Use of PCR to determine Toxoplasma gondii in milk samples from camels (Camelus dromedarius), cattle (Bos taurus) and buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) in East Azarbaijan province, Iran

Abstract

Background Toxoplasmosis as a zoonotic condition is developed by an intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii from the Apicomplexa phylum, which imposes economic losses on herds of animals and severe complications in immunocompromised people and pregnant women. This infectious disease can be transmitted to human beings from the contaminated unpasteurized milk, uncooked meat, water and food contaminated with sporulated oocysts and transplacental transmission. Objectives This study amid to determine T. gondii DNA in camel, buffalo and cow milks in using the PCR method based on the B1 gene. Methods A total of 100 milk samples, including 55 cows, 30 buffalos and 15 camels, were collected from different regions of north‐western using direct milking and then transferred to the Food and Aquatic Health Laboratory under refrigerated conditions. Results The results showed that out of 100 milk samples examined, 5 samples (5%) were contaminated, and T. gondii DNA was detected in the milk samples of 2 (3.63%) cows, 1 (3.33%) buffalos and 2 (13.33%) camels, respectively. Conclusions Our findings reveal that raw milk contaminated with T. gondii can be an important route of transmission of infection for human beings.

The Importance of the One Health Concept in Combating Zoonoses

“…In 2021, 113 confirmed cases of non-typhoid Salmonella , specifically Salmonella Braenderup, as well as 17 cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were recorded in the UK; both infections were due to the consumption of Gaia melons imported from Latin America [ 13 ]. Another example of food-mediated zoonosis, this time on the Asian continent, was Toxoplasma gondii detected in the milk of camels, buffalos, and cows in the Iran province of East Azerbaijan [ 14 ]. This milk could have led to toxoplasmosis in humans if it had been consumed.…”