However, little is known about the prevalence of in Tibetan pigs in Tibet

However, little is known about the prevalence of in Tibetan pigs in Tibet. an important intracellular protozoan parasite of zoonotic significance, influencing humans and animals worldwide (Tenter et al. 2000; Montoya and Liesenfeld 2004; Dubey 2009, 2010; Jittapalapong et al. 2011; Vujani? et al. 2011; Zhou et al. 2011; Elmore et al. 2012). In the People’s Lerociclib dihydrochloride Republic of China, it is estimated that approximately Lerociclib dihydrochloride 7.9% of the population has been exposed to infection in humans is asymptomatic (Dubey 2010), but primary infection in pregnant women may cause severe disease with vertical transmission to the fetus, leading to abortion, encephalitis, mental retardation, and blindness (Cook et al. 2000). More importantly, infection can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS individuals and organ transplant recipients (Montoya and Liesenfeld 2004). The parasite can also seriously threaten the health of pigs, and clinical indications in pigs vary from symptomless infections to death. Sow reproductive overall performance may also be affected, leading to weighty economic losses to the swine market (Dubey 2009). Pig meat is an important foodstuff worldwide, and humans can acquire infections with by ingesting undercooked pig meat containing cells cysts. Studies of seroprevalence of illness in pigs have been reported throughout the world (Dubey 2009, 2010; Garcia-Bocanegra et al. 2010; Holec-Gasior et al. 2010), and there have also been surveys of illness in pigs in several provinces of China in recent years (Suo et al. 2006; Zou et al. 2009; Huang et al. 2010; Zhou et al. 2010). Tibetan pigs are primarily distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and usually feed on crazy vegetation outdoors. The typical characteristics of the Lerociclib dihydrochloride Tibetan pig is definitely its powerful musculature, and the fact that its entire body is definitely covered by hard black hair (Li and Luo 1993; Zheng 1998). Tibetan pig meat is definitely a sought-after delicacy, which is definitely high in protein, having a tender texture, and rich in amino acids, and therefore is an important source of protein for Tibetans. However, little is known about the prevalence of in Tibetan pigs in Tibet. In view of this background, the objective of this survey was to estimate the seroprevalence of contamination in Tibetan pigs. Materials and Methods The study site Nyingchi prefecture is situated in southeast Tibet, between eastern longitude 9429 and northern latitude 2935, sharing borders with Yunnan Province and Qamdo prefecture in the east and northeast, Naqu prefecture in the north, Lhasa city in the west, Shannan prefecture in the southwest, and India and Myanmar in the south. The average height of this area is usually 3100 meters above sea level, covering about Lerociclib dihydrochloride 117,000?km2, with a population of more than 140,000. It has an annual rainfall of 650?mm, annual average temperature of 8.7C, yearly sunlight exposure of 2022.2?h, and a frost-free season of about 180 days. Naturally-infected Tibetan pigs A total of 427 blood samples were collected from the two counties of Nyingchi prefecture between April and December 2010 (Table 1). These pigs were raised by local Tibetans, and were usually left outdoors and free-ranging to forage for food. The Tibetan pigs were categorized according to age as follows: piglet 3 months, growing pig 3 months and 24 months, fattening pig 24 months and 36 months, slaughter pig 36 months, breeding sow (adult female) 24 months, and breeding boar (adult male) 24 months. The blood samples were left at 37C for 2?h and centrifuged at 3000 for 5?min to obtain serum. These sera were stored at ?20C until further analysis. Table 1. Seroprevalence of Contamination in Tibetan Pigs in Tibet, China, as Determined by the Modified Agglutination Test antibodies using the altered agglutination test (MAT) as described previously (Dubey and Desmonts 1987; Wu et al. 2011a, 2011b). In this study, sera with Lerociclib dihydrochloride MAT titers of 1 1:25 or higher were considered positive, because can be isolated from naturally-infected pigs with antibody titers as low as 1:25 by MAT (Dubey et al. 1995a, Dubey 1997). Positive and negative control Amotl1 sera were incorporated into each test. The positive control sera were collected from pigs experimentally infected with contamination (collected before experimental contamination). Those sera with questionable results were re-tested. Statistical analysis Differences in seroprevalence between different groups of Tibetan pigs were analyzed.