Vet Parasitol. 2014 Jun 16;203(1-2):207-11. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.02.009. Epub 2014 Feb 18.

Isolation and pathogenicity of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected (rustic farm) pigs in southern Brazil.

Cademartori BG¹, Santos LM², Oliveira FC², Quevedo P², Oliveira PA², Ramos TS², Rocha AS³, Ruas JL⁴, Farias NA².

Author information

1: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: biacademartori@yahoo.com.br.
2: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
3: Department of Life Sciences and Health, School of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Pelotas, Brazil.
4: Regional Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.

Abstract

This study reported a serological test for Toxoplasma gondii infection in 100 pigs from 58 rural farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Thirty-six pigs were seropositive (IFAT≥1:64). Bioassays were performed for all 36 seropositive pigs, and 17 isolates were obtained (47.2%). Seven of these isolates (41.2%) were highly pathogenic to mice, as clinical signs of acute infection were observed, and tachyzoites were found in the peritoneal exudates, livers, and lungs. The remaining 10 isolates were able to establish a chronic infection in mice, therefore, they were not highly virulent. The results of this study indicate that pork is a potential source of T. gondii transmission to humans.