Zebra mussel as a new tool to show evidence of freshwater contamination by waterborneToxoplasma gondii

• DOI: 10.1111/jam.12999
• Publication Date: 2015-11-09T14:44:40Z
• Authors: E. Kerambrun; M. Palos Ladeiro; A. Bigot-Clivot; O. Dedourge-Geffard; E. Dupuis; I. Villena; D. Aubert; A. Geffard
• Keywords: Zebra mussel; Waterborne diseases; Water contamination

The objective of this study was to evaluate if freshwater bivalves can be used detect the presence Toxoplasma gondii in water bodies. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were caged for 1 month upstream and downstream discharge points wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Physiological status assessed assure good health during transplantation. T. investigated mussel tissues by qPCR. In autumn, detected two WWTPs. spring, it one WWTP. For first time, DNA has been shown a continental mollusc environmental conditions. This highlights interest an active approach that could applied independently or accessibility autochthonous populations, underlines natural waters under pressure WWTP at certain time year. shows transplanted zebra as biosamplers reveal contamination systems gondii.