Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs: a serological survey
Abstract Background Dogs, as well as a wide variety of other warm-blooded animals, act as intermediate host of Toxoplasma gondii. In dogs, most cases of toxoplasmosis are subclinical, although clinical disease has been sporadically reported. Beyond its role in diagnostic pathways, seropositivity als...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-024-00734-0 |
| _version_ | 1797233393713283072 |
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| author | Filippo Maria Dini Laura Stancampiano Giovanni Poglayen Roberta Galuppi |
| author_facet | Filippo Maria Dini Laura Stancampiano Giovanni Poglayen Roberta Galuppi |
| author_sort | Filippo Maria Dini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dogs, as well as a wide variety of other warm-blooded animals, act as intermediate host of Toxoplasma gondii. In dogs, most cases of toxoplasmosis are subclinical, although clinical disease has been sporadically reported. Beyond its role in diagnostic pathways, seropositivity also functions as a reflection of the parasite’s spread within the dog’s living environment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible risk factor associated with seropositivity to T. gondii in dogs in Central-Northern Italy, analysing 120 dogs sera for the presence of IgG antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Results The population examined was composed of 54.2% hunting dogs, 24.2% companion dogs, 14.2% truffle dogs and 7.5% watchdogs. Thirty-four (29.2%) dogs tested positive for T. gondii IgG, with titres ranging from 1:40 to 1:1280. Seroprevalence and antibodies titres were not related to dog gender, age or function. The logistic regression and ordered logistic regression results indicated that seroprevalence, and antibody titres were significantly higher in dogs cohabiting with cats, exhibiting coprophagy habits, and living constantly outdoors. Notably, the lifestyle factor showed the highest odds-ratios in the study: dogs living constantly outdoors were found to be at approximately 5 times greater risk of testing positive and having higher antibody titres compared to dogs living both indoors and outdoors. Conclusion Both logistic and ordered logistic regression results support the key role of living with cats, engaging in coprophagy behaviours, and maintaining an outdoor lifestyle in increasing the risk of T. gondii infection in dogs. These identified risk factors collectively suggest that both ingesting oocysts, as observed through cat cohabitation and coprophagy, and engaging in predatory behaviours, as possible for outdoor living dogs, are indicating likely sources of T. gondii infection in this host species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:15:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-657caf81e25d40d2a499648822731c91 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1751-0147 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:15:28Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica |
| spelling | doaj.art-657caf81e25d40d2a499648822731c912024-03-31T11:27:40ZengBMCActa Veterinaria Scandinavica1751-01472024-03-016611710.1186/s13028-024-00734-0Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs: a serological surveyFilippo Maria Dini0Laura Stancampiano1Giovanni Poglayen2Roberta Galuppi3Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of BolognaDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of BolognaDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of BolognaDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of BolognaAbstract Background Dogs, as well as a wide variety of other warm-blooded animals, act as intermediate host of Toxoplasma gondii. In dogs, most cases of toxoplasmosis are subclinical, although clinical disease has been sporadically reported. Beyond its role in diagnostic pathways, seropositivity also functions as a reflection of the parasite’s spread within the dog’s living environment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible risk factor associated with seropositivity to T. gondii in dogs in Central-Northern Italy, analysing 120 dogs sera for the presence of IgG antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Results The population examined was composed of 54.2% hunting dogs, 24.2% companion dogs, 14.2% truffle dogs and 7.5% watchdogs. Thirty-four (29.2%) dogs tested positive for T. gondii IgG, with titres ranging from 1:40 to 1:1280. Seroprevalence and antibodies titres were not related to dog gender, age or function. The logistic regression and ordered logistic regression results indicated that seroprevalence, and antibody titres were significantly higher in dogs cohabiting with cats, exhibiting coprophagy habits, and living constantly outdoors. Notably, the lifestyle factor showed the highest odds-ratios in the study: dogs living constantly outdoors were found to be at approximately 5 times greater risk of testing positive and having higher antibody titres compared to dogs living both indoors and outdoors. Conclusion Both logistic and ordered logistic regression results support the key role of living with cats, engaging in coprophagy behaviours, and maintaining an outdoor lifestyle in increasing the risk of T. gondii infection in dogs. These identified risk factors collectively suggest that both ingesting oocysts, as observed through cat cohabitation and coprophagy, and engaging in predatory behaviours, as possible for outdoor living dogs, are indicating likely sources of T. gondii infection in this host species.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-024-00734-0DogRisk factorsSerologyToxoplasma Gondii |
| spellingShingle | Filippo Maria Dini Laura Stancampiano Giovanni Poglayen Roberta Galuppi Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs: a serological survey Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica Dog Risk factors Serology Toxoplasma Gondii |
| title | Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs: a serological survey |
| title_full | Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs: a serological survey |
| title_fullStr | Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs: a serological survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs: a serological survey |
| title_short | Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs: a serological survey |
| title_sort | risk factors for toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs a serological survey |
| topic | Dog Risk factors Serology Toxoplasma Gondii |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-024-00734-0 |
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