ARS | Publication request: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs from Vietnam

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 6, 2007
Publication Date: August 1, 2007
Citation: Huong, L.T., Dubey, J.P. 2007. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs from Vietnam. Journal of Parasitology. 93:951-952.

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a single celled parasite of all warm blooded hosts worldwide. It causes mental retardation and loss of vision in children, and abortion in livestock. Cats are the main reservoir of T. gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the resistant stage (oocyst) of the parasite in the feces. Humans become infected by eating undercooked meat from infected animals and food and water contaminated with oocysts. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and a Univ. in Vietnam report the first survey of Toxoplasma infection in pigs.The results will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: Pigs are considered an important source of Toxoplasma gondii infection for humans. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in serum samples from 587 pigs from different sources and different ages using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Sera were diluted two fold 1:25 1:3200. Antibodies were found in 160 of 587 (27.2%) pigs with MAT titers of 1:25 in 32,1:50 in 34, 1:100 in 33, 1:200 in 24, 1:400 in 21, 1:800 in 14, and 1:3200 in two pigs. Antibodies (MAT 1:20 or higher) were found in 75 of 325 (23%) finishers, 63 of 207 (32.3%) sows, and 22 of 55 (40 %) boars. Results indicate high prevalence of T. gondii infection in pigs in Vietnam. This is the first report of prevalence of T. gondii in pigs from Vietnam.