Toxoplasma gondii: sources of infection in Switzerland ('meat versus cat')

• Research unit: FSVO
• Project number: 1.08.04

Key words (English)

Toxoplasma gondii, meat, PCR, ELISA, histology

Short description (English)

In order to get an actual picture on the distribution of T. gondii in animals either slaughtered for meat consumption or in definitive hosts (cat) and to correlate the findings to serological data from the same animals, an appropriate number of bovines, pigs, horses and sheep will be analyzed by serology (ELISA) and by species-specific PCR, or by coprology and PCR, respectively. Consumption meat obtained at sloughterhouses will be comparatively assessed to meat obtained at supermarkets in view to serological and molecular prevalences. We will also give a special emphasis onto animal groups exposed to a higher infection risk, such free-ranging pigs or wild-life-related animals such as wild-boars and foxes. We will then include investigations on the prevalence in the definitive host (house cat). Finally, we will, for the first time in Switzerland, also address the genotype of T. gondii affecting the different animal species, as these have been associated to different courses of infection and disease in humans. Alltogether, we anticipate to obtain actual data and information on the infection risk sources for the Swiss population.

Public policy examined (German)

Überwachung Zoonosen

Legal basis for the evaluation (German)

TSV Art. 291a, 291c

Relation to the policy priorities of the Federal Council (German)

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Project aims (English)

In order to get an actual picture on the distribution of T. gondii in animals either slaughtered for meat consumption or in definitive hosts (cat), and to correlate the findings to serological data from the same animals, an appropriate number of bovines, pigs, horses and sheep will be analyzed by serology (ELISA) and by species-specific PCR, or by coprology and PCR, respectively. For the serological technique, ELISA has recently been described again as the most suitable approach (Hill et al., 2006), the same refers for PCR with regard to tissue investigation (Aspinall et al., 2002). For pigs, the serological data will be expanded by including sera from fattening pigs and breeding sows, as well as from free-ranging pigs, as the latter are considered to be raised at a considerably higher infection risk (Kijlstra et al., 2004). As a wild-life-related out-group control, we will include wild-boars and foxes into the study. Comparative investigations will include meat samples obtained from supermarkets, and finally the role of cats will be addressed as well.

Executive summary/ Recommendation (German)

keine Handlungsempfehlung

Transfer and application (German)

31.05.2007: Umsetzung:
Information und Empfehlungen für Konsumenten (ev. Faltblatt)
aktuelle Datenbeschaffung für Zoonosebericht
Grundlagen für Bekämpfungsstrategie (Selektionssitzung 2007/mvo)

Transfer and application (English)

Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed zoonosis with a clinical impact in the unborn fetus and in the immunosuppressed individual. Prevalences and incidences did not considerably decrease for the past years and decades, thus it is obvious that more attention should be paid to the prevention of Toxoplasma infection. Sources of Toxoplasma infection include the ingestion of undercooked or inadequately cured meat containing encysted parasites or the uptake of soil, fruit, vegetables, or water contaminated with oocysts shed from infected cats.

In order to provide a solid basis for the elaboration of more efficient prevention methods, the determination of actual data on the (sero)-prevalence of T. gondii infection in animal species mostly used for human consumption in the Swiss culture is essential. Consequently, our work may have important implications for the control of congenital toxoplasmosis, in that new prevention strategies are required to reduce the infectivity of meat products.

Publications / Results (German)

Berger-Schoch A. (2009) Toxoplasma gondii: Potenzielle tierische Infektionsquellen in der Schweiz. Dissertation, Institut für Parasitologie der Vetsuisse-Fakultät und der Medizinischen Fakultät, Universität Bern.

Related documents

• Dissertation [PDF] 984 kB

Publications / Results (English)

Berger-Schoch, A. E.; Herrmann, D. C.; Schares, G.; Müller, N.; Bernet, D.; Gottstein, B.; Frey, C. F. (2010) Prevalence and genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in feline faeces (oocysts) and meat from sheep, cattle and pigs in Switzerland.

 Berger-Schoch, A. E.; Bernet, D.; Doherr, M. G.; Gottstein B.; Frey, C. F. (2010) Toxplasma gondii in Switzerland: A Serosurvey Based on Meat Juice Analysis of Slaughteret Pigs, Wild Boar, Sheep and Cattle.

Berger-Schoch, A.E.; Hermann, D.C.; Schares, G.; Müller, N.; Bernet, D.; Gottstein, B.; Frey, C.F. (2011) Prevalence and genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in feline faeces (oocysts) and meat from sheep, cattle and pigs in Switzerland. Veterinary Parasitology 177, 290–297.

Related documents

• Datenblatt [PDF] 101 kB
• Berger Toxoplasma 2011.pdf [PDF] 135 kB
• Berger_Schoch_Prevalence and genotypes [PDF] 121 kB
• sdarticle.pdf [PDF] 193 kB