Toxoplasma gondii contamination at an animal agriculture facility: Environmental, agricultural animal, and wildlife contamination indicator evaluation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.09.009
• Publication Date: 2021-10-06T12:48:10Z
• Authors: Katherine Kurth; Tiantian Jiang; Lisa Muller; Chunlei Su; Richard W. Gerhold
• Keywords: Direct agglutination test

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of significant public health importance. We attempted to detect T. contamination and assess advantages disadvantages indicators through surveilling soil, wildlife, cats (Felis catus), cows (Bos taurus) on farm in Tennessee, U.S. 2016 2017. Twenty-two soil samples were collected from the subjected oocyst flotation, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) targeting 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene identify gondii. Three (13.6%) positive for parasite; however, was not consistently detected repeated tests. Blood small mammals, cats, mesopredators live-trapped farm, serum 30 farm's obtained. Serological testing by modified agglutination test (MAT; cutoff 1:50) found 2.5% (1/40) 52.9% (9/17) raccoons (Procyon lotor), 50% (1/2) domestic seropositive antibodies. No antibodies 16 opossums (Didelphis virginiana), two skunks (Mephitis mephitis), cows. Small mammal tissue PCR-RFLP detection. Four out 29 (13.7%) gondii; during testing. Our results indicate ability varies greatly indicator. detection oocysts be challenging, suggest limited utility method performed. The animals highly variable among species. research emphasizes importance holistic approach when compensate shortcomings each Future should conducted further investigate most effective surveillance methods species with increased sample sizes at other agricultural facilities.