Molecular Determination of Toxoplasma gondii in Milk of Livestock in Corum, Turkey

Abstract

Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite protozoan, spreading worldwide and it can infect almost all vertebrate animals. It causes toxoplasmosis which is a zoonotic disease of great importance in terms of medicine, veterinary medicine and public health. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the molecular prevalence of T. gondii in milk samples of livestock in Corum, Turkey. Method: Milk samples were collected from 30 cows, 30 sheep and 30 goats raised in small farms in villages of Corum Province in Turkey between July 2019 and July 2020. DNAs extracted from these milk samples were amplified by nested PCR method using Re1F, Re2R, Re2F, Re2R primers derived from the RE gene. Result: While no positivity was detected in the milk samples of sheep and cows, 5/30 of T. gondii DNA in goat milk was detected as positive by PCR. Livestock farming is important in the study area, Corum. It was aimed to draw attention to the potential danger of milk-borne toxoplasma infection in a new area and to contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of this disease. It is important to reveal risk factors for the zoonotic disease such as toxoplasmosis and to develop protection plans for public health. As a result, in accordance with the literature, it can be said that the direct consumption of goat milk and/or goat milk products prepared without heat treatment are more risky in terms of toxoplasmosis.