Occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and parasite DNA in backyard chicken breeding in Northeast, Brazil

• Published in: Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria 2016-01, Vol.25 (1), p.105-108
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Marcela Fernanda Torres Samico, Cavalcanti, Erika Fernanda Torres Samico Fernandes, da Silva, José Givanildo, Mota, André da Rocha, de Souza Neto, Orestes Luiz, Santos, André de Souza, de Albuquerque, Pedro Paulo Feitosa, de Lima, Débora Costa Viegas, Mota, Rinaldo Aparecido
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Brasil; Brazil; Breeding; Chickens - genetics; Chickens - immunology; DNA, Protozoan - blood; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect - veterinary; Gallus gallus domesticus; PARASITOLOGY; Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireto (RIFI); Reação em Cadeia de Polimerase (PCR); Toxoplasma - immunology; Toxoplasmose; Toxoplasmosis, Animal - immunology; VETERINARY SCIENCES
• ISSN: 0103-846X; 1984-2961; 1984-2961
• DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612016012

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and parasite DNA in backyard chickens bred in the metropolitan area of Recife, Brazil. In total, 212 serum samples were collected from 16 properties, and 12 backyard chickens were collected in the six sanitary districts of Recife. An indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to investigate the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect T. gondii DNA in brain, heart, liver and lung specimens. Of the samples analyzed by serology, 86/212 (40.56%) were positive; of the samples analyzed by PCR, 2/12 (16.7%) were positive, with both samples positive by both tests (serological and molecular). The presence of antibody anti-T. gondii and parasite DNA in tissues of these animals are worrying aspects for public health because there is a risk of transmission of the parasite to humans through eating undercooked or raw meat. Based on the results, the adoption of preventive measures to prevent the cats access to the chickens creations should be encouraged, since these animals were identified in most of the studied properties.