Zoonotic Pathogens

Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Organic Pig Fattening Farms in Austria and Prospect for Their Control

Authors: F. Schmoll (Austrian Agency for Food and Health Safety) , K. Kreinöcker (Abteilung Ernährungssicherheit und Veterinärwesen) , T. Sattler (University Leipzig) , W. Hagmüller (Institut für Biologische Landwirtschaft und Biodiversität der Nutztiere)

Abstract

In organic pig farms pigs are often exposed to various pathogenic agents that can cause important health problems and/or lead to zoonoses. One of these is the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma (T.) gondii that can infect humans by the incorporation of oocytes as well as by intake of raw or undercooked pork (Guo et al, 2016). Generally, the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in slaughter pigs is low (Steinparzer et al., 2015). In slaughter pigs raised on organic farms, however, the seroprevalence can be far higher (up to 50 % of the farms) (Kreinöcker et al., 2017). The aims of the study were to identify risk factors for an infection with T. gondii in organic pig fattening farms, to develop strategies to control the infection and to test their efficacy.

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How to Cite: Schmoll, F. , Kreinöcker, K. , Sattler, T. & Hagmüller, W. (2019) “Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Organic Pig Fattening Farms in Austria and Prospect for Their Control”, SafePork. 13(1). doi: https://doi.org//safepork.11202