Alena Lorencová – MASO-INTERNATIONAL

The meat of goat kids and lambs as a possible source of Toxoplasma gondii for consumers

Authors: Alena Lorencová, Jiří Lamka, Nikol Reslová, Lucie Škorpíková and Michal Slaný
Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, lamb and kid meat, qPCR, serology, zoonosis

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis and the consumption of undercooked meat is a major risk factor for human infection. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were found in 28.2% (11/39) and 27.8% (5/18) of home-slaughtered goat kids (n = 39) and lambs (n = 18) from four farms in the Czech Republic. The DNA of the parasite … [Read more…]

Viruses as causative agents of foodborne diseases

Authors: Alena Lorencová and Petra Vašíčková
Keywords: bivalve molluscs, foodborne infections, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, noroviruses, ready-to-eat foods

Viruses (particularly noroviruses and hepatitis A virus) are important causes of growing numbers of foodborne diseases. They are highly resistant to environmental conditions and can persist for extended periods in the environment and in food. The principal sources of viral contamination of food include human or animal faeces and untreated sewage, infected food handlers and … [Read more…]