1
|
Wang X, Qu L, Chen J, Jin Y, Hu K, Zhou Z, Zhang J, An Y, Zheng J. Toxoplasma rhoptry proteins that affect encephalitis outcome. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:439. [PMID: 38049394 PMCID: PMC10696021 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01742-1] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a widespread obligate intracellular parasite, can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The cellular barrier of the central nervous system (CNS) is generally able to protect the brain parenchyma from infectious damage. However, T. gondii typically causes latent brain infections in humans and other vertebrates. Here, we discuss how T. gondii rhoptry proteins (ROPs) affect signaling pathways in host cells and speculate how this might affect the outcome of Toxoplasma encephalitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Lai Qu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yufen Jin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Kaisong Hu
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Zhengjie Zhou
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yiming An
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jingtong Zheng
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rabaan AA, Uzairue LI, Alfaraj AH, Halwani MA, Muzaheed, Alawfi A, Alshengeti A, Al Kaabi NA, Alawad E, Alhajri M, Alwarthan S, Alshukairi AN, Almuthree SA, Alsubki RA, Alshehri NN, Alissa M, Albayat H, Zaidan TI, Alagoul H, Fraij AA, Alestad JH. Seroprevalence, Risk Factors and Maternal-Fetal Outcomes of Toxoplasma gondii in Pregnant Women from WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens 2023; 12:1157. [PMID: 37764965 PMCID: PMC10537388 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091157] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii may cause serious illness in the immunocompromised. The Toxoplasma gondii seropositive prevalence in pregnant women in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region countries is inconsistent in the literature and it is associated with outcomes that have not be fully elucidated, hence the need for a better understanding of the pooled seroprevalence and associated maternal and fetal outcomes. OBJECTIVE The objective was to conduct a systematic literature review and determine the pooled prevalence of WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional countries' pregnant women's seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and the maternal-fetal outcomes. METHODS This quantitative study examined WHO Eastern Mediterranean countries' maternal-fetal outcomes and Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in pregnant women. The targeted population was pregnant women, while the primary outcome was seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii, while other outcomes such as maternal and fetal associations and risk factors were determined PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, and Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (IMEMR) databases were searched up until 30 January 2023. The search terms used were "Toxoplasma gondii" OR "Toxoplasma infection" AND "Pregnant woman" or pregnan* OR Antenatal OR Prenatal OR Gravidity OR Parturition OR Maternal AND WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region). OpenMeta-Analyst and Jamovi were used to analyze the generated data. RESULTS In total, 95 of 2947 articles meeting the inclusion criteria examined Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in pregnant women from WHO Eastern Mediterranean countries. The pooled prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women was 36.5% (95%CI: 32.6-40.4) with a median value of 35.64%, range values of 1.38-75.30%, with 99.61% heterogeneity. The pooled seroprevalence of IgG of Toxoplasma gondii was 33.5% (95%CI: 29.8-37.2) with a median value of 33.51%, and a range values of 1.38-69.92%; the pooled seroprevalence of IgM was 3.6% (95%CI: 3.1-4.1)) with a median value of 3.62 and range values of 0.20-17.47%, while cases of pooled seroprevalence of both IgG and IgM positivity was 3.0% (95%CI: 1.9-4.4) with a median value of 2.05 and a range values of 0.05-16.62%. Of the Toxoplasma gondii seropositive women, 1281/3389 (34.8%) 174/1765 (32.9%), 1311/3101 (43.7%), and 715/1683 (40.8%) of them had contact with cats, drank unprocessed milk, ate raw or undercooked meat and ate unwashed raw vegetables, respectively. The maternal-fetal outcomes associated with Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity were a history of abortions, miscarriage, stillbirth, intrauterine fetal death, and premature birth, which were found in 868/2990 (32.5%), 112/300 (36.1%), 111/375 (25.7%), 3/157 (1.9%) and 96/362 (20.1%) of women who tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. CONCLUSION The study found a high proportion of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, which may be linked to poor outcomes for mothers and their babies. Thus, pregnant women require monitoring and comprehensive prevention strategies for Toxoplasma gondii infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Leonard Ighodalo Uzairue
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti 371104, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | - Amal H. Alfaraj
- Pediatric Department, Abqaiq General Hospital, First Eastern Health Cluster, Abqaiq 33261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad A. Halwani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha 47810, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muzaheed
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulsalam Alawfi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah 41491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amer Alshengeti
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah 41491, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, National Guard Health Affairs, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Al-Madinah 41491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal A. Al Kaabi
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi 51900, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eman Alawad
- Adult Infectious Diseases Department, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Riyadh 11474, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashael Alhajri
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara Alwarthan
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer N. Alshukairi
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah 21499, Saudi Arabia
| | - Souad A. Almuthree
- Department of Infectious Disease, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah 43442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roua A. Alsubki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nada N. Alshehri
- Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University Medical City, Abha 61481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alissa
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hawra Albayat
- Infectious Disease Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 7790, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tasneem I. Zaidan
- Pediatric Department, King Abdulaziz Hospital, Jeddah 23831, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan Alagoul
- Blood Bank Section, Dammam Regional Laboratory and Blood Bank, Dammam 31411, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Al Fraij
- Medical Laboratories & Blood Bank Department, Jubail Health Network, Eastern Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Jubail 35514, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jeehan H. Alestad
- Immunology and Infectious Microbiology Department, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
- Microbiology Department, Collage of Medicine, Jabriya 46300, Kuwait
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dong W, Zhong Q, Gu YL, Liang N, Zhou YH, Cong XM, Liang JY, Wang XM. Is Toxoplasma gondii infection a concern in individuals with rheumatic diseases? Evidence from a case-control study based on serological diagnosis. Microb Pathog 2023; 182:106257. [PMID: 37460066 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection in clinical cases of rheumatic diseases is increasing, whereas, the relationship between T. gondii infection and rheumatic diseases is still ambiguous and contradictory. Thus, the present case-control study based on serological diagnosis was carried out to identify the underlying relationship between T. gondii infection and rheumatic diseases in China. Serological results showed that rheumatic patients (17.25%, 79/458) had a significantly higher T. gondii seroprevalence than control subjects (10.70%, 49/458) (p = 0.004). However, the difference in T. gondii seroprevalence among clinical rheumatic disease forms was insignificant. Moreover, disease duration not effect the T. gondii seroprevalence in the included clinical rheumatic patients. Three risk factors (presence of cats at home, blood transfusion history, and consumption of raw shellfish) were identified through multivariate analysis to affect the T. gondii seroprevalence in the included clinical rheumatic patients. In conclusion, these results indicate that the latent T. gondii infection in clinical rheumatic patients should cause alarm and attention in the course of future scientific research or clinical treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Dong
- Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, 264200, People's Republic of China
| | - Qun Zhong
- Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, 264200, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Lin Gu
- Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, 264200, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Liang
- Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, 264200, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Hong Zhou
- Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, 264200, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ming Cong
- Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, 264200, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Yang Liang
- Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, 264200, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Ming Wang
- Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, 264200, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shoukat T, Awan UA, Mahmood T, Afzal MS, Wasif S, Ahmed H, Cao J. Epidemiology of Toxoplasmosis among the Pakistani Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060675. [PMID: 35745528 PMCID: PMC9227424 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060675] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular obligate parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection that affects warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide. To comprehensively characterize the disease condition in Pakistan for future reference, we ascertained the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection and predisposing factors in the Pakistani population over a 20-year period. We systematically reviewed research articles published in English (2000−2020) from PubMed and Google Scholar. The search results 26 publications involving 10,924 people and 2611 seropositive cases. The toxoplasmosis seropositivity rate was higher in women (25.44%) as compared to men (21.48%) and were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, seropositivity was high among people with direct contact with cats, who consumed uncooked meat and raw vegetables, had poor education, and lived in rural areas. The 35−65-year age group had the highest prevalence rate of T. gondii infection. Toxoplasma infection was significantly more prevalent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (25.87%) than in Punjab (20.42%) (p < 0.001). This is the first comprehensive analysis of T. gondii infection epidemiology in Pakistan. It reveals a high frequency of infection among women. We strongly encourage further research to aid patient care and the development of more efficient diagnostic tests and preventative techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tehniat Shoukat
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan;
| | - Usman Ayub Awan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22620, Pakistan;
| | - Tahir Mahmood
- Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, College of Computing and Mathematics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia;
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Smart Mobility & Logistics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Sohail Afzal
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore 54770, Pakistan;
| | - Samia Wasif
- Department of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan;
| | - Haroon Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan;
- Correspondence: (H.A.); (J.C.)
| | - Jianping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Shanghai 200025, China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
- The School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Correspondence: (H.A.); (J.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rostami-Mansoor S, Kalantari N, Gorgani-Firouzjaee T, Ghaffari S, Ghasemi-Kasman M. Modulation of mRNA Expression of Monoacylglycerol Lipase, Diacylglycerol Lipase and Cannabinoid Receptor-1 in Mice Experimentally Infected with T. gondii. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MEDICINE 2021; 10:149-155. [PMID: 34703798 PMCID: PMC8496245 DOI: 10.22088/ijmcm.bums.10.2.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, infects more than 30% of world's population. This parasite is considered to be neurotropic, and has high tropism for the central nervous system, and potentially induces cryptogenic epilepsy by no clear mechanism. The current study aimed to investigate the alteration of the main components of the endocannabinoid signaling systems in T. gondii-infected mice. For this purpose, the levels of mRNA expression of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) and cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1), were measured by quantitative real time PCR.The mRNA expression level of MAGL was increased by ~ 8-fold in the brains of the Toxoplasma-infected group in comparison with non-infected mice (P<0.0001). The mRNA expression of CB1 gene in the brain of the infected mice was ~ 2 times higher than that measured in control group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression level of DAGL remained unchanged in the infected mice. Overall a substantial increase in MAGL and CB1 expression without any changes in DAGL, in the brain of infected mice suggests that T. gondii disturbs the endocannabinoid signaling pathways, which are known as neurotransmitter modulators involved in epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Rostami-Mansoor
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Narges Kalantari
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Gorgani-Firouzjaee
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Salman Ghaffari
- Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Maryam Ghasemi-Kasman
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mirahmadi H, Nozari B, Raissi V, Alijani E, Etemadi S. Frequency and parasite load of Toxoplasma gondii in hemodialysis patients based on RE gene by real-time PCR. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
7
|
Adugna B, Tarekegn ZS, Damtie D, Woldegebreal SN, Raju RP, Maru M, Ayele A. Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Northwest Ethiopia. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:1295-1303. [PMID: 33883909 PMCID: PMC8053702 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s299106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening disease in pregnant women, having social and economic impacts due to congenital toxoplasmosis. However, in Ethiopia, it is neglected zoonotic disease, which requires screening and identifying risk factors in pregnant women to plan a public health intervention. Methods This institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed from March to April 2019 to estimate the seropositivity and assess potential risk factors for T. gondii among pregnant women attending antenatal care in four public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. Four hundred and one pregnant women were recruited to collect serum samples. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were tested using Toxo-Latex slide agglutination test. Results Thus, the overall seropositivity for T. gondii was found 70.8% (95% CI: 66.3–75.5). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the average monthly income, occupational status, habits of handwashing practices after handling raw meat, water sources for drinking and agroclimatic situations revealed significant (p < 0.05) effects on seropositivity for T. gondii in pregnant women. Conclusion This survey showed high seropositivity for T. gondii among pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, further studies on bioassay, isolation and genotype of the pathogen are crucial. It also requires action to prevent and control the infection with T. gondii in pregnant women, which poses a potential threat to a foetus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biyansa Adugna
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Semera University, Semera, Ethiopia
| | - Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Debasu Damtie
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.,The Ohio State University Global One Health LLC, Eastern Africa Regional Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Seleshe Nigatu Woldegebreal
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - R P Raju
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Moges Maru
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Abrham Ayele
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhuo X, Du K, Ding H, Lou D, Zheng B, Lu S. A Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase II (CPSII) Deletion Mutant of Toxoplasma gondii Induces Partial Protective Immunity in Mice. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:616688. [PMID: 33519775 PMCID: PMC7840960 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.616688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. T. gondii primarily infection in pregnant women may result in fetal abortion, and infection in immunosuppressed population may result in toxoplasmosis. Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II (CPSII) is a key enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine-biosynthesis pathway, and has a crucial role in parasite replication. We generated a mutant with complete deletion of CPSII via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/cas9 in type-1 RH strain of T. gondii. We tested the intracellular proliferation of this mutant and found that it showed significantly reduced replication in vitro, though CPSII deletion did not completely stop the parasite growth. The immune responses induced by the infection of RHΔCPSII tachyzoites in mice were evaluated. During infection in mice, the RHΔCPSII mutant displayed notable defects in replication and virulence, and significantly enhanced the survival of mice compared with survival of RH-infected mice. We tracked parasite propagation from ascitic fluid in mice infected with the RHΔCPSII mutant, and few tachyzoites were observed at early infection. We also observed that the RHΔCPSII mutant induced greater accumulation of neutrophils. The mutant induced a higher level of T-helper type-1 cytokines [interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12]. The mRNA levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription cellular transcription factor 1 and IFN regulatory factor 8 were significantly higher in the RHΔCPSII mutant-infected group. Together, these data suggest that CPSII is crucial for parasite growth, and that strains lack the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway and salvage pathway may become a promising live attenuated vaccine to prevent infection with T. gondii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xunhui Zhuo
- Department of Immunity and Biochemistry, Institute of Parasitic Disease, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaige Du
- Department of Immunity and Biochemistry, Institute of Parasitic Disease, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Immunity and Biochemistry, Institute of Parasitic Disease, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- Department of Immunity and Biochemistry, Institute of Parasitic Disease, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Lou
- Department of Immunity and Biochemistry, Institute of Parasitic Disease, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Department of Immunity and Biochemistry, Institute of Parasitic Disease, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaohong Lu
- Department of Immunity and Biochemistry, Institute of Parasitic Disease, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|