Yao Liang, Yuan-Hui He, Shu-Feng Yang, Shi-Chen Xie, Yi-Han Lv, Wei Cong, Hany M Elsheikha, Xing-Quan Zhu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, infects almost all warm-blooded animals and humans, with felines serving as its sole definitive hosts. Cats release T. gondii oocysts into the environment through feces, contributing to environmental contamination that can lead to toxoplasmosis in humans upon exposure through ingestion of contaminated food, water, or soil. Effective detection of T. gondii in environmental samples is essential for protecting public health and preventing disease transmission. In the present study, we developed a cross-priming amplification (CPA) assay coupled with lateral flow immunoassay strips for the rapid and visual detection of T. gondii in environmental samples. CPA offers simplicity and eliminates the need for complex laboratory equipment. The assay demonstrated high specificity, accurately identifying nine genotypes of T. gondii without cross-reacting with 11 related parasites. Sensitivity testing revealed a detection limit of 1 × 10² copies/μL at the molecular level (plasmid) and 10 oocysts in real-world environmental samples. Furthermore, CPA effectively detected T. gondii in diverse environmental samples, including soil, water, and cat feces, with results consistent with known infection rates. These findings underscore CPA's potential as a reliable, rapid, and accessible tool for detecting T. gondii in environmental settings, contributing to improved public health surveillance and disease prevention.
期刊介绍:
The journal Veterinary Parasitology has an open access mirror journal,Veterinary Parasitology: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review.
This journal is concerned with those aspects of helminthology, protozoology and entomology which are of interest to animal health investigators, veterinary practitioners and others with a special interest in parasitology. Papers of the highest quality dealing with all aspects of disease prevention, pathology, treatment, epidemiology, and control of parasites in all domesticated animals, fall within the scope of the journal. Papers of geographically limited (local) interest which are not of interest to an international audience will not be accepted. Authors who submit papers based on local data will need to indicate why their paper is relevant to a broader readership.
Parasitological studies on laboratory animals fall within the scope of the journal only if they provide a reasonably close model of a disease of domestic animals. Additionally the journal will consider papers relating to wildlife species where they may act as disease reservoirs to domestic animals, or as a zoonotic reservoir. Case studies considered to be unique or of specific interest to the journal, will also be considered on occasions at the Editors'' discretion. Papers dealing exclusively with the taxonomy of parasites do not fall within the scope of the journal.