Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii strains similar to Africa 1 genotype in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoon parasite that has a worldwide dissemination. It can cause serious clinical problems such as congenital toxoplasmosis, retinochoroiditis, and encephalitis. Currently, T. gondii genotypes are being associated with these clinical presentations which may help clinicians design their treatment strategy.

CASE REPORTS: Two T. gondii strains named Ankara and Ege-1 were isolated from newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis in Central and Western Anatolia, respectively. Ankara and Ege-1 strains were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of newborns. According to microsatellite analysis, Ankara and Ege-1 strains were sorted as Africa 1 genotype.

CONCLUSION

T. gondii strains isolated in Turkey were first time genotyped in this study. Africa 1 genotype has previously been isolated in immunosuppressed patients originating from sub-Saharan Africa. The reason of detecting a strain mainly detected in Africa can be associated with Turkey's specific geographical location. Turkey is like a bridge between Asia, Europe and Africa. Historically, Anatolia was on the Silk Road and other trading routes that ended in Europe. Thus, detecting Africa 1 strain in Anatolia can be anticipated. Consequently, strains detected mainly in Europe and Asia may also be detected in Anatolia and vice versa. Therefore, further studies are required to isolate more strains from Turkey.