Serological survey of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of Poland
Abstract Background Pigs are prone to infections with several protozoa species. Although infection with Toxoplasma gondii rarely results in clinical symptoms in pigs, consuming pork-containing cysts represents a potential threat to human health, especially in immunocompromised individuals, pregnant...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04566-6 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850026093016252416 |
|---|---|
| author | Agata Augustyniak Arkadiusz Dors Rafał Niemyjski Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól |
| author_facet | Agata Augustyniak Arkadiusz Dors Rafał Niemyjski Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól |
| author_sort | Agata Augustyniak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Pigs are prone to infections with several protozoa species. Although infection with Toxoplasma gondii rarely results in clinical symptoms in pigs, consuming pork-containing cysts represents a potential threat to human health, especially in immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and fetuses. It is estimated that around 2 billion people are infected with Toxoplasma gondii worldwide, making toxoplasmosis one of the most damaging zoonoses. Due to the coincidence of several factors, the meat from infected pigs can, however, frequently reach the consumer. In cattle, infection with Neospora caninum can cause considerable economic losses. The consequences of this infection for pigs remain unclear. However, infection in sows was linked with the development of some clinical signs, and transplacental transmission of the parasite was observed. Therefore, it should be considered a potential threat to pigs’ health. Due to the above reasons, the data regarding the epidemiology of the mentioned parasites seems desirable. Since Poland represents one of the major pig producers in the European Union, and pork is the most commonly consumed type of meat, the present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in the Polish pig population. 1034 serum samples were collected from 16 commercial farms localised in 9 different provinces (voivodeships) of Poland from pigs belonging to the following age categories: piglets (259), weaners (220), fatteners (243), gilts (70), and sows (242) were subjected to ELISA assay with the use of commercially available kits. Results The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was 11.3% (117/1034), and it was significantly higher in sows compared to other age categories (28.1%; p < 0.05). Regarding the province of Poland, the highest proportion of seropositive pigs was found in Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Podlaskie; meanwhile, in Łódzkie, Pomorskie, and Warmińsko-Mazurskie observed seroprevalence was 0%. Among tested samples, only one (1/1034; 0.097%) was positive for Neospora caninum antibodies, and it was collected from gilt maintained on the farm in Zachodniopomorskie. Conclusions This study updates the data on Toxoplasma gondii epidemiology in pigs reared in Poland, showing relative stability in the infection with this parasite. It also provides the first data on Neospora caninum circulation in the Polish pig population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5fe69a745a884563b733ffd6a8e91f4b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-5fe69a745a884563b733ffd6a8e91f4b2025-08-20T03:00:39ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-02-012111810.1186/s12917-025-04566-6Serological survey of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of PolandAgata Augustyniak0Arkadiusz Dors1Rafał Niemyjski2Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól3Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life SciencesDepartment of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life SciencesAgri Plus Sp. z o. oDepartment of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life SciencesAbstract Background Pigs are prone to infections with several protozoa species. Although infection with Toxoplasma gondii rarely results in clinical symptoms in pigs, consuming pork-containing cysts represents a potential threat to human health, especially in immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and fetuses. It is estimated that around 2 billion people are infected with Toxoplasma gondii worldwide, making toxoplasmosis one of the most damaging zoonoses. Due to the coincidence of several factors, the meat from infected pigs can, however, frequently reach the consumer. In cattle, infection with Neospora caninum can cause considerable economic losses. The consequences of this infection for pigs remain unclear. However, infection in sows was linked with the development of some clinical signs, and transplacental transmission of the parasite was observed. Therefore, it should be considered a potential threat to pigs’ health. Due to the above reasons, the data regarding the epidemiology of the mentioned parasites seems desirable. Since Poland represents one of the major pig producers in the European Union, and pork is the most commonly consumed type of meat, the present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in the Polish pig population. 1034 serum samples were collected from 16 commercial farms localised in 9 different provinces (voivodeships) of Poland from pigs belonging to the following age categories: piglets (259), weaners (220), fatteners (243), gilts (70), and sows (242) were subjected to ELISA assay with the use of commercially available kits. Results The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was 11.3% (117/1034), and it was significantly higher in sows compared to other age categories (28.1%; p < 0.05). Regarding the province of Poland, the highest proportion of seropositive pigs was found in Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Podlaskie; meanwhile, in Łódzkie, Pomorskie, and Warmińsko-Mazurskie observed seroprevalence was 0%. Among tested samples, only one (1/1034; 0.097%) was positive for Neospora caninum antibodies, and it was collected from gilt maintained on the farm in Zachodniopomorskie. Conclusions This study updates the data on Toxoplasma gondii epidemiology in pigs reared in Poland, showing relative stability in the infection with this parasite. It also provides the first data on Neospora caninum circulation in the Polish pig population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04566-6Toxoplasma GondiiNeospora CaninumSeroprevalencePigsPoland |
| spellingShingle | Agata Augustyniak Arkadiusz Dors Rafał Niemyjski Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól Serological survey of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of Poland BMC Veterinary Research Toxoplasma Gondii Neospora Caninum Seroprevalence Pigs Poland |
| title | Serological survey of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of Poland |
| title_full | Serological survey of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of Poland |
| title_fullStr | Serological survey of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of Poland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Serological survey of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of Poland |
| title_short | Serological survey of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of Poland |
| title_sort | serological survey of antibodies against toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum in pigs from various regions of poland |
| topic | Toxoplasma Gondii Neospora Caninum Seroprevalence Pigs Poland |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04566-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT agataaugustyniak serologicalsurveyofantibodiesagainsttoxoplasmagondiiandneosporacaninuminpigsfromvariousregionsofpoland AT arkadiuszdors serologicalsurveyofantibodiesagainsttoxoplasmagondiiandneosporacaninuminpigsfromvariousregionsofpoland AT rafałniemyjski serologicalsurveyofantibodiesagainsttoxoplasmagondiiandneosporacaninuminpigsfromvariousregionsofpoland AT małgorzatapomorskamol serologicalsurveyofantibodiesagainsttoxoplasmagondiiandneosporacaninuminpigsfromvariousregionsofpoland |