Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma Gondii in Naturally Infected Cats in Mosul City

TOXOPLASMA gondii, an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite, that has the ability to causes toxoplasmosis in wide range of host, including humans and various warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. The parasite has a complex life cycle include sexual and asexual replication in members of the cat family (Felidae). In this study, 45 blood samples were collected from stray cats that caught with special traps from Mosul's residential neighbour hoods, during the period extended from September 2022 to February 2023, the results of the current study showed that all cat serums gave positive to Direct Latex agglutination test, While, the percentage of infection with the parasite by ELISA was (26.6) .According to gender the percentage of infection in females was (15.5%) more than males (11.1%). In order to confirm the infection, the blood samples collected during the study were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection using primers targeting B1 gene. Molecular results showed that the infection rate was 22% (10 out of 45). Bioinformatics and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of SNPs in the sequence of the nitrogenous bases of the two isolates that were recorded during this study for the first time in the city of Mosul. It was registered in the name of the two researchers in the International Gene Bank with serial number LC749846.1 RK1 and the second isolate LC749847.1 RK2.By comparing the sequences of the two isolates, it was noted that there is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), as well as some mutations (inversion and insertion mutations).

Automated summary

This study tested stray cats captured in Mosul's residential neighborhoods from September 2022 to February 2023. The results showed that all cat serum samples were positive for direct latex agglutination test and the infection rate by ELISA was 26.6%. PCR detection targeting B1 gene revealed an infection rate of 22%. Bioinformatics and phylogenetic analysis identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other mutations in the nitrogenous base sequences of the two isolates, which were registered in the International Gene Bank.