Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) and Korean Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) in the Republic of Korea

• DOI: 10.3390/ani14243669
• Publication Date: 2024-12-19T15:54:20Z
• Authors: Jusun Hwang; Jisoo Kim; Kidong Son; Yongkwan Kim; Hyesung Jeong; Weonhwa Jheong
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Wild boar

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous zoonotic parasite with wide range of warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts, where the transmission primarily occurs through ingesting T. oocysts in environment. Hence, inhabiting geographical can be sentinels for environmental contamination oocysts. The aim this study was to determine seroprevalence two generalist ungulates Republic Korea (ROK), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus), identify risk factors associated infection. Commercial ELISA kits confirmed 34.9% (170/487, 95% CI: 30.7–39.3%) 29.9% (135/452, 25.7–34.3%). In both species, highest winter, showed no sex-related differences. boars, steep reduction 2020 increased body mass. Meanwhile, deer, did not show significant association any tested variables, although an increase observed compared previous years. This documents widespread yet heterogeneous nature prevalence its host population. constant monitoring definitive intermediate, while simultaneously considering would necessary drivers behind fluctuating pattern prevalence.