THE FACTORS IMPORTANT FOR TRANSMISSION OF T. GONDII INFECTION ON RABBIT FARMS AND RISK OF HUMAN INFECTION FROM CONSUMATION OF RABBIT MEAT IN NORTHERN ITALY

The rabbits are frequently used for meat consumption in Italy. The aim of the study was to find out seroprevalence of parasite T. gondii in domestic rabbits, to recognize risk factors of infection and hygienic risk of toxoplasmosis from consummation of rabbit meat. Blood samples from 260 apparently healthy breeding rabbits were collected on 13 commercial rabbit farms in Northern Italy, region Veneto (four provinces of Padova, Rovigo, Treviso and Verona). The does were divided into categories according their age (2 \u2013 30 months), number of births (0 \u2013 15), breed (Hyla, Hycole, Grimaud and Hybrid), province (Padova, Rovigo, Treviso and Verona) and size of farms (small farms with < 1000 does and large farms with 65 1000 does). The samples were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using method indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT); samples with titer 65 50 were considered positive. Antibodies against T. gondii was found in 38 (14.6 %) does. Statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.05) in prevalence was found only between different breeds and provinces. Does from Northern Italy are infected with T. gondii and thus represent risk of transmission T. gondii infection on their offspring that are mainly used for meat consumption. Present study is the first serological proof of T. gondii in rabbits from Italy