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Tschritter CM, V. C. de Groot P, Branigan M, Dyck M, Sun Z, Lougheed SC. A new multiplexed magnetic capture-Droplet digital PCR tool for monitoring wildlife population health and pathogen surveillance. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10655. [PMID: 37915804 PMCID: PMC10616740 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic stressors are exacerbating the emergence and spread of pathogens worldwide. In regions like the Arctic, where ecosystems are particularly susceptible, marked changes are predicted in regional diversity, intensity, and patterns of infectious diseases. To understand such rapidly changing host-pathogen dynamics and mitigate the impacts of novel pathogens, we need sensitive disease surveillance tools. We developed and validated a novel multiplexed, magnetic capture, and ddPCR tool for the surveillance of multiple pathogens in polar bears, a sentinel species that is considered susceptible to climate change and other stressors with a pan-Arctic distribution. Through sequence-specific magnetic capture, we concentrated five target template sequences from three zoonotic bacteria (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Francisella tularensis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex) and two parasitic (Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp.) pathogens from large quantities (<100 g) of host tissue. We then designed and validated two multiplexed probe-based ddPCR assays for the amplification and detection of the low-concentration target DNA. Validations used 48 polar bear tissues (muscle and liver). We detected 14, 1, 3, 4, and 22 tissue positives for E. rhusiopathiae, F. tularensis, M. tuberculosis complex, T. gondii, and Trichinella spp., respectively. These multiplexed assays offer a rapid, specific tool for quantifying and monitoring the changing geographical and host distributions of pathogens relevant to human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marsha Branigan
- Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesGovernment of the Northwest TerritoriesInuvikNorthwest TerritoriesCanada
| | - Markus Dyck
- Department of EnvironmentGovernment of NunavutIgloolikNunavutCanada
| | - Zhengxin Sun
- Department of BiologyQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
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Dámek F, Fremaux B, Aubert D, Thoumire S, Delsart M, Martin JL, Vuillermet S, Opsteegh M, Jokelainen P, Le Roux D, Boireau P, Villena I, Blaga R. Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii in dry sausage and processed pork, and quantification of the pathogen in pig tissues prior to production. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2023; 31:e00194. [PMID: 37250657 PMCID: PMC10209801 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic foodborne parasite. Meat of infected animals appears to be a major source of infection in Europe. Pork is the most consumed meat in France, with dry sausages well represented. The risk of transmission via consumption of processed pork products is largely unknown, mainly since processing will affect viability but may not entirely inactivate all T. gondii parasites. We investigated the presence and concentration of T. gondii DNA in the shoulder, breast, ham, and heart of pigs orally inoculated with 1000 oocysts (n = 3) or tissue cysts (n = 3) and naturally infected pigs (n = 2), by means of magnetic capture qPCR (MC-qPCR). Muscle tissues of experimentally infected pigs were further used to evaluate the impact of manufacturing processes of dry sausages, including different concentrations of nitrates (0, 60, 120, 200 ppm), nitrites (0, 60, 120 ppm), and NaCl (0, 20, 26 g/kg), ripening (2 days at 16-24 °C) and drying (up to 30 days at 13 °C), by a combination of mouse bioassay, qPCR and MC-qPCR. DNA of T. gondii was detected in all eight pigs, including in 41.7% (10/24) of muscle samples (shoulder, breast and ham) and 87.5% (7/8) of hearts by MC-qPCR. The number of parasites per gram of tissue was estimated to be the lowest in the hams (arithmetic mean (M) = 1, standard deviation (SD) = 2) and the highest in the hearts (M = 147, SD = 233). However, the T. gondii burden estimates varied on the individual animal level, the tissue tested and the parasitic stage used for the experimental infection (oocysts or tissue cysts). Of dry sausages and processed pork, 94.4% (51/54) were positive for T. gondii by MC-qPCR or qPCR, with the mean T. gondii burden estimate equivalent to 31 parasites per gram (SD = 93). Only the untreated processed pork sample collected on the day of production was positive by mouse bioassay. The results suggest an uneven distribution of T. gondii in the tissues examined, and possibly an absence or a concentration below the detection limit in some of them. Moreover, the processing of dry sausages and processed pork with NaCl, nitrates, and nitrites has an impact on the viability of T. gondii from the first day of production. Results are valuable input for future risk assessments aiming to estimate the relative contribution of different sources of T. gondii human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Dámek
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Bastien Fremaux
- IFIP - Institut du Porc, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- National Reference Centre on Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma Biological Resources Centre, CHU Reims and EA7510, SFR CAP-Santé, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, USC EpiToxo Anses, France
| | - Sandra Thoumire
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Maxime Delsart
- Anses, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale USC EPIMAI, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jean-Luc Martin
- IFIP - Institut du Porc, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sandra Vuillermet
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Marieke Opsteegh
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Statens Serum Institut, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Delphine Le Roux
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pascal Boireau
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- National Reference Centre on Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma Biological Resources Centre, CHU Reims and EA7510, SFR CAP-Santé, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, USC EpiToxo Anses, France
| | - Radu Blaga
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Kuruca L, Belluco S, Vieira-Pinto M, Antic D, Blagojevic B. Current control options and a way towards risk-based control of Toxoplasma gondii in the meat chain. Food Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Engel L, Hamedy A, Koethe M. Direct detection and quantification of Toxoplasma gondii in meat samples from feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Germany by magnetic-capture real-time PCR. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:307-313. [PMID: 36401669 PMCID: PMC9816176 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07730-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Because the number of wild raccoons in Germany is increasing constantly, it appears to be economic reasonable to use their meat as food. For this purpose, it is essential to generate data regarding the pathogen load of the meat to be consumed and handled. It is known that raccoons, particularly in Germany, show a high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii. Because serological data only indicates contact of a host to a parasite additional direct detection is needed to prove presence of parasitic stages in particular tissues. Therefore, a total of 150 samples from raccoons with known serostatus were tested and quantified using magnetic-capture real-time PCR for Toxoplasma gondii. As it represents potentially consumption-relevant parts of raccoons, meat from forelimb and hindlimb was examined. Samples were stratified into three groups based on the animals' serostatus (each 50 negative, low positive, and high positive). All samples from seronegative animals were found negative by MC-PCR as well. In a total of 56 meat samples from 100 seropositive animals, T. gondii DNA was detected. Statistically significant more samples were positive by MC-PCR in the high positive than in the low positive serostatus group (38/50 vs. 18/50, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, samples from the former group were also found to have statistically significant higher DNA equivalent values compared to samples from the low positive serostatus group (p < 0.0001). These results suggest that meat from seropositive raccoons may contain considerable numbers of T. gondii presenting a potential public health risk for humans whilst handling and consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Engel
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ahmad Hamedy
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Koethe
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Gracia MJ, Lázaro R, Pérez-Arquillué C, Bayarri S. Effect of Domestic Freezing on the Viability of Toxoplasma gondii in Raw and Dry-Cured Ham from Experimentally Infected Pigs. J Food Prot 2022; 85:626-631. [PMID: 34935930 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-21-281] [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: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of the parasitic disease toxoplasmosis, which is an important foodborne zoonosis. Eating undercooked meat of infected animals has been considered the major transmission route of T. gondii to humans. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of domestic freezing for inactivation of T. gondii bradyzoites in ham. Raw and dry-cured ham from a pig experimentally inoculated orally with 4,000 oocysts of T. gondii VEG strain was subjected to domestic freezing at -20°C for up to 14 days. The effect was evaluated by bioassay in mice and a quantitative PCR assay. In raw and dry-cured ham, -20°C for 7 and 14 days, respectively, did not inactivate T. gondii. More studies are needed to find the correct temperature and time needed to render the bradyzoites noninfectious for humans. Meanwhile, the recommendations for freezing to inactivate T. gondii in raw or dry-cured meats must be revisited because domestic freezing conditions do not reduce the risk of infection. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- María J Gracia
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Regina Lázaro
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Consuelo Pérez-Arquillué
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Susana Bayarri
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
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Bouchard É, Sharma R, Hernández-Ortiz A, Buhler K, Al-Adhami B, Su C, Fenton H, G-Gouin G, Roth JD, Rodrigues CW, Pamak C, Simon A, Bachand N, Leighton P, Jenkins E. Are foxes (Vulpes spp.) good sentinel species for Toxoplasma gondii in northern Canada? Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:115. [PMID: 35365191 PMCID: PMC8972674 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05229-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In changing northern ecosystems, understanding the mechanisms of transmission of zoonotic pathogens, including the coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is essential to protect the health of vulnerable animals and humans. As high-level predators and scavengers, foxes represent a potentially sensitive indicator of the circulation of T. gondii in environments where humans co-exist. The objectives of our research were to compare serological and molecular assays to detect T. gondii, generate baseline data on T. gondii antibody and tissue prevalence in foxes in northern Canada, and compare regional seroprevalence in foxes with that in people from recently published surveys across northern Canada. Methods Fox carcasses (Vulpes vulpes/Vulpes lagopus, n = 749) were collected by local trappers from the eastern (Labrador and Québec) and western Canadian Arctic (northern Manitoba, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories) during the winters of 2015–2019. Antibodies in heart fluid were detected using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in hearts and brains using a magnetic capture DNA extraction and real-time PCR assay. Results Antibodies against T. gondii and DNA were detected in 36% and 27% of foxes, respectively. Detection of antibodies was higher in older (64%) compared to younger foxes (22%). More males (36%) than females (31%) were positive for antibodies to T. gondii. Tissue prevalence in foxes from western Nunavik (51%) was higher than in eastern Nunavik (19%). At the Canadian scale, T. gondii exposure was lower in western Inuit regions (13%) compared to eastern Inuit regions (39%), possibly because of regional differences in fox diet and/or environment. Exposure to T. gondii decreased at higher latitude and in foxes having moderate to little fat. Higher mean infection intensity was observed in Arctic foxes compared to red foxes. Fox and human seroprevalence showed similar trends across Inuit regions of Canada, but were less correlated in the eastern sub-Arctic, which may reflect regional differences in human dietary preferences. Conclusions Our study sheds new light on the current status of T. gondii in foxes in northern Canada and shows that foxes serve as a good sentinel species for environmental circulation and, in some regions, human exposure to this parasite in the Arctic. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05229-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Émilie Bouchard
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. .,Research Group On Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
| | - Rajnish Sharma
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Adrián Hernández-Ortiz
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Kayla Buhler
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Batol Al-Adhami
- Centre for Food-Borne and Animal Parasitology, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Heather Fenton
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | | | - James D Roth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Carla Pamak
- Nunatsiavut Research Centre, Nain, NL, Canada
| | - Audrey Simon
- Research Group On Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Nicholas Bachand
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Patrick Leighton
- Research Group On Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Emily Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Puchalska M, Wiśniewski J, Klich D, Gołąb E, Jańczak D, Sokołowska J, Urbańska K, Anusz K. A serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii in polish pigs from organic farms, other housing systems and in pigs of different age groups. Acta Vet Scand 2022; 64:3. [PMID: 35130949 PMCID: PMC8822955 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-022-00623-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The consumption of raw or undercooked meat, especially pork, and offal containing infective tissue cysts is suspected to be a significant route of infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Although the use of “animal-friendly pig production systems” ensuring direct contact with the natural environment offers ethical benefits, it limits the ability to ensure animal health; it may also increase the probability of infections by pathogens such as T. gondii, and thus their entry into the food chain. This study determines the seroprevalence of T. gondii in pigs from different housing systems and farms with different hygiene standards in Poland, as well as among pigs of different age groups from farms with high hygiene standards. In total 760 pig serum samples were examined for the presence of specific antibodies using the PrioCHECK® Toxoplasma Ab porcine commercial ELISA test (Prionics, Switzerland). Results Test results with PP ≥ 20% were regarded as positive, as indicated by the manufacturer. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 193 of 760 (25.4%) tested sera. Regarding different housing systems, antibodies were found in 117 pigs: of these, 52.6% (61/116) were from organic farms, 40.9% (47/115) from farms with low hygiene standards, 5.4% (9/167) from farms with high hygiene standards and 0% (0/40) from a farm with a high level of biosecurity. Regarding age groups, antibodies were found in 76 animals on farms with high hygiene standards: 11.1% (7/63) were pigs younger than 3 months, 0% (0/60) aged 3–4 months, 12.3% (7/57) aged 5–6 months (final fattening stage) and 43.7% (62/142) were sows aged 9 months and older. Conclusions Antibodies to T. gondii were most often found in pigs from organic and low-hygiene farms, as well as in pigs aged 9 months and older. Meat derived from seropositive animals can pose a potential source of infection for humans. As maternal antibodies to T. gondii can be present in the blood of piglets aged up to 3–4 months, serological examination is unjustified in piglets up to this age.
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Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp. co-infection in Tunisian Merguez, a traditional processed sausage beef meat. Food Control 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Gomez-Samblas M, Vilchez S, Ortega-Velázquez R, Fuentes MV, Osuna A. Absence of Toxoplasma gondii in 100% Iberian products from experimentally infected pigs cured following a specific traditional process. Food Microbiol 2020; 95:103665. [PMID: 33397604 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Infection with Toxoplasma gondii in humans has usually been related to the consumption of raw, undercooked or cured meat. Our study is based on the detection of T. gondii in cured legs and shoulders made from 100% Iberian sows fed mainly with acorn and raised as outdoor livestock in Aracena (Spain), which having been elaborated following a specific curing process (time period and location). An outdoor farm with a total of 636 animals was studied, showing a seroprevalence of 10% for the parasite T. gondii. Twenty individuals were chosen to be experimentally infected and slaughtered 60 days post-infection. Their legs and shoulders were processed to make 100% Iberian ham legs and shoulders. The meat ready to be eaten was analyzed by quantification and viability assays using magnetic capture real-time qPCR and bioassay techniques proving that this specific traditional "Cinco Jotas" curing process 100% Iberian ham is strong enough to eliminate the parasite T. gondii, resulting in a safe product for consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Gomez-Samblas
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain; Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular. Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain.
| | - Susana Vilchez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain; Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Rocío Ortega-Velázquez
- Sanchez Romero Carvajal Jabugo SA, ctra. San Juan del Puerto s/n, 21290, Jabugo, Huelva, Spain
| | - Màrius V Fuentes
- Parasites & Health Research Group, Departament de Farmàcia i Tecnologia Farmacèutica i Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent, Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, València, Spain
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain; Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular. Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain.
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Almeria S, Dubey JP. Foodborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the last decade. An overview. Res Vet Sci 2020; 135:371-385. [PMID: 33148402 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of global distribution and importance. It is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the only species in the Toxoplasma genus. This parasite can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans and livestock. Main routes of transmission are by ingestion of tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat of infected animals, ingestion of raw vegetables or water contaminated with T. gondii oocysts from cat feces, and transplacental. Around one-third of human beings are chronically infected with T. gondii. Most infections appear to be asymptomatic in immunocompetent persons, but toxoplasmosis can be fatal to the fetus and immunocompromised adults. Water and foodborne outbreaks have been caused by this parasite worldwide, but few are well documented. Importantly, T. gondii is a parasite of high importance in animal health, causing reproductive failure, particularly in small ruminants, and clinical toxoplasmosis in many species. This overview discusses the knowledge of T. gondii infections in the last decade focusing on the foodborne transmission of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Almeria
- Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Division of Virulence Assessment, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
| | - J P Dubey
- USA Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Disease Laboratory, Building 1001, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
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Dubey JP, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Murata FHA, Kwok OCH, Hill D, Yang Y, Su C. All about Toxoplasma gondii infections in pigs: 2009-2020. Vet Parasitol 2020; 288:109185. [PMID: 33271424 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs continues to be of public health concern. Pigs are important for the economy of many countries, particularly, USA, China, and European countries. Among the many food animals, pigs are considered the most important for T. gondii transmission in USA and China because viable parasites have rarely been isolated from beef or indoor raised chickens. Besides public health issues, T. gondii causes outbreaks of clinical toxoplasmosis in pigs in China, associated with a unique genotype of T. gondii (ToxoDB genotype #9 or Chinese 1), rarely found in other countries. The safety of ready to eat pork products with respect to T. gondii infection is a matter of recent debate. Here, we review in detail seroprevalence, prevalence of viable and nonviable T. gondii, epidemiology, risk assessment, diagnosis, and curing of pork products containing T. gondii for the past decade. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - Camila K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Fernando H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Oliver C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Dolores Hill
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Yurong Yang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, PR China
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
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High-pressure processing (HPP) of raw and dry-cured ham from experimentally infected pigs as a potential tool for the risk control of Toxoplasma gondii. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2020.102315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Deng H, Swart A, Bonačić Marinović AA, van der Giessen JW, Opsteegh M. The effect of salting on Toxoplasma gondii viability evaluated and implemented in a quantitative risk assessment of meat-borne human infection. Int J Food Microbiol 2020; 314:108380. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.108380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in extensively raised Iberian pigs in Spain. Prev Vet Med 2019; 175:104854. [PMID: 31790931 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pigs reared under extensive farming conditions are currently in high commercial demand because they are associated with high-quality products. Nevertheless, the risk of contact with different pathogens of animal and public health concern is also higher in extensive production systems. Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent zoonotic pathogen and transmission by contaminated pork is likely one of the main routes of human toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence, risk factors and spatial distribution of T. gondii on extensive Iberian pig herds in Spain. Sera from 2245 Iberian pigs from 114 herds were collected between 2015 and 2017 and analyzed using a commercial ELISA. The apparent individual prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii was 24.1 % (542/2245) and the estimated true seroprevalence was 24.3 % (CI95 %: 22.5-26.1). Seropositivity was detected in 86.0 % (98/114; CI95 %: 77.4-91.1) of 114 herds analyzed. A multi-level logistic regression model showed that T. gondii infection was significantly more frequent in sows than in fattening pigs (OR: 2.6; CI95 %: 1.5-4.8) and in herds with more than three cats compared to no cats (OR: 2.9; CI95 %: 1.1-8.7). Our results indicate a widespread but heterogenous distribution of T. gondii in extensively reared Iberian pig herds, which may have important implications for public health through the consumption of undercooked or improperly cured pork products.
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Godínez-González C, Roca-Geronès X, Montoliu I, Fisa R. Importance of Using Complex Matrices in the Standardization of Molecular Techniques for the Control of Foodborne Parasites. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:11279-11280. [PMID: 31578856 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b05700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Godínez-González
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Biology, Health and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , Avinguda de Joan XXIII, 27-31 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Xavier Roca-Geronès
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Biology, Health and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , Avinguda de Joan XXIII, 27-31 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Isabel Montoliu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Biology, Health and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , Avinguda de Joan XXIII, 27-31 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Roser Fisa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Biology, Health and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , Avinguda de Joan XXIII, 27-31 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
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BAHADORI EHSANSHARIAT, SADRAEI JAVID, DALIMI ABDOLHOSEIN, NAMROODI SOMAYYEH, PIRESTANI MAJID. First isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from rodents and stray cats in northeast of Iran. THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v89i5.90010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a common coccidian parasite with stray cat family as definitive host, and a wide range of warm blooded animals and human as intermediate hosts. The objective of this study was to isolate T. gondii from rodents and stray cats in northeast of Iran. Genomic DNA was extracted from 30–50 mg of the rodents and stray cats’ tissue using phenol-chloroform extraction method. Using PCR-RFLP, the genes (SAG1, SAG3, GRA6, 18SrRNA) and sequencing method, the isolation of T. gondii from these hosts was determined. ELISA method was also used on serum samples to evaluate the IgG antibodies against T. gondii among the hosts. Out of 286 rodents and 210 stray cats tested, the DNA of T. gondii was detected in 68 and 38 samples, respectively. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the RFLP results. It was also observed that dominant genotype of T. gondii in infected rodents and stray cats belonged to genotype 3. The results of this study indicated that rodent and stray cat hosts can play an important role in maintaining the Toxoplasma transmission cycle in the Golestan province.
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Bachand N, Ravel A, Leighton P, Stephen C, Ndao M, Avard E, Jenkins E. Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in terrestrial and marine wildlife harvested for food in Nunavik, Canada. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:155. [PMID: 30944016 PMCID: PMC6448294 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3408-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan parasite, infects mammals and birds worldwide. Infection in humans is often asymptomatic, though illnesses can occur in immunocompromised hosts and the fetuses of susceptible women infected during pregnancy. In Nunavik, Canada, 60% of the Inuit population has measurable antibodies against T. gondii. Handling and consumption of wildlife have been identified as risk factors for exposure. Serological evidence of exposure has been reported for wildlife in Nunavik; however, T. gondii has not been detected in wildlife tissues commonly consumed by Inuit. METHODS We used a magnetic capture DNA extraction and real-time PCR protocol to extract and amplify T. gondii DNA from large quantities of tissues (up to 100 g) of 441 individual animals in Nunavik: 166 ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus), 156 geese (Branta canadensis and Chen caerulescens), 61 ringed seals (Pusa hispida), 31 caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and 27 walruses (Odobenus rosmarus). RESULTS DNA from T. gondii was detected in 9% (95% CI: 3-15%) of geese from four communities in western and southern Nunavik, but DNA was not detected in other wildlife species including 20% (95% CI: 12-31%) of ringed seals and 26% (95% CI: 14-43%) of caribou positive on a commercial modified agglutination test (MAT) using thawed heart muscle juice. In geese, tissue parasite burden was highest in heart, followed by brain, breast muscle, liver and gizzard. Serological results did not correlate well with tissue infection status for any wildlife species. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection, quantification, and characterization of DNA of T. gondii (clonal lineage II in one goose) from wildlife harvested for food in Nunavik, which supports the hypothesis that migratory geese can carry T. gondii into Nunavik where feline definitive hosts are rare. This study suggests that direct detection methods may be useful for detection of T. gondii in wildlife harvested for human consumption and provides data needed for a quantitative exposure assessment that will determine the risk of T. gondii exposure for Inuit who harvest and consume geese in Nunavik.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Bachand
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4 Canada
- Groupe de Recherche en épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2 Canada
| | - André Ravel
- Groupe de Recherche en épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2 Canada
| | - Patrick Leighton
- Groupe de Recherche en épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2 Canada
| | - Craig Stephen
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4 Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5B4 Canada
| | - Momar Ndao
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, J.D. MacLean Tropical Diseases Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Ellen Avard
- Nunavik Research Center, Makivik Corporation, Kuujjuaq, Canada
| | - Emily Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4 Canada
- Groupe de Recherche en épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2 Canada
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Bier NS, Schares G, Johne A, Martin A, Nöckler K, Mayer-Scholl A. Performance of three molecular methods for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in pork. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 14:e00038. [PMID: 32095606 PMCID: PMC7034005 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparison of epidemiological data on the occurrence of Toxoplasma (T.) gondii tissue cysts in meat is hampered by the lack of standardization and a great variety of methods for molecular detection. Therefore, this study aimed to compare and validate three different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for detection of T. gondii DNA in pork. Analytical performance characteristics of two real time PCRs (qPCRs; Tg-qPCR1, Tg-qPCR2) and one conventional endpoint PCR (cPCR), all targeting the 529 repeated element, were assessed using genomic DNA of three clonal T. gondii types prevailing in Europe and North America. qPCR efficiencies for all three clonal types ranged between 93.8 and 94.4% (Tg-qPCR1) and 94.3–95.6% (Tg-qPCR2). Tg-qPCR1 and Tg-qPCR2 showed an overall PCR performance score of 85% and displayed a similar 95% detection limit of 1.067 and 1.561 genome equivalents per PCR reaction (GE/PCR), respectively. However, T. gondii DNA could be detected at concentrations as low as 0.1 GE/PCR. Reliable quantification is possible over 4 log ranges from 105 to 100 GE/PCR with mean repeatability relative standard deviations of ≤11% and reproducibility relative standard deviations of ≤12.7%. Presumably, both qPCRs are similarly suitable for sensitive and specific detection of T. gondii DNA in pork. In contrast, the cPCR using primer pair TOX5/Tox-8 proved to be highly sensitive with a detection limit of 1.41 GE/PCR, but not suitable for detection of T. gondii DNA in pork as unspecific amplification of porcine DNA was observed resulting in bands with similar size to the desired T. gondii-specific PCR product. Comparison of two real time PCRs and one conventional PCR targeting the 529 RE. Both real time PCRs show comparable performance and can be considered equivalent. qPCRs show 95% detection limits of 1.067 and 1.561 genome equivalents per PCR. Reliable quantification is possible over 4 log ranges from 105 to 100 GE/PCR. cPCR using primer pair TOX5/Tox-8 showed non-specific amplification of porcine DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja S Bier
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Annette Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annett Martin
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Exposure, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Nöckler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cacciò S, Chalmers R, Deplazes P, Devleesschauwer B, Innes E, Romig T, van der Giessen J, Hempen M, Van der Stede Y, Robertson L. Public health risks associated with food-borne parasites. EFSA J 2018; 16:e05495. [PMID: 32625781 PMCID: PMC7009631 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites are important food‐borne pathogens. Their complex lifecycles, varied transmission routes, and prolonged periods between infection and symptoms mean that the public health burden and relative importance of different transmission routes are often difficult to assess. Furthermore, there are challenges in detection and diagnostics, and variations in reporting. A Europe‐focused ranking exercise, using multicriteria decision analysis, identified potentially food‐borne parasites of importance, and that are currently not routinely controlled in food. These are Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus spp. Infection with these parasites in humans and animals, or their occurrence in food, is not notifiable in all Member States. This Opinion reviews current methods for detection, identification and tracing of these parasites in relevant foods, reviews literature on food‐borne pathways, examines information on their occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. The differences between these three parasites are substantial, but for all there is a paucity of well‐established, standardised, validated methods that can be applied across the range of relevant foods. Furthermore, the prolonged period between infection and clinical symptoms (from several days for Cryptosporidium to years for Echinococcus spp.) means that source attribution studies are very difficult. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the domestic animal lifecycle (involving dogs and livestock) for Echinoccocus granulosus means that this parasite is controllable. For Echinococcus multilocularis, for which the lifecycle involves wildlife (foxes and rodents), control would be expensive and complicated, but could be achieved in targeted areas with sufficient commitment and resources. Quantitative risk assessments have been described for Toxoplasma in meat. However, for T. gondii and Cryptosporidium as faecal contaminants, development of validated detection methods, including survival/infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, are required for the development of quantitative risk assessments and efficient control measures.
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Nicholas B, Ravel A, Leighton P, Stephen C, Iqbal A, Ndao M, Konecsni K, Fernando C, Jenkins E. Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) as sentinels for parasitic zoonoses, Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella nativa, in the northeastern Canadian Arctic. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2018; 7:391-397. [PMID: 30370219 PMCID: PMC6199765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Outbreaks of Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. have been recurring for decades among Inuit of Nunavik, northeastern Canada. Contact with wildlife has been identified as a risk factor for Inuit exposure to T. gondii, but reservoirs have yet to be confirmed based on direct detection of DNA or organism. Similarly, little is known about the occurrence of Trichinella spp. in wildlife species of Nunavik other than walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) and bears (Ursus americanus, Ursus maritimus). Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were targeted as possible sentinels for T. gondii and Trichinella spp. because of their high trophic position within the Arctic food chain as carnivorous scavengers. A total of 39 red foxes were sampled from four communities in southern and western Nunavik between November 2015 and September 2016. For the first time in wildlife, a novel magnetic capture DNA extraction and real-time PCR technique was used to isolate and detect T. gondii DNA from the heart and brain of foxes. A double separatory funnel digestion method followed by multiplex PCR was used to recover and genotype larvae of Trichinella spp. from tongues of foxes. Seroprevalence based on detection of antibodies to T. gondii was 41% (95% CI: 27-57%) using a commercially available modified agglutination test (MAT). Detection of DNA of T. gondii and larvae of Trichinella nativa (T2) occurred in 44% (95% CI: 28-60%) and 36% (95% CI: 21-51%) of foxes, respectively. Coinfection with both T. nativa and T. gondii occurred among 23% (95%CI: 13-38%) of foxes which can be attributed to co-transmission from prey and scavenged species in their diet. There was only moderate agreement between T. gondii serology and direct detection of T. gondii DNA using the MC-PCR technique (Kappa test statistic: 0.321), suggesting that using both methods in tandem can increase the sensitivity of detection for this parasite. These findings show that foxes are good sentinels for circulation of parasitic zoonoses in terrestrial northern ecosystems since they are highly exposed, show measurable indicators of infection and do not serve as exposure sources for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bachand Nicholas
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4, Canada
| | - A. Ravel
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique, Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - P. Leighton
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - C. Stephen
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - A. Iqbal
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, J.D. MacLean Tropical Diseases Centre, McGill University, Montréal, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - M. Ndao
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, J.D. MacLean Tropical Diseases Centre, McGill University, Montréal, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - K. Konecsni
- Centre for Foodborne and Animal Parasitology, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Saskatoon Laboratory, 116 Veterinary Rd., Saskatoon, S7N 2R3, Canada
| | - C. Fernando
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4, Canada
| | - E. Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4, Canada
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Lambooij MS, Veldwijk J, van Gils P, Mangen MJJ, Over E, Suijkerbuijk A, Polder J, de Wit GA, Opsteegh M. Consumers' preferences for freezing of meat to prevent toxoplasmosis- A stated preference approach. Meat Sci 2018; 149:1-8. [PMID: 30448472 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Consumption of raw or undercooked meat increases the risk of infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Freezing meat products can eliminate this risk. Freezing of meat may affect consumers' valuation of meat products in two different ways: it may be valued positively because of increased food safety or valued negatively because of (perceived) loss of quality. In a Discrete Choice Experiment on four different meat products we studied the difference in willingness to pay for frozen and non-frozen meat products in the Netherlands. Analyses revealed that most Dutch consumer groups prefer non-frozen meat. Price was important in consumer decisions, whereas the meat being frozen appeared to play a minor role in the decision to purchase meat products. Even though it may seem obvious that people would prefer safe food to unsafe food, in a context where consumers presume food being safe, many consumers appear unwilling to pay for freezing of meat as additional measure to reduce the risk of food borne infections such as toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattijs S Lambooij
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Jorien Veldwijk
- Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM), Erasmus Choice Modelling Center (ECMC), Erasmus University, The Netherlands
| | - Paul van Gils
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Marie-Josee J Mangen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Eelco Over
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Suijkerbuijk
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Polder
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Tilburg University, Tranzo, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - G Ardine de Wit
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands; University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Opsteegh
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Costa DF, Fowler F, Silveira C, Nóbrega MJ, Nobrega HAJ, Nascimento H, Rizzo LV, Commodaro AG, Belfort R. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in Processed Pork Meat. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2018; 15:734-736. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2018.2438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Deise F. Costa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flávio Fowler
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Heloisa Nascimento
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rubens Belfort
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Condoleo R, Rinaldi L, Sette S, Mezher Z. Risk Assessment of Human Toxoplasmosis Associated with the Consumption of Pork Meat in Italy. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2018; 38:1202-1222. [PMID: 29098702 DOI: 10.1111/risa.12934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan disease and has a broad range of hosts, including humans and several wild and domestic animals. The human infection is mostly acquired through the consumption of contaminated food and pork meat has been recognized as one of the major sources of transmission. There are, however, certain fundamental differences between countries; therefore, the present study specifically aims to evaluate the exposure of the Italian population to Toxoplasma gondii through the ingestion of several types of pork meat products habitually consumed in Italy and to estimate the annual number of human infections within two subgroups of the population. A quantitative risk assessment model was built for this reason and was enriched with new elements in comparison to other similar risk assessments in order to enhance its accuracy. Sensitivity analysis and two alternative scenarios were implemented to identify the factors that have the highest impact on risk and to simulate different plausible conditions, respectively. The estimated overall average number of new infections per year among adults is 12,513 and 92 for pregnant women. The baseline model showed that almost all these infections are associated with the consumption of fresh meat cuts and preparations (mean risk of infection varied between 4.5 × 10-5 and 5.5 × 10-5 ) and only a small percentage is due to fermented sausages/salami. On the contrary, salt-cured meat products seem to pose minor risk but further investigations are needed to clarify still unclear aspects. Among all the considered variables, cooking temperature and bradyzoites' concentration in muscle impacted most the risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Condoleo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Roma, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II,", Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefania Sette
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, Centro di Ricerca per gli Alimenti e la Nutrizione, Roma, Italy
| | - Ziad Mezher
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Roma, Italy
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Quantitative SYBR Green qPCR technique for the detection of the nematode parasite Anisakis in commercial fish-derived food. Int J Food Microbiol 2017; 261:89-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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26
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Kuruca L, Klun I, Uzelac A, Nikolić A, Bobić B, Simin S, Lalošević V, Lalošević D, Djurković-Djaković O. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected domestic pigs in Northern Serbia. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:3117-3123. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5623-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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27
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Genchi M, Vismarra A, Mangia C, Faccini S, Vicari N, Rigamonti S, Prati P, Marino AM, Kramer L, Fabbi M. Lack of viable parasites in cured ‘Parma Ham’ (PDO), following experimental Toxoplasma gondii infection of pigs. Food Microbiol 2017; 66:157-164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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De Berardinis A, Paludi D, Pennisi L, Vergara A. Toxoplasma gondii, a Foodborne Pathogen in the Swine Production Chain from a European Perspective. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2017; 14:637-648. [PMID: 28759251 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2017.2305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a foodborne zoonosis transmitted by Toxoplasma gondii, a cosmopolitan protozoan that infects humans through exposure to different parasite stages, in particular by ingestion of tissue cysts or tachyzoites contained in meat, primary offal (viscera), and meat-derived products or ingestion of environmental sporulated oocysts in contaminated food or water. The pig is an important species for infection: raw or undercooked pork consumption not subject to treatment able to inactivate the parasite represents a risk to consumers' health. Broadening knowledge of transmission ways and prevalence concerning this important pathogen in swine, together with a thorough acquaintance with hazard management are key elements to avoid T. gondii spreading within the swine production chain. This review aims to illustrate why toxoplasmosis should be regarded as a veterinary public health issue through a careful description of the parasite, routes of infection, and inactivation treatments, highlighting the main prevention lines from pig breeding to pork consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Domenico Paludi
- 1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo , Teramo, Italy
| | - Luca Pennisi
- 2 Post-Graduate Specialization School in Food Inspection, University of Teramo , Teramo, Italy
| | - Alberto Vergara
- 2 Post-Graduate Specialization School in Food Inspection, University of Teramo , Teramo, Italy
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Toxoplasma gondii in raw and dry-cured ham: The influence of the curing process. Food Microbiol 2017; 65:213-220. [PMID: 28400005 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to analyze Toxoplasma gondii in raw hams by mouse bioassay and to evaluate the effect of curing on the viability of the parasite to assess the risk of infection from eating dry-cured ham. After a serology study of 1200 pigs in Aragón (Spain), forty-one naturally infected pigs with different serological titers against T. gondii were selected. Two cured periods (9 and 12 months) were evaluated as well as the influence of the physicochemical composition of hams on T. gondii survival. Although the parasite burden was low, a high number of seropositive pigs with Toxoplasma tissues cysts in raw hams were found (31.6%). Viability of T. gondii was influenced by the curing, with statistically significant differences between fresh and cured hams (p < 0.001). The viability was higher in hams cured for 9 months compared to those cured for 12 months. However, this period of curing resulted in the reduction but not in a complete elimination of the risk. Thus, from a public health point of view, under the conditions of this study it is safer to consume dry-cured ham with periods of curing higher than 12 months. Analysis of physicochemical results did not identify any variable with significant influence on the presence and viability of T. gondii in cured ham, but loss of viability of T. gondii was observed in hams with a lower fat content. Further research is required to validate combinations of salts concentration and time of curing that can be used as preventive measures in the HACCP system of dry-cured ham industry.
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Gomez-Samblas M, Vilchez S, Racero J, Fuentes M, Osuna A. Toxoplasma gondii detection and viability assays in ham legs and shoulders from experimentally infected pigs. Food Microbiol 2016; 58:112-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and direct genotyping using minisequencing in free-range pigs in Burkina Faso. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 230:10-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Belluco S, Mancin M, Conficoni D, Simonato G, Pietrobelli M, Ricci A. Investigating the Determinants of Toxoplasma gondii Prevalence in Meat: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153856. [PMID: 27082633 PMCID: PMC4833317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread parasites in humans and can cause severe illness in immunocompromised individuals. However, its role in healthy people is probably under-appreciated. The complex epidemiology of this protozoan recognizes several infection routes but consumption of contaminated food is likely to be the predominant one. Among food, consumption of raw and undercooked meat is a relevant route of transmission, but the role of different meat producing animal species and meats thereof is controversial. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present work is to summarize and analyse literature data reporting prevalence estimates of T. gondii in meat animals/meats. DATA SOURCES We searched Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct (last update 31/03/2015). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Relevant papers should report data from primary studies dealing with the prevalence of T. gondii in meat from livestock species as obtained through direct detection methods. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed. RESULTS Of 1915 papers screened, 69 papers were included, dealing mainly with cattle, pigs and sheep. Pooled prevalences, based on random-effect models, were 2.6% (CI95 [0.5-5.8]) for cattle, 12.3% (CI95 [7.6-17.8]) for pigs and 14.7% (CI95 [8.9-21.5]) for sheep. Due to the high heterogeneity observed, univariable and multivariable meta-regression models were fitted showing that the geographic area for cattle (p = 0.032), the farming type for pigs (p = 0.0004) and the sample composition for sheep (p = 0.03) had significant effects on the prevalences of Toxoplasma detected/estimated. Moreover, the role of different animal species was dependent on the geographic location of animals' origin. LIMITATIONS Limitations were due mainly to a possible publication bias. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The present work confirms the role of meat, including beef, as T. gondii sources, and highlights the need for a control system for this parasite to be implemented along the meat production chain. Moreover, consumer knowledge should be strengthened in order to reduce the impact of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Belluco
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell’Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Marzia Mancin
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell’Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Daniele Conficoni
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Giulia Simonato
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Mario Pietrobelli
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Antonia Ricci
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell’Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
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Koethe M, Straubinger RK, Pott S, Bangoura B, Geuthner AC, Daugschies A, Ludewig M. Quantitative detection of Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of experimentally infected turkeys and in retail turkey products by magnetic-capture PCR. Food Microbiol 2015; 52:11-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Alvarado-Esquivel C, Vazquez-Morales RF, Colado-Romero EE, Guzmán-Sánchez R, Liesenfeld O, Dubey JP. Prevalence of infection with Toxoplasma gondii in landrace and mixed breed pigs slaughtered in Baja California Sur State, Mexico. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2015; 5:112-5. [PMID: 25883799 DOI: 10.1556/eujmi-d-15-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed a cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in 308 domestic pigs slaughtered in La Paz, Baja California Sur State, Mexico using the modified agglutination test (MAT, cut off 1:25). Forty (13%) of the 308 pigs were seropositive with MAT titers of 1:25 in 16, 1:50 in 5, 1:100 in 4, 1:200 in 5, 1:400 in 3, 1:800 in 3, 1:1600 in 2, and 1:3200 in 2. Multivariate analysis of pigs' characteristics showed that seropositivity to T. gondii was negatively associated with mixed breed (OR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.003-0.26; P = 0.001). Other variables including sex, type of raising, and municipality did not show an association with T. gondii seropositivity by multivariate analysis. The frequency of high antibody titers (≥1:400) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in Landrace pigs than mixed breed pigs. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in pigs for slaughter in Baja California Sur State is low compared with seroprevalences reported in pigs in other Mexican states. Landrace pigs demonstrated higher seroprevalence rates and antibody levels than mixed breed pigs. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in pigs raised in a desert climate.
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