Detection and genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii DNA within the milk of Mongolian livestock.

ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii is a global, zoonotic parasite capable of infecting any warm-blooded host. Toxoplasmosis can cause a variety of illnesses including abortions and congenital defects in humans, sheep, and goats. Congenital toxoplasmosis is considered to have the highest global disease burden of any foodborne illness in humans. This study examined the potential role of milk as a route of T. gondii transmission between livestock and humans within Mongolian herders, a little-studied population which relies heavily on animals. Milk of Mongolian sheep, goats and Bactrian camels was tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA, and a survey was conducted to ascertain what behavioral and environmental factors were present that might potentiate T. gondii infection within these Mongolian communities. T

SUBMITTER: Iacobucci E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6521982 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature