Abstract
BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic pathogen that can infect a range of animals and humans. Ingestion of T. gondii oocysts in soil is a significant transmission route for humans and animals acquiring toxoplasmosis. In the present study, we developed a new semi-nested PCR method to determine T. gondii oocysts distribution in soils in northwestern China.ResultsThe one tube semi-nested PCR assay was developed to detect the oocysts of T. gondii in soil, targeting the repetitive 529 bp fragment of T. gondii genomic DNA. Then a total of 268 soil samples, including 148 samples from Gansu Province and 120 samples from Qinghai Province, northwestern China, were examined by the semi-nested PCR method. One third of the positive samples were sequenced. The sensitivity of the semi-nested PCR assay was 102 T. gondii oocysts in 5 g soil sample. Investigation of soil samples from northwestern China showed that 34 out of 268 soil samples (12.69%) were T. gondii positive. Sequences of the partial 529 bp fragments varied from 0–1.2% among the sequenced samples. The prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in soil from cities (24/163) was slightly higher than that in soils from pasturing areas (10/105) (P = 0.21). Among the different regions in cities, the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in soils from parks was 14.15%, whereas that in soils from schools was 19.05%.ConclusionsThe present study firstly reported the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in soils in northwest China using a novel semi-nested PCR assay, which provided baseline data for the effective prevention and control of toxoplasmosis in this region.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic pathogen that can infect a range of animals and humans
Due to the low concentration of T. gondii contained in soils, we developed a new semi-PCR method based on the 529-bp repeat element to improve the sensitivity
The sensitive detection of the semi-nested PCR assay was determined by 10-fold serial dilution of the oocysts amount
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic pathogen that can infect a range of animals and humans. Ingestion of T. gondii oocysts in soil is a significant transmission route for humans and animals acquiring toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic infection of human beings and animals [1,2,3,4,5]. T. gondii infection in livestock usually causes abortions, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths, The sporulated oocysts of T. gondii are resistant to harsh climatic circumstances [1,4]. Food or water contaminated by sporulated T. gondii oocysts after shedding from felids is considered significant routes of T. gondii transmission to humans and animals [8]. The contaminated soil may transfer oocysts to vegetables and fruits for human consumption, which increase risks of primary infection [15,16]
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