Multiple Typing Approach to Characterize <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Strains from Captive and Livestock Species in Northern Italy Suggests the Circulation of Type-II Variants
<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a widespread foodborne parasite that affects both humans and animals worldwide. The genetic characterization of this parasite has become crucial due to its epidemiological and clinical implications. The present study focused on the direct genetic characterizat...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Filippo Maria Dini Martha Ynés Salas-Fajardo Roberta Taddei Mattia Ramini Silvia Vianello Monica Caffara Roberta Galuppi |
| author_facet | Filippo Maria Dini Martha Ynés Salas-Fajardo Roberta Taddei Mattia Ramini Silvia Vianello Monica Caffara Roberta Galuppi |
| author_sort | Filippo Maria Dini |
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| description | <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a widespread foodborne parasite that affects both humans and animals worldwide. The genetic characterization of this parasite has become crucial due to its epidemiological and clinical implications. The present study focused on the direct genetic characterization of <i>T. gondii</i>-positive DNA samples from Northern Italy, using three standardized genotyping methods. Of the 87 PCR-positive DNA samples obtained from livestock, wild, and captive animals, 9 were confirmed, quantified, and subsequently subjected to typing procedures: microsatellite analysis, PCR-RFLP, and partial sequencing of GRA6 and SAG3 genes. Most of the typed samples, derived from clinical cases of toxoplasmosis, specifically related to abortion outbreaks in small ruminants, as well as one case of systemic toxoplasmosis in lemur (<i>Lemur catta</i>). Predominantly, Type II strains were observed, with non-clonal variants identified in a sheep and a lemur. Sequencing of SAG3 revealed specific single nucleotide polymorphism, previously documented in European type-II variants, with phylogenesis suggesting a potential genetic relatedness between <i>T. gondii</i> population in Italy, Spain, and France. By utilizing three distinct genotyping methods, this study provides the first comprehensive microsatellite profiles of <i>T. gondii</i> in Italy, and additional insights into the molecular variability of <i>T. gondii</i> strains circulating in this country from different epidemiological settings. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ceaeef3932c84f9c94e73bf2710e41682024-12-27T14:05:37ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011424359710.3390/ani14243597Multiple Typing Approach to Characterize <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Strains from Captive and Livestock Species in Northern Italy Suggests the Circulation of Type-II VariantsFilippo Maria Dini0Martha Ynés Salas-Fajardo1Roberta Taddei2Mattia Ramini3Silvia Vianello4Monica Caffara5Roberta Galuppi6Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, ItalySALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e della Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, BS, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e della Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, BS, ItalyIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e della Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, BS, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a widespread foodborne parasite that affects both humans and animals worldwide. The genetic characterization of this parasite has become crucial due to its epidemiological and clinical implications. The present study focused on the direct genetic characterization of <i>T. gondii</i>-positive DNA samples from Northern Italy, using three standardized genotyping methods. Of the 87 PCR-positive DNA samples obtained from livestock, wild, and captive animals, 9 were confirmed, quantified, and subsequently subjected to typing procedures: microsatellite analysis, PCR-RFLP, and partial sequencing of GRA6 and SAG3 genes. Most of the typed samples, derived from clinical cases of toxoplasmosis, specifically related to abortion outbreaks in small ruminants, as well as one case of systemic toxoplasmosis in lemur (<i>Lemur catta</i>). Predominantly, Type II strains were observed, with non-clonal variants identified in a sheep and a lemur. Sequencing of SAG3 revealed specific single nucleotide polymorphism, previously documented in European type-II variants, with phylogenesis suggesting a potential genetic relatedness between <i>T. gondii</i> population in Italy, Spain, and France. By utilizing three distinct genotyping methods, this study provides the first comprehensive microsatellite profiles of <i>T. gondii</i> in Italy, and additional insights into the molecular variability of <i>T. gondii</i> strains circulating in this country from different epidemiological settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3597<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>genotypingmicrosatellitePCR-RFLPsequencingmammals |
| spellingShingle | Filippo Maria Dini Martha Ynés Salas-Fajardo Roberta Taddei Mattia Ramini Silvia Vianello Monica Caffara Roberta Galuppi Multiple Typing Approach to Characterize <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Strains from Captive and Livestock Species in Northern Italy Suggests the Circulation of Type-II Variants Animals <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> genotyping microsatellite PCR-RFLP sequencing mammals |
| title | Multiple Typing Approach to Characterize <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Strains from Captive and Livestock Species in Northern Italy Suggests the Circulation of Type-II Variants |
| title_full | Multiple Typing Approach to Characterize <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Strains from Captive and Livestock Species in Northern Italy Suggests the Circulation of Type-II Variants |
| title_fullStr | Multiple Typing Approach to Characterize <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Strains from Captive and Livestock Species in Northern Italy Suggests the Circulation of Type-II Variants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multiple Typing Approach to Characterize <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Strains from Captive and Livestock Species in Northern Italy Suggests the Circulation of Type-II Variants |
| title_short | Multiple Typing Approach to Characterize <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Strains from Captive and Livestock Species in Northern Italy Suggests the Circulation of Type-II Variants |
| title_sort | multiple typing approach to characterize i toxoplasma gondii i strains from captive and livestock species in northern italy suggests the circulation of type ii variants |
| topic | <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> genotyping microsatellite PCR-RFLP sequencing mammals |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3597 |
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