Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in ready-to-eat salad mixes: multi-country survey using a validated and harmonised standard operating procedure, Europe, 2021 to 2022
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00027162%3A_____%2F25%3AN0000046" target="_blank" >RIV/00027162:_____/25:N0000046 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.22.2400594" target="_blank" >https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.22.2400594</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.22.2400594" target="_blank" >10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.22.2400594</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in ready-to-eat salad mixes: multi-country survey using a validated and harmonised standard operating procedure, Europe, 2021 to 2022
Original language description
Most Toxoplasma gondii infections in humans are considered foodborne, but the relative importance of the various routes of infection is largely unknown. Consumption of green produce contaminated with T. gondii oocysts has been identified as a possible source. We aimed to estimate the occurrence and prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in commercially available ready-to-eat (RTE) salad mixes in 10 European countries. A real-time PCR-based method for oocyst detection was developed and optimised by two laboratories and validated in an interlaboratory test. This detection method and a harmonised sampling strategy were applied in a multi-country study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors for oocyst contamination of RTE salad. The real-time PCR method had a detection limit of 10 oocysts per 30 g of salad. We collected 3,329 RTE salad samples (baby leaf and cut leaf mixes) from October 2021 to September 2022. The prevalence of T. gondii oocyst contamination was 4.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.4-4.8%; n = 3,293). In multivariable regression analysis, winter season, sampling and packaging of salad in Northern Europe and production of salad in Western Europe were associated with detection of T. gondii, with no statistically significant differences between salad types. We estimated the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in RTE leafy green salads using a validated and standardised procedure to assess the potential risk for human infection; highlighting the need to address this risk at each critical point of the salad production chain.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
40301 - Veterinary science
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
R - Projekt Ramcoveho programu EK
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Eurosurveillance
ISSN
1025-496X
e-ISSN
1560-7917
Volume of the periodical
30
Issue of the periodical within the volume
22
Country of publishing house
SE - SWEDEN
Number of pages
13
Pages from-to
"2400594"
UT code for WoS article
001505335200001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105007317046