Prevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in retail meats from fresh Markets in Songkhla Province, Thailand

Toxoplasma gondii is a significant foodborne protozoon responsible for human toxoplasmosis, typically transmitted via undercooked meat, contaminated water, or contact with oocysts in cat feces. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and genetic diversity of T. gondii in retail meats within Songkhla province to assess public health risks. A total of 304 meat samples-comprising chicken (N = 108), pork (N = 107), and beef (N = 89)-were collected from 30 fresh markets across seven regions of Songkhla. DNA was extracted from 100 μl of meat juice and analyzed using GRA7 nested-PCR assays. Positive samples underwent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to determine genetic lineage. The overall prevalence of T. gondii was 4.93% (15/304, 95% CI, 2.79-8.01%). Contamination was most frequent in poultry (10.19%), followed by pork (3.74%), while all beef samples tested negative. Geographically, the Singhanakorn-Sathing Phra (SH-ST) area exhibited the highest prevalence. Molecular analysis showed a 99.46% identity with reference GRA7 sequences (e.g., KU599267.1, KU599318.1). Notably, phylogenetic analysis revealed significant genetic heterogeneity, with some isolates (HB2, KS4) matching reference strains while others (SS1, SS4) indicated divergent lineages. These findings confirm the presence of genetically diverse T. gondii in the local meat supply, particularly in poultry. There is an urgent need for enhanced food safety programs, including the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) on farms and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in slaughterhouses, alongside public education regarding meat consumption habits.