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Parasites & vectors2013; 6; 140; doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-140

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, northeastern China.

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic pathogen infecting humans and almost all warm-blooded animals. The most common sources of human infection are ingestion of tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat. However, limited information is available about T. gondii infection in horses and donkeys in China. In the present study, we report the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, northeastern China. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 711 and 738 slaughtered horses and donkeys, respectively, in 13 regions of Liaoning province. The modified agglutination test (MAT) was used to test the specific antibodies to T. gondii. Results: In this study, 178 of 711 (25.0%) horses were seropositive for T. gondii with titers of 1:25 in 81, 1:50 in 62, 1:100 in 33, and 1:200 in 2, and seroprevalence of T. gondii infection from 13 regions ranged from 8.2% to 37.0%. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 174 of 738 (23.6%) donkeys with titers of 1:25 in 66, 1:50 in 54, 1:100 in 49, and 1:200 in 5, and seroprevalence varied in 13 different regions, ranging from 9.1% to 32.6%. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that the rate of infection with T. gondii in horses and donkeys is a little high in Liaoning province, northeastern China in comparison to other surveys in China, which suggests that consumption of horse and donkey meat in this area may represent a potential source for human infection with T. gondii.
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Publication Date: 2013-05-16 PubMed ID: 23680297PubMed Central: PMC3659062DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-140Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research article shares the findings on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic pathogen, in slaughtered horses and donkeys in northeastern China. The study suggests that consuming horse or donkey meat from this region might expose humans to T. gondii infection.

Research Background

  • Toxoplasma gondii is a significant pathogen that can infect humans and almost all warm-blooded animals. It is often transmitted to humans through the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing tissue cysts of the parasite.
  • Previous studies have presented limited information on the prevalence of T. gondii infection in horses and donkeys in China.

Research Methodology

  • The study was conducted in Liaoning province, northeastern China.
  • Blood serum samples were collected from 711 horses and 738 donkeys, all slaughtered, across 13 regions of the province.
  • The researchers employed the modified agglutination test (MAT) to detect specific antibodies against T. gondii in the samples.

Research Findings

  • The study found that 25.0% of the horse samples (178 of 711) were seropositive for T. gondii. The antibody titers varied (1:25 in 81 samples, 1:50 in 62, 1:100 in 33, and 1:200 in 2), and the seroprevalence rate across the 13 regions ranged from 8.2% to 37.0%.
  • Similarly, 23.6% of the donkey samples (174 of 738) were found to have antibodies against T. gondii. The titer distribution was 1:25 in 66 samples, 1:50 in 54, 1:100 in 49, and 1:200 in 5. The seroprevalence fluctuated from 9.1% to 32.6% in the different regions.

Research Conclusions

  • The findings indicate a relatively high rate of infection with T. gondii in horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, compared to other surveys carried out in China.
  • This suggests that consumption of horse and donkey meat in this specific region could potentially represent a source of human infection with T. gondii.

Cite This Article

APA
Yang N, Mu MY, Yuan GM, Zhang GX, Li HK, He JB. (2013). Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, northeastern China. Parasit Vectors, 6, 140. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-6-140

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 140

Researcher Affiliations

Yang, Na
  • College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110866, China.
Mu, Ming-Yang
    Yuan, Gao-Ming
      Zhang, Guo-xin
        Li, Hong-Kui
          He, Jian-Bin

            MeSH Terms

            • Abattoirs
            • Agglutination Tests
            • Animals
            • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
            • China / epidemiology
            • Equidae
            • Female
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horses
            • Male
            • Seroepidemiologic Studies
            • Toxoplasma / immunology
            • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 10 times.
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