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The humble house mouse has dramatically shaped the parasitic populations of Toxoplasma gondii in West Africa and around the world, according to research PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Different strains affecting their hosts differently, the research conducted by Lokman Galal and Aurélien Mercier of INSERM and the University of Limoges provides insights into populations that infect humans and animals and suggests mechanisms for their intercontinental spread.
T. gondii is found all over the world, using mammals and birds as intermediate hosts with the ultimate goal of infecting cat populations. It has particularly severe effects in immunocompromised individuals and understanding its spread, lineages and geographic distribution may provide a framework for future studies that will benefit patients.
Galal, Mercier and their colleagues took samples of just over 2,000 infected chickens and ducks in two port cities – Dakar and Saint-Louis – and in the remote Kedougou region inland, in Senegal . By badyzing the samples, they found four main strains of the parasite, one of which is described for the first time in their article.
There were significant differences between the mainland and coastal lineages and researchers believe that the invasion of the domestic mice via man caused the decline of the native lineages and introduced the same. European. Over time, these invasive strains have become more common than local strains, with regular introductions of European rodents.
Lokman Galal said: "By badyzing samples of Toxoplasma gondii from infected animals, we have found clear differences between the isolated inner region and the port cities affected by maritime trade for hundreds of years. The invasive domestic mouse has a dramatic influence on the See and is an important host of intercontinental migrations of the parasite.This mapping exercise suggests where epidemiological studies can identify the strains that cause the most burden. "
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