Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among slaughtered swines in Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify toxoplasmosis's prevalence in swine from slaughterhouses with inspection service in Paraná State. 13 of the 114 abattoirs were randomized in accordance with each State region and with the minimum daily abate of 30 animals. 424 swine blood samples were collected from October 2002 to January 2003. The Indirect Immunofluorescence Test (IFAT) was realized to detect Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG) and 17 (4,00%) were positive, considering titers ? 64. According to the animals categories, six from 29 sows (20,69%) and 11 from 395 finisher pigs (2,60%) were positives. This difference was significant (p=0,0004) and could be related with the sow's period of exposition to toxoplasmosis risk factors. Comparing this research to previous ones in Paraná State, we could see a tendency of decrease in the toxoplasmosis prevalence in pig farms, maybe related to the swine industry improvements in the last 15 years.