Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered free-range and broiler chickens.

Vet Parasitol

Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal; Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal.

Published: July 2019

The consumption of undercooked infected chicken can be a source of infection for humans and carnivores regarding the zoonotic protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Furthermore, free-range chickens are sentinels for the presence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment because they feed from the ground. By using the modified agglutination test (MAT), we investigated the presence of antibodies to T. gondii in 178 free-range and 170 broiler chickens raised indoors and slaughtered in Portugal. Prevalence of specific antibodies was 5.6% in free-range and 0.0% in broiler chickens raised indoors (p =  0.002).

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.06.007DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

broiler chickens
12
toxoplasma gondii
8
chickens raised
8
raised indoors
8
antibodies toxoplasma
4
gondii
4
gondii slaughtered
4
free-range
4
slaughtered free-range
4
free-range broiler
4

Similar Publications

During the late laying period, the intestinal barrier of laying hens is susceptible to damage, resulting in enteric infections and even systemic inflammatory responses, posing a major challenge for the poultry industry. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate methods for addressing intestinal inflammation in late laying hens. In order to maximize the production potential of egg laying chickens, farmers usually use various feed additives to prevent damage to the intestinal barrier.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ascites syndrome (AS) is a deadly condition in fast-growing chickens, preceded by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), where the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (ATR1) plays a role. We investigated whether allicin (ALLI), a garlic derivative, could (a) interact with broiler ATR1, (b) affect ascites-related traits [haematocrit content (Hct%), blood oxygen saturation (SaO), and the right-to-total ventricular weight ratio (RV:TV)], (c) modify ATR1 expression in the lung, heart, and liver, alongside ascites mortality and growth performance in Ross 308 broilers raised at high altitude and under cold temperatures promoting PAH/AS. Three groups (n = 70 each) were studied: 0-ALLI (untreated), 1-ALLI (allicin 1 mg/kg body weight/daily at 14-27 days of age by oral-oesophageal route), and 2.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effects of genetic strain, stocking density, and age on broiler behavior.

Poult Sci

December 2024

Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA 72701. Electronic address:

Fast growth rate and stocking density are global animal welfare concerns for broiler chickens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of genetic strain and stocking density on the behavior of broilers. In a 2 × 2 randomized complete block design, conventional (CONV) and slow-growing (SG) broilers were stocked at either 29 kg/m (LO, n = 31 birds/pen) or 37 kg/m (HI, n = 40 birds/pen) in 16 pens (n = 4 pens/treatment).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Comparing methods for catching and crating broiler chicken flocks: A trade-off between animal welfare, ergonomics and economics.

Poult Sci

December 2024

Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Melle, Belgium; Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address:

Catching, carrying, and loading of broilers before transport to the slaughterhouse causes stress. In this study three catching methods (two manual (inverted, upright) and one mechanical) were compared using a cost-benefit analysis of animal welfare, ergonomics and economic analysis. Depopulation of approximately 5,000 broilers per catching method per flock (upright vs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Mycotoxins are considered one of the most important problems and threats that face poultry producers.

Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the pathological, hematological, and biochemical alterations in chickens fed on mycotoxins contamination ration.

Methods: 434 feed samples were collected from poultry farms operating in Babil Governorate/Iraq, where feed samples were collected over the course of 2023, and these samples were tested by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the level of mycotoxins.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!