Isolation and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from free-ranging and captive birds and mammals in Pernambuco state, Brazil

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Silva,Marcio André
Publication Date: 2018
Other Authors: Pena,Hilda Fátima Jesus, Soares,Herbert Sousa, Aizawa,Juliana, Oliveira,Solange, Alves,Bruna Farias, Souza,Dênisson Silva, Melo,Renata Pimentel Bandeira, Gennari,Solange Maria, Mota,Rinaldo Aparecido, Silva,Jean Carlos Ramos
Format: Article
Language: eng
Source: Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária (Online)
Download full: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-29612018000400481
Summary: Abstract Recent genetic population studies on Toxoplasma gondii in Brazil have shown large genetic variability. The objective of the present study was to isolate and genotypically characterize T. gondii from free-ranging and captive wild mammals and birds in Pernambuco state, Brazil. Fragments of heart, brain, skeletal muscle and diaphragm tissue from 71 birds and 34 mammals, which were either free-ranging or captive, were collected. Samples from 32 of these animals were subjected to bioassays in mice. Samples from the remaining 73 animals underwent biomolecular diagnosis, using PCR technique, targeting a repetitive DNA fragment of 529 bp in T. gondii. A non-virulent isolate (TgButstBrPE1) was obtained from a free-ranging striated heron (Butorides striata) and, based on primary samples, seven animals were found to be positive. The primary samples and the isolate obtained were subjected to PCR-RFLP using the markers SAG1, 5’3’SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico and CS3. ToxoDB-RFLP genotype #13 from the striated heron isolate and Type BrIII genotype from a captive otter ( Lontra longicaudis) (PS-TgLonloBrPE1) were obtained. The present study describes the first isolation and genotypic characterization of T. gondii in free-ranging striated heron, and the first genotypic characterization of T. gondii in a captive otter.