Occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and risk factors associated with infection in equids slaughtered for human consumption in Brazil

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Ingestion of raw/undercooked meat is considering an important route of infection. Consumption of meat from equids is common in European and Asian countries and an increase in Brazil has been observed. The aim of this study was to evaluate occurrences of anti-T. gondii antibodies and risk factors relating to infection in equids slaughtered for human consumption in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Blood samples from 192 horses and 208 donkeys were collected in the exsanguination area during the slaughter. Serum samples were subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Association analysis was performed using Pearson’s chi-square test (χ2) or Fisher’s exact test, to evaluate risk factors relating to the prevalence of seroreagents. Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 13.5% of the equids, with higher occurrence in horses (18.75%) than in donkeys (8.65%). Associations between seropositivity and the following variables were found (p ≤ 0.05): species, animal origin, purpose of rearing and source of water for animal consumption and contact with cats. Farms need to implement preventive measures to control T. gondii infection in these species and avert transmission of the parasite to the human population that will consume their meat.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Occurrence of Toxoplasmosis in Animals Slaughtered in Brazilian Abattoirs

“…A total of 57 peer-reviewed published articles studying the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in animals slaughtered in Brazilian abattoirs were found ( Table S2 ) [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ,…”

“…Nevertheless, Pena and colleagues [ 52 ] isolated T. gondii from horse meat in a Brazilian abattoir destined for export to Europe, emphasizing the need for controlling this parasite. The species (horses have a higher risk than donkeys), animal origin (geographic area), the purpose of rearing (meat production), the source of drinking water (riverside), and contact with cats have been identified as risk factors and could be suggested as a focus of sanitary programs [ 11 ].…”

“…The presence of T. gondii in meat sold in Brazil for human consumption has been frequently reported [ 7 , 8 ]. Indeed, several studies have been conducted into the occurrence of toxoplasma in animals slaughtered for human consumption in different regions in Brazil, a key meat producer and exporter country [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. To enhance the current understanding of the local situation across the different regions in Brazil, a good overview using meta-analyses of all existing data is required.…”

Sarcocystis neurona,Neosporaspp. andToxoplasma gondiiinfections in horses and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM): five decades of personal experience, perspectives and update

“…Antibodies to T. gondii were found in horses worldwide and data until 2021 were summarized previously (Dubey and Beattie, 1988; Dubey, 2010, 2022; Dubey et al ., 2020). Recently, T. gondii antibodies have been reported in 20 of 72 (27.8%) horses from Turkey (Aciöz et al ., 2021) and in 36 of 192 (18.7%) horses from Brazil (Arruda et al ., 2020).…”

Toxoplasmose Ovina E Equina: Ocorrência De Anticorpos Em Animais Criados Em Centro De Pesquisa Na Região Do Pantanal Sul Mato-Grossense, Brasil

“…A soroprevalência global da infecção por T. gondii é de 11,3% em equinos e de 56% em ovinos que apresentaram episódios de aborto (8,9). No Brasil, inquéritos soroepidemiológicos realizados indicam a presença de anticorpos para T. gondii entre 2% a 26% em equinos e 11 a 85% em ovinos (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Estes dados indicam a ampla distribuição geográfica do protozoário nos diferentes ambientes e em diferentes biomas brasileiros.…”