title: Isolation and pathogenicity of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected (rustic farm) pigs in southern Brazil.
abstract: This study reported a serological test for Toxoplasma gondii infection in 100 pigs from 58 rural farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Thirty-six pigs were seropositive (IFAT≥1:64). Bioassays were performed for all 36 seropositive pigs, and 17 isolates were obtained (47.2%). Seven of these isolates (41.2%) were highly pathogenic to mice, as clinical signs of acute infection were observed, and tachyzoites were found in the peritoneal exudates, livers, and lungs. The remaining 10 isolates were able to establish a chronic infection in mice, therefore, they were not highly virulent. The results of this study indicate that pork is a potential source of T. gondii transmission to humans.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: biacademartori@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Cademartori
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: L M J F
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quevedo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Health, School of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: A S R
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Regional Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ruas
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: N A R
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Farias
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016266:Food Parasitology; D051379:Mice; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan
keywords: Isolation; Pathogenicity; Pigs; Toxoplasma gondii