First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa
IntroductionThere have only been a few molecular studies conducted on the detection of T. gondii in tissues of carnivores in South Africa, with no data on the genetic diversity of this parasite. That is why the aim of this study was to detect and genotype T. gondii DNA in tissues of selected wild an...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1274577/full |
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| author | Karol Račka Eva Bártová Azra Hamidović Nicolas Plault Alica Kočišová Gerrie Camacho Aurelién Mercier Ali Halajian |
| author_facet | Karol Račka Eva Bártová Azra Hamidović Nicolas Plault Alica Kočišová Gerrie Camacho Aurelién Mercier Ali Halajian |
| author_sort | Karol Račka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThere have only been a few molecular studies conducted on the detection of T. gondii in tissues of carnivores in South Africa, with no data on the genetic diversity of this parasite. That is why the aim of this study was to detect and genotype T. gondii DNA in tissues of selected wild and domestic carnivores in South Africa.MethodsSamples were collected from 80 animals of 20 species (mainly road-killed) in the four provinces of Limpopo (n=57), Mpumalanga (n=21), Gauteng (n=1) and Free State (n=1) during the period 2014–2018. Samples of brain (n=31), heart (n=4), liver (n=40), spleen (n=2) and lung (n=3) were used to detect T. gondii by real-time PCR targeting a 529 bp repeating fragment of T. gondii DNA. Samples that were positive in real-time PCR were genotyped using 15 microsatellite markers.ResultsT. gondii DNA was detected in 4 (5 %) samples: in the brain from a Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas), in the liver from a African Wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica) and in the liver and heart of two Rusty-spotted Genets (Genetta maculata) respectively. The DNA sample from Black-backed Jackal was genotyped and characterized as belonging to the type Africa 4 lineage (equivalent to RFLP genotype ToxoDB#20), that is a widespread lineage in Africa.DiscussionThis is the first genetic characterization of T. gondii isolated from a wild carnivore on the African continent and the first report of T. gondii in Black-backed Jackal. The Africa 4 lineage was also confirmed in the region of Southern Africa for the first time. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:41:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5622889086a7414a88a810c67ebd635f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2235-2988 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:41:40Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-5622889086a7414a88a810c67ebd635f2024-01-30T04:29:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882024-01-011410.3389/fcimb.2024.12745771274577First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South AfricaKarol Račka0Eva Bártová1Azra Hamidović2Nicolas Plault3Alica Kočišová4Gerrie Camacho5Aurelién Mercier6Ali Halajian7Department of Epizootology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Košice, SlovakiaDepartment of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, CzechiaInserm U1094, IRD U270, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des Maladies Chroniques en zone Tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, University of Limoges, Limoges, FranceInserm U1094, IRD U270, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des Maladies Chroniques en zone Tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, University of Limoges, Limoges, FranceDepartment of Epizootology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Košice, SlovakiaDepartment of Scientific Services, Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency (MTPA), Nelspruit, South AfricaInserm U1094, IRD U270, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des Maladies Chroniques en zone Tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, University of Limoges, Limoges, FranceResearch Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South AfricaIntroductionThere have only been a few molecular studies conducted on the detection of T. gondii in tissues of carnivores in South Africa, with no data on the genetic diversity of this parasite. That is why the aim of this study was to detect and genotype T. gondii DNA in tissues of selected wild and domestic carnivores in South Africa.MethodsSamples were collected from 80 animals of 20 species (mainly road-killed) in the four provinces of Limpopo (n=57), Mpumalanga (n=21), Gauteng (n=1) and Free State (n=1) during the period 2014–2018. Samples of brain (n=31), heart (n=4), liver (n=40), spleen (n=2) and lung (n=3) were used to detect T. gondii by real-time PCR targeting a 529 bp repeating fragment of T. gondii DNA. Samples that were positive in real-time PCR were genotyped using 15 microsatellite markers.ResultsT. gondii DNA was detected in 4 (5 %) samples: in the brain from a Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas), in the liver from a African Wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica) and in the liver and heart of two Rusty-spotted Genets (Genetta maculata) respectively. The DNA sample from Black-backed Jackal was genotyped and characterized as belonging to the type Africa 4 lineage (equivalent to RFLP genotype ToxoDB#20), that is a widespread lineage in Africa.DiscussionThis is the first genetic characterization of T. gondii isolated from a wild carnivore on the African continent and the first report of T. gondii in Black-backed Jackal. The Africa 4 lineage was also confirmed in the region of Southern Africa for the first time.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1274577/fulltoxoplasmosismammalscarnivoreBlack-backed jackalreal-time PCRmicrosatellite genotyping |
| spellingShingle | Karol Račka Eva Bártová Azra Hamidović Nicolas Plault Alica Kočišová Gerrie Camacho Aurelién Mercier Ali Halajian First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology toxoplasmosis mammals carnivore Black-backed jackal real-time PCR microsatellite genotyping |
| title | First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa |
| title_full | First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa |
| title_fullStr | First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa |
| title_short | First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa |
| title_sort | first detection of toxoplasma gondii africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from south africa |
| topic | toxoplasmosis mammals carnivore Black-backed jackal real-time PCR microsatellite genotyping |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1274577/full |
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