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Obonyo FO, Maingi N, Githigia SM, Ochwedo KO, Owiti AA, Nyaboga EN. First Report on the Molecular Detection and Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii From Donkeys in Kenya. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1480-1491. [PMID: 39160342 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00905-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present study was conducted to determine the presence of Toxoplasma gondii in donkeys by molecular tests and genetic diversity analysis of the obtained DNA samples from central Kenya. METHOD A total of 363 blood samples were collected from donkeys in Meru and Kirinyaga Counties, and 96 samples that were previously seropositive for T. gondii using indirect ELISA were subjected to nested PCR based on the amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene followed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Genotyping was performed on 15 selected positive samples using multilocus nested polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mn-PCR-RFLP) with eight genetic markers ('SAG 2, 5'SAG 2, Alt. SAG 2, SAG 3, GRA 6, C29-2, BTUB and L358). RESULTS Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 36.5% (35/96) of the blood samples. The sequences obtained exhibited 98.2-99.5% homology with those deposited in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the obtained sequences are conserved and clustered with those of infecting animals from other regions of the world. Eighteen distinct T. gondii haplotypes were identified to be circulating in donkeys from central Kenya. The T. gondii DNA samples exhibited high haplotype diversity (Hd: 0.915) and limited genetic diversity (π = 0.01027). PCR-RFLP of T. gondii DNA-positive samples revealed three different genetic combinations that consisted of alleles I, II and III, indicating the dissemination of atypical genotypes. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that T. gondii is widespread in donkeys from Kenya and could be a possible source of infection in humans. These findings are important for designing control strategies for this parasite to improve the livestock sector, which is one of the main sources of livelihood for farmers in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick O Obonyo
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Kangemi, 00625, Kenya.
- Department of Animal Science, Meru University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 972, Meru, 60200, Kenya.
| | - Ndichu Maingi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Kangemi, 00625, Kenya
| | - Samuel M Githigia
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Kangemi, 00625, Kenya
| | - Kevin O Ochwedo
- Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, 492 W Taylor Ave, Apt 6, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Anne A Owiti
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Evans N Nyaboga
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
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Irshad A, Noreen S, Nouroz F, Rasool A, Zhu M, Mohany M. First report on prevalence, molecular characterization and phylogenetic study of Toxoplasma gondii infecting sheep of the Malakand Division of Pakistan. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:102184. [PMID: 38691874 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that infects one-third of the population of the world, including humans, animals, birds, and other vertebrates. The present investigation is the first molecular attempt in the Malakand Division of Pakistan to determine the epidemiology and phylogenetic study of Toxoplasma gondii infecting small ruminants. METHODOLOGY A total of (N = 450) blood samples of sheep were randomly collected during the study period (December 2020 to November 2021), and DNA detection was done using PCR by amplifying ITS-1 genes. SPSS.20 and MEGA-11 software were used for statistical significance and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS The overall prevalence of T. gondii infection among sheep was 14.44 % (65/450). A high infection rate was found in more than five-year-olds at 18.33 % (11/60). Sequencing and BLAST analysis of PCR-positive samples confirmed the presence of T. gondii. Randomly, three isolates were sequenced and submitted to GenBank under accession numbers (PP028089-PP028091), respectively. The BLAST analysis of the obtained sequences based on the ITS-1 gene showed 99 % similarities with reported genotypes found in goats of Malakand, Pakistan (PP028089) and dogs of Brazil (MF766454). The study concludes that T. gondii is notably prevalent among the sheep population in the region, emphasizing the significant role of risk factors in disease transmission across animals and potentially to humans. Further research, zoonotic potential analysis, and targeted control measures are warranted to address and manage this parasitic infection effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Irshad
- Department of Zoology, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 21120, Pakistan.
| | - Shumaila Noreen
- Department of Zoology, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 21120, Pakistan
| | - Faisal Nouroz
- Department of Bioinformatics, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 21120, Pakistan
| | - Akhtar Rasool
- Center for Animal Sciences and Fisheries, University of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 19120, Pakistan
| | - Mingkun Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Animal Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China; Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Mohamed Mohany
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Ahmad G, Masud A, Naeem M, Ghafar A, Muqaddas H, Qamar MF, Swelum AA, Al-Garadi MA, Jabir MS, Said MB, Khan A, Iqbal F. Molecular prevalence, phylogeny and hematological impact of Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp. in common quails from Punjab, Pakistan. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304179. [PMID: 38820542 PMCID: PMC11142681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of two prominent blood-borne pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Plasmodium spp., in common quails (Coturnix coturnix) sampled from both wild (N = 236) and farmed (N = 197) populations across four districts (Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, and Multan) in Punjab, Pakistan, during the hunting seasons from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, the impact of these pathogens on the complete blood count (CBC) of the hosts is examined. Out of 433 quails tested, 25 (5.8%) exhibited amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) gene for T. gondii, while 15 (3.5%) showed amplification of the Cytochrome b gene for Plasmodium spp. A risk factor analysis indicated that the prevalence of both pathogens was not confined to specific sampling sites or bird sexes (P > 0.05). District-wise analysis highlighted that hens were more susceptible to both T. gondii and Plasmodium spp. infections than cocks. Wild quails exhibited a higher susceptibility to T. gondii compared to farmed birds. Significant CBC variations were recorded in infected birds as compared to uninfected ones. BLAST analysis of generated sequences has confirmed the identity of recovered PCR amplicons as T. gondii and Plasmodium relictum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Pakistani isolates clustered with those reported from various countries globally. This study provides the first documentation of T. gondii and Plasmodium sp. infections in Pakistani quails, underscoring the need for detailed investigations across different regions to enhance our understanding of infection rates and the zoonotic potential of these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghafoor Ahmad
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Ardas Masud
- Department of Zoology, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Ghafar
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Hira Muqaddas
- Department of Zoology, The Women University Multan, Multan, Pakistan
| | | | - Ayman A. Swelum
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maged A. Al-Garadi
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid S. Jabir
- Applied Science Department, University of Technology-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
- Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Adil Khan
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Furhan Iqbal
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
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Taqadus A, Chiou CC, Amaro-Estrada I, Asif M, Nasreen N, Ahmad G, Iqbal J, Ali M, Khan A, Iqbal F, Chen CC. Epidemiology and Phylogeny of Anaplasma ovis with a Note on Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Asymptomatic Goats Enrolled from Four Districts in Punjab, Pakistan. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:495-506. [PMID: 37527189 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Anaplasma ovis is an intra-erythrocytic gram negative rickettsial bacterium that infects small ruminants, resulting in huge economic losses worldwide. Materials and Methods: The present investigation aims at reporting the molecular prevalence of A. ovis in 1200 asymptomatic goats that were enrolled from 4 districts (Layyah, Lohdran, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur) in Punjab, Pakistan by targeting the msp4 gene of bacterium. Risk factors associated with the prevalence of A. ovis and phylogeny of bacterium were also documented. Results: 184 out of 1200 (15%) goat blood samples were infected with A. ovis. The prevalence of the pathogen varied with the sampling sites (p = 0.005), and the highest prevalence was detected in goats from Layyah (19%) followed by Rajanpur (17%), Dera Ghazi Khan (15%), and Lohdran district (9%). The represented partial msp4 gene amplicon was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and deposited to GenBank (OP225957-59). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the amplified isolates resembled the msp4 sequences reported from Iran, Mangolia, Sudan, and the United States. Sex and age of goats, herd composition and size, and the presence of ticks on goats and dogs associated with herds were the rick factors associated with the prevalence of A. ovis. Red blood cells, lymphocytes (%), neutrophils (%), hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels in blood and Aspartate amino transferase, urea, and creatinine levels in serum were disturbed in A. ovis infected goats when compared with uninfected animals. Conclusion: We are reporting the prevalence of A. ovis in Pakistani goats from four districts of Punjab and these data will help in developing the integrated control policies against this tick-borne pathogen that is infecting our goat breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asia Taqadus
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Chien-Chun Chiou
- Department of Dermatology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Itzel Amaro-Estrada
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Jiutepec, México
| | - Muhammad Asif
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Nasreen Nasreen
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Ghafoor Ahmad
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Javaid Iqbal
- Department of Zoology, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Department of Zoology, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Adil Khan
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Pakistan
| | - Furhan Iqbal
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
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Holec-Gąsior L, Sołowińska K. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Small Ruminants: Old Problems, and Current Solutions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2696. [PMID: 37684960 PMCID: PMC10487074 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis of veterinary importance, with implications for public health. Toxoplasma gondii infection causes abortion or congenital disease in small ruminants. Moreover, the consumption of infected meat, cured meat products, or unpasteurized milk and dairy products can facilitate zoonotic transmission. Serological studies conducted in various European countries have shown the high seroprevalence of specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in sheep and goats related to the presence of oocysts in the environment, as well as climatic conditions. This article presents the current status of the detection possibilities for T. gondii infection in small ruminants and their milk. Serological testing is considered the most practical method for diagnosing toxoplasmosis; therefore, many studies have shown that recombinant antigens as single proteins, mixtures of various antigens, or chimeric proteins can be successfully used as an alternative to Toxoplasma lysate antigens (TLA). Several assays based on DNA amplification have been developed as alternative diagnostic methods, which are especially useful when serodiagnosis is not possible, e.g., the detection of intrauterine T. gondii infection when the fetus is not immunocompetent. These techniques employ multicopy sequences highly conserved among different strains of T. gondii in conventional, nested, competitive, and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza Str., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Ji MJ, Cho HC, Park YJ, Jang DH, Park J, Choi KS. Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Blood Samples of Domestic Livestock in the Republic of Korea. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040547. [PMID: 37111433 PMCID: PMC10143152 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a major zoonotic pathogen distributed worldwide, causes severe infections in humans, animals, and birds. However, limited information is available regarding T. gondii infection in livestock in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Herein, we determined the prevalence of T. gondii infection in livestock in the ROK and identified animal species that can potentially transmit T. gondii to humans. B1 gene-targeting nested polymerase chain reaction detected T. gondii DNA in 3.3% (2/61), 2.9% (3/105), 14.1% (11/78), and 15.4% (14/91) of dairy cattle, beef cattle, Boer goats, and Korean native goats, respectively. The prevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher (p = 0.002) in goats than in cattle. The risk of contracting T. gondii infection was significantly higher by 6.18-fold in Korean native goats (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–22.27%, p = 0.005) and by 5.58-fold in Boer goats (95% CI: 1.50–20.76%, p = 0.010) than in beef cattle. Our T. gondii DNA sequences exhibited 97.1–100% homology with those obtained from various hosts in other countries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report T. gondii infection using the blood samples of domestic ruminants in the ROK. The results revealed that the prevalence of T. gondii infection is higher in goats than in cattle as determined by molecular detection. Thus, these findings suggest that T. gondii can be transmitted from ruminants to humans via meat consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jeong Ji
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Chul Cho
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jin Park
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hun Jang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seong Choi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea
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Qamar W, Alsayeqh AF. A review of foodborne Toxoplasma gondii with a special focus on its prevalence in Pakistan from 2000 to 2022. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1080139. [PMID: 36744224 PMCID: PMC9890071 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1080139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Third-world countries have a higher prevalence of food-related disorders than developed nations. Millions of people in underdeveloped countries are seriously at risk from the potential water supply contamination with protozoan diseases. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the important protozoans causing diseases in livestock and humans. Despite the standard tests for diagnosing this parasite and different treatment methods, the spread of these parasites is uncontrollable and rising every year due to other management disorders. In this review, we summarize etiopathogenesis and prevalence in Pakistan. We looked for papers reporting the seroprevalence of T. gondii in people and animals between 2000 and 2022 in different databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Pakistan's domestic animals (sheep and goats, horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, and buffaloes), domestic pets (cats and dogs), poultry and rodents, and humans were gathered. According to the findings, sheep had an estimated pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii that varied from 11.20 to 26.50 %, and goats from 24.50 to 38.40%. Whereas in buffalo the opposite trend was followed, and the prevalence was observed is 0% in 2022, in horses, donkeys, and mules, only one study was reported according to which a high prevalence was observed in mules (28.60%) followed by donkeys (23.50%) and horses (23.50%), in cats 38.5% prevalence was observed in a recent study and in dogs 28.43% observed, and in humans from 22 to 60%. Human beings are found to be the most affected species showing high prevalence among all. According to our findings, animals and pets not only serve as a reservoir for the parasite but also serve as a direct route for human infection with T. gondii. The diagnostic techniques used in the observed studies were mostly serological testing whereas only a few studies have only been observed with molecular testing. To know the exact pattern of the disease for its control, the trend of molecular and advanced testing should be adopted as it is more reliable. Moreover, to decrease the transmission chances of T. gondii to humans, it is crucial to manage T. gondii infections in non-human species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warda Qamar
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Abdullah F. Alsayeqh ✉
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Taalay I, Iqbal RK, Asif M, Ahmad A, Amjad M, Anwar FN, Aktas M, Ben Said M, Iqbal F. Molecular survey of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle and buffaloes and phylogenetic position of Pakistani isolates based on ITS-1 gene. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 84:101782. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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