First molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii and molecular analysis of Neospora caninum in American mink (Neogale vison) introduced in Argentina

Abstract

The American mink (Neogale vison) was introduced to Argentina in the 1930s by the fur industry. Its semi-aquatic habits and foraging behavior facilitates its contact with sporulated oocysts and tissue cysts of apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Brain samples from 72 American mink specimens were collected in the province of Neuqu´en, Argentina. For the detection of T. gondii DNA, the quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique was performed, samples positive to qPCR were genotyped by mnPCR-RFLP using 10 genetic markers: SAG1, SAG2 (5′3´SAG2, altSAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, C22–8, C29–2, L358, PK1 and Apico markers. In addition, ROP18/ROP5 allelic combination analysis was performed on samples successfully genotyped. A con ventional PCR for the detection of N. caninum was performed. Fifteen percent (11/72) of the samples had T. gondii DNA. A new non-archetypical genotype was characterized, named AmMink01Arg (ToxoDB #347). The ROP18/ROP5 results identified the 3/4 combination of alleles. Phylogenetic analysis evidenced that the geno type ToxoDB #347 is related to non-archetypical genotypes of high gene variability (ToxoDB #15, #17, #283 and #286). No N. caninum DNA was detected in any of the samples. The results of the present study confirm T. gondii infection in American mink present in northern Patagonia, where they may favor its dissemination and persistence in the environment acting as a new host of T. gondii in the invaded community. This is the first molecular report for Argentina and the first genotypic characterization of T. gondii in American mink for the American continent.