Low seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pig farms (Sus scrofa domesticus) of eastern Spain in intensive farms with control of animal entry.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Although the definitive hosts are cats, other species can act as reservoirs, including livestock. In pigs, the infection is subclinical, so its relevance as a silent reservoir could be greater. The data related to the seroprevalence of T. gondii in pigs differ according to different factors, including methodology used, country, farm type, and location, and epidemiological factors, such as sex or age. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in pigs housed in intensive systems, specifically medium-sized farms with animal entry control systems, was evaluated, as well as epidemiological data that could be risk factors, such as age or sex. For this purpose, serum samples were obtained from a total of 92 pigs with ages ranging from 0 to 24 months, housed in sixteen intensive system farms located in eastern Spain. The seroprevalence was estimated as the number of positive animals by the ELISA method. The results obtained were a low seroprevalence (3.26%), and only age was associated with higher seroprevalence, being higher in animals older than 12 months. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the factors associated with seroprevalence and the security measures to eliminate the presence of this parasite in porcine farms.