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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.
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Publication Date: 2023-01-23 PubMed ID: 36688475DOI: 10.1111/zph.13026Google Scholar: Lookup
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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

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Gonzálvez M, Franco JJ, Cano-Terriza D, Barbero-Moyano J, Jose-Cunilleras E, García J, Alguacil E, García-Bocanegra I. Equine Infectious Anemia Virus in Equids: A Large-Scale Serosurvey in Western Europe. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 4;15(23).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15233499pubmed: 41375557google scholar: lookup
  2. Ye T, Li XM, Tan WX, Wang CL, Jiang J, Zhao Q. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Equids: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Parasitol 2025 Aug 7;70(4):167.
    doi: 10.1007/s11686-025-01108-wpubmed: 40773076google scholar: lookup
  3. Mazzotta E, Natale A, Bellinati L, Ceglie L, Lucchese L, Kevenk TO, Menandro ML, Giacometti F, Alberghini L. Raw Equid Milk: A Potential Risk for Q Fever?. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 19;15(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15101460pubmed: 40427337google scholar: lookup
  4. Shams F, Jokar M, Abdous A, Mohammadi P, Abbassioun A, Seuberlich T, Rahmanian V. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in horse population of Tehran, Iran. Sci Rep 2024 Jul 24;14(1):17054.
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