First report of Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China.

Toxoplasma gondii infection is widely prevalent in humans and animals, including pigs throughout the world. In this study, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in Tibetan pigs in China was investigated for the first time. A total of 427 serum samples were collected from Tibetan pigs in Nyingchi prefecture, Tibet, between April and December 2010, and were assayed for antibodies to T. gondii using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Ninety-seven (22.72%) pigs were found to be positive with MAT titers of 1:25 or higher. Slaughter pigs had the highest seroprevalence, compared with seroprevalence in fattening pigs, growing pigs, or piglets, although the difference was not statistically significant (p≥0.05). The results of the present survey indicate that T. gondii is highly prevalent in Tibetan pigs in Tibet, which poses a significant public health concern in this unique region of the world.

[1]  C. G. Moore,et al.  Toxoplasma gondii in circumpolar people and wildlife. , 2012, Vector borne and zoonotic diseases.

[2]  Xing-Quan Zhu,et al.  Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in household and stray cats in Lanzhou, northwest China , 2011, Parasites & Vectors.

[3]  P. Zhou,et al.  Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans in China , 2011, Parasites & Vectors.

[4]  I. Villena,et al.  Toxoplasmosis in naturally infected rodents in Belgrade, Serbia. , 2011, Vector borne and zoonotic diseases.

[5]  Zi-Guo Yuan,et al.  Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pet dogs in Lanzhou, Northwest China , 2011, Parasites & Vectors.

[6]  J. Hugot,et al.  Toxoplasmosis in rodents: ecological survey and first evidences in Thailand. , 2011, Vector borne and zoonotic diseases.

[7]  J. Casal,et al.  Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs from Spain. , 2010, Parasitology international.

[8]  Zi-Guo Yuan,et al.  Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii in Pigs From Southern China , 2010, The Journal of parasitology.

[9]  J. Kur,et al.  Application of recombinant antigens in serodiagnosis of swine toxoplasmosis and prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pigs in Poland. , 2010, Polish journal of veterinary sciences.

[10]  J. Dubey,et al.  Toxoplasmosis in pigs--the last 20 years. , 2009, Veterinary parasitology.

[11]  F. Zou,et al.  Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs in southwestern China. , 2009, Parasitology international.

[12]  X. Zhu,et al.  Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in breeding sows in Western Fujian Province, China , 2009, Tropical Animal Health and Production.

[13]  L. Weiss,et al.  Toxoplasma gondii: from animals to humans. , 2000, International journal for parasitology.

[14]  R. Gilbert,et al.  Sources of toxoplasma infection in pregnant women: European multicentre case-control study. European Research Network on Congenital Toxoplasmosis. , 2000, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[15]  J. Dubey,et al.  Validation of the specificity of the modified agglutination test for toxoplasmosis in pigs. , 1997, Veterinary parasitology.

[16]  U. Kitron,et al.  Sources and reservoirs of Toxoplasma gondii infection on 47 swine farms in Illinois. , 1995, The Journal of parasitology.

[17]  J. Dubey,et al.  Sensitivity and specificity of various serologic tests for detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in naturally infected sows. , 1995, American journal of veterinary research.

[18]  J. Dubey,et al.  Serological responses of equids fed Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. , 1987, Equine veterinary journal.