Pedro Paulo Feitosa de Albuquerque

Occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in mules and donkeys in the northeast of Brazil.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the serum of mules and donkeys bred in the northeast of Brazil. In total, 483 samples were used (395 mules and 88 donkeys) from 4 states (Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Sergipe). The indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IFI) technique was used to investigate antibodies to T. gondii with a cut-off point of 64. Positive frequencies of 23.8% and 43.2% were recorded for mules and donkeys, respectively. The state of Pernambuco had the highest prevalence of positive samples (29%) with statistically significant differences for species (P < 0.001) and state (P = 0.048). This is the first study of antibodies to T. gondii in mules and donkeys in these 4 states of the northeastern region of Brazil and serves as a warning to health authorities regarding the risks of ingesting equine meat.

Occurrence and risk factors associated with infection by Toxoplasma gondii in goats in the State of Alagoas, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION Goats are considered very susceptible to infection by Toxoplasma gondii and when this occurs during pregnancy, it may cause fetal death with subsequent fetal resorption, abortion, mummification, stillborn or the birth of weak goats. The objective of this work was to determine the occurrence of and identify risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats in different mesoregions in the State of Alagoas. METHODS The research was conducted on 24 goat breeding farms in 10 municipalities. A total of 454 blood samples were examined for anti-T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. To evaluate the risk factors of toxoplasmosis in goats, questionnaires were applied analyzing the farms production system and nutritional, reproductive and sanitary management. RESULTS Disease occurrence was 39% with 95.8% of farms presenting seropositive animals. Significant associations were observed for mesoregion (OR = 0.23; 95%CI = 0.09 - 0.57), age (OR = 0.36; 95%CI = 0.20 - 0.64), semi-intensive herd management (OR = 8.70; 95%CI = 1.87 - 40.43), access of cats to water provided for goats (OR = 3.38; 95%CI = 1.89-6.02) and cats feeding on placental remnants (OR = 2.73; 95%CI = 1.38 - 5.40). CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma gondii infection is disseminated in the State of Alagoas and the adoption of a program that monitors infection foci is required to reduce the risk factors identified in the present study.

Anticorpos IgG anti-Neospora caninum e Toxoplasma gondii em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) criadas no estado do Pará

To investigate the occurrence of antibodies IgG anti-Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, blood samples were collected from 374 adult female water buffaloes originated from 14 production units located in 13 counties of the state of Para. The sera were subjected to indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA), using titers of 200 and 64 as IFA cut off points for N. caninum and T. gondii, respectively. Hundred and fifty three (40.9%) buffaloes were sero-positive for N. caninum, with 100% of the properties being sources of infection. Four buffaloes (1.1%) in four farms were seropositive for T. gondii, and one buffalo cow (0.27%) was seropositive for the two parasites. The presence of antibodies indicates that these protozoan parasites are circulating among buffaloes from the properties studied, representing a source of infection to other animals, as well as a possible cause of reproductive disorders in this species.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in the milk of naturally infected goats in the Northeast of Brazil

The aim of the present study was to detect the genomic DNA of Toxoplasma gondii in milk samples from naturally infected goats in the state of Pernambuco, (Brazil). In total, 248 blood serum samples were collected and processed from lactating goats and then submitted to a search for antibodies to T. gondii through the indirect immunofluorescence reaction. Samples with a score of 64 or more were considered positive. In total, 248 milk samples were collected and processed from the same group of goats in order to study the DNA of T. gondii using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. In the serum samples, 56/248 (22.58%) of the animals were positive, whereas the DNA of the parasite was detected in 15/248 (6.05%) of the milk samples. Five of these 15 samples were animals who were also positive in the serology. This study reports the first occurrence of the elimination of T. gondii from the milk of naturally infected goats in the north-east of Brazil. It is suggested that the consumption of in natura goat milk may constitute a potential risk to the health of milk consumers in this region.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Slaughtered Pigs in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract: The object of this study was to investigate Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and parasite DNA in pigs in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 305 slaughtered pigs in 11 municipalities, and their sera were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, cutoff 1∶64); 38 (12.5%) samples were positive. Attempts were made to detect T. gondii DNA in the heart tissue of seropositive pigs using the B 1 gene and PCR; 21 (55.2%) of the 38 hearts were positive. This is the first detection of T. gondii DNA in tissues of serologically positive swine in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection by Neospora caninum of dairy cattle in the state of Alagoas, Brazil

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle from milk producing farms of the microregion of Batalha, state of Alagoas, Brazil, as well as to identify the risk factors associated with the infection. Blood samples were collected from 1,004 cattle of 17 farms for the serological investigation regarding the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies by the Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction Technique (IMRT). From the total amount of samples analyzed, 77/1,004 (7.67%) were positive and 927/1,004 (92.33%) were negative. The logistical regression identified that cattle from farms without consortium breeding have an infection risk 6.33 (p<0.001; C.I. 2.89-13.10) times higher than cattle from farms with that type of breeding. Cattle from farms where the aborted fetuses are not adequately buried have an infection risk 3.04 (p<0.001; C.I. 1.64-5.63) times higher than cattle from farms with adequate destination of these fetuses. Infection by N. caninum occurs in cattle of the investigated region. The factors identified in our study can be used as risk indicators, so that control measures could be implemented to avoid infection by N. caninum in the herds of this region.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to Neospora caninum in dogs in the state of Alagoas, Brazil

This study investigated occurrences of antibodies to anti-Neospora caninum in dogs in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, and the risk factors associated with the infection. To investigate antibodies against N. caninum, an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used. To identify risk factors associated with infection by N. caninum, univariate analyses on variables of interest were conducted. The study analyzed 237 samples from dogs of both sexes and different breeds and ages, both from rural and from urban areas. Ten animals (4.2%) were seropositive: five (4.8%) from rural areas and five (3.8%) from urban areas. Regarding sex, five (4.0%) were male and five (4.5%) were female. In relation to breed, four animals of undefined breed and six of defined breed were positive. The ages of the seropositive animals ranged from two months to eleven years. Results show there are no significant associations between seropositivity and the variables analyzed. Results indicate neosporosis must be included in differential diagnosis of dog neurological disorders.

Prevalência e fatores de risco associados à infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em granjas suinícolas tecnificadas no Estado de Alagoas

This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and to identify risk factors associated with infection by Toxoplasma gondii in pigs from commercial swine farms in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. To compose the sample size of prevalence 342 pigs were used, with 312 sows and 30 boars, from of seven swine farms and distributed in five districts of the state of Alagoas. The serological examination for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was achieved by Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFAT), using anti-pig IgG-conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate. The analysis of risk factors were performed by the application of questionnaires consisting of objective questions relating to the designer, the general characteristics of the property, the production, reproductive and health management. The prevalence was of 26,9% (92/342) of seropositive pigs. The associated factor was the boars introduction on farms in the last five years (p=0,014; OR=1,83; CI=1,13-2,96). It is concluded that infection with Toxoplasma gondii is widespread in commercial pig farms in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. The results suggest the control of cat population, the performance of cleaning and sanitation practices and laboratory testing to detect of infection by T. gondii in animals to be placed on the farms as measures to reduce the infection rates on region studied.

Risk factors of occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii among horses in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii among horses and its associated risk factors in Alagoas, Brazil. In total, 440 samples from 36 properties in 23 districts of the state of Alagoas were studied, covering the Leste, Agreste and Sertão mesoregions. Risk factors were evaluated through the application of an investigative questionnaire that focused on the productive, reproductive and sanitary management of herds. T. gondii infection were assayed using the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a cutoff point of 64; 14.4% (95% CI: 11.0%-17.8%) of - horses were seropositive. A significant association was determined between anti-T. gondii antibody presence and the consumption and storage of hay (OR = 2.08 /95% CI: 1.20–3.62). This is the first report of T. gondii infection among horses in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

Situação epidemiológica da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em equídeos na microrregião do Brejo Paraibano

The objective of the study was to characterize the epidemiological situation of Toxoplasma gondii infection in equids from Brejo Paraibano microregion, Northeastern Brazil. Antibodies against T. gondii were investigated in samples of 257 equids (204 horses, 46 mules and seven donkeys) in 26 properties. For serological diagnosis was used the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and a cut-off of 1:64. The number of foci was found to be 46.1%. In the samples analyzed, the overall prevalence was 7.8% (C.I. 4.8-8.8). The prevalence was 8.3% (C.I. 4.9-13.0) for horses, 2.2% (C.I. 0.1-11.5) for mules and 28.6% (C.I. 3.771.0) among donkeys. Logistic regression of the variables showed that the water source was a risk factor, because in those properties that supplied running water to the animals the risk of infection was 4.4 times higher than in those properties which provided standing water (OR 4.4; C.I. 1.0-19.0). This is the first report of the presence of antibodies against T. gondii in equids in this micro-region of Paraiba State. To reduce the risk of infection in these species, good quality water should be given to the animals, as well as access of cats to water sources and facilities where animals are kept must be avoided.