Parasites & Vectors (Mar 2012)

Seroprevalence of <it>Toxoplasma gondii </it>infection in dairy cattle in southern China

  • Zhou Dong-Hui,
  • Zhao Fu-Rong,
  • Lu Ping,
  • Xia Hui-Yan,
  • Xu Min-Jun,
  • Yuan Li-Guo,
  • Yan Chao,
  • Huang Si-Yang,
  • Li Shou-Jun,
  • Zhu Xing-Quan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-5-48
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
p. 48

Abstract

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Abstract Background As an obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans and almost all warm-blooded animals. The consumption of raw or undercooked beef and milk is considered a risk for T. gondii infection in humans. However, little is known of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in metropolitan Guangzhou, southern China. This study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, southern China. Findings Serum samples were collected from 350 dairy cattle on five farms in Guangzhou, China from 2009 to 2010, and all of the 350 serum samples were examined for specific antibodies to T. gondii by indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA). The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in dairy cattle was 5.7% (20/350). Among these examined dairy cattle, dairy cattle which were Conclusions The results of the present survey indicate that T. gondii infection is prevalent in dairy cattle of all age ranges in Guangzhou, southern China, which may be a risk factor for human infection with T. gondii in this region. Dong-Hui Zhou and Fu-Rong Zhao contributed equally.