scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii genotypes circulating in domestic pigs in Serbia

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kuruca ◽  
Aleksandra Uzelac ◽  
Ivana Klun ◽  
Vesna Lalošević ◽  
Olgica Djurković-Djaković
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Slaughter Pigs ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Dna Genotyping

Consumption of undercooked or raw pork is considered a significant risk factor for human infection with Toxoplasma gondii. In this study, we investigated the genetic structure of 18 T. gondii strains obtained from slaughter pigs from Northern Serbia (mainly Vojvodina). The examined samples originated from eight pigs from large commercial farms, six backyard pigs and four free-range Mangalica pigs, all found to be positive for either viable T. gondii or T. gondii DNA. Genotyping was attempted from both pig tissues and mouse brains from the bio-assays using a multiplex multilocus nested polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mn-PCR-RFLP) method with seven markers (GRA6, alt. SAG2, PK-1, BTUB, C22-8, CS3 and Apico). Identification was achieved for nine T. gondii isolates. Seven isolates were classified as type II and two as type III. These results are consistent with previous studies on animal isolates from Serbia as well as with previous reports that type III is more frequently found in samples from Southern Europe than in those from other parts of the continent.

scholarly journals Prevalence, molecular detection and risk factors investigation for the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughter pigs in North India

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Thakur ◽  
Rajnish Sharma ◽  
R. S. Aulakh ◽  
J. P. S. Gill ◽  
B. B. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
North India ◽  
Type I ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Slaughter Pigs ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii, an important food borne zoonotic parasite, infects almost all warm-blooded animals including pigs. People primarily become infected with T. gondii via consuming meat of infected animals. Status of T. gondii is largely unknown in pigs in India including northern regions. We, therefore, determined the prevalence of T. gondii infection in pigs from North India. Results DNA of T. gondii was detected in 6.7% (54/810) of the tested slaughter pigs. Highest prevalence was observed in pigs from Punjab (8.2%) followed by Chandigarh (5.3%) and Uttarakhand (4.8%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates from pigs had 96–100% nucleotide identity with Type I RH strain (AF179871), 96–99.7% with VEG type III strain (LN714499) and 67–72% with type II ME 49 strain (XM002370240). However, low level of polymorphism in the targeted B1 gene did not allow the determination of the clonal lineages of the isolates. Antibodies against T. gondii was reported in 48.3% (73/151) of the sera obtained from pigs slaughtered at Chandigarh abattoir, and scavenging by pigs was a significant risk factor. Conclusion Prevalence of T. gondii DNA was low in pigs in North India, however, presence of the parasite warrants food safety concerns. Further studies are required to identify the clonal lineage of T. gondii circulating in pigs reared in North India. Pig farmers should be educated about the hygienic management practices.

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Iranian HIV positive patients using multilocus nested-PCR-RFLP method

Parasitology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-328
Author(s):  
Seyed Abdollah Hosseini ◽  
Mehdi Sharif ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Saeid Abediankenari ◽  
Mohammad Bagher Hashemi-Soteh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Type I ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Genotype 2 ◽  
Pcr Rflp

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in Iranian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients using multilocus-nested polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mn-PCR-RFLP). A total of 102 serum samples obtained from infected patients were collected from the laboratory centres in northern Iran. Anti-T. gondii antibodies and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) detection were accomplished by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and PCR. The Mn-PCR-RFLP method was used for the genotyping of T. gondii. Overall, 68.6% (70/102) and 11.7% (12/102) of the individuals were tested positive for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G and T. gondii DNA, respectively. Complete genotyping was performed on 10/12 (83.3%) PCR-positive samples. Accordingly, the samples were classified as genotype #1 (type II clonal; n = 3, 30%), genotype #2 (type III clonal; n = 2, 20%), genotype #10 (type I clonal; n = 2, 20%), genotype #27 (type I variant; n = 1, 10%), genotype #35 (type I variant; n = 1, 10%) and genotype #48 (type III variant; n = 1, 10%). The results were indicative of the high frequency of the type I and type I variant of T. gondii strains in HIV-positive patients in northern Iran. Given the high prevalence of T. gondii and frequency of pathogenic types (pathogen in laboratory mice) in the patients, special measures should be taken to prevent the possible increased incidence of encephalitis by T. gondii.

scholarly journals Survey of Toxocara eggs on Dog Hair as a Potential Transmission Route in Human Toxocariasis in Northeastern Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda SASANNEJAD ◽  
Javad KHOSHNEGAH ◽  
Amin BAKHSHANI ◽  
Hassan BORJI
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematode ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Veterinary Clinic ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Hair Samples

Background: Toxocara canis is a gastrointestinal nematode of dogs and other canids with high zoonotic potential. Human infection occurs following ingestion of infective eggs that have been passed in the dogs’ feces. Contact with contaminated soils, is one of the most important risk factors for human infection by T. canis eggs. However, in recent studies transmission of infective eggs, through human contact with contaminated dogs’ hair have been proposed. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of Toxocara eggs on the hair and feces of dogs which attended to Veterinary Clinic of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Methods: A total 100 dogs which attended to the clinic were used in the present study. The hair samples were collected from the head, back and perineal region of dogs’ body. Besides collecting hairs, fecal samples were also collected and analyzed for the presence of T. canis eggs. Results: T. canis eggs were found in 11% of the hair samples and 10% of the feces samples. Additionally, it has been observed that the risk factors impact such as breed, season of sampling, sex, hair length, indoor-outdoor access and age, were not significant on the T. canis eggs presence in the faecal and hair samples. Conclusion: Human exposure to the hair of dogs, may be significant risk factor for infection and regular anthelmintic treatment, hygiene of animals and public education of the importance of dogs are recommended to prevent human toxocariasis.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii in Slaughtered Sheep in High- and Low-Humidity Regions in the South of Iran: Molecular Prevalence and Genotype Identification

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Zahra Khademi ◽  
Fatemeh Ghaffarifar ◽  
Abdolhossein Dalimi ◽  
Mohammad Saaid Dayer ◽  
Amir Abdoli
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
High Humidity ◽  
The South ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Humid Region ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Genotype Identification ◽  
Low Humidity ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common meat-born zoonoses that infect all warm-blooded animals and humans. Sheep (Ovis aries) is one of the main reservoirs of T. gondii worldwide, and the infections induce various sequels, such as abortion and stillbirth. The present study aimed to identify the effects of humidity on the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep in high- and low-humidity regions. Heart samples from 200 slaughtered sheep (140 samples from a high-humidity region and 60 samples from a low-humidity region) were collected from Hormozgan Province (south of Iran). The samples were tested by nested PCR targeting the RE gene. Genotyping was performed by the PCR-RFLP method using the SAG3 and GRA6 genes. Some isolates were sequenced and recorded in the GenBank. T. gondii DNA was detected in 10.71 percent of the samples from the highly humid region, whereas no positive samples were detected in the low-humidity region. Genotyping revealed that all isolates belonged to the T. gondii type III genotype. Our study indicated that humidity is an important factor for the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep. Additionally, our study also showed the dominance of type III strain of T. gondii in sheep in the south of Iran.

scholarly journals Detection and genetic characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii circulating in free-range chickens, pigs and seropositive pregnant women in Benue state, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. e0009458
Author(s):  
Ifeoma N. Nzelu ◽  
Jacob K. P. Kwaga ◽  
Junaidu Kabir ◽  
Idris A. Lawal ◽  
Christy Beazley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Type I ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Pcr Rflp

Toxoplasma gondii parasites present strong but geographically varied signatures of population structure. Populations sampled from Europe and North America have commonly been defined by over-representation of a small number of clonal types, in contrast to greater diversity in South America. The occurrence and extent of genetic diversity in African T. gondii populations remains understudied, undermining assessments of risk and transmission. The present study was designed to establish the occurrence, genotype and phylogeny of T. gondii in meat samples collected from livestock produced for human consumption (free-range chickens, n = 173; pigs, n = 211), comparing with T. gondii detected in blood samples collected from seropositive pregnant women (n = 91) in Benue state, Nigeria. The presence of T. gondii DNA was determined using a published nested polymerase chain reaction, targeting the 529 bp multicopy gene element. Samples with the highest parasite load (assessed using quantitative PCR) were selected for PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) targeting the surface antigen 3 (SAG3), SAG2 (5’ and 3’), beta-tubulin (BTUB) and dense granule protein 6 (GRA6) loci, and the apicoplast genome (Apico). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in all three of the populations sampled, presenting 30.6, 31.3 and 25.3% occurrence in free-range chickens, pigs and seropositive pregnant women, respectively. Quantitative-PCR indicated low parasite occurrence in most positive samples, limiting some further molecular analyses. PCR-RFLP results suggested that T. gondii circulating in the sampled populations presented with a type II genetic background, although all included a hybrid type I/II or II/III haplotype. Concatenation of aligned RFLP amplicon sequences revealed limited diversity with nine haplotypes and little indication of host species-specific or spatially distributed sub-populations. Samples collected from humans shared haplotypes with free-range chickens and/or pigs. Africa remains under-explored for T. gondii genetic diversity and this study provides the first detailed definition of haplotypes circulating in human and animal populations in Nigeria.

Molecular characterization of Toxocara spp. eggs isolated from public parks and playgrounds in Shiraz, Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Choobineh ◽  
F. Mikaeili ◽  
S.M. Sadjjadi ◽  
S. Ebrahimi ◽  
S. Iranmanesh
Keyword(s):  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Its Rdna ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Toxocara Cati ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Zinc Sulphate Solution ◽  
Paratenic Hosts

AbstractHuman toxocariasis, a worldwide parasitic disease, is caused by the larval stage of intestinal nematodes of dogs and cats, namely Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. Human infection occurs by the accidental ingestion of embryonated eggs present in the soil, vegetables or on other contaminated surfaces, as well as via consumption of uncooked paratenic hosts, such as bird meat and giblets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contamination of soil in public parks and playgrounds in Shiraz using microscopy and molecular methods. A total of 150 soil samples were collected from public parks and playgrounds in various areas of Shiraz, southern Iran. The samples were treated with saturated zinc sulphate solution, and Toxocara spp. eggs were detected by microscopic observation followed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To differentiate T. canis and T. cati eggs from each other, PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-rDNA region by SalI endonuclease enzyme was used. PCR-sequencing was performed to confirm the results of the PCR-RFLP method. Based on the flotation results of the 150 soil samples, six (4%) were found to be positive for Toxocara spp. eggs, whereas nested-PCR showed 24 samples to be positive (16%). Based on the PCR-RFLP method and the sequence of the ITS-rDNA region, a total of 23 out of 24 isolates were confirmed as T. cati and one out of 24 as T. canis. The results showed a higher number of soil samples to be positive for Toxocara by the molecular method than microscopy, and higher T. cati infection in soil samples, which could have an important role in human infection with toxocariasis in this region.

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from chickens in India by GRA6 gene sequence analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shantaveer Biradar ◽  
Buddhi Saravanan ◽  
Anup Tewari ◽  
Chirukandoth Sreekumar ◽  
Muthu Sankar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Analysis ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Nucleotide Sequencing ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Indian Isolates ◽  
Gra6 Gene

AbstractPCR-RFLP and nucleotide sequencing based genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii Indian isolates (Izatnagar and Chennai isolates and Chennai clone) vis-a vis RH-IVRI strain was conducted by targeting GRA6 as genetic marker. The 791 bp GRA6 product was PCR amplified from the genomic DNA of different T. gondii Indian isolates, including the RH-IVRI strain. Tru1I restriction endonuclease based PCR-RFLP of GRA6 sequence produced polymorphic digestion pattern that discriminated the virulent RH-IVRI strain (as type I) from the moderately virulent local isolates as type III. The PCR amplicon of T. gondii GRA6 from RH-IVRI strain as well as from the local isolates were cloned in cloning vector and custom sequenced. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of T. gondii isolates were aligned with that of the type I, II and III strains (RH, BEVERLEY, ME49, C56, TONT and NED) available in public domain and analyzed in silico using MEGA version 4.0 software. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of GRA6 marker from the Indian isolates revealed a close genetic relationship with type III strains of T. gondii. Further, detection of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at positions 162 and 171 of the GRA6 marker, established the lineage of Indian isolates as type III. This is the first report on characterization of T. gondii lineage as type III in selective chicken population of India based on PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis of GRA6 gene.

scholarly journals Molecular Identification of Toxoplasma gondii in the Native Slaughtered Cattle of Tehran Province, Iran

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Dalir Ghaffari ◽  
A. Dalimi
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Genotype I ◽  
Genotype Iii ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Native Cattle ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Undercooked Meat ◽  
Gra6 Gene

Background: Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a common parasitic disease, affecting almost one-third of the world’s population. It is transmitted by ingestion of food or water contaminated with oocysts excreted by cats and the consumption of raw or undercooked meat from ruminants. This study aimed at molecular characterization of T. gondii in native cattle from West of Tehran, Iran. Methods: A total of 180 samples were collected from the cattle diaphragms (n=80) and heart muscles (n=100) from multiple slaughterhouses. The nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay was carried out to amplify the GRA6 gene of T. gondii. The PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymerase (PCR-RFLP) assay was also performed on positive samples, using Tru1I (MseI) restriction enzyme. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS (v.15.0). Results: T. gondii was found in 38 out of 180 (21.1%) samples. The infection rate in heart muscle samples (16.66%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the diaphragm samples (4.44%). The PCR-RFLP pattern by MseI enzyme showed that 13 (7.22%) samples were genotype II, while 25 (13.88%) were genotype III, having statistically meaningful difference (p<0.05). No genotype I was found in the studied isolates. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the frequency of T. gondii was high in the study area. Therefore, educational programs need to be implemented in order to inform people about the risks of raw or undercooked meat consumption.

scholarly journals The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mice living in Danish indoor sow herds

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stine Thorsø Nielsen ◽  
Isabella Linde Westergaard ◽  
Grith Kirkhoff Guldbech ◽  
Henrik Vedel Nielsen ◽  
Maria Vang Johansen
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Present Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Human Infections

Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii is found worldwide, and consumption of undercooked meat is considered a significant risk factor for human infections. In Denmark, little is known about the distribution of T. gondii, but a recent study revealed a seroprevalence of 34% in Danish indoor sows. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the role of mice for the transmission of T. gondii in Danish indoor sow herds. Results In total, 56 sow herds were visited, 137 mice were caught by snap traps from 32 farms, and 52 cat faecal samples were collected from 22 farms. Eight percent of the mice were positive for T. gondii DNA, representing 11% of the farms. Significant associations were found between the presence of T. gondii-positive mice and both open feed systems (P= 0.041) and extra rodent control on the farm (P= 0.024). All cat faecal samples were deemed negative for T. gondii by light microscopy examination and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Conclusion Mice captured inside Danish sow herds were found to be infected with T. gondii and may thus contribute to the transmission of T. gondii to sows, which may explain the high seroprevalence found in Danish pigs.

Physical Illness and Suicide Risk in Rural Residents of Contemporary China

Crisis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 330-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cun-Xian Jia ◽  
Lin-Lin Wang ◽  
Ai-Qiang Xu ◽  
Ai-Ying Dai ◽  
Ping Qin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Population

Background: Physical illness is linked with an increased risk of suicide; however, evidence from China is limited. Aims: To assess the influence of physical illness on risk of suicide among rural residents of China, and to examine the differences in the characteristics of people completing suicide with physical illness from those without physical illness. Method: In all, 200 suicide cases and 200 control subjects, 1:1 pair-matched on sex and age, were included from 25 townships of three randomly selected counties in Shandong Province, China. One informant for each suicide or control subject was interviewed to collect data on the physical health condition and psychological and sociodemographic status. Results: The prevalence of physical illness in suicide cases (63.0%) was significantly higher than that in paired controls (41.0%; χ2 = 19.39, p < .001). Compared with suicide cases without physical illness, people who were physically ill and completed suicide were generally older, less educated, had lower family income, and reported a mental disorder less often. Physical illness denoted a significant risk factor for suicide with an associated odds ratio of 3.23 (95% CI: 1.85–5.62) after adjusted for important covariates. The elevated risk of suicide increased progressively with the number of comorbid illnesses. Cancer, stroke, and a group of illnesses comprising dementia, hemiplegia, and encephalatrophy had a particularly strong effect among the commonly reported diagnoses in this study population. Conclusion: Physical illness is an important risk factor for suicide in rural residents of China. Efforts for suicide prevention are needed and should be integrated with national strategies of health care in rural China.

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