Open AccessLamb as a potential source of Toxoplasma gondii infection for Australians
Author(s) -
Dawson Abby C.,
Ashander Liam M.,
Appukuttan Binoy,
Woodman Richard J.,
Dubey Jitender P.,
Whiley Harriet,
Smith Justine R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12955
Subject(s) - toxoplasma gondii , toxoplasmosis , salmonella enterica , salmonella , contamination , polymerase chain reaction , serotype , biology , food safety , campylobacter , medicine , veterinary medicine , environmental health , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , virology , immunology , bacteria , genetics , ecology , gene , antibody
Objective : Toxoplasmosis may follow consumption of undercooked meat containing Toxoplasma gondii cysts. Lamb is considered to pose the highest risk for contamination across meats. Red meat is often served undercooked, yet there are no current data on T. gondii contamination of Australian sourced and retailed lamb. We sought to address this gap in public health knowledge. Methods : Lamb mincemeat was purchased at the supermarket counter three times weekly for six months. T. gondii was detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of DNA extracted from the meat following homogenisation. Purchases were also tested for common foodborne bacterial pathogens. Results : Conservative interpretation of PCR testing (i.e. parasite DNA detected in three of four tests) gave a probability of 43% (95% confidence interval, 32%–54%) that lamb mincemeat was contaminated with T. gondii . None of the purchases were contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella species or S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, indicating sanitary meat processing. Conclusions : Australian lamb is commonly contaminated with T. gondii . Future studies should be directed at testing a range of red meats and meat cuts. Implications for public health : Consuming undercooked Australian lamb has potential to result in toxoplasmosis. There may be value in health education around this risk.