Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Slaughtered Pigs in Kiambu, Kenya

Author:

Chepyatich Dorcas12ORCID,Sentamu Derrick Noah12ORCID,Bor Nicholas2ORCID,Onono Joshua1ORCID,Gathura Peter Baaro1,Akoko James M.2,Thomas Lian Francesca23ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, Kangemi P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kenya

2. International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 30709, Kenya

3. Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite of public health concern, with severe health consequences among immunocompromised individuals and pregnant mothers. Pigs are intermediate hosts of this zoonotic parasite and consumption of undercooked pork is a risk factor for T. gondii infection. We investigated the seroprevalence and risk factors for T. gondii in pigs in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a non-integrated abattoir in Kiambu, Kenya, where 446 blood samples were collected from slaughtered pigs between 5 January and 5 March 2021. For each pig sampled, additional data were collected on the county of origin, farm size, sex and live weight. Serum was harvested from each pig blood sample, and these were subjected to indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests to detect the presence of immunoglobin G (IgG) for T. gondii infection. The overall seroprevalence for T. gondii was 34.53% (95% C.I. 30.16–39.17). Risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity in pigs included farm size (p < 0.001) and the live weight of pigs (p = 0.044). The high seroprevalence of T. gondii indicates that consumers of raw and undercooked pork may be at a high risk of infection. It is therefore recommended that strategies for the mitigation of risk of exposure in populations should prioritize public health education for pig farmers, pork handlers and consumers on risk reduction measures along the pork value chains.

Funder

University of Liverpool Welcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund

Soulsby Foundation

University of Liverpool Early Career Research Fund

World Animal Protection

German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

OHRECA and the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health

CGIAR

Publisher

MDPI AG

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