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Ali DH, Gaji RY. TKL family kinases in human apicomplexan pathogens. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 259:111628. [PMID: 38719028 PMCID: PMC11182715 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites are the primary causative agents of many human diseases, including malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. These opportunistic pathogens undergo complex life cycles with multiple developmental stages, wherein many key steps are regulated by phosphorylation mechanisms. The genomes of apicomplexan pathogens contain protein kinases from different groups including tyrosine kinase-like (TKL) family proteins. Although information on the role of TKL kinases in apicomplexans is quite limited, recent studies have revealed the important role of this family of proteins in apicomplexan biology. TKL kinases in these protozoan pathogens show unique organization with many novel domains thus making them attractive candidates for drug development. In this mini review, we summarize the current understanding of the role of TKL kinases in human apicomplexan pathogens' (Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum and Cryptosporidium parvum) biology and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dima Hajj Ali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rajshekhar Y Gaji
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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2
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Lander N, Chiurillo MA. A key regulator of male gametogenesis in Cryptosporidium. Trends Parasitol 2024:S1471-4922(24)00165-X. [PMID: 38944561 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Gamete development is a precisely programmed process in Cryptosporidium parvum, a leading cause of diarrheal disease worldwide. Nava et al. recently described the developmentally regulated expression of CDPK5 during male gametogenesis. Here we discuss their main findings, posing this protein kinase as a promising target for antiparasitic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Lander
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-006, USA.
| | - Miguel A Chiurillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-006, USA
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Ross R, Hasheminasab SS, Conejeros I, Gärtner U, Kamena F, Krueger A, Taubert A, Hermosilla C. Human dendritic cell interactions with the zoonotic parasite Cryptosporidium parvum result in activation and maturation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1388366. [PMID: 38799470 PMCID: PMC11116633 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1388366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis in humans is caused by infection of the zoonotic apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. In 2006, it was included by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the group of the most neglected poverty-related diseases. It is characterized by enteritis accompanied by profuse catarrhalic diarrhea with high morbidity and mortality, especially in children of developing countries under the age of 5 years and in HIV patients. The vulnerability of HIV patients indicates that a robust adaptive immune response is required to successfully fight this parasite. Little is known, however, about the adaptive immune response against C. parvum. To have an insight into the early events of the adaptive immune response, we generated primary human dendritic cells (DCs) from monocytes of healthy blood donors and exposed them to C. parvum oocysts and sporozoites in vitro. DCs are equipped with numerous receptors that detect microbial molecules and alarm signals. If stimulation is strong enough, an essential maturation process turns DCs into unique activators of naïve T cells, a prerequisite of any adaptive immune response. Parasite exposure highly induced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in DCs. Moreover, antigen-presenting molecules (HLA-DR and CD1a), maturation markers, and costimulatory molecules required for T-cell stimulation (CD83, CD40, and CD86) and adhesion molecules (CD11b and CD58) were all upregulated. In addition, parasite-exposed human DCs showed enhanced cell adherence, increased mobility, and a boosted but time-limited phagocytosis of C. parvum oocysts and sporozoites, representing other prerequisites for antigen presentation. Unlike several other microbial stimuli, C. parvum exposure rather led to increased oxidative consumption rates (OCRs) than extracellular acidification rates (ECARs) in DCs, indicating that different metabolic pathways were used to provide energy for DC activation. Taken together, C. parvum-exposed human DCs showed all hallmarks of successful maturation, enabling them to mount an effective adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Ross
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Seyed Sajjad Hasheminasab
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Iván Conejeros
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Gärtner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Faustin Kamena
- Laboratory for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Andreas Krueger
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Ajiboye J, Uldry AC, Heller M, Naguleswaran A, Fan E, Van Voorhis WC, Hemphill A, Müller J. Molecular Targets of the 5-Amido-Carboxamide Bumped Kinase Inhibitor BKI-1748 in Cryptosporidium parvum and HCT-8 Host Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2707. [PMID: 38473953 PMCID: PMC10931551 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is an apicomplexan parasite causing persistent diarrhea in humans and animals. Issuing from target-based drug development, calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 inhibitors, collectively named bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs), with excellent efficacies in vitro and in vivo have been generated. Some BKIs including BKI-1748 share a core structure with similarities to the first-generation antiprotozoal drug quinine, which is known to exert notorious side effects. Unlike quinine, BKI-1748 rapidly interfered with C. parvum proliferation in the human colon tumor (HCT) cell line HCT-8 cells and caused dramatic effects on the parasite ultrastructure. To identify putative BKI targets in C. parvum and in host cells, we performed differential affinity chromatography with cell-free extracts from non-infected and infected HCT-8 cells using BKI-1748 and quinine epoxy-activated sepharose columns followed by mass spectrometry. C. parvum proteins of interest were identified in eluates from columns coupled to BKI-1748, or in eluates from both BKI-1748 and quinine columns. However, no C. parvum proteins could be identified binding exclusively to BKI-1748. In contrast, 25 BKI-1748-specific binding proteins originating from HCT-8 cells were detected. Moreover, 29 C. parvum and 224 host cell proteins were identified in both BKI-1748 as well as in quinine eluates. In both C. parvum and host cells, the largest subset of binding proteins was involved in RNA binding and modification, with a focus on ribosomal proteins and proteins involved in RNA splicing. These findings extend previous results, showing that BKI-1748 interacts with putative targets involved in common, essential pathways such as translation and RNA processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubilee Ajiboye
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
- Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Anne-Christine Uldry
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (A.-C.U.); (M.H.)
| | - Manfred Heller
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (A.-C.U.); (M.H.)
| | - Arunasalam Naguleswaran
- Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Erkang Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
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Li M, Sun X, Chen H, Li N, Feng Y, Xiao L, Guo Y. Stable expression of mucin glycoproteins GP40 and GP15 of Cryptosporidium parvum in Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:65. [PMID: 38360646 PMCID: PMC10870685 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06159-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoa causing diarrhea in humans and animals. There are currently only one FDA-approved drug and no vaccines for cryptosporidiosis, largely due to the limited knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the invasion of the pathogens. Previous studies have shown that GP60, which is cleaved into GP40 and GP15 after expression, is an immunodominant mucin protein involved in the invasion of Cryptosporidium. The protein is highly O-glycosylated, and recombinant proteins expressed in prokaryotic systems are non-functional. Therefore, few studies have investigated the function of GP40 and GP15. METHODS To obtain recombinant GP40 with correct post-translational modifications, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to insert GP40 and GP15 into the UPRT locus of Toxoplasma gondii, allowing heterologous expression of Cryptosporidium proteins. In addition, the Twin-Strep tag was inserted after GP40 for efficient purification of GP40. RESULTS Western blotting and immunofluorescent microscopic analyses both indicated that GP40 and GP15 were stably expressed in T. gondii mutants. GP40 localized not only in the cytoplasm of tachyzoites but also in the parasitophorous vacuoles, while GP15 without the GPI anchor was expressed only in the cytoplasm. In addition, a large amount of recTgGP40 was purified using Strep-TactinXT supported by a visible band of ~ 50 kDa in SDS-PAGE. CONCLUSIONS The establishment of a robust and efficient heterologous expression system of GP40 in T. gondii represents a novel approach and concept for investigating Cryptosporidium mucins, overcoming the limitations of previous studies that relied on unstable transient transfection, which involved complex steps and high costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xiaohua Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Haoyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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de Oliveira LF, Filho DM, Marques BL, Maciel GF, Parreira RC, do Carmo Neto JR, Da Silva PEF, Guerra RO, da Silva MV, Santiago HDC, Birbrair A, Kihara AH, Dias da Silva VJ, Glaser T, Resende RR, Ulrich H. Organoids as a novel tool in modelling infectious diseases. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 144:87-96. [PMID: 36182613 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases worldwide affect human health and have important societal impacts. A better understanding of infectious diseases is urgently needed. In vitro and in vivo infection models have brought notable contributions to the current knowledge of these diseases. Organoids are multicellular culture systems resembling tissue architecture and function, recapitulating many characteristics of human disease and elucidating mechanisms of host-infectious agent interactions in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, the central nervous system and the skin. Here, we discuss the applicability of the organoid technology for modeling pathogenesis, host response and features, which can be explored for the development of preventive and therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Felipe de Oliveira
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Medicina Regenerativa, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniel Mendes Filho
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Escola Médica de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Lemes Marques
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal deGoiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | | | | | - José Rodrigues do Carmo Neto
- Departamento de Biociência e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | | | - Rhanoica Oliveira Guerra
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia eParasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Naturais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinicius da Silva
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia eParasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Naturais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Helton da Costa Santiago
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexander Birbrair
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Departamento de Patologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexandre H Kihara
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - Valdo José Dias da Silva
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Medicina Regenerativa, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Talita Glaser
- Departmento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo R Resende
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Medicina Regenerativa, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Departmento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Lee S, Love MS, Modukuri R, Chatterjee AK, Huerta L, Lawson AP, McNamara CW, Mead JR, Hedstrom L, Cuny GD. Structure-activity relationship of BMS906024 derivatives for Cryptosporidium parvum growth inhibition. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 90:129328. [PMID: 37196868 PMCID: PMC10290938 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BMS906024, a γ-secretase inhibitor that blocks Notch signaling, was previously shown to inhibit Cryptosporidium parvum growth in vitro. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis of BMS906024 reported herein demonstrates the importance of the stereochemistry of the C-3 benzodiazepine and the succinyl β-substituent. However, concomitant removal of the succinyl α-substituent and switching the primary amide with secondary amides was tolerated. For example, 32 (SH287) inhibited C. parvum growth in HCT-8 host cells with an EC50 = 6.4 nM and an EC90 = 16 nM; however, blocking C. parvum growth with BMS906024 derivatives was correlative with inhibition of Notch signaling, highlighting that additional SAR analysis will be needed to separate these two activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungheon Lee
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Health Building 2, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Melissa S Love
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ramkumar Modukuri
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Arnab K Chatterjee
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Lauren Huerta
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ann P Lawson
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Case W McNamara
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jan R Mead
- Atlanta VA Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lizbeth Hedstrom
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham, MA 02454, USA; Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Gregory D Cuny
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Health Building 2, Houston, TX 77204, USA.
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Potes-Morales C, Crespo-Ortiz MDP. Molecular diagnosis of intestinal protozoa in young adults and their pets in Colombia, South America. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283824. [PMID: 37220135 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections have been considered a relevant public health problem due to the increased incidence worldwide. In developing countries, diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms cause impaired work capacity in adults and delayed rate growth in children. Enteric infections of unknown etiology can often lead to misdiagnosis, increased transmission, and morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in a young adult population and their pets. Stool samples from 139 university students and 44 companion animals were subjected to microscopy diagnosis using wet mounts, concentration by zinc sulphate flotation and staining techniques (Kinyoun and trichrome stain). Molecular diagnosis of protozoa was also performed by conventional PCR. The mean age was 24 years, 54% individuals were female, 46% were men, and 66% had at least one pet. The overall prevalence for at least one parasite was 74.8% and the rate of polyparasitism was 37.5%. Eighty-three patients (59.7%) were positive for Blastocystis spp., followed by Cryptosporidium spp. 24.5%, Endolimax nana 13.6%, Entamoeba dispar/E. moshkovskii 7.8% and Giardia intestinalis 1.4%. Molecular diagnosis substantially improved Cryptosporidium spp. and Blastocystis spp. detection and allowed to distinguish E. histolytica from commensals in the Entamoeba complex. Student's pets were also examined for parasitism. Samples from 27 dogs, 15 cats, one rabbit and one hen were analyzed, and parasites were detected in 30 (68.2%) as follows: Cryptosporidium spp. (24) Giardia spp. (4), hookworm (3), Endolimax nana (2) and Toxoplasma gondii (1). Overall, university students showed high prevalence of parasitism and polyparasitism suggesting exposure to parasite infected animals and contaminated environments. Cryptosporidium spp. was the predominant pathogen in human and domestic animals, and it was only detected by PCR, pointing out the need for sensitive tests in diagnosis and surveillance. Control strategies to prevent the effects of parasitic infections in young population should consider pets as reservoirs and transmission source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterine Potes-Morales
- Department of Microbiology, Section of Parasitology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
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Multilocus Sequence Typing as a Useful Tool for the Study of the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Cryptosporidium Spp. FOLIA VETERINARIA 2023. [DOI: 10.2478/fv-2023-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
One of the most important aquatic parasites in industrialized countries, Cryptosporidium spp., is a major cause of diarrheal disease in humans and animals worldwide. The contingent evolution of cryptosporidia with hosts, host adaptation, and geographic variation contributed to the creation of species subtypes, thereby shaping their population genetic structures. Multilocus typing tools for population genetic characterizations of transmission dynamics and delineation of mechanisms for the emergence of virulent subtypes have played an important role in improving our understanding of the transmission of this parasite. However, to better understand the significance of different subtypes with clinical disease manifestations and transmission risks, a large number of samples and preferably from different geographical areas need to be analyzed. This review provides an analysis of genetic variation through multilocus sequence typing, provides an overview of subtypes, typing gene markers for Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium hominis, Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium andersoni genotypes and an overview of the hosts of these parasites.
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Detection and Molecular Characterization of Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. Circulating in Wild Small Mammals from Portugal. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030515. [PMID: 36766405 PMCID: PMC9913638 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. are important diarrhea-causing protozoan parasites worldwide that exhibit broad host ranges. Wild small mammals can harbor host-adapted and potentially zoonotic species of both parasites. The aim of this study was to investigate Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in wild rodents and shrews in Portugal, focusing on the protist's occurrence and genetic diversity. Molecular screening by PCR at the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene locus of 290 fecal samples from wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), southwestern water voles (Arvicola sapidus), Cabrera's voles (Microtus cabrerae), Lusitanian pine voles (Microtus lusitanicus), Algerian mice (Mus spretus) and greater white-toothed shrews (Crocidura russula) in Northeast Portugal revealed the low occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. (1%) and high occurrence of Giardia spp. (32.8%). The analysis revealed that "species" was the only significant factor associated with the increasing probability of Giardia spp. infection, with the highest prevalence reported in southwestern water voles and Lusitanian pine voles. Cryptosporidium and Giardia species determination at the SSU rRNA gene locus revealed C. muris and G. microti as the only circulating species, respectively. Subtyping of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and beta-giardin (bg) genes provided evidence of the high genetic diversity within the G. microti clade. This study suggests that rodent-adapted G. microti occurs to a large extent in cricetid hosts and supports the limited role of wild rodents and shrews as natural sources of human infections in Northeast Portugal regarding the investigated parasites. Moreover, this is the first record of G. microti in southwestern water voles, Lusitanian pine voles, Algerian mice, wood mice and Cabrera's voles and C. muris in Cabrera's voles. Finally, this study improves the database of sequences relevant for the sequence typing of G. microti strains and provides new insights about the epidemiology of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in wild rodents and shrews, two parasite genera of high importance for public and animal health.
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Aboelsoued D, Abdullah HHAM, Megeed KNA, Hassan SE, Toaleb NI. Evaluation of a vaccine candidate isolated from Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst in mice. Vet World 2022; 15:2772-2784. [PMID: 36718331 PMCID: PMC9880841 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.2772-2784] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and is an animal and public health burden. This study aimed to evaluate the protective potential of affinity-purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst antigen as a vaccine candidate according to fecal oocyst shedding, humoral and cellular immune responses, histopathological changes, and the number of parasite developmental stages in ileal and hepatic tissues. Materials and Methods We isolated oocysts from naturally infected buffalo calves and identified them molecularly as C. parvum isolates (GenBank: ON730707 and ON730708) by targeting the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein gene. We propagated the C. parvum oocysts in mice. In addition, we prepared crude antigen from the isolated oocysts by purification using cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose-4B affinity chromatography coupled with rabbit hyperimmune serum. Then, we divided 81 parasite-free mice into three groups: (1) non-vaccinated non-infected mice, (2) mice orally infected with 1 × 105 C. parvum oocysts on week 4 of the experiment, and (3) mice immunized twice with 40 μg/kg of the purified fraction at 2-week intervals. Then, we challenged the vaccinated group with C. parvum oocysts after 2 weeks, and the positive control group was infected at the same time. Results We observed a prolonged prepatent period and decreased oocyst shedding in the vaccinated infected mice compared with the non-vaccinated infected mice (t < 0.001). The vaccinated mice had significantly higher immunoglobulin G levels than those in the other two groups at all examined weeks. In addition, the production of cytokines interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and IL-15 was activated post-vaccination. After the challenge, all tested cytokines were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the two infected groups compared with the non-vaccinated non-infected group, with the highest levels in the vaccinated infected group. Vaccinated infected mice exhibited significantly fewer pathological lesions in the ileum and liver than non-vaccinated infected mice, which showed prominent histopathological lesions. Endogenous developmental stages of C. parvum indicated that the ileum was more parasitized than the liver and that vaccination resulted in a lower number of oocysts in ileal and hepatic tissues (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our prepared affinity-purified vaccine candidate could be promising in protecting against cryptosporidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Aboelsoued
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt,Corresponding author: Dina Aboelsoued, e-mail: Co-authors: HHAMA: , KNAM: , SEH: , NIT:
| | - Hend H. A. M. Abdullah
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Kadria N. Abdel Megeed
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Soad E. Hassan
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nagwa I. Toaleb
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
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12
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Aboelsoued D, Abdel Megeed KN. Diagnosis and control of cryptosporidiosis in farm animals. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:1133-1146. [PMID: 36457776 PMCID: PMC9606155 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01513-2] [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: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a pathogenic protozoan parasite infecting the gastrointestinal epithelium of human and animal hosts. In farm animals, cryptosporidiosis causes significant economic losses including deaths in newborn animals, retarded growth, increased labor involved and high cost of drugs. The detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in fecal samples is traditionally dependent on examination of stained slides by light microscope or by advanced microscopical tools such as: electron microscopy and phase contrast microscopy. Immunological diagnosis using either antibody or antigen detection could offer high sensitivity and specificity. Examples for these tests are Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Immunochromatographic tests, Immunochromatographic lateral flow (ICLF), Immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and Flow cytometry coupled with cell sorting. Molecular methods could differentiate species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium and help in studying the epidemiological features of this parasite with rapid, simple and sensitive procedures. Nanotechnology-based platforms could improve the sensitivity and specificity of other detection methods like: ELISA, ICLF, IFA and polymerase chain reaction. As the available prophylactic and therapeutic drugs or natural products treatments are insufficient and no approved vaccines are available, the best approach to control this parasite is by following firm hygienic measures. Many vaccine attempts were performed using hyperimmune colostrum, live or attenuated vaccines, recombinant and Deoxyribonucleic acid vaccines. Also, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas9 technology could help in Cryptosporidium genome editing to improve drug and vaccine discovery. Another approach that could be useful for assigning drug targets is metabolomics. Probiotics were also used successfully in the treatment of acute diarrhea and they proved a limiting effect on cryptosporidiosis in animal models. In addition, nanotherapy-based approaches could provide a good strategy for improving the potency of any type of drugs against Cryptosporidium and give good anti-cryptosporidial effects. In conclusion, accurate diagnosis using advanced techniques is the key to the control and prevention of cryptosporidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Aboelsoued
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, El Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kadria Nasr Abdel Megeed
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, El Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
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13
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Differential Response to the Course of Cryptosporidium parvum Infection and Its Impact on Epithelial Integrity in Differentiated versus Undifferentiated Human Intestinal Enteroids. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0039722. [PMID: 36286526 PMCID: PMC9671013 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00397-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrhea and death in young children and untreated AIDS patients and causes waterborne outbreaks. Pathogenic mechanisms underlying diarrhea and intestinal dysfunction are poorly understood. We previously developed stem-cell derived human intestinal enteroid (HIE) models for Cryptosporidium parvum which we used in this study to investigate the course of infection and its effect on intestinal epithelial integrity. By immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, there was robust infection of undifferentiated and differentiated HIEs in two and three-dimensional (2D, 3D) models. Infection of differentiated HIEs in the 2D model was greater than that of undifferentiated HIEs but lasted only for 3 days, whereas infection persisted for 21 days and resulted in completion of the life cycle in undifferentiated HIEs. Infection of undifferentiated HIE monolayers suggest that C. parvum infects LGR5+ stem cells. Transepithelial electrical resistance measurement of HIEs in the 2D model revealed that infection resulted in decreased epithelial integrity which persisted in differentiated HIEs but recovered in undifferentiated HIEs. Compromised epithelial integrity was reflected in disorganization of the tight and adherens junctions as visualized using the markers ZO-1 and E-cadherin, respectively. Quantitation using the image analysis tools Tight Junction Organizational Rate and Intercellular Junction Organization Quantification, measurement of monolayer height, and RNA transcripts of both proteins by quantitative reverse transcription PCR confirmed that disruption persisted in differentiated HIEs but recovered in undifferentiated HIEs. These models, which more accurately recapitulate human infection, will be useful tools to dissect pathogenic mechanisms underlying diarrhea and intestinal dysfunction in cryptosporidiosis.
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14
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Investigating the Potential Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Intestinal Coccidian Infections. JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.22207/jpam.16.3.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
New infectious agents pose a global threat to the healthcare system, and studies are conducted to estimate their health and epidemiological outcomes in the long run. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has caused the COVID-19 disease, was formerly assumed to be a respiratory virus; however, it can have serious systemic effects, affecting organs such as the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Viral RNA was reported in the stool in a subset of patients, indicating another mode of transmission and diagnosis. In COVID-19, prolonged GIT symptoms, especially diarrhea, were associated with reduced diversity and richness of gut microbiota, immunological dysregulation, and delayed viral clearance. Intestinal coccidian parasites are intracellular protozoa that are most typically transmitted to humans by oocysts found in fecally contaminated food and water. Their epidemiological relevance is coupled to opportunistic infections, which cause high morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised individuals. Among immunocompetent people, intestinal coccidia is also involved in acute diarrhea, which is usually self-limiting. Evaluating the available evidence provided an opportunity to carefully consider that; the COVID-19 virus and coccidian protozoan parasites: namely, Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Isospora belli, could mutually influence each other from the microbiological, clinical, diagnostic, and elimination aspects. We further systemically highlighted the possible shared pathogenesis mechanisms, transmission routes, clinical manifestations, parasite-driven immune regulation, and intestinal microbiota alteration. Finally, we showed how this might impact developing and developed countries prevention and vaccination strategies. To the best of our knowledge, there is no review that has discussed the reciprocal effect between coccidian parasites and COVID-19 coinfection.
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15
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Abdelmaksoud HF, Osman EEA, Abdel-Hameed SS, Aboushousha T, Naggar HME. In vivo evaluation of anticryptosporidial effects of wheat germ extracts in immunocompromised mice. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:833-844. [PMID: 36091283 PMCID: PMC9458818 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01502-5] [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: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium species is a prime cause of diarrheal disease in individuals with competent immunity. In patients with compromised immunity, infections are more severe particularly in developing countries. Wheat germ oil was described to have antiparasitic effect. This study was done to evaluate the possible role of wheat germ extracts in Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) infected immunocompromised mice. Thirty white albino mice were classified into six groups as follow: four study groups, all immunosuppressed and infected with C. parvum oocysts. These four groups received treatments as follow: Group (I): treated with nitazoxanide. Group (II): treated with wheat germ oil. Group (III): treated with wheat germ extracted by hexane. Group (IV): treated with wheat germ extracted by ethanol. The remaining two groups were immunosuppressed control groups as follow: Group (V): only infected with C. parvum oocysts (Positive control). Group (VI): non-infected (Negative control). Stool samples were collected and examined to detect oocyst and the ileocecal region was subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Wheat germ extracts showed a statistically significant effect against C. parvum specially wheat germ oil with P value: < 0.001, this effect was also confirmed by pathological and immunohistochemical examinations. C. parvum has an influence on human health by its effect in diarrheal disease. Wheat germ oil and its extracts has proved to be a reliable herb for C. parvum. treatment confirmed by different methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ezzat E. A. Osman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Tarek Aboushousha
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Heba M. El Naggar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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16
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Franceschelli A, Bonadonna L, Cacciò SM, Sannella AR, Cintori C, Gargiulo R, Coccia AM, Paradiso R, Iaconelli M, Briancesco R, Tripodi A. An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis associated with drinking water in north-eastern Italy, August 2019: microbiological and environmental investigations. EURO SURVEILLANCE : BULLETIN EUROPEEN SUR LES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES = EUROPEAN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BULLETIN 2022; 27. [PMID: 36052722 PMCID: PMC9438396 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.35.2200038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a leading global cause of waterborne disease, with many reported outbreaks related to main water supplies. In August 2019, an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis involving 80 cases occurred among 114 vacationers in a small municipality located in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, north-eastern Italy. After excluding a potential food-borne outbreak, the epidemiological investigation focussed on the hypothesis of a waterborne outbreak. This was confirmed by the finding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in stools of the cases and in water samples from the municipal water network. Molecular characterisation revealed the zoonotic species Cryptosporidium parvum as the causative agent. A single subtype (IIdA25G1) was found among all cases, and in one of two positive water samples. The municipality's water supply used spring water that only received a disinfection treatment insufficient to inactivate the parasite. Possible entry means into the water mains were found through further environmental investigations. As these types of water supplies are particularly vulnerable to various environmental factors, a control system based on the risk assessment of each phase of the water supply chain is required to guarantee water safety. Effective methods for detection of protozoan pathogens, which are generally excluded from routine water supply analysis, should be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Franceschelli
- Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Public Health Department, Local Health Unit of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Bonadonna
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone M Cacciò
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Rosa Sannella
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Cintori
- Prevention Service and Collective Public Health, General Directorate of Care to Person, Health and Welfare, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy.,Public Hygiene Service, Public Health Department, Local Health Unit of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Raffaele Gargiulo
- Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology, Local Health Unit of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Coccia
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Paradiso
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Iaconelli
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Briancesco
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Tripodi
- Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Public Health Department, Local Health Unit of Modena, Modena, Italy
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17
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Ryan U, Hill K, Deere D. Review of generic screening level assumptions for quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) for estimating public health risks from Australian drinking water sources contaminated with Cryptosporidium by recreational activities. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 220:118659. [PMID: 35635918 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As urban communities continue to grow, demand for recreational access (including swimming) in drinking water sources have increased, yet relatively little is understood about the public health implications this poses for drinking water consumers. Preventative risk-based approaches to catchment management, informed by quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), requires accurate input data to effectively model risks. A sound understanding of the knowledge gaps is also important to comprehend levels of uncertainty and help prioritise research needs. Cryptosporidium is one of the most important causes of waterborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis globally due to its resistance to chlorine. This review was undertaken by Water Research Australia to provide the most up-to-date information on current Cryptosporidium epidemiological data and underlying assumptions for exposure assessment, dose response and risk assessment for generic components of QMRA for Cryptosporidium and highlights priorities for common research. Key interim recommendations and guidelines for numerical values for relatively simple screening level QMRA modelling are provided to help support prospective studies of risks to drinking water consumers from Cryptosporidium due to body-contact recreation in source water. The review does not cover site-specific considerations, such as the levels of activity in the source water, the influence of dilution and inactivation in reservoirs, or water treatment. Although the focus is Australia, the recommendations and numerical values developed in this review, and the highlighted research priorities, are broadly applicable across all drinking source water sources that allow recreational activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Perth, Australia.
| | - Kelly Hill
- Water Research Australia, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Dan Deere
- Water Futures, Sydney, Australia and Water Research Australia, Australia
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18
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Certad G. Is Cryptosporidium a hijacker able to drive cancer cell proliferation? Food Waterborne Parasitol 2022; 27:e00153. [PMID: 35498550 PMCID: PMC9044164 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiological mechanisms of Cryptosporidium infection are multifactorial and not completely understood. Some advances achieved recently revealed that the infection by Cryptosporidium parvum induces cytoskeleton remodeling and actin reorganization through the implication of several intracellular signals involving, for example, PI3K, Src, Cdc42 and GTPases. It has also been reported that the infection by C. parvum leads to the activation of NF-κβ, known to induce anti-apoptotic mechanisms and to transmit oncogenic signals to epithelial cells. Despite the growing evidence about the hijacking of cellular pathways, potentially being involved in cancer onset, this information has rarely been linked to the tumorigenic potential of the parasite. However, several evidences support an association between Cryptosporidium infection and the development of digestive neoplasia. To explore the dynamics of Cryptosporidium infection, an animal model of cryptosporidiosis using corticoid dexamethasone-treated adult SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice, orally infected with C. parvum or Cryptosporidium muris oocysts was implemented. C. parvum-infected animals developed digestive adenocarcinoma. When mechanisms involved in this neoplastic process were explored, the pivotal role of the Wnt pathway together with the alteration of the cytoskeleton was confirmed. Recently, a microarray assay allowed the detection of cancer-promoting genes and pathways highly up regulated in the group of C. parvum infected animals when compared to non-infected controls. Moreover, different human cases/control studies reported significant higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among patients with recently diagnosed colon cancer before any treatment when compared to the control group (patients without colon neoplasia but with persistent digestive symptoms). These results suggest that Cryptosporidium is a potential oncogenic agent involved in cancer development beyond the usual suspects. If Cryptosporidium is able to hijack signal transduction, then is very likely that this contributes to transformation of its host cell. More research in the field is required in order to identify mechanisms and molecular factors involved in this process and to develop effective treatment interventions.
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19
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He X, Huang W, Sun L, Hou T, Wan Z, Li N, Guo Y, Kváč M, Xiao L, Feng Y. A productive immunocompetent mouse model of cryptosporidiosis with long oocyst shedding duration for immunological studies. J Infect 2022; 84:710-721. [PMID: 35192895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies on the pathogenesis and immune responses of Cryptosporidium infection and development of drugs and vaccines use mostly immunocompromised mouse models. In this study, we establish an immunocompetent mouse model of cryptosporidiosis with high intensity and long duration of infection. METHODS We have obtained a Cryptosporidium tyzzeri isolate from laboratory mice, and infect adult C57BL/6J mice experimentally with the isolate for determinations of infectivity, infection patterns, pathological changes, and transcriptomic responses. RESULTS The isolate has an ID50 of 5.2 oocysts, with oocyst shedding lasting at high levels for >2 months. The oocyst shedding is boosted by immunosuppression of animals and suppressed by paromomycin treatment. The isolate induces strong inflammatory and acquired immune responses, but down-regulates the expression of α-defensins in epithelium. Comparative genomics analysis has revealed significant sequence differences from other isolates in subtelomeric genes. The down-regulation of the expression of α-defensins may be responsible for the high-intensity and long-lasting infection in this animal model. CONCLUSIONS The immunocompetent mouse model of cryptosporidiosis developed has the advantages of high oocyst shedding intensity and long oocyst shedding duration. It provides an effective mechanism for the propagation of Cryptosporidium, evaluations of potential therapeutics, and studies of pathogen biology and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi He
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture. Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Wanyi Huang
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Lianbei Sun
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Tianyi Hou
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Zhuowei Wan
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Na Li
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Martin Kváč
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice 370 05, Czech Republic.
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture. Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture. Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
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20
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Ryan U, Zahedi A, Feng Y, Xiao L. An Update on Zoonotic Cryptosporidium Species and Genotypes in Humans. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3307. [PMID: 34828043 PMCID: PMC8614385 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The enteric parasite, Cryptosporidium is a major cause of diarrhoeal illness in humans and animals worldwide. No effective therapeutics or vaccines are available and therefore control is dependent on understanding transmission dynamics. The development of molecular detection and typing tools has resulted in the identification of a large number of cryptic species and genotypes and facilitated our understanding of their potential for zoonotic transmission. Of the 44 recognised Cryptosporidium species and >120 genotypes, 19 species, and four genotypes have been reported in humans with C. hominis, C. parvum, C. meleagridis, C. canis and C. felis being the most prevalent. The development of typing tools that are still lacking some zoonotic species and genotypes and more extensive molecular epidemiological studies in countries where the potential for transmission is highest are required to further our understanding of this important zoonotic pathogen. Similarly, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and amplicon next-generation sequencing (NGS) are important for more accurately tracking transmission and understanding the mechanisms behind host specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Una Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6152, Australia;
| | - Alireza Zahedi
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6152, Australia;
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.F.); (L.X.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.F.); (L.X.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
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21
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Ryan UM, Feng Y, Fayer R, Xiao L. Taxonomy and molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium and Giardia - a 50 year perspective (1971-2021). Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:1099-1119. [PMID: 34715087 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia are significant causes of diarrhoea worldwide and are responsible for numerous waterborne and foodborne outbreaks of diseases. Over the last 50 years, the development of improved detection and typing tools has facilitated the expanding range of named species. Currently at least 44 Cryptosporidium spp. and >120 genotypes, and nine Giardia spp., are recognised. Many of these Cryptosporidium genotypes will likely be described as species in the future. The phylogenetic placement of Cryptosporidium at the genus level is still unclear and further research is required to better understand its evolutionary origins. Zoonotic transmission has long been known to play an important role in the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, and the development and application of next generation sequencing tools is providing evidence for this. Comparative whole genome sequencing is also providing key information on the genetic mechanisms for host specificity and human infectivity, and will enable One Health management of these zoonotic parasites in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Una M Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ronald Fayer
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, BARC-East, Building 173, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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22
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Wang C, Wang D, Nie J, Gao X, Yin J, Zhu G. Unique Tubulin-Based Structures in the Zoonotic Apicomplexan Parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091921. [PMID: 34576816 PMCID: PMC8464796 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parasites are known to be highly divergent from other apicomplexan species at evolutionary and biological levels. Here we provide evidence showing that the zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum also differs from other apicomplexans, such as Toxoplasma gondii, by possessing only two tubulin-based filamentous structures, rather than an array of subpellicular microtubules. Using an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody against C. parvum β-tubulin (CpTubB), we observed a long and a short microtubule that are rigid and stable in the sporozoites and restructured during the intracellular parasite development. In asexual development (merogony), the two restructuring microtubules are present in pairs (one pair per nucleus or merozoites). In sexual developmental stages, tubulin-based structures are detectable only in microgametes, but undetectable in macrogametes. These observations indicate that C. parvum parasites use unique microtubule structures that differ from other apicomplexans as part of their cytoskeletal elements.
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Sharma M, Choudhury H, Roy R, Michaels SA, Ojo KK, Bansal A. CDPKs: The critical decoders of calcium signal at various stages of malaria parasite development. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5092-5107. [PMID: 34589185 PMCID: PMC8453137 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium ions are used as important signals during various physiological processes. In malaria parasites, Plasmodium spp., calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) have acquired the unique ability to sense and transduce calcium signals at various critical steps during the lifecycle, either through phosphorylation of downstream substrates or mediating formation of high molecular weight protein complexes. Calcium signaling cascades establish important crosstalk events with signaling pathways mediated by other secondary messengers such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). CDPKs play critical roles at various important physiological steps during parasite development in vertebrates and mosquitoes. They are also important for transmission of the parasite between the two hosts. Combined with the fact that CDPKs are not present in humans, they continue to be pursued as important targets for development of anti-malarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Sharma
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Himashree Choudhury
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Rajarshi Roy
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Samantha A. Michaels
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Abhisheka Bansal
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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Establishment of a Newborn Lamb Gut-Loop Model to Evaluate New Methods of Enteric Disease Control and Reduce Experimental Animal Use. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8090170. [PMID: 34564564 PMCID: PMC8472880 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8090170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteric infectious diseases are not all well controlled, which leads to animal suffering and sometimes death in the most severe cases, in addition to economic losses for farmers. Typical symptoms of enteric infections include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever and weight loss. Evaluation of new control methods against enteric infections requires the use of many animals. We aimed to develop a new method for an initial in vivo screen of promising compounds against neonatal diseases such as cryptosporidiosis while limiting experimental animal use. We therefore adapted an in vivo method of multiple consecutive but independent intestinal loops to newborn lambs delivered by cesarean section, in which endotoxin responsiveness is retained. This new method allowed for the screening of natural yeast fractions for their ability to stimulate immune responses and to limit early Cryptosporidium parvum development. This model may also be used to investigate host–pathogen interactions and immune responses in a neonatal controlled environment.
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Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium: an emerging parasite in different water sources of 2010 flood-affected district Nowshera, Pakistan. Arch Microbiol 2021; 203:4397-4403. [PMID: 34120199 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-021-02419-y] [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: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a water-borne zoonotic parasite worldwide, usually found in lakes and rivers contaminated with sewage and animal wastes, causing outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis. In this study, 300 water samples were collected from four designated places of flood-affected district Nowshera consist of different water sources to find out the prevalence of Cryptosporidium via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 30.33% (91/300) with more prevalent 44% in drain water and low 5% in bore/tube well water. The prevalence in open well and tap water was recorded 33% and 20%, respectively. The highest prevalence was recorded in summer (June-September). The result of this study ensures enormous contamination of drinking water that requires appropriate treatment, cleaning and filtration to provide safe drinking water. Preventing water-borne disease and proper treatment of water supplies is essential to public health.
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Lee L, Samardzic K, Wallach M, Frumkin LR, Mochly-Rosen D. Immunoglobulin Y for Potential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications in Infectious Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:696003. [PMID: 34177963 PMCID: PMC8220206 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.696003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasitic drugs and vaccines are essential to maintaining the health of humans and animals. Yet, their production can be slow and expensive, and efficacy lost once pathogens mount resistance. Chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) is a highly conserved homolog of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) that has shown benefits and a favorable safety profile, primarily in animal models of human infectious diseases. IgY is fast-acting, easy to produce, and low cost. IgY antibodies can readily be generated in large quantities with minimal environmental harm or infrastructure investment by using egg-laying hens. We summarize a variety of IgY uses, focusing on their potential for the detection, prevention, and treatment of human and animal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Lee
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Kate Samardzic
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Michael Wallach
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Daria Mochly-Rosen
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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Zhang T, Gao X, Wang D, Zhao J, Zhang N, Li Q, Zhu G, Yin J. A Single-Pass Type I Membrane Protein from the Apicomplexan Parasite Cryptosporidium parvum with Nanomolar Binding Affinity to Host Cell Surface. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9051015. [PMID: 34066754 PMCID: PMC8151451 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is a globally recognized zoonotic parasite of medical and veterinary importance. This parasite mainly infects intestinal epithelial cells and causes mild to severe watery diarrhea that could be deadly in patients with weakened or defect immunity. However, its molecular interactions with hosts and pathogenesis, an important part in adaptation of parasitic lifestyle, remain poorly understood. Here we report the identification and characterization of a C. parvum T-cell immunomodulatory protein homolog (CpTIPH). CpTIPH is a 901-aa single-pass type I membrane protein encoded by cgd5_830 gene that also contains a short Vibrio, Colwellia, Bradyrhizobium and Shewanella (VCBS) repeat and relatively long integrin alpha (ITGA) N-terminus domain. Immunofluorescence assay confirmed the location of CpTIPH on the cell surface of C. parvum sporozoites. In congruence with the presence of VCBS repeat and ITGA domain, CpTIPH displayed high, nanomolar binding affinity to host cell surface (i.e., Kd(App) at 16.2 to 44.7 nM on fixed HCT-8 and CHO-K1 cells, respectively). The involvement of CpTIPH in the parasite invasion is partly supported by experiments showing that an anti-CpTIPH antibody could partially block the invasion of C. parvum sporozoites into host cells. These observations provide a strong basis for further investigation of the roles of CpTIPH in parasite-host cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (T.Z.); (X.G.); (D.W.); (N.Z.); (Q.L.)
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (T.Z.); (X.G.); (D.W.); (N.Z.); (Q.L.)
| | - Dongqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (T.Z.); (X.G.); (D.W.); (N.Z.); (Q.L.)
| | - Jixue Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China;
| | - Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (T.Z.); (X.G.); (D.W.); (N.Z.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qiushi Li
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (T.Z.); (X.G.); (D.W.); (N.Z.); (Q.L.)
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Guan Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (T.Z.); (X.G.); (D.W.); (N.Z.); (Q.L.)
- Correspondence: (G.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jigang Yin
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (T.Z.); (X.G.); (D.W.); (N.Z.); (Q.L.)
- Correspondence: (G.Z.); (J.Y.)
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