Long-Term Survival of Toxoplasma gondii Sporulated Oocysts in Seawater

Lindsay, David S.; Dubey, J. P.

doi:10.1645/ge-1919.1

Cited by 141 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Freshwater runoff from urban centers next to seashores may contaminate seawater. Toxoplasma oocysts can remain viable for extended periods of time in seawater (207). Shellfish are filter feeders that concentrate T. gondii.…”

Section: Infection Through Oocystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

2012

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SUMMARY The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii was discovered a little over 100 years ago, but knowledge of its biological life cycle and its medical importance has grown in the last 40 years. This obligate intracellular parasite was identified early as a pathogen responsible for congenital infection, but its clinical expression and the importance of reactivations of infections in immunocompromised patients were recognized later, in the era of organ transplantation and HIV infection. Recent knowledge of host cell-parasite interactions and of parasite virulence has brought new insights into the comprehension of the pathophysiology of infection. In this review, we focus on epidemiological and diagnostic aspects, putting them in perspective with current knowledge of parasite genotypes. In particular, we provide critical information on diagnostic methods according to the patient's background and discuss the implementation of screening tools for congenital toxoplasmosis according to health policies.

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Section: Infection Through Oocystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

2012

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“…Once oocysts are removed from the water column, they may accumulate and persist in the benthic environment for relatively long periods of time. Toxoplasma gondii oocysts are environmentally resistant, and known to survive in marine waters for $ 24 months (Lindsay and Dubey 2009). An additional implication regarding transmission dynamics is that aggregated pathogens are more likely to be ingested and retained by invertebrates that access larger particles.…”

Section: Water Typementioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts with fresh, estuarine, and marine macroaggregates

Shapiro

Silver

Largier

et al. 2012

Limnology & Oceanography

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The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infects a large proportion of threatened California sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), and is an important waterborne pathogen in humans. Contamination of coastal waters with T. gondii is thought to occur through delivery of environmentally resistant oocysts to nearshore regions via overland runoff. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether T. gondii oocysts and surrogate microspheres attach to aggregates ($ 0.5 mm), and whether the magnitude of aggregation depends on water type, specifically salinity. Laboratory aggregation studies were conducted by adding T. gondii oocysts and surrogate microspheres to riverine, estuarine, and marine waters, and quantifying the proportion of oocysts and surrogates in aggregate-rich and aggregate-free water fractions. Attachment of oocysts and surrogates to aggregates occurred in all water types, but was greater in estuarine and marine waters, with concentrations of T. gondii in aggregates enriched 3-4 orders of magnitude. Aquatic aggregates may, thus, significantly influence waterborne transport of terrestrially derived pathogens, both through enhanced settling and subsequent concentration in the benthos, as well as by facilitating ingestion by invertebrate vectors that can transmit pathogens to susceptible hosts, including sea otters and humans.

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“…gondii is a waterborne pathogen with a worldwide distribution. While Lindsay & Dubey (2009) demonstrated that T. gondii oocysts can survive in seawater up to 24 mo, the epidemiology and pathophysiology of infection in marine mammals is not well understood. Studies along the California coast identified sandy bays with close proximity to urban areas and freshwater runoff as being associated with a higher risk of exposure (Conrad et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disseminated toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii in a wild Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris and seroprevalence in two wild populations

Smith

Waltzek²,

Rotstein³

et al. 2016

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Marine mammals are important indicators for ecosystem health and serve as sentinel species for infectious agents including zoonoses. Histological examination of tissues from a stranded Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris revealed protozoal cysts in the cerebrum and intrahistiocytic tachyzoites in the liver and caudal mesenteric lymph node. Disseminated Toxoplasma gondii infection was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region of formalin-fixed tissues. The lack of baseline information on Florida manatees' exposure to this pathogen prompted a study into the seroprevalence of T. gondii in 2 separate geographic habitats in Florida, USA, during the winters from 2011−2014. Serum was collected during routine health assessments of 44 apparently healthy manatees from Crystal River (n = 26) on the west central coast of Florida and Brevard County (n = 18) on the east coast of Florida. Serum was screened for detection of T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies via the modified agglutination test. Two animals from Crystal River from 2011 and 2012 (7.7%) and one animal from Brevard County from 2011 (5.6%) tested positive for T. gondii antibodies. Overall seroprevalence for T. gondii was low in the 2 sampled populations and may reflect a low seroprevalence or animal susceptibility. However, continued monitoring of this pathogen in aquatic ecosystems is warranted due to both possible anthropogenic sources and zoonotic potential.

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Long-Term Survival of Toxoplasma gondii Sporulated Oocysts in Seawater

Cited by 141 publications

References 14 publications

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

Association of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts with fresh, estuarine, and marine macroaggregates

Disseminated toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii in a wild Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris and seroprevalence in two wild populations

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