Molecular characterization and epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from free-range chickens in the southwest region of Goiás: new genotypes

Abstract The purpose of this study was to isolate Toxoplasma gondii from tissues of free-range chickens in the southwestern region of Goiás, to detect and molecularly characterize the genetic material of the parasite, and to determine the seroprevalence of the protozoan parasite in these animals. A seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies of 76% (19/25) was found among the chickens, while genetic material from their tissues was detected in 56% (14/25). A total of 14 isolates was obtained in the bioassay, ten of which were considered acute, eight were considered isolates of high virulence lethal to mice, and four of low virulence, considered non-lethal but with the ability to chronify the infection. Seven of the ten isolates showed significant morphometric differences from the RH strain, in terms of nucleus-complex-apical distance, length and width. Genotyping of the acute isolates was performed by RFLP-PCR, using 11 genetic markers: SAG1, SAG2 (3’SAG2 and 5’SAG2), alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and APICO. The results were compared and classified according to the genotypes listed on the ToxoDB Platform, where different profiles were observed indicating the presence of two known genotypes (#7 and #63) and five new genotypes (NEW 3, NEW4, NEW5, NEW6, NEW 7). The results showed high seroprevalence, isolation rate, molecular detection and genotypic variations of T. gondii in free-range chickens in the southwestern region of Goiás

Evaluation of the accuracy of parasitological techniques for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites in cats

Abstract The accuracy of the parasitological techniques of Willis, Hoffman-Pons-Janer or Lutz (HPLJ), Sheather and Faust was evaluated in fecal samples from stray cats caught by the Zoonosis Control Center in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. These four techniques were applied separately to analyze 154 fecal samples, and their accuracy was analyzed based on an evaluation of their sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and Kappa index, resulting in the selection of the Willis technique as the nominal gold standard. Of the 154 samples, 115 (74.68%) tested positive for intestinal parasites. The analysis of the frequency of positivity indicated that the HPLJ technique detected 86.1% of the positive samples and was the closest to the gold standard. The analysis of the accuracy of the techniques was evaluated using the most prevalent parasites. The Sheather technique showed the highest accuracy in the detection of Ancylostomatidae, while the Sheather and HPLJ techniques showed similar accuracies in the detection of Cystoisospora spp. when compared to the gold standard. Lastly, the Faust technique showed the highest accuracy in the detection of Toxoplasma gondii when compared to the gold standard. This study underscores the importance of combining parasitological techniques in the diagnosis of intestinal parasites in cats

FREQUÊNCIA DE ANTICORPOS ANTI-TOXOPLASMA GONDII EM GATOS ERRANTES (Felis catus domesticus) EM GOIÂNIA, GOIÁS, BRASIL

O gato doméstico (Felis catus domesticus) é um importante transmissor de agentes zoonóticos para o homem, em especial Toxoplasma gondii. O gato infectado é capaz de eliminar milhões de oocistos no meio ambiente, provocando uma contaminação maciça nestes locais, sendo considerado um problema de saúde pública. A toxoplasmose é uma doença com alta prevalência em todo o mundo, sendo o gato responsável pela perpetuação do parasito. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a frequência de anticorpos IgG anti-T. gondii pelo teste de aglutinação modificado (MAT) em gatos errantes capturados pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Goiânia, Goiás no ano de 2016. Foram coletadas 50 amostras sanguínes de gatos e foi realizado o MAT. Ao analisar a frequência de anticorpos 64% (32/50) eram soropositivos e 36% (18/50) soronegativos. Com isso ressaltamos a importância do gato doméstico na epidemiologia da toxoplasmose, por ser o perpetuador do parasito no meio ambiente. A frequência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii em gatos errantes ainda não havia sido determinada no estado de Goiás, esses resultados contribuem com a literatura para analisar a distribuição do parasito e favorecer estudos da epidemiologia da doença

Nursing infant with acquired toxoplasmosis in the first months of life – a case report

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii and the probability of this infection occurring in the first months of life is usually low because its transmission is related to eating habits. A 6-month-old nursing infant was diagnosed with acute toxoplasmosis, which was identified through anti- T. gondii IgA, IgM and low-avidity IgG serologic assays, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mouse bioassay test although its mother was seronegative. This serological divergence between mother and child led us to interview the mother regarding epidemiological factors. During this interview, she reported that she had given her 2-month-old baby a piece of undercooked beef to suck on. After some time, the baby presented fever and cervical lymphadenitis. This report emphasizes the importance of serological surveys of toxoplasmosis in nursing infants presenting with fever and lymphadenitis, in view of the possible acquisition of toxoplasmosis in the first months of life

Detection of DNA and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in errant cats (Felis catus domesticus, Linnaeus, 1758) captured by the Zoonoses Control Center of Goiânia, state of Goiás, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to verify the seropositivity of IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in serum samples and to detect T. gondii DNA detection in tissue from stray cats captured by the Zoonosis Control Center (ZCC) of Goiânia, state of Goiás, during 2016. Antibodies were analyzed by means of an indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA), while DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using primers that amplify the B1 gene in specimens of brain, muscle and heart from the animals. The serological analysis revealed that 87.4% (21/24) of the cats were positive and the molecular test indicated a positivity rate of 75% (18/24). These high rates of serological and molecular detection are worrisome for public health because they confirm the important role cats play in environmental contamination, and hence, in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans