Abstract
The high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the human population in Colombia has been linked to the existence of a high density of urban stray cats, exposing the whole population to a high density of oocysts. The goal of this study was to determine the DNA prevalence of T. gondii by conventional PCR and to phylogenetically analyze ROP18 sequences from positive samples in domestic cat (Felis catus) fecal samples in the city of Armenia, Quindío. Fecal samples from 140 cats were collected from 10 districts around the city. Samples were concentrated using Ritchie’s method and analyzed through optical microscopy. Concentrates were used for DNA extraction followed by nested PCR amplification for T. gondii gene B1. PCR for ROP18 was performed on all B1 positive samples; the ROP18 sequences obtained were related to the Archetype I Brazilian and Chinese strains. No oocysts were detected by optical microscopy; however, 17.8% (25/140) B1 and 24% (6/25) ROP18 PCR-positive samples were detected. Phylogenetic analyses showed that isolates clustered into a single group. We assessed whether associations existed between T. gondii positive fecal samples and survey variables such as cat healthcare and socioeconomic characteristics of owners, but no statistically significant associations were found. The presence of T. gondii in cat feces is an important factor contributing to the high prevalence in the human population of this city.
Highlights
In Colombia, the prevalence in the human population varies between 30% and 60% [6], and this high prevalence has been linked to the existence of a high density of urban stray cats, exposing people to an elevated density of oocysts [10]
We found via optical microscopy, Ancylostoma spp. in 6/140 samples (4.3%), Toxocara spp. in 6/140 samples (4.3%), Toxascaris spp. in 3/140 samples (2.1%), and Hymenolepis spp. in 4/140 samples (2.8%) (Fig. 1)
Oocyst shedding by the domestic cat (Felis catus) is epidemiologically important and shedding needs to be investigated because (1) it is suspected that oocyst density is correlated with high prevalence in some communities, (2) oocysts can lead to outbreaks of acute human toxoplasmosis, and (3) they are probably significantly responsible for infection in animals, which could be animals for human consumption [40]
Summary
In Colombia, the prevalence in the human population varies between 30% and 60% [6], and this high prevalence has been linked to the existence of a high density of urban stray cats, exposing people to an elevated density of oocysts [10] This high density of free-ranging domestic cats can explain why cat ownership in homes does not increase the risk for T. gondii in surveys in some cities in Colombia [29]. A study in Armenia city in 1998 found 89.3% seroprevalence in 28 domestic cats and detected a 66.6% shedding prevalence of T. gondii-like oocysts by microscopy in fecal samples from 18 cats [30]. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in cat fecal samples by conventional PCR and to analyze the ROP18 gene from positive samples in Armenia, Quindío, Colombia
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