scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii in pork and pigs in Serbia – a real food safety hazard

2021 ◽  
Vol 854 (1) ◽  
pp. 012008
Author(s):  
N Betic ◽  
I Klun ◽  
V Djordjevic ◽  
I Brankovic Lazic ◽  
T Baltic ◽  
...  

Abstract Infection with the apicomplexan protozoon Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent parasitic zoonotic infections globally, with existing seroprevalences varying between continents, countries, and even within countries and between individual communities. It is estimated that one third of the world’s human population is infected with T. gondii, with many studies showing that the dominant mode of infection is consumption of undercooked meat harbouring T. gondii tissue cysts. Prevalences of infection in food animals in different countries range from 0 to 93%. Because of the absence of clinical symptoms in infected animals, and the unfeasibility of rapid and unequivocal detection of microscopic tissue cysts in pork, infected pigs remain unrecognized, and their meat becomes an essential source of infection for humans. The data on T. gondii infection in pigs in Serbia from several studies, as well as on the detection of the parasite in different food categories, from fresh pork to heat-treated products, are discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Rahdar ◽  
Leila Arab ◽  
Ali Reza Samarbaf- zadeh

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular parasite, with worldwide distribution. The main source of infection for humans is livestock and meat-producer animals. The relationships between Toxoplasma genotype and biological characteristics of the parasite have already been identified. According to the pathogenicity of the parasite in laboratory animals, Toxoplasma is divided into three genotypes included type I, II and III. Understanding the genotype of the parasite, could help us to predict clinical features and severity of disease. The aim of this study was to identify genotypes of T. gondii in cattle and sheep meat and meat products in Ahvaz city southwest of Iran.One hundred and ninety samples of tongue, heart and muscles of sheep and cattle and meat products, including sausages and burgers, were collected from slaughterhouses and stores. To identify Toxoplasma gondii, DNA were extracted from samples and B1 gene were amplified by specific primers. To determine the genotype of T.gondii, PCR-RFLP was done on positive samples using by amplifying GRA6 gene and endonuclease Msel enzyme. Data analysis showed that the strain of the parasite in all positive samples belonged to genotype I.In this study the predominant Toxoplasma genotype was type I which can cause severe clinical symptoms in immunocompromised patients. Further research is needed to determine the genotype of the parasite in humans and other animals.


mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farlen J. B. Miranda ◽  
Bruno C. Rocha ◽  
Milton C. A. Pereira ◽  
Larissa M. N. Pereira ◽  
Erikson H. M. de Souza ◽  
...  

Approximately one-third of the human population is estimated to be chronically infected with the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii . Humans are accidental hosts that are infected with T. gondii after consumption of undercooked meat or contaminated water.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mojtaba Bahreh ◽  
Bahador Hajimohammadi ◽  
Gilda Eslami

Abstract Objective Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, infects humans by consuming infected raw or undercooked meat and foods harboring mature oocysts. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep and goats coming from central Iran. After completing the questionnaire, about one gram of liver or diaphragm tissue was taken as a sample from 90 sheep and 90 goats slaughtered in Yazd Province and stored at – 20 ºC. DNA extraction was done, and then T. gondii was detected using nested PCR. Results This study indicated that the prevalence of T. gondii in all slaughtered animals was 11.6% (21 of 180), including 14.4% (13/90) in sheep and 8.8% (8/90) in goats. The infection rates in liver and diaphragm samples were 12.2% (11/90) and 11.1% (10/90), respectively (p = 0.8163). The infection rate in animals older than one was 16.3% (15/92), and it was 6.8% (6/88) in animals under one year of age. Therefore, no significant differences were found (p = 0.475). Infection rates were 19.5% (18/92) in males and 3.4% (3/88) in females (p = 0.0007). In conclusion, the infection rates of toxoplasmosis in livestock in this area are almost high, and therefore, it is necessary to design appropriate prevention programs to control the disease.


2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 2239-2243 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUSANA BAYARRI ◽  
MARÍA J. GRACIA ◽  
REGINA LÁZARO ◽  
CONSUELO PÉREZ-ARQUILLUÉ ◽  
MONTSERRAT BARBERÁN ◽  
...  

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii and distributed worldwide. Ingestion of viable cysts from infected raw or undercooked meat is an important route of horizontal transmission of the parasite to humans. Little information is available concerning the effect of commercial curing on cysts of T. gondii. This study is the first in which the influence of processing of cured ham on the viability of T. gondii has been evaluated, using bioassay to assess the risk of infection from eating this meat product. Naturally infected pigs were selected for the study, and a mouse concentration bioassay technique was used to demonstrate viable bradyzoites of T. gondii in porcine tissues and hams. No viable parasites were found in the final product (14 months of curing) based on results of the indirect immunofluorescence assay and histological and PCR analyses. Our results indicate that the consumption of hams cured as described here poses an insignificant risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis. However, additional studies are required to evaluate the safety of ham products cured under different conditions of curing time, salt, and nitrite concentration.


2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 496-498
Author(s):  
Mardjan Arvand ◽  
Ilkay Kazak ◽  
Sergije Jovanovic ◽  
Hans-Dieter Foss ◽  
Oliver Liesenfeld

ABSTRACT We report on a young patient with chronic cervical lymphadenopathy and serological and histological evidence for infection with Bartonella henselae and Toxoplasma gondii. Serological follow-up studies, including testing for avidity of Toxoplasma-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies, assisted in the determination of the cause of the acute lymphadenitis. Our results suggest that the clinical symptoms were most likely due to cat scratch disease rather than to acute toxoplasmosis.


EDIS ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald H. Schmidt ◽  
Debby Newslow

FSHN07-06, a 7-page fact sheet by Ronald H. Schmidt and Debby Newslow, explains the necessary steps in a HACCP system for taking a corrective action once a food safety hazard has been discovered. Published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, July 2007. FSHN07-06/FS142: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)—Principle 5: Establish Corrective Actions (ufl.edu) Ask IFAS: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) (ufl.edu)


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1926
Author(s):  
Catarina Coelho ◽  
Madalena Vieira-Pinto ◽  
Anabela Vilares ◽  
Maria João Gargaté ◽  
Manuela Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Wildlife plays an important role in the epidemiological cycle of Toxoplasma gondii. The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) can be a source of infection to wild and domestic hosts, including human beings. Additionally, as an herbivorous animal, the European wild rabbit may also be a sentinel of environmental contamination with T. gondii and, consequently, an indicator of the potential transmission of this parasite. The purpose of the present work was to detect T. gondii DNA in European wild rabbit from central Portugal, as well as the possible implications for public health. Heart and diaphragm samples were obtained from 28 rabbits hunted in central Portugal. Nested PCR separately amplified the 5′ and 3′ ends of the surface antigen 2 (SAG2) gene. T. gondii DNA was detected in 19 out of the 28 sampled animals, resulting in a prevalence of 67.9%. These results show that T. gondii infection occurs in European wild rabbit and therefore may pose a potential risk for humans if consumed as raw or undercooked meat. Measures should be taken in order to prevent infection by this zoonotic parasite and for the conservation of wildlife. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study performed by means of PCR on T. gondii in European wild rabbit meat samples.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1921
Author(s):  
Sharon Tirosh-Levy ◽  
Amir Steinman ◽  
Avital Minderigiu ◽  
Ori Arieli ◽  
Igor Savitski ◽  
...  

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. are closely related cyst-forming coccidian parasites, which infect various animal species and have considerable zoonotic and economic implications, respectively. Both parasites are endemic in Israel and have been reported to infect wild and domestic animals. This study was conceived to evaluate the serologic exposure of donkeys to these parasites. Serum samples were collected from 98 donkeys. Half of them (n = 49) were from animal shelters in Israel, and the rest (n = 49) were working donkeys from the Palestinian Authority. The donkeys were screened for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma and anti-Neospora antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFATs). The seroprevalence of T. gondii and Neospora spp. was 94% and 70%, respectively, and 69% of the donkeys were exposed to both parasites. In addition, N. caninum tissue cysts were documented in two donkeys during post-mortem examination. This is the first report of the exposure of donkeys to T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the area. The high prevalence found in this study suggests that donkeys may have a role in the maintenance of these parasites in the area, thus serving as a source of infection for the definitive hosts.


Zoonosis ◽  
10.5772/38833 ◽  
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Bayarri ◽  
Mara Jess ◽  
Regina Lzaro ◽  
Consuelo Prez-Arquillu ◽  
Antonio Herrer

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