Molecular Detection of Genetic Material of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Goat Blood Samples from Northern Thailand

Molecular Detection of Genetic Material of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Goat Blood Samples from Northern Thailand

Toxoplasmosis is a significant parasitic zoonosis caused by <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>. Among livestock animals, small ruminants, especially sheep and goats, are the most infected. This infection is a leading cause of abortion, resulting in considerable economic losses for goat breeders. T...

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Main Authors: Pongpisid Koonyosying, Anucha Muenthaisong, Kanokwan Sangkakam, Kanpitcha Nontasaya, Amarin Rittipornlertrak, Boondarika Nambooppha, Nisachon Apinda, Supawadee Maneekesorn, Nattawooti Sthitmatee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
Subjects:
<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>
goat toxoplasmosis
dihydrofolate reductase thymidylate synthase (<i>dhfr-ts</i>)
molecular detection
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
goat blood samples
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/555
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Summary:Toxoplasmosis is a significant parasitic zoonosis caused by <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>. Among livestock animals, small ruminants, especially sheep and goats, are the most infected. This infection is a leading cause of abortion, resulting in considerable economic losses for goat breeders. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of <i>T. gondii</i> infection in goats in northern Thailand, with an emphasis on its potential zoonotic transmission to humans. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the <i>T. gondii</i> dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (<i>Tgdhfr-ts</i>) gene was employed for molecular detection. This represents the first report of <i>T. gondii</i> molecular detection in blood samples from small ruminants in Thailand by PCR. A total of 176 meat goat blood samples were analyzed, yielding an 8.52% (15/176) positivity rate for <i>T. gondii</i> DNA. The selected DNA sequences from the positive <i>T. gondii</i> DNA displayed a high degree of nucleotide sequence homology with the reference <i>Tgdhfr-ts</i> sequence. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a single clade alongside other <i>T. gondii</i> strains, showing no differentiation based on genotype. This study contributes to the understanding of <i>T. gondii</i> epidemiology and provides a foundation for future strategies to control and manage <i>T. gondii</i> transmission in livestock populations.
ISSN:2306-7381

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