Molecular detection of DNA in milk and risk factors analysis of seroprevalence in pregnant women at Sharkia, Egypt Toxoplasma gondii

T. gondii is a ubiquitous obligate intracellular blood protozoan which is widely distributed among warm-blooded animals and humans that are considered intermediate hosts [1, 2]. All animals and birds consumedby humans can be considered a potential source of infection [1]. The public health significance of toxoplasmosis is not only due to direct contact with the definitive host (Family Felidae, such as domestic cats) but also due to consumption of infected meat and milk which can facilitate zoonotic transmission [3]. Themedical andveterinary importanceof toxoplasmosis is because the diseasemay cause abortion or congenital diseases in the intermediate hosts [4]. It has been estimated that up to one third of human population worldwide are infected with toxoplasmosis [5, 6]. Human infection is usually subclinical; however, primary infection during pregnancy may cause spontaneous abortionor stillbirth.Moreover, theexposureofanewborn to the parasite in utero may develop congenital toxoplasmosis with major ocular and neurological complications [5, 6]. Different studies have reported that consumption of raw milk and milk products may play a role in the horizontal transmission of toxoplasmosis [7]. Contamination of milk with could be originated from the infected animal or fromcontamination ofmilk with cats' feces since stray cats are commonly found around and within farms [3]. Several PCR assays have been developed for the detection of DNA[8]. Such PCR reactions amplify different targets such as B1 gene, P30 or 18S rDNA [9]. The B1 gene is a 35fold repetitive gene sequence with unknown function; PCR amplifying this target has shown high specificity for DNAdetection [9]. Seroprevalence of antiantibodies is so far the most frequently used test for the routine screening of toxoplasmosis in humans [10]. However, the results of sero-diagnosis are influenced by different factors such as geographic areas, the examined populations, cultural, hygienic and nutritional habits [4, 10, 11]. Knowledge on the prevalence and risk factors of infectionwith is essential for estimation of the burden of the disease and to design appropriate Veterinary World, EISSN: 2231-0916 Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.7/August-2014/8.pdf