G-2512

2025-10-19 19:35

Written by ARCIMS 26 ARCIMS 26 in Sunday 2025-10-19 19:35

Molecular and Concentration Methods for Investigating Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Polluted Soils of Birjand City (2023)

 Farideh Ayoobi 1 ℗, Akram Mahmoudi 2, Mahmoodreza Behravan 3, Amir Tavakoli Kareshk 4 ©, Rahmat Solgi 4   

 Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.

Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran. 

Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran. 

 Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.

 Email: farideh.ayb@gmail.com
 

 


 
Abstract

Introduction: Infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii are widespread among humans and animals globally. However, there is limited information regarding the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment, particularly in the soils of South Khorasan, Iran. This study aimed to assess the frequency of T. gondii oocysts in polluted soils of Birjand City using concentration and molecular techniques. Methods and Materials: A total of 254 soil samples were collected from various locations, including parks and areas surrounding rubbish dumps in Birjand City. Oocysts were extracted using the flotation method, followed by PCR reactions targeting the B1 gene for the specific detection of T. gondii. This study was approved by the Ethics Code IR.BUMS.REC.1402.398. Result: The molecular analysis revealed that 23 (9%) samples tested positive for T. gondii. The results indicated no significant difference in Toxoplasma infection rates across different regions of the city (p 0.05). Statistical evaluation showed that the highest number of infections occurred during the summer, yet no significant seasonal variation in prevalence was found (P value = 0.1). Conclusion and Discussion: This study represents one of the first investigations into the detection of T. gondii oocysts in environmental soil samples using rapid molecular detection methods. Our findings suggest that soils contaminated with T. gondii oocysts may contribute to the epidemiology of human toxoplasmosis in Birjand, Iran.


Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, Oocyst, Soil, Birjand

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