Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) in Brazil

Author(s):Show less -

de Barros, Luiz Daniel ; Taroda, Alessandra ; Zulpo, Dauton Luiz ; Leme da Cunha, Ivo Alexandre ; Sammi, Ana Sue ; Cardim, Sergio Tosi ; Miura, Ana Carolina ; Su, Chunlei ; Machado, Rosangela Zacarias ; Vidotto, Odilon ; Garcia, Joao Luis

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA; v. 23, n. 4, p. 6-pg., 2014-10-01.

Abstract

Eared doves (Zenaida auriculata), which are common in urban, rural and wild areas in many regions of Brazil, are frequently prey for domestic cats. Therefore Toxoplasma gondii isolates obtained from doves may reflect greater environmental diversity than those from other hosts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate T. gondii seroprevalence, isolate and genotype strains from Z. auriculata. Serum and tissue samples were collected from 206 doves for use in the modified agglutination test (MAT) and mouse bioassay. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in the doves was 22.3% (46/206), with titers ranging from 16 to 4096, and T. gondii strains were isolated from 12 of these doves. Five genotypes were detected by means of PCR-RFLP, including ToxoDB genotypes #1, #6, #17 and #65, and one genotype that had not previously been described (ToxoDB#182). This was the first report on isolation of T. gondii from Z. auriculata. This study confirmed the genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates and the existence of clonal type II (ToxoDB genotype #1) in Brazil. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/01597-2 - Biological and genotypic characterization of isolates of Toxoplasma gondii in pigeons (Zenaida auriculata) in the municipality of Londrina, Paraná
• Grantee: Luiz Daniel de Barros
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master