The First Detection of Toxoplasma Gondii DNA in Environmental Fruits and Vegetables Samples

Overview

Journal Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis

Publisher Springer

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2011 Sep 28

PMID 21948336

Citations 31

Authors

A Lass

H Pietkiewicz

B Szostakowska

P Myjak

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in humans and animals all over the world. The aim of the study was to estimate the occurrence of T. gondii oocysts in fruits and vegetables and determine the genotype of the parasites. A total number of 216 fruits and vegetables samples were taken from shops and home gardens located in the area of northern Poland. Oocysts were recovered with the flocculation method. Then, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the B1 gene was used for specific T. gondii detection and quantification. Toxoplasma DNA was found in 21 samples. Genotyping at the SAG2 locus showed SAG2 type I and SAG2 type II. This is the first investigation describing T. gondii DNA identification in a large number of fruits and vegetables samples with rapid molecular detection methods. The results showed that fruits and vegetables contaminated with T. gondii may play a role in the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Poland.

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