Work

Spatial and demographic determinants of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in alpine game meat

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan affecting a wide range of vertebrates. Game animals can ingest the parasite from environmental contamination or through consumption of infected tissues. This study investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in game species in alpine hunting districts of northwestern Italy, where wild definitive hosts are not reported, and the domestic cat population is scarce. A total of 225 animals, including 16 alpine chamois, 5 roe deer, 31 red deer, 15 European brown hare and 158 wild boar, were sampled during the 2022/2023 hunting season and tested with a commercial ELISA kit. Test results were then georeferenced by culling location and correlated through Generalized Linear Mixed Models to spatial-demographic data such as wild boar and red fox densities, distance form human settlements, inhabitants’ density and landscape fragmentation, to see the role of such data in predicting the probability of a positive specimen. T. gondii seropositivity was detected in wild boar (34.2%), and 1 roe deer; all other species tested negative. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses revealed that wild boar density, age and proximity to human settlements were significant factors associated positively with seropositivity and accounted for the residual spatial correlation in the data. Such results highlighted the importance of considering both wildlife density and proximity to anthropogenic environments of culled animals in understanding the risk of T. gondii exposure to people from game meat. Additionally, they underscored the need for reliable wildlife density maps for disease risk assessments, particularly for zoonotic pathogens.

Source: Parasitology

DOI: 10.1017/s0031182026102546

Authors: Rachele Vada, Stefania Zanet, Mariagrazia Carpignano, Aurelio Perrone, Ezio Ferroglio

Institution: University of Turin

Language: English

Topic: Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies

Subfield: Parasitology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,550