Occurrence of infection by Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered swine in the northwestern region of Paraná, Brazil

O trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a soroprevalência de Toxoplasma gondii em suínos de um matadouro frigorífico em Iporã, região noroeste do Paraná. Amostras sanguíneas de 500 suínos de terminação, provenientes de granjas de criação intensiva, foram processadas utilizando-se a Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). Os animais com título ? 64 foram considerados positivos. Dentre as amostras testadas, 63 (12,6%) foram positivas pela IFI. Sendo 58 (92,06%) com título 64 (4,7%) com título 256 e duas (3,1%) com titulação 1024. Estes suínos podem ser considerados uma fonte de infecção ao homem.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in swine slaughtered in Iporã, Northwest Paraná state. Blood samples were obtained from 500 finishing swine. All animals were raised under intensive farming; the blood samples were analyzed using the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Animals with titers of ?64 were considered positive for T. gondii infection. Of the tested samples, 63 (12.6%) were positive by IFAT; 58 (92.06%) of these showed titers of 64 (4.7%), with titers 256 and two (3.1%) titers of 1024. These pigs might be considered a source of T. gondii infection for humans.

<i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia</i> spp. in feces and water and the associated exposure factors on dairy farms

<div><p>The aims of this study were to verify the prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia</i> spp. in animal feces and drinking water on dairy farms and to identify a possible relation between the exposure factors and the presence of these parasites. Fecal samples from cattle and humans and water samples were collected on dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil. Analysis of (oo)cysts in the feces was performed by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and centrifugal flotation in zinc sulfate. Test-positive samples were subjected to nested PCR amplification of <i>the 18SSU</i> ribosomal RNA gene for identification of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and <i>Giardia</i> and of the <i>gp60</i> gene for subtyping of <i>Cryptosporidium</i>. Microbiological analysis of water was carried out by the multiple-tube method and by means of a chromogenic substrate, and parasitological analysis was performed on 31 samples by direct immunofluorescence and nested PCR of the genes mentioned above. Identification of the species of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> was performed by sequencing and PCR with analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalence of <i>Giardia</i> and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> was higher in calves than in adults. Among the samples of cattle feces, <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> was identified in 41 (64%), <i>C</i>. <i>ryanae</i> in eight (12.5%), <i>C</i>. <i>bovis</i> in four (6.3%), <i>C</i>. <i>andersoni</i> in five (7.8%), and a mixed infection in 20 samples (31.3%). These parasites were not identified in the samples of human feces. Thermotolerant coliform bacteria were identified in 25 samples of water (45.5%). <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>parvum</i> were identified in three water samples. The <i>gp60</i> gene analysis of <i>C</i>. <i>parvum</i> isolates revealed the presence of two strains (IIaA20G1R1 and IIaA17G2R2) in the fecal samples and one (IIaA17G2R1) in the water samples. The presence of coliforms was associated with the water source, structure and degradation of springs, rain, and turbidity. The prevalence of protozoa was higher in calves up to six months of age. <i>C</i>. <i>parvum</i> and <i>G</i>. <i>duodenalis</i> were identified in the water of dairy farms, as were thermotolerant coliforms; these findings point to the need for guidance on handling of animals, preservation of water sources, and water treatment.</p></div

Springhead, turbidity, bacteriological parameters of water samples positive for <i>Cryptosporidium</i> or <i>Giardia</i> species identified by genetic sequencing, and rainfall data 24 and 48 h prior to collection on four dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, in 2014.

<p>Springhead, turbidity, bacteriological parameters of water samples positive for <i>Cryptosporidium</i> or <i>Giardia</i> species identified by genetic sequencing, and rainfall data 24 and 48 h prior to collection on four dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, in 2014.</p

Variables with a statistically significant association with the presence of cysts of <i>Giardia</i> spp. and/or oocysts of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in fecal samples from 937 heads of dairy cattle in Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014.

<p>Variables with a statistically significant association with the presence of cysts of <i>Giardia</i> spp. and/or oocysts of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in fecal samples from 937 heads of dairy cattle in Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014.</p

Prevalence of <i>Giardia</i> spp and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp in feces of cattle from 55 dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014.

<p>Prevalence of <i>Giardia</i> spp and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp in feces of cattle from 55 dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014.</p

Variables with a statistically significant association with the presence of thermotolerant coliforms in 124 water samples from 55 dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014.

<p>Variables with a statistically significant association with the presence of thermotolerant coliforms in 124 water samples from 55 dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014.</p

A flowchart of retrieval and analysis of fecal and water samples from 55 dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, during 2012–2014.

<p>A flowchart of retrieval and analysis of fecal and water samples from 55 dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, during 2012–2014.</p

Distribution of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> species by age groups according to genetic sequencing of fecal samples from 64 heads of cattle and PCR-RFLP of fecal samples from 15 heads of cattle from 28 dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014.

<p>Distribution of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> species by age groups according to genetic sequencing of fecal samples from 64 heads of cattle and PCR-RFLP of fecal samples from 15 heads of cattle from 28 dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014.</p

An outbreak of caprine toxoplasmosis - investigation and case report

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to investigate an abortion outbreak in a dairy goat herd in the municipality of Arapoti, Parana, Brazil. At the beginning of the outbreak, blood samples were collected from 33 goats with clinical signs; later, of the whole goat herd, two cats and two dogs. Milk samples were collected from 78 lactating goats. Four environmental soil samples and four samples of feed residue from goat feeders were collected too. Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA) was used for serodiagnosis, the molecular analysis was conducted by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for the isolation of the etiological agent the bioassay was used. The results of the IFA revealed that 76.53% (137/179) of the goats, two dogs and two cats were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. Bioassay revealed one buffy coat and two milk sample having viable T. gondii. In the PCR, 11 whole blood samples, eight milk, three feeder troughs, and all soil samples were positive. The findings of the present study confirmed an outbreak caused by environmental contamination (of soil and feed) with T. gondii oocysts that could have been shed by kittens that lived on the farm and had access to the stock of goat food, facilitating this contamination, which reinforces the need for veterinary assistance and good management practices on farms

An outbreak of caprine toxoplasmosis - investigation and case report

<div><p>ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to investigate an abortion outbreak in a dairy goat herd in the municipality of Arapoti, Parana, Brazil. At the beginning of the outbreak, blood samples were collected from 33 goats with clinical signs; later, of the whole goat herd, two cats and two dogs. Milk samples were collected from 78 lactating goats. Four environmental soil samples and four samples of feed residue from goat feeders were collected too. Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA) was used for serodiagnosis, the molecular analysis was conducted by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for the isolation of the etiological agent the bioassay was used. The results of the IFA revealed that 76.53% (137/179) of the goats, two dogs and two cats were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. Bioassay revealed one buffy coat and two milk sample having viable T. gondii. In the PCR, 11 whole blood samples, eight milk, three feeder troughs, and all soil samples were positive. The findings of the present study confirmed an outbreak caused by environmental contamination (of soil and feed) with T. gondii oocysts that could have been shed by kittens that lived on the farm and had access to the stock of goat food, facilitating this contamination, which reinforces the need for veterinary assistance and good management practices on farms.</p></div