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Detection of high levels of congenital transmission of toxoplasma gondii in natural urban populations of mus domesticus

Marshall, PA; Hughes, JM; Murphy, G; Williams, RH; Smith, JE; Murphy, RG; Hide, G

Authors

PA Marshall

JM Hughes

G Murphy

RH Williams

JE Smith

RG Murphy



Abstract

The relative importance of different transmission routes of Toxoplasma gondii has been a matter for debate. This ubiquitous parasite is generally thought to be transmitted by infective oocysts excreted by the definitive host, the cat. Ingestion of undercooked meat has also been considered an important route of transmission in many mammals while congenital transmission has generally been considered relatively rare. Experimental studies demonstrate the ability of T. gondii to be transmitted congenitally, but few studies have investigated the frequency of this transmission route in natural populations. We use PCR amplification of the SAG1 gene to investigate the frequency of congenital transmission in a wild population of mice (Mus domesticus) and show that congenital transmission is occurring in 75% of pregnancies in this population. Furthermore, for infected pregnant mice, transmission occurs to at least one foetus in 100% of cases while variable penetrance of congenital infection is observed. These high levels of congenital transmission in this wild population of mice, taken together with other recent data on congenital transmission in sheep, suggests that this phenomenon might be more widespread than previously thought.

Citation

Marshall, P., Hughes, J., Murphy, G., Williams, R., Smith, J., Murphy, R., & Hide, G. (2004). Detection of high levels of congenital transmission of toxoplasma gondii in natural urban populations of mus domesticus. Parasitology, 128(1), 39-42. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182003004189

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2004
Deposit Date Oct 5, 2007
Publicly Available Date Oct 5, 2007
Journal Parasitology
Print ISSN 0031-1820
Publisher Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 128
Issue 1
Pages 39-42
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182003004189
Keywords Toxoplasma gondii, mus domesticus, PCR, SAG1, congenital, transmission
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0031182003004189