Detection and genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii DNA within the milk of Mongolian livestock.

Toxoplasma gondii is a global, zoonotic parasite capable of infecting any warm-blooded host. Toxoplasmosis can cause a variety of illnesses including abortions and congenital defects in humans, sheep, and goats. Congenital toxoplasmosis is considered to have the highest global disease burden of any foodborne illness in humans. This study examined the potential role of milk as a route of T. gondii transmission between livestock and humans within Mongolian herders, a little-studied population which relies heavily on animals. Milk of Mongolian sheep, goats and Bactrian camels was tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA, and a survey was conducted to ascertain what behavioral and environmental factors were present that might potentiate T. gondii infection within these Mongolian communities. T. gondii DNA was detected in samples from one sheep and five camels. Sequence analysis of DNA from camel milk revealed that two were from potentially virulent T. gondii genotypes. This has implications for public health in the region, as milk is an extremely important source of nutrition and our survey results imply that some people believe consumption of raw camel milk carries health benefits. This is the first report of T. gondii DNA in Bactrian camel milk as well as the first genotypic characterization of T. gondii within Mongolia.

[Influence of different methods of chemical disinfection on the physical properties of type IV and V gypsum dies]. / Influência de diferentes métodos de desinfecção química nas propriedades físicas de troquéis de gesso tipo IV e V.

Several instruments and materials frequently used in prosthodontics--such as stone casts, dental impressions, interocclusal records--are classified, by the dental literature, as vehicles of transmission of infectious diseases to those who handle them. The present study aims at comparing dimensional alteration, superficial texture and compression resistance of stone dies submitted to different disinfection methods: 30-minute immersion in 1% sodium hypochlorite or in 2.2% alkaline glutaraldehyde (with or without previous ultrasonic washing) and addition of 2.2% alkaline glutaraldehyde or 5% sodium hypochlorite to the gypsum during its preparation. It was possible to conclude that: (1) chemical disinfection did not cause significant dimensional alteration in stone dies; (2) superficial texture was altered according to the disinfection method utilized; (3) immersion in disinfectant solution during 30 min, as well as the addition of disinfectant to the gypsum during its preparation, reduced the compression resistance of dies.