title: Genotyping Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Swine from the North of Portugal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiological investigations on Toxoplasma gondii infection have found a significant association between human toxoplasmosis and consumption of raw or undercooked meat. The present study aimed to characterize genotypes of T. gondii in 20 cattle, 40 sheep, 15 goats and 16 pigs from the North of Portugal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nested PCR amplified the surface antigen 2 (SAG2) gene. Sequencing analysis was performed in order to assess the prevalence of SAG2 type strains (I, II and III).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three and 4 strains of SAG2 type II were identified in heart samples of cattle and sheep, respectively. Three SAG2 type II strains were detected in brain, diaphragm and heart of 3 pigs. Three strains detected in heart samples of 3 goats belonged to SAG2 types I or II; with the same result being observed in heart samples from 2 sheep and in 2 brain and 1 heart samples from 3 pigs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SAG2 type II has been shown for the first time to infect cattle in North of Portugal. In addition, SAG2 type II has also been confirmed as the predominant strain in sheep and pigs in the same region. This is the first molecular report of T. gondii in goats from Portugal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal ; Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Patrícia
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vilares
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Services Directorate of North Region, Veterinary General-Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alcina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Services Directorate of North Region, Veterinary General-Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Portugal.
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Idalina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria João
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gargaté
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal ; Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal ; Parasite Disease Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cardoso
keywords: Genotypes; Portugal; Ruminants; Swine; Toxoplasma gondii