Toxoplasma gondii molecular and immunological identification and risk factors associated with infection in chicken slaughtered at Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Authors

  • Karina Costa Coelho Gonçalves Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Parasitologia
  • Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses
  • Kênia de Fátima Carrijo Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária
  • Daniela Leles Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Parasitologia
  • Guilherme Mendes Borges Nunes Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária
  • Adriana Pittella Sudré Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Parasitologia
  • Gabriela Cardoso Góes Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Parasitologia
  • Rodrigo Caldas Menezes Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos
  • Patricia Riddell Millar Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Parasitologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2018.144252

Keywords:

Toxoplasma gondii, Gallus gallus domesticus, Serology, Molecular diagnosis

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the serum of slaughtered chickens in the region of Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to detect the parasite in tissues (heart and brain) of serologically positive chickens, based on molecular analysis, and to investigate risk variables associated with the infection. Sera from 417 chickens raised in extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive production systems were tested by an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect T. gondii DNA in brain and heart tissues. Antibody anti-T. gondii were found in 37.65% (157/417) of chickens by IFAT, and in 75.06% (313/417) by IHA. The Kappa index showed a weak concordance between the techniques (0.087). Association was observed between seropositivity and the variables, age (p < 0.0001), type of feeding (p < 0.0001) and collective raising with other animal’s species (p < 0.0001). Association, based on IFAT, was not observed between seropositivity and the variables, sex (p = 0.0526), presence of cats (p > 0.9999), and presence of rats (p > 0.9999). Presence of parasite DNA was detected in brain samples from two chickens, which were raised in intensive and semi-intensive production systems. The results suggest the meat of these slaughtered animals may serve as a transmission source of this protozoan to humans.

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Published

2019-03-12

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FULL ARTICLE

How to Cite

Toxoplasma gondii molecular and immunological identification and risk factors associated with infection in chicken slaughtered at Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. (2019). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 55(4), e144252. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2018.144252