Dini Filippo Maria, Salas-Fajardo Martha Ynés, Taddei Roberta, Ramini Mattia, Vianello Silvia, Caffara Monica, Galuppi Roberta
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy.
SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Animals (Basel). 2024 Dec 12;14(24):3597. doi: 10.3390/ani14243597.
is a widespread foodborne parasite that affects both humans and animals worldwide. The genetic characterization of this parasite has become crucial due to its epidemiological and clinical implications. The present study focused on the direct genetic characterization of -positive DNA samples from Northern Italy, using three standardized genotyping methods. Of the 87 PCR-positive DNA samples obtained from livestock, wild, and captive animals, 9 were confirmed, quantified, and subsequently subjected to typing procedures: microsatellite analysis, PCR-RFLP, and partial sequencing of GRA6 and SAG3 genes. Most of the typed samples, derived from clinical cases of toxoplasmosis, specifically related to abortion outbreaks in small ruminants, as well as one case of systemic toxoplasmosis in lemur (). Predominantly, Type II strains were observed, with non-clonal variants identified in a sheep and a lemur. Sequencing of SAG3 revealed specific single nucleotide polymorphism, previously documented in European type-II variants, with phylogenesis suggesting a potential genetic relatedness between population in Italy, Spain, and France. By utilizing three distinct genotyping methods, this study provides the first comprehensive microsatellite profiles of in Italy, and additional insights into the molecular variability of strains circulating in this country from different epidemiological settings.
是一种广泛存在的食源性病原体，在全球范围内影响着人类和动物。由于其流行病学和临床意义，对这种病原体的基因特征进行鉴定变得至关重要。本研究聚焦于对意大利北部阳性DNA样本进行直接基因特征鉴定，采用了三种标准化基因分型方法。在从家畜、野生动物和圈养动物中获得的87个PCR阳性DNA样本中，9个样本得到确认、定量，随后进行分型程序：微卫星分析、PCR-RFLP以及GRA6和SAG3基因的部分测序。大多数分型样本来自弓形虫病临床病例，具体与小反刍动物流产暴发有关，以及一例狐猴全身性弓形虫病（）。主要观察到II型菌株，在一只绵羊和一只狐猴中鉴定出非克隆变体。SAG3基因测序揭示了特定的单核苷酸多态性，此前在欧洲II型变体中有记录，系统发育分析表明意大利、西班牙和法国的弓形虫种群之间可能存在遗传相关性。通过使用三种不同的基因分型方法，本研究提供了意大利首个全面的弓形虫微卫星图谱，并对该国不同流行病学背景下弓形虫菌株的分子变异性有了更多了解。
