Philippine Journal of Science
152 (5): 1989-1998, October 2023
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 29 Jun 2023

Molecular Detection and Prevalence
of Toxoplasma gondii in Ready-to-eat Vegetables
and Oysters in Central Luzon, Philippines

Cielo Emar M. Paraoan1,3*, Ren Mark D. Villanueva1,2,
and Marie Christine M. Obusan1,2

1Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman,
Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
2Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman
Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
3Science Department, College of Science, Bulacan State University,
Malolos City, Bulacan 3000 Philippines

*Corresponding author:
cmparaoan@up.edu.ph; cieloemar.paraoan@bulsu.edu.ph

[Download]
Paraoan CE et al. 2023. Molecular Detection and Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Ready-to-eat
Vegetables and Oysters in Central Luzon, Philippines. Philipp J Sci 152(5): 1989–1998.
https://doi.org/10.56899/152.05.36

 

ABSTRACT

Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by T. gondii, may be considered as a neglected disease in the Philippines. Consumption of raw or undercooked cyst-containing meat and accidental ingestion of oocysts excreted in the environment are two of the main routes in acquiring the infection. In the Philippines, there is no comprehensive or updated information on the prevalence of T. gondii among human populations and as a food-borne pathogen. We detected T. gondii DNA in ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables and oysters sold in markets in Central Luzon, Philippines using molecular method. Six (10%) out of the 60 collected vegetable samples tested positive through nested PCR amplification of B1 gene. As for the oyster samples, four (9.09%) out of the 44 collected pooled samples were positive for T. gondii. Phylogenetic analyses revealed all the DNA sequences retrieved from positive samples clustered with T. gondii with a virulent Type 1 genotype (accession no: KX270388). Further studies should be done to identify the exact genotypic profiles of the T. gondii detected in the vegetable and oyster samples to infer pathogenicity and possible sources of contamination. Our findings suggest possible transmission patterns of T. gondii oocysts as a potential health threat to consumers.