Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in retail fresh meat products from free-range chickens in Spain

Gracia Salinas, María Jesús (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Escolano Campos, Cristina ; Peris Peris, María Paz (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Halaihel Kassab, Nabil (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent zoonotic protozoan parasites worldwide and affects the vast majority of warm-blooded animal species, including humans. Postnatal infection in humans occurs through the ingestion of sporulated T. gondii oocysts or via the oral intake of parasite tissue cysts during the consumption of raw or undercooked meat. In this regard, given their high exposure to oocysts, chickens (Gallus domesticus) raised on the ground constitute a potential source of T. gondii. Material and Methods: For the first time in Spain, a survey was undertaken in commercial retail free-range poultry. A total of 50 thighs from different animals were analysed. The samples were homogenised and an acid pepsin digestion procedure was applied prior to molecular analysis. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was isolated from meat by qPCR. Two sets of primers were used for DNA amplification targeting the specific sequence of a 529 bp repeat element and another set of primers was utilised for the surface antigen protein-1 gene. Results: DNA extracted from 5 out of 50 tissue samples was positive for both genes by qPCR amplification. Conclusion: The 10% prevalence of Toxoplasma infection found in commercial free-range chickens raises public health issues.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2021-0052

Año: 2021

Publicado en: Journal of Veterinary Research 65, 4 (2021), 457 - 461
ISSN: 2450-7393

Factor impacto JCR: 2.058 (2021)

Categ. JCR: VETERINARY SCIENCES rank: 48 / 145 = 0.331 (2021) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 3.4 - Veterinary (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.431 - Veterinary (miscellaneous) (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/A17-17R

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Sanidad Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)