Occurrence of infection by Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered swine in the northwestern region of Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in swine slaughtered in Iporã, Northwest Paraná state. Blood samples were obtained from 500 finishing swine. All animals were raised under intensive farming; the blood samples were analyzed using the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Animals with titers of ≥64 were considered positive for T. gondii infection. Of the tested samples, 63 (12.6%) were positive by IFAT; 58 (92.06%) of these showed titers of 64 (4.7%), with titers 256 and two (3.1%) titers of 1024. These pigs might be considered a source of T. gondii infection for humans.