title: Cross-Sectional Serosurvey and Risk Factors Associated with the Presence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Pigs in Greece.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide reported zoonotic infection caused by the protozoon Toxoplasma gondii. Pigs may become infected by ingesting feed or water contaminated with cat faeces, by cannibalism, and/or by eating infected rodents. T. gondii infected edible tissues of pigs are a source of infection for humans. This study was undertaken to detect seropositivity of pigs against T. gondii and identify possible risk factors as well as to compare two serological methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 609 blood samples were collected from 10% of the sows from 65 pig farms located in mainland Greece. Information about the geographical location, size, and biosecurity level of the herd was recorded. Samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii employing the indirect fluorescent antibody test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six positive samples were detected (4.3%) in 17 out of the 65 farms tested (26.2%). The average seroprevalence in affected herds was 26.8% (95% confidence interval 21.0-32.6%). Among the categorical data evaluated, the biosecurity level (odds ratio 0.17, p < 0.01) and the geographical characteristics (odds ratio 13.55, p < 0.05) significantly affected the presence of toxoplasmosis in the herd. Toxoplasmosis was recorded in significantly higher percentages in mountainous farms as compared to lowlands (p < 0.05) and in those with poor biosecurity levels than in those with very good (p < 0.05). A very good agreement (κ = 0.958) was observed between the two serological methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of antibodies in pigs is indirect information on the risk of the infection and an indication of the necessity of biosecurity measures to be taken in order to control infection at least in the areas at highest risk.
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly , Karditsa, Greece .
authors.forename: Vasileios G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Papatsiros
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly , Karditsa, Greece .
authors.forename: Labrini V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
authors.affiliation: 2 National Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Centre of Athens Veterinary Institutions , Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece .
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stougiou
authors.affiliation: 3 Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly , Karditsa, Greece .
authors.forename: Giorgios G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Maragkakis
authors.affiliation: 4 Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Panagiotis D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Katsoulos
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly , Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: Menelaos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lefkaditis
authors.affiliation: 6 Department of Animal Production, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaly , Larissa, Greece .
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kantas
authors.affiliation: 4 Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Eleni D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Tzika
authors.affiliation: 4 Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki, Greece .
authors.forename: Panagiotis D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Tassis
authors.affiliation: 2 National Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Centre of Athens Veterinary Institutions , Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece .
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boutsini
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan
keywords: Biosecurity; ELISA; Geographical relief; IFAT; Pigs; Toxoplasmosis