Parasites in Flight: Toxoplasma gondii Genotypes in South Florida Birds

Parasites in Flight: Toxoplasma gondii Genotypes in South Florida Birds

Alvin Sherman Library

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that significantly impacts human and wildlife health. Often associated with domestic cats, avian hosts also contribute to the parasite's persistence in global ecosystems. This research investigates the strain diversity of T. gondii found within South Florida birds. Florida is an avian biodiversity hotspot along two migratory flyways and therefore presents unique opportunities to detect novel and/or virulent genotypes that may present health risks to humans. These risks are increasing with environmental factors (e.g. urbanization and climate change) that facilitate pathogen transmission between feral and domesticated animals, and susceptible human populations. Our approach consists of four parts: 1) reviewing how T. gondii strain diversity impacts human and wildlife health, 2) mining public data on the parasite's genetic diversity to generate expected outcomes, 3) sourcing T. gondii-positive samples from a team of peers assessing the parasite's prevalence in samples obtained from local wildlife rehabilitation centers, and 4) piloting molecular work to genotype strains found in wild birds. Our molecular work uses efficient and high throughput methods taught in NSU biology courses (PCR and RFLP) to characterize ten T. gondii loci (SAG1, 5'-3' SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1) and identify detected strains using public resources including ToxoDB (a genomic database)- thereby permitting intercomparisons of our findings with those of prior regional studies (e.g. small mammal surveys). By analyzing and communicating the resulting data, we intend to empower both sustainable wildlife management practices and potential public health interventions.