First detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in African Giant Snails, Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822)

Abstract

Introduction: Environmental contamination by Toxoplasma gondii oocysts poses a risk to human and animal health, especially in urban areas with poor sanitation. The giant African snail (Achatina fulica), due to its direct contact with soil and consumption of vegetables, may act as a mechanical vector of the parasite’s oocysts. Objectives: To investigate the presence of Sarcocystidae DNA in fecal samples of A. fulica collected in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. Methods: Epidemiological observations were conducted at the collection sites, and climate variables were provided by the National Institute of Meteorology. In the laboratory, the animals were washed in running water, measured, placed in individual plastic containers, and fed daily with water and cabbage until fecal samples were processed. The cabbage leaves were subjected to parasitological testing to detect the presence of protozoa and helminths. Fecal samples were resuspended in an equal volume of absolute ethanol and frozen until DNA extraction, which was performed using a commercial kit. Nested PCR (nPCR) was conducted to detect ribosomal DNA fragments of protozoa from the Sarcocystidae family. Results: Of the 220 samples subjected to nPCR, 58 (26.36%; 95% CI: 20.99–32.57) amplified the expected 290-base pair fragment and were then subjected to RFLP. Of these, 41 (70.69%; 95% CI: 57.92–80.81) were cleaved by the restriction enzymes used in this study, showing a profile compatible with T. gondii. Conclusion: This is the first report on the presence of DNA compatible with T. gondii in A. fulica.