Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Chicken Meats and Eggs in Semnan City, Iran

ackground: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite, a member of the phylum Apicomplexa. Felids are definitive hosts, and all warm-blooded animals and humans are intermediate hosts. The clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis among chickens are mostly subclinical, but the infection of chickens and eggs is important as a source of protein for human consumption. Objectives: This study aimed to detect T. gondii in chicken meat and egg by molecular examination. Methods: In this study, 100 chicken legs, 50 eggs of free-range hens, and 50 eggs of industrial hens were collected from different stores in Semnan City, Iran. The samples were inspected for the Toxoplasma B1 gene after DNA extraction. Results: According to the results, Toxoplasma DNA was detected in 23% of chicken legs, 36% of eggs of free-range hens, and 20% of eggs of industrial hens. The infection rate was not significantly different between eggs of free-range and industrial hens (P>0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, Toxoplasma is present in chicken meats and eggs in Semnan, Iran, and it is recommended that people eat well-cooked chicken meat and eggs for disease control and feed domestic carnivores with cooked meat to prevent the parasite life cycle.