Sero-epidemiological investigation on Toxoplasma gondii infection in Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Italy.

Epidemiology  IFAT Serology Toxoplasmosis Wildlife

Journal

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
Titre abrégé: BMC Vet Res
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101249759

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
22 Feb 2024
Historique:
received: 13 11 2023
accepted: 08 02 2024
medline: 23 2 2024
pubmed: 23 2 2024
entrez: 23 2 2024
Statut: epublish

Résumé

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) and the Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) are two wild species that have both increased their presence in the Italian territory, albeit in varying numbers. They can be occasionally found in peri-urban areas as well. Both of these species can serve as intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, as they can become infected either through the consumption of oocysts found in water, soil, or on vegetables, or through the ingestion of meat containing bradyzoites. Consequently, these animals can be regarded as key indicators of Toxoplasma presence in the wild or peri-urban environment. In our study, we examined a total of 174 wild boar meat juice and 128 wolf sera from Italy for the detection of T. gondii IgG using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The results showed that 40 (22.6%) of the wild boar meat juice and 34 (26.6%) of the wolf serum samples tested positive. Interestingly, there were no significant differences in seropositivity with respect to gender, age group, or the region of origin in both species. Overall the results indicate a moderate exposure in both the species under investigation, highlighting the spread of T. gondii in sylvatic and periurban environments. The prevalence of T. gondii in wild boar is consistent with findings from other studies conducted in Europe. Our study, with a considerably larger sample size compared to the available research in European context, provides valuable data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in wolves.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
The wild boar (Sus scrofa) and the Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) are two wild species that have both increased their presence in the Italian territory, albeit in varying numbers. They can be occasionally found in peri-urban areas as well. Both of these species can serve as intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, as they can become infected either through the consumption of oocysts found in water, soil, or on vegetables, or through the ingestion of meat containing bradyzoites. Consequently, these animals can be regarded as key indicators of Toxoplasma presence in the wild or peri-urban environment. In our study, we examined a total of 174 wild boar meat juice and 128 wolf sera from Italy for the detection of T. gondii IgG using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).
RESULTS RESULTS
The results showed that 40 (22.6%) of the wild boar meat juice and 34 (26.6%) of the wolf serum samples tested positive. Interestingly, there were no significant differences in seropositivity with respect to gender, age group, or the region of origin in both species.
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Overall the results indicate a moderate exposure in both the species under investigation, highlighting the spread of T. gondii in sylvatic and periurban environments. The prevalence of T. gondii in wild boar is consistent with findings from other studies conducted in Europe. Our study, with a considerably larger sample size compared to the available research in European context, provides valuable data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in wolves.

Identifiants

pubmed: 38389083
doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03922-2
pii: 10.1186/s12917-024-03922-2
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

62

Subventions

Organisme : Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF) [10.47379/ESR20009]
ID : 10.47379/ESR20009

Informations de copyright

© 2024. The Author(s).

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Auteurs

Filippo Maria Dini (FM)

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy. filippomaria.dini@unibo.it.

Carmela Musto (C)

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy.

Vincenzo Maria De Nigris (VM)

AUSL Bologna dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria- UO Veterinaria B, Via del Seminario, 1 San Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna, Italy.

Enrica Bellinello (E)

AUSL Modena, dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, via Suore di San Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, 5 41026 Pavullo nel Frignano, Modena, Italy.

Maria Sampieri (M)

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna Bruno Ubertini, Brescia, Italy.

Giuseppe Merialdi (G)

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna Bruno Ubertini, Brescia, Italy.

Lorella Barca (L)

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Napoli, Italy.

Mauro Delogu (M)

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy.

Roberta Galuppi (R)

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, 40064, Italy.

Classifications MeSH