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Zhu S, VanWormer E, Martínez-López B, Bahia-Oliveira LMG, DaMatta RA, Rodrigues PS, Shapiro K. Quantitative Risk Assessment of Oocyst Versus Bradyzoite Foodborne Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in Brazil. Pathogens 2023; 12:870. [PMID: 37513717 PMCID: PMC10384504 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic protozoan parasite. Infection with T. gondii can cause congenital toxoplasmosis in developing fetuses and acute outbreaks in the general population, and the disease burden is especially high in South America. Prior studies found that the environmental stage of T. gondii, oocysts, is an important source of infection in Brazil; however, no studies have quantified this risk relative to other parasite stages. We developed a Bayesian quantitative risk assessment (QRA) to estimate the relative attribution of the two primary parasite stages (bradyzoite and oocyst) that can be transmitted in foods to people in Brazil. Oocyst contamination in fruits and greens contributed significantly more to overall estimated T. gondii infections than bradyzoite-contaminated foods (beef, pork, poultry). In sensitivity analysis, treatment, i.e., cooking temperature for meat and washing efficiency for produce, most strongly affected the estimated toxoplasmosis incidence rate. Due to the lack of regional food contamination prevalence data and the high level of uncertainty in many model parameters, this analysis provides an initial estimate of the relative importance of food products. Important knowledge gaps for oocyst-borne infections were identified and can drive future studies to improve risk assessments and effective policy actions to reduce human toxoplasmosis in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Elizabeth VanWormer
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Beatriz Martínez-López
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Renato Augusto DaMatta
- Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Biology, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Pedro Souto Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Biology, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Karen Shapiro
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Boada-Robayo L, Cruz-Reyes DL, Cifuentes-González C, Rojas-Carabali W, Vargas-Largo ÁP, de-la-Torre A. Exploring the association between precipitation and population cases of ocular toxoplasmosis in Colombia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010742. [PMID: 36197848 PMCID: PMC9534415 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies suggest a relationship between precipitation and ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) reactivation and congenital toxoplasmosis infection. We aimed to investigate the relationship between precipitation and the frequency of new OT cases in Colombia from 2015 to 2019. METHODOLOGY This retrospective cohort study analyzed data obtained from a claims-based database created by the Colombian Ministry of Health and national registries of precipitation of the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies. We estimated the daily number of OT cases, interpolating data from the average number of annual cases from 2015 to 2019. Then, we compared exposures (mean daily precipitation) in the case period in which the events (interpolated OT new cases) occurred by a quasi-Poisson regression, combined with a distributed lag non-linear model to estimate the non-linear and lag-response curve. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the 5-year analysis, there were 1,741 new OT cases. Most of the cases occurred in 2019, followed by 2015 and 2018. New OT cases among departments were significantly different (P< 0.01). The cumulative exposure-response curve was decreasing for most departments. Nevertheless, in Chocó, Bogotá, Cesar, Cauca, and Guajira, when a certain amount of precipitation accumulates, the relative risk (RR) increases, which was contrary to the pattern observed in the other regions. The response curves to the one-day lag showed that precipitation influences the RR; however, the trends vary by department. Finally, an increasing trend in the number of cases was directly proportional to precipitation in Guajira, Atlántico, Norte de Santander, Santander, Caquetá and Quindío (r = 0.84; P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Precipitation influenced the RR for new OT cases. However, varying trends among geographical regions (departments) lead us to hypothesize that other sociodemographic, behavioral, and environmental variables, such as wind and water contamination, could influence the RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Boada-Robayo
- Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Danna Lesley Cruz-Reyes
- Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Clinical Research Group, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Cifuentes-González
- Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - William Rojas-Carabali
- Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ángela Paola Vargas-Largo
- Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, Bogotá, Colombia
- * E-mail:
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Loop mediated isothermal amplification for detection of foodborne parasites: A journey from lab to lab-on-a-chip. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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López Ureña NM, Chaudhry U, Calero Bernal R, Cano Alsua S, Messina D, Evangelista F, Betson M, Lalle M, Jokelainen P, Ortega Mora LM, Álvarez García G. Contamination of Soil, Water, Fresh Produce, and Bivalve Mollusks with Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2022; 10:517. [PMID: 35336093 PMCID: PMC8954419 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a major foodborne pathogen capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Although oocyst-associated toxoplasmosis outbreaks have been documented, the relevance of the environmental transmission route remains poorly investigated. Thus, we carried out an extensive systematic review on T. gondii oocyst contamination of soil, water, fresh produce, and mollusk bivalves, following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies published up to the end of 2020 were searched for in public databases and screened. The reference sections of the selected articles were examined to identify additional studies. A total of 102 out of 3201 articles were selected: 34 articles focused on soil, 40 focused on water, 23 focused on fresh produce (vegetables/fruits), and 21 focused on bivalve mollusks. Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were found in all matrices worldwide, with detection rates ranging from 0.09% (1/1109) to 100% (8/8) using bioassay or PCR-based detection methods. There was a high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.9%), which was influenced by both the sampling strategy (e.g., sampling site and sample type, sample composition, sample origin, season, number of samples, cat presence) and methodology (recovery and detection methods). Harmonized approaches are needed for the detection of T. gondii in different environmental matrices in order to obtain robust and comparable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia María López Ureña
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.M.L.U.); (R.C.B.); (L.M.O.M.)
| | - Umer Chaudhry
- Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK; (U.C.); or (D.M.); (F.E.); (M.B.)
| | - Rafael Calero Bernal
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.M.L.U.); (R.C.B.); (L.M.O.M.)
| | - Santiago Cano Alsua
- Computing Services, Research Support Center, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Davide Messina
- Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK; (U.C.); or (D.M.); (F.E.); (M.B.)
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Francisco Evangelista
- Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK; (U.C.); or (D.M.); (F.E.); (M.B.)
| | - Martha Betson
- Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Department, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK; (U.C.); or (D.M.); (F.E.); (M.B.)
| | - Marco Lalle
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Roma, Italy;
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega Mora
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.M.L.U.); (R.C.B.); (L.M.O.M.)
| | - Gema Álvarez García
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.M.L.U.); (R.C.B.); (L.M.O.M.)
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Dubey JP. Outbreaks of clinical toxoplasmosis in humans: five decades of personal experience, perspectives and lessons learned. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:263. [PMID: 34011387 PMCID: PMC8136135 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04769-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has a worldwide distribution and a very wide host range, infecting most warm-blooded hosts. Approximately 30% of humanity is infected with T. gondii, but clinical toxoplasmosis is relatively infrequent. Toxoplasmosis has a wide range of clinical symptoms involving almost all organ systems. In most persons that acquire infection postnatally, symptoms (when present) are mild and mimic other diseases such as flu, Lyme disease, Q fever, hematological alterations, or mumps. It is likely that clinical disease is more common than reported. The ingestion of infected meat or food and water contaminated with oocysts are the two main modes of postnatal transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. The infective dose and the incubation period of T. gondii infection are unknown because there are no human volunteer experiments. Methods Here, I have critically reviewed outbreaks of clinical toxoplasmosis in humans for the past 55 years, 1966–2020. Information from oocyst-acquired versus meat-acquired infections was assessed separately. Results Most outbreaks were from Brazil. There were no apparent differences in types or severity of symptoms in meat- versus oocyst-acquired infections. Fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, myalgia, and fatigue were the most important symptoms, and these symptoms were not age-dependent. The incubation period was 7–30 days. A genetic predisposition to cause eye disease is suspected in the parasites responsible for three outbreaks (in Brazil, Canada, and India). Only a few T. gondii tissue cysts might suffice to cause infection, as indicated by outbreaks affecting some (but not all) individuals sharing a meal of infected meat. Conclusions Whether the high frequency of outbreaks of toxoplasmosis in humans in Brazil is related to environmental contamination, poor hygiene, socioeconomic conditions, or to genotypes of T. gondii needs investigation. Graphic Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA.
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Pinto-Ferreira F, Reis JB, Paschoal ATP, Balbino LS, Bertão-Santos A, Lucas JI, Kakimori MTA, Navarro IT, Mitsuka-Breganó R. Molecular diagnosis of the curly lettuce parasitic contamination from hydroponic cultivation from supermarkets. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2020; 29:e015820. [PMID: 33237193 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The consumption of vegetables has increased in recent years due to the search for a healthier diet that is rich in fiber and has fewer calories. To assess the parasitic contamination of lettuce sold in markets, a survey of parasites was carried out from a supermarket chain in the city of Londrina, Paraná. A total of thirty samples of lettuce were purchased in the ten markets visited, three in each, of which ten were conventionally cultivated, ten were hydroponically cultivated, and ten were organically cultivated. All samples were analyzed using the sedimentation methods of Hoffman, Pons and Janer and the fluctuation method of Faust and colleagues and Willis with adaptations. In addition, the samples were subjected to DNA extraction by a commercial kit and polymerase chain reaction to detect Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp., which are protozoa that cause food and waterborne parasitic outbreaks. All samples were negative for sedimentation and flotation techniques. One of the hydroponically cultivated samples was positive for T. gondii. The results demonstrate the risk of curly lettuce contamination from hydroponic cultivation and the need for proper cleaning of these foods before consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Jonatan Batista Reis
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Letícia Santos Balbino
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Amanda Bertão-Santos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Juliana Izidoro Lucas
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Monica Tieme Aline Kakimori
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Italmar Teodorico Navarro
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Regina Mitsuka-Breganó
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
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de Barros LD, Garcia JL, Bresciani KDS, Cardim ST, Storte VS, Headley SA. A Review of Toxoplasmosis and Neosporosis in Water Buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis). Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:455. [PMID: 32851033 PMCID: PMC7431459 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are diseases with worldwide distribution that are associated with reproductive problems in livestock and responsible for economic losses. This review presents an overview of the current knowledge relative to these diseases in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). In general, buffalo are considered resistant to clinical toxoplasmosis because there are studies only reporting serological evidence of natural infection in these animals. Studies have described age, poor hygienic status of the farm, and presence of cats as risk factors for the development of Toxoplasma gondii infection in buffalo. It must be highlighted that buffalo meat, which does not receive adequate freezing treatment, could be a potential source for toxoplasmic human infection as well as the importance of raw buffalo milk in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to human beings. Neospora caninum is considered one of the major causes of abortion and responsible for huge economic losses in cattle. Vertical transmission is the main route to infect calves, and is responsible for maintaining the parasite within a herd. In buffalo, vertical transmission is also described; moreover, although there are indications that N. caninum may be associated with abortion in dairy buffalo, the reproductive importance of neosporosis is apparently lower in buffalo relative to cattle. Most studies have identified a higher time of exposition to N. caninum oocysts relative to age. The household system was also described as a risk factor for infection, possibly due to persistent contact between the home-raised buffalo and canids. The fetal immune competence of buffalo is similar to bovine, and buffalo fetus are highly susceptible to infection during the first trimester of pregnancy, indicating that N. caninum may be an abortigenic agent in buffaloes. Alternatively, it is interesting to note there is evidence that the inflammatory response in pregnant buffalo infected with N. caninum is mild enough to avoid abortion in most cases. It is proposed that the possible transmission of toxoplasmosis through unprocessed milk and buffalo meat may occur, which is important in terms of public health. Additionally, there is strong evidence to suggest that N. caninum may be associated with abortion in buffalo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Daniel de Barros
- Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | - Sérgio Tosi Cardim
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Norte Do Paraná, Arapongas, Brazil
| | - Victor Sesnik Storte
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Norte Do Paraná, Arapongas, Brazil
| | - Selwyn Arlington Headley
- Laboratory of Animal Pathology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
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Cabral Monica T, Pinto-Ferreira F, Martins FDC, de Matos RLN, de Matos AMRN, Santos AC, Nino BDSL, Pereira L, Narciso SG, Garcia JL, Freire RL, Navarro IT, Mitsuka-Bregano R. Epidemiology of a toxoplasmosis outbreak in a research institution in northern Paraná, Brazil. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:760-764. [PMID: 32347668 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a reportable disease in Brazil. The objective of this study was to investigate a toxoplasmosis outbreak at a research institution in Londrina-PR, Brazil. The outbreak was reported in October 2015; however, the first cases occurred in August 2015. Blood samples were collected from 674 persons at the institution. Samples were collected from soil, water (water tank) and food (vegetables) served in the restaurant. Each participant responded to an epidemiological questionnaire. For the blood samples, a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay was performed to detect IgM, IgG and specific IgG avidity antibodies; 10.8% (73/674) had evidence of acute toxoplasmosis. Statistical analysis showed a significant association (p < .001) between acute infection and eating lunch in the restaurant of the institution. Regarding the types of food offered in the restaurant during the period, there was a significant association between consuming raw salad (p < .001) and becoming ill. We conclude that the vegetables or raw vegetables served in the restaurant were probably the source of infection; however, the long period between exposure and case reporting made it difficult to identify the source of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Cabral Monica
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Anne Caroline Santos
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | - Leia Pereira
- Department of Municipal Health of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | - João Luis Garcia
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Roberta Lemos Freire
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | - Regina Mitsuka-Bregano
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
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