G-1992

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle at Birjand slaughterhouse: A Molecular and Digestive method Approach

 Mahla Parhizgar ¹ ℗, Amirhossein Asal ¹, Mahmoodreza Behravan ², Masood Ziaee ² ©, Abdol Sattar Pagheh ²   

 
Abstract

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is a significant protozoan parasite that infects humans and livestock, posing considerable medical and veterinary concerns in many countries. This study aimed to Frequency of Toxoplasma gondii infection in beef slaughtered parasite isolated from the muscles of the esophagus, diaphragm and tongue in Birjand slaughterhouse using digestion and molecular method in 2023. Methods and Materials: A total of 170 meat samples were collected from the heart, diaphragm, and tongue muscles of cattle carcasses at the Birjand industrial slaughterhouse across different seasons. These samples were examined using both digestive and molecular methods. This study was approved by the Ethics Code IR.BUMS.REC.1402.434. Result: Out of the 170 beef samples analyzed, no visible signs of contamination were found. However, microscopic examination identified bradyzoites in the tissue digestion sediments of 11 samples (6.5%). Most infections occurred during the summer, with the parasite isolated from the muscles of the esophagus, diaphragm, and tongue. Furthermore, 9 samples (5.3%) displayed a specific band of 200 base pairs in the Nested-PCR method targeting the B1 gene. Conclusion and Discussion: The findings indicate that some cattle in South Khorasan are infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Given the health and economic implications of this parasite, further studies and the implementation of effective prevention and control measures are essential to mitigate the spread of the disease in the region.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, Digestion method, Molecular method, Beef slaughtered, Birjand