Seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis: A cross‐sectional study in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract Background Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is often linked with reproductive disorders in humans and animals. Despite this, its presence in animals in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) remains undocumented. Objectives This study aimed to...
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Wiley
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Medicine and Science |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1578 |
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| author | Abdullah Muftić Jasmin Omeragić Nihad Fejzić Behija Dukić Sabina Šerić‐Haračić |
| author_facet | Abdullah Muftić Jasmin Omeragić Nihad Fejzić Behija Dukić Sabina Šerić‐Haračić |
| author_sort | Abdullah Muftić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is often linked with reproductive disorders in humans and animals. Despite this, its presence in animals in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) remains undocumented. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among domestic pigs in FB&H, assess associated risk factors for parasite transmission and provide insights into optimal management and biosafety practices for the pig industry. Methods A two‐phase random sampling approach was employed to select 87 pig farms across 10 administrative regions in FB&H. A total of 437 pigs were sampled and tested for anti‐T. gondii antibodies using an indirect ELISA kit. Epidemiological data on potential risk factors were collected through a standardised questionnaire and analysed using logistic regression models. Results The animal‐level seroprevalence was found to be 13.3% (95% CI = 10.4–16.8), with 44.8% of farms testing positive for T. gondii (95% CI: 34.8–55.3). Identified risk factors included exposure to cats, repeated occurrences of abortions within a single breeding season, swill feeding, type of housing, and type of operation. The robust association observed between recurrent abortions and Toxoplasma seropositivity indicates a significantly greater potential involvement of T. gondii in reproductive disorders among pigs in FB&H than previously acknowledged. Conclusions This study provides the first report on T. gondii infection in animals in FB&H, highlighting the need for further research to explore its presence in other meat animals and meat products consumed in the region. The findings underscore the importance of biosafety measures in mitigating T. gondii transmission and call for enhanced surveillance and management strategies in FB&H's pig industry. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-89c2775358e14573abe2b07b1c666fb2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2053-1095 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Medicine and Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-89c2775358e14573abe2b07b1c666fb22025-08-20T02:50:09ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952025-07-01114n/an/a10.1002/vms3.1578Seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis: A cross‐sectional study in Bosnia and HerzegovinaAbdullah Muftić0Jasmin Omeragić1Nihad Fejzić2Behija Dukić3Sabina Šerić‐Haračić4Veterinary Faculty, Department of Pathobiology and Epidemiology University of Sarajevo Sarajevo Bosnia and HerzegovinaVeterinary Faculty, Department of Pathobiology and Epidemiology University of Sarajevo Sarajevo Bosnia and HerzegovinaVeterinary Faculty, Department of Pathobiology and Epidemiology University of Sarajevo Sarajevo Bosnia and HerzegovinaVeterinary Faculty, Department of Pathobiology and Epidemiology University of Sarajevo Sarajevo Bosnia and HerzegovinaVeterinary Faculty, Department of Pathobiology and Epidemiology University of Sarajevo Sarajevo Bosnia and HerzegovinaAbstract Background Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is often linked with reproductive disorders in humans and animals. Despite this, its presence in animals in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) remains undocumented. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among domestic pigs in FB&H, assess associated risk factors for parasite transmission and provide insights into optimal management and biosafety practices for the pig industry. Methods A two‐phase random sampling approach was employed to select 87 pig farms across 10 administrative regions in FB&H. A total of 437 pigs were sampled and tested for anti‐T. gondii antibodies using an indirect ELISA kit. Epidemiological data on potential risk factors were collected through a standardised questionnaire and analysed using logistic regression models. Results The animal‐level seroprevalence was found to be 13.3% (95% CI = 10.4–16.8), with 44.8% of farms testing positive for T. gondii (95% CI: 34.8–55.3). Identified risk factors included exposure to cats, repeated occurrences of abortions within a single breeding season, swill feeding, type of housing, and type of operation. The robust association observed between recurrent abortions and Toxoplasma seropositivity indicates a significantly greater potential involvement of T. gondii in reproductive disorders among pigs in FB&H than previously acknowledged. Conclusions This study provides the first report on T. gondii infection in animals in FB&H, highlighting the need for further research to explore its presence in other meat animals and meat products consumed in the region. The findings underscore the importance of biosafety measures in mitigating T. gondii transmission and call for enhanced surveillance and management strategies in FB&H's pig industry.https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1578Bosnia and Herzegovinaepidemiologyporcinerisk factorstoxoplasmosis |
| spellingShingle | Abdullah Muftić Jasmin Omeragić Nihad Fejzić Behija Dukić Sabina Šerić‐Haračić Seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis: A cross‐sectional study in Bosnia and Herzegovina Veterinary Medicine and Science Bosnia and Herzegovina epidemiology porcine risk factors toxoplasmosis |
| title | Seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis: A cross‐sectional study in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_full | Seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis: A cross‐sectional study in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_fullStr | Seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis: A cross‐sectional study in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_full_unstemmed | Seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis: A cross‐sectional study in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_short | Seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis: A cross‐sectional study in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_sort | seroepidemiology of porcine toxoplasmosis a cross sectional study in bosnia and herzegovina |
| topic | Bosnia and Herzegovina epidemiology porcine risk factors toxoplasmosis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1578 |
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