Risk factors involved in transmission of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in rabbit farms in Northern Italy
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2015, Vol 22, Issue 4
Abstract
[b]Introduction and objective.[/b] In Italy, rabbits are frequently reared for meat production. The aim of the study was to find the seroprevalence of [i]T. gondii[/i] and [i]N. caninum[/i] parasites, and risk factors of infection in rabbit farms. [b]Material and methods[/b]. Blood samples from 260 apparently healthy breeding rabbits were collected on 13 commercial farms in Northern Italy. Rabbits were divided into categories according to age, number of births, breed, province and size of farm. Samples were tested for antibodies to [i]T. gondii[/i] and [i]N. caninum[/i] using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT); samples with a titre ≥ 50 were considered positive. [b]Results.[/b] Antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum were found in 38 (14.6 %) and 3 (1.2 %) rabbits, respectively. A statistically significant difference (p-value ≤ 0.05) was found only in [i]T. gondii [/i]prevalence among different rabbit breeds and provinces. Conclusion. Rabbits from Northern Italy are at risk of [i]T. gondi[/i]i and [i]N. caninum[/i] infection; however, it is lower compared to seroprevalence noted in other animal species or in humans.
Authors and Affiliations
Tereza Machacova, Eva Bártová, Kamil Sedlak, Marie Budikova, Alessandra Piccirillo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP81033
- DOI -
- Views 152
- Downloads 0
Contamination of soil with eggs of geohelminths in recreational areas in the Lublin region of Poland
Recreational areas cover parks, bicycle paths, lawns, urban squares, sports complexes, holiday camp areas, playgrounds for children, beaches, and even spontaneously used green field open spaces. While using recreational...
Treatment of lower limb trophic ulcers using hyperbaric oxygenation
[b]Introduction.[/b] Lower limb venous ulcers affect approximately 1–1.3% of the population and constitute the most dangerous and distressing complication related to chronic venous insufficiency. Although the issue of tr...
The breast-conserving surgery of women with breast cancer in Podlaskie Voivodeship (Poland). Population study
Introduction. The results of breast cancer treatment depend mainly on better detection in mammography screening and, consequently, a higher proportion of women with early stage of the disease. They depend also on a bette...
Retrospective study of injury rates among children and adults in the Lublin Region of Poland
[b]Introduction and objective. [/b]In Poland and worldwide, injury rates, as well as accident rates among children and adolescents still remain a social, health and economic problem, despite an attempt to inhibit the gro...
New aspects of the infection mechanisms of <em>B. anthracis</em>
Articles concerning new aspects of [i]B. anthracis[/i] mechanisms of infection were reviewed. It was found, that the hair follicle plays an important role in the spore germination process. The hair follicle represent an...