Detection and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in American minks (Neogale vison) introduced in Patagonia, Argentina

RUNCO M; GOS ML; PARDINI L; BERNSTEIN M; RAGO MV; MONTEVERDE M; GUICHÓN ML; PIUDO L; GONZÁLEZ A; CAMPERO LM; VENTURINI MC

La Plata

Congreso; VII International Meeting of Apicomplexan parasites in farm animals; 2024

The American mink (Neogale vison) is an invasive, non-native mammal first introduced in Argentina in the 30’s. Its semi-aquatic behavior and broad carnivorous diet makes it a sentinel species for Toxoplasma gondii, as it is exposed to sporulated oocysts present in the environment and tissue cysts from prey animals. The knowledge of the genotypes present in the environment is essential for the application of preventive health measures. The aim of the study was to detect T. gondii and characterize the genotypes of T. gondii found in American minks captured in Neuquén province, Argentina. A commercial kit (Inbio Highway) was used for DNA extraction from brain samples, followingmanufacturer´s recommendations. For the detection of the specific sequence of 529bp of T. gondii DNA, the quantitative PCR (qPCR) was carried out. DNA positive samples were further genotyped by multilocus nested PCR-RFLP analysis for SAG1, SAG2 (5´3´SAG2, altSAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, C22-8, C29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico markers. A total of 15% (6/40) of the analyzed brains were positive to T. gondii. Nonetheless, complete genotypification was possible in one sample, and the resulting genotype was characterized as new non-clonal genotype (ToxoDB #347), which has not been reported previously. Phylogenetic network was inferred using the software SplitsTree CE 6.0.0_alpha. The genotype ToxoDB #347 clustered with non-clonal genotypes from Misionesprovince, Argentina. The presence of the American mink represents a health risk, as it may act as a source of infection for scavenger animals, hence perpetuating the life cycle of this apicomplexan parasite. This is the first molecular detection of T. gondii in an American mink population in Argentina and the first genotypic characterization of T. gondii in American mink in South America.