title: First genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii infection in common quails (Coturnix coturnix) intended for human consumption in China.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is widely distributed in humans and other animals including birds throughout the world. However, little is known of the molecular epidemiology and genotypes of T. gondii infecting quails in China. Therefore, the present study was conducted to characterize T. gondii genotypes in common quails in China. During December 2014 to October 2015, a total of 390 muscle tissue samples of common quails were collected and the T. gondii B1 gene was amplified using a nested PCR, and the positive samples were genotyped at 11 genetic markers (SAG1, 5'-and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8, c29-2, and Apico) using multilocus polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology. Twenty-five of the 390 common quails (6.41%) were tested positive by nested PCR. Three DNA samples from the 25 positive samples were typed completely and were identified as ToxoDB Genotype #9 (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). The results of the present study indicated that T. gondii infection in common quails was common in China, which provided the information of T. gondii genetic diversity in this host species. This is the first genetic characterization of T. gondii isolates from quails in China, which is useful for monitoring and controlling the T. gondii infection in quails, other animals and humans.
authors.affiliation: College of Marine Science, Shandong University at Weihai, Weihai, Shandong Province 264209, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.affiliation: Rongcheng No. 3 Middle School, Weihai, Shandong Province 264300, PR China.
authors.forename: Hong-Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Xuan
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China; Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, Jilin Province 130062, PR China. Electronic address: mqfboy@163.com.
authors.forename: Qing-Feng
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China.
authors.forename: Jian-Gang
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China.
authors.forename: Ai-Dong
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China. Electronic address: xingquanzhu1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xing-Quan
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003370:Coturnix; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D008460:Meat; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015800:Protozoan Proteins
keywords: China; Common quails; Genetic characterization; Toxoplasma gondii