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The impact of the waterborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii and analysis efforts for water detection: an overview and update

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Abstract

The ubiquitous protozoa Toxoplasma gondii is now the subject of renewed interest, due to the spread of oocysts via water causing waterborne outbreaks of toxoplasmosis in different parts of the world. This overview discusses the different methods for detection of Toxoplasma in drinking and environmental water. It includes a combination of conventional and molecular tools for effective oocyst recovery and detection in water sources as well as factors hindering the detection of this parasite and shedding light on a promising new molecular assay for the diagnosis of Toxoplasma in environmental samples. Hopefully, this attempt will facilitate future approaches for better recovery, concentration, and detection of Toxoplasma oocysts in environmental waters.

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We are grateful for Mr. Jonathan O'Malley for editing this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical and Molecular Parasitology, University Clinics of Cologne, Center of Anatomy, Institute II, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9, 50937, Cologne, Germany

    Panagiotis Karanis & Hebatalla M. Aldeyarbi

  2. Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

    Marzieh E. Mirhashemi

  3. Commission for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Medical Biotechnology Department, National Research Center, Khartoum 11111, P.O. Box 2404, Sudan

    Khalil M. Khalil

  4. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

    Hebatalla M. Aldeyarbi

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  1. Panagiotis Karanis
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  2. Hebatalla M. Aldeyarbi
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  3. Marzieh E. Mirhashemi
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Karanis, P., Aldeyarbi, H.M., Mirhashemi, M.E. et al. The impact of the waterborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii and analysis efforts for water detection: an overview and update. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 86–99 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-1177-5

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