Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and variables associated with seropositivity in donkeys in eastern China.

Donkeys (Equus asinus) are widely distributed throughout China; they are used for their meat, as food, and certain donkey-derived items are also important for traditional Chinese medicinal purposes. However, only limited information is available on Toxoplasma gondii infection in donkeys in China, especially the eastern region, which is one of the largest production areas. Thus, the present study was conducted to detect specific anti-T. gondii antibodies using a commercially available indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) kit and to evaluate the risk factors that are associated with seroprevalence in the Shandong province of eastern China. A total of 213/1278 (17%) donkeys tested from Shandong province were positive for T. gondii antibodies. Statistical analysis revealed that gender and feeding habits of the animal are associated with T. gondii infection. These results provide information for the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis in donkeys, other animals, and humans in this region and elsewhere.

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Neospora caninum infection in yaks (Bos grunniens) in China.

The aim of the present study was to detect the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in yaks in Gansu province, China. Serum samples from 974 white yaks and 610 black yaks were tested by a commercial competitive-inhibition ELISA for the detection of specific anti-N. caninum antibodies.; N. caninum antibodies were detected in 10.4% of yaks with higher prevalence in black (11.5% of 610) than white yak (8.6% of 974). Age, regions and sampling times were considered as risk factors associated with N. caninum infection. These results revealed the seroprevalence of N. caninum in white yaks for the first time in China.

Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in China.

The breeding of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for human consumption has a long tradition in China. Infections that can affect the production of meat or even be transmitted from animals to humans are important to monitor, especially for public health reasons as well as for their impact on animal health. Thus, a total of 1,132 domestic rabbit sera from 4 regions in China were collected for serological screening for Encephalitozoon cuniculi and for Toxoplasma gondii by ELISA and modified agglutination test (MAT), respectively. Antibodies to E. cuniculi were detected in 248/1,132 (21.9%) sera tested while antibodies against T. gondii revealed a seroprevalence of 51/1,132 (4.5%). We believe that the present results are of epidemiological implications and public health importance due to the acknowledged susceptibility of humans to E. cuniculi and T. gondii infections. Therefore, routine screening tests of domestic rabbits are proposed considering the zoonotic potential of these parasites.