Title : Genetic characterization and frequency of T. gondii infection in stray cats in lorestan province, West of Iran
Abstract:
Background: Cats as the definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii play an important role in parasite dispersion and outbreaks. To understand the transmission pattern of this parasite, the distribution of genetic diversity of T. gondii in cats is important. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from stray cats in Lorestan Province, western Iran.
Materials and Methods: Fresh stool specimens were collected from 200 cats in Lorestan province, West of Iran during 2021-2022. Formalin-ether concentration technique and the modified acid-fast staining method were used for the recognition of oocysts. The DNA was extracted from the stool by a commercial Genomic Mini Kit (Bioneer, South Korea). PCR-RFLP examination, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of the GRA6 target gene were used to determine the genetic characterization of T. gondii.
Results: All samples were negative by parasitology techniques. Thirteen (6.5%) samples were positive by using the GRA6-PCR assay. The results of PCR-RFLP indicated that all samples were belonging to the type III of T. gondii genotype. The phylogenic tree for GRA6 nucleotide sequences of 2 isolates from current work, with 12 reference strains of T. gondii and one strain of a Hammondia hamondi as external control indicated a 5% nucleotide difference.
Conclusions: According to the results, high sensitivity and specificity, molecular tests are suitable for genotyping and the results of the RFLP technique indicated that type III of T. gondii is the most important and predominant genotype in Lorestan Province, western Iran.
Keywords: Genetic characterization, T. gondii, Stray cats, Lorestan province, PCR-RFLP
What will audience learn from your presentation?
- Explain how the audience will be able to use what they learn?
- How will this help the audience in their job?
- Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching? Yes
- Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient? Yes
- Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem?
- List all other benefits.
