Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spiralis in Horses in Xinjiang, Northwestern China

Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spiralis are widely distributed in humans and animals throughout the world, but the data on prevalence of horses in China are limited. In this study, 409 equine serum samples from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwestern China, were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to investigate the antibodies against T. gondii and T. spiralis in horses of this region. Results showed that 22 samples (5.38%) were positive for T. gondii and 14 (3.42%) for T. spiralis. Two samples (0.49%) were both positive with T. gondii and T. spiralis. It was found that the prevalence of T. gondii in older horses (>15 years) was significantly higher than that in younger animals. There was no significant difference between the prevalence and the genders of the animals. To verify the results of seroprevalence for T. gondii, 10 samples of uterine secretions from aborting mares with positive T. gondii antibody, were tested by polymerase chain reaction assay. The internal transcribed spacer 1 gene specific for T. gondii was amplified with a ratio of 100% (10/10), which was consistent with the result of seroprevalence. The results of the present survey indicate that infection with T. gondii and T. spiralis in horses should not be ignored in Xinjiang, Northwestern China. Consumption of horse meat in this region may represent a potential source for human infection with T. gondii and T. spiralis.