Some comments on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in swine slaughter for human consumption

Abstract

ABSTRACT. de Almeida W.M., Miranda Z.B., Flausino W., Coelho C.D. & Fonseca A.B.M. [Some comments on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in swine slaughter for human consumption.] Alguns comentários sobre a epidemiologia da toxoplasmose em suínos de abate para consumo humano. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 37(Supl.1):32-36, 2015. Curso de Pós-Gradua- ção em Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64, Vital Brazil, Niterói, RJ 24230-340, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected] The presence of seropositive animals for Toxoplasma gondii indicates the possibility of risk to human health when they are slaughtered for human consumption. This study aimed to determine which variables observed in the piggery origin of animals sent to slaughter. Of pigs slaughtered under the supervision of the Inspection Service, 431 blood samples were collected randomly at the time of slaughter of the animals, where 250 samples were from animals coming from the state of Minas Gerais (MG) and 181 of the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Of the samples, 8.26% (19/231) of MG and 27.46% (39/142) of RJ were seropositive for T. gondii in the IFT with a cutoff of 1:16. The analysis of the observed relative risk factors indicated that the type of Animal Inspection Service, the origin of the animals, the presence of rats in the piggery, the origin of the used water, hygienic and sanitary condition of piggery, routing of waste and disposal of the dead animals, they were significant. In this study, despite the low frequency of seropositive animals to T. gondii and the significant variables found, these indicate the possible source of infection for animals slaughtered for human consumption.