Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Nine Species of Wild Rodents in China.

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is a foodborne zoonotic parasite that can infect humans and a variety of warm-blooded animals. Wild rodents play an important role as intermediate hosts of T. gondii, and the survey data of T. gondii in wild rodents in China are limited.

Methods

Therefore, from August 2023 to May 2024, a total of 510 brain tissue samples were collected from nine species of wild rodents, and T. gondii was detected using a nested PCR targeting the B1 gene. All positive samples were genotyped at 11 PCR-RFLP markers (i.e., SAG1, 5'-and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico) to determine their genotype.

Results

In the present study, out of a total of 510 samples analyzed by nested PCR, three (0.59%) tested positive for T. gondii. It is noteworthy that all three positive samples were derived from female Rattus flavipectus rodents captured in Yunnan Province, where the detection rate was 3.41% (3/88; 95% confidence interval: 0-6.96). Complete genotyping was successfully performed on these three samples, revealing two to be of the ToxoDB #9, which is a common and widely distributed strain in China. The third sample presented a novel genotype.

Conclusion

This finding suggests that wild rodents could be harboring a variety of T. gondii genotypes, including new genotypes, which may have significant implications for understanding the epidemiology of the parasite and its potential to cause disease in humans and animals.