Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that infects one-third of the population of the world, including humans, animals, birds, and other vertebrates. The present investigation is the first molecular attempt in the Malakand Division of Pakistan to determine the epidemiology and phylogenetic study of Toxoplasma gondii infecting small ruminants.
METHODS: A total of (N = 450) blood samples of sheep were randomly collected during the study period (December 2020 to November 2021), and DNA detection was done using PCR by amplifying ITS-1 genes. SPSS.20 and MEGA-11 software were used for statistical significance and phylogenetic analysis.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of T. gondii infection among sheep was 14.44 % (65/450). A high infection rate was found in more than five-year-olds at 18.33 % (11/60). Sequencing and BLAST analysis of PCR-positive samples confirmed the presence of T. gondii. Randomly, three isolates were sequenced and submitted to GenBank under accession numbers (PP028089-PP028091), respectively. The BLAST analysis of the obtained sequences based on the ITS-1 gene showed 99 % similarities with reported genotypes found in goats of Malakand, Pakistan (PP028089) and dogs of Brazil (MF766454). The study concludes that T. gondii is notably prevalent among the sheep population in the region, emphasizing the significant role of risk factors in disease transmission across animals and potentially to humans. Further research, zoonotic potential analysis, and targeted control measures are warranted to address and manage this parasitic infection effectively.
METHODS: A total of (N = 450) blood samples of sheep were randomly collected during the study period (December 2020 to November 2021), and DNA detection was done using PCR by amplifying ITS-1 genes. SPSS.20 and MEGA-11 software were used for statistical significance and phylogenetic analysis.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of T. gondii infection among sheep was 14.44 % (65/450). A high infection rate was found in more than five-year-olds at 18.33 % (11/60). Sequencing and BLAST analysis of PCR-positive samples confirmed the presence of T. gondii. Randomly, three isolates were sequenced and submitted to GenBank under accession numbers (PP028089-PP028091), respectively. The BLAST analysis of the obtained sequences based on the ITS-1 gene showed 99 % similarities with reported genotypes found in goats of Malakand, Pakistan (PP028089) and dogs of Brazil (MF766454). The study concludes that T. gondii is notably prevalent among the sheep population in the region, emphasizing the significant role of risk factors in disease transmission across animals and potentially to humans. Further research, zoonotic potential analysis, and targeted control measures are warranted to address and manage this parasitic infection effectively.
摘要：
背景：弓形虫是一种根尖丛原生动物寄生虫，感染世界上三分之一的人口，包括人类,动物,鸟,和其他脊椎动物。本调查是巴基斯坦Malakand分部首次进行分子尝试，以确定感染小反刍动物的弓形虫的流行病学和系统发育研究。
方法：在研究期间（2020年12月至2021年11月）随机收集了（N=450）绵羊的血液样本，用PCR扩增ITS-1基因进行DNA检测。采用SPSS.20和MEGA-11软件进行统计学意义和系统发育分析。
结果：绵羊弓形虫感染的总体患病率为14.44％（65/450）。五岁以上的儿童感染率很高，为18.33％（11/60）。PCR阳性样品的测序和BLAST分析证实了弓形虫的存在。随机,对三个分离株进行了测序，并以登录号（PP028089-PP028091）提交给GenBank，分别。对基于ITS-1基因的获得序列的BLAST分析显示，与在Malakand山羊中发现的报道基因型具有99％的相似性，巴基斯坦（PP028089）和巴西的狗（MF76454）。研究得出的结论是，弓形虫在该地区的绵羊种群中尤为普遍，强调危险因素在疾病跨动物和潜在人类传播中的重要作用。进一步研究,人畜共患潜力分析，有针对性的控制措施是必要的，以有效地解决和管理这种寄生虫感染。
方法：在研究期间（2020年12月至2021年11月）随机收集了（N=450）绵羊的血液样本，用PCR扩增ITS-1基因进行DNA检测。采用SPSS.20和MEGA-11软件进行统计学意义和系统发育分析。
结果：绵羊弓形虫感染的总体患病率为14.44％（65/450）。五岁以上的儿童感染率很高，为18.33％（11/60）。PCR阳性样品的测序和BLAST分析证实了弓形虫的存在。随机,对三个分离株进行了测序，并以登录号（PP028089-PP028091）提交给GenBank，分别。对基于ITS-1基因的获得序列的BLAST分析显示，与在Malakand山羊中发现的报道基因型具有99％的相似性，巴基斯坦（PP028089）和巴西的狗（MF76454）。研究得出的结论是，弓形虫在该地区的绵羊种群中尤为普遍，强调危险因素在疾病跨动物和潜在人类传播中的重要作用。进一步研究,人畜共患潜力分析，有针对性的控制措施是必要的，以有效地解决和管理这种寄生虫感染。
