Toxoplasma gondii and Giardia duodenalis detected in commercial green-lipped mussels
A recently published study undertaken by Alicia Coupe, in collaboration with IDReC, has detected the protozoan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Giardia duodenalis in green-lipped mussels. Molecular prevalence of T. gondii was estimated to be 16.4%, while G. duodenalis was discovered in 1% of mussels.
In addition, the study was the first to use molecular techniques to demonstrate that sporulated oocysts of T. gondii were present in positive samples. Only sporulated oocysts can be infectious, so the research further establishes shellfish consumption as a health concern. The study was funded by the Massey University Research Foundation, the Lewis Fitch Foundation, the Marian Cunningham Memorial Fund, and the New Zealand Ministry of Health.
The full publication can be accessed at
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29550995