Molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp. in raw kibbeh and other meat samples commercialized in Botucatu, Southeastern Brazil

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in artisanal salted meat products sold in street markets of the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion

This study aimed to detect Toxoplasma gondii in artisanal salted meat products sold in street markets in the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion and to assess the salt concentration used in their preparation and its influence on the parasite's viability. A total of 125 samples of various artisanal meat products sold in street markets located in the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion were collected during 2021. Serological analysis using indirect hemagglutination (HAI) and molecular analysis (PCR) were performed on these samples to detect the presence of the parasite. Möhr's method was utilized to determine the sodium chloride concentration in the samples. Of all samples, 21 were subjected to a bioassay in albino mice to verify the viability of possible tissue cysts. Among the 125 meat products, 10 (8%) tested positive in the serological analysis including four cured pork sausages, five beef sun-dried meats, and one mixed fresh sausage (pork and chicken). None of 125 samples tested positive in the molecular analysis. On bioassay, all mice tested negative for the presence of the parasite. The NaCl concentration in the positive samples ranged from 2.9% to 8%. The results demonstrated that the salt concentration in the collected samples was sufficient to inactivate the parasite T. gondii.

A Case of Bovine Eosinophilic Myositis (BEM) Associated with Co-Infection by Sarcocystis hominis and Toxoplasma gondii

Bovine eosinophilic myositis (BEM) is a specific inflammatory myopathy, often associated with Sarcocystis spp., with multifocal gray-green lesions leading to carcass condemnation with considerable economic losses. Here is described a peculiar case of BEM that occurred in an adult (16 month) cattle, born in France, bred, and slaughtered in Italy at the end of 2021. On inspection, muscles showed the typical multifocal gray-green lesions that were sampled for, cytological, histological, and molecular investigations, while meat juice was subjected to IFAT for Toxoplasma IgG. Genomic DNA was extracted from lesions, portions of healthy muscle and from meat juice pellet and analyzed by PCR targeting 18S rDNA, COI mtDNA and B1 genes, and sequenced. The cytology showed inflammatory cells mostly referable to eosinophils; at histology, protozoan cysts and severe granulomatous myositis were observed. A BEM lesion and meat juice pellet subjected to PCR showed, concurrently, sequences referable both to S. hominis and T. gondii. Meat juice IFAT resulted negative for T. gondii IgG. Our findings highlight the first detection of T. gondii DNA in association with S. hominis in a BEM case, suggesting a multiple parasite infection associated with this pathology, although the actual role of T. gondii infection in the pathophysiology of the diseases should be clarified.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Occurrence of Toxoplasmosis in Animals Slaughtered in Brazilian Abattoirs

Toxoplasmosis is mainly transmitted to human beings through the consumption of contaminated food, and several outbreaks caused by infected meat consumption have been reported in Brazil. We performed a systematic literature review on the prevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in slaughtered animals and performed a meta-analysis of its prevalence for different species and regions. Furthermore, we also discussed the infectivity of seropositive animals, risk factors, and preventive strategies. In the meta-analysis, the overall prevalence estimates for poultry, ostrich, goats, swine, equids, sheep, and bovines were 42.4, 40.4, 23.0, 19.9, 19.1, 17.3, and 16.2%, respectively. Regarding the Brazilian regions, the highest prevalence values were detected for bovines and equids in the South (32.3 and 34.4%, respectively) and swine, goats, sheep, and poultry in the Northeast (29.3, 23.0, 22.9, and 69.8%%, respectively). High proportions of Toxoplasma gondii viability in bioassay conducted on seropositive animals were seen for sheep (34/40 = 85%) and swine (12/15 = 80%). Toxoplasma gondii infections are widespread on Brazilian farms, and the summarized data allow the establishment of high-priority areas and/or species for the adoption of preventive strategies to control this parasite at different levels of the food chain.

Toxoplasma gondii in Foods: Prevalence, Control, and Safety

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, with approximately one third of the population around the world seropositive. The consumption of contaminated food is the main source of infection. These include meat products with T. gondii tissue cysts, and dairy products with tachyzoites. Recently, contamination has been detected in fresh products with oocysts and marine products. Despite the great health problems that are caused by T. gondii, currently there are no standardized methods for its detection in the food industry. In this review, we analyze the current detection methods, the prevalence of T. gondii in different food products, and the control measures. The main detection methods are bioassays, cell culture, molecular and microscopic techniques, and serological methods, but some of these do not have applicability in the food industry. As a result, emerging techniques are being developed that are aimed at the detection of multiple parasites simultaneously that would make their application more efficient in the industry. Since the prevalence of this parasite is high in many products (meat and milk, marine products, and vegetables), it is necessary to standardize detection methods, as well as implement control measures.