Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in feathered game intended for human consumption in the Czech Republic

Toxoplasma gondii is an important ubiquitous protozoan parasite, which can infect almost all warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans. The diagnosis of T. gondii infection is crucial for the prevention, surveillance, and control of its transmission. Here, a triplex real-time PCR assay targeting the B1 gene and 529rep element was used to determine the presence of T. gondii in feathered game (Anas platyrhynchos and Phasianus colchicus) hunted in the Czech Republic. The prevalence of T. gondii was 5.4% in wild ducks (n = 280) and 3.4% in common pheasants (n = 350). Additionally, genotyping of 28 T. gondii-positive samples revealed the presence of archetypal genotypes II and III as well as non-archetypal genotypes combining both type II and III alleles. Our results suggest that consumption of feathered game could pose a risk of T. gondii transmission to humans in the Czech Republic.