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Nguyen YTM, Sibley L, Przanowski P, Zhao XY, Kovacs M, Wang S, Jones MK, Cowan M, Liu W, Merchak AR, Gaultier A, Janes K, Zang C, Harris T, Ewald SE, Zong H. Toxoplasma gondii infection supports the infiltration of T cells into brain tumors. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 393:578402. [PMID: 38996717 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578402] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Few T cells infiltrate into primary brain tumors, fundamentally hampering the effectiveness of immunotherapy. We hypothesized that Toxoplasma gondii, a microorganism that naturally elicits a Th1 response in the brain, can promote T cell infiltration into brain tumors despite their immune suppressive microenvironment. Using a mouse genetic model for medulloblastoma, we found that T. gondii infection induced the infiltration of activatable T cells into the tumor mass and led to myeloid cell reprogramming toward a T cell-supportive state, without causing severe health issues in mice. The study provides a concrete foundation for future studies to take advantage of the immune modulatory capacity of T. gondii to facilitate brain tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen T M Nguyen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Lydia Sibley
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Piotr Przanowski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Michael Kovacs
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Shengyuan Wang
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Marieke K Jones
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Maureen Cowan
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Wenjie Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Andrea R Merchak
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alban Gaultier
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kevin Janes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Chongzhi Zang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tajie Harris
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sarah E Ewald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Hui Zong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Hasanzadeh M, Ahmadpour E, Mahami-Oskouei M, Musavi S, Parsaei M, Sarafraz N, Spotin A. Genetic diversity and seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in COVID‑19 patients; a first case-control study in Iran. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:42. [PMID: 38172676 PMCID: PMC10763165 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08964-9] [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: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a serious or life-threatening disease in immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women. This study examined the likely association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and COVID-19 patients with moderate illness. METHODS Seventy blood samples were collected from patients at the Health Reference Laboratory of Tabriz, Northwest Iran from April 2021 to September 2021. In addition, 70 healthy subjects of the same age (37 ± 15 years) and sex distribution were ethnically matched. Sera samples were examined for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using ELISA. Nested-PCR targets were amplified based on the B1 and GRA6 genes. GRA6 amplicons were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis based on IgG titer was 35.7% in the COVID‑19 patients and 27.1% in the control group, representing not to be associated with the Toxoplasma seropositivity in COVID‑19 patients (P = 0.18) compared to healthy subjects. Anti-T. gondii IgM was not found in any of the patients and healthy individuals. According to PCR amplification of the B1 and GRA6 genes, the frequency of T. gondii in COVID-19 patients was 14.2% (10/70). However, no T. gondii infection was detected in the healthy group. The CD4+T cell count was relatively lower in toxoplasmosis-infected patients (430-450 cells/mm3) than in control group (500-1500 cells/mm3). High genetic diversity (Hd: 0.710) of the type I strain of T. gondii was characterized in the patients. Present results showed that consumption of raw vegetables and close contact with stray cats can increase the transmission of T. gondii to COVID-19 patients (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The current study revealed that T. gondii type I infection is unequivocally circulating among the COVID-19 patients in Tabriz; However, no significant association was observed between the occurrence of Toxoplasma and the severity of COVID-19. To make more accurate health decisions, multicenter investigations with a larger sample size of different ethnic groups of the Iranian population are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Hasanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Mahami-Oskouei
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Musavi
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of medical science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Parsaei
- Vice chancellor for health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Sarafraz
- Vice chancellor for health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Adel Spotin
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Abd El-Latif NF, Salem AI, Sadek NA, Salah SAM, Shalaby DG, Elhadad H. Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in ß. thalassemia patients. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:778-786. [PMID: 38009154 PMCID: PMC10667183 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01624-4] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide opportunistic protozoan causing life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients, while frequently asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals. The current study aimed to detect T. gondii; serologically and molecularly in ß. thalassemia patients and evaluate the association of infection with some hematological parameters in these patients. Blood samples were collected from 100 ß. thalassemia patients. Serological diagnosis of T. gondii using ELISA for IgG and IgM antibodies was performed. Molecular diagnosis by Real-Time (RE) PCR was performed using specifically designed primers amplifying 389 bp fragments of Toxoplasma genome. 45 patients (45%) had anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies with no detectable IgM antibodies while both anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies were noticed in 10 patients (10%). IgM only antibodies were discovered in two cases (2%). The total seropositivity rate among patients was 57%. RE PCR analysis revealed Toxoplasma DNA in 20% out of 100 patients. PCR and serological examination showed slight agreement. A statistically significant relation was observed between the results of IgG and IgM ELISA and PCR for the detection of T. gondii infection among patients with ß. thalassemia. None of the studied risk factors (age, gender, contact with cats, consumption of undercooked meat) or hematological parameters (ESR, anemia degree, ferritin level, type of blood transfusion, spleen status) showed statistically significant association with Toxoplasma infection. It can be concluded that patients with thalassemia have a high risk of infection with T. gondii. RE PCR should be used as a diagnostic method in association with serology especially in immunocompromised patients to increase sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aziza Ibrahim Salem
- Department of Parasitology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nadia Aly Sadek
- Department of Haematology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Sally A. M. Salah
- Department of Haematology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | - Heba Elhadad
- Department of Parasitology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Mohammed LO, Amin AMS, Mohammed RM, Mohammed SA, Ahmed LI, Ahmed VR, Majid SBD, Mohammed BO. Seroprevalence of Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies among Patients with Cancer at Hiwa Cancer Hospital in Sulaimani City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2023; 18:526-534. [PMID: 38169672 PMCID: PMC10758079 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v18i4.14261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that causes a life-threatening disease - toxoplasmosis - in immunocompromised individuals, including patients with cancer. This prospective cross-sectional study set out to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with cancer compared with that of healthy individuals. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Sulaimani City of Iraq from November 2019 to May 2020. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were measured in the blood samples of 113 patients with cancer (80 with solid organ tumors and 33 with haematological malignancies) entered to Hiwa Cancer Hospital and 82 healthy controls, who were referred to the Directorate of Blood Transfusion for blood donation, using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). Results The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 39.8% in the patient group and 24.4% in the control group, which amounted to a significant difference (P = 0.024). Only one case of anti-T. gondii IgM positivity was observed in the patient group, and no IgM seropositivity was reported in the control group. Moreover, the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was non-significantly higher (P = 0.102) in the patients with haematological malignancies (51.5%) than in those with solid organ tumors (35%). Occupation was the only risk factor which had a significant association with T gondii infection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.6746163 - 2.4282788, P = 0.029). Conclusion The prevalence of T. gondii infection is higher in patients with cancer than in healthy individuals. Therefore, T. gondii screening in patients with cancer is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latif O. Mohammed
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq
| | - Ahmed MS Amin
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq
| | - Rezan M. Mohammed
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq
| | - Shad A. Mohammed
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq
| | - Lava I Ahmed
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq
| | - Vanya R. Ahmed
- Wise Private Preparatory School for Girls, Sulaimani, Iraq
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El Skhawy N, Eissa MM. Shedding light on a mysterious link between Toxoplasma Gondii and cancer: A review. Exp Parasitol 2023; 250:108544. [PMID: 37149210 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing conflict regarding the affiliation of Toxoplasma gondii to cancer; whether an inducer or a suppressor needs to be resolved. Human epidemiological studies oscillate without attaining a firm ground. Some studies confirmed the detection of high seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in different cancer patients without further justification whether being causation, co-incidences, or part of opportunistic infections. Others reported a state of resistance to cancer accompanying low titer of anti-Toxoplasma antibody. Worthwhile, preclinical experimental work confirmed the antineoplastic potency of Toxoplasma. Thus, further investigational research is essential to validate the potential application of Toxoplasma as a promising cancer immunotherapeutic vaccine candidate. In this paper, we present a review of this issue by examining epidemiological and preclinical experimental studies that explored the linkage between Toxoplasma gondii and cancer<i.></i> We consider this review an important step towards shedding a light on this mysterious link and a stepping-stone for potential research work addressing Toxoplasma as a cancer suppressor rather than a cancer inducer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla El Skhawy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Maha M Eissa
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
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Qamar W, Alsayeqh AF. A review of foodborne Toxoplasma gondii with a special focus on its prevalence in Pakistan from 2000 to 2022. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1080139. [PMID: 36744224 PMCID: PMC9890071 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1080139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Third-world countries have a higher prevalence of food-related disorders than developed nations. Millions of people in underdeveloped countries are seriously at risk from the potential water supply contamination with protozoan diseases. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the important protozoans causing diseases in livestock and humans. Despite the standard tests for diagnosing this parasite and different treatment methods, the spread of these parasites is uncontrollable and rising every year due to other management disorders. In this review, we summarize etiopathogenesis and prevalence in Pakistan. We looked for papers reporting the seroprevalence of T. gondii in people and animals between 2000 and 2022 in different databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Pakistan's domestic animals (sheep and goats, horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, and buffaloes), domestic pets (cats and dogs), poultry and rodents, and humans were gathered. According to the findings, sheep had an estimated pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii that varied from 11.20 to 26.50 %, and goats from 24.50 to 38.40%. Whereas in buffalo the opposite trend was followed, and the prevalence was observed is 0% in 2022, in horses, donkeys, and mules, only one study was reported according to which a high prevalence was observed in mules (28.60%) followed by donkeys (23.50%) and horses (23.50%), in cats 38.5% prevalence was observed in a recent study and in dogs 28.43% observed, and in humans from 22 to 60%. Human beings are found to be the most affected species showing high prevalence among all. According to our findings, animals and pets not only serve as a reservoir for the parasite but also serve as a direct route for human infection with T. gondii. The diagnostic techniques used in the observed studies were mostly serological testing whereas only a few studies have only been observed with molecular testing. To know the exact pattern of the disease for its control, the trend of molecular and advanced testing should be adopted as it is more reliable. Moreover, to decrease the transmission chances of T. gondii to humans, it is crucial to manage T. gondii infections in non-human species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warda Qamar
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Abdullah F. Alsayeqh ✉
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Wang Z, Qu T, Qi H, Zhao S, Shi H, Bai W, Yu Y, Wu X, Zhao P. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women with a gynecological tumor living in eastern China. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14569. [PMID: 36540800 PMCID: PMC9760017 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection and malignancy has attracted increased attention in recent years, but little is known of T. gondii infection among women diagnosed with a gynecological tumor (GT) in China. We conducted a case-control study involving 460 women diagnosed with a GT and 460 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) to estimate the infection process of T. gondii and understand the risk factors of T. gondii infection in patients with a GT. Levels of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassays every 12 months. After a median follow-up time of 4.3 years (range 4 to 5 years), 55/460 (11.96%) patients with a GT and 15/460 (3.26%) HCs were seroprevalence for T. gondii antibodies, respectively (P = 0.001). IgG antibodies against T. gondii were found in 54 GT patients (11.74%) and 15 HCs (3.26%), respectively (P = 0.001). The seroprevalence of T. gondii IgM antibodies was similar in patients with a GT and with HCs (2.83% vs 1.3%, P = 0.105). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed contact with cats (OR, 6.67; 95% CI [2.89-10.75]; P = 0.001), exposure to soil (OR, 2.16; 95% CI [1.14-4.10]; P = 0.019), being a farm-worker (OR, 4.17; 95% CI [1.20-11.49]; P = 0.006) and history of chemotherapy (OR, 3.16; 95% CI [1.56-6.45]; P = 0.001) to be independent risk factors for T. gondii infection. Women with an ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer had higher T. gondii seroprevalence than that of HCs. Moreover, T. gondii infection in patients with a GT mostly acquired within two years of diagnosis, but the infection in healthy controls had no obvious time characteristics. Here, we demonstrated that T. gondii infection is significantly higher in patients with a GT (especially in women with an ovarian tumor) compared to HCs. Thus, infection with this parasite should be avoided in patients with a GT, and the causal relationship between T. gondii and GTs should be studied in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjun Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Tingting Qu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Huiyang Qi
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shuchao Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hailei Shi
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wenye Bai
- Department of Hepatobilary and Surgery Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qingdao Women and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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Esenkaya Taşbent F, Beder D, Özdemir M, Doğan M, Feyzioğlu B. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Different Patient Groups in Our Hospital. TURKIYE PARAZITOLOJII DERGISI 2022; 46:1-6. [PMID: 35232698 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.25733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite. It is regarded as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in congenital contamination and immunosuppressive patients. This study aimed to determine the seropositivity of T. gondii in various ages and patient groups, as well as to reveal the current immune status, especially in risk groups. METHODS Results of T. gondii serology conducted between 2015 and 2019 in the medical microbiology laboratory in a university hospital were retrospectively analyzed. In the study, anti-T. gondii IgM, anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, and anti-T. gondii IgG avidity test results were investigated by the enzyme-linked fluorescent assay method. Additionally, seropositivity rates among immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women, which are risk groups for toxoplasmosis, were revealed. In the identification of the immunosuppressed patients, groups with significant immunosuppression were retrospectively determined by examining their files. RESULTS The serology of T. gondii was investigated in serum samples of a total of 20.875 individuals, among which 6.220 (29.8%) are males and 14.655 (70.2%) are females. Anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG positivity rates were significantly higher in women than in men. When all years are evaluated, IgM positivity in 16.448 patients and IgG positivity in 4.427 patients were investigated. In the 5-year period, T. gondii IgM seropositivity and T. gondii IgG seropositivity was among all the patients was 2.4% and 24.1%, respectively. While the rate of T. gondii IgG seropositivity in women of childbearing age was 36.1%, it was 42.4% in pregnant women and 14.6% in immunosuppressed patients. CONCLUSION T. gondii serology follow-up of pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients in terms of reactivity of latent infection should be advised and toxoplasmosis should be considered in suspicious clinical cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Esenkaya Taşbent
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Duygu Beder
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Özdemir
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Metin Doğan
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Bahadır Feyzioğlu
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protist infecting a wide group of warm-blooded animals, ranging from birds to humans. While this infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, it can also lead to severe ocular or neurological outcomes in immunocompromised individuals or in developing fetuses. This obligate intracellular parasite has the ability to infect a considerable range of nucleated cells and can propagate in the intermediate host. Yet, under the pressure of the immune system it transforms into an encysted persistent form residing primarily in the brain and muscle tissues. Encysted parasites, which are resistant to current medication, may reactivate and give rise to an acute infection. The clinical outcome of toxoplasmosis depends on a complex balance between the host immune response and parasite virulence factors. Susceptibility to the disease is thus determined by both parasite strains and host species. Recent advances on our understanding of host cell-parasite interactions and parasite virulence have brought new insights into the pathophysiology of T. gondii infection and are summarized here.
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Increased Risk of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Colorectal Cancer in Eastern China: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and a Case-Control Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:2539482. [PMID: 33083457 PMCID: PMC7563061 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2539482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in eastern China. Therefore, 287 primary CRC patients and 287 age-matched healthy control subjects were recruited to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and identify the risk factors of infection. Enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to test for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies. Forty-six (16%) samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in patients with CRC, compared with 26 (9.1%) in the healthy controls, a significant difference (P = 0.007). By contrast, eight (2.8%) patients tested positive for T. gondii IgM antibodies, compared with three (1.1%) in the controls, a difference that was not significant (P = 0.13). Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that a rural residence (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.15–7.01; P = 0.024) and treatment with chemotherapy (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.02–4.57; P = 0.045) were risk factors for T. gondii infection in patients with CRC. Thus, T. gondii infection is serious in patients with CRC, and a rural residence and treatment with chemotherapy are independent risk factors for infection by this parasite. Therefore, medical professionals should be aware of this pathogen in patients with CRC, and the causes of T. gondii infection in these patients need to be explored further.
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Kalantari N, Gorgani-Firouzjaee T, Hassani S, Chehrazi M, Ghaffari S. Association between Toxoplasma gondii exposure and hematological malignancies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Microb Pathog 2020; 148:104440. [PMID: 32822769 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104440] [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: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The possible association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and hematological malignancies has been suggested by several studies. The current systematic review and meta-analysis was directed to further understand this relationship. In the present study, five electronic databases were reviewed for T. gondii infection in patients with blood cancer. The random effects model and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the overall odds ratio (OR). Heterogeneity was deliberate with Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic. In total, 13 studies including 1504 patients with hematological neoplasia and 2622 subjects without any malignancies were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, 324 patients with blood cancer and 391 subjects without any malignancies were exposed to Toxoplasma infection. The pooled random effect favored a statistically significant increased risk of T. gondii infection in patients with hematological neoplasia compared with non-cancer individuals [OR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.49-3.97; χ2 = 49.7, I2 = 75.9%, P = 0.00]. Also, significant pooled ORs of positive association were observed for studies which measured anti- Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG) [OR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.46-4.83; χ2 = 40.3; I2 = 82.6%, P = 0.00]. T-value and P-value were obtained 0.20 and 0.85 by Harbords modified regression test. This meta-analysis demonstrates that toxoplasmosis may be associated with an elevated risk of hematological malignancies. Also, it has found that immunoglobulin class and types of blood cancer are the specific sources of heterogeneity. Additional studies should be performed to examine the impact of T. gondii infection in the onset or development of hematologic neoplasms in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Kalantari
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Gorgani-Firouzjaee
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Saeed Hassani
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Chehrazi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Salman Ghaffari
- Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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