Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in a Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) Living in Wildlife Areas of Izmir, Turkey

Infections by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii are widely prevalent in humans and animals in Turkey but little is known of the burden of their clinical toxoplasmosis. Many early papers on toxoplasmosis in Turkey were published in Turkish and often not available widely. Here, we review prevalence, clinical spectrum, epidemiology and diagnosis of T. gondii in humans and animals in Turkey. This knowledge should be useful to biologists, public health workers, veterinarians and physicians. Although one-third of the human population in Turkey is seropositive, the rate of congenital toxoplasmosis is unknown and no information is available in children 12 years old or younger. One large outbreak of acute toxoplasmosis has been reported in 14–18-year old school children in Turkey. An alarming rate (36%) of T. gondii tissue cysts were reported in tissues of sheep and water buffalo meats destined for human consumption; these reports require verification. Genetically, T. gondii strains from domestic cats and wild birds in Turkey were generally classical type II and III, like those prevalent in Europe. A separate genotype, Type 1 Africa, was isolated from two congenitally infected children and a domestic cat in Turkey.

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“…DNA was demonstrated in the brain of a badger (Meles meles); indicating contamination of local waters by T. gondii (Karakavuk et al, 2018a).…”

Section: Parasitologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…from a zoo in Ankara (Kabak et al ., 2011). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was demonstrated in the brain of a badger ( Meles meles ); indicating contamination of local waters by T. gondii (Karakavuk et al ., 2018 a ).…”

Section: Toxoplasmosis ıN Anımalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals in Turkey

Kolören

Dubey

2019

Parasitology

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“…In addition, some pathogens, such as Sarcocystis lutrae, Babesia sp. Meles-Hu1, Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella melitensis [21][22][23][24], could infect Asian badgers, thus contributing to decrease in Asian badger populations. In the present study, a large number of mature and young erythrocytes were found in the intestine of hookworms (Supplementary Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arthrostoma leucurus sp. n. (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae), A New Hookworm Species Isolated from Asian Badger in China

et al. 2022

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Purpose To date, ten validated Arthrostoma species were reported. Here, a new hookworm species was found from Asian badger (Meles leucurus). Methods Nineteen hookworms (9 males and 10 females) were collected from the small intestine of two Asian badgers in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China. The hookworms were morphologically examined according to key taxonomic characters, such as anterior extremity direction, structures of oral opening (cutting plates or teeth), vulva location, buccal capsule anatomy (integrated or formed by articulating plates), the length of spicule and gubernaculum, number of plates of buccal capsule, and presence or absence of vulvar papillae. Results The hookworm species from Asian badger, here named as Arthrostoma leucurus sp. n., was different from the previously described ten Arthrostoma species. The phylogenetic tree based on the cox1 gene showed that Arthrostoma leucurus sp. n. formed a separate clade, as a sister group to Ancylostoma and Uncinaria species. Conclusion Arthrostoma leucurus sp. n., the eleven validated Arthrostoma species, was identified from Asian badger in China.

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“…In more recent studies in Portugal and Poland, 50% and 37.5% of the examined animals, respectively, were seropositive [ 302 , 306 ]. The infection in badgers has also been confirmed molecularly in the UK, Poland, Slovakia, and the European part of Turkey [ 303 , 304 , 305 , 306 , 307 ]. Although none of the badgers showed any clinical symptoms related to toxoplasmosis, some authors consider that anorexic and lethargic badgers or those showing an atypical behaviour should be tested for toxoplasmosis [ 300 ].…”

Section: Mustelidaementioning

confidence: 95%

Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe

2023

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Mesocarnivores are small- or mid-sized carnivore species that display a variety of ecologies and behaviours. In Europe, wild mesocarnivores are represented by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the golden jackal (Canis aureus), the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), the Mustelidae of the genera Meles, Martes, Mustela, Lutra, the invasive species of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and American mink (Neomustela vison). These abundant animals thrive in various habitats and often develop their activity close to human settlements. Thus, they may play an important role in the introduction, maintenance, and transmission of major parasitic zoonoses and promote bridging infections with domestic animals. Against this background, this article reports and discusses some of the most important endoparasites of wild mesocarnivores living in Europe, on the basis of their actual role as reservoirs, spreaders, or sentinels. The data derived from epizootiological studies in different European countries, and the proven or speculated implications of the detected endoparasites in human and domestic animals’ health, are discussed. Through older and recent literature review, the state-of-the-art knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of the parasites under consideration is presented, showing further, warranted investigations and the need for surveillance and vigilance.

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Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in a Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) Living in Wildlife Areas of Izmir, Turkey

Cited by 4 publications

References 15 publications

A review of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals in Turkey

A review of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals in Turkey

Arthrostoma leucurus sp. n. (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae), A New Hookworm Species Isolated from Asian Badger in China

Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe

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