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Research Publications (Food Safety)

This page tracks research articles published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Recent articles are available ahead of print and searchable by Journal, Article Title, and Category. Research publications are tracked across six categories: Bacterial Pathogens, Chemical Contaminants, Natural Toxins, Parasites, Produce Safety, and Viruses. Articles produced by USDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) and FDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) are also tracked in Scopus.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 106

  1. Rapid visual detection of Giardia duodenalis in faecal samples using an RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a system

    • Parasitology Research
    • Giardiasis is a common intestinal infection caused by Giardia duodenalis, which is a major economic and health burden for humans and livestock. Currently, a convenient and effective detection method is urgently needed. CRISPR/Cas12a-based diagnostic methods have been widely used for nucleic acid-based detection of pathogens due to their high efficiency and sensitivity. In this study, a technique combining CRISPR/Cas12a and RPA was established that allows the detection of G.

      • Parasites
      • Giardia lamblia
  2. Observational longitudinal study on Toxoplasma gondii infection in fattening beef cattle: serology and associated haematological findings

    • Parasitology Research
    • Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a globally distributed zoonotic infection with significant implications for human and animal health. This study investigated the prevalence of T. gondii infection in a population of beef cattle at three different stages of their productive lifespan and examined the impact of T. gondii serological status on blood parameters.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  3. Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp., Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in feral and captive pigeons in Central Europe

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. are the most common protistan parasites of vertebrates. The results show that pigeon populations in Central Europe are parasitised by different species of Cryptosporidium and genotypes of microsporidia of the genera Enterocytozoon and Encephalitozoon. A total of 634 and 306 faecal samples of captive and feral pigeons (Columba livia f.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  4. Potential genetic polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in Iranian migraine patients with Toxoplasma gondii infection

    • Parasitology Research
    • Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes neuroinflammation in the brain and a constant need for peripheral leukocyte migration. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) can play a major role in this neuroinflammation and be implicated in some neurological disorders, such as migraines. Therefore, the genetic polymorphism evaluation of MMP-9 in migraine patients with T. gondii infection was performed.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  5. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from human and chicken isolates from Argentina

    • Parasitology Research
    • This study aimed to determine the nPCR-RFLP genotypes of newly obtained T. gondii isolates from human congenital toxoplasmosis cases in Argentina and to determine their allelic profiles for virulence genes ROP18/ROP5. In addition, the ROP18/ROP5 profiles were also determined for previously characterized T. gondii samples. Isolation from congenital toxoplasmosis cases was carried out in mouse bioassay from two placentas (P1 and P2).

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  6. Parasitological and molecular investigation of consequences of raw meat feeding (BARF) in dogs and cats: implications for other pets living nearby

    • Parasitology Research
    • Considering the original nature of carnivorism among dogs and cats, nowadays these pets are increasingly fed BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food/Bone And Raw Food) diet to improve their health conditions. However, this diet may also carry health risks, such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and infection with pathogens including parasites. In our study, fecal samples of 89 pet animals kept on BARF diet were subjected to coprological examination followed by molecular analyses.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  7. Molecular detection and genetic characteristics of Giardia duodenalis in dairy cattle from large-scale breeding farms in Xinjiang, China

    • Parasitology Research
    • Giardia duodenalis is an intestinal protozoan that can infect both humans and animals, leading to public health issues and economic losses in the livestock industry. G. duodenalis has been reported to infect dairy cattle, but there is limited information available on large-scale dairy farms in Xinjiang, China. The study collected 749 fresh faecal samples from five large-scale cattle farms in Xinjiang, China.

      • Parasites
      • Giardia lamblia
  8. Study on genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium isolates and first report of C. parvum IIdA24G2 subtype in dairy cattle in China

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidium is an important gastrointestinal parasite that can cause mild to severe diarrhea in various vertebrates, including humans and domestic animals. Infection is prevalent in dairy cattle, particularly calves, resulting in diarrhea and increased mortality with significant production losses. However, the prevalence and identity of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle in Heilongjiang Province is still poorly known.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  9. Effects of the probiotic Bacillus cereus GM on experimental schistosomiasis mansoni

    • Parasitology Research
    • Probiotics contribute to the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and preventing dysbiosis caused by opportunistic pathogens, such as intestinal helminths. Bacillus cereus GM obtained from Biovicerin® was cultured to obtain spores for in vivo evaluation on experimental schistosomiasis. The assay was performed for 90 days, where all animals were infected with 50 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni on the 15th day.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Bacillus cereus
  10. The Brazilian Toxoplasma gondii strain BRI caused greater inflammation and impairment in anxiogenic behavior in mice, which was reverted by rosuvastatin treatment

    • Parasitology Research
    • This study aimed to investigate the effect of rosuvastatin treatment on anxiety-related behavior and short- and long-term memory impairment in mice infected with acute RH and BRI strains of Toxoplasma gondii. Balb/C mice were infected intraperitoneally and after 2 h, oral treatment with rosuvastatin (40 mg/kg/day) was initiated for 4 days.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  11. Parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium in marine decapod crustaceans: a review on current knowledge and future perspectives

    • Parasitology Research
    • Parasitic dinoflagellates of the genus Hematodinium are known to infect various marine crustaceans worldwide, especially crabs and several species of shrimp and lobster. Some of these species are new host species and components of commercial fishery products. These parasitic species are predominantly found in the hemolymph of the host and cause pathological changes and functional damage to organs and tissues, leading to death.

      • Natural toxins
      • Shellfish toxins
  12. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in water buffaloes and cats in Guangxi, China

    • Parasitology Research
    • Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen that poses a serious threat to human health and causes significant economic losses to the global livestock industry. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection has been reported to be high in humans and animals around the world, but the occurrence of the disease has not yet been reported in water buffaloes in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. To understand the overall seroprevalence of T.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  13. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy and beef cattle in Shanxi, China

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidium spp. are key gastrointestinal protists in humans and animals worldwide. Infected cattle are considered the main source of cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in humans. However, little is known about the genetic makeup of Cryptosporidium populations in Shanxi province, China. We analyzed 858 fecal samples collected from farms in Shanxi. The presence of Cryptosporidium spp.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  14. Molecular evaluation of Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep in southern Xinjiang, China

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidium spp. are diarrheagenic intestinal parasites with multiple hosts worldwide. A total of 1252 fresh fecal samples of sheep were collected from 10 large-scale farms in southern Xinjiang. Based on the small subunit ribosomal (SSU rRNA) gene of Cryptosporidium, 100 Cryptosporidium-positive samples (8.0%, 100/1252) were detected by PCR.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  15. Gut commensal bacteria exacerbate toxoplasmosis associated with TgSheepCHn5 (ToxoDB#2) and TgRedpandaCHn1 (ToxoDB#20) through Th1 immune response

    • Parasitology Research
    • Oral infection of mice with several strains of Toxoplasma gondii results in intestinal pathological lesions, which contributes to the invasion of this parasite. However, the exact mechanism is unclear, and only a few strains have been explored. Here, T. gondii TgSheepCHn5 and TgRedpandaCHn1 strains from sheep and red panda were evaluated.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  16. Prevalence of Blastocystis and Dientamoeba fragilis in diarrheal patients in Corum, Türkiye

    • Parasitology Research
    • To investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis and Dientamoeba fragilis in diarrhea patients and healthy individuals in Corum, Türkiye, fecal samples from 92 diarrhea patients and 50 healthy individuals were collected and evaluated using direct microscopy and molecular methods to screen for bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. The prevalence of Blastocystis was 24.6% in total and more frequent in the healthy group (30.0%).

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
      • Shigella
      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
      • Giardia lamblia
  17. Identification of specific antigens between Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum and application of potential diagnostic antigen TgGRA54

    • Parasitology Research
    • Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that is very common in livestock. Meat products from livestock infected with T. gondii are one of the important transmission routes of toxoplasmosis. Rapid and reliable diagnosis is a prerequisite for the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis. Neospora caninum and T.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  18. Cryptosporidium parvum gp60 subtypes in diarrheic lambs and goat kids from Israel

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidium parvum is the second-most prevalent Cryptosporidium species that infects humans worldwide. In European countries, it is the most prevalent species in sheep, suggesting that these animals are a source of zoonotic infection. Preweaned lambs and goats are particularly susceptible to infection by the parasite and may suffer from severe diarrhea whilst excreting large quantities of infectious oocysts.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  19. Dominant infection of Cryptosporidium baileyi in broiler chickens in Zhejiang Province, China

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidium is a common enteric parasite in chickens. A total of 812 fecal specimens were collected from 11 broiler farms in Zhejiang Province, China, and analyzed by nested PCR amplification based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall infection rate of Cryptosporidium was 6.3% (51/812), and five of 11 farms were Cryptosporidium positive.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  20. Protective effect of luteoloside against Toxoplasma gondii-induced liver injury through inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB and P2X7R/NLRP3 and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

    • Parasitology Research
    • Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection can cause liver injury by inducing inflammation and oxidative stress. The Chinese herbal extract luteoloside (Lut) has considerable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its effects on the liver injury during T. gondii infection have not been reported. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Lut by treating T.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  21. β-Glucan ameliorates anxiety-like behavior in mice chronically infected with the Toxoplasma gondii Wh6 strain

    • Parasitology Research
    • Chronic Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection has been revealed to be a risk factor for neuropsychiatric diseases, including anxiety. However, there is no intervention strategy. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of β-glucan on T. gondii Wh6 strain–induced anxiety-like behavior in mice. The anxiety mouse model was established by infection with 10 cysts of the T. gondii Wh6 strain.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  22. Longitudinal surveillance of Cryptosporidium spp. in broiler chickens in Xinjiang, northwest China: genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium meleagridis subtypes

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidium spp. are common enteric parasites in humans and animals. Herein, 175 faecal specimens were collected from a broiler farm in Xinjiang, China, including seven repeated samplings at 10-day intervals of broilers aged 10 to 70 days. Cryptosporidium was detected and identified by PCR–RFLP analysis.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  23. Cryptosporidium infection in young dogs from Germany

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidium is an enteric protozoan parasite which is able to cause severe gastrointestinal disease and is distributed all over the world. Since information about the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in German dogs is rare, the aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs and the potential zoonotic risk emanating from these infected animals. In total, 349 fecal samples of 171 dogs were collected during the dogs’ first year of life.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  24. First report of rodent-adapted Cryptosporidium wrairi in an immunocompetent child, Spain

    • Parasitology Research
    • Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of childhood diarrhoea. Two species, Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum, are responsible for most confirmed cases globally. Close contact with pet animals can be an unnoticed source of children infections.

      • Parasites
      • Cryptosporidium parvum
  25. Isolation and characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from human congenital toxoplasmosis cases reveal a new virulent genotype in São Paulo, Brazil

    • Parasitology Research
    • Toxoplasma gondii causes severe disease in congenitally infected fetuses. The severity of fetal infection is related to the gestational stage at the time of maternal infection, parasite burden, and genotypic characteristics. South America has a high incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis and has the highest genotypic diversity of the parasite.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii