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Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in pets and their owners in Shandong province, Eastern China

Cong, Wei; Elsheikha, Hany M.; Zhou, Na; Peng, Peng; Qin, Si-Yuan; Meng, Qing-Feng; Qian, Ai-Dong

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Authors

Wei Cong

Na Zhou

Peng Peng

Si-Yuan Qin

Qing-Feng Meng

Ai-Dong Qian



Abstract

Background: Pet ownership in China has been steadily increasing over recent years. However, the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii remains poorly defined.
Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, we have determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in pet dogs and cats, and pet owners. Serum samples were collected from 360 pets and 460 corresponding pet owners between March 2016 to June 2017, from Shandong province, eastern China. Sera from the animals were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies using an indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA) and from the pet owners using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 67 of 360 (18.61%) pets. Seroprevalence of T. gondii in pet cats and dogs was 21.67% and 15.56%, respectively. IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 79 (17.17%) and 4 (0.87%) of pet owners, respectively; with a total of 83 of 460 (18.04%) pet owners testing seropositive for T. gondii. Our seroprevalence data also suggest that cat owners in general and female pet owners in particular could face a higher risk of acquiring T. gondii infection.
Conclusions: Significant levels of anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in the pets and their owners in Shandong province, eastern China, indicating a potential zoonotic risk. Prophylactic measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of pet owner’s exposure to T. gondii infection.

Citation

Cong, W., Elsheikha, H. M., Zhou, N., Peng, P., Qin, S., Meng, Q., & Qian, A. (2018). Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in pets and their owners in Shandong province, Eastern China. BMC Infectious Diseases, 18(1), Article 430. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-018-3307-2

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 3, 2018
Online Publication Date Aug 29, 2018
Publication Date Aug 29, 2018
Deposit Date Sep 3, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal BMC Infectious Diseases
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 18
Issue 1
Article Number 430
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-018-3307-2
Keywords Toxoplasma gondii ; Seroprevalence ; Pet owners ; Zoonosis ; Eastern China
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1056518
Publisher URL https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-018-3307-2

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