Detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Encephalitozoon spp. in wild boars by serological and molecular methods

作者：Luptakova L^*; Balent P; Valencakova A; Hisira V; Petrovova E

来源：Revue de Medecine Veterinaire, 2010, 161(12): 559-563.

• Toxoplasmosis
• encephalitozoonosis
• wild boar
• serological survey
• PCR assay
• seroprevalence

The study aims to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and of 2 representative microsporidia (Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis) in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and to compare with the molecular detection of parasites by PCR. Sera collected from 91 hunter-killed wild boars from eight different regions of the Slovak republic were assayed for specific antibodies (IgG) using 2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and the presence of parasites were investigated into seropositive animals by standard and real time PCR from blood for T gondii and from stool samples for Encephalitozoon spp. Circulating antibodies targeted against T gondii, E. cuniculi and E. intestinalis were detected in 18 (19.8%), 4 (4.4%) and 3 animals (3.3%) respectively. The frequency of the anti-T gondii antibodies was significantly higher in young boars (< 1 year old) (37.9%) than in adults (11.3%) (P < 0.01) whereas only adult subjects were seropositive for the microsporidia. A DNA fragment (191 bp) from 7: gondii was detected in only one positive boar in a relatively high number of copies (1.5 x 10(5)) and the presence of Encephalitozoon spp. was not confirmed by PCR. These results indicate that wild boars can be contaminated by T gondii and microsporidia with moderate and low seroprevalences respectively and that they do not represent a great (in quantity) reservoir of these parasites, but the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission to humans remains qualitatively important throughout consumption of meat from an effectively infected boar.

• 出版日期2010-12