Detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Cyclospora cayetanensis in Mytilus galloprovincialis from Izmir Province coast (Turkey) by Real Time PCR/High-Resolution Melting analysis (HRM)

To evaluate the presence of Toxoplasma gondii and Cyclospora cayetanensis in edible shellfish, a total of 795 specimens of Mytilus galloprovincialis from 8 different sites on the west coast of Turkey (Bays of Izmir and Mersin) were examined. Fifty-three pooled samples were created and subjected to EvaGreen® RealTime PCR assay and HRM analysis for protozoans detection and oocyst quantification. Seven out of 8 sites were contaminated with at least one protozoan species. Twenty-one out of 53 (39.6%) samples tested positive for T. gondii, C. cayetanensis or both pathogens: 26.4% samples positive for C. cayetanensis; 9.4% for T. gondii, and 3.8% for both protozoans. The number of oocysts in positive samples ranged from 6 to 30 for T. gondii and from 3 to 48 for C. cayetanensis. This is the first report of T. gondii Type 1, and C. cayetanensis in M. galloprovincialis, the most consumed shellfish species in Turkey.