Toxoplasma parasite is one of the most successful creatures on earth being resistant to the
dangers of nature and powerfully spread among a wide range of land and aquatic animals. However,
the extent of aquatic spread is still not well studied. This study discovered extent of Toxoplasma
parasite's spread in fresh water fishes commonly eaten by Egyptians living in some rural
areas.
Quantitative real-time PCR was performed for molecular detection of Toxoplasma genomic
materials within 4 types of fishes; Mugil, Atherina, Tilapia and Anguilla species. Five sites were
selected within these types to be studied; intestine, gills, skin/muscle complex, brain and eye.
The results showed that Toxoplasma was molecularly detected in the four types of fish with
the highest percentage of infection estimated to be within gills, followed by skin/muscles complex,
then intestine and eye with 0% brain infection.