Detection ofToxoplasma gondiiby PCR and Mouse Bioassay in Rodents of Ahvaz District, Southwestern Iran

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is obligate coccidian zoonotic parasite. Felidae family is definitive and wide ranges of warm-blooded vertebrates are intermediate hosts for the parasite. Rodents are measured as an important source of T. gondii infection for the definitive host. Thus, this study aimed to investigate Toxoplasm infection in rodents of Ahvaz district, southwest of Iran. A total of 100 rodents (73 Rattus norvegicus, 21 Rattus rattus, and 6 Mus musculus) were collected and studied by GRA6PCR and mouse bioassay. The finding indicated that 6 out of 100 (6%) and 2 out of 100 (2%) samples were positive by PCR and mouse bioassay, respectively. The results show notable chronic infection in the rodent and potential transmission of the infection among animal and men in the region. Accordingly, this study recommended investigating of the T. gondii infection in definitive and other intermediate hosts in other points of Khuzestan province, Southwest, Iran.

Molecular Characterization ofCryptosporidiumspp. in Wild Rodents of Southwestern Iran Using 18s rRNA Gene Nested-PCR-RFLP and Sequencing Techniques

“…It should be mentioned that R. norvegicus is the most abundant rodent in southwest of Iran (73/100) and highest prevalence and rate of infection (4.1%, 3/73) allocate to this species which corresponds to previous investigations [9, 11]. The obtained results of amplifying 18s rRNA gene after sequencing were submitted to the DDBJ/GenBank under accession numbers AB986579 , AB986580 , and AB986581 and then compared with AB986578 as control.…”

“…Also, annual average rainfall is approximately 230 mm. There is high density of rodents species and rat-man-domestic animals adjacency is remarkable in Ahvaz city [9, 11]. Rodents are additional reservoir for Cryptosporidium spp., mostly preyed on by cats and dogs, and, hence, could spread parasitic infections via other animals [8].…”

“…Surveys in different zones of Iran indicate the existence of various rodent species such as the house mice ( Mus musculus ), the black rat ( Rattus rattus ), the brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ), and the Himalayan rat ( Rattus pectoris ) in country [8, 10, 11]. Based on our previous survey in Ahvaz district, southwest of Iran, rodents could be considered as potential source of Toxoplasma gondii infection for definitive hosts [9]. …”

Prevalence and genotype identification of Toxoplasma gondii in suburban rodents collected at waste disposal sites

“…[23]. Another study of urban rodents from Iran shown that 6% of all collected specimens were DNA positive in brain tissue detected by PCR [26].…”

Serosurvey and molecular detection of the main zoonotic parasites carried by commensal Rattus norvegicus populations in Tehran, Iran

“…In urban areas, Rattus norvegicus act as a reservoir of zoonotic pathogens, especially zoonotic parasites, and hold a connection to various important hygienic problems; they are also responsible for human morbidity and mortality, worldwide [7]. Many of these zoonotic parasites including Leishmania spp, Giardia spp, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Cryptosporidium spp are assumed to be endemic in Rattus norvegicus populations around the world [8,9,10,11]. Currently, approximately seventy-nine species of rodents have been recognized in Iran; among these previously identified rodents, Rattus norvegicus have shown greater frequency in the urban area and occupied widespread habitats in cities [12].…”