Publications by authors named "H Waap"
Genotyping of European Toxoplasma gondii strains by a new high-resolution next-generation sequencing-based method.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
February 2024
Purpose: A new high-resolution next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based method was established to type closely related European type II Toxoplasma gondii strains.
Methods: T. gondii field isolates were collected from different parts of Europe and assessed by whole genome sequencing (WGS).
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that can infect mammals and birds. The infection can cause acute toxoplasmosis and death in susceptible hosts. Bioassay using cats and mice has been the standard for the isolation of T.
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- * Histopathological analysis revealed cyst-like structures and severe damage in the liver and brain, with certain antigens indicating the presence of T. gondii in various tissues.
- * Genotyping tests confirmed a systemic T. gondii infection associated with a type II strain, which aligns with the common strains found in Europe.
Background: Bovine besnoitiosis is an emerging disease caused by the protozoa that can have a serious economic impact on affected farms. The fact that there is no effective vaccine nor treatment, along with the lack of consistent epidemiologic data, renders the implementation of preventive medicine and control strategies much harder.
Objectives: A cross-sectional serological assessment was performed to better understand the distribution and prevalence of this parasite in a large beef cattle farm in Portugal and to establish some epidemiological characteristics of besnoitiosis.
Article Synopsis
- A study investigates a zoonotic parasite affecting both human and animal health, identifying infected meat as a significant source of human infections particularly in Europe.
- The research utilized a systematic review of 226 publications and applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate regional seroprevalence in various animal species, showing significant variation based on species, regions, and rearing conditions.
- Findings revealed that seroprevalence was highest in Eastern Europe and lowest in Northern Europe, with outdoor-kept sheep showing the highest infection rate, emphasizing the need for better data and source attribution to address human infection risks.