Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughter pigs in Shanghai, China

Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen that seriously threatens the health of humans and animals. However, the current infection status of T. gondii in slaughter pigs in Shanghai is still not clear. To investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and analyze the prevalence factors associated with the parasite infection, 1158 serum samples were collected from five slaughterhouses in three districts between 2015 and 2018. Serum antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 160 pigs (13.8%) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, seroprevalence rates differed among different districts (ranging from 4.0% in JD-2 to 17.6% in JD-1), seasons (ranging from 6.7% in winter to 17.8% in autumn), and years (ranging from 8.0% in 2016 to 26.8% in 2015). Region, season, and year were the main factors affecting T. gondii infection in these pigs. There were few reports on serological monitoring of T. gondii in Shanghai slaughterhouses between 2015 and 2018, and the number of infections had steadily increased over the past several consecutive years. Therefore, our data are helpful to understand the epidemic status of T. gondii in Shanghai, which will strengthen the prevention and treatment of swine toxoplasmosis.