Keywords
Toxoplasma gondii.
Waterborne
Epidemiologic surveillance
How to Cite
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis that significantly affects the health of humans as well as domestic and wild animals. It is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, a paradigmatic example of the One Health concept, since it is present in various ecosystems such as water, soil, and food. The occurrence of T. gondii is commonly associated with epidemic outbreaks, especially those involving susceptible individuals such as children and the elderly. The objective of this study was to investigate an outbreak of toxoplasmosis that occurred in a school located in the municipality of Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil. Investigations were carried out through microscopic and molecular analyses to identify the likely source of contamination and to support the implementation of effective preventive measures. Various matrices were analyzed, including food, sandy and clayey soil, vegetables, filtered water, and backwash water from the filtration system. Diagnosis was conducted using microscopic and molecular methods. Oocysts and DNA molecules of T. gondii were detected in the backwash water samples, indicating prior contamination of the water supplied within the institution. The results highlighted the importance of investigating backwash water as a diagnostic matrix in outbreaks with potential waterborne transmission.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Laís Fernanda de Pauli Yamada, Páscoa Aparecida Bichiato, Ricardo Ramos Cabrera, Jessica Penatti, Ricardo Gava, Vera Lucia Pereira-Chioccola, Maria Aparecida Moraes Marciano