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New RT-qPCR Assay Offers Ethical Alternative for Toxoplasma gondii Detection
Researchers have developed a new RT-qPCR assay to detect viable Toxoplasma gondii parasites, offering a faster and more ethical alternative to the mouse bioassay. The new method targets messenger RNA transcripts of genes expressed during infection, providing a reliable tool for predicting parasite viability in tissues.
Toxoplasmosis is a significant foodborne illness that places a heavy burden on the sheep and goat industries. Traditionally, the mouse bioassay has been the standard for detecting viable Toxoplasma gondii, but it involves injecting tissues from infected animals into laboratory mice. A new study published in *Nature* outlines a faster, more cost-effective, and ethical alternative. The new procedure uses reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) targeting messenger RNA transcripts of genes highly expressed during infection, including bag1 and gra1. Researchers evaluated the RT-qPCR assay alongside the mouse bioassay and two molecular methods using tissues from experimentally infected piglets and sheep.
Key Facts
- Toxoplasmosis is a major foodborne zoonosis causing economic losses in sheep and goat industries.
- The mouse bioassay is the traditional method for detecting viable Toxoplasma gondii.
- The new RT-qPCR assay targets messenger RNA transcripts of the bag1 and gra1 genes.
- The RT-qPCR assay showed moderate agreement with the mouse bioassay.
- The assay detected gra1 and bag1 transcripts in all bioassay-positive samples.
- The gra1-bag1 RT-qPCR assay provides a reliable tool for predicting parasite viability in tissues.
- The new assay supports ethical research by reducing reliance on the mouse bioassay.