title: Seroprevalence, risk factors and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic geese (Anser domestica) in tropical China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little information is available about the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in geese (Anser domestica) in China. In the present investigation, the seroprevalence, risk factors and genotyping of T. gondii in geese were investigated in Hainan province, tropical China.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 600 serum samples and 150 brain tissue samples were collected from six administrative regions in tropical China, and assayed for T. gondii antibodies by Indirect Haemagglutination (IHA) test. Genomic DNA was extracted from the 30 brain tissues of seropositive geese and T. gondii B1 gene was amplified using a semi-nested PCR. DNA samples giving positive B1 amplification were then genetically characterized using multi-locus PCR-RFLP. Overall, 17% (95% CI: 14-20) of the animals were positive for T. gondii antibodies. Presence of cats in the household (odds ratio, OR 3), hygiene (OR 2.3) and presence of stray cat around the house (OR 2.3) were considered as main risk factors associated with T. gondii infection. Of 30 DNA samples, three were positive for the T. gondii B1 gene, two showed complete genotyping results. Only one genotype (type II) was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in geese in tropical China. Therefore, it is imperative that improved integrated measures be carried out to prevent and control T. gondii infection in geese in this province. This is the first report documenting the occurrence of T. gondii genotype in geese in China.
authors.affiliation: Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Danzhou, Hainan Province, PR China. rguang1@126.com.
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rong
authors.affiliation: Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Danzhou, Hainan Province, PR China. zhouhanlin8@126.com.
authors.forename: Han-Lin
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Danzhou, Hainan Province, PR China. guanyuhou@126.com.
authors.forename: Guan-Yu
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Scientific and Technical Information Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, Hainan Province, PR China. 2298919352@qq.com.
authors.forename: Jun-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Danzhou, Hainan Province, PR China. xutieshan760421@163.com.
authors.forename: Tie-Shan
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Danzhou, Hainan Province, PR China. guansong791@163.com.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046090:Anseriformes; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005838:Genotype; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*