Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) is an obligate intracellular, parasitic protozoan within the phylum Apicomplexa that causes toxoplasmosis in mammalian hosts (including humans) and birds. Since meat of wild boar, Sus scrofa (Linnaeus), has been demonstrated to be a potential source of human infection, a careful evaluation of the prevalence of infection with T. gondii in hunted animals is needed to protect public health. In the Var area in southeastern France, we performed a spatio-temporal survey in order to investigate the prevalence of IgG antibodies in wild boars shot by hunters in the Canjuers military camp during two subsequent hunting seasons. Of 841 wild boars screened, antibodies (IgG) to T. gondii (modified agglutination test, cut-off 1 : 6) were found in 141 (16.8%) muscle extract samples. A significant association (p < 0.001) was found between positivity and age, but not gender, and hunting districts. The results obtained indicate that consumption of raw or undercooked meat from wild boars carries an important risk of infection with T. gondii. Wild boars may be considered as a bioindicator of parasite circulation in this ecosystem., Cédric Roqueplo, Radu Blaga, Jean-Lou Marié, Isabelle Vallée, Bernard Davoust., and Obsahuje bibliografii
A technique based on the analysis of banding patterns obtained by SDS-PAGE Western-blotting of an oocyst wall antigen obtained from faeces has been evaluated to subtype Cryptosporidium parvum Tyzzer, 1912. This technique appears to have sufficient stability to recognise multiple types of this parasite. A similar Western-blotting technique has also been used to assess antibody responses to cryptosporidial antigens in human sera. Two systems were developed: one against three antigens of apparent molecular weights 6, 14 and 17 kDa; the second against oocyst wall antigens of apparent molecular weights 57, 69, 75, 89, 128, 151 and 173 kDa. Antibodies to three antigens of apparent molecular weights 6, 14 and 17 kDa were most successful as diagnostic markers in that they were found in >88% of convalescent phase sera from confirmed cryptosporidiosis patients and were uncommon (>7%) in control subjects. Faecal samples from human and animal sporadic cases yielded a wide range of cryptosporidial antigen banding patterns. Samples from patients in a water-borne outbreak in South Devon (England) in 1995 also yielded a wide range of banding patterns including members within individual household family groups. These results are in contrast with those from samples collected from other defined geographical areas, including some from a second water-borne outbreak where much more homogeneous banding patterns were obtained. Sera collected for other purposes from apparently uninfected individuals 9 months after the South Devon 1995 outbreak were examined. Antibodies to the three antigens of molecular weights 6, 14 and 17 kDa were detected in 32-49% of individuals resident in the outbreak water supply area, and in 15-21%) of those resident in an adjacent water supply area. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to data obtained from epidemiological field studies.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908). Cats and other felids are the definitive hosts. It could be transmitted to man and animals by consumption of infected undercooked meat and contaminated food items including drinking water. Results of toxoplasmosis epidemiological surveys in animals and humans in South-West, North-West, North-East and North-Central Zones of Nigeria have been reported with greater impact on the health of pregnant women and HIV-infected individuals. Meanwhile, studies in states within the South-South and South-East Zones are relatively scanty or non-existent. Overall, the seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis in Nigeria is estimated at 32% with the following reports for North-West (32%), North-East (22%), North-Central (24%) and South-West (37%). Information on the genetic diversity of isolates of T. gondii in humans and animals including the role of the environment in transmission and maintenance of the disease are highly needed., John Asekhaen Ohiolei, Clement Isaac., and Obsahuje bibliografii