Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic rabbits and humans

Rasha M M Abou Elez; Eman A A Hassanen; Hala M N Tolba; Ibrahim Elsohaby

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.02.009

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic rabbits and humans

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 2017 May:8:133-137. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.02.009. Epub 2017 Mar 18.

Authors

Rasha M M Abou Elez¹, Eman A A Hassanen², Hala M N Tolba³, Ibrahim Elsohaby⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City 44511, Egypt.
² Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City 44511, Egypt.
³ Department of Avian and Rabbit Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City 44511, Egypt.
⁴ Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City 44511, Egypt; Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada. Electronic address: ielsohaby@upei.ca.

PMID: 31014631
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.02.009

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2014 to December 2015 to determine seroprevalence and potential risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in domestic rabbits and humans in Egypt. In total 290 blood samples were collected from humans (n=140) and slaughtered rabbits (n=150) and were analyzed using ELISA for T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies. T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in, respectively, 9 (6%) and 40 (26.7%) of 150 rabbits raised in Cairo, Qalyubia, and Sharkia Governorates, Egypt. Corresponding overall seroprevalences for human participants were 5.7% and 35.7%, respectively. Rabbit age, management (farm, backyard and pet shop) and the presence of cats at rabbit raising areas were significantly associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies. T. gondii IgG antibodies seropositivity in pregnant participants and rabbit butchers were 0.17 and 0.63 times lower than immunocompromised participants, respectively. However, participants who consumed undercooked rabbit meat was 7.59 times higher than participants who consumed meat from other sources. The results indicate that domestic rabbits are a potential source of T. gondii infections in human in Egypt. Thus, dissemination of protective measures is essential, especially for rabbit butchers and immunocompromised individuals.

Keywords: Domestic rabbits; Rabbit butchers; Risk factors; Seroprevalence; Toxoplasma gondii.