ABSTRACT
T. gondii infections are common in pigs. Data until 2009 were summarized earlier. Prevalence of T. gondii varied dramatically among the classes of pigs surveyed. The prevalence of T. gondii in pigs is also influenced by management systems. In poorly managed nonconfinement systems, prevalence in pigs can be very high. Age is an important factor affecting seroprevalences in pigs because most pigs acquire T. gondii infection postnatally. Seroprevalence in sows was consistently higher than in fattening pigs. The higher seroprevalence in sows compared with market age pigs is epidemiologically relevant with respect to transmission of T. gondii; market-age pigs are sold for use in fresh, unprocessed pork products whereas meat from breeding sows is usually processed; processing kills or reduces T. gondii in pork. The recent trend of rearing pigs outdoors is likely to increase seroprevalence in pigs but data are limited.
