Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in beef cattle raised in Italy: a multicenter study

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis represents an important public health issue, with the consumption of raw or undercooked meat being a major way of human infection. The role of beef in the transmission of the parasite to humans is questioned due to lower quantity of tissue cysts compared with other meat-producing species. However, the habit of consuming raw beef is regionally diffused, and the risk posed by Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle should not be overlooked. Therefore, to update information on T. gondii in cattle reared in Italy, a multicentric seroepidemiological survey was designed and implemented in four Northern regions (Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Trentino Alto Adige) and Sardinia. Overall, a convenience sampling was performed, collecting 1444 serum samples from 57 beef cattle herds. Thirteen beef breeds were sampled, besides cross-breed; bovines age varied from 3 months to over 12 years. Sera were tested with a commercial ELISA for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Individual and herd data were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. A T. gondii seroprevalence of 10.2% was recorded, with differences among regions and values ranging from 5.3% in Liguria to 18.6% in the Piedmont region (p value = 0.0001). Both young and adult animals and males and females tested positive, without any significant difference (age and gender: p value > 0.05). Lower seroprevalence values were recorded in cattle born in Italy (8.7%) if compared with animals imported from abroad (13.4%) (p value = 0.046). The spread of T. gondii in beef cattle destined to Italian consumers is confirmed, suggesting the need of continuous monitoring of the infection.

Towards an Integrated Approach for Monitoring Toxoplasmosis in Southern Italy

“…Toxoplasmosis is widespread and its seroprevalence in livestock vary widely, reaching high values in sheep (98.9%), goats (95.2%), cattle (93.5%) and pigs (96.6%) reviewed in [1,[23][24][25]. The seroprevalence rates, at individual and farm level, in livestock reported here are in line with the results from different studies conducted in other Italian regions [13,15,16,26]. According to these studies, a higher seroprevalence was recorded in small ruminants (sheep and goats) than in cattle and water buffaloes due probably to differences in susceptibility to T. gondii infection and to differences in farm management.…”

“…Several studies have been conducted to establish the seroprevalence of T. gondii in livestock across the Italian regions. In central-northern Italy, seroprevalence ranged from 27.5% to 60.6% at individual animal level [13,14] and up to 97.0% [13] at farm level in small ruminants whereas a prevalence value of 68.4% was reported in cattle farms [15]. The same epidemiological scenario was encountered in southern and insular regions, where high prevalence values, up to 87.0%, were reported in small ruminant farms [16].…”

A survey on Apicomplexa protozoa in sheep slaughtered for human consumption

“…Results herein reported show the widespread presence of T. gondii in sheep farms in Sardinia, as recently reported in pigs and cattle on the same island (Pipia et al 2018;Gazzonis et al 2020). The seroprevalence of T. gondii recorded in the present survey (36.2%) is considerably lower than that reported in Sardinia more than 10 years ago (51.3%) (Natale et al 2007).…”

Molecular Survey on Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum Infection in Wild Birds of Prey Admitted to Recovery Centers in Northern Italy

“…Indeed, the presence of T. gondii in the study area was previously extensively reported with the detection of specific antibodies or parasitic DNA in different domestic [30][31][32] and wild host species [20,27], demonstrating the presence of both a domestic and a sylvatic cycle in this area. The animals admitted to the WCR are usually individuals living near urban centers; for this reason, they are more frequently subject to anthropogenic trauma (e.g., impact with windows and cars), and more easily identifiable and referable to WRCs.…”