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Assessing the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and the associated risk factors is the first step in defining policy for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis in a given population. An epidemiological study was conducted during prenatal consultations at the CHU-MEL of Cotonou (Benin) between September 2018 and April 2021 and recruited 549 pregnant women to determine the seroprevalence and potential factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection. Toxoplasma gondii IgG/IgM antibodies were detected using an enzyme-linked fluorescence assay (ELFA) technique, an IgG avidity test and an IgG/IgM comparative Western blot to diagnose the maternal toxoplasmosis serological status, the possibility of an infection acquired during pregnancy and congenital infection, respectively. Concomitantly, the participants answered a questionnaire investigating potential risk factors. Toxoplasmosis seroprevalence was estimated at 44.4% (95% CI 40.3–48.6) and the factors significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity were: age over 30 years, multigravid women and contact with cats. The possibility of an infection acquired during the periconceptional period or the first trimester of pregnancy concerned six women [1.1% (95% CI 0.5–2.0)]. However, due to the low rate of serological controls in seronegative women, a significant proportion of women first tested during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and an insufficient sample size, the incidence of primary infection during pregnancy could not be determined. No cases of congenital transmission occurred in the newborns from the suspected cases of primary infection.

Toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans and animals, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Small mammals play a key role as intermediate reservoir hosts in the maintenance of the T. gondii life cycle. In this study, we estimated the molecular prevalence and provide genetic diversity data for T. gondii in 632 small mammals sampled in four areas of Cotonou city, Benin. Both the brain and heart of each individual were screened through T. gondii-targeting qPCR, and positive samples were then genotyped using a set of 15 T. gondii-specific microsatellites. Prevalence data were statistically analyzed in order to assess the relative impact of individual host characteristics, spatial distribution, composition of small mammal community, and urban landscape features. An overall T. gondii molecular prevalence of 15.2% was found and seven genotypes, all belonging to the Africa 1 lineage, could be retrieved from the invasive black rat Rattus rattus and the native African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri. Statistical analyses did not suggest any significant influence of the environmental parameters used in this study. Rather, depending on the local context, T. gondii prevalence appeared to be associated either with black rat, shrew, or mouse abundance or with the trapping period. Overall, our results highlight the intricate relationships between biotic and abiotic factors involved in T. gondii epidemiology and suggest that R. rattus and C. olivieri are two competent reservoirs for the Africa 1 lineage, a widespread lineage in tropical Africa and the predominant lineage in Benin.

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Toxoplasma gondii may cause fatal infection in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus). However, the role of this parasite in terms of mortality rate in tularaemia endemic areas, amount of parasites in affected organs and circulating genotypes, is still unknown. In total, 36 hares (killed or found dead) were submitted for pathomorphological examination as a part of the national tularaemia and brucellosis monitoring. Tissue samples (lung, heart, liver, spleen and kidney) were tested by quantitative real‐time PCR targeting 529 bp region of T. gondii. Genotyping was performed by a 15 microsatellite markers method in a single multiplex PCR assay. The same tissues of hares were simultaneously used for the bacteriological cultivation. Toxoplasma gondii was detected by qPCR in the tissues of two hares. Spleen and lungs of one infected hare have been found harbouring up to ~7 millions of T. gondii parasites per gram of tissue. Both positive samples were characterized as T. gondii type II, one archetypal clonal type II and the other one a type II variant (W35 = 244). Bacteria Francisella tularensis was proved in pooled samples of three hares but without coinfection with T. gondii; all hares were negative for Brucella suis. Toxoplasma gondii has significant impact on mortality of European brown hares in tularaemia endemic areas and parasite load within the animal tissues may present high risk of human infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have addressed the environmental determinants of the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Free-range chickens are regarded as sensitive indicators for environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts due to their ground-feeding behavior and have been used as sentinels. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2018 to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in free-range chickens from Senegal, West Africa, using the modified agglutination test. Sampling was performed in two regions of the country: Saint-Louis, a Sahelian area in the North, and Kedougou, a forest and rainy area in the South. A questionnaire was administered to chicken owners to assess potential risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the statistical significance of risk factors. The seroprevalence in chickens was 7.67% (51/665; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.51–9.52). The multivariable logistic regression model indicated that the odds to test T. gondii seropositive was higher in chickens provided well water (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.45–6.93; p = 0.004) than in chickens provided tap water, and in hens having chicks (OR = 80.15, 95% CI: 22.79–281.95; p < 0.001) than in chickens (male or female) not having chicks. The possible role of contaminated well water in the acquisition of infection in chickens—and hence in human—merits consideration and should be addressed in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii infection is recognized as one of the major causes of reproductive failure in sheep and goats. This survey was carried out in order to study the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in Blida, Bouira and Medea regions from Algeria. The sample size was set at 220 animals distributed over 22 farms. Sera were assayed for T. gondii antibody detection by Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). The overall seroprevalence was 35.9% (79/220) with a herd seroprevalence of 77.3% (17/22). The prevalence was significantly higher in Medea (45.7% of 116 sheep), compared to Blida (27.7% of 83 sheep). Bouira region showed the lowest prevalence with 3 positive samples (14.3%) over 21 sheep. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the likelihood of T. gondii infection was higher in semi-extensive sheep breeding, in regions where the presence of cats is strong, and in highlands when compared with semi-intensive sheep breeding, weak presence of cat and in lowland, respectively. This study shows a high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in these areas. • Toxoplasma gondii infection is recognized as one of the major causes of reproductive failure in sheep and goats. • The study of the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in Algeria was concerned 220 animals distributed over 22 farms. • Sera were analyzed by Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) and the overall seroprevalence was 35.9% (79/220) with a herd seroprevalence of 77.3% (17/22). • The likelihood of T. gondii infection was higher in semi-extensive sheep breeding, in regions where the presence of cats is strong, and in highlands. • This study shows a high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in Algeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have addressed the environmental determinants of the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Free-range chickens are regarded as sensitive indicators for environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts due to their ground-feeding behavior and have been used as sentinels. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2018 to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in free-range chickens from Senegal, West Africa, using the modified agglutination test. Sampling was performed in two regions of the country: Saint-Louis, a Sahelian area in the North, and Kedougou, a forest and rainy area in the South. A questionnaire was administered to chicken owners to assess potential risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the statistical significance of risk factors. The seroprevalence in chickens was 7.67% (51/665; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.51-9.52). The multivariable logistic regression model indicated that the odds to test T. gondii seropositive was higher in chickens provided well water (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.45-6.93; p  = 0.004) than in chickens provided tap water, and in hens having chicks (OR = 80.15, 95% CI: 22.79-281.95; p  < 0.001) than in chickens (male or female) not having chicks. The possible role of contaminated well water in the acquisition of infection in chickens-and hence in human-merits consideration and should be addressed in future studies.