Toxoplasma gondii in backyard pigs: seroepidemiology and mouse bioassay

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Fernanda Torres Samico-Fernandes ◽  
Marcela Fernanda Torres Samico-Fernandes ◽  
Pedro Paulo Feitosa de Albuquerque ◽  
Jonatas Campos de Almeida ◽  
André de Souza Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Backyard Pigs

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of

scholarly journals Prevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected backyard pigs intended for familial consumption in Romania

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamaria Ioana Paştiu ◽  
Anamaria Cozma-Petruț ◽  
Aurélien Mercier ◽  
Anamaria Balea ◽  
Lokman Galal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
Backyard Pigs

Abstract Background Foodborne toxoplasmosis in humans can be due to the exposure to tissue cysts of Toxoplasma gondii through the consumption of meat, including pork, of infected animals. Traditional Romanian food habits include pork as the preferred meat, while backyard pig rearing remains a common practice in many rural areas of Romania. The aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in naturally infected backyard pigs slaughtered for familial consumption and to genetically characterize the T. gondii strains obtained. Methods Paired blood and heart samples were collected from 94 backyard pigs, home slaughtered for private consumption. Serum samples were analyzed using the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for anti-T. gondii antibody detection. Heart samples were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 529-bp repeat region (REP529) for T. gondii detection. In addition, heart samples from IFAT positive animals were bioassayed in mice. The T. gondii isolates were genotyped by the analysis of 15 microsatellite markers. Results The results showed that almost half of the pigs investigated were T. gondii seropositive (46.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 36.4–57.4%) and in more than a quarter of the pigs (26.6%, 95% CI: 18.0–36.7%), the parasite was detected by PCR. Three (3/44) T. gondii strains were isolated from hearts of seropositive pigs and they all belonged to genotype II. Conclusions The present study showed the presence of T. gondii infection in backyard pigs in Romania, which suggests that consumption of pork from animals reared and slaughtered at home may pose a potential threat to human health and should be given attention. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first study to provide data concerning T. gondii strains circulating in pigs from Romania.

scholarly journals Physical Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Water

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (17) ◽  
pp. 5663-5666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katlyn E. Wainwright ◽  
Manuel Lagunas-Solar ◽  
Melissa A. Miller ◽  
Bradd C. Barr ◽  
Ian A. Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Mouse Bioassay

ABSTRACT Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts occurred with exposure to pulsed and continuous UV radiation, as evidenced by mouse bioassay. Even at doses of ≥500 mJ/cm2, some oocysts retained their viability.

Detection and Survival of Toxoplasma gondii in Milk and Cheese from Experimentally Infected Goats†

2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1747-1753 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. DUBEY ◽  
S. K. VERMA ◽  
L. R. FERREIRA ◽  
S. OLIVEIRA ◽  
A. B. CASSINELLI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Enzyme Treatment ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Goat Cheese ◽  
Goat’S Milk ◽  
Unpasteurized Milk ◽  
Fresh Cheese ◽  
Goat's Milk

The consumption of unpasteurized goat cheese and goat's milk has been suggested as a risk factor for toxoplasmosis in humans. In the present study, detection and survival of Toxoplasma gondii in milk and cheese was studied by bioassay in mice (milk) and in cats (cheese). Eight goats were inoculated orally with 300 to 10,000 oocysts of T. gondii strain TgGoatUS26. Milk samples were collected daily up to 30 days postinoculation and bioassayed in mice and cats. For mouse bioassay, 50 ml of milk samples were centrifuged, and the sediment was inoculated subcutaneously into mice. Mice were tested for T. gondii infection by seroconversion and by the demonstration of parasites. By mouse bioassay, T. gondii was detected in milk from all eight goats. The T. gondii excretion in milk was intermittent. For cat bioassay, 400 ml (100 ml or more from each goat) of milk from four goats from 6 to 27 days postinoculation were pooled daily, and cheese was made using rennin. Ten grams of cheese was fed daily to four cats, and cat feces were examined for oocyst shedding. One cat fed cheese shed oocysts 7 to 11 days after consuming cheese. Attempts were made to detect T. gondii DNA in milk of four goats; T. gondii was detected by PCR more consistently, but there was no correlation between detection of viable T. gondii by bioassay in mice and T. gondii DNA by PCR. Results indicate that T. gondii can be excreted in goat's milk and can survive in fresh cheese made by cold-enzyme treatment. To prevent transmission to humans or animals, milk should not be consumed raw. Raw fresh goat cheese made by cold-enzyme treatment of unpasteurized milk also should not be consumed.

scholarly journals Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) in Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Daniel de Barros ◽  
Alessandra Taroda ◽  
Dauton Luiz Zulpo ◽  
Ivo Alexandre Leme da Cunha ◽  
Ana Sue Sammi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Environmental Diversity ◽  
Clonal Type ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Isolates

Eared doves (Zenaida auriculata), which are common in urban, rural and wild areas in many regions of Brazil, are frequently prey for domestic cats. Therefore Toxoplasma gondii isolates obtained from doves may reflect greater environmental diversity than those from other hosts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate T. gondii seroprevalence, isolate and genotype strains from Z. auriculata. Serum and tissue samples were collected from 206 doves for use in the modified agglutination test (MAT) and mouse bioassay. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in the doves was 22.3% (46/206), with titers ranging from 16 to 4096, and T. gondii strains were isolated from 12 of these doves. Five genotypes were detected by means of PCR-RFLP, including ToxoDB genotypes #1, #6, #17 and #65, and one genotype that had not previously been described (ToxoDB#182). This was the first report on isolation of T. gondii from Z. auriculata. This study confirmed the genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates and the existence of clonal type II (ToxoDB genotype #1) in Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii: Detection by mouse bioassay, histopathology, and polymerase chain reaction in tissues from experimentally infected pigs

2006 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Luis Garcia ◽  
Solange Maria Gennari ◽  
Rosângela Zacarias Machado ◽  
Italmar Teodorico Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain

scholarly journals Isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from pregnant dairy cows (Bos taurus) slaughtered

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madlaine Frigo Silveira Barbosa de Macedo ◽  
César Augusto Barbosa de Macedo ◽  
Maria Paula de Carvalho Ewald ◽  
Guilherme Felippelli Martins ◽  
Dauton Luiz Zulpo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Blood Sample ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Rflp Markers ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Pcr Rflp

The current study aimed to evaluate serology, and isolate and genotype Toxoplasma gondii strains from pregnant dairy cows, slaughtered in an abattoir for human consumption, and their fetuses. Blood from 60 pregnant dairy cows and blood and tissue samples (brain, lung, heart, and liver) from their fetuses were collected and analyzed in a mouse bioassay. Antibodies against T. gondii were observed in 48.3% of cows and 3.7% of fetuses (IFAT, titers ≥ 50 for cows and 25 for fetuses were considered positive). Fourteen fetuses (23.3%) and six cows (10.0%) were identified as positive in the bioassay. T. gondii was isolated from a blood sample of a cow older than 4 years old in the 6th month of pregnancy, and from a blood sample of a fetus in the 6th month of gestation. These isolates were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as being of T. gondii and both strains showed type II alleles for all PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) markers tested. T. gondii type II strain from cattle was isolated for the first time in Brazil. The current study also showed that transplacental transmission of T. gondii naturally occurs in dairy cows (23.3%) from Southern Brazil.

scholarly journals Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from naturally infected Gallus domesticus in Santa Catarina state, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Trevisani ◽  
L.D. Barros ◽  
A. Vieira-Neto ◽  
A.A. Sartor ◽  
A.P. Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Gallus Domesticus ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Type I ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
Clonal Population Structure ◽  
Santa Catarina State

ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis that can infect warm-blooded animals including birds and humans, and chickens are considered to be indicators of environmental contamination. In Brazil, Toxoplasma gondii has a non-clonal population structure composed of three lineages (I, II, and III), presenting high recombination, and resulting in wide genetic diversity. This study aimed to genetically characterize T. gondii isolates from naturally infected chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil region. Sera from 133 free-range chickens were analyzed by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect IgG antibodies against T. gondii. Brain and heart from 30 positive animals, based on IFA (≥ 1:64), were used to isolate the parasite using a mouse bioassay. Strain genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP using 12 genetic markers (SAG1, 5´-3´SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3). The results were classified according to the genotypes based on the ToxoDB (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). Of 133 chicken sera analyzed, 84 (63.16%) were positive, with antibody titers ranging from 16 to 1024. Eleven isolates were obtained from mouse bioassay (Ck3, Ck32, Ck35, Ck56, Ck63, Ck89, Ck102, Ck103, Ck125, Ck127, and Ck128). Genotyping revealed six genotypes; three were classified as #26, #53, and #120, and three (NEO1, NEO2, and NEO3) were had not been previously described. No clonal lineages of type I, II, or III were identified. The present study confirms the high genetic diversity of T. gondii in Brazil.

scholarly journals Determining UV Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts by Using Cell Culture and a Mouse Bioassay

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (15) ◽  
pp. 5140-5147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Ware ◽  
Swinburne A. J. Augustine ◽  
David O. Erisman ◽  
Mary Jean See ◽  
Larry Wymer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Scid Mouse ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Water Disinfection ◽  
Uv Exposure ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Promising Alternative

ABSTRACT The effect of UV exposure on Toxoplasma gondii oocysts has not been completely defined for use in water disinfection. This study evaluated UV-irradiated oocysts by three assays: a SCID mouse bioassay, an in vitro T. gondii oocyst plaque (TOP) assay, and a quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. The results from the animal bioassay show that 1- and 3-log10 inactivation is achieved with 4 mJ/cm2 UV and 10 mJ/cm2 low-pressure UV, respectively. TOP assay results, but not RT-qPCR results, correlate well with bioassay results. In conclusion, a 3-log10 inactivation of T. gondii oocysts is achieved by 10-mJ/cm2 low-pressure UV, and the in vitro TOP assay is a promising alternative to the mouse bioassay.

scholarly journals First isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii strains from domestic animals in Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arwa Lachkhem ◽  
Lokman Galal ◽  
Ibtissem Lahmar ◽  
Karine Passebosc ◽  
Homayoun Riahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Molecular Typing ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Animal Tissues ◽  
Strain Isolation ◽  
The World ◽  
First Time

AbstractThe isolation and molecular typing of Toxoplasma gondii strains provide an essential basis for a better understanding of the parasite’s genetic diversity, determinants of its geographical distribution and associated risks to human health. In this study, we isolated and genetically characterized T. gondii strains from domestic animals in Southern and coastal area of Tunisia. Blood, hearts and/or brains were collected from 766 domestic animals (630 sheep and 136 free-range chickens). Strain isolation from these samples was performed using mouse bioassay and genotyping was carried out with a multiplex PCR technique using 15 microsatellite markers. Thirty viable strains of T. gondii were successfully isolated from tissues of sheep (19/142) and chickens (11/33). In addition, 3 strains could be successfully genotyped from animal tissues for which mouse bioassay was unsuccessful. A large predominance of type II strains (n = 29) was found in the sampled regions, followed by type III (n = 3) and, for the first time in Tunisia, a single isolate of Africa 4 lineage from a sheep. Analyses of population genetics showed the presence of a divergent population of type II lineage in Tunisia, supporting limited recent migrations of strains between Tunisia and other countries of the world.

scholarly journals Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii Bradyzoites after Salt Exposure during Preparation of Dry-Cured Hams

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 1038-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
JORRELL FREDERICKS ◽  
DIANE S. HAWKINS-COOPER ◽  
DOLORES E. HILL ◽  
JOHN B. LUCHANSKY ◽  
ANNA C. S. PORTO-FETT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Trichinella Spiralis ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Inspection Service ◽  
Step Over ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACT Foodborne pathogens continue to pose a public health risk and can cause serious illness and significant outbreaks of disease in consumers. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide and is caused by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The consumption of raw or undercooked infected meat, including pork, that contains infectious stages of T. gondii has been regarded as a major route of T. gondii transmission to humans. Given the occasional presence of T. gondii in pork meat, the frequent use of pork for products not intended to be cooked, such as dry-cured ham, presents a potential risk for its transmission to consumers. In this study, we investigated the viability of T. gondii in dry-cured whole hams processed using methods that were previously required for treatment of hams to inactivate Trichinella spiralis in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR 318.10) and are now described in guidance documents from the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service. Infected pork hams were salted and cured for 33 days at 3°C and 85% ± 5% relative humidity (RH) and then were dried for up to 12 months at 12°C and 67.5% ± 2.5% RH. Inactivation of T. gondii was assessed in mouse bioassays and, serologically, by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Results showed that T. gondii bradyzoites were inactivated during the salting and curing step (33 days); no viable T. gondii was detected in the mouse bioassay and no evidence of serological conversion was detected by MAT in any of the mice inoculated with any of the samples tested during the drying step over the 12 months of the experiment. These results demonstrated that the approved protocols for production of dry-cured hams validated herein can inactivate T. gondii and lower the risk to consumers of this product. HIGHLIGHTS

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