Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies and behavioral risks of exposure among women of childbearing age from the Knoxville, Tennessee area

This study investigates if women of childbearing age (pregnant and nonpregnant) engage in behaviors that may increase their risk of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and how these behaviors differ between age groups. Risky behaviors were identified as activities that could result in accidental ingestion of either the tissue stage in edible portions of meat or the environmental oocyst stage shed in feline feces. Serum samples and interview data were collected by a convenience sampling of 829 women between 18-53 years. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 7.0%. Most women, 93.7%, were meat eaters with 8.7-50.2% preferring to eat some meats less than well-done. Those in the age groups of 18-24 years were more likely to eat meat less than well-done compared to most older age groups. Those 18-19 years old were more likely not always to wash vegetables and fruits before eating or wash hands before handling or eating food. Most women, 56.8%, garden at least occasionally, with those 30 years and older more likely to garden. Analysis of the behaviors of seronegative women (93.0%) show that many women may engage in more than one of these risky behaviors. In addition to published recommendations, educational programs for the prevention of T. gondii during pregnancy need to reinforce the importance of consuming only well-done meats, washing fruits and vegetables, and hand washing to reduce risk of exposure to tissue cysts and oocysts to 18-24 year olds. In women more likely to garden, \u3e30 years old, the risk of oocyst exposure needs to be emphasized. These behaviors should be emphasized during prenatal classes. Risky behaviors for T. gondii infection were evaluated using the odds ratio; however, the data collected in this cross-sectional study cannot be used to prove a causal relationship between specific behaviors and T. gondii seropositivity. Time is a confounding factor in the analysis because chronic infections cannot be attributed to current behavior. The modified agglutination test was used as the screening tool to detect IgG antibodies to T. gondi

Toxoplasma gondii Levels in Swine Operations: Differences Due to Technology Choice and Impact on Costs Production

Serum samples were collected from 3236 sows and 4712 market hogs in 1995. Sera were collected from sows on 226 farms, while market hog sera was obtained from 282 farms. Herds were randomly selected to participate in the 1995 National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) swine survey. Serawere assayed for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the modified direct agglutination test. Herd data and serologic information were used to study the association between T. gondii infection in sows and specific herd characteristics and farm management practices. Overall, 15.1 percent ofsows and 3.2 percent offinishers were positive for toxoplasmosis. Analysis ofthe data showed significant associations between toxoplasmosis in sows or herds and three factors: 1) method of rodent control, 2)type of production facility, and 3) access of cats to production facilities. In particular, seronegativity was associated with the use of bait and/or traps only for rodent control as compared to the use of cats for rodent control. Thus, use ofcats as a method ofrodent control should be avoided by producers. No regional differences in prevalence were detected and toxoplasmosis in sows was not associated with a reduced level of reproductive performance

Levels of Toxoplasma gondii in Swine Operations

Results from this and other studies have shown a clear association between pork production systems that are accessible to Toxoplasma gondii vectors, such as cats, and seropositivity of hogs for T. gondii. Sows and market hogs in pork production systems that had total confinement facilities in phases (farrowing, nursery, finishing) were significantly less likely to be seropositive for T. gondii. Of the market hogs tested, 4.4% from nonconfinement facilities were positive compared with 2.3% of the hogs from all confinement facilities. Pigs produced in systems that used bait and/or traps as the only method of rodent control had significantly fewer animals seropositive for T. gondii. Reducing the level of toxoplasmosis can have a direct impact on consumers. Given this, and the lack of direct economic incentives for pork producers, industry programs would be helpful in assisting consumer and producer benefits to better match. Moreover, consumer assurance of the safety of pork is vital to continued and enhanced demand for pork, both domestically and internationally. Moreover, there is an increased consumer awareness of foodborne pathogens. The demand for safe food products is increasing. A T. gondii food-safety incident related to pork would erode the consumer image, potentially leading to reduced demand, at least in the short term. The industry needs to evaluate methods of reducing cat accessibility to pig production systems

TOXOPLASMA GONDII LEVELS IN SWINE OPERATIONS: DIFFERENCES DUE TO TECHNOLOGY CHOICE AND IMPACT ON COSTS OF PRODUCTION

Serum samples were collected from 3236 sows and 4712 market hogs in 1995. Sera were collected from sows on 226 farms, while market hog sera was obtained from 282 farms. Herds were randomly selected to participate in the 1995 National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) swine survey. Sera were assayed for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the modified direct agglutination test. Herd data and serologic information were used to study the association between T. gondii infection in sows and specific herd characteristics and farm management practices. Overall, 15.1 percent of sows and 3.2 percent of finishers were positive for toxoplasmosis. Analysis of the data showed significant associations between toxoplasmosis in sows or herds and three factors: 1) method of rodent control, 2) type of production facility, and 3) access of cats to production facilities. In particular, seronegativity was associated with the use of "bait and/or traps only" for rodent control as compared to the use of cats for rodent control. Thus, use of cats as a method of rodent control should be avoided by producers. No regional differences in prevalence were detected and toxoplasmosis in sows was not associated with a reduced level of reproductive performance

Levels of Toxoplasma gondii in Swine Operations

Results from this and other studies have shown a clear association between pork production systems that are accessible to Toxoplasma gondii vectors, such as cats, and seropositivity of hogs for T. gondii. Sows and market hogs in pork production systems that had total confinement facilities in phases (farrowing, nursery, finishing) were significantly less likely to be seropositive for T. gondii. Of the market hogs tested, 4.4% from nonconfinement facilities were positive compared with 2.3% of the hogs from all confinement facilities. Pigs produced in systems that used bait and/or traps as the only method of rodent control had significantly fewer animals seropositive for T. gondii. Reducing the level of toxoplasmosis can have a direct impact on consumers. Given this, and the lack of direct economic incentives for pork producers, industry programs would be helpful in assisting consumer and producer benefits to better match. Moreover, consumer assurance of the safety of pork is vital to continued and enhanced demand for pork, both domestically and internationally. Moreover, there is an increased consumer awareness of foodborne pathogens. The demand for safe food products is increasing. A T. gondii food-safety incident related to pork would erode the consumer image, potentially leading to reduced demand, at least in the short term. The industry needs to evaluate methods of reducing cat accessibility to pig production systems.</p

Toxoplasma gondii Levels in Swine Operations: Differences Due to Technology Choice and Impact on Costs Production

Serum samples were collected from 3236 sows and 4712 market hogs in 1995. Sera were collected from sows on 226 farms, while market hog sera was obtained from 282 farms. Herds were randomly selected to participate in the 1995 National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) swine survey. Serawere assayed for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the modified direct agglutination test. Herd data and serologic information were used to study the association between T. gondii infection in sows and specific herd characteristics and farm management practices. Overall, 15.1 percent ofsows and 3.2 percent offinishers were positive for toxoplasmosis. Analysis ofthe data showed significant associations between toxoplasmosis in sows or herds and three factors: 1) method of rodent control, 2)type of production facility, and 3) access of cats to production facilities. In particular, seronegativity was associated with the use of bait and/or traps only" for rodent control as compared to the use of cats for rodent control. Thus, use ofcats as a method ofrodent control should be avoided by producers. No regional differences in prevalence were detected and toxoplasmosis in sows was not associated with a reduced level of reproductive performance.</p