Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the metropolitan region of Belem, Brazilian Amazon

作者:do Carmo Ediclei Lima*; Pinheiro Bogoevich Morais Rafaela dos Anjos; Lima Michele de Souza; Guimaraes de Moraes Carla Cristina; Albuquerque George Rego; da Silva Aristeu Vieira; Povoa Marinete Marins
来源:REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA, 2017, 26(2): 226-230.
DOI:10.1590/S1984-29612017012

摘要

The relevance of consuming raw or undercooked beef in the transmission of toxoplasmosis is unclear due to the high resistance of cattle to infection. However, this possibility needs to be considered in endemic areas, such as the Amazon, where the consumption of beef is frequent. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the metropolitan region of Belem, Para state, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 500 animals of both genders in a licensed slaughterhouse in Belem. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a cut-off titer of 1: 64. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were found in 203 animals (40.6%), with a titer of 64 in 112 animals (55.2%), 128 in 68 animals (33.5%), 256 in 15 animals (7.4%), 512 in 5 animals (2.5%), and 1,024 in 3 animals (1.4%). No significant difference was observed between males and females (p > 0.05). The high frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies observed in beef cattle slaughtered in Belem indicates that the meat of these animals may be an important source of infection for humans and carnivorous domestic animals when inadequately cooked beef is consumed.

  • 出版日期2017-6