Detection and dissemination of Toxoplasma gondii in experimentally infected calves, a single test does not tell the whole story

Abstract

8 páginas, 3 tablas, 1 figura. ; Although the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in bovine tissues is rare, beef might be an important source of human infection. The use of molecular techniques, such as magnetic capture qPCR (MC-qPCR), in combination with the gold standard method for isolating the parasite (mouse bioassay), may increase the sensitivity of T. gondii detection in infected cattle. The risk of transmission of the parasite to humans from undercooked/raw beef is not fully known and further knowledge about the predilection sites of T. gondii within cattle is needed. In the current study, six Holstein Friesian calves (Bos taurus) were experimentally infected with 106 T. gondii oocysts of the M4 strain and, following euthanasia (42 dpi), pooled tissues were tested for presence of the parasite by mouse bioassay and MC-qPCR ; The research was conducted by a consortium within the framework of project number GA/EFSA/BIOHAZ/2013/01 entitled "Relationship between seroprevalence in the main livestock species and presence of Toxoplasma gondii in meat", grant agreement funded by the European Food Safety Authority (400,000 euro). This publication is based on the results obtained in the framework of this project and it is published under the sole responsibility of the authors, and shall not be considered as an EFSA output. Additional funding was also obtained from the Food Standards Agency (UK) and the Scottish Government, Rural and Environmental Sciences and Analytical Services (RESAS). ; Peer reviewed