Diagnosis of transplacentally induced toxoplasmosis in pigs.
Seventeen sows were fed 1,000 Toxoplasma gondii oocysts of isolates GT-1 or PT-1 at 32 to 92 days of gestation, and the products of conception were examined for T gondii antibodies and parasites. Twelve of these sows were euthanatized near term between 21 and 62 days after being fed T gondii; fetal body fluids or fetal sera were examined for agglutinating T gondii antibodies, and tissues were bioassayed in mice for T gondii parasites. Six sows produced pigs that had been transplacentally infected with T gondii; one of them aborted a T gondii-infected fetus 17 days after ingesting oocytes. Agglutinating antibodies were detected in fetuses infected in utero, but transplacental transfer of T gondii antibodies was not observed in noninfected fetuses. Transcolostrally acquired T gondii antibodies disappeared by 3 months of age. Diagnosis of transplacental toxoplasmosis was confirmed on the basis of detection of T gondii organisms in fetal tissues by use of histologic examination and bioassay in mice. In conclusion, finding of T gondii antibodies in body fluids could serve as a rapid screening test for transplacental T gondii infection in pigs.
Dubey
J P
JP
Zoonotic Diseases Laboratory, Livestock and Pultry Sciences Institute, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Urban
J F
JF
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D013997:Time Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan