Serological evidence and factors associated with porcine toxoplasmosis in three villages of Fara’s division in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Porcine toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis. This study was conducted to establish evidence of toxoplasmosis and its associated factors among pigs in three villages of Balés province, Burkina Faso. Serums samples were collected from 182 pigs and data was collected on farmers’ sociodemographics, origin (village) of pigs, pigs’ sex, age, breed and keeping systems through a household questionnaire interview. Serum samples were analyzed using indirect ELISA targeting IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Results of the study showed an overall sero-prevalence of 16.5 % (95% CI: 11.1% – 21.9%). The sero-prevalence was higher in Toné (23.1%; 95% CI: 12.8% – 33.3%) and Kabourou (20.7%; 95% CI: 10.3% – 31.1%) compared to Sadon Bobo (5.1%; 95% CI: 0% – 10.7%) (p=0.01). It was also higher in pigs older than 12 months (23.2%; 95% CI: 14.9% – 31.5%) compared to pigs less than 12 months (8.4%; 95% CI: 02.4% – 14.4%) (p=0.00731). During rainy season, tethered pigs (7.1%; CI95: 0.40% – 13.8%) were less infected than housed pigs (20.6%; 95% CI: 11.1% – 21.9%) (p=0.02). Multivariate logistic regression model shows that pigs older than 12 months were more likely to get infected compared to pigs less than 12 months old (OR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.00 - 6.62; p=0.04). These results provided evidence for the presence of T. gondii in pigs in this area.

Keywords: Burkina Faso, pigs, Toxoplasma gondii, seroepidemiological studies, zoonosis.