Serological Investigation Of Toxoplasma Gondii And Four Major Inflectious Diseases In Birds In Gansu Province

Toxoplasma gondii is an important intracellular protozoan parasite of zoonotic significance, affecting human beings and animals worldwide. Nearly one third of the global human population has been infected with T. gondii. In the People’s Republic of China, it is estimated that approximately7.9%of the population has been exposed to T. gondii, with an increasing incidence in recent years. Generally, T. gondii infection in humans is asymptomatic. Infection in cats, dogs, pigs and sheep are the main infection sources for humans.Chlamydophila is an important zoonotic pathogen, affecting birds, a wide range of animals and humans, and causing a wide variety of diseases including pneumonia, enteritis, conjunctivitis, endocarditis, abortion and subfertility. Chlamydophila infection occurs in domestic animals and pets, which can cause a wide spectrum of diseases and lead to heavy economy losses in domestic industry.Hepatitis E is one of the most important viral hepatitis in the world, caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV). HEV mainly through the intestinal transmission, can also through the blood transfusion or vertical propagation, which often leads to large outbreak of epidemic disease. Pig is the main animal host and the most important source of human HEV infection. Avian hepatitis E virus (avian HEV) is associated with hepatitis-splenomegaly (HS) syndrome or big liver and spleen disease in chickens.Newcastle disease is caused by Newcastle disease virus (NDV), It affects both young and adult chickens,causing severe economic and production losses worldwide and is regarded as the principal factor limiting rural village poultry production and extension.Infectious bursal disease (IBD) caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is widely popular in countries and regionsraising poultry in the world, and it is one of important infectious diseases which is a serious threat to chicken industry in China in recentyears. The IBDV infection in chickens can cause immune suppression and poor response to many vaccines or diseases.Part1Seroprevalence of T. gondii in Gansu birdsIn this study, a total of413chicken,334duck,312pigeon,313sparrow,327Oriental Skylark and360Eurasian Siskin blood samples were collected from Gansu province. Of the bird serum samples,30of413chicken (7.26%),38of334ducks (11.38%),37of312pigeons(11.86%),39of313sparrows (12.46%),31of327Oriental Skylarks (9.48%) and31 of360Eurasian Siskins (8.61%) were positive by MAT. The results of the present survey revealed a high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in birds in Gansu province.Part2Genotyping of T. gondii isolates from sparrows in Gansu provinceGenetic characterization of T. gondii isolates from sparrows was conducted using the multilocus PCR-RFLP. Compared with the6reference strains GT1(Type I), PTG (Type Ⅱ), CTG (Type III) and3atypical genotypes TgCgCa I, TgCatBr5and MAS, the sample of brain belonged to genotype Type I and genotype Type II variant, which meant that sparrows of this area may be infected with two different genotypes of T. gondii.Part3Seroprevalence of Chlamydophila infection in Gansu birdsIn this study, the seroprevalence of antibodies to Chlamydophila infection in55of200chicken (13.32%),130of200ducks (38.92%),97of200pigeons (31.09%),33of150sparrows (10.54%),29of218Oriental Skylarks (8.92%) and45of360Eurasian Siskins (12.5%) in Gansu province, northwest China, were examined by the indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test.Part4Seroprevalence of HEV infection in Gansu birdsIn this study, the seroprevalence of antibodies to HEV infection in11of200chicken (5.50%),17of200ducks (8.50%),10of200pigeons(5.00%),8of150sparrows (5.33%),13of218Oriental Skylarks (5.96%) and19of360Eurasian Siskins (5.28%) in Gansu province, northwest China, were examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Part5Seroprevalence of ND infection in Gansu birdsIn this study, the seroprevalence of antibodies to ND infection in155of200chicken (77.5%),25of200ducks (12.5%),13of200pigeons (6.50%),6of150sparrows (4.00%),10of218Oriental Skylarks (4.59%) and26of360Eurasian Siskins (7.22%) in Gansu province, northwest China, were examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Part6Seroprevalence of IBD infection in Gansu birdsIn this study, the seroprevalence of antibodies to IBD infection in95of200chicken (47.5%),23of200ducks (11.5%),16of200pigeons (8.00%),7of150sparrows (4.67%),11of218Oriental Skylarks (5.05%) and21of360Eurasian Siskins (5.83%) in Gansu province, northwest China, were examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).In conclusion, this study investigated the seroepidemiology of T. Gondii, Chlamydophila, HEV, ND and IBD in birds in Gansu province, northwest China, which will be helpful for the prevention and control of these infectious diseases, and has important public health significance.