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Zhou BH, Ding HY, Yang JY, Chai J, Guo HW, Tian EJ. Diclazuril-induced expression of CDK-related kinase 2 in the second-generation merozoites of Eimeria tenella. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2023; 255:111575. [PMID: 37302489 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2023.111575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diclazuril is a classic anticoccidial drug. The key molecules of diclazuril in anticoccidial action allows target screening for the development of anticoccidial drugs. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) are prominent target proteins in apicomplexan parasites. In this study, a diclazuril anticoccidiosis animal model was established, and the transcription and translation levels of the CDK-related kinase 2 of Eimeria tenella (EtCRK2) were detected. mRNA and protein expression levels of EtCRK2 decreased in the infected/diclazuril group compared with those in the infected/control group. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis showed that EtCRK2 was localised in the cytoplasm of the merozoites. The fluorescence intensity of EtCRK2 in the infected/diclazuril group was significantly weaker than that in the infected/control group. The anticoccidial drug diclazuril against E.tenella affects the expression pattern of EtCRK2 molecule, and EtCRK2 is a potential target for new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bian-Hua Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hai-Yan Ding
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Yun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Chai
- School of information technology and urban construction, Luoyang Vocational and Technical College, Keji Avenue 6, Yibin District, Luoyang 471934, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Wei Guo
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Longzi Hubei Road 6, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Er-Jie Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, Henan, People's Republic of China
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2
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Eimeria tenella 14-kDa phosphohistidine phosphatase stimulates maturation of chicken dendritic cells and mediates DC-induced T cell priming in a Th1 cytokine interface. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152:61-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Huang J, Huang J, Husien HM, Peng W, Liu M, Bo R, Li J. Comparison of endogenous development, invasion ability and apoptotic features between diclazuril resistant and sensitive strains of Eimeria tenella. Vet Parasitol 2022; 305:109719. [PMID: 35597690 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Diclazuril (DIC) is widely used in the poultry industry to control coccidiosis. However, drug resistance makes it less effective, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. One DIC-resistant E. tenella (RE) isolate and one sensitive E. tenella (SE) isolate were used to compare the differences in their endogenous development, pathogenicity, invasion-related gene expression and apoptotic characteristics. Chickens were allocated into four groups to receive RE or SE strain and their corresponding DIC treatment or not. Caeca tissues were sampled at 96 h, 120 h and 144 h post-infection (PI) for pathological analysis. Meanwhile, second-generation merozoites (Mz2) were separated at 120 h PI to detect alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity and mRNA expression of protein phosphatase 5 (PP5), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) and microneme proteins (MICs). Haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that DIC treatment strictly blocked the development of the SE strain but slightly affected the RE strain. Meanwhile, the number of SE Mz2 and their MMP decreased at the same time the apoptotic rate increased after DIC treatment. Real-time quantitative PCR and caspase-3 activity studies demonstrated that Mz2 from the RE strain had higher mRNA expression of ADF and MICs along with no significant changes in GAPDH and caspase-3 activity under DIC pressure compared to its control; in contrast, the mRNA expression of ADF, MICs and PP5 was markedly suppressed in Mz2 from SE with upregulated caspase-3 activity and GAPDH transcription. In addition, the mRNA expression of GAPDH and PP5 in Mz2 from RE was remarkably higher than that of SE. Taken together, the higher mRNA expression of invasion-related genes and almost unaffected endogenous development provide a better understanding of coccidian resistance to DIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Jie Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Hosam Mohamed Husien
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; College of veterinary medicine, Albutana University, Sudan
| | - Weilong Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Mingjiang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Ruonan Bo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - JinGui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China.
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Dirikolu L, Lehner AF, Tobin T. Plasma concentrations of diclazuril following oral administration of diclazuril and diclazuril sodium salt to cattle. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2022; 45:392-401. [PMID: 35488857 DOI: 10.1111/jvp.13062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Diclazuril is a triazine-based antiprotozoal agent widely used in veterinary practice that may have clinical application in the treatment of bovine protozoal diseases. The present study reports on the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of diclazuril and diclazuril sodium salt in cattle following administration of diclazuril suspended in water and by direct application of diclazuril sodium salt to the oral mucosa. Compared with diclazuril itself, the sodium salt formulation of diclazuril applied to the oral mucosa was rapidly and reliably absorbed. Plasma concentrations of diclazuril peaked at around 8 h after oral-mucosal administration of diclazuril sodium salt. On the contrary, application of diclazuril itself orally resulted in delayed and variable absorption. The mean bioavailability of diclazuril as pure powder was 42.5% relative to diclazuril sodium salt indicating approximately 2.5-fold increase in bioavailability of diclazuril as a sodium salt relative to diclazuril as a pure compound in cattle. The present study also reports finding of a previously unreported diclazuril metabolite at high concentrations in plasma especially after oral administration of diclazuril. Further studies, including synthesis and characterization of the novel described metabolite, are required to accurately determine aspects of the metabolism of diclazuril in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levent Dirikolu
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Andreas Fritz Lehner
- MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Thomas Tobin
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center and the Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Elmahallawy EK, Fehaid A, EL-shewehy DMM, Ramez AM, Alkhaldi AAM, Mady R, Nasr NE, Arafat N, Hassanen EAA, Alsharif KF, Abdo W. S-Methylcysteine Ameliorates the Intestinal Damage Induced by Eimeria tenella Infection via Targeting Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Modulators. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:754991. [PMID: 35071376 PMCID: PMC8767015 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.754991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian coccidiosis is one of the major parasitic diseases in the poultry industry. The infection is caused by Eimeria species, and its treatment relies mainly on the administration of anticoccidial drugs, which can result in drug resistance and side effects. The recent trends in avian coccidiosis treatment is directed to the development of a new therapy using herbal compounds. S-Methylcysteine (SMC) is considered one of the organosulfur compounds in garlic that showed promising activity in the treatment of different pathological conditions via a wide range of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. In this study, the anticoccidial activity of SMC was investigated in Eimeria tenella-infected chickens compared to diclazuril as a widely used anticoccidial drug. In this regard, 14-day-old broilers were divided into six groups (n = 18). The first group (G1) was the healthy control group, while the second group (G2) was the non-infected SMC group treated at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. (high dose). Moreover, the third group (G3) was the positive control group (infected and non-treated). The fourth group (G4) was the infected group treated with SMC of 25 mg/kg b.w. (low dose), while the fifth group (G5) was the infected group treated with SMC of 50 mg/kg b.w. (high dose). Conversely, the sixth group (G6) was the diclazuril-treated group. The anticoccidial effects of SMC and diclazuril were evaluated by counting oocysts and recording the body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, clinical signs, lesions, and mortality rate. Interestingly, SMC showed potent anticoccidial activity, which was exemplified by reduction of oocyst count. Furthermore, the biochemical, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory parameters in the cecal tissues were restored toward their control levels in G4, G5, and G6. Histopathological observation of cecal tissues was consistent with the aforementioned results revealing the ameliorative effect of SMC against E. tenella infection. This study concluded novel findings in relation to the anticoccidial role of SMC as a plant-based compound against the E. tenella-induced coccidiosis in broiler chickens combined with its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Further studies for exploring the mechanistic pathways involved in this activity and the potential benefits from its use in association with conventional anticoccidial drugs are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Alaa Fehaid
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Amany M. Ramez
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Rehab Mady
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Nasr Elsayed Nasr
- Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Nagah Arafat
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Eman A. A. Hassanen
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Khalaf F. Alsharif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Walied Abdo
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
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In vitro activity of selected natural products against Eimeria tenella sporozoites using reproduction inhibition assay. Parasitol Res 2021; 121:335-344. [PMID: 34757499 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07360-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Eimeria tenella is the causative agent of cecal coccidiosis in poultry characterized by weight loss, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and high mortality rates. Research into herbal candidates with possible anticoccidial activity has increased lately. As an alternative to animal experiments, an in vitro reproduction inhibition assay (RIA) was previously designed to determine the sensitivity of E. tenella isolates against ionophores. In this study, the RIA was used to test the anticoccidial activity of nutmeg oil, cinnamon oil, and glabridin. The concentration of nutmeg oil used in this study ranged between 1.1 and 139.1 μg/ml. Nutmeg oil exhibited a moderate in vitro inhibitory activity ranging from 35.5 to 49.5%. In contrast, no inhibitory effect was detected when incubating E. tenella sporozoites for 24 h with cinnamon oil at concentrations of 0.3 to 80.5 μg/ml. Glabridin (0.08-41.7 μg/ml) prevented the replication of sporozoites at a rate of 14.1 to 81.7% of inhibition. The calculated minimum concentrations of glabridin needed to inhibit parasite replication by 75%, 50%, and 30% (MIC75, MIC50, and MIC30) were 21.43 μg/ml, 5.28 μg/ml, and 0.96 μg/ml, respectively. Further studies to assess the in vitro efficacy of glabridin were performed by studying mRNA gene expression of stress-induced protein genes (HSP-70, NADPH, and EtPP5) after exposure of E. tenella sporozoites to glabridin at MIC75 for 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h (a time-dependent experiment). Moreover, a dose-dependent experiment was performed using glabridin at a concentration matching MIC75, MIC50, and MIC30 for 24 h. In the time-dependent experiment, a significant (p < 0.05) increase of expression in NADPH and EtPP5 were detected after 4 h of incubation with glabridin at a concentration of 21.43 μg/ml. The dose-dependent experiment exhibited a gradual increase of expression in all studied genes, which indicates stress imposed on E. tenella sporozoites by glabridin. In our hands, RIA was suitable to assess the anticoccidial activity exhibited by the tested natural products as a precursor to in vivo studies which will help in the identification of novel anticoccidial candidates.
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Abdelhady AY, El-Safty SA, Hashim M, Ibrahim MA, Mohammed FF, Elbaz AM, Abdel-Moneim AME. Comparative evaluation of single or combined anticoccidials on performance, antioxidant status, immune response, and intestinal architecture of broiler chickens challenged with mixed Eimeria species. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101162. [PMID: 33975034 PMCID: PMC8122173 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Poultry production faces several threats and challenges, one of the most important of which is avian coccidiosis which causes annual losses exceeding US$ 3 billion. Discovering new drugs or combinations of existing anticoccidials has become inevitable to overcome the emergence of coccidiosis resistance. This study evaluated a new combination of maduramicin and diclazuril in comparison to the well-known product Maxiban72 which consisted of narasin and nicarbazin, and the single effect of monensin as treatments for avian coccidiosis. A total of 750 1-day-old Indian River broiler chicks were allocated equally into 5 experimental groups with 6 replicates each as follows: 1) negative unchallenged control group (NC) fed the basal diet; 2) positive control group (PC) received the basal diet and inoculated with Eimeria; 3) PC + 100 mg monensin sodium (Atomonsin)/kg diet (MS); 4) PC + 5 mg maduramicin ammonium (Madramycin) + 2.5 mg diclazuril (Atozuril)/kg diet (MMD); and 5) PC + 40 mg narasin + 40 mg nicarbazin (MaxibanT72)/kg diet (NN). Anticoccidials improved (P < 0.01) growth performance, dressing (%) and carcass yield of inoculated birds compared to untreated-inoculated ones. Erythrogram and leukogram parameters were affected by Eimeria challenge. Total protein, globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels in PC birds' serum were reduced (P < 0.05) while their values of liver enzymes, malondialdehyde and catalase were elevated (P < 0.01) when compared to NC ones. Serum immunoglobulin A, and jejunal gene expressions of interleukin-6 and interferon gamma were increased (P < 0.05) in PC group compared to NC group. Anticoccidial drugs restored values of the aforementioned biomarkers near to those of NC. Jejunal architecture in inoculated birds was improved by the anticoccidial treatments in MS, MMD, and NN. Fecal oocyst counts were significantly reduced in MMD, NN, and MS groups compared to PC group. Conclusively, although all examined anticoccidial drugs were effective in treating Eimeriosis, the anticoccidial combinations in MMD and NN groups were more effective than the single administration of MS in treating avian coccidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- AbdelRahman Y Abdelhady
- Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Hadayek Shoubra 11241, Cairo, Egypt; Applied Feed Research House (AFRH), Orabi Community, Qalyobia, Egypt
| | - Salah A El-Safty
- Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Hadayek Shoubra 11241, Cairo, Egypt; Applied Feed Research House (AFRH), Orabi Community, Qalyobia, Egypt
| | - Mosaad Hashim
- Applied Feed Research House (AFRH), Orabi Community, Qalyobia, Egypt
| | - Marwa A Ibrahim
- Biochemistry Department and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Faten F Mohammed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | | | - Abdel-Moneim Eid Abdel-Moneim
- Biological Applications Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Abu-Zaabal 13759, Egypt.
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Zhiqiang Y, Lizhi F, Wengui F, Hua Z, Hongmei T, Shaoqin Z, Chunlin C. Influence of Qingchang Oral Liquid on Second Generation Merozoite of the Chicken Eimeria tenella. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF POULTRY SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1806-9061-2021-1477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhiqiang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, China
| | - F Lizhi
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, China
| | - F Wengui
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, China
| | - Z Hua
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, China
| | - T Hongmei
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, China
| | - Z Shaoqin
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, China
| | - C Chunlin
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, China
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Giannuzzi D, Biolatti B, Longato E, Divari S, Starvaggi Cucuzza L, Pregel P, Scaglione FE, Rinaldi A, Chiesa LM, Cannizzo FT. Application of RNA-sequencing to identify biomarkers in broiler chickens prophylactic administered with antimicrobial agents. Animal 2020; 15:100113. [PMID: 33573988 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial (AM) resistance is largely acknowledged as one of the biggest global health and food safety challenges and the overuse of AMs is known to generate resistance in bacteria that may affect both animals and humans. Poultry meat is the second most-produced meat in the European Union and in recent years consumers are becoming more concerned about food safety, traceability, and animal welfare in poultry rearing system, increasingly requiring meats from broilers reared without AMs. In the present study, we performed RNA sequencing to analyze 64 liver and 54 muscle transcriptomic profiles in broilers reared without treatment or treated with different classes of AMs. Moreover, we validated the most differentially expressed genes among the treated groups to detect putative novel biomarkers able to discriminate meats of broilers reared without AMs. The PDK4, IGFBP1, and RHOB genes were identified as putative novel hepatic biomarkers, discriminating broilers treated with AMs compared to broilers reared without treatments. The whole transcriptome changes revealed the liver as a valuable target organ for AM administration screening. In addition, our results suggest a leading effect of the coccidiostat when associated with AMs, influencing several biological processes. Our study showed that RNA sequencing is a powerful and valuable method to detect aberrant regulated genes and to identify biomarker candidates for AM misuse detection in farm animals. Further validation on larger sample size and a wider spectrum of AMs are needed to confirm the viability of the aforementioned biomarkers in poultry population.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Giannuzzi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padua, Legnaro, I-35020 Padua, Italy.
| | - B Biolatti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, I-10095 Turin, Italy
| | - E Longato
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, I-10095 Turin, Italy
| | - S Divari
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, I-10095 Turin, Italy
| | - L Starvaggi Cucuzza
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, I-10095 Turin, Italy
| | - P Pregel
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, I-10095 Turin, Italy
| | - F E Scaglione
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, I-10095 Turin, Italy
| | - A Rinaldi
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), CH-6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - L M Chiesa
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - F T Cannizzo
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, I-10095 Turin, Italy
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10
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Yu Y, Zhao Q, Zhu S, Dong H, Huang B, Liang S, Wang Q, Wang H, Yu S, Han H. Molecular characterization of serine/threonine protein phosphatase of Eimeria tenella. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2020; 67:510-520. [PMID: 32358794 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Avian coccidiosis is a widespread and economically significant poultry disease caused by several Eimeria species, including Eimeria tenella. Previously, E. tenella serine/threonine protein phosphatase (EtSTP) was found to be differentially expressed in drug-sensitive (DS) and drug-resistant strains using RNA-seq. In the present study, we found that transcription and translation levels of EtSTP were higher in diclazuril-resistant (DZR) strains and maduramicin-resistant (MRR) strains than in DS strains using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. Enzyme activity results indicated that the catalytic activity of EtSTP was higher in the two drug-resistant strains than in DS strains. Western blot and qPCR analysis also showed that expression levels of EtSTP were higher in unsporulated oocysts (UO) and second-generation merozoites (SM). Indirect immunofluorescence localization showed that EtSTP was located in most areas of the parasite with the exception of refractile bodies, and fluorescence intensity was enhanced during development. In vitro inhibition experiments showed that the ability of sporozoites (SZ) to invade cells was significantly decreased after treatment with anti-rEtSTP antibody. These results indicated that EtSTP acted mainly during the developmental and reproductive stages of the parasite and may be related to the resistance of coccidia to external drug pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China.,College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Qiping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shunhai Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Bing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shanshan Liang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China.,College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Qingjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Haixia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shuilan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hongyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
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11
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El-Shazly KA, El-Latif AA, Abdo W, El-Morsey A, El-Aziz MIA, El-Mogazy H. The anticoccidial activity of the fluoroquinolone lomefloxacin against experimental Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1955-1968. [PMID: 32399722 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06692-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is a crucial parasitic disease of the poultry industry. As a result of the enormous global economic losses and the increased resistance to the conventional anticoccidial agents, there is a continuous need to find new anticoccidials. Here, the anticoccidial effect of the fluoroquinolone lomefloxacin versus diclazuril in experimentally infected broilers was tested for the treatment of Eimeria tenella infection. Ninety 14-day-old Cobb strain broiler chickens were allocated into five groups, each with 18 chicks. Group 1 (G1) was separated as an uninfected negative control and received no treatment; group 2 (G2), infected untreated (positive control); group 3 (G3), infected and treated with lomefloxacin at a dose rate of 100 ppm in drinking water; group 4 (G4), infected and treated with diclazuril at a dose rate of 2.5 ppm in drinking water; group 5 (G5), infected and treated with lomefloxacin at a dose rate of 100 ppm plus diclazuril at dose rate of 2.5 ppm in drinking water. Clinical signs, mortality rates, number of oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG), growth performance parameters (weight gain: WG and feed conversion ratio: FCR), lesion scoring, haematological and serum biochemical analyses, antioxidant biomarkers and histopathologic inspection of the caeca were used as evaluation criteria for the anticoccidial efficacy of both lomefloxacin and diclazuril. The findings herein showed that administration of lomefloxacin and/or diclazuril improved growth performance parameters (WG, FCR) and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced OPG, and diminished the severity of bloody diarrhoea and mortalities. Additionally, haematological indices and serum biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine, uric acid, total proteins, albumin and globulin were improved. Finally, a significant elevation in the levels of the antioxidant biomarkers was observed in the chicks of G3, G4 and G5 as compared with those of G2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Ahmed El-Shazly
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, KafrElsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Amera Abd El-Latif
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, KafrElsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Walied Abdo
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, KafrElsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Ahmed El-Morsey
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St. (former El-Tahrir St.), Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Magdy Ibrahim Abd El-Aziz
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, KafrElsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Heba El-Mogazy
- Poultry Production and Medicine Unit, Veterinary Administration, Kafr El-Sheikh, Kafr El-Sheikh Province, Egypt
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12
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Zhou BH, Jia LS, Guo HW, Ding HY, Yang JY, Wang HW. Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 is involved in the anticoccidial action of diclazuril in the second-generation merozoites of Eimeria tenella. Vet Parasitol 2019; 276:108991. [PMID: 31770701 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.108991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Eimeria tenella, an obligate intracellular parasite, can actively invade the cecal epithelial cells of chickens and cause severe enteric disease. Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) plays a major role in protein synthesis and cell survival. This study aims to explore the exact mechanisms underlying diclazuril inhibition in second-generation merozoites of E. tenella. The eEF2 cDNA of the second-generation merozoites of E. tenella (EtEF2) was cloned by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Diclazuril-induced expression profiles of EtEF2 were also analyzed. The cloned full-length cDNA (2893 bp) of the EtEF2 nucleotide sequence encompassed a 2499 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encoded a polypeptide of 832 residues with an estimated molecular mass of 93.12 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 5.99. The EtEF2 nucleotide sequence was submitted to the GenBank database with the accession number KF188423. The EtEF2 protein sequence shared 99 % homology with the eEF2 sequence of Toxoplasma gondii (GenBank XP_002367778.1). The GTPase activity domain and ADP-ribosylation domain were conserved signature sequences of the eEF2 gene family. The changes in the transcriptional and translational levels of EtEF2 were detected through quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses. The mRNA expression level of EtEF2 was 2.706 fold increases and the protein level of EtEF2 was increased 67.31 % under diclazuril treatment. In addition, the localization of EtEF2 was investigated through immunofluorescence assay. Experimental results demonstrated that EtEF2 was distributed primarily in the cytoplasm of second-generation merozoites, and its fluorescence intensity was enhanced after diclazuril treatment. These findings indicated that EtEF2 may have an important role in understanding the signaling mechanism underlying the anticoccidial action of diclazuril and could be a promising target for novel drug exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bian-Hua Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luoyang 471000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liu-Shu Jia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luoyang 471000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong-Wei Guo
- College of Animal Science&Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Longzi Hubei Road 6, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hai-Yan Ding
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luoyang 471000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jing-Yun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luoyang 471000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong-Wei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luoyang 471000, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Zhu X, Sun L, He Y, Wei H, Hong M, Liu F, Liu Q, Cao Y, Cui L. Plasmodium berghei serine/threonine protein phosphatase PP5 plays a critical role in male gamete fertility. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:685-695. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Noack S, Chapman HD, Selzer PM. Anticoccidial drugs of the livestock industry. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2009-2026. [PMID: 31152233 PMCID: PMC6611755 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06343-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of a wide variety of animals caused by coccidian protozoa. The coccidia are responsible for major economic losses of the livestock industry. For example, the annual cost due to coccidiosis to the global poultry industry has been estimated to exceed US$ 3 billion annually. Currently available drugs for the control of this disease are either polyether ionophorous antibiotics that are derived from fermentation products, or synthetic compounds, produced by chemical synthesis. Unfortunately, no new drugs in either category have been approved for use for decades. Resistance has been documented for all those of the drugs currently employed and therefore the discovery of novel drugs with unique modes of action is imperative if chemotherapy is to remain the principal means to control this disease. This chapter aims to give an overview of the efficacy and mode of action of the current compounds used to control coccidiosis in livestock and provides a brief outlook of research needs for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Noack
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - H David Chapman
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Paul M Selzer
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany.
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15
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Zhou BH, Liu LL, Liu J, Yuan FW, Tian EJ, Wang HW. Effect of Diclazuril on the Bursa of Fabricius Morphology and SIgA Expression in Chickens Infected with Eimeria tenella. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2015; 53:675-82. [PMID: 26797433 PMCID: PMC4725230 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.6.675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The effects of diclazuril on the bursa of Fabricius (BF) structure and secretory IgA (SIgA) expression in chickens infected with Eimeria tenella were examined. The morphology of the BF was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, while ultrastructural changes were monitored by transmission electron microscopy. E. tenella infection caused the BF cell volumes to decrease, irregularly arranged, as well as, enlargement of the intercellular space. Diclazuril treatment alleviated the physical signs of damages associated with E. tenella infection. The SIgA expression in BF was analyzed by immunohistochemistry technique. The SIgA expression increased significantly by 350.4% (P<0.01) after E. tenella infection compared to the normal control group. With the treatment of diclazuril, the SIgA was relatively fewer in the cortex, and the expression level was significantly decreased by 46.7% (P<0.01) compared with the infected and untreated group. In conclusion, E. tenella infection in chickens induced obvious harmful changes in BF morphological structure and stimulated the expression of SIgA in the BF. Diclazuril treatment effectively alleviated the morphological changes. This result demonstrates a method to develop an immunological strategy in coccidiosis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bian-Hua Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Henan, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Li-Li Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Henan, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Jeffrey Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Fu-Wei Yuan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Henan, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Er-Jie Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Henan, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Hong-Wei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Henan, Luoyang 471003, China
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Oz HS. Toxoplasmosis complications and novel therapeutic synergism combination of diclazuril plus atovaquone. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:484. [PMID: 25309522 PMCID: PMC4164033 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of foodborne disease, congenital complication, and morbidity. There is an urgent need for safe and effective therapies to encounter congenital and persisting toxoplasmosis. The hypothesis was: combination diclazuril plus atovaquone to exert a novel therapeutic synergy to prevent toxoplasmosis syndromes. Methods: Pregnant dams were treated with diclazuril and atovaquone monotherapy or combination therapy and infected i.p with Toxoplasma tachyzoites. Results: Infected dams developed severe toxoplasmosis associated syndrome with increases in the abdominal adiposity surrounding uteri, gansterointestinal and other internal organs and excessive weight gain. Numerous organisms along with infiltration of inflammatory cells were detected scattered into adipose tissues. Combination therapy (p < 0.01) and to a lesser extent diclazuril (p < 0.05) protected dams from inflammatory fat and excess weight gains. This was consistent with pancreatitis development in infected dams (versus normal p < 0.05) with infiltration of inflammatory cells, degeneration and necrosis of pancreatic cells followed by the degeneration and loss of islets. Combination and monotherapy protected dams from these inflammatory and pathological aspects of pancreatitis. Infected dams exhibited severe colitis, and colonic tissues significantly shortened in length. Brush border epithelial cells were replaced with infiltration of lymphocytes, granulocytes, and microabscess formations into cryptic microstructures. Combination therapy synergistically preserved colonic structure and normalized pathological damages (p < 0.001) and to a lesser degree diclazuril monotherapy protected dams from colitis (p < 0.05) and gastrointestinal toxoplasmosis. Other complications included severe splenitis (p < 0.001) and hepatitis (p < 0.001) which were normalized with combination therapy. Conclusion: Combination diclazuril plus atovaquone was safe and with a novel therapeutic synergism protected dams and fetuses from toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helieh S Oz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky Medical Center Lexington, KY, USA
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17
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Tian EJ, Zhou BH, Wang XY, Zhao J, Deng W, Wang HW. Effect of diclazuril on intestinal morphology and SIgA expression in chicken infected with Eimeria tenella. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:4057-64. [PMID: 25154426 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4074-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), as a vital actor involving in the mucosal immunity, plays a key role in defending a variety of pathogenic infections, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Eimeria tenella is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite contacting with the digestive tract mucosa and specially parasitizes chicken caecum, causing a severe form of coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is currently mainly controlled using chemotherapeutic agents. Diclazuril, a classic coccidiostat, was used widely in the poultry industry. Because of the rising problem of drug resistance, it is therefore crucial to understand the pattern of the SIgA expression in the action of diclazuril against E. tenella. In this study, the intestinal morphology in the caecum was analyzed by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the SIgA expression was examined by immunohistochemical technique. At the same time, the duodenum, jejunum and ileum tissues have also been evaluated. HE staining results showed that E. tenella infection caused severe damage characterized by structural disorder, haemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, serous and fibrinous exudation in chicken caecum and invisible damage in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. With the treatment of diclazuril, the damage in the caecum was alleviated obviously. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the SIgA level in the infected group was increased in the duodenum (p < 0.05), jejunum and ileum, respectively, but decreased (p < 0.01) in the caecum, compared with the control group. Interestingly, the SIgA level was decreased in the duodenum (p < 0.05), jejunum and ileum but increased (p < 0.05) in the caecum in the infected/diclazuril group in comparison to the infected group. The results showed that diclazuril effectively alleviated the damage in the caecum induced by E. tenella and provided a cure for coccidiosis by improving the immune function in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Er-jie Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Tianjin Road 70, Luoyang, Henan, 471003, People's Republic of China
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18
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Oz HS, Tobin T. Diclazuril Protects against Maternal Gastrointestinal Syndrome and Congenital Toxoplasmosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 5:93-101. [PMID: 24851194 PMCID: PMC4025969 DOI: 10.4236/ijcm.2014.53017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis is a common cause of foodborne, gastrointestinal and congenital syndrome with particularly severe or unknown health consequences. There is no safe and effective preventive or therapeutic modality against congenital toxoplasmosis or to eliminate the persistent chronic infection. Hypothesis Diclazuril to be safe in pregnancy and effective against gastrointestinal toxoplasmosis. Methods CD1 programmed pregnant mice were divided into groups and administered a diet containing diclazuril, or sham control. Treatments were initiated on Day 5 of pregnancy and continued until Day 16 when dams were euthanatized. On Day 8 of pregnancy dams were infected intraperitoneally with escalating doses of tachyzoites (0, 100, 300, 600) from Type II strain. Dams were monitored daily for distress, pain, and abortion and samples collected at the end of the experiments. Results Infected dams developed moderate to severe Toxoplasma related complications in tachyzoites dose dependent manner. Animals became anemic and showed hydrothorax, and ascities. Diclazuril effectively protected dams from ascities and anemia (p < 0.05). Infected dams showed splenomegaly, with massive infiltration of epithelioid cells compared with the protective effect of diclazuril in treated animals. Infected dams exhibited severe hepatitis (score 0 to 4 scale = 3.5 ± 0.01) with influx of inflammatory and plasma cells, dysplastic hepatocytes, multinucleated giant cell transformation and hepatic cells necrosis. Diclazuril treatment significantly protected dams from hepatitis, also in tachyzoites dose (100, 300, 600) dependent manner (respectively infected-treated versus infected controls, p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). Colonic tissues were significantly shortened in length, with infiltration of lymphocytes, and macrophages and microabscess formations in the cryptic structures, with significant improvement in diclazuril treated animals. Additionally, the number of fetuses, fetal length and fetal weight were preserved in diclazuril treated dams. Conclusions This is the first report describing of diclazuril safety in pregnancy as well as efficacy against mild to moderate hepato-gastrointestinal syndrome in dams and fetal toxoplasmosis (Special issue, “Treatment of Liver Diseases”).
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Affiliation(s)
- Helieh S Oz
- Department Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, USA
| | - Thomas Tobin
- The Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
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Oz HS. Novel Synergistic Protective Efficacy of Atovaquone and Diclazuril on Fetal-Maternal Toxoplasmosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 5:921-932. [PMID: 25210646 DOI: 10.4236/ijcm.2014.515124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Over 1 billion people globally are estimated to be infected with Toxoplasma gondii with severe or unknown consequences and no safe and effective therapies are available against congenital or persistent chronic infection. We propose that atovaquone and diclazuril synergistically protect against fetal-maternal toxoplasmosis. METHODS Programmed pregnant mice were treated with atovaquone and diclazuril monotherapy, or combined (atovaquone + diclazuril) therapy and infected with tachyzoites (0, 300, 600) and the course of infection was studied. RESULTS Infected dams with low dose (300) developed moderate toxoplasmosis complications and treatments were similarly effective with minor differences between monotherapies. In contrast, major differences were observed amongst varied treatments during high-dose (600) infection and severe related- toxoplasmosis complications as follows. Dams developed hydrothorax, ascities and excess weight gain. Combined therapy (P < 0.01) and to a lesser extent diclazuril monotherapy (P < 0.05) protected dams from excess weight, hydrothorax, and ascities. Infected dams exhibited splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and severe hepatitis. Combined therapy synergistically normalized pathology (P < 0.001) and to a lesser degree monotherapy (diclazuril P < 0.01, and atovaquone P < 0.05) protected dams from hepatitis and splemomegaly. Additionally, behavioral response to pain stimuli and fetal weight and fetal numbers were significantly preserved in treated dams. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report describing combined atovaquone and diclazuril therapy (a) to be safe in pregnancy, (b) to exert novel synergistic effects, and (c) to protect dams and their nested fetuses against adverse effects of severe toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helieh S Oz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY, USA
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Chen X, Lü S, Zhang Y. Identification and biochemical characterization of protein phosphatase 5 from the cantharidin-producing blister beetle, Epicauta chinensis. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:24501-13. [PMID: 24351830 PMCID: PMC3876124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141224501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) is a unique member of serine/threonine phosphatases which has been recognized in regulation of diverse cellular processes. A cDNA fragment encoding PP5 (EcPP5) was cloned and characterized from the cantharidin-producing blister beetle, E. chinensis. EcPP5 contains an open reading frame of 1500 bp that encodes a protein of 56.89 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence shares 88% and 68% identities to the PP5 of Tribolium castaneum and humans, respectively. Analysis of the primary sequence shows that EcPP5 has three TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) motifs at its N-terminal region and contains a highly conserved C-terminal catalytic domain. RT-PCR reveals that EcPP5 is expressed in all developmental stages and in different tissues. The recombinant EcPP5 (rEcPP5) was produced in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The purified protein exhibited phosphatase activity towards pNPP (p-nitrophenyl phosphate) and phosphopeptides, and its activity can be enhanced by arachidonic acid. In vitro inhibition study revealed that protein phosphatase inhibitors, okadaic acid, cantharidin, norcantharidin and endothall, inhibited its activity. Further, protein phosphatase activity of total soluble protein extract from E. chinensis adults could be impeded by these inhibitors suggesting there might be some mechanism to protect this beetle from being damaged by its self-produced cantharidin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yalin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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