Detection and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in market-sold mussels (Mytilus edulis) in certain provinces of China. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cong, Wei; Zhang, Nian-Zhang; Yuan, Dong-Qi; Zou, Yang; Li, Shu; Liang, Zhen-Lin
• Is Part Of: Microbial pathogenesis. Volume 136(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Toxoplasma gondii -- Mussel -- PCR -- Genotype -- China; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- parasitology -- Periodicals; Micro-organismes pathogènes -- Périodiques; Pathologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103687
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4010

Abstract

Abstract: Mussels, randomly collected from fish markets in China, were analyzed by a semi-nested PCR to detect B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii . Out of the 2215 samples, fifty-five (2.48%) were detected T. gondii -positive. The prevalence in Shandong province, Liaoning province and Zhejiang province were 2.51%, 2.26% and 2.69%, respectively. T. gondii oocysts were more frequently detected in digestive glands (1.04%) and haemolymph (1.49%) when compared with gills (0.23%). Of the 55 positive DNA, only two samples showed complete genotype at 11 locus and were authenticated as ToxoDB Genotype #9. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to confirm the presence of T. gondii in market-sold mussels in China. The findings point to the risk of humans acquiring T. gondii infection by consuming mussels bought in the aquatic product market. Highlights: This is the first report of Toxoplasma gondii in mussels in China. Fifty-five (2.48%) out of 2215 mussels were tested T. gondii -positive by a semi-nested PCR targeting the B1 gene. Haemolymph and digestive glands are the most common organs that T. gondii oocysts settled in. ToxoDB Genotype #9 was found in the examined mussels.