Abstract

LORA, FABIANA et al. Toxoplasma gondii infection of meat for human consumption detected by PCR assay in three cities from the coffee region of Colombia. Infect. [online]. 2007, vol.11, n.3, pp.117-123. ISSN 0123-9392.

Background: Levels of exposition to Toxoplasma gondii infection in meat for human consumption in Colombia should be reported. Objectives: To detect T. gondii DNA in pork, chicken and beef for human consumption in the cities of Manizales, Pereira and Armenia (Colombia) in order to measure the degree of infestation of different types of meat and the city and type of meat that show the highest risk for infection by Toxoplasma. Materials and methods: We obtained a total of 180 meat samples from commercial stores at the three capital city of the Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío departments of Colombia. We purchased 20 samples of each type of meat (pork, beef and chicken) in such cities. All samples were analyzed for the detection of the B1 gene of T. gondii by PCR assay. Results: 52,7% of the samples were positive for specific DNA amplification of Toxoplasma; pork meat was the most infected (70%). There were important differences in the prevalence of infection according to the city: beef meat was more contaminated in Armenia (80%), chicken meat in Pereira (70%) and pork meat in Manizales (80%). No positive chicken samples were found in Manizales. Conclusions: Our results show that there are high exposure levels to Toxoplasma in commercially available meat for human consumption in the coffee culture region of Colombia. Theses results stress the need of implementing public health measures to monitor infection on these products in this area of the country.

Keywords : Toxoplasma; meat; PCR; risk factors.

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