Seroprevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiandNeospora caninumin slaughtered pigs in the Czech Republic

Abstract

SUMMARYIn the Czech Republic, sera from 551 clinically healthy adult slaughtered pigs (females, 6–8 months old) were collected during the first half of June in 2010. Sera were tested forToxoplasma gondii-specific IgG antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; samples with more than 50% S/P were considered as positive. The same samples were also analysed forNeospora caninumantibodies using a commercial competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; samples with more than 30% inhibition were considered as positive. Antibodies againstT. gondiiwere found in 198 pigs (36%) in all districts with prevalences ranging from 18% to 75%. Antibodies againstN. caninumwere found in 16 pigs (3%); positive animals were found in 4 districts with prevalences ranging from 1% to 20%. Indication of mixed infections (concurrent presence of bothN. caninumandT. gondiiantibodies) was found in 8 (1·5%) pigs. The results of our study indicate that pigs in the Czech Republic have a relatively high seroprevalence forT. gondii, while they have only a low seroprevalence forN. caninum. Therefore, natural infection withT. gondiiseems to be very common in Czech pigs. It is the first evidence ofN. caninumantibodies in pigs in the Czech Republic. These results complete data aboutN. caninuminfection in pigs in Europe.