Journal of Veterinary Research (Oct 2021)

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in retail fresh meat products from free-range chickens in Spain

  • Salinas María Jesús Gracia,
  • Campos Cristina Escolano,
  • Peris María Paz Peris,
  • Kassab Nabil Halaihel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2021-0052
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 65, no. 4
pp. 457 – 461

Abstract

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Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent zoonotic protozoan parasites worldwide and affects the vast majority of warm-blooded animal species, including humans. Postnatal infection in humans occurs through the ingestion of sporulated T. gondii oocysts or via the oral intake of parasite tissue cysts during the consumption of raw or undercooked meat. In this regard, given their high exposure to oocysts, chickens (Gallus domesticus) raised on the ground constitute a potential source of T. gondii.

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