Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii strains at the global level and its determinants

Galal, Lokman; Hamidović, Azra; Dardé, Marie Laure; Mercier, Aurélien

doi:10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00052

Cited by 79 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…The variety of infection sources might explain the genetic divergence between the lineages described to date (Galal, Hamidović, et al, 2019). In the last few decades, due to the reintroduction and improved management, the numbers of wild boars have increased throughout…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in southern Italy: Epidemiological survey and associated risk for consumers

Sgroi

Viscardi

Santoro

et al. 2020

Zoonoses and Public Health

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Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite (phylum Apicomplexa), which causes a zoonotic parasitic disease, known as toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and genotypes of T. gondii in wild boars of southern Italy and thus to assess the risk of infection for consumers. The boars were inspected during the hunting season within the regional project 'Wild Boar Emergency Plan in Campania', and molecular analyses were performed on 338 boars analysing a total number of 884 matrices (263 brains, 310 hearts and 311 masseter muscles). Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 134 out of 338 boars (39.6%). No significant statistical difference between genders was found (χ 2 = 0.15 p = .70). The prevalence was 47.1%, 39.3% and 39.2% in piglets, yearlings and adults, respectively (χ 2 = 0.41; p = .81). The highest prevalence of T. gondii was found in masseter muscles (74/311, 23.8%), followed by the heart (70/310, 22.6%) and brain (58/263, 22.0%), respectively. Microsatellite (MS) analysis of 11 samples revealed eleven T. gondii genotypes (nine atypical, one belonging to type II one to type III). Most of the genotypes found were thus atypical and may be virulent in humans. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed the presence of three distinct clusters, with the majority of atypical genotypes in the GII-GIII cluster. The high prevalence of infection in masseters highlights the potential risk for public health, considering that this muscle is commonly used to prepare raw meat products ('guanciale' and sausages), which may be a source of T. gondii infection in humans. Wild boars may act as an interface role between wildlife, livestock and humans. Our data highlight the urgent need to minimize the risk of infection for animals and humans by setting up a surveillance programme and preventive strategies in a One Health approach to wildlife species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in southern Italy: Epidemiological survey and associated risk for consumers

Sgroi

Viscardi

Santoro

et al. 2020

Zoonoses and Public Health

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“…However, severe complications may occur during (i) congenital Toxoplasma infection, such as abortion, stillbirth and hydrocephalus in new-borns [1,4,5]; (ii) ocular toxoplasmosis, with retinochoroidal lesions leading to chronic ocular disease [1,2]; (iii) encephalitis in immunosuppressed patients [1,4,5]; and (iv) multivisceral toxoplasmosis due to atypical genotypes in South America [6][7][8]. A possible implication of T. gondii genetic diversity on the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis has been postulated [9][10][11]. Consensually, current opinion is that the majority of horizontal transmissions to humans occurs after ingestion of tissue cysts in infected meat, or through water, raw fruit and vegetables contaminated with sporulated oocysts [2,12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in fresh vegetables and berry fruits

et al. 2020

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Background: Toxoplasma gondii is the third most important contributor to health burden caused by food-borne illness. Ingestion of tissue cysts from undercooked meat is an important source of horizontal transmission to humans. However, there is an increasing awareness of the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, as a possible source for oocyst transmission, since this stage of the parasite can persist and remain infective in soil and water for long time. Herein, we outline findings related with detection of T. gondii oocysts in vegetables and berry fruits, which are usually raw consumed. The procedure includes the estimation of the number of oocysts. Methods: Food samples were collected from local producers and supermarket suppliers. Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were concentrated after washing the samples by applying high resolution water filtration and immunomagnetic separation (method 1623.1: EPA 816-R-12-001-Jan 2012), in order to (i) remove potential Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and Giardia spp. cysts present in the samples; and (ii) select T. gondii oocysts. Toxoplasma gondii oocyst detection and an estimation of their numbers was performed by conventional PCR and real time qPCR, using specific primers for a 183-bp sequence of the T. gondii repetitive DNA region. All PCR-positive DNA samples were purified and sequenced. Restriction enzyme digestion with EcoRV endonuclease confirmed the presence of the T. gondii DNA fragment. In addition, the presence of the parasite was observed by fluorescent microscopy, taking advantage of the oocysts autofluorescence under UV light. Results: Forty percent of the analysed samples (95% CI: 25.5-56.5%) presented the expected PCR and digested DNA fragments. These fragments were confirmed by sequencing. Microscopic autofluorescence supported the presence of T. gondii-like oocysts. The estimated mean (± SE) oocyst concentration was 23.5 ± 12.1 oocysts/g, with a range of 0.6-179.9 oocysts/g. Conclusions: Our findings provide relevant evidence of contamination of fresh vegetables and berry fruits with T. gondii oocysts.

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“…Evidence of an important role of human-mediated dispersal in shaping T . gondii population structure is supported by the intercontinental occurrence of some lineages [13]. Mainly, the remarkable success of the archetypal type II and type III lineages in global spread has been attributed to human exchanges through movements of infected livestock and involuntary dispersal of infected rodents via maritime or terrestrial routes [14,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The introduction of new hosts with human trade shapes the extant distribution of Toxoplasma gondii lineages

et al. 2019

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Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan with a worldwide occurrence, but the determinants of the current pattern in the geographical distribution of T . gondii lineages and strains remain poorly understood. To test the influence of human trade on T . gondii populations, we conducted a population genetic study of 72 T . gondii animal isolates from Senegal, a West African country in which the ongoing inland progress of invasive murine hosts (introduced in port cities of Senegal since the 16 th century by European sailors) is well described. Isolates were mainly collected on free-range poultry, which are considered as relevant bioindicators of T . gondii strain diversity in the domestic environment. Sampling was conducted in two port cities of Senegal (Dakar and Saint-Louis) and in one inland region (Kedougou). Population genetic analyses using 15 microsatellite markers revealed different patterns between port cities where lineages non-virulent for mice (type II, type III, and Africa 4) were predominant, and Kedougou where the mouse-virulent Africa 1 lineage was the most common. By considering the current spatial pattern in the inland progress of invasive rodents in Senegal, our results suggest that the invasive house mouse Mus musculus domesticus counter-selects the Africa 1 lineage in the invaded areas. The comparison of the microsatellite alleles of type II strains from Senegal to type II strains from other areas in Africa and Western Europe, using discriminant analysis of principal components and Network analysis, point to a mainly Western European origin of the type II lineage in Senegal. Collectively, these findings suggest that human-mediated intercontinental migrations of murine hosts are important vectors of T . gondii strains. Differential susceptibility of endemic and introduced murine hosts to various T . gondii strains probably determines the persistence of these strains in the environment, and therefore their availability for human and animal infection.

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Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii strains at the global level and its determinants

Cited by 79 publications

References 69 publications

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in southern Italy: Epidemiological survey and associated risk for consumers

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in southern Italy: Epidemiological survey and associated risk for consumers

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in fresh vegetables and berry fruits

The introduction of new hosts with human trade shapes the extant distribution of Toxoplasma gondii lineages

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