New article: Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in free-ranging moose (Alces alces) hunted for human consumption in Estonia: Indicator host species for environmental Toxoplasma gondii oocyst contamination

"The results can thus be interpreted to indicate that the environment in Estonia was widely contaminated with T. gondii oocysts, in particular in the northern part of the country."

Remes N, Kärssin A, Must K, Tagel M, Lassen B, Jokelainen P (2018) Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in free-ranging moose (Alces alces) hunted for human consumption in Estonia: Indicator host species for environmental Toxoplasma gondii oocyst contamination. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports. 11:6-11
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405939017301752

New article: Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence varies by cat breed

Must K, Hytönen MK, Orro T, Lohi H, Jokelainen P..Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence varies by cat breed. PLoS One. 2017 Sep 8;12(9):e0184659. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184659. eCollection 2017.

New article: Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in dairy and beef cattle: large-scale epidemiological study in Estonia

"Almost one fifth of cattle had serological evidence of exposure to T. gondii in Estonia. This result indicates that the zoonotic parasite is present in the agricultural setting and suggests that cattle-derived products, if consumed without sufficient heat treatment, may serve as sources of T. gondii infections to other hosts, including humans."

Jokelainen P, Tagel M, Mõtus K, Viltrop A, Lassen B. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in dairy and beef cattle: large-scale epidemiological study in Estonia. Veterinary Parasitology. 2017. [In press, accepted manuscript]
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401717300638

New article: Seroprevalence of and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Cats in Estonia

Abstract
In Estonia, northeastern Europe, Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in humans has not declined, in contrast to many other countries. The reasons for this are unknown. Domestic cats are important hosts in the epidemiology of the parasite, but information on local feline T. gondii infections has been lacking. An epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and the risk factors associated with seropositivity in cats in Estonia. Surplus from blood samples that had been collected for unrelated diagnostic purposes from 306 pet cats and 184 shelter cats were analyzed for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies by using a direct agglutination test. Two questionnaires were designed to reveal relevant risk factors for seropositivity. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in cats in Estonia was 60.8%. Older age, outdoor access, hunting, living outside the city in the countryside, and not being a purebred cat were among the risk factors associated with seropositivity. T. gondii is highly prevalent in domestic cats in Estonia. This suggests that the environment has been contaminated with T. gondii. Seropositivity indicates previous oocyst shedding, and most of the cats had outdoor access. The increase in T. gondii seroprevalence with age indicates acquired infections, and most of the risk factors were lifestyle-related. Cat owners could diminish the risk of T. gondii infection and also limit the spread of the parasite by not allowing their cats to roam free.

Full article:
Must K, Lassen B, Jokelainen P. Seroprevalence of and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Cats in Estonia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2015 Oct;15(10):597-601. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1809. Epub 2015 Sep 22.
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New article: "Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging wild boars hunted for human consumption in Estonia"

Abstract from Acta Vet Scand. 2015 Aug 4;57
"Background
Although the prevalence of human Toxoplasma gondii infections is high in Estonia, no information is available on the prevalence of infections in the local animal populations. Wild boars are a good indicator species for estimating the prevalence and spread of T. gondii and were thus investigated in this nationwide cross-sectional study. Volunteer hunters sampled cardiac or skeletal muscle of 471 wild boars legally hunted for human consumption in Estonia during the hunting season of 2012–2013. Serosanguineous meat juice samples were obtained from thawed tissue samples, diluted 1:40, and screened for specific anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies with a commercial direct agglutination test.

Results

Almost one-quarter (113; 24%) of the wild boars examined were seropositive for T. gondii. The seroprevalence did not differ significantly between age groups or sexes. The seroprevalence was lowest in Viljandimaa, which is located in the southern part of Estonia. In other counties, the infection was evenly prevalent.

Conclusions

In Estonia, wild boars are commonly exposed to T. gondii, which is endemic and widespread. The consumption of raw or undercooked meat of Estonian wild boars may pose an infection risk to humans and other hosts."


Full article available here: 
Jokelainen P, Velström K, Lassen B. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging wild boars hunted for human consumption in Estonia. Acta Vet Scand. 2015 Aug 4;57:42. doi: 10.1186/s13028-015-0133-z.

Estonian newspaper Maaleht 26 September 2015: 
Veerand Eesti metssigadest on toksoplasmaga kokku puutunud

Defense of a graduation thesis on Toxoplasma gondii

Upcoming defense in parasitology

Kärt Must
Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in Cats in Estonia
Graduation thesis in veterinary medicine
Link to study summary

Location and time:
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Kreutzwaldi 62, room A201
Tartu
Estonia

Date: June 5th 2014
Time: 9:00

Supervisors: Pikka Jokelainen and Brian Lassen
Opponent: Marika Masso, University of Tartu

Study: Toxoplasma gondii in Estonian cats

We have started a new research project:

Toxoplasma gondii in Estonian cats

Toxoplasma infections in Estonian cats have not been previously studied. This study aims to estimate the proportion of the Estonian cats that have been exposed to the parasite, and to detect risk factors for the infection. 

The results will be relevant for public health professionals and for ensuring the welfare of the cats, as Toxoplasma can infect both humans and animals. Most infections cause only mild symptoms or clinical signs, but at worst toxoplasmosis can be severe and even life-threatening. Most feared are the infections during pregnancy, because the parasite may be transmitted to the fetus..

There are ways to prevent the infections, and cat owners could do a lot to protect their cats from this parasite. This would also diminish the presence of the parasite in the environment.

Sample collection time: 1st January - 31st December 2013

Samples to be investigated are leftover sera and plasma from blood samples that are taken from pet cats and shelter cats to some other diagnostic purposes. No blood is drawn solely for this study. Participation is voluntary, and with the owner’s consent. 

The results of this study are reported only in aggregate form, and the results of an individual cat will not be available.

If you are a cat owner and your veterinarian is sending a sample of your cat to the diagnostic laboratory EMÜ VLI verelaboratoorium (Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu) and you wish to participate in this study, the sample can be accompanied by a signed consent form and filled questionnaire [download consent form].  All information collected will be treated confidentially and used for research purposes only. 

If you are a veterinarian sending samples to the diagnostic laboratory EMÜ VLI verelaboratoorium (Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu), it would be highly appreciated if you print out these forms [download consent form] to your clinic and promote our study. If you are a veterinarian working in a cat shelter and interested to participate, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

Thank you for your interest in our study!

Kärt Must, kart.must[at]emu.ee 

Brian Lassen, brian.lassen[at]gmail.com

Estonian University of Life Sciences