title: Seroprevalence, isolation, first genetic characterization  of Toxoplasma gondii, and possible congenital transmission  in wild moose from Minnesota, USA.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii infections are widespread in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) but little is known of its prevalence in other cervids in the USA. Moose (Alces alces) is a popular large game animal, hunted for its meat and trophy antlers. Here, we report seroprevalence, isolation, and genetic characterization of T. gondii from moose from Minnesota. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 8 of 79 (10%) moose tested by the modified agglutination test (MAT 1:25 or higher). The myocardium of 68 moose was bioassayed individually in mice, irrespective of serological status. T. gondii was detected in three moose (2 adults, 1 3 weeks old). The parasite from 2 adults was further propagated in cell culture. PCR-RFLP genotyping of cell culture derived tachyzoites using 10 genetic markers, SAG1, SAG2 (5′ and 3′ SAG2, and alt.SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico revealed two different ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotypes (#5, designated TgMooseUS1, and #7, TgMooseUS2). The mice inoculated with myocardium of the juvenile moose developed antibodies against T. gondii, and DNA extracted from infected mouse brain was only partially characterized by PCR-RFLP genotyping, which suggests a potential new genotype. Result documented prevalence of T. gondii in moose, and its possible transplacental/transmammary transmission of T. gondii in moose.
authors.forename: Shiv K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carstensen
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calero-Bernal
authors.forename: Seth A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Tiantian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Chunlei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Jitender P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000469:parasitology; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D006321:Heart / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D005819:Genetic Markers