Browsing by Author "Gargate, M.J."
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- Genetic and virulence characterization of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from pigeons in Lisbon regionPublication . Vilares, Anabela; Gargate, M.J.; Ferreira, I.; Martins, S.; Waap, H.; Ângelo, H.habitat with cats and humans, bands are observed in recreational areas such as urban parks, playgrounds and parks. The interaction between cats, birds and human population is quite evident favoring the fecal-oral transmission of T. gondii between the definitive host and intermediate hosts, in the urban cycle of the parasite. The results of the inoculation in vivo of the brain homogenates showed pigeon isolation rates (58.5%) significantly higher when compared with previous studies, including the preliminary study in 2006 that the isolation rate in mice was 39,1% (9/23) (Waap 2008) and another that was not achieved any isolation in mouse (Godoi 2010). The genotypic analysis revealed a majority of strains of type II, which is consistent with what has been described in Portugal, the rest of Europe and the USA (Ajzenberg 2005, Fazaeli 2000, Honoré 2000, Howe 1997, Waap 2008) . We also isolated strains of type III and type I. The identification of type III strains in animals have been reported by other authors, but the type I have been rarely found in animals has not been previously described in Portugal except in a preliminary study of our team at the 2008 (Waap 2008). The type I strains are usually associated with high virulence in laboratory mice, leading to death within days. This strain was identified by molecular biology and has not been isolated in vivo. The difficulty in isolation of strain may be related to the small number of cysts of the type I strains can develop, these type strains are considered low cystogenic. Genetic characterization of strains of T. gondii is far from its terminus, more sequences of different genes should be studied to help the understanding of the molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of T. gondii, a relevant parasite for which these data are lacking. The combination of data from humans and animals, through the use of high resolution genetic characterization should improve our perceptive of T. gondii, which will be ultimately beneficial for the control of T. gondii transmission.
- Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women from the North of Portugal in their childbearing yearsPublication . Lopes, A.P.; Dubey, J.P.; Moutinho, O.; Gargate, M.J.; Vilares, A.; Rodrigues, M.; Cardoso, L.Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors were investigated in 401 women of childbearing age from the North of Portugal. Of the 98 (24·4%) seropositive women, 92 (93·9%) only had immunoglobulin (Ig)G, two (2·0%) only had IgM, and four (4·1%) others had both IgG and IgM. Risk factors for T. gondii infection in women were: engaging in soil-related activities without gloves [odds ratio (OR) 8·4], consumption of unwashed raw vegetables or fruit (OR 7·6), and consumption of smoked or cured (non-cooked) processed pork products (OR 2·5). Most women of childbearing age from the North Portugal are susceptible to primary infection with T. gondii and, therefore, the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis remains high.