**Acknowledgement**

The results obtained in last 10 years were supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (Grant No. MSM6215712402). We would like thank to R. Vodička, J. Váhala and F. Treml for their assistance in the collection of the serum samples and thank to students (V. Říhová, Z. Satková, H. Michnová, M. Syrová, M. Šíblová, H. Říhová, A. Šedivá, J. Drastíková) for their assistance with serological examinations.

#### **6. References**


[12] Bartova E, Sedlak K, Pavlik I., Literak I (2007) Prevalence of *Neospora caninum* and *Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies in Wild Ruminants from the Countryside or Captivity in the Czech Republic. J. parasitol. 93: 1216-1218.

Toxoplasmosis in Animals in the Czech Republic – The Last 10 Years 71

[29] Gazaygci S, Macun HC, Babur C (2011) Investigation of Seroprevalance of Toxoplasmosis in Mares and Stallions in Ankara Province, Turkey. Iran j. vet. res. 12: 354-356. [30] Genchi G, Polidori GA, Zaghini L, Lanfranchi P (1991) A Survey of *Toxoplasma* Infection

[31] Gerecki MT, Andrzejewska I, Steppa R (2005) Prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* in Sheep

[32] Gorman TR, Rivoros V, Alcaino HA, Salas DR, Thiermann ER (1986) Helminthiasis and Toxoplasmosis Among Exotic Mammals at the Santiago National Zoo. J. am. vet. med.

[33] Gustafsson K, Uggla A (1994) Serologic Survey for *Toxoplasma gondii* Infection in the

[34] Havlik O, Hubner J (1958) Serological Detection of Toxoplasma in Some Domestic and

[35] Hejlicek K, Literak I (1993) Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Pigs in the Region of South

[36] Hejlicek K, Literak I (1994a) Prevalence of Antibodies to *Toxoplasma gondii* in Horses in

[37] Hejlicek K, Literak I (1994b) A Contribution to the Epizootiology and Ecology of Toxo-

[38] Hejlicek K, Literak I (1994c) Incidence and Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis Among Sheep

[39] Hejlicek K, Literak I (1994d) Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Rabbits in South Bohemia.

[40] Hejlicek K, Literak I, Lhotak M (1995) Prevalence of Antibodies to *Toxoplasma gondii* in Army Dogs in the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. Vet. med. (Czech) 40: 137-140. [41] Hejlicek K, Literak I, Nezval J (1997) Toxoplasmosis in Wild Mammals from the Czech

[42] Hejlicek K, Literak I, Vostalova E, Kresnicka J (1999) *Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies in Pregnant Women in the Ceske Budejovice District (in Czech). Epidemiol. mikrobiol.

[43] Jakubek EB, Lunden A, Uggla A (2006) Seroprevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* and *Neospo-*

[44] Jones JL, Dargelas V, Roberts J, Press C, Remington JS, Montoya JG (2009) Risk Factors for *Toxoplasma gondii* Infection in the United States. Clin. infect. dis. 49: 878-884. [45] Kajerova V, Literak I, Bartova E, Sedlak K (2003) Experimental Infection of Budgerigars (*Melopsittacus undulates*) with a Low Virulent K21 Strain of *Toxoplasma gondii*. Vet. par.

[46] Kapperud G (1978) Survey for Toxoplasmosis in Wild and Domestic Animals from

[47] Karatepe B, Babur C, Karatepe M, Kilic S, Dundar B (2008) Prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies and Intestinal Parasites in Stray Cats from Nigde, Turkey. It. j. anim.

and Goats in Southern and Western Bohemia. Acta vet. Brno 63: 151-159.

Wildlife Animals (in Czech). Českoslov. epidem. mikrob. imunol. 6: 396-402.

Brown Hare (*Lepus europaeus* P.) in Sweden. J. wildlife dis. 30: 201-204.

in Pig Intensive Breeding. Arch. vet. ital. 42: 105-111.

and Goats. Med. wet. 61: 98-99.

Bohemia. Acta vet. Brno 62: 159-166.

Acta vet. Brno 63: 145-150.

imunol. 48: 102-105.

116: 297-304.

sci. 7: 113-118.

Republic. J. wild. dis. 33: 480-485.

the Czech Republic. Acta par. 39: 217-219.

plasmosis in Pigs. Wien. tier. monat. 81: 170-174.

*ra* sp. Infections in Swedish Horses. Vet. par. 138: 194-199.

Norway and Sweeden. J. wild. dis. 14: 157-162.

assoc. 189: 1068-1070.


[29] Gazaygci S, Macun HC, Babur C (2011) Investigation of Seroprevalance of Toxoplasmosis in Mares and Stallions in Ankara Province, Turkey. Iran j. vet. res. 12: 354-356.

70 Toxoplasmosis – Recent Advances

Ewes. Vet. par. 177: 256-261.

j. wildl. res. 57: 977-981.

Austria. Vet. par. 133: 299-306.

*Toxoplasma gondii* Oocysts. Am. j. vet. res. 54: 1668-1672.

Captive Dik-Dik (*Madoqua guentheri smithi*). J. par. 88: 638-641.

in Eastern Austria. Mitt. oster. gest. trop. parasit. 11: 119-123.

ern Panama. Rev. panam. salud. publica 16: 176-186.

Holstein, Germany. J. wildlife. dis. 39, 751-761.

tria – an Evaluation of Data from 1982 and 1992. Par. res. 80: 642-644.

*phus*) and Other Wild Ruminants from Spain. Vet. par. 136: 193-200.

rec. 23: 647 pp.

Press, 313 pp.

Press.

Folia parasitol. prague 19: 253-256.

[12] Bartova E, Sedlak K, Pavlik I., Literak I (2007) Prevalence of *Neospora caninum* and *Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies in Wild Ruminants from the Countryside or Captivity

[13] Bartova E, Sedlak K, Syrova M, Literak I (2010a) *Neospora* spp. and *Toxoplasma gondii*

[14] Bartova E, Sedlak K, Treml F, Literak I (2010b) *Neospora caninum* and *Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies in Hares in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria. Vet. par. 171: 155-158. [15] Camossi LG, Greca-Junior H, Correa APFL, Richini-Pereira VB, Silva RC, Da Silva AV, Langoni H (2011) Detection of *Toxoplasma gondii* DNA in the Milk of Naturally Infected

[16] Catar G (1972) Studies on Toxoplasmosis as Regards its Natural Focality in Slovakia.

[17] Closa-Sebastia F, Casas-Diaz E, Cuenca R, Lavin S, Mentaberre G, Marco I (2011) Antibodies to Selected Pathogens in Wild Boars (*Sus scrofa*) from Catalonia (NE Spain). Eur.

[18] Dorny P, Fransen J (1989) Toxoplasmosis in a Siberian Tiger (*Panthera tigris altaica*). Vet.

[19] Dubey JP (2010) Toxoplasmosis of Animals and Humans. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC

[20] Dubey JP, Beattie CP (1988) Toxoplasmosis of Animals and Man. Boca Raton, Fl: CRC

[21] Dubey JP, Edelhofer R, Marcet P, Vianna MCB, Kwok OCH, Lehmann T (2005) Genetic and Biologic Characteristics of *Toxoplasma gondii* infections in free-range chickens from

[22] Dubey JP, Ruff MD, Camargo ME, Shen SK, Wilkins GL, Kwok OCH, Thulliez P (1993) Serologic and Parasitologic Responses of Domestic Chickens after Oral Inoculation with

[23] Dubey JP, Tocidlowski ME, Abbitt B, Llizo SY (2002) Acute Visceral Toxoplasmosis in

[24] Edelhofer R (1994) Prevalence of Antibodies Against *Toxoplasma gondii* in Pigs in Aus-

[25] Edelhofer R, Heppe-Winger EM, Haßi A, Aspock (1989) *Toxoplasma*-Infections in Game

[26] Etheredge GD, Michael G, Muehlenbein MP, Frenkel JK (2004) The Roles of Cats and Dogs in the Transmission of *Toxoplasma* Infection in Kuna and Embera Children in East-

[27] Frolich K, Wisser J, Schmuser H, Fehlberg U, Neubauer H, Grunow R, Nikolaou K, Primer J, Thiede S, Streich WJ, Speck S (2003) Epizootiologic and Ecologic Investigations of European Brown Hares (*Lepus europaeus*) in Selected Populations from Schleswig-

[28] Gauss CBL, Dubey JP, Vidal D, Cabezon O, Ruiz-Fons F, Vicente J, Marco I, Lavin S, Gortazar C, Almeria S (2006) Prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* in Red Deer (*Cervus ela-*

Antibodies in Horses in the Czech Republic. Par. res. 107: 783-785.

in the Czech Republic. J. parasitol. 93: 1216-1218.

	- [48] Kijlstra A, Jongert E (2008) Toxoplasma-Safe Meat: Close to Reality? Trends parasitol. 25: 18-22.

Toxoplasmosis in Animals in the Czech Republic – The Last 10 Years 73

[66] Salant H, Spira DT (2004) A Ccross-Sectional Survey of anti-*Toxoplasma gondii* Antibod-

[67] Sedlak K, Bartova E (2006a) Seroprevalences of Antibodies to *Neospora caninum* and

[68] Sedlak K, Bartova E (2006b) The Prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* IgM and IgG Antibodies in Dogs and Cats from the Czech Republic. Vet. med. (Czech) 51: 555-558. [69] Sedlak K, Bartova E (2007) Toxoplasmosis of Animals and its Laboratory Diagnosis in

[70] Sedlak K, Bartova E, Literak I, Vodicka R, Dubey JP (2004) Toxoplasmosis in Nilgais (*Boselaphus tragocamelus*) and a Saiga Antelope (*Saiga Tatarica*). J. zoo wild. med. 35: 530-

[71] Sedlak K, Literak I, Faldyna M, Toman M, Benak J (2000a) Fatal Toxoplasmosis in Brown Hares (*Lepus europaeus*): Possible Reasons of Their High Susceptibility to the In-

[72] Sedlak K, Literak I, Vitula F, Benak J (2000b) High Susceptibility of Partridges (*Perdix perdix*) to Toxoplasmosis Compared with Other Gallinaceous Birds. Avian pathol. 29:

[73] Sedlak K, Vodicka P (2005) Feeding Rations and its effect on the Health Status of Pallas Cats (*Otocolobus manul*) in Captivity. Proceedings from VI. Seminar of Exots, wild animals and zoo animals – Nutrition and metabolic disorders, 1.-2. 10. 2005, Lešná, Czech

[74] Silva JCR, Ogassawara S, Marvulo MFV, Ferreira-Neto JS, Dubey JP (2001) *Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies in Exotic Wild Felids from Brazilian Zoos. J. zoo wildl. med. 32: 349-

[75] Slosarkova S, Literak I, Skrivanek M, Svobodova V, Suchy P, Herzig I. (1999) Toxo-

[76] Svoboda M (1988) The Occurence of Antibodies to *Toxoplasma gondii* in Cats Living in

[77] Svoboda M, Svobodova V (1987) Effects of Breed, Sex, Age, Management and Nutrition on the Incidence of *Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies in Dogs and Cats. Acta vet. Brno 56:

[78] Tassi P (2006) *Toxoplasma gondii* Infection in Horses – a Serological Survey in Horse Slaughtered for Human Consumption in Italy. In: Proceedings of the Conference Toxo

[79] Vikoren T, Tharaldsen J, Fredriksen B, Handeland K (2004) Prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies in Wild Red Deer, Roe Deer, Moose, and Rindeer from Norway. Vet.

[80] Vosta J, Hanak P, Rehacek J, Brezina R, Gresikova M (1981) The Field Hare (*Lepus euro-*

[81] Vostalova E, Literak I, Pavlasek I, Sedlak K (2000) Prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* in Finishing Pigs in a Large-scale Farm in the Czech Republic. Acta vet. Brno 69: 209-212. [82] Welton NJ, Ades AE (2005) A Model of Toxoplasmosis Incidence in the UK: Evidence

*paeus* Pallas, 1778) as a Reservoir of Zoonoses. Folia venat. 10-11: 163-177.

Synthesis and Consistency of Evidence. Appl. statist. 54: 385-404.

plasmosis and Iodine Deficiency in Angora Goats. Vet. par. 81: 98-97.

the City of Brno and Its Vicinity. Vet. med. Czech 33: 45-54.

ies in Jerusalem Cats. Vet. par. 124: 167-177.

533.

563-569.

Republic.

351.

315-330.

and Food, pp. 96-97.

par. 120: 159-169.

fection. Vet. par. 93: 13-28.

*Toxoplasma gondii* in Zoo Animals. Vet. par. 136: 223-231.

the Czech Republic (in Czech). Veterinářství 9: 562-566.


[66] Salant H, Spira DT (2004) A Ccross-Sectional Survey of anti-*Toxoplasma gondii* Antibodies in Jerusalem Cats. Vet. par. 124: 167-177.

72 Toxoplasmosis – Recent Advances

inarstvi 43: 51-54.

med. 22: 169-174.

parasitol. 97: 418-420.

Goats. New zel. vet. j. 33: 39-40.

362-365.

87-89.

25: 18-22.

[48] Kijlstra A, Jongert E (2008) Toxoplasma-Safe Meat: Close to Reality? Trends parasitol.

[49] Koethe M, Pott S, Ludewig M, Bangoura B, Zoller B, Daugschies A, Tenter AM, Spekker K, Bittame A, Mercier C, Fehlhaber K, Staubinger RK (2011) Prevalence of Specific IgG-Antibodies Agains *Toxoplasma gondii* in Domestic Turkeys Determined by Kinetic ELI-

[50] Kovacova D (1993) Serologic Prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* in sheep (in Slovak). Veter-

[51] Kozojed V, Roudna V, Jira J, Hodkova Z (1977) Surveillance of Toxoplasmosis in Ani-

[52] Lappin MR, Jacobson ER, Kollias GV, Powell CC, Stover J (1991) Comparison of Serologic Assays for the Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Nondomestic Felids. J. zoo wildl.

[53] Literak I, Hejlicek K (1993) Incidence of *Toxoplasma gondii* in Populations of Domestic

[54] Literak I, Skrivanek M, Skalka B, Celer V (1995) Antibodies to Some Infections on Large

[55] Lopes AP, Sargo R, Rodigues M, Cardoso L (2011a) High Seroprevalence of Antibodies to *Toxoplasma gondii* in Wild Animals from Portugal. Parasitol. res. 108: 1163-1169. [56] Lopes AP, Santos H, Neto F, Rodrigues M, Kwok OCH, Dubey JP, Cardoso L (2011b) Prevalence of Antibodies to *Toxoplasma gondii* in Dogs from Northeastern Portugal. J.

[57] Lunden A, Lind P, Engvall EO, Gustavsson K, Uggla A, Vagsholm I. (2002) Serological Survey of *Toxoplasma gondii* Infection in Pigs Slaughtered in Sweden. Scan. j. inf. dis. 34:

[58] McSporran KD, McCaughan C, Currall JHS, Demsteegt A (1985) Toxoplasmosis in

[59] Mor N, Arslan MO (2007) Kar Yoresindeki Koyunlarda *Toxoplasma gondii* nin Sero-

[60] Ocholi RA, Kalejaiye JO, Okewole PA (1989) Acute Disseminated Toxoplasmosis in

[61] Oz I, Ozyer M, Corak R (1995) A Study on the Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Cattle, Sheep and Goats in Adana Region by Using ELISA and IHA Tests J. etlik vet. microb. 8:

[62] Pleva J, Sokol J, Cabadaj R, Saladiova D (1997) Epizootologic and Epidemiologic Im-

[63] Riemann HP, Behymer DE, Fowler ME, Schulz T, Lock A, Orthoeferr JG, Silverman S, Franti CE (1974) Prevalence of Antibodies to *Toxoplasma gondii* in Captive Exotic Mam-

[64] Ross RD, Stec LA, Werner JC, Blumenkranz MS, Glazer L, Williams GA (2001) Presumed Acquired Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Deer Hunters. Retina 21: 226-229.

[65] Sacks JJ, Delgado DG, Lobel HO, Parker RL (1983) Toxoplasmosis Infection Associated

SA Based on Recombinant GRA7 and GRA8. Vet. par. 180: 179-190.

mal Host Spheres (in Czech). Zprávy českoslov. zool. spol. 52: 10-12.

Birds in the Czech Republic. Avian pathol. 22: 275-281.

prevalansi. Kafkas univ. vet. fak. derg. 13: 165-170.

mals. J. am. vet. med. assoc. 165: 798-800.

Two Captive Lions (*Panthera leo*) in Nigeria. Vet. rec. 124: 515-516.

portance of Toxoplasmosis (in Czech). Slov. vet. čas. 22: 127-129.

with Eating Undercooked Venison. Am. j. epidemiol. 118: 832-838.

Goat Farms in the Czech Republic. Vet. med. Czech 40: 133-136.


[83] Williamson JMW, Williams H (1980) Toxoplasmosis in Farmed Red Deer (*Cervus elaphus*) in Scotland. Res. vet. sci. 29: 36-40.

**Chapter 4** 

© 2012 Luptakova et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2012 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution,

**Toxoplasmosis in Livestock** 

**and Pet Animals in Slovakia** 

Alexandra Valencakova and Pavol Balent

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/47810

population are infected on average.

characteristic feature for mostly protozoan infections.

**1. Introduction** 

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Lenka Luptakova, Eva Petrovova, David Mazensky,

The health status of livestock largely reflects on the human population. Livestock is

Infections caused by pathogenic protozoa give rise to frequent problems mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, where they are widespread. It is reported that up to 4000 protozoa live as parasites. Worldwide, the most prevalent protozoan infection is malaria, while the most prevalent infection in the Slovak Republic is toxoplasmosis, by which the 30% of

Parasitic pathogenic protozoa largely parasitize intracellularly, the course of these infections is acute, often cause the death. On the other hand, they can progress subclinically. The latent respectively chronic stage can follow the acute form and infections can persist throughout the whole life of the host. The course of the disease mostly depends also on the pathological agents. They stimulate the innate and adaptive immune response of the host. In mostly protozoan infections the immune response is not so sufficiently effective for a complete destruction of the parasite. This situation ensures the survival of the parasite and it is the

Since a total elimination of the influence of negative factors (including pathogens) in each animal species is impossible, in the case of an unexpected outbreak of disease the solution is in its rapid and reliable diagnostics. The detection of pathogens as infection agents is carried out in laboratories using multiple techniques. The direct proof of parasite is usually microscopically and it is clear confirmation of infection. In systematic infections where the direct proof of parasite is unlikely serological methods are carried out in diagnostics for detection of antigen or antibody present in the biological samples. Serological methods often

and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

important in terms of production of safe foodstuffs or breeding purposes.


#### **Chapter 4**
