Investigation of soil contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii oocyst in urban public environment, in Brazil. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Oliveira, Pollyanne Raysa Fernandes; de Melo, Renata Pimentel Bandeira; Sierra, Tania Alexandra Ortega; da Silva, Renato Amorim; da Silva de Oliveira, José Eudes; de Almeida, Brivaldo Gomes; Mota, Rinaldo Aparecido
• Is Part Of: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. Volume 79(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Toxoplasma gondii -- Soil contamination -- Public health; Communicable diseases in animals -- Periodicals; Veterinary immunology -- Periodicals; Veterinary microbiology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- veterinary -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Maladies infectieuses -- Périodiques; Communicable diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.08969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-9571

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we determined the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in soil samples from public places. A total of 120 samples were collected from 24 sites, including squares, parks, university, hospitals in the city of Recife. The recovered oocysts were subjected to a nested-PCR test, and nine sites (9/24) were found to be positive for gene of apicomplexan parasites. The PCR product was sequenced, and 8.33% (10/120) of the samples showed 100% similarity to T. gondii DNA. T. gondii oocysts were detected in 75% (3/4) of the evaluated hospital soil samples and in 23.81% (5/21) soils samples from the public squares and parks. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of the soil in the areas analyzed as a source of T. gondii infection and therefore highlight the importance of devising educational strategies on the use of these sites, in addition to future cleaning protocols in public areas. Highlights: Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in public spaces. Physicochemical variables of the soil contaminated by Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Public spaces as potential sources of parasite infection for susceptible hosts.