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Title:   Author  item
                                            MANCIANT, FRANCESCA - University Of Pisaitem
                                            NARDONI, SIMONA - University Of Pisaitem
                                            PAPINI, ROBERTO - University Of Pisaitem
                                            MUGNAINI, LINDA - University Of Pisaitem
                                            MARTINI, MINA - University Of Pisaitem
                                            ALTOMONTE, IOLANDA - University Of Pisaitem
                                            SALARI, FEDERICA - University Of Pisaitem
                                            D'ASCENZI, CARLO - University Of Pisaitem
                                            Dubey, Jitender
  Submitted to: Parasites & Vectors
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/2014
                                    Publication  Date: 5/1/2014
                                    Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/59398Citation: Manciant, F., Nardoni, S., Papini, R., Mugnaini, L., Martini, M., Altomonte, I., Salari, F., D'Ascenzi, C., Dubey, J.P. 2014. Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in the blood and milk of naturally infected donkeys (Equus asinus). Parasites & Vectors. 7:165.Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite of all warm-blooded hosts worldwide. It causes mental retardation and loss of vision in children, and abortion in livestock. Cats are the main reservoir of T. gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the resistant stage (oocyst) of the parasite in the feces. Humans become infected mainly by eating under cooked meat from infected animals and food and water contaminated with oocysts. Toxoplasmosis can also be acquired by drinking raw milk, and serious clinical toxoplasmosis has resulted in humans that consumed raw goat milk. Recently, donkey milk has been used for children with allergies, especially cow milk. In the present study, authors found T. gondii DNA in milk from naturally infected donkeys. These results will be of interest to veterinarians and biologists.
                                Technical Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide zoonotic protozoan. Consumption of raw milk from infected animals is considered a risk factor for acquiring toxoplasmosis in humans. Recently, donkey milk has been indicated for therapeutic and nutritional purposes and T. gondii infection is common in donkeys. The purpose of the present paper was to detect the presence of parasite DNA in milk of T. gondii positive donkeys. Findings – Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 11 out of 44 healthy lactating donkeys by IFAT. T. gondii DNA was detected by PCR in blood of 6 and milk 3 seropositive jennies. Results of limited RFLP-PCR genotyping indicated the presence of T. gondii genotype II or III, commonly found in Europe. Conclusions – The occurrence of T. gondii DNA in milk suggests that the consumption of raw milk from seropositive donkeys could be a potential source of human infection.


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