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Chen C, Qin SY, Yang X, Li XM, Cai Y, Lei CC, Zhao Q, Elsheikha HM, Cao H. Global prevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Vet Med 2024; 226:106187. [PMID: 38554654 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106187] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to identify the global prevalence and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild birds. Six bibliographic databases (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Journal Database, Wanfang Data, PubMed, Web of science and ScienceDirect) were searched from inception to February 2023. The search yielded 1220 records of which 659 articles underwent full-text evaluation, which identified 49 eligible articles and 16,030 wild bird samples that were included in the meta-analysis. The estimated pooled global prevalence of T. gondii infection in wild birds was 16.6%. Out of the variables tested, publication year after 2020 and climate type were significantly associated with T. gondii infection (P<0.01). Our data indicate that the prevalence of T. gondii in wild birds can be influenced by epidemiological variables. Further research is needed to identify the biological, environmental, anthropogenic, and geographical risk factors which impact the ecology and prevalence of T. gondii in wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224002, PR China
| | - Si-Yuan Qin
- Center of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shenyang, Liaoning 110034, PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000, PR China
| | - Xiao-Man Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong 266109, PR China
| | - Yanan Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, PR China
| | - Cong-Cong Lei
- Center of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shenyang, Liaoning 110034, PR China
| | - Quan Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, PR China.
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
| | - Hongwei Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224002, PR China.
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Račka K, Bártová E, Hamidović A, Plault N, Kočišová A, Camacho G, Mercier A, Halajian A. First detection of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1274577. [PMID: 38352059 PMCID: PMC10861644 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1274577] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction There have only been a few molecular studies conducted on the detection of T. gondii in tissues of carnivores in South Africa, with no data on the genetic diversity of this parasite. That is why the aim of this study was to detect and genotype T. gondii DNA in tissues of selected wild and domestic carnivores in South Africa. Methods Samples were collected from 80 animals of 20 species (mainly road-killed) in the four provinces of Limpopo (n=57), Mpumalanga (n=21), Gauteng (n=1) and Free State (n=1) during the period 2014-2018. Samples of brain (n=31), heart (n=4), liver (n=40), spleen (n=2) and lung (n=3) were used to detect T. gondii by real-time PCR targeting a 529 bp repeating fragment of T. gondii DNA. Samples that were positive in real-time PCR were genotyped using 15 microsatellite markers. Results T. gondii DNA was detected in 4 (5 %) samples: in the brain from a Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas), in the liver from a African Wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica) and in the liver and heart of two Rusty-spotted Genets (Genetta maculata) respectively. The DNA sample from Black-backed Jackal was genotyped and characterized as belonging to the type Africa 4 lineage (equivalent to RFLP genotype ToxoDB#20), that is a widespread lineage in Africa. Discussion This is the first genetic characterization of T. gondii isolated from a wild carnivore on the African continent and the first report of T. gondii in Black-backed Jackal. The Africa 4 lineage was also confirmed in the region of Southern Africa for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Račka
- Department of Epizootology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Eva Bártová
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Azra Hamidović
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des Maladies Chroniques en zone Tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, University of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Nicolas Plault
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des Maladies Chroniques en zone Tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, University of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Alica Kočišová
- Department of Epizootology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Gerrie Camacho
- Department of Scientific Services, Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency (MTPA), Nelspruit, South Africa
| | - Aurelién Mercier
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des Maladies Chroniques en zone Tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, University of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Ali Halajian
- Research Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
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Samkange A, Chitanga S, Tjipura-Zaire GN, Mutjavikua VG, Smith JW, Neves L, Matjila T. Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine neosporosis in the Khomas region of Namibia. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2023; 90:e1-e8. [PMID: 37042558 PMCID: PMC10157435 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v90i1.2077] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a coccidian parasite that occurs worldwide and is one of the most important causes of abortion, especially in cattle. However, no studies have been performed in Namibia to determine the N. caninum status in livestock. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in cattle and the associated risk factors in the Khomas region of Namibia. A total of 736 sera were collected from cows in 32 farming establishments. These comprised 698 beef and 38 dairy cattle sera and were tested using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Questionnaires were concurrently administered to determine possible risk factors associated with N. caninum seropositivity. A total of 42 sera were positive (all beef), giving an animal-level seroprevalence rate of 5.7%. Eight of the 32 establishments had at least one positive animal, giving a herd-level seroprevalence of 25%. There was no significant association between seropositivity and the presence of dogs, jackals, history of abortions, farm size, number of cattle or average annual rainfall. The establishments with moderate to high numbers of Feliformia were 9.8 times more likely to be seropositive to N. caninum than those with none to low levels of the former (p = 0.0245). The authors concluded that the seroprevalence level of N. caninum in the Khomas region was relatively low compared with other parts of the world and that the role of Feliformia in the epidemiology of bovine neosporosis needed to be further investigated.Contribution: Serological evidence of bovine neosporosis and the associated risk factors are reported in Namibia for the first time. This study contributes to the scientific body of knowledge on N. caninum in Africa, which is currently limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaster Samkange
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; and, Department of Production Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek.
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Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from birds in the world: A systematic review. Exp Parasitol 2023; 248:108480. [PMID: 36863682 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108480] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most important foodborne pathogens that infects a large number of vertebrate species and has a cosmopolitan distribution. Birds as intermediate hosts are very important in the life cycle of T. gondii and they can be a main source of infection for humans and felids, as well as other animals. Most species of birds feed from the ground and are the best indicator for soil contamination with T. gondii oocysts. Hence, T. gondii strains isolated from birds can represent different genotypes circulating in the environment and their main predators and consumers. The recent systematic review tries to represent the population structure of T. gondii in birds around the world. Six English language databases were searched from 1990 to 2020 to find the related studies and overall, 1275 isolates of T. gondii were separated from the analyzed samples in birds. The results of our study revealed that atypical genotypes were predominant (58.8%, 750 out of 1275). Types II, III, and I had less frequency with prevalence rates of 23.4%, 13.8%, and 2%, respectively. No isolates of Type I were reported from Africa. Summarizing ToxoDB genotypes circulating in birds around the world manifested that ToxoDB #2 was the most common (101/875), followed by ToxoDB #1 (80/875), and #3 (63/875). Totally, the results of our review represented the high genetic diversity of T. gondii with circulating non-clonal strains in birds from South and North America, while clonal parasites with low genetic diversity were predominant in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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Bokaba RP, Dermauw V, Morar-Leather D, Dorny P, Neves L. Toxoplasma gondii in African Wildlife: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080868. [PMID: 36014989 PMCID: PMC9414955 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite, which infects a wide variety of mammals and bird species globally. In large parts of the world, this parasite is relatively well documented in wildlife species, however, this topic is poorly documented in Africa. The current review systematically explores the presence and distribution of T. gondii in African wildlife species through a key word search in PubMed, Web of Science and CAB Direct. A total of 66 records were identified and included in the qualitative analysis, of which 19 records were retained for the quantitative synthesis. The presence of T. gondii was reported in a wide range of wildlife species, found in twelve countries, spread over the African continent. The retained records report a prevalence range of 6–100% in herbivores, 8–100% in omnivores and 14–100% in carnivores. In wild felines (cheetahs, leopards, and lions) a prevalence range of 33–100% was found. Reports from South Africa, and on the presence of T. gondii in lion were most common. Overall, the results indicate the scarcity of information on T. gondii in Africa and its circulation in wildlife. The lack of knowledge on the parasite in Africa, especially in areas at the human-livestock-wildlife interface, prevents us from understanding how prevalent it is on the continent, what strains are circulating in wildlife and what the most common routes of transmission are in the different habitats in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Refilwe Philadelphia Bokaba
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (D.M.-L.); (L.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Veronique Dermauw
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (V.D.); (P.D.)
| | - Darshana Morar-Leather
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (D.M.-L.); (L.N.)
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (V.D.); (P.D.)
| | - Luis Neves
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (D.M.-L.); (L.N.)
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo 3453, Mozambique
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Tayyub M, Ali S, Javid A, Imran M. Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in rock pigeons (Columba livia) in Punjab, Pakistan. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1499-1505. [PMID: 35320837 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07494-8] [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: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Rock pigeons are synanthropic birds and live in close association within human settlements. Synanthropic birds are considered potential carriers of diseases and pose a subsequent risk of their transmission to humans. Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are intracellular protozoans infecting a wide range of hosts, as well as birds. Data related to the incidence of these protozoans in rock pigeons in Pakistan are scant. The aims of the study were to detect T. gondii and N. caninum DNA in tissue samples from rock pigeons (Columba livia) and to identify possible risk factors associated with infection. To accomplish this, pectoral muscle and brain samples were carefully collected from rock pigeons (n = 120) belonging to three zones located in ten districts of Punjab during a 4-month sampling span (July 2018 to October 2018). Data related to sex, age, sampling site, districts, seasonality, and ecological zones were recorded. DNA from brain and pectoral muscle samples was screened for both T. gondii and N. caninum by PCR assays. Chi-square analysis was used to check the association between positive samples and risk factors. The level of significance was p ≤ 0.05. T. gondii was detected in 46 (38.3%) brain samples, while 24 pectoral muscle samples (20%) were positive for N. caninum. Agroecological zones were statistically associated with the detection of N. caninum DNA. The outcomes of this study provide an understanding of the epidemiological pattern of N. caninum and T. gondii infection in rock pigeons in different regions of Punjab, Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tayyub
- Wildlife Epidemiology and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (One Health Research Group), Discipline of Zoology, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Ravi Campus, Pattoki, Pakistan.,Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Ravi Campus, Pattoki, Pakistan
| | - Shahzad Ali
- Wildlife Epidemiology and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (One Health Research Group), Discipline of Zoology, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Ravi Campus, Pattoki, Pakistan. .,Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Ravi Campus, Pattoki, Pakistan.
| | - Arshad Javid
- Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Ravi Campus, Pattoki, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
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Kim JY, Yi MH, Kim M, Yeom JS, Yoo HD, Kim SM, Yong TS. Diagnosis of Balamuthia mandrillaris Encephalitis by Thymine-Adenine Cloning Using Universal Eukaryotic Primers. Ann Lab Med 2022; 42:196-202. [PMID: 34635613 PMCID: PMC8548236 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2022.42.2.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying the causal pathogen of encephalitis remains a clinical challenge. A 50-year-old man without a history of neurological disease was referred to our department for the evaluation of an intracranial lesion observed on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and the pathology results suggested protozoal infection. We identified the species responsible for encephalitis using thymine–adenine (TA) cloning, suitable for routine clinical practice. Methods We extracted DNA from a paraffin-embedded brain biopsy sample and performed TA cloning using two universal eukaryotic primers targeting the V4-5 and V9 regions of the 18S rRNA gene. The recombinant plasmids were extracted, and the inserted amplicons were identified by Sanger sequencing and a homology search of sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. Results The infection was confirmed to be caused by the free-living amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris. Two of 41 colonies recombinant with 18S V4-5 primers and 35 of 63 colonies recombinant with the 18S V9 primer contained B. mandrillaris genes; all other colonies contained human genes. Pathogen-specific PCR ruled out Entamoeba histolytica, Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp., and Toxoplasma gondii infections. Conclusions This is the first report of B. mandrillaris-induced encephalitis in Korea based on molecular identification. TA cloning with the 18S rRNA gene is a feasible and affordable diagnostic tool for the detection of infectious agents of unknown etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Yeong Kim
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myung-Hee Yi
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myungjun Kim
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon-Sup Yeom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Dong Yoo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University Hospital, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seong Min Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University Hospital, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Tai-Soon Yong
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Animals and Humans in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020183. [PMID: 35215126 PMCID: PMC8880191 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite with zoonotic importance worldwide especially in pregnant women and immunocompromised people. This study is set to review the literature on T. gondii infections in humans and animals in southern Africa. Methods: We extracted data regarding T. gondii infections from published articles from southern Africa from 1955 to 2020 from four databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO Host, and Science Direct. Forty articles from eight southern African countries were found eligible for the study. Results: This review revealed a paucity of information on T. gondii infection in southern African countries, with an overall prevalence of 17% (95% CI: 7–29%). Domestic felids had a prevalence of 29% (95% CI: 7–54%), wild felids 79% (95% CI: 60–94), canids (domestic and wild) 69% (95% CI: 38–96%), cattle 20% (95% CI: 5–39%), pigs 13% (95% CI: 1–29%), small ruminants (goats and sheep) 11% (95% CI: 0–31%), chicken and birds 22% (95% CI: 0–84%), and humans 14% (95% CI: 5–25%). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) constituted the most frequently used diagnostic tests for T. gondii. Conclusions: We recommend more focused studies be conducted on the epidemiology of T. gondii in the environment, food animals and human population, most especially the at-risk populations.
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A Newly Discovered Dense Granule Protein 3 in Neospora caninum. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1581-1585. [PMID: 34019280 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00402-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neospora caninum, an obligate intracellular parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, typically causes an illness known as neosporosis. Dense granule proteins (GRAs) are secreted by apicomplexan and constitute the parasitophorous vacuoles (PVs) structure where tachyzoites proliferate after invasion into host cells. In Toxoplasma gondii, TgGRA3 proteins are strongly associated with PVs membrane and enhance its virulence in vivo, however, research on NcGRA3 has not been reported. METHODS Here, a novel NcGRA3 protein in N. caninum was discovered using bioinformatics analysis; the location of NcGRA3 was determined in the extracellular Nc-1 tachyzoites and intracellular PVs after invasion using immunofluorescence assays; the NcGRA3 protein existing form in the PVs membranes was analyzed using western blotting. RESULTS NcGRA3 shared 41.67% nucleotide homology and 22.17% amino acid homology with TgGRA3. Amino acid sequences ranging from 1 to 25 were signal peptide regions and 135-157 were transmembrane domains. The immunofluorescence assays showed that NcGRA3 was an apical organ secreted dense granule protein and expressed at the posterior end of tachyzoites; the partial co-localization with NcGRA6 in PVs demonstrated that NcGRA3 were expressed in the intravacuolar network structure and PVs membrane. The western blotting assays showed that NcGRA3 protein behaved as an integrated transmembrane protein in PVs. Overall, characterization of the newly discovered NcGRA3 protein will lay a foundation for its function research in the further.
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Rêgo WMFD, Costa JGL, Baraviera RCDA, Pinto LV, Bessa GDL, Lopes REN, Silveira JAGD, Vitor RWA. Sarcocystidae in wild birds of southeastern Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2021; 30:e028520. [PMID: 33605391 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120201094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify members of the Sarcocystidae family in naturally infected wild birds at a rescue center in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The heart and brain of 44 wild birds were evaluated by bioassay in mice to detect T. gondii, and extracted DNA was used for nested PCR of the 18S ribosomal DNA gene to detect members of the Sarcocystidae family. The positive samples were sequenced, assembled, edited and compared with sequences deposited in GenBank. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from six (13.6%) out of 44 birds. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was identified in 10/44 (22.7%) of the birds. The amplified sequences exhibited 100% similarity with the DNA of the ME49 strain of T. gondii. Sarcocystis DNA (99% similarity) was identified in 5/44 (11.4%) of the birds. T. gondii and Sarcocystis spp. are common in wild birds in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagner Martins Fontes do Rêgo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Júlia Gatti Ladeia Costa
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Ramon Castro de Araujo Baraviera
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Lorena Velozo Pinto
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Gabriella de Lima Bessa
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Rosálida Estevam Nazar Lopes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | - Ricardo Wagner Almeida Vitor
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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Dong J, Zhang N, Zhao P, Li J, Cao L, Wang X, Li X, Yang J, Zhang X, Gong P. Disruption of Dense Granular Protein 2 (GRA2) Decreases the Virulence of Neospora caninum. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:634612. [PMID: 33681332 PMCID: PMC7933011 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.634612] [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: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum causes abortions in cattle and nervous system dysfunction in dogs. Dense granular proteins (GRAs) play important roles in virulence; however, studies on NcGRA functions are limited. In the present study, multiple methods, including site-directed mutagenesis; CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing; Western blotting; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; confocal microscopy; plaque, invasion, egress, and replication assays; animal assays of survival rate and parasite burden; and hematoxylin-eosin staining, were used to characterize the NcGRA2 protein, construct an NcGRA2 gene disruption (ΔNcGRA2) strain, and explore its virulence in vivo and vitro. The results showed that NcGRA2 shared 31.31% homology with TgGRA2 and was colocalized with NcGRA6 at the posterior end of tachyzoites and the intravacuolar network of parasitophorous vacuoles (PVs). Cell fractionation analysis showed that NcGRA2 behaved as a transmembrane and membrane-coupled protein. The ΔNcGRA2 strain was constructed by coelectroporation of the NcGRA2-targeting CRISPR plasmid (pNc-SAG1-Cas9:U6-SgGRA2) and DHFR-TS DNA donor and verified at the protein, genome, and transcriptional levels and by immunofluorescence localization analysis. The in vitro virulence results showed that the ΔNcGRA2 strain displayed smaller plaques, similar invasion and egress abilities, and slower intracellular growth. The in vivo virulence results showed a prolonged survival time, lower parasite burden, and mild histopathological changes. Overall, the present study indicates that NcGRA2, as a dense granular protein, forms the intravacuolar network structure of PVs and weakens N. caninum virulence by slowing proliferation. These data highlight the roles of NcGRA2 and provide a foundation for research on other protein functions in N. caninum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingquan Dong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Panpan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lili Cao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Parasite, Jilin Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaocen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xin Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ju Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xichen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pengtao Gong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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12
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Hooshyar H, Chehrazi F, Arbabi M. Molecular identification and frequency of cyst-forming coccidia (Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum) in native slaughtered cattle in Kashan, Central Iran. INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF HEALTH SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/iahs.iahs_186_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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13
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Su C. Epidemiologic significance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in turkeys, ducks, ratites and other wild birds: 2009-2020. Parasitology 2021; 148:1-30. [PMID: 33070787 PMCID: PMC11010194 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Wild and domestic avian species are important in the epidemiology of T. gondii infections because felids prey on them and excrete millions of oocysts in the environment, disseminating the infection. Herbivorous birds are also excellent sentinels of environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts because they feed on the ground. Toxoplasma gondii infections in birds of prey reflect infections in intermediate hosts. Humans can become infected by consuming undercooked avian tissues. Here, the authors reviewed prevalence, persistence of infection, clinical disease, epidemiology and genetic diversity of T. gondii strains isolated from turkeys, geese, ducks, ratites and avian species (excluding chickens) worldwide 2009-2020. Genetic diversity of 102 T. gondii DNA samples isolated worldwide is discussed. The role of migratory birds in dissemination of T. gondii infection is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. P. Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - F. H. A. Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - C. K. Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - O. C. H. Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - C. Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN37996-0845, USA
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Dong J, Zhang N, Zhao P, Li J, Wang X, Li X, Gong P, Zhang X. GRA12, a novel dense granule protein from Neospora caninum. Parasitol Int 2020; 81:102268. [PMID: 33310071 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum, an obligate intracellular parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, is a major cause of abortion in cattle. After invasion, tachyzoites can reside in the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and ingest nutrition through the intravacuolar network (IVN). Secreted dense granule proteins of N. caninum (NcGRAs) may play important roles in maintaining the structures of the PV and IVN. In this study, we predicted a NcGRA12 gene; aligned it with Toxoplasma gondii GRA12 for homology analysis; and analyzed the ORF, signal peptide and transmembrane domain. Then, we cloned the NcGRA12 gene, expressed the NcGRA12 protein, prepared polyclonal antibodies, and carried out colocalization analysis of NcGRA12 with NcGRA6 in extracellular tachyzoites and intracellular PVs using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Finally, we determined the solubility of the NcGRA12 protein. The results showed that NcGRA12 shared 59.13% nucleotide homology and 44.9% amino acid homology with TgGRA12. There was no predicted signal peptide or transmembrane domain. IFA data of extracellular tachyzoites showed that the NcGRA12 protein was secreted by the apical organ and located at the posterior end of tachyzoites, which was consistent with TgGRA12. IFA data of intracellular PVs identified NcGRA12 in the IVN membranes. Moreover, NcGRA12 could colocalize with NcGRA6 in intracellular PVs but not extracellular tachyzoites. Solubility analysis showed that NcGRA12 existed in soluble and membrane-related forms in the PV. Overall, we provide the first report of the novel NcGRA12 protein and verify that it is associated with the IVN membranes of PVs in N. caninum. These data lay a foundation for further research into the function of NcGRA12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingquan Dong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Panpan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Xiaocen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Xin Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Pengtao Gong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Xichen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
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Zhao P, Zhang N, Dong J, Li J, Wang X, Li X, Li X, Yang J, Gong P, Zhang X. Effects of Dense Granular Protein 6 (GRA6) Disruption on Neospora caninum Virulence. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:562730. [PMID: 33195538 PMCID: PMC7536263 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.562730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is a major cause of abortions in cattle. During its invasion of host cells, a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) is formed, accompanied by an intravacuolar network (IVN). The IVN takes part in parasite ingesting of nutrients from hosts. The dense granular proteins of N. caninum (NcGRAs) play a key role in forming the PV and the IVN, which may influence virulence during N. caninum invasion. The present study aimed to explore the biological function of NcGRA6 in N. caninum by disrupting the NcGRA6 gene in the Nc-1 strain. We successfully constructed an NcGRA6-targeting CRISPR plasmid (pNc-SAG1-Cas9:U6-SgGRA6) and amplified the DHFR-TS DNA donor. The NcGRA6 knockout mutation (ΔNcGRA6) was generated by co-electroporation of the pNc-SAG1::CAS9-U6::sgGRA6 plasmid and the DHFR-TS DNA donor into the Nc-1 strain, which was then cultured under pyrimethamine selection pressure. The ΔNcGRA6 mutation was further verified by identification of NcGRA6 gene disruption using PCR, measurement of NcGRA6 gene transcription levels using qPCR, assessment of NcGRA6 protein expression levels using western blotting, and observation of NcGRA6 protein location using immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The results of in vitro virulence assays, including plaque, invasion, egress, and replication assays, showed that the ΔNcGRA6 strain had smaller plaques, similar invasion and egress ability, and slower intracellular replication ability than the Nc-1 strain. The results of in vivo virulence assays showed that the ΔNcGRA6 strain exhibited reduced virulence and improved survival ability in mice compared with the Nc-1 strain. The parasite burden in ΔNcGRA6 strain-infected mouse tissues, including the heart, brain, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney, was significantly reduced compared with that in mice infected with the Nc-1 strain. These data suggest that we successfully constructed a ΔNcGRA6 strain and verify that NcGRA6 is a critical virulence factor. NcGRA6 gene disruption can slow down N. caninum proliferation and lower the pathogenicity to hosts. Our findings provide a foundation for future research on other targeted N. caninum protein functions and may help in exploring the interaction mechanisms between parasites and hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jingquan Dong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaocen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xin Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ju Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pengtao Gong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xichen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Seltmann A, Schares G, Aschenborn OHK, Heinrich SK, Thalwitzer S, Wachter B, Czirják GÁ. Species-specific differences in Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti seroprevalence in Namibian wildlife. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:7. [PMID: 31915056 PMCID: PMC6950991 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3871-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Knowledge about parasitic infections is crucial information for animal health, particularly of free-ranging species that might come into contact with livestock and humans. Methods We investigated the seroprevalence of three tissue-cyst-forming apicomplexan parasites (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti) in 506 individuals of 12 wildlife species in Namibia using in-house enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (indirect ELISAs applying purified antigens) for screening and immunoblots as confirmatory tests. We included six species of the suborder Feliformia, four species of the suborder Caniformia and two species of the suborder Ruminantia. For the two species for which we had most samples and life-history information, i.e. cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus, n = 250) and leopards (Panthera pardus, n = 58), we investigated T. gondii seroprevalence in relation to age class, sex, sociality (solitary, mother-offspring group, independent sibling group, coalition group) and site (natural habitat vs farmland). Results All but one carnivore species (bat-eared fox Otocyon megalotis, n = 4) were seropositive to T. gondii, with a seroprevalence ranging from 52.4% (131/250) in cheetahs to 93.2% (55/59) in African lions (Panthera leo). We also detected antibodies to T. gondii in 10.0% (2/20) of blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). Adult cheetahs and leopards were more likely to be seropositive to T. gondii than subadult conspecifics, whereas seroprevalence did not vary with sex, sociality and site. Furthermore, we measured antibodies to N. caninum in 15.4% (2/13) of brown hyenas (Hyaena brunnea) and 2.6% (1/39) of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas). Antibodies to B. besnoiti were detected in 3.4% (2/59) of African lions and 20.0% (4/20) of blue wildebeest. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that Namibian wildlife species were exposed to apicomplexan parasites at different prevalences, depending on parasite and host species. In addition to serological work, molecular work is also needed to better understand the sylvatic cycle and the clear role of wildlife in the epidemiology of these parasites in southern Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Seltmann
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany. .,Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Gereon Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ortwin H K Aschenborn
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Sonja K Heinrich
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Bettina Wachter
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gábor Á Czirják
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
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Nardoni S, Poli A, Varvaro I, Rocchigiani G, Ceccherelli R, Mancianti F. Detection of Neospora Caninum DNA in Wild Birds from Italy. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8040202. [PMID: 31652735 PMCID: PMC6963562 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8040202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of avian species in the Neospora caninum life cycle has not been completely elucidated, and epidemiological data from Europe are scant. The aim of the present report was to evaluate the presence of N. caninum DNA in the tissues of 302 birds belonging to different avian species, along with IFAT titers. Forty-two out of the 302 birds (13.9%) showed low serological titers (1/50 and 1/100) against N. caninum. These data, positive for 31 animals (10.3%), were corroborated by PCR. Twenty-two hearts and eighteen brains scored positive, while nine subjects resulted had parasite DNA both in their hearts and brains. Serological data showed significantly higher results in waterfowl in respect to non-waterfowl avian species. This finding indicates a higher exposure of water birds to the parasite. These avian species, in fact, which feed directly from soil and/or water, are prone to ingest oocysts excreted by final canid hosts. The present study adds information to the state of art of N. caninum epidemiology in Italy, even if more investigations using bio-assays are needed to allow for a serological/parasitological follow-up to evaluate the real impact of the avian species in maintaining the parasite in main reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Nardoni
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Università di Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Poli
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Università di Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Varvaro
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Università di Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Guido Rocchigiani
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Università di Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
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Liu MT, Lv QY, Jiang WX, Li J, Gui BZ, Zheng WB, Zhu XQ, Liu GH. Molecular detection of Neospora caninum from naturally infected four passeriforme birds in China. Acta Trop 2019; 197:105044. [PMID: 31173736 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan infecting many domestic and wild animals. In the present study, the brain tissues of wild birds collected in Hunan province of China were examined by N. caninum specific nested PCR, targeting the Nc-5 gene and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. The prevalence of N. caninum was detected in 15.5% (37/239) of wild birds, including 20.5% (9/44) of the examined olive-backed pipit Anthus hodgsoni, 18.3% (24/131) of the examined tree sparrows Passer montanus, 7.9% (3/38) of the examined chestnut bunting Emberiza rutila and 3.8% (1/26) of the examined yellow-breasted bunting E. aureola. Phylogenetic analyses showed that N. caninum from different hosts and geographical origins are genetically diverse and can be further classified into two distinct groups. Our findings indicated that wild birds are potential source of N. caninum for other animals. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. caninum infection in wild birds in China, which provides a foundation for the prevention and control of this parasite in China and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Ting Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province, 410128, China
| | - Qiu-Yan Lv
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province, 410128, China
| | - Wei-Xing Jiang
- Hunan Wild Animal Rescue and Reproduction Center, Changsha, Hunan province, 410116, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin province, 130062, China
| | - Bin-Ze Gui
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province, 410128, China
| | - Wen-Bin Zheng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province, 410128, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu province, 730046, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province, 410128, China.
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Moreira TR, Sarturi C, Stelmachtchuk FN, Andersson E, Norlander E, de Oliveira FLC, Machado Portela J, Marcili A, Emanuelson U, Gennari SM, Minervino AHH. Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids of Western Pará, Brazil. Acta Trop 2019; 189:39-45. [PMID: 30267659 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids raised for distinct purposes in the western state of Pará, Brazil, and to identify potential risk factors associated with parasite infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted with cluster sampling in 101 farms from 18 municipalities (farm horses). In visited municipalities, samples from sport and cart horses were included. Serum was obtained for detecting antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. using indirect fluorescent antibody test, with a cut-off point of 1:64 and 1:50, respectively. Association analysis, using the chi-square test, was performed to evaluate possible risk factors related to the prevalence of antibodies. A total of 1298 equids were sampled (947 farm, 240 sport, and 111 cart horses), including 1244 horses, 2 donkeys, and 52 mules. The number of equids sampled per property ranged from 1 to 49. Of the total examined, 134 (10.3%) had antibodies against T. gondii, and of the 18 municipalities visited, 11 (61%) had at least one positive animal. Seventy-three of the 1298 equids (5.62%) from 44% of the municipalities tested positive for Neospora spp. The type of the animal (farm, sport, or carthorse) was not associated with the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii; however, antibodies against Neospora spp. was more prevalent in carthorses (P = 0.001) (13.5%) than in farm (5.0%) and sport (4.6%) horses. Breed of the horse and the presence of cats were risk factors for the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii, and presence of dogs was a risk factor for the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora spp. This is the first report of seropositive equids for T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the state of Pará contributing to the knowledge on epidemiology of the two parasites.
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Moura MQD, Macedo MRPD, Terto WDDS, Avila LFDC, Leivas Leite FP, Scaini CJ, Pinto NB, Capella GDA, Strothmann AL, Villela MM, Berne MEA. Detection of Toxocara canis DNA in tissues of experimentally infected mice. Acta Trop 2018; 187:51-56. [PMID: 30053384 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The main etiological agent of toxocariasis is the helminth Toxocara canis. Several difficulties are found in the diagnosis of this disease, because of nonspecific clinical signs and possible cross-reactions that may occur in the available test, the indirect ELISA. Therefore, molecular diagnosis has been indicated as an alternative to conventional diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for the identification of T. canis in tissues of experimentally infected mice. To this end, nine mice were inoculated with 1500 embryonated eggs and were divided into two groups, the first euthanized 48 h (G1) and the other 30 days post inoculation (G2). Lungs, brain, liver and blood were collected from all the animals for DNA Extraction and tissue digestion, also was collected blood samples for DNA extraction and ELISA test (serum). Toxocara canis DNA was identified in all the inoculated animals using the ITS-2 target gene. The PCR test successfully identified the parasite in the brain, lung and liver of the animals euthanized 48 h PI and 30 days PI. This technique yielded good results in the identification of the parasite in the brain, being more sensitive than the method for the recovery of larvae, in the group with acute infection (48 h PI). The infection was confirmed by PCR within 48 h after infection, while the ELISA indicated serological conversion occurred only 14 days after inoculation. This study demonstrates the ability of PCR to identify T. canis in the liver, lungs and brain during acute and chronic infection.
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de Barros LD, Miura AC, Minutti AF, Vidotto O, Garcia JL. Neospora caninum in birds: A review. Parasitol Int 2018; 67:397-402. [PMID: 29614327 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects domestic and wild animals. Canids are considered to be definitive hosts since they may shed oocysts into the environment through their feces. The disease is recognized as one of the major causes of bovine abortion worldwide, leading to important economic losses in the dairy and beef cattle industries. Previous studies have reported N. caninum infection in different species of birds; infection in birds has been associated with increased seroprevalence and reproductive problems in dairy cattle. Although the role of birds in the epidemiological cycle of neosporosis is unknown, birds are exposed to infection because they feed on the ground and could thus contribute to parasite dissemination. This review is focused on the current state of knowledge of neosporosis in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Daniel de Barros
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 km 380, 86057-970 Londrina, PR, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculdades Integradas de Ourinhos, Rodovia BR 153, Km 338+420m, 19909-100 Ourinhos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ana Carolina Miura
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 km 380, 86057-970 Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Flávia Minutti
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 km 380, 86057-970 Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Odilon Vidotto
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 km 380, 86057-970 Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 km 380, 86057-970 Londrina, PR, Brazil
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