INSIGHTS INTO PROTOZOAN CONTAMINATION IN BIVALVE MOLLUSKS: EVIDENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII FROM MARANHÃO ISLAND, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

ELLAINY MARIA CONCEICAO SILVA; Anna Letícia Pinto; SARAH CRISTINA DA SILVA SOUSA; Júlia Marcelly Diniz de Oliveira; Alcina Carvalho Neta

Título do Trabalho

Autores

ELLAINY MARIA CONCEICAO SILVA
Anna Letícia Pinto
SARAH CRISTINA DA SILVA SOUSA
Júlia Marcelly Diniz de Oliveira
Alcina Carvalho Neta

Modalidade

Resumo

Área temática

Protozoologia e patógenos transmitidos por vetores

Data de Publicação

24/09/2026

País da Publicação

Brasil

Idioma da Publicação

pt-BR

Página do Trabalho

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/23-congresso-brasileiro-de-parasitologia-veterinaria-673729/1558261-insights-into-protozoan-contamination-in-bivalve-mollusks--evidence-of-toxoplasma-gondii-from-maranhao-island-n

ISBN

978-65-272-2733-5

Palavras-Chave

Lamellibranches; T. gondii; food safety

Resumo

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite endemic in Brazil, whose transmission is associated with environmental contamination, including coastal areas such as estuaries. In these areas, the discharge of untreated domestic and animal waste favors the dissemination of oocysts, posing a risk to both wildlife and human health. In this context, bivalve molluscs have been recognized as important indicators of environmental contamination due to their filter-feeding behavior and ability to accumulate microorganisms present in the water. This study aimed to detect the occurrence of T. gondii in bivalve molluscs collected from estuarine areas of Maranhão Island, northeastern Brazil. For this purpose, oysters (Crassostrea sp.), sururu mussels (Mytella sp.), and clams (Anomalocardia sp.) were collected from natural banks in the municipalities of São Luís, Paço do Lumiar, Raposa, and São José de Ribamar between January and December 2022. The samples were organized into gill pools from three individuals of the same species, totaling 180 pools (60 from oysters, 60 from mussels, and 60 from clams), and subjected to DNA extraction followed by PCR targeting the SAG1 gene. Additionally, sequencing of positive samples was performed, followed by comparison in GenBank using BLASTn. The occurrence of T. gondii was demonstrated in 1.8% (3/180) of the analyzed samples. Analysis of the sequences demonstrated 98 to 100% genetic similarity with T. gondii isolates from different hosts and geographic regions. These findings demonstrate the occurrence of environmental contamination in estuarine ecosystems of Maranhão Island. Furthermore, the absence of specific sanitary policies aimed at monitoring protozoan contamination in aquatic environments is noteworthy, particularly in regions where the consumption of bivalve molluscs is common. This scenario becomes especially concerning given the regional habit of consuming these organisms raw or undercooked, which may represent a potential route of human exposure to the parasite. Overall, these results highlight the need to integrate environmental monitoring with public health strategies, emphasizing the importance of surveillance of waterborne protozoan parasites in vulnerable coastal areas.

Título do Evento: 23º Congresso Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária
Cidade do Evento: Belo Horizonte
Título dos Anais do Evento: Anais do XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária
Nome da Editora: Even3
Meio de Divulgação: Meio Digital

Como citar

SILVA, ELLAINY MARIA CONCEICAO et al.. INSIGHTS INTO PROTOZOAN CONTAMINATION IN BIVALVE MOLLUSKS: EVIDENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII FROM MARANHÃO ISLAND, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL.. In: Anais do XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária. Anais...Belo Horizonte(MG) Centro de Atividades Didáticas I (CAD 1) da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), 2026. Disponível em: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/23-congresso-brasileiro-de-parasitologia-veterinaria-673729/1558261-INSIGHTS-INTO-PROTOZOAN-CONTAMINATION-IN-BIVALVE-MOLLUSKS--EVIDENCE-OF-TOXOPLASMA-GONDII-FROM-MARANHAO-ISLAND-N. Acesso em: 24/10/2026