Abstract

In 1983 sera of 1000 Dutch fattening pigs and 1000 sows were screened for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii using an ELISA method. The seroprevalences were 30,9% and 1,8% for sows and fattening pigs respectively. The low seroprevalence in fattening pigs is generally contributed to modern pighusbandry involving strict hygienic measures. The seroprevalence of 30,9% in sows however clearly demonstrates the still existing risk of infection, showing the importance of management and housing style in the establishment of low infection rates. The seroprevalences found at the different slaughterhouses may very well reflect differences in seroprevalence between the contributing farms. It is therefore recommended to investigate the seroprevalence on separate farms, both to be able to screen on critical measures concerning prevention as well as to find out whether there are fattening farms. already (almost) free of infection with T. gondii, which is according to most investigators well within the possibilities of modern husbandry. International the attention for T. gondii is increasing, as a result both of the growing health awareness of the consumer as well as of the growing consensus that the availability of uninfected meat is within reach of modern husbandry. Serological survey is a relatively easy method to screen animals or farms for various diseases, amongst which toxoplasmosis, and can be used as a helpful instrument with regard to prevention or the establishment of certain standards of quality.