Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies from slaughter pigs in Chongqing, China.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii which infects most genera of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pigs in Chongqing Municipality, southwest China. Slaughterhouse pigs' serum samples collected from six different regions in Chongqing were assayed for T. gondii antibodies by an indirect hemagglutination test. The average seroprevalence of T. gondii were found in 30.6% (278/908) in slaughter pigs, ranging from 21.6% to 40.9% among different sampling sites. The results indicated that toxoplasmosis in swine of Chongqing Municipality was relatively serious, and the pork may be an important source for human infection with T. gondii. Comprehensive measures are needed to strengthen further prevention and control of the disease in Chongqing.