Waterborne toxoplasmosis investigated and analysed under hydrogeological assessment: new data and perspectives for further research
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
;
110(7): 929-935, Nov. 2015. tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-764583
ABSTRACT
We present a set of data on human and chicken Toxoplasma gondiiseroprevalence that was investigated and analysed in light of groundwater vulnerability information in an area endemic for waterborne toxoplasmosis in Brazil. Hydrogeological assessment was undertaken to select sites for water collection from wells for T. gondiioocyst testing and for collecting blood from free-range chickens and humans for anti-T. gondiiserologic testing. Serologic testing of human specimens was done using conventional commercial tests and a sporozoite-specific embryogenesis-related protein (TgERP), which is able to differentiate whether infection resulted from tissue cysts or oocysts. Water specimens were negative for the presence of viable T. gondiioocysts. However, seroprevalence in free-range chickens was significantly associated with vulnerability of groundwater to surface contamination (p < 0.0001; odds ratio 4.73, 95% confidence interval 2.18-10.2). Surprisingly, a high prevalence of antibodies against TgERP was detected in human specimens, suggesting the possibility of a continuous contamination of drinking water with T. gondiioocysts in this endemic setting. These findings and the new proposed approach to investigate and analyse endemic toxoplasmosis in light of groundwater vulnerability information associated with prevalence in humans estimated by oocyst antigens recognition have implications for the potential role of hydrogeological assessment in researching waterborne toxoplasmosis at a global scale.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Toxoplasma
/
Chickens
/
Toxoplasmosis
/
Oocysts
/
Waterborne Diseases
/
Fresh Water
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Aged80
/
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2015
Type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro/BR
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