Molecular and Serological Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Reared Turkeys in Fars Province, Iran

Abstract

Background:Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite infects most of warm-blooded animals, including birds. Turkeys are one of these animals which might be infected by this parasite. Little is known about the prevalence of T. gondii in turkeys in Iran.Objectives:The current study aimed to evaluate the rate of Toxoplasma infection in turkeys in Fars Province, Southern Iran.Materials and Methods:Sera and tissues (brain, neck and tongue) of 54 turkeys were collected from Shiraz slaughterhouse in Fars province. Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were assessed in the collected sera using modified agglutination test (MAT), while tissues were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bioassay methods.Results:T. gondii antibodies (MAT titer: ≥ 1:40) were found in 89.8% of turkeys. T. gondii DNA was detected in 61.6% of turkey tissues and brain had the highest rate of infection. Brain tissues from each animal were bioassayed and Toxoplasma tissue cysts were found in 11.5% and Toxoplasma DNA in 62% of inoculated mice.Conclusions:Results of this study validated a relatively high level of Toxoplasma infection in reared turkeys and turkey meat might be considered as an infection sources for human.

Seroprevalence and Molecular Evaluation of Toxoplasmosis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Malignancies in the Bushehr Province, Southwest Iran

“…Bushehr is a tropical region located in southwest Iran, and the temperature in this area is much higher than in other parts of the country during most seasons of the year. The climate and weather of the region do not appear favorable to the growth and transmission of Toxoplasma oocysts (12-14). In addition, individuals indigenous to this region tend to eat more seafood than beef or lamb and cook the meat properly.…”

“…In addition, individuals indigenous to this region tend to eat more seafood than beef or lamb and cook the meat properly. As a result, these individuals are less prone to infection through consumption of tissue cysts of T. gondii , which is considered one of the main sources of Toxoplasma infection in Iran (13, 14). …”

Rolling up the pieces of a puzzle: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iran

“…29 In Iran, there exist several molecular studies on the prevalence of infection in meat and meat products of food animals which emphasize the danger of food-transmitted toxoplasmosis. [54][55][56][57][58] Also, individuals who are in direct contact with raw meat especially veterinarians, butchers and slaughterhouse staff, have been shown to be more prone to infection. 59,60 In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis focuses on the distribution and epidemiological aspects of toxoplasmosis in Iran.…”

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in house sparrow (Passer domesticus) by LAMP and PCR methods in Tehran, Iran

“…In this regard, (Khademvatan et al 2013) could detect T. gondii DNA from 15.5 % of 103 free-ranging chickens (Gallus domesticus), 6.9 % of 43 pigeons (Columba livia), 12.8 % of 39 starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and 26.5 % of 64 sparrows (Passer domesticus) by PCR technique in Khuzestan province (southwest of Iran) (Khademvatan et al 2013). Zia-Ali et al (2005) detected T. gondii DNA from six out of 46 free-ranging chickens (13.4 %) and one out of 13 ducks (7.7 %) in province (Sarkari et al 2014). Recently, Tavalla et al (2013) isolated T. gondii DNA in 8.6 % (13/150) of soil samples in Tehran (Tavalla et al 2013).…”