The occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in people and animals from rural environment of Lublin region - estimate of potential role of water as a source of infection.
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2010, Vol 17, Issue 1
Abstract
A total of 254 humans and 489 domestic animals living on farms in the Lublin province (eastern Poland) were examined for the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using, respectively, the ELFA and direct agglutination tests. In parallel, 182 samples of potable water, mostly from shallow household wells, were taken on farms and examined for the presence of T. gondii by microscopy and PCR. The frequency of seropositive reactions in farm inhabitants (66.9 percent) was significantly greater (p < 0.01) compared to the reference group of 39 healthy urban dwellers (41.0 percent). A highly significant positive correlation was found between the age of examined farm inhabitants and the rate of positive reactions with Toxoplasma antigen (p < 0.0001). Among domestic animals, the greatest frequency of seropositive reactions to T. gondii occurred in cats (75.0 percent) and dogs (53.6 percent), less frequent in cattle (33.8 percent) and hens (33.5 percent) and the least frequent in pigs (17.9 percent) and ducks (21.2 percent). The presence of T. gondii was found in potable water samples taken from water intakes on farms: in 12.6 percent of samples by microscopy, and in 22.5 percent of samples by PCR. Among 19 water samples taken from bathing places on the territory of the Lublin province, 2 samples positive for T. gondii (10.5 percent) were found by microscopic examination and confirmed by PCR . The presence of live parasites in water samples was demonstrated by the isolation of Toxoplasma gondii strains in mice. By use of RFLP -PCR it was found that the majority of isolated Toxoplasma strains (78.0 percent) belonged to clonal type I which is most virulent for humans and animals. Although no statistically significant relationship between the presence of T. gondii in water and occurrence of seropositive reactions in farm inhabitants and/or domestic animals could be found, the above-mentioned data suggest a potential role of potable water in the spread of toxoplasmosis in the rural environment.
Authors and Affiliations
Jacek Sroka, Angelina Wojcik-Fatla, Jolanta Szymanska, Violetta Zajac
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP58679
- DOI -
- Views 176
- Downloads 0
Twice malignant transformation of hypertrophic lichen planus
Lichen planus is a chronic mucocutaneous T-cell-mediated disease, the cause of which remains unknown. The first case of lichen planus that transformed into squamous cell carcinoma was reported in 1903. The presented stud...
Clinical relevance of [i]Corylus[/i] pollen in Poznań, western Poland
Background. In Central Europe, hazel ([i]Corylus[/i] sp.) pollen is considered to be an important aeroallergen in early spring.Objective. This study examines hazel pollen levels in Poznań, western Poland, and the clinica...
Dysfunctions associated with dementia and their treatment
[u]International UnderstAID project shows[/u] the role of physiotherapist in patients with dementia as divided into two branches: helping to resolve the physical problems and solving the problems related to dementia. The...
Microbial contamination level of air in animal waste utilization plants
[b]Objective.[/b] The aim of this research was evaluation of microbial contamination of air within and in the vicinity of animal waste disposal plants. [b]Materials and method[/b]. Air samples were analyzed to determin...
Changes in population abundance of adult <em>Dermacentor reticulatus</em> (Acari: Amblyommidae) in long-term investigations in eastern Poland
Investigations into the abundance of adult [i]D. reticulatus[/i] in relation to the effect of climatic conditions (temperature, humidity) on host-seeking behaviour were conducted during the autumn (September-October) and...