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The goal of this proposed research is to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in three major commodity meats (beef, chicken, and pork). Samples will be collected over an 18 month period from a sampling method representing 80% of the U.S. population. Strains of T. gondii will be isolated from meat and be genetically typed and compared with isolates from humans.
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which causes mental retardation, loss of vision, and other congenital health problems in humans and is an increasingly important cause of mortality and morbidity in the immuno-suppressed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list T. gondii as one of three pathogens which account for over 75% of all deaths due to foodborne disease in the U.S.. Although cats have long been thought to be the main source of human exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that up to 50% of all human infections result from the ingestion of infected meat. However, little is known about the prevalence of this parasite in retail meats. The goal of this proposed research is to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in three major commodity meats (beef, chicken, and pork). Samples will be collected over an 18 month period from a sampling method representing 80% of the U.S. population. Strains of T. gondii will be isolated from meat and be genetically typed and compared with isolates from humans.