Identification of Toxoplasma gondii B۱ Gene in Raw Milk from Sistan and Baluchestan Province Using Nested-PCR

Introduction: The pathogen of Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, is an obligate intracellular protozoan for which all mammals act as intermediate hosts; however, cats are definitive hosts. It is a common zoonotic disease transmitted through various routes, including direct contact with infected animals, environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts, contaminated food, unpasteurized milk, and through the placenta. Toxoplasmosis is one of the leading causes of miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital infection in humans and animals. Considering the lack of studies conducted on the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals in Iran, this research aimed to investigate the genetic prevalence of T. gondii in raw milk collected from Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Materials & Methods: DNA extraction was performed on ۲۲۴ milk samples from ۶۴ sheep, ۶۴ goats, ۶۴ cows, and ۳۲ camels. These samples were collected and transported to the laboratory, and the presence of the parasite was evaluated by identifying the T. gondii B۱ gene using nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) method.Results: Twenty-six samples (۱۱.۶%) were contaminated with T. gondii. The prevalence of infection in raw milk from cows, sheep, goats, and camels was ۶.۳%, ۱۷.۲%, ۱۴.۱%, and ۶.۳%, respectively. The highest molecular incidence of infection was identified in sheep milk.Conclusion: The overall conclusion is that the T. gondii prevalence in raw milk samples, especially in sheep and goat samples, in the study area is very significant. Consuming raw milk containing T. gondii DNA increases the risk of transmitting this parasite to humans, therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly boil raw milk or consume pasteurized milk.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) ، Raw milk contamination ، Toxoplasma gondii