Detection of Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Cattle Raised in Gyeongbuk Province, Korea.
This study investigated the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle in Gyeongbuk province, the largest producer of cattle in Korea. Of blood samples obtained from 568 animals, 0.5% (3 of 568) tested seropositive for T. gondii by using a commercial ELISA kit. Among young individuals (≤1 year old), adult individuals (2 years old), and old individuals (≥3 years old), 0 (0%) of 37, 3 (0.6%) of 474, and 0 (0%) of 57 were seropositive, respectively. Among male, female, and castrated individuals, 0 (0%) of 22, 0 (0%) of 74, and 3 (0.6%) of 472 were seropositive, respectively. Among individuals from east, south, and northwest regions of Gyeongbuk province, 0 (0%) of 155, 2 (0.7%) of 288, and 1 (0.8%) of 125 were seropositive, respectively. No statistical differences were observed among the groups. Although a low T. gondii seroprevalence was detected in cattle raised in Gyeongbuk province, toxoplasmosis is still a concern owing to the Korean habit of eating raw or undercooked meat and the consequent risk of Toxoplasma transmission to animals and humans.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Jaejun
J
Oh
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Seung-Hun
SH
Lee
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Seung-Jin
SJ
Lee
Gyeongbuk Veterinary Service Laboratory, Daegu 41405, Korea.
Young-Hoan
YH
Kim
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Seung-Chun
SC
Park
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Man-Hee
MH
Rhee
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Oh-Deog
OD
Kwon
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Tae-Hwan
TH
Kim
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea. dmkwak@knu.ac.kr.
Dongmi
D
Kwak
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056910:Republic of Korea; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma; D014123:Toxoplasmosis; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan