.005google scholar: lookup
  11. Dubey JP, Ness SL, Kwok OCH, Choudhary S, Mittel LD, Divers TJ. Seropositivity of toxoplasma gondii in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) and isolation of T. gondii from farm cats. Veterinary Parasitology 199(1-2), 18-23.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.09.027google scholar: lookup
  12. Evers F, Garcia JL, Navarro IT, Zulpo DL, Nino BDSL, Ewald MPDC, Pagliari S, Almeida JC, Freire RL. Diagnosis and isolation of toxoplasma gondii in horses from Brazilian slaughterhouses. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 22, 58-63.
    doi: 10.1590/s1984-29612013005000009google scholar: lookup
  13. Fabiani S, Pinto B, Bonuccelli U, Bruschi F. Neurobiological studies on the relationship between toxoplasmosis and neuropsychiatric diseases. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 351(1-2), 3-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.02.028google scholar: lookup
  14. . La Comisión Europea propone reforzar los controles sobre la carne de caballo y vacuno. Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations .
  15. Fuglewicz AJ, Piotrowski P, Stodolak A. Relationship between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia: A review. Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine 26(6), 1031-1036.
    doi: 10.17219/acem/61435google scholar: lookup
  16. García-Bocanegra I, Cabezón O, Arenas-Montes A, Carbonero A, Dubey JP, Perea A, Almería S. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in equids from southern Spain. Parasitology International 61(3), 421-424.
    doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2012.02.003google scholar: lookup
  17. Hanley JA, Negassa A, Edwardes MD, Forrester JE. Statistical analysis of correlated data using generalized estimating equations: An orientation. American Journal of Epidemiology 157, 364-375.
  18. James KE, Smith WA, Packham AE, Conrad PA, Pusterla N. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and association with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis: A case-control study of Californian horses. The Veterinary Journal 224, 38-43.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.05.008google scholar: lookup
  19. Kimble KM, Gomez G, Szule JA, Dubey JP, Buchanan B, Porter BF. Systemic toxoplasmosis in a horse. Journal of Comparative Pathology 182, 27-31.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.11.004google scholar: lookup
  20. Kouam MK, Diakou A, Kanzoura V, Papadopoulos E, Gajadhar AA, Theodoropoulos G. A seroepidemiological study of exposure to Toxoplasma, Leishmania, Echinococcus and Trichinella in equids in Greece and analysis of risk factors. Veterinary Parasitology 170(1-2), 170-175.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.02.004google scholar: lookup
  21. Li X, Ni HB, Ren WX, Jiang J, Gong QL, Zhang XX. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in horses: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Tropica 201, 105222.
    doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105222google scholar: lookup
  22. Lopes AP, Sousa S, Dubey JP, Ribeiro AJ, Silvestre R, Cotovio M, Schallig HDFH, Cardoso L, Cordeiro-da-Silva A. Prevalence of antibodies to leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii in horses from the north of Portugal. Parasites & Vectors 6(1), 178.
    doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-178google scholar: lookup
  23. Machacova T, Bartova E, Di Loria A, Sedlak K, Mariani U, Fusco G, Fulgione D, Veneziano V, Dubey JP. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in donkeys (Equus asinus) in Italy. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 76(2), 265-267.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.13-0352google scholar: lookup
  24. Mancianti F, Nardoni S, Papini R, Mugnaini L, Martini M, Altomonte I, Salari F, D'Ascenzi C, Dubey JP. Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in the blood and milk of naturally infected donkeys (Equus asinus). Parasites & Vectors 7(1), 1-3.
    doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-165google scholar: lookup
  25. Martini M, Altomonte I, Mancianti F, Nardoni S, Mugnaini L, Salari F. A preliminary study on the quality and safety of milk in donkeys positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Animal 8(12), 1996-1998.
    doi: 10.1017/s1751731114001980google scholar: lookup
  26. Milne G, Webster JP, Walker M. Toxoplasma gondii: An underestimated threat?. Trends in Parasitology 36(12), 959-969.
    doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.08.005google scholar: lookup
  27. Munhoz AD, Souza MA, Costa SCL, Freitas JDS, Silva AND, Lacerda LC, Cruz RDS, Albuquerque GR, Pereira MJS. Factors associated with the distribution of natural Toxoplasma gondii infection among equids in northeastern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 28, 283-290.
    doi: 10.1590/s1984-29612019035google scholar: lookup
  28. Papini RA, Buzzone G, Nardoni S, Rocchigiani G, Mancianti F. Seroprevalence and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in horses slaughtered for human consumption in Italy. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 35(8), 657-661.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2015.06.012google scholar: lookup
  29. Paştiu AI, Györke A, Kalmár Z, Bolfă P, Rosenthal BM, Oltean M, Villena I, Spînu M, Cozma V. Toxoplasma gondii in horse meat intended for human consumption in Romania. Veterinary Parasitology 212(3-4), 393-395.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.07.024google scholar: lookup
  30. Pomares C, Ajzenberg D, Bornard L, Bernardin G, Hasseine L, Dardé ML, Marty P. Toxoplasmosis and horse meat, France. Emerging Infectious Diseases 17(7), 1327-1328.
    doi: 10.3201/eid1707.101642google scholar: lookup
  31. Rissanen K, Galat M, Kovalenko G, Rodnina O, Mikharovskyi G, Must K, Jokelainen P. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in horses from Ukraine: An investigation using two serological methods. Acta Parasitologica 64(4), 687-692.
    doi: 10.2478/s11686-019-00040-0google scholar: lookup
  32. Rodrigues FT, Pereira C, Dubey JP, Nóvoa M, Quaresma M, Schallig H, Cardoso L, Lopes AP. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and leishmania spp. in domestic donkeys from Portugal. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 28, 172-176.
    doi: 10.1590/s1984-296120180091google scholar: lookup
  33. Schale S, Howe D, Yeargan M, Morrow JK, Graves A, Johnson AL. Protozoal coinfection in horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in the eastern United States. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 32(3), 1210-1214.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15127google scholar: lookup
  34. Stanciu S. Horse meat consumption−between scandal and reality. Procedia Economics and Finance 23, 697-703.
    doi: 10.1016/s2212-5671(15)00392-5google scholar: lookup
  35. Stelzer S, Basso W, Silván JB, Ortega-Mora LM, Maksimov P, Gethmann J, Conraths FJ, Schares G. Toxoplasma gondii infection and toxoplasmosis in farm animals: Risk factors and economic impact. Food and Waterborne Parasitology 15, e00037.
    doi: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00037google scholar: lookup
  36. Thrusfield M. Veterinary epidemiology (4th ed.). .

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.