Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range, organic pigs in Italy using serological and molecular methods

C Bacci; A Vismarra; C Mangia; S Bonardi; I Bruini; M Genchi; L Kramer; F Brindani

doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.03.002

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range, organic pigs in Italy using serological and molecular methods

Int J Food Microbiol. 2015 Jun 2:202:54-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.03.002. Epub 2015 Mar 6.

Authors

C Bacci¹, A Vismarra¹, C Mangia¹, S Bonardi¹, I Bruini¹, M Genchi², L Kramer¹, F Brindani¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Italy.
² Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lombardia, Italy.

PMID: 25771511
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.03.002

Abstract

Twenty-one free ranging pigs from three organically managed farms in northern Italy were examined for Toxoplasma gondii infection status by meat juice serology. DNA was extracted from all 21 animals and analysed for T. gondii by multilocus nested PCR-RFLP. Results showed a 95.2% prevalence in serology, while PCR was positive in 57.1% of infected pigs. Genotyping of amplified loci for Type I, Type II and Type I/II patterns, suggests the presence of more than one clonal genotype in circulation in these animals. Results of the present study highlight the high exposure to T. gondii in organic pig farms in Italy, indicating a potential risk for meat consumption.

Keywords: Meat juice; Organically raised; PCR; Pig; Toxoplasma gondii.

MeSH terms

Animals
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Genotype
Italy / epidemiology
Meat / parasitology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
Prevalence
Swine
Swine Diseases / diagnosis
Swine Diseases / epidemiology
Swine Diseases / parasitology
Toxoplasma / genetics
Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
Toxoplasma / physiology*
Toxoplasmosis, Animal / diagnosis*
Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
Toxoplasmosis, Animal / parasitology