Low Tenacity of Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoites In Vitro

TL;DR

This paper explores effective methods to inactivate Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in the lab, improving safety and reducing animal use.

Contribution

The study identifies specific chemical and physical treatments that effectively inactivate T. gondii tachyzoites in vitro.

Findings

Ethanol (≥30%), hydrogen peroxide (≥3%), and peracetic acid (≥1%) completely inactivate tachyzoites.

Heat treatment at 60 °C for 30 minutes also effectively inactivates tachyzoites.

Concentration, solvent choice, and exposure time are critical for disinfection efficacy.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, poses significant risks to public health due to its widespread distribution and potential for severe congenital and neurological complications. The fast-replicating tachyzoite stage is crucial for acute infection and laboratory studies, yet effective inactivation methods remain inadequately explored. This study evaluates various chemical and physical approaches to inactivate T. gondii tachyzoites in vitro. Using a combination of GFP fluorescence and viability assays, we demonstrated the complete inactivation of tachyzoites with ethanol (≥30%), hydrogen peroxide (≥3%), o-hydroxydiphenyl fatty acid eutectic with peracetic acid (≥1%), and heat treatment at 60 °C for 30 min. Our findings highlight the importance of concentration, solvent choice, and exposure time in disinfection efficacy, providing a framework for improving laboratory safety protocols. These results contribute to the refinement of inactivation strategies, supporting safer handling and research on T. gondii in vitro while reducing reliance on animal models.

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