Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle, horses, pigs and chickens in Japan.
Abstract: The presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in livestock and poultry was investigated by latex agglutination tests; samples that agglutinated at dilutions of 1:64 or higher were regarded as positive. Sera were collected from fattening beef cattle (102 Japanese black, 105 crossbreeds and 114 castrated Holstein), culled dairy cattle (101 Holstein), 100 horses, 115 fattening pigs and 235 chickens (163 free-range and 72 broilers) at abattoirs in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, from August 2012 to August 2013. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 7.3% (31/422) in cattle, 5.2% (8/155) in pigs, but not in horses or chickens. These results suggest that toxoplasmosis may be transmitted to humans via consumption of T. gondii-infected raw beef in Japan.
Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Publication Date: 2014-04-26 PubMed ID: 24780140DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.04.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in various livestock and poultry in Japan, finding that the antibodies can be found in 7.3% of cattle and 5.2% of pigs.
Research Methodology
- The research was conducted on four types of animals: Cattle, horses, pigs and chickens, chosen as they are common livestock animals.
- Specifically, the cattle comprised three types: Japanese black, crossbreeds and castrated Holstein. There was also a group of culled dairy cattle. The poultry group comprised of both free-range and broiler chickens.
- Livestock serum samples were collected from abattoirs in Gifu Prefecture, Japan over a period of one year, from August 2012 to August 2013.
- The presence of T. gondii antibodies was tested using a method known as latex agglutination tests. Positive results were samples that agglutinated at dilutions of 1:64 or higher.
Results of the Study
- The study found that among the total cattle that were tested, 7.3% exhibited presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies.
- In the case of pigs, a smaller percentage, i.e., 5.2% tested positive for T. gondii antibodies.
- Interestingly, the research found no presence of T. gondii antibodies in either horses or chickens, which sets them apart from cattle and pigs.
Conclusion and Implications
- The findings suggest that T. gondii, a common parasite that can pose significant public health risks if transmitted to humans, might be present in the raw beef and pork in Japan.
- It implies the significance of thorough cooking of beef and pig meat before consumption to kill any potential parasite and prevent its transmission.
- As the study didn’t find any T. gondii antibodies in horses or chickens, these meats could represent safer consumption options.
- However, further research might be needed to fully understand the transmission dynamics of T. gondii in various livestock animals and its public health implications.
Cite This Article
APA
Matsuo K, Kamai R, Uetsu H, Goto H, Takashima Y, Nagamune K.
(2014).
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle, horses, pigs and chickens in Japan.
Parasitol Int, 63(4), 638-639.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2014.04.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Gifu Prefectural Meat Inspection Office, 3-167-1 Hayashimachi, Oogaki, Gifu 503-0015, Japan; Department of Veterinary Parasitological Diseases, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan. Electronic address: alaeuris@violin.ocn.ne.jp.
- Gifu Prefectural Meat Inspection Office, 3-167-1 Hayashimachi, Oogaki, Gifu 503-0015, Japan.
- Gifu Prefectural Meat Inspection Office, 3-167-1 Hayashimachi, Oogaki, Gifu 503-0015, Japan.
- Gifu Prefectural Meat Inspection Office, 3-167-1 Hayashimachi, Oogaki, Gifu 503-0015, Japan.
- Department of Veterinary Parasitological Diseases, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Division of Protozoology, Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan / isolation & purification
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / blood
- Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
- Cattle Diseases / parasitology
- Cattle Diseases / prevention & control
- Chickens
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Japan / epidemiology
- Latex Fixation Tests / veterinary
- Poultry Diseases / blood
- Poultry Diseases / epidemiology
- Poultry Diseases / parasitology
- Poultry Diseases / prevention & control
- Prevalence
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Swine
- Swine Diseases / blood
- Swine Diseases / epidemiology
- Swine Diseases / parasitology
- Swine Diseases / prevention & control
- Toxoplasma / immunology
- Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal / blood
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal / parasitology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal / prevention & control
Citations
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