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Kinsey EN, Korte C, Gouasmia S, L'Ollivier C, Dubey JP, Dumètre A, Darnault CJ. Detection, fate and transport of the biohazardous agent Toxoplasma gondii in soil water systems: Influence of soil physicochemical properties, water chemistry and surfactant. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 15:597-613. [PMID: 37740249 PMCID: PMC10667666 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to study the fate and transport of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in soils as a function of soil physicochemical properties and soil water chemistry properties. Soil columns were homogeneously packed with loamy sand soils (Lewiston and Greenson series) and sandy loam soils (Sparta and Gilford series), and subject to hydrologic conditions characterized by the absence and presence of an anionic surfactant-Aerosol 22 in the artificial rainfall. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was utilized for the detection and enumeration of oocysts in soil leachates to evaluate their breakthrough and in soil matrices to examine their spatial distribution. Differences in the rate and extent of transport of oocysts were observed as a function of physical and chemical parameters tested. The breakthrough of oocysts was observed for all the soils irrespective of the presence of surfactant. However, in the absence of surfactant, the predominant fate of oocysts in soils subject to simulated rainfall was their retention in the soil profile. The presence of surfactant induced a change in the fate of oocysts in these soils exposed to rainfall simulation as the predominant fate of oocysts was found to be in the soil leachates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin N. Kinsey
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesClemson UniversityAndersonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Caroline Korte
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesClemson UniversityAndersonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Sohib Gouasmia
- Aix Marseille UniversityMarseilleFrance
- IHU‐Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
| | - Coralie L'Ollivier
- Aix Marseille UniversityMarseilleFrance
- IHU‐Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
- AP‐HM, Parasitology LaboratoryTimone HospitalMarseilleFrance
| | - Jitender P. Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases LaboratoryBeltsville Agricultural Research CenterBeltsvilleMarylandUSA
| | | | - Christophe J.G. Darnault
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesClemson UniversityAndersonSouth CarolinaUSA
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Augendre L, Costa D, Escotte-Binet S, Aubert D, Villena I, Dumètre A, La Carbona S. Surrogates of foodborne and waterborne protozoan parasites: A review. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2023; 33:e00212. [PMID: 38028241 PMCID: PMC10661733 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00212] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Toxoplasma gondii are major causes of waterborne and foodborne diseases worldwide. The assessment of their removal or inactivation during water treatment and food processing remains challenging, partly because research on these parasites is hindered by various economical, ethical, methodological, and biological constraints. To address public health concerns and gain new knowledge, researchers are increasingly seeking alternatives to the use of such pathogenic parasites. Over the past few decades, several non-pathogenic microorganisms and manufactured microparticles have been evaluated as potential surrogates of waterborne and foodborne protozoan parasites. Here, we review the surrogates that have been reported for C. parvum, C. cayetanensis, and T. gondii oocysts, and discuss their use and relevance to assess the transport, removal, and inactivation of these parasites in food and water matrices. Biological surrogates including non-human pathogenic Eimeria parasites, microorganisms found in water sources (anaerobic and aerobic spore-forming bacteria, algae), and non-biological surrogates (i.e. manufactured microparticles) have been identified. We emphasize that such surrogates have to be carefully selected and implemented depending on the parasite and the targeted application. Eimeria oocysts appear as promising surrogates to investigate in the future the pathogenic coccidian parasites C. cayetanensis and T. gondii that are the most challenging to work with.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Augendre
- EA 7510 ESCAPE Epidemiosurveillance and Circulation of Parasites in the Environment, University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, Faculty of Medicine, SFR Cap Santé Fed 4231, 51 Rue Cognacq Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France
- ACTALIA Food Safety, 310 Rue Popielujko, 50000, Saint-Lô, France
| | - Damien Costa
- EA 7510 ESCAPE Epidemiosurveillance and Circulation of Parasites in the Environment, University of Rouen Normandie, University Hospital of Rouen, 22 Boulevard Gambetta, 76183 Rouen Cedex, France
| | - Sandie Escotte-Binet
- EA 7510 ESCAPE Epidemiosurveillance and Circulation of Parasites in the Environment, University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, Faculty of Medicine, SFR Cap Santé Fed 4231, 51 Rue Cognacq Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- EA 7510 ESCAPE Epidemiosurveillance and Circulation of Parasites in the Environment, University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, Faculty of Medicine, SFR Cap Santé Fed 4231, 51 Rue Cognacq Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- EA 7510 ESCAPE Epidemiosurveillance and Circulation of Parasites in the Environment, University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, Faculty of Medicine, SFR Cap Santé Fed 4231, 51 Rue Cognacq Jay, 51096 Reims Cedex, France
| | - Aurélien Dumètre
- Aix-Marseille University, IRD, AP-HM, IHU Méditerranée Infection, UMR Vectors - Tropical and Mediterranean Infections, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
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Guo Q, Guo X, Ji N, Shen B, Zhong X, Xiao L, Feng Y, Xia N. Role of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase enzyme 1 in growth and virulence of Toxoplasma gondii and development of attenuated live vaccine. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1957-1970. [PMID: 37556171 PMCID: PMC10527188 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous pathogen that infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans, causing substantial socioeconomic and healthcare burdens. However, there is no ideal vaccine for toxoplasmosis. As metabolism is important in the growth and virulence of Toxoplasma, some key pathways are promising antiparasitic targets. Here, we identified 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase 1 (Tg6PGDH1) in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway as a cytoplasmic protein that is dispensable for tachyzoite growth of T. gondii in vitro but critical for virulence and cyst formation in vivo. The depletion of Tg6PGDH1 causes decreased gene transcription involved in signal transduction, transcriptional regulation and virulence. Furthermore, we analysed the protective effect of the ME49Δ6pgdh1 mutant as an attenuated vaccine and found that ME49Δ6pgdh1 immunization stimulated strong protective immunity against lethal challenges and blocked cyst formation caused by reinfection. Furthermore, we showed that ME49Δ6pgdh1 immunization stimulated increased levels of interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies. These data highlight the role of Tg6PGDH1 in the growth and virulence of T. gondii and its potential as a target for the development of a live-attenuated vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghong Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and PreventionSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xuefang Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and PreventionSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Nuo Ji
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and PreventionSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary MedicineHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Materials and EnergySouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Lihua Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and PreventionSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and PreventionSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ningbo Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and PreventionSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Mortari APG, Tagarra LG, de Souza ML, Roman IJ, Ratzlaff FR, Braunig P, de Andrade CM, Cargnelutti JF, Sangioni LA, Vogel FSF. Increased seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dogs in southern Brazil after an outbreak of human toxoplasmosis. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1009-1014. [PMID: 36881160 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07808-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect diverse hosts, including dogs. Although T. gondii infection in dogs is usually subclinical, they are susceptible to infection and develop a specific immune response to the parasite. In 2018, the largest outbreak of human toxoplasmosis in the world occurred in Santa Maria, in southern Brazil; however, the impact of this outbreak on other hosts was not investigated at the time. Considering that dogs often share the same environmental sources of infection as humans, mainly water sources, and that in Brazil, the detection rates of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) in dogs is very high, this study investigated the frequency of anti-T. gondii IgG in dogs in Santa Maria before and after the outbreak. A total of 2.245 serum samples were analyzed, 1159 collected before the outbreak and 1086 collected after the outbreak. Serum samples were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The infection detection of T. gondii was 16% (185/1159) before the outbreak and 43% (466/1086) after the outbreak. These results showed the infection of dogs with T. gondii and the high frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies in dogs after the outbreak in humans in 2018, reinforcing water as a possible source of infection and the importance of including toxoplasmosis in the differential diagnosis of dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Gnocato Mortari
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Larissa Godoy Tagarra
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Michelli Lopes de Souza
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Isac Junior Roman
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Raquel Ratzlaff
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Patricia Braunig
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Cínthia Melazzo de Andrade
- Laboratório Clínico Veterinário (LCV), Departamento de Clínica de Pequenos Animais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Hospital Veterinário, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana Felipetto Cargnelutti
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia (LABAC), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Luis Antonio Sangioni
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Silveira Flôres Vogel
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Santa Maria, Rio Grande Do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil.
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Etougbétché JR, Hamidović A, Dossou HJ, Coan-Grosso M, Roques R, Plault N, Houéménou G, Badou S, Missihoun AA, Abdou Karim IY, Galal L, Diagne C, Dardé ML, Dobigny G, Mercier A. Molecular prevalence, genetic characterization and patterns of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic small mammals from Cotonou, Benin. Parasite 2022; 29:58. [PMID: 36562439 PMCID: PMC9879161 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022058] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans and animals, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Small mammals play a key role as intermediate reservoir hosts in the maintenance of the T. gondii life cycle. In this study, we estimated the molecular prevalence and provide genetic diversity data for T. gondii in 632 small mammals sampled in four areas of Cotonou city, Benin. Both the brain and heart of each individual were screened through T. gondii-targeting qPCR, and positive samples were then genotyped using a set of 15 T. gondii-specific microsatellites. Prevalence data were statistically analyzed in order to assess the relative impact of individual host characteristics, spatial distribution, composition of small mammal community, and urban landscape features. An overall T. gondii molecular prevalence of 15.2% was found and seven genotypes, all belonging to the Africa 1 lineage, could be retrieved from the invasive black rat Rattus rattus and the native African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri. Statistical analyses did not suggest any significant influence of the environmental parameters used in this study. Rather, depending on the local context, T. gondii prevalence appeared to be associated either with black rat, shrew, or mouse abundance or with the trapping period. Overall, our results highlight the intricate relationships between biotic and abiotic factors involved in T. gondii epidemiology and suggest that R. rattus and C. olivieri are two competent reservoirs for the Africa 1 lineage, a widespread lineage in tropical Africa and the predominant lineage in Benin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas R. Etougbétché
- Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions Biologiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi 01 BP 2009 Cotonou Benin,Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et d’Analyse des Génomes, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi 01BP 526 Cotonou Bénin,Corresponding authors: ;
| | - Azra Hamidović
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, Omega Health 87000 Limoges France
| | - Henri-Joël Dossou
- Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions Biologiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi 01 BP 2009 Cotonou Benin,Institut du Cadre de Vie (ICaV), Université d’Abomey-Calavi BP 2899 Abomey-Calavi Benin
| | - Maeva Coan-Grosso
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, Omega Health 87000 Limoges France
| | - Roxane Roques
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, Omega Health 87000 Limoges France
| | - Nicolas Plault
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, Omega Health 87000 Limoges France
| | - Gualbert Houéménou
- Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions Biologiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi 01 BP 2009 Cotonou Benin
| | - Sylvestre Badou
- Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions Biologiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi 01 BP 2009 Cotonou Benin
| | - Antoine A. Missihoun
- Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et d’Analyse des Génomes, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi 01BP 526 Cotonou Bénin
| | - Issaka Youssao Abdou Karim
- Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Animale et de Technologie des Viandes, Université d’Abomey-Calavi 01 BP 2009 Cotonou Benin
| | - Lokman Galal
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, Omega Health 87000 Limoges France
| | - Christophe Diagne
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR CBGP (IRD, INRA, Cirad, Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier Université d’Excellence 755 avenue du campus Agropolis 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez Cedex France
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, Omega Health 87000 Limoges France,Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren 87000 Limoges France
| | - Gauthier Dobigny
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR CBGP (IRD, INRA, Cirad, Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier Université d’Excellence 755 avenue du campus Agropolis 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez Cedex France,Unité Peste, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar BP 1274 Ambatofotsikely Avaradoha 101 Antananarivo Madagascar
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, Omega Health 87000 Limoges France,Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren 87000 Limoges France
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TOXOPLASMA GONDII PREVALENCE, PARTIAL GENOTYPES, AND SPATIAL VARIATION IN NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTERS (LONTRA CANADENSIS) IN THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN, USA. J Wildl Dis 2022; 58:869-881. [PMID: 36321926 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasitic protozoan that poses a health threat to wildlife and human health worldwide. Oocysts shed into the environment in felid host feces may persist for several years. Runoff from rainfall and snowmelt may carry the oocysts into waterways. Semiaquatic mammals such as the Northern American river otter (Lontra canadensis) are particularly at risk of exposure, as they may encounter infective stages in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Despite this risk, only a small number of studies have examined the prevalence of T. gondii in US river otter populations. Tongue tissue was sampled from 124 otters from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan submitted by trappers to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the 2018-19 harvest season. Following DNA extraction, a portion of the B1 T. gondii gene was amplified with PCR. A subset of positive samples was genotyped for comparison with known T. gondii sequences. Of the 124 tongue samples, 35 (28%) were positive for T. gondii. Prevalence did not differ significantly between sexes or age classes across the entire study area. Most (53.8%) of the genotyped samples were type 4 (type 12), a genotype commonly found in North American wildlife. Genotypes 127 and 197 were also found. Three clusters of T. gondii prevalence were identified through SaTScan analysis, although they were not significant. When modeling prevalence of T. gondii with covariates at individual otter locations, the top three models included the presence of Sarcocystis, area of exotic plants, area of agriculture, and sex of the otter. Our results suggest that T. gondii is widespread in otter populations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
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Abstract
Purpose of Review Review building of programs to eliminate Toxoplasma infections. Recent Findings
Morbidity and mortality from toxoplasmosis led to programs in USA, Panama, and Colombia to facilitate understanding, treatment, prevention, and regional resources, incorporating student work. Summary Studies foundational for building recent, regional approaches/programs are reviewed. Introduction provides an overview/review of programs in Panamá, the United States, and other countries. High prevalence/risk of exposure led to laws mandating testing in gestation, reporting, and development of broad-based teaching materials about Toxoplasma. These were tested for efficacy as learning tools for high-school students, pregnant women, medical students, physicians, scientists, public health officials and general public. Digitized, free, smart phone application effectively taught pregnant women about toxoplasmosis prevention. Perinatal infection care programs, identifying true regional risk factors, and point-of-care gestational screening facilitate prevention and care. When implemented fully across all demographics, such programs present opportunities to save lives, sight, and cognition with considerable spillover benefits for individuals and societies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40124-022-00269-w.
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de Barros RAM, Torrecilhas AC, Marciano MAM, Mazuz ML, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Fux B. Toxoplasmosis in Human and Animals Around the World. Diagnosis and Perspectives in the One Health Approach. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106432. [PMID: 35390311 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a unique health disease that significantly affects the health of humans, domestic animals, wildlife and is present in ecosystems, including water, soil and food. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the best-adapted parasites in the word. This parasite is able to persist for long periods in its hosts, in different geographic regions of the word. This review summarizes the current literature of these themes, focusing on: (1) toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection; (2) One health approach and toxoplasmosis; (3) human toxoplasmosis; (4) animal toxoplasmosis; (5) toxoplasmosis diagnosis, as immunological, parasitological and molecular diagnosis; (6) T. gondii outbreaks caused by infected meat, milk and dairy products, as well as, vegetables and water consume; (7) studies in experimental models; (8) genetic characterization of T. gondii strains; (9) extracellular vesicles and miRNA; and (10) future perspectives on T. gondii and toxoplasmosis. The vast prevalence of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals and the dispersion and resistence of T. gondii parasites in environment highlight the importance of the one health approach in diagnostic and control of the disease. Here the different aspects of the one health approach are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Aparecida Müller de Barros
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Diadema, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil..
| | | | - Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israeli Veterinary Service and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Beit Dagan, 5025000, Israel..
| | | | - Blima Fux
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
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9
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Ahmadpour E, Rahimi MT, Ghojoghi A, Rezaei F, Hatam-Nahavandi K, Oliveira SMR, de Lourdes Pereira M, Majidiani H, Siyadatpanah A, Elhamirad S, Cong W, Pagheh AS. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Marine Animal Species, as a Potential Source of Food Contamination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:592-605. [PMID: 35038109 PMCID: PMC8761968 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00507-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many marine animals are infected and susceptible to toxoplasmosis, which is considered as a potential transmission source of Toxoplasma gondii to other hosts, especially humans. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection among sea animal species worldwide and highlight the existing gaps. METHODS Data collection was systematically done through searching databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science from 1997 to July 2020. RESULTS Our search strategy resulted in the retrieval of 55 eligible studies reporting the prevalence of marine T. gondii infection. The highest prevalence belonged to mustelids (sea otter) with 54.8% (95% CI 34.21-74.57) and cetaceans (whale, dolphin, and porpoise) with 30.92% (95% CI 17.85-45.76). The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with 41 records and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with 30 records were the most applied diagnostic techniques for T. gondii detection in marine species. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated the geographic distribution and spectrum of infected marine species with T. gondii in different parts of the world. The spread of T. gondii among marine animals can affect the health of humans and other animals; in addition, it is possible that marine mammals act as sentinels of environmental contamination, especially the parasites by consuming water or prey species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Altin Ghojoghi
- Department of Fisheries, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgān, Iran
| | | | | | - Sónia M R Oliveira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Hamidreza Majidiani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Samira Elhamirad
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 9717853577, Birjand, Iran
| | - Wei Cong
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, China
| | - Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 9717853577, Birjand, Iran.
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10
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Is Immuno-PCR Better than ELISA Test for Detection of Toxoplasma gondii IgG Antibody? Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:904-911. [PMID: 35332384 PMCID: PMC8945868 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00537-1] [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: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION IgG antibodies against T. gondii persist for years, and can act as a reliable serological biomarker for the diagnosis of previous exposure to this parasite. Hence, the current investigation was designed to compare diagnostic power of immuno-polymerase chain reaction (iPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods for detection of T. gondii IgG antibody. METHODS Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were measured by the ELISA method in 81 participants. In addition, detection of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis was performed via the ELISA IgG avidity. The set-up of iPCR was carried out and then, serum IgG of subjects were detected using the iPCR method. RESULTS Of 81 samples, 4 (4.9%) and 30 (37%) cases were be found positive for IgM and IgG against T. gondii in the ELISA method, respectively. Moreover, of 81 specimens, 42 (51.9%) and 39 (48.1%) samples had low-avidity IgG and high-avidity IgG by the IgG avidity kit, respectively. While, 59 (72.8%) of 81 samples were detected positive using the iPCR technique. Kappa (κ) value coefficient, between the iPCR and ELISA (for IgG) showed a strong agreement (0.360, p value < 0.001). A value of 0.25 I.U./ml for serum IgG [area under curve (AUC) = 0.720 (CI = 0.613-0.827); p = 0.002] was the cut-off value to differentiating between positive and negative toxoplasmosis (with sensitivity 66.0% and specificity 60.0%). CONCLUSION Our findings indicated despite a strong agreement shown between iPCR and ELISA methods, the diagnostic power of iPCR technique was more sensitive than ELISA test for detection of T. gondii IgG antibody. However, more complementary investigations are widely needed in this regard.
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11
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Aziz MN, Iqbal RK, Irfan M, Parveen A, Asif M, Ozubek S, Aktas M, Said MB, Iqbal F. First report on molecular epidemiology, seasonality and phylogeny of Toxoplasma gondii infecting goats from Khanewal district in Punjab, Pakistan. Acta Trop 2022; 228:106304. [PMID: 34998999 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Raising small ruminants is the main source of income for farmers in Pakistan. Economic losses caused by Toxoplasma gondii to small ruminants have been reported worldwide, however reports on molecular detection of T. gondii are lacking in Pakistan despite a large goat population. The current study was carried out from March 2019 till February 2020 to report the seasonal and molecular prevalence of T. gondii in different breeds of goats located in Khanewal district of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 898 blood goat samples were collected during the four seasons and screened for T. gondii DNA by using PCR based on the amplification of ITS-1 partial sequence. Out of 898 goats, 48 (5.3%) were found positive to T. gondii. The prevalence of T. gondii varied according to season (Chi square test,P = 0.016) and the highest prevalence was observed in goats tested during the summer (8.8%) followed by the spring (5.7%), the winter (4.4%) and the autumn season (2.2%). PCR products positive to T. gondii were confirmed by DNA sequencing and BLAST analysis. Phylogenetic study based on ITS 1 gene provided evidence that the amplified isolates of T. gondii were highly conserved in Pakistani goats. Buck (Fischer exact test, P = 0.002) and farms containing other dairy animals next to goats (Fischer exact test, P = 0.001) and farms with a water supply from pools (Fischer exact test, P = 0.001) were more infected with T. gondii. Infected goats had a reduction on red blood cell count (Two-sample t test, P = 0.01) and hemoglobin concentration (Two-sample t test, P = 0.03) and an increase in the number of monocytes (%) (Two-sample t test, P = 0.05), mean cell hemoglobin (Two-sample t test, P = 0.01) and serum creatinine (Two-sample t test, P = 0.01) as compared to T. gondii uninfected goats. In conclusion, we report a relatively low PCR based prevalence of T. gondii in goats from Khanewal district as previously the serum ELISA test based prevalence of T. gondii in Pakistani goats varied between 19-52%. Control measures should be taken to eradicate T. gondii infection in goats of the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Naveed Aziz
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Rana Khalid Iqbal
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Asia Parveen
- Zoology Division, Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asif
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Sezayi Ozubek
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Parasitology, University of Firat, 23119 Elazig, Turkey
| | - Munir Aktas
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Parasitology, University of Firat, 23119 Elazig, Turkey
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de La Manouba, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia; Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Sidi Thabet, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université de La Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
| | - Furhan Iqbal
- Zoology Division, Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
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12
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Hsieh MJ, Yang WC. A Field-Deployable Insulated Isothermal PCR (iiPCR) for the Global Surveillance of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Cetaceans. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040506. [PMID: 35203214 PMCID: PMC8868103 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Since high trophic levels marine mammal species share the coastal environments and diets with humans, cetaceans provide an indication of contaminant bioaccumulation in humans and may serve as sentinels for public health problems. Parasite monitoring in marine sentinels can assist in evaluating the quality of the aquatic ecosystem’s health. T. gondii infection in cetaceans is an indicator of land-to-sea coastal pollution. Although T. gondii infection cases in cetaceans have been reported in several countries, an information gap still exists in some areas. The present study employs a portable insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR) with an automatic extraction device as a rapid, affordable, user-friendly, and field-deployable platform to rapidly detect nucleic acid of T. gondii in stranded cetaceans. The platform utilizes duplex iiPCR designed to simultaneously detect T. gondii and a housekeeping gene of cetacean on the samples, which can prevent the false-negative results of pathogen detection and improve the accuracy of surveillance. This study would contribute to improving the environment through the warning of the sentinel animals and building new strategies by detecting the occurrence of land-based biological pollution. Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease with veterinary and public health importance worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii infection in cetaceans is an indicator of land-to-sea oocyst pollution. However, there is a critical knowledge gap within the distribution of the T. gondii infection in cetaceans. To facilitate the global surveillance of this important zoonotic pathogen, we developed a field-deployable duplex insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR) with automated magnetic bead-based DNA extraction for the on-site detection of T. gondii in stranded cetaceans. It targets the B1 gene of T. gondii combined with β2-microglobulin (B2M) gene of cetaceans as an internal control. Compared with the conventional qPCR assay, B1/B2M duplex iiPCR assay showed comparable sensitivity (21~86 bradyzoites in 25 mg of tissue) to detect spike-in standard of T. gondii DNA in cerebrum, cerebellum, skeletal muscle and myocardium tissues. Moreover, the overall agreement between the duplex iiPCR and qPCR was in almost perfect agreement (92%; 95% CI: 0.78–0.90; κ = 0.84) in detecting a synthetic spike-in standards. The B1/B2M iiPCR assay coupled with a field-deployable system provides a prompt (~1.5 h), feasible, highly sensitive and specific on-site diagnostic tool for T. gondii in stranded cetaceans. This platform provides one approach to evaluating aquatic ecosystem health and developing early warnings about negative impacts on humans and marine animals.
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13
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Saito T, Kitamura Y, Tanaka E, Ishigami I, Taniguchi Y, Moribe J, Kitoh K, Takashima Y. Spatial distribution of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody-positive wild boars in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17207. [PMID: 34446779 PMCID: PMC8390498 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96758-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a globally wide-spread parasite that infects almost all species of mammals and birds, including humans. We studied the spatial distribution of individual T. gondii-seropositive wild boar in Gifu Prefecture (10,621 km2), Japan. Altogether, 744 wild boars were captured at 663 points around human settlements in Gifu Prefecture. Serum samples were collected after recording the exact capture locations, along with each wild boar’s body length and sex. We then used a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for swine to measure anti-T. gondii antibodies in these animals. Among the 744 wild boars, 169 tested positive for T. gondii (22.7%). No significant difference in T. gondii seroprevalence was observed between the mountainous northern region with high winter snow cover and the mild-wintered geographical plain of the southern part of the prefecture. In contrast, 8 of the 11 wild boars that were captured in a public park surrounded by residential areas showed T. gondii seropositivity (72.7%), a value significantly higher than those of the wild boar populations in the other prefecture areas. This in-depth analysis, which spans the big city suburbs and rural areas of a whole prefecture, explains the seroprevalence of zoonotic T. gondii in wild boar and has public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taizo Saito
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Yuko Kitamura
- Gifu Prefectural Chuo Livestock Hygiene Service Center, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1112, Japan.,Department of Applied Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Eiji Tanaka
- Gifu Prefectural Chuo Livestock Hygiene Service Center, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1112, Japan
| | - Itsuki Ishigami
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Yuji Taniguchi
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Junji Moribe
- School of Social System Management, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan.,Laboratory of Wildlife Resources, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Katsuya Kitoh
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan.,Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan. .,Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan.
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14
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Pinto-Ferreira F, Paschoal ATP, Pasquali AKS, Bernardes JC, Caldart ET, Freire RL, Mitsuka-Breganó R, Navarro IT. Techniques for inactivating Toxoplasma gondii oocysts: a systematic review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e026420. [PMID: 34076055 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The oocyst, a resistant form of Toxoplasma gondii, plays an important role in the transmission of this protozoan. The objective of this review was to report the methods capable of inactivating oocysts through a systematic review of the literature carried out in the Scientific Electronic Library Online, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus databases. The keywords searched were (((effects OR infectivity OR resistance) AND Toxoplasma) AND oocyst). We selected 16 articles that described 309 different treatments. Among all the protocols evaluated, 35.60% (110/309) were effective in inactivating oocysts. Physical methods were more effective than other methods (p <0.05). Sporulated oocysts and the T. gondii VEG strain were more resistant (p <0.05) to treatments. Although it is effective against viruses and bacteria, the use of disinfectants in water has little or no effect on T. gondii oocysts. The use of radiation and pressure were effective in inactivating oocysts, as these treatments do not include changes in temperature, they can be used in foods for raw consumption, such as vegetables, as it will not cause substantially changes in their physical and chemical characteristics. Therefore, these methods can be viable alternatives for the control of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | | | | | - Juliana Correa Bernardes
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Eloiza Teles Caldart
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Roberta Lemos Freire
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Regina Mitsuka-Breganó
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Italmar Teodorico Navarro
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
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15
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Hatam-Nahavandi K, Calero-Bernal R, Rahimi MT, Pagheh AS, Zarean M, Dezhkam A, Ahmadpour E. Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic and wild felids as public health concerns: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9509. [PMID: 33947922 PMCID: PMC8097069 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89031-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Felidae as definitive hosts for Toxoplasma gondii play a major role in transmission to all warm-blooded animals trough oocysts dissemination. Therefore the current comprehensive study was performed to determine the global status of T. gondii infection in domestic and wild felids aiming to provide comprehensive data of interest for further intervention approaching the One Health perspective. Different databases were searched by utilizing particular key words for publications related to T. gondii infecting domestic and wild feline host species, worldwide, from 1970 to 2020. The review of 337 reports showed that the seroprevalence of T. gondii in domestic cats and wild felids was estimated in 37.5% (95% CI 34.7-40.3) (I2 = 98.3%, P < 0.001) and 64% (95% CI 60-67.9) (I2 = 88%, P < 0.0001), respectively. The global pooled prevalence of oocysts in the fecal examined specimens from domestic cats was estimated in 2.6% (95% CI 1.9-3.3) (I2 = 96.1%, P < 0.0001), and that in fecal samples from wild felids was estimated in 2.4% (95% CI 1.1-4.2) (I2 = 86.4%, P < 0.0001). In addition, from 13,252 examined soil samples in 14 reviewed studies, the pooled occurrence of T. gondii oocysts was determined in 16.2% (95% CI 7.66-27.03%). The observed high rates of anti-T. gondii antibodies seroprevalence levels and oocyst excretion frequency in the felids, along with soil (environmental) contamination with oocysts may constitute a potential threat to animal and public health, and data will result of interest in further prophylaxis programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- grid.4795.f0000 0001 2157 7667SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mohammad Taghi Rahimi
- grid.444858.10000 0004 0384 8816Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- grid.411701.20000 0004 0417 4622Infectious Diseases Research Canter, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Mehdi Zarean
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Asiyeh Dezhkam
- School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- grid.412888.f0000 0001 2174 8913Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ,grid.412888.f0000 0001 2174 8913Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ,grid.412888.f0000 0001 2174 8913Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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16
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Niehaus C, Spínola M, Su C, Rojas N, Rico-Chávez O, Ibarra-Cerdeña CN, Foley J, Suzán G, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Chaves A. Environmental factors associated With Toxoplasma gondii Exposure in Neotropical Primates of Costa Rica. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:583032. [PMID: 33195604 PMCID: PMC7642457 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.583032] [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: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been found in more than 350 species of homoeothermic vertebrates in diverse climates and geographic areas. In most animals, T. gondii produces mild or asymptomatic infection. However, acute and hyperacute toxoplasmosis is associated with high mortality rates observed in Neotropical primates (NP) in captivity. These primates are distributed in 20 countries across the Americas, and although infection has been reported in certain countries and species, toxoplasmosis in the wild and its impact on NP population survival is unknown. Differences among species in exposure rates and disease susceptibility may be due in part to differences in host behavior and ecology. Four species of NP are found in Costa Rica, i.e., howler (Alouatta palliata), spider (Ateles geoffroyi), capuchin (Cebus imitator), and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedii). This study reports NP exposure to T. gondii using the modified agglutination test in 245 serum samples of NP (198 wild and 47 from captivity) from Costa Rica. Associations of serostatus with environmental (forest cover, annual mean temperature), anthropogenic (human population density), and biological (sex) variables in howler and capuchin monkeys were evaluated. The seroprevalence among wild NP was 11.6% (95% CI = 7.7–17.34), compared with 60% in captive monkeys (95% CI = 44.27–73.63), with significant differences between species (X2 = 20.072; df = 3, p = 0.000164), suggesting an effect of behavior and ecology. In general, antibody titers were low for wild NP (<1:128) and high for captive NP (>1:8192), suggesting higher exposure due to management factors and increased life span in captivity. Seropositivity in howler monkeys was positively related to forest cover and inversely related to annual rainfall. For capuchins, annual rainfall was inversely related to seropositivity. Surveillance of T. gondii exposure in NP in captivity and in the wild is required to understand drivers of the infection and develop novel strategies to protect them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Niehaus
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Posgrado Regional en Ciencias Veterinarias Tropicales, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Manuel Spínola
- Instituto Internacional de Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Norman Rojas
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Oscar Rico-Chávez
- Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos N Ibarra-Cerdeña
- Departamento de Ecología Humana, Centro de Investigaciones y de Estudios de Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav), Unidad Mérida, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Janet Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Gerardo Suzán
- Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Andrea Chaves
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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17
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Krecek RC, Rabinowitz PM, Conrad PA. Demystifying and Demonstrating the Value of a One Health Approach to Parasitological Challenges. Vet Parasitol 2020; 287:109202. [PMID: 33045550 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health and encourages collaboration between diverse disciplines to address complex health problems. In this paper, 3 academics, with diverse training, experience and backgrounds who each work on different pathogenic parasites, will share their stories of tackling parasitic challenges by applying a One Health approach. The pathogenic parasites to be discussed include the helminth Taenia solium and protozoans Giardia, Theileria, Babesia, Neospora and Toxoplasma species. The 3 narratives focus on research and clinical case-based challenges and illustrate where collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health scientists either has or could lead to improved control of human and animal health as well as important research discoveries. The need for better evaluation of interventions and scientific evidence to support changes in clinical practice and encourage enhanced collaboration between human and veterinary clinicians, as well as new governmental policies to improve public and wildlife health, are described. The need for a range of evidence-based metrics to monitor the success and impact of the One Health approach to veterinary parasitology is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosina C Krecek
- 4302 Berwick Place, College Station, Texas 77845, United States; Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa
| | - Peter M Rabinowitz
- Departments of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Global Health, Family Medicine, University of Washington Center for One Health Research, 1959 NE Pacific Street HSB F551, Box 357234, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Patricia A Conrad
- One Health Institute and Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1 Shields Avenue, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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18
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Bawm S, Phyu AZ, Chel HM, Htun LL, Nakao R, Katakura K. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in household cats in Myanmar and molecular identification of parasites using feline faecal oocysts. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2020; 20:e00094. [PMID: 32995585 PMCID: PMC7502821 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Felids play an important role in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to humans and other animals since they can excrete millions of oocysts into the environment as definitive hosts. In the present study, seroprevalence and risk factors of feline Toxoplasma infection were investigated, and molecular identification was conducted for T. gondii oocysts isolated from faecal samples of seropositive cats. A total of 276 cat serum samples collected from the Yangon, Myanmar were tested for T. gondii antibodies by ELISA. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 41.30% (114 seropositive cats). Age between 1 and 6 years (OR = 3.284; 95% CI = 1.462-7.375), age > 6 years (OR = 4.560; 95% CI = 1.588-13.100) and sex (OR = 1.725; 95% CI = 1.026-2.899) were found to be significant (P < 0.05) factors associated with T. gondii infection. DNA samples extracted from a single oocyst of seropositive cats were employed in three PCR assays amplifying parasite TOX-element and mitochondrial COI, and SAG2 locus. The obtained sequences of TOX-elements (n = 6) and COI (n = 5) were identical to those of T. gondii previously deposited in Genbank. SAG2 PCR yielded three different sequences, all of which were clustered with Type I T. gondii isolates in a phylogenetic tree. This study reported the seroprevalence and risk factors for T. gondii infection in cats and provided the molecular information on the parasite in Myanmar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saw Bawm
- Department of International Relations and Information Technology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | - Aye Zar Phyu
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Hla Myet Chel
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Lat Lat Htun
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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19
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Pineda CO, Leal DAG, Fiuza VRDS, Jose J, Borelli G, Durigan M, Pena HFJ, Bueno Franco RM. Toxoplasma
gondii
oocysts,
Giardia
cysts and
Cryptosporidium
oocysts in outdoor swimming pools in Brazil. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:785-795. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Ortiz Pineda
- Laboratório de Protozoologia Departamento de Biologia Animal Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
| | - Diego Averaldo Guiguet Leal
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Ambiental Departamento de Patologia Básica, Setor de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) Curitiba Brazil
| | - Vagner Ricardo da Silva Fiuza
- Instituto de Biociências, Parasitologia Animal Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Campo Grande Brazil
| | - Juliana Jose
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão Departamento de Genética Evolução e Bioagentes Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
| | - Guilherme Borelli
- Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão Departamento de Genética Evolução e Bioagentes Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
| | | | - Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Universidade de São Paulo (USP) São Paulo Brazil
| | - Regina Maura Bueno Franco
- Laboratório de Protozoologia Departamento de Biologia Animal Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
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20
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Nasiru Wana M, Mohd Moklas MA, Watanabe M, Zasmy Unyah N, Alhassan Abdullahi S, Ahmad Issa Alapid A, Nordin N, Basir R, Abd Majid R. Molecular Detection and Genetic Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Cat Faeces from Klang Valley, Malaysia, Using B1 and REP Genes in 2018. Pathogens 2020; 9:E576. [PMID: 32708648 PMCID: PMC7400314 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The major route for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is through the ingestion of foods contaminated with oocyst from cat faeces. The microscopic detection of T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces is challenging, which contributes to the failure of detecting or differentiating it from other related coccidian parasites. This study aims to detect T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces using two multicopy-target PCR assays and to evaluate their genetic diversity. Cat faecal (200) samples were collected from pet cats (PCs; 100) and free-roaming cats (FRCs; 100) within Klang Valley, Malaysia, and screened for coccidian oocysts by microscopy using Sheather's sucrose floatation. PCR assays were performed on each faecal sample, targeting a B1 gene and a repetitive element (REP) gene to confirm T. gondii oocysts. Additionally, the PCR amplicons from the REP gene were sequenced to further confirm T. gondii-positive samples for phylogenetic analysis. Microscopy detected 7/200 (3.5%) T. gondii-like oocysts, while both the B1 gene and the REP gene detected 17/200 (8.5%) samples positive for T. gondii. All samples that were microscopically positive for T. gondii-like oocysts were also shown to be positive by both B1 and REP genes. The BLAST results sequenced for 16/200 (8.0%) PCR-positive T. gondii samples revealed homology and genetic heterogeneity with T. gondii strains in the GenBank, except for only one positive sample that did not show a result. There was almost perfect agreement (k = 0.145) between the two PCR assays targeting the B1 gene and the REP gene. This is the first report on microscopic, molecular detection and genetic diversity of T. gondii from cat faecal samples in Malaysia. In addition, the sensitivities of either the B1 gene or REP gene multicopy-target PCR assays are suitable for the accurate detection of T. gondii from cat faeces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Nasiru Wana
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi 740272, Nigeria
| | - Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Malaika Watanabe
- Department of Companion Animal Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Ngah Zasmy Unyah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.)
| | - Sharif Alhassan Abdullahi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano 700241, Nigeria
| | - Ashraf Ahmad Issa Alapid
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science-Alasaba, University of Gharyan, Gharyan 010101, Libya
| | - Norshariza Nordin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Rusliza Basir
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Roslaini Abd Majid
- Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kem Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
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21
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da Cunha GR, Pellizzaro M, Martins CM, Rocha SM, Yamakawa AC, da Silva EC, dos Santos AP, Morikawa VM, Langoni H, Biondo AW. Spatial serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in individuals with animal hoarding disorder and their dogs in Southern Brazil. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233305. [PMID: 32413075 PMCID: PMC7228105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite vulnerability and unsanitary conditions of animal hoarding may predispose environmental contamination and spread of vectors and pathogens, no study to date has focused on their impact on public health and zoonotic diseases. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and associated factors in individuals with animal hoarding disorder (AHD) and their dogs in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 264 dogs (21 households) and 19 individuals with AHD (11 households). Their blood was tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Overall, anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity was found in 21/264 dogs (7.95%; 95% CI: 4.69–11.22) with titers ranging from 16 to 4096, and in 7/19 individuals with AHD (36.84%; CI: 15.15–58.53) with titers ranging from 16 to 64. Serological analysis for anti-T. gondii antibodies were considered positive in at least one individual or dog in 9/11 (81.82%; 95% CI: 59.03–100.00) cases that were thoroughly assessed. Surprisingly, the seropositivity of individuals with AHD and their dogs was among the lowest reportedly observed in human and dog populations of Brazil. There was no significant association between positive owners and positive dogs or the presence of cats in the household. Regard epidemiological variables, a significant association was found between dog’s seropositivity and the type of dog food. To the authors’ knowledge, the present study represents the first investigation of T. gondii seroprevalence in individuals with hoarding disorder and their dogs. In conclusion, despite low sanitary conditions, anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies frequency in individuals with AHD and their dogs are lower than the general population likely due to low protozoan load in such isolated households.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maysa Pellizzaro
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Camila Marinelli Martins
- Department of Nursing and Public Health, Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
- AAC&T Research Consulting, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Suzana Maria Rocha
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Yamakawa
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Evelyn Cristine da Silva
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrea Pires dos Santos
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Vivien Midori Morikawa
- Department of Collective Health, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Secretary of Environment, Curitiba City Hall, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Hélio Langoni
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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22
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Zamora-Vélez A, Triviño J, Cuadrado-Ríos S, Lora-Suarez F, Enrique Gómez-Marín J. Detection and genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in feces of domestic cats in Colombia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 27:25. [PMID: 32302287 PMCID: PMC7164795 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the human population in Colombia has been linked to the existence of a high density of urban stray cats, exposing the whole population to a high density of oocysts. The goal of this study was to determine the DNA prevalence of T. gondii by conventional PCR and to phylogenetically analyze ROP18 sequences from positive samples in domestic cat (Felis catus) fecal samples in the city of Armenia, Quindío. Fecal samples from 140 cats were collected from 10 districts around the city. Samples were concentrated using Ritchie’s method and analyzed through optical microscopy. Concentrates were used for DNA extraction followed by nested PCR amplification for T. gondii gene B1. PCR for ROP18 was performed on all B1 positive samples; the ROP18 sequences obtained were related to the Archetype I Brazilian and Chinese strains. No oocysts were detected by optical microscopy; however, 17.8% (25/140) B1 and 24% (6/25) ROP18 PCR-positive samples were detected. Phylogenetic analyses showed that isolates clustered into a single group. We assessed whether associations existed between T. gondii positive fecal samples and survey variables such as cat healthcare and socioeconomic characteristics of owners, but no statistically significant associations were found. The presence of T. gondii in cat feces is an important factor contributing to the high prevalence in the human population of this city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Zamora-Vélez
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología y Micología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Quindío, 630004 Armenia, Colombia
| | - Jessica Triviño
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología y Micología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Quindío, 630004 Armenia, Colombia
| | - Sebastián Cuadrado-Ríos
- Grupo de Biodiversidad y Conservación Genética, Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 111321 Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fabiana Lora-Suarez
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología y Micología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Quindío, 630004 Armenia, Colombia
| | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología y Micología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Quindío, 630004 Armenia, Colombia
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23
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Rocha KDS, Lima MDS, Monteiro TRM, Honorio BET, Pinho APVB, Paz GSD, Scofield A, Cavalcante GG, Magalhães-Matos PC, Sampaio Junior FD, Abel I, Langoni H, Moraes CCGD. Serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats (Belém, Pará, Brazil). REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2020; 29:e022719. [PMID: 32609246 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the serum samples collected from domestic cats in Belém, Pará, Brazil. We also correlated the presence of T. gondii antibodies with environmental variables and cat-owner habits. Four-hundred and forty-seven serum samples from domestic cats were analyzed. The sera were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Among the animals analyzed, 21.92% (98/447) were seropositive. A statistically significant association was found in relation to age and serology among the animals over 1 year old (p<0.01): in the group up to 1 year old, 12.82% (20/156) of the animals were positive, and in the group over 1 year old, 26.80% (78/291) were positive. Our results show that the cats in Belém, Pará region have anti-T. gondii antibodies, and their owners are not aware of toxoplasmosis or how to prevent its transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarine de Souza Rocha
- Laboratório de Zoonoses e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará - UFPA, Castanhal, PA, Brasil
| | | | - Thamillys Rayssa Marques Monteiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Saúde e Produção Animal - ISPA, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia - UFRA, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - Betsy Emely Tavares Honorio
- Laboratório de Zoonoses e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará - UFPA, Castanhal, PA, Brasil
| | | | - Giselle Souza da Paz
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Alessandra Scofield
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará - UFPA, Castanhal, PA, Brasil
| | - Gustavo Góes Cavalcante
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará - UFPA, Castanhal, PA, Brasil
| | - Paulo Cesar Magalhães-Matos
- Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade da Amazônia - UNAMA, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - Francisco Dantas Sampaio Junior
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará - UFPA, Castanhal, PA, Brasil
| | - Isis Abel
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Geoprocessamento, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará - UFPA, Castanhal, PA, Brasil
| | - Helio Langoni
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Carla Cristina Guimarães de Moraes
- Laboratório de Zoonoses e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará - UFPA, Castanhal, PA, Brasil
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24
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Freppel W, Ferguson DJ, Shapiro K, Dubey JP, Puech PH, Dumètre A. Structure, composition, and roles of the Toxoplasma gondii oocyst and sporocyst walls. Cell Surf 2019; 5:100016. [PMID: 32743133 PMCID: PMC7389338 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2018.100016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian parasite with the cat as its definitive host but any warm-blooded animal, including humans, may act as intermediate hosts. It has a worldwide distribution where it may cause acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. Infection can result from ingestion either of tissue cysts in infected meat of intermediate hosts or oocysts found in cat faeces via contaminated water or food. In this review, we highlight how the oocyst and sporocyst walls sustain the persistence and transmission of infective T. gondii parasites from terrestrial and aquatic environments to the host. We further discuss why targeting the oocyst wall structure and molecules may reduce the burden of foodborne and waterborne T. gondii infections.
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25
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Temesgen TT, Robertson LJ, Tysnes KR. A novel multiplex real-time PCR for the detection of Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Cyclospora cayetanensis on berries. Food Res Int 2019; 125:108636. [PMID: 31554047 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Foodborne parasites (FBP) are of major public health importance and warrant appropriate detection and control strategies. Most of the FBP considered for risk-ranking by a panel of experts are potentially transmitted via consumption of contaminated fresh produce, including berries. In this study we focused on the potential of three FBP, namely Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxoplamsa gondii, and Cyclospora cayetanensis, as contaminants of berries. Surveys to assess these parasites as contaminants of fresh produce in general, and berries in particular, are scanty or non-existent mainly due to the lack of optimized laboratory methods for detection. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a novel multiplex qPCR for the simultaneous detection of E. multilocularis, T. gondii, and C. cayetanensis from berry fruits. The efficiency and linearity of each channel in the multiplex qPCR were within the acceptable limits for the range of concentrations tested. Furthermore, the method was shown to have good repeatability (standard deviation ≤0.2 Cq) and intermediate precision (pooled standard deviation of 0.3-0.6 Cq). The limit of detection was estimated to 10 oocysts for Toxoplasma and Cyclospora, and 5 eggs for Echinococcus per 30 g of raspberries or blueberries. In conclusion, evaluation of the present method showed that the newly developed multiplex qPCR is highly specific, precise, and robust method that has potential for application in food-testing laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamirat Tefera Temesgen
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Adamstuen Campus, P.O. Box 369, 0102 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Lucy Jane Robertson
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Adamstuen Campus, P.O. Box 369, 0102 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristoffer Relling Tysnes
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Adamstuen Campus, P.O. Box 369, 0102 Oslo, Norway
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26
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Escotte-Binet S, Da Silva AM, Cancès B, Aubert D, Dubey J, La Carbona S, Villena I, Poulle ML. A rapid and sensitive method to detect Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in soil samples. Vet Parasitol 2019; 274:108904. [PMID: 31557695 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Documenting the extent of soil contamination by Toxoplasma gondii oocysts is a key issue to prevent the worldwide infection caused by this protozoan. Our aim was to improve the practicability and sensitivity of a low-cost method to detect T. gondii DNA in soil samples developed a few years ago. Various parameters of the reference protocol were modified to determine their effect on the detection of T. gondii DNA in soil samples ("natural soil" and "sand") spiked with oocysts. We tested i) filtration using stomacher bags, ii) Tween 80, Tween 20, SDS and Triton X100 as dispersion solutions, iii) sucrose solution, zinc chloride solution, Optiprep and Percoll as density gradients, iv) freeze/thaw versus mechanical grinding as lysis methods, and v) Qiagen versus Fastprep as extraction kits The optimized protocol is quicker and easier to use than the previous one, and includes the following items: 0.1% Tween80/PBS for dispersion, sucrose solution for flotation, mechanical grinding, and FastDNA spin kit for extraction. It accurately detects T. gondii DNA in both fresh and frozen soil samples and displays a detection limit below 1 oocyst/g of fresh soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandie Escotte-Binet
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, ESCAPE EA 7510, CAP SANTE, 51097, Reims, France.
| | - Abdou Malik Da Silva
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, ESCAPE EA 7510, CAP SANTE, 51097, Reims, France.
| | - Benjamin Cancès
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, GEGENAA EA 3795, CONDORCET, 51097 Reims, France.
| | - Dominique Aubert
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, ESCAPE EA 7510, CAP SANTE, 51097, Reims, France; CHU Reims, Hôpital Maison Blanche, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, CRB Toxoplasma, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, 51097, Reims, France.
| | - Jitender Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705 2350, USA.
| | | | - Isabelle Villena
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, ESCAPE EA 7510, CAP SANTE, 51097, Reims, France; CHU Reims, Hôpital Maison Blanche, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, CRB Toxoplasma, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, 51097, Reims, France.
| | - Marie-Lazarine Poulle
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, ESCAPE EA 7510, CAP SANTE, 51097, Reims, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CERFE, 08240, Boult-aux-Bois, France.
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27
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Simon JA, Chancel E, Hubert P, Aubert D, Villena I, Gilot-Fromont E, Poulle ML. Pattern of latrine use by domestic cats on dairy farms and the implications for Toxoplasma gondii transmission. Vet Parasitol 2019; 273:112-121. [PMID: 31476666 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis, a highly prevalent zoonosis that affects humans and warm-blooded animals. Faeces of infected cats can contain millions of T. gondii oocysts, which remain infectious in the environment for months. Sites repeatedly used by cats for defecation ('latrines') are recognised as hotspots of T. gondii soil contamination, but this contamination varies from one latrine to another. To understand this spatial heterogeneity, camera traps were deployed in 39 cat latrines on three dairy farms with high-density cat populations and programmed to record visits during sixteen 10-day sessions, rotating between three farms over a period of a year. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to test the effects of cat sexual maturity, latrine location and season on the number of cat faeces deposited and on the number of cats defecating per latrine, as determined from the analysis of 41,282 video recordings. Sexually immature cats defecated 6.60-fold (95% CI = [2.87-15.25]) more often in latrines located close to a feeding site than in other latrines. This pattern was also observed for mature males (odds ratio [OR] = 9.42, 95% CI = [3.29-26.91]), especially during winter, but not for mature females (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = [0.80-3.94]). The number of defecating cats was also 2.67-fold (95% CI = [1.66-4.30], P < 0.001) higher in latrines located close to a feeding point than in those located far from it, regardless of cat category and season. Visits by intermediate T. gondii hosts (micromammals, birds and others) were also recorded. Out of the 39 latrines, 30 (76.92%) were visited by at least one intermediate host during the study period, and some latrines were highly frequented (up to 8.74 visits/day on average). These results provide evidence that the location of food resources in dairy farms influences the latrine use pattern by cats. Highly frequented latrines can be of high risk of T. gondii infection for definitive and intermediate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Alice Simon
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, UFR Médecine, SFR Cap Santé, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie EA 7510 ESCAPE, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay 51095, Reims cedex, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CERFE, 5 rue de La Héronnière, 08240, Boult-aux-Bois, France.
| | - Eva Chancel
- VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 avenue Bourgelat, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Pauline Hubert
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CERFE, 5 rue de La Héronnière, 08240, Boult-aux-Bois, France; Faune Action, 6 rue du jardin gascon, 08240, Boult aux Bois, France.
| | - Dominique Aubert
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, UFR Médecine, SFR Cap Santé, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie EA 7510 ESCAPE, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay 51095, Reims cedex, France.
| | - Isabelle Villena
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, UFR Médecine, SFR Cap Santé, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie EA 7510 ESCAPE, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay 51095, Reims cedex, France.
| | - Emmanuelle Gilot-Fromont
- VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 1 avenue Bourgelat, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France; UMR CNRS 5558 Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, 43 Bd du 11 novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne cedex, France.
| | - Marie-Lazarine Poulle
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, UFR Médecine, SFR Cap Santé, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie EA 7510 ESCAPE, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay 51095, Reims cedex, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CERFE, 5 rue de La Héronnière, 08240, Boult-aux-Bois, France.
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Reiling SJ, Dixon BR. Toxoplasma gondii: How an Amazonian parasite became an Inuit health issue. CANADA COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT = RELEVE DES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES AU CANADA 2019; 45:183-190. [PMID: 31355827 PMCID: PMC6615440 DOI: 10.4745/ccdr.v45i78a03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that originated in the Amazon. Felids (mammals in the cat family) are the only definitive hosts. These animals shed large numbers of infectious oocysts into the environment, which can subsequently infect many intermediate hosts, including birds, mammals and, possibly, fish. Human T. gondii seroprevalence is high in some parts of the Canadian Arctic and is associated with adverse health consequences among Inuit population. Since the range of felids does not extend to the Arctic, it is not immediately obvious how this parasite got from the Amazon to the Arctic. The objectives of this overview are to summarize the health impacts of T. gondii infection in Inuit in Canada's North and to consider how this infection could have reached them. This article reviews the prevalence of T. gondii infection in terrestrial and marine animals in the Canadian Arctic and discusses their potential role in the foodborne transmission of this parasite to humans. Two distribution factors seem plausible. First, felids in more southern habitats may release infectious oocysts into waterways. As these oocysts remain viable for months, they can be transported northward via rivers and ocean currents and could infect Arctic fish and eventually the marine mammals that prey on the fish. Second, migratory terrestrial and marine intermediate hosts may be responsible for carrying T. gondii tissue cysts to the Arctic, where they may then pass on the infection to carnivores. The most likely source of T. gondii in Inuit is from consumption of traditionally-prepared country foods including meat and organs from intermediate hosts, which may be consumed raw. With climate change, northward migration of felids may increase the prevalence of T. gondii in Arctic wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- SJ Reiling
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON
| | - BR Dixon
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON
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Reiling SJ, Dixon BR. Toxoplasma gondii: How an Amazonian parasite became an Inuit health issue. CANADA COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT = RELEVE DES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES AU CANADA 2019; 45:183-190. [PMID: 31355827 PMCID: PMC6615440 DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v45i78a03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that originated in the Amazon. Felids (mammals in the cat family) are the only definitive hosts. These animals shed large numbers of infectious oocysts into the environment, which can subsequently infect many intermediate hosts, including birds, mammals and, possibly, fish. Human T. gondii seroprevalence is high in some parts of the Canadian Arctic and is associated with adverse health consequences among Inuit population. Since the range of felids does not extend to the Arctic, it is not immediately obvious how this parasite got from the Amazon to the Arctic. The objectives of this overview are to summarize the health impacts of T. gondii infection in Inuit in Canada's North and to consider how this infection could have reached them. This article reviews the prevalence of T. gondii infection in terrestrial and marine animals in the Canadian Arctic and discusses their potential role in the foodborne transmission of this parasite to humans. Two distribution factors seem plausible. First, felids in more southern habitats may release infectious oocysts into waterways. As these oocysts remain viable for months, they can be transported northward via rivers and ocean currents and could infect Arctic fish and eventually the marine mammals that prey on the fish. Second, migratory terrestrial and marine intermediate hosts may be responsible for carrying T. gondii tissue cysts to the Arctic, where they may then pass on the infection to carnivores. The most likely source of T. gondii in Inuit is from consumption of traditionally-prepared country foods including meat and organs from intermediate hosts, which may be consumed raw. With climate change, northward migration of felids may increase the prevalence of T. gondii in Arctic wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- SJ Reiling
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON
| | - BR Dixon
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON
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Shapiro K, Bahia-Oliveira L, Dixon B, Dumètre A, de Wit LA, VanWormer E, Villena I. Environmental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii: Oocysts in water, soil and food. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 15:e00049. [PMID: 32095620 PMCID: PMC7033973 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in humans, domestic animals, and terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. The environmentally robust oocyst stage of T. gondii is fundamentally critical to the parasite's success, both in terms of its worldwide distribution as well as the extensive range of infected intermediate hosts. Despite the limited definitive host species (domestic and wild felids), infections have been reported on every continent, and in terrestrial as well as aquatic environments. The remarkable resistance of the oocyst wall enables dissemination of T. gondii through watersheds and ecosystems, and long-term persistence in diverse foods such as shellfish and fresh produce. Here, we review the key attributes of oocyst biophysical properties that confer their ability to disseminate and survive in the environment, as well as the epidemiological dynamics of oocyst sources including domestic and wild felids. This manuscript further provides a comprehensive review of the pathways by which T. gondii oocysts can infect animals and people through the environment, including in contaminated foods, water or soil. We conclude by identifying critical control points for reducing risk of exposure to oocysts as well as opportunities for future synergies and new directions for research aimed at reducing the burden of oocyst-borne toxoplasmosis in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Shapiro
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Ave, 4206 VM3A, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USA
| | - Lillian Bahia-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Brent Dixon
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, A.L. 2204E, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Aurélien Dumètre
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 257, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Luz A. de Wit
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95050, USA
| | - Elizabeth VanWormer
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, VBS 111, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - Isabelle Villena
- EA 7510, UFR Medicine, University Reims Champagne-Ardenne, National Reference Center on Toxoplasmosis, Hospital Maison Blanche, Reims, France
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Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Adwa district, northern Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:327. [PMID: 30991956 PMCID: PMC6469075 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-3936-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii infection is a great health concern to pregnant women and the developing fetus. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and its associated factors in Adwa district. Methods A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2018 in Adwa district. Structured, a pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the demographic and risk factor related data. Serum sample, collected from each of the study subjects was tested for IgG and IgM anti T.godii specific antibodies using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was applied to show association between the dependent and independent variables considering P < 0.05 and the 95% confidence interval. Result Out of the 360, 128 (35.6%) pregnant women were found to be positive for antibodies specific to T. gondii. Furthermore, 117 (32.5%) women were positive only for IgG, and 11 (3.1%) were positive both for IgM and IgG antibodies. Age, educational level, habit of hand washing after contact with garden soil or domestic animals, presence of domestic cat, history of contact with domestic dog and consumption of raw vegetables were significantly associated with T. gondii. Conclusion The seroprevalence of T. gondii among pregnant women in the study area is low compared to the other regions of Ethiopia, and within the range of the seroprevalences in the central and East Africa region. However, efforts should be done to create awareness on the potential risk factors of the parasite in the community.
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Fakhar M, Soosaraei M, Khasseh AA, Emameh RZ, Hezarjaribi HZ. A bibliometric analysis of global research on toxoplasmosis in the Web of Science. Vet World 2018; 11:1409-1415. [PMID: 30532494 PMCID: PMC6247882 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.1409-1415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the network productions and research collaborations on toxoplasmosis worldwide. Materials and Methods: A bibliometric research was carried out using the Web of Science (WOS) database. The analysis unit was the original research articles about toxoplasmosis published between 2000 and 2016 (17 years). Results: Totally, 6,550 articles about toxoplasmosis were indexed in the WOS with the following information: (A) 18,410 researchers played a role in drafting the articles; (B) 33 different countries have contributed in the toxoplasmosis studies; (C) the USA was ranked at the first place with 2,162 publications about toxoplasmosis; and (D) “Dubey JP” was compiled and participated in 401 articles from the USA, as the highest number and main core of publications in the toxoplasmosis network. Conclusion: The main focus of the toxoplasmosis research activities in the world was article production in the indexed journals in WOS. Hence, it is necessary to strengthen the collaboration networks to improve the quality of articles. Furthermore, the priority would be the identification of institutions with a higher number of research article productions in WOS, to perform toxoplasmosis collaborative original researches according to the strategic roadmap and scientific plan of each country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Fakhar
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Parasitology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Masoud Soosaraei
- Student Research Committee, Department of Parasitology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Khasseh
- Department of Knowledge and Information Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Zolfaghari Emameh
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hajar Ziaei Hezarjaribi
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Parasitology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Yazdani MR, Mehrabi Z, Ataei B, Ghahfarokhi AB, Moslemi R, Pourahmad M. Frequency of sero-positivity in household members of the patients with positive toxoplasma serology. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE QUIMIOTERAPIA : PUBLICACION OFICIAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE QUIMIOTERAPIA 2018; 31:506-510. [PMID: 30371043 PMCID: PMC6254478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Toxoplasma gondii is cause of a wide variety of infections in human. The aim of this study was; to evaluate the frequency of sero-positivity of the members in a family with a positive serologic person. METHODS A case-control study with 170 enrolled units which was conducted in Iran in 2017. The units were settled into two group: I: the family members of seropositive individuals and II: the family members of seronegative individuals. The level of IgG and IgM anti-toxoplasma antibodies were evaluated by ELISA qualitative manner in both groups. RESULTS Frequency of individuals with positive serology was 52.9% and 34.1% in group I and II, respectively (P value = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Clusters of toxoplasma infection would be an event in the family members. Therefore evaluation of the family members (especially high risk persons) of a patient may be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Yazdani
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zeinab Mehrabi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Behrooz Ataei
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Rohollah Moslemi
- Clinical pharmacy department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Pourahmad
- Nosocomial Infection Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Xia N, Zhou T, Liang X, Ye S, Zhao P, Yang J, Zhou Y, Zhao J, Shen B. A Lactate Fermentation Mutant of Toxoplasma Stimulates Protective Immunity Against Acute and Chronic Toxoplasmosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1814. [PMID: 30147689 PMCID: PMC6096001 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic pathogen infecting one-third of the world’s population and numerous animals, causing significant healthcare burden and socioeconomic problems. Vaccination is an efficient way to reduce global sero-prevalence, however, ideal vaccines are not yet available. We recently discovered that the Toxoplasma mutant lacking both lactate dehydrogenases LDH1 and LDH2 (Δldh) grew well in vitro but was unable to propagate in mice, making it a good live vaccine candidate. Here, we tested the protection efficacy of ME49 Δldh using a mouse model. Vaccinated mice were efficiently protected from the lethal challenge of a variety of wild-type strains, including type 1 strain RH, type 2 strain ME49, type 3 strain VEG, and a field isolate of Chinese 1. The protection efficacies of a single vaccination were nearly 100% for most cases and it worked well against the challenges of both tachyzoites and tissue cysts. Re-challenging parasites were unable to propagate in vaccinated mice, nor did they make tissue cysts. High levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG were produced 30 days after immunization and stayed high during the whole tests (at least 125 days). However, passive immunization of naïve mice with sera from vaccinated mice did reduce parasite propagation, but the overall protection against parasite infections was rather limited. On the other hand, Δldh immunization evoked elevated levels of Th1 cytokines like INF-γ and IL-12, at early time points. In addition, splenocytes extracted from immunized mice were able to induce quick and robust INF-γ and other pro-inflammatory cytokine production upon T. gondii antigen stimulation. Together these results suggest that cellular immune responses are the main contributors to the protective immunity elicited by Δldh vaccination, and humoral immunity also contributes partially. We also generated uracil auxotrophic mutants in ME49 and compared their immune protection efficiencies to the Δldh mutants. The results showed that these two types of mutants have similar properties as live vaccine candidates. Taken together, these results suggest that mutants lacking LDH were severely attenuated in virulence but were able to induce strong anti-toxoplasma immune responses, therefore are good candidates for live vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningbo Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Taifang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaohan Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jichao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
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Barros M, Cabezón O, Dubey JP, Almería S, Ribas MP, Escobar LE, Ramos B, Medina-Vogel G. Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild mustelids and cats across an urban-rural gradient. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199085. [PMID: 29924844 PMCID: PMC6010287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase in human population and domestic pets, such as cats, are generating important consequences in terms of habitat loss and pathogen pollution of coastal ecosystems with potential to generate negative impacts in marine biodiversity. Toxoplasma gondii is the etiological agent of zoonotic disease toxoplasmosis, and is associated with cat abundance and anthropogenic disturbance. The presence of T. gondii oocysts in the ocean has negatively affected the health status of the threatened Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) populations. The present study analyzed seroprevalence and presence of T. gondii DNA in American mink (Neovison vison), Southern river otters (Lontra provocax) and domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) in four different areas in Southern Chile comprising studies in rivers and lakes in Andean foothills and mountains, marine habitat and island coastal ecosystems. Mean seroprevalence of T. gondii in the study was 64% of 151 total animals sampled: 59% of 73 American mink, 77% of 13 Southern river otters, 68% of 65 domestic cats and in two of two kodkods (Leopardus guigna). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in tissues from one American mink and one Southern river otter. The present study confirms the widespread distribution of T. gondii in Southern Chile, and shows a high exposure of semiaquatic mustelids and domestic cats to the parasite. Cats and anthropogenic disturbance have a role in the maintenance of T. gondii infection in ecosystems of southern Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Barros
- Centro de Investigacion para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
| | - Oscar Cabezón
- UAB, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina I Cirugia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jitender P. Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sonia Almería
- UAB, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Sanitat I d´Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - María P. Ribas
- UAB, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina I Cirugia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Luis E. Escobar
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech., Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Barbara Ramos
- Centro de Investigacion para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Medina-Vogel
- Centro de Investigacion para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
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Simon JA, Pradel R, Aubert D, Geers R, Villena I, Poulle ML. A multi-event capture-recapture analysis of Toxoplasma gondii seroconversion dynamics in farm cats. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:339. [PMID: 29884240 PMCID: PMC5994099 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2834-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Domestic cats play a key role in the epidemiology of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii by excreting environmentally-resistant oocysts that may infect humans and other warm-blooded animals. The dynamics of Toxoplasma gondii seroconversion, used as a proxy for primo-infection dynamics, was investigated in five cat populations living on farms. Methods Serological tests on blood samples from cats were performed every three months over a period of two years, for a total of 400 serological tests performed on 130 cats. Variations in seroconversion rates and associated factors were investigated using a multi-event capture-recapture modelling approach that explicitly accounted for uncertainties in cat age and serological status. Results Seroprevalence varied between farms, from 15 to 73%, suggesting differential exposure of cats to T. gondii. In farms with high exposure, cats could become infected before reaching the age of six months. Seroconversion rates varied from 0.42 to 0.96 seroconversions per cat per year and were higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Conclusion Our results suggest inter-farm and seasonal variations in the risks of exposure to T. gondii oocysts for humans and livestock living on farms. The paper also discusses the role of young cats in the maintenance of environmental contamination by T. gondii oocysts on farms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2834-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Alice Simon
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France. .,Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Centre d'Etude et de Formation en Eco-Ethologie (URCA, CERFE), 5 rue de la Héronnière, 08240, Boult-aux-Bois, France.
| | - Roger Pradel
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul Valéry - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier 5, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU Reims, 45 rue Cognacq Jay, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Régine Geers
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU Reims, 45 rue Cognacq Jay, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU Reims, 45 rue Cognacq Jay, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Marie-Lazarine Poulle
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France.,Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Centre d'Etude et de Formation en Eco-Ethologie (URCA, CERFE), 5 rue de la Héronnière, 08240, Boult-aux-Bois, France
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Hermosilla C, Hirzmann J, Silva LMR, Brotons JM, Cerdà M, Prenger-Berninghoff E, Ewers C, Taubert A. Occurrence of anthropozoonotic parasitic infections and faecal microbes in free-ranging sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) from the Mediterranean Sea. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2531-2541. [PMID: 29858939 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5942-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are the largest toothed whales and only living member of family Physeteridae. Present survey represents first report on cultivable faecal microbes and gastrointestinal helminths and protozoans infecting free-ranging sperm whales inhabiting Mediterranean Sea waters surrounding Balearic Archipelago, Spain. Twenty-five individual sperm whale scat samples, including one calf, were collected without disturbance of animals during the summer of 2016. Parasitological diagnostic methods, such as sodium acetate acetic formalin (SAF) method, carbol fuchsin-stained faecal smears, Giardia/Cryptosporidium coproantigen ELISAs and an Anisakis-specific PCR were applied for further identification. Five bacterial genera, i.e. Acinetobacter, Clostridium, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, and one fungus namely Cladosporium were identified. Parasitological infections included seven different parasite species with some of them bearing anthropozoonotic potential. Thus, four of these parasites were zoonotic, i.e. Anisakis, Balantidium, Diphyllobothriidae gen. sp. and Giardia. Additionally, Zalophotrema curilensis eggs, spirurid-like eggs and Cystoisospora-like oocysts were identified. Molecular characterization identified Anisakis physeteris as the species infecting these whales. This survey provides first records on occurrence of two zoonotic enteropathogenic protozoan parasites (Giardia and Balantidium) and of facultative pathogenic bacteria (Clostridium and Enterococcus) in sperm whales. Presented data should be considered as a baseline study for future monitoring surveys on anthropozoonotic pathogens affecting free-living sperm whale populations and enhance investigations on possible impact on public health as well as on isolated Mediterranean sperm whale subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - J Hirzmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - L M R Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - J M Brotons
- Tursiops Association, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - M Cerdà
- Tursiops Association, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - E Prenger-Berninghoff
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - C Ewers
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - A Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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Tracking Toxoplasma gondii in freshwater ecosystems: interaction with the invasive American mink (Neovison vison) in Spain. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2275-2281. [PMID: 29785616 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5916-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Water-borne transmission may play an important role in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii. Mammals closely related to freshwater ecosystems, such as the American mink (Neovison vison), are potentially valuable sentinels for T. gondii. To assess the importance of freshwater ecosystems in T. gondii epidemiology, sera of 678 American minks collected during the 2010 to 2015 Spanish national eradication campaigns were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT, cut-off 1:25). A high prevalence of samples, 78.8% (CI95%: 75.5-81.8), were seropositive. In addition, a specific real-time PCR was performed in 120 brain samples and the parasite DNA was detected in 9.2% (CI95%: 5.2-15.7). Significant differences in seroprevalence were detected among bioregions, with the highest levels detected in coastal areas, and by age. The higher seroprevalence observed in older animals (80.0% adults versus 68.7% juveniles) confirms the importance of the horizontal transmission. These results indicate a widespread presence of T. gondii oocysts in freshwater ecosystems from Spain and further support the importance of water-borne transmission in the epidemiology of T. gondii.
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Swarbrick H, Rand J. Application of a Protocol Based on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to Manage Unowned Urban Cats on an Australian University Campus. Animals (Basel) 2018; 8:ani8050077. [PMID: 29772788 PMCID: PMC5981288 DOI: 10.3390/ani8050077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In Australia, management of the unowned urban cat population is a continuing challenge. This is because the numbers of cats culled in trap-and-kill programs are inadequate to balance the breeding rate of the remaining cats, and also because of immigration of sexually active cats from surrounding areas in a “vacuum” effect into areas where culling has been applied. In contrast, programs based on management of cat reproduction, such as trap-neuter-return (TNR), supplemented by rehoming of socializable cats and kittens, have been shown to produce significant reductions in free-living cat populations. However, evidence is lacking that these approaches are effective in an Australian context. In this paper, we document a nine-year TNR program on an Australian university campus, supplemented by rehoming, that reduced a free-living cat population from 69 to 15 cats, while also rehoming 19 campus-born kittens and managing a further 34 immigrant cats that either joined the resident colony (n = 16), were rehomed (n = 15), or died/disappeared (n = 3). Subsequent institutional support for the program was strong because of a reduction in complaints from campus staff and students, the minimal institutional costs, and the improved health status of the remaining cats, all of which are desexed, microchipped, registered and fed on a daily basis. Abstract In August 2008, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, commenced a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to manage the population of approximately 69 free-roaming unowned urban cats on its Kensington campus. The goals of the program included an ongoing audit of cats on campus, stabilization of cat numbers through TNR, and a subsequent reduction in cat numbers over time while maintaining the health of remaining campus cats. Continuation of the TNR program over nine years resulted in a current population, as of September 2017, of 15 cats, all desexed (78% reduction). Regular monitoring of the cats through a daily feeding program identified a further 34 cats that immigrated on to campus since initiation of the program; these comprised 28 adult cats (16 unsocialized, 12 socialized) and six solitary kittens. In addition, 19 kittens were born on campus, 14 of which were born to immigrant pregnant females. Unsocialized adult immigrants were absorbed into the resident campus population. Where possible, socialized adult immigrants, solitary kittens, and campus-born kittens were removed from campus through rehoming. Overall, reasons for reductions in the cat population (original residents, immigrants, campus-born kittens; n = 122) included rehoming or return to owner (30%), death/euthanasia (30%) and disappearance (29%). This successful animal management program received some initial funding from the university to support desexing, but was subsequently funded through donations, and continues with the university’s approval and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Swarbrick
- Australian Pet Welfare Foundation, Kenmore, QLD 4069, Australia.
- Campus Cats NSW, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia.
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Jacquie Rand
- Australian Pet Welfare Foundation, Kenmore, QLD 4069, Australia.
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
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40
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First report of Toxoplasma gondii sporulated oocysts and Giardia duodenalis in commercial green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) in New Zealand. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1453-1463. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5832-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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41
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Prevalence and genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in cats of southwest of Iran. Infect Dis Health 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.idh.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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42
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Escobar LE, Carver S, Romero-Alvarez D, VandeWoude S, Crooks KR, Lappin MR, Craft ME. Inferring the Ecological Niche of Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. in Wild Felids. Front Vet Sci 2017; 4:172. [PMID: 29090215 PMCID: PMC5650989 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional epidemiological studies of disease in animal populations often focus on directly transmitted pathogens. One reason pathogens with complex lifecycles are understudied could be due to challenges associated with detection in vectors and the environment. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is a methodological approach that overcomes some of the detection challenges often seen with vector or environmentally dependent pathogens. We test this approach using a unique dataset of two pathogens in wild felids across North America: Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. in bobcats (Lynx rufus) and puma (Puma concolor). We found three main patterns. First, T. gondii showed a broader use of environmental conditions than did Bartonella spp. Also, ecological niche models, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index satellite imagery, were useful even when applied to wide-ranging hosts. Finally, ENM results from one region could be applied to other regions, thus transferring information across different landscapes. With this research, we detail the uncertainty of epidemiological risk models across novel environments, thereby advancing tools available for epidemiological decision-making. We propose that ENM could be a valuable tool for enabling understanding of transmission risk, contributing to more focused prevention and control options for infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Escobar
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Daniel Romero-Alvarez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Kevin R Crooks
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Michael R Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Meggan E Craft
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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43
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Zhou DH, Wang ZX, Zhou CX, He S, Elsheikha HM, Zhu XQ. Comparative proteomic analysis of virulent and avirulent strains of Toxoplasma gondii reveals strain-specific patterns. Oncotarget 2017; 8:80481-80491. [PMID: 29113319 PMCID: PMC5655214 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Research exploring the proteome of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts has gained momentum over the past few years. However, little is known about the oocyst's protein repertoires that contribute to differential virulence among T. gondii strains. Here, we used isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation-based proteomic analysis of oocysts of two T. gondii strains exhibiting the virulent PYS (ToxoDB#9) phenotype versus the less virulent PRU (Type II, ToxoDB#1) phenotype. Our aim was to determine protein expression patterns that contribute to the virulence of a particular phenotype. A total of 2,551 proteins were identified, of which 374 were differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (|log2 fold change| ≥ 0.58 and P < 0.05). DEPs included 192 increased and 182 decreased proteins. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses revealed a large number of DEPs enriched in various metabolic processes. Protein interaction network analysis using STRING identified inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), Bifunctional GMP synthase/glutamine amidotransferase protein, Glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase, and Citrate synthase as the top four hubs. Of the 22 virulence proteins commonly expressed in the oocysts of the two strains, 13 and 2 proteins were increased in PYS strain and PRU strain, respectively. Also, 10 and 3 of the 22 identified oocyst wall proteins showed higher expression in oocysts of PRU strain and PYS strain, respectively. These findings revealed new proteomic differences in the oocysts of T. gondii strains of different genotypic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hui Zhou
- 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, PR China
| | - Ze-Xiang Wang
- 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, PR China
| | - Chun-Xue Zhou
- 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, PR China
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, PR China
| | - Shuai He
- 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, PR China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230036, PR China
| | - Hany M. Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - 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, PR China
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Benitez ADN, Martins FDC, Mareze M, Santos NJR, Ferreira FP, Martins CM, Garcia JL, Mitsuka-Breganó R, Freire RL, Biondo AW, Navarro IT. Spatial and simultaneous representative seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in owners and their domiciled dogs in a major city of southern Brazil. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180906. [PMID: 28732033 PMCID: PMC5521765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, has traditionally been considered an important water and foodborne protozoonosis with important public health considerations. Although felids play a well-established role as definitive hosts, canine epidemiological involvement in the parasite's life cycle remains questionable and controversial. The increasing closeness of the human-dog bond, particularly seen in urban settings, has been recognized as a historically unprecedented worldwide movement. Sharing daily lives in the same households, dogs may be exposed to similar associated risks of T. gondii infection as their owners. Thus, epidemiological assessment of the intra-domiciled environment, especially among socio-economically different human populations, may provide novel information regarding the actual role of dogs in animal and human toxoplasmosis. Despite spatial approaches being recently used for other water and foodborne diseases, no study has been conducted on the simultaneous spatial seroprevalence of both human and animal IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in urban areas of major cities. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to assess the seroprevalence and associated variables of Toxoplasma infection in owners and their domiciled dogs in Londrina, southern Brazil. Human and canine seroprevalence rates and variables associated with seroprevalence were investigated through representative random sampling among 564 households, which included 597 owners and 729 dogs. Overall, statistically significant differences between the seroprevalence of human and dog anti-T. gondii antibodies were found by Immunofluorescence Antibody Testing in 248/597 (41.54%) owners and 119/729 (16.32%) dogs. Through multiple analysis, significant concomitant variables for seropositivity of household individuals (people and dogs) were determined, including public sewer service, yard cleaning frequency, and having a dirty yard. Although no statistically significant multiple logistic model was observed among owners, univariate analysis detected associations with monthly income, soil contact, and occupation. Among dogs, the absence of other dogs and the absence of a dirty yard were concomitant significantly protective associated factors. Age differences between seropositive and seronegative individuals was significant only for human beings, with the median age of negative individuals significantly higher than positive individuals. Although no spatial clusters were identified for humans or residences, a significant cluster was identified for dogs. In conclusion, characteristics of urban toxoplasmosis may include significantly higher owner seroprevalence than their owned dogs, with canine seroprevalence directly associated with having more dogs and a dirty backyard, and spatial differences in both human and dog exposures. Although not a good indicator for human foodborne diseases, dogs may be a reliable sentinel for environmental infection. Moreover, such a holistic approach may provide crucial information for more focused prevention and monitoring programs, particularly in households with multiple pets and trash-filled backyards.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marcelle Mareze
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Pinto Ferreira
- Laboratory of Zoonoses and Public Health, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Camila Marinelli Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Regina Mitsuka-Breganó
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Roberta Lemos Freire
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Italmar Teodorico Navarro
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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45
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Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and association with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis: A case–control study of Californian horses. Vet J 2017; 224:38-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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46
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Simon J, Kurdzielewicz S, Jeanniot E, Dupuis E, Marnef F, Aubert D, Villena I, Poulle ML. Spatial distribution of soil contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in relation to the distribution and use of domestic cat defecation sites on dairy farms. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:357-367. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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47
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Guiton PS, Sagawa JM, Fritz HM, Boothroyd JC. An in vitro model of intestinal infection reveals a developmentally regulated transcriptome of Toxoplasma sporozoites and a NF-κB-like signature in infected host cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173018. [PMID: 28362800 PMCID: PMC5376300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection affecting approximately 30% of the world’s human population. After sexual reproduction in the definitive feline host, Toxoplasma oocysts, each containing 8 sporozoites, are shed into the environment where they can go on to infect humans and other warm-blooded intermediate hosts. Here, we use an in vitro model to assess host transcriptomic changes that occur in the earliest stages of such infections. We show that infection of rat intestinal epithelial cells with mature sporozoites primarily results in higher expression of genes associated with Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) signaling via NF-κB. Furthermore, we find that, consistent with their biology, these mature, invaded sporozoites display a transcriptome intermediate between the previously reported day 10 oocysts and that of their tachyzoite counterparts. Thus, this study uncovers novel host and pathogen factors that may be critical for the establishment of a successful intracellular niche following sporozoite-initiated infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale S. Guiton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Janelle M. Sagawa
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Heather M. Fritz
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - John C. Boothroyd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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48
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Li F, Wang SP, Wang CJ, He SC, Wu X, Liu GH. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in goats in Hunan province, China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:44. [PMID: 27762212 PMCID: PMC5075832 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2016053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in animals and humans worldwide. In the present investigation, the seroprevalence of T. gondii in goats was investigated in Hunan province, subtropical China between March 2014 and December 2015. A total of 1,028 serum samples collected from 14 administrative regions of Hunan province were evaluated by the indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) for the detection of specific antibodies. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 124 serum samples (12%). The T. gondii seroprevalence ranged from 1.7% to 19% among different regions in subtropical China, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The results of the present survey indicated that T. gondii infection is prevalent in goats in Hunan, which poses a potential risk for human infection with T. gondii in this province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Li
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan province 410013, PR China - College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province 410128, PR China - Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, Changsha, Hunan province 410128, PR China
| | - Shi-Ping Wang
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan province 410013, PR China
| | - Chang-Jian Wang
- Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Hunan province, 410001, PR China
| | - Shi-Cheng He
- Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Hunan province, 410001, PR China
| | - Xiang Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province 410128, PR China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan province 410128, PR China - Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, Changsha, Hunan province 410128, PR China
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49
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VanWormer E, Carpenter TE, Singh P, Shapiro K, Wallender WW, Conrad PA, Largier JL, Maneta MP, Mazet JAK. Coastal development and precipitation drive pathogen flow from land to sea: evidence from a Toxoplasma gondii and felid host system. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29252. [PMID: 27456911 PMCID: PMC4960600 DOI: 10.1038/srep29252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapidly developing coastal regions face consequences of land use and climate change including flooding and increased sediment, nutrient, and chemical runoff, but these forces may also enhance pathogen runoff, which threatens human, animal, and ecosystem health. Using the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii in California, USA as a model for coastal pathogen pollution, we examine the spatial distribution of parasite runoff and the impacts of precipitation and development on projected pathogen delivery to the ocean. Oocysts, the extremely hardy free-living environmental stage of T. gondii shed in faeces of domestic and wild felids, are carried to the ocean by freshwater runoff. Linking spatial pathogen loading and transport models, we show that watersheds with the highest levels of oocyst runoff align closely with regions of increased sentinel marine mammal T. gondii infection. These watersheds are characterized by higher levels of coastal development and larger domestic cat populations. Increases in coastal development and precipitation independently raised oocyst delivery to the ocean (average increases of 44% and 79%, respectively), but dramatically increased parasite runoff when combined (175% average increase). Anthropogenic changes in landscapes and climate can accelerate runoff of diverse pathogens from terrestrial to aquatic environments, influencing transmission to people, domestic animals, and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth VanWormer
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Tim E Carpenter
- EpiCentre, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Purnendu Singh
- Department of Civil Engineering, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Bachupally Nizampet (S.O), Hyderabad-500090, India.,Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Karen Shapiro
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Wesley W Wallender
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Patricia A Conrad
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - John L Largier
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, Bodega Marine Laboratory, 2099 Westside Rd, Bodega Bay, CA, 94923, USA
| | - Marco P Maneta
- Department of Geosciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr. #1296, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Jonna A K Mazet
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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50
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Salivary IgA against sporozoite-specific embryogenesis-related protein (TgERP) in the study of horizontally transmitted toxoplasmosis via T. gondii oocysts in endemic settings. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:2568-77. [PMID: 27169485 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816000960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to contribute to the better understanding of the relative epidemiological importance of different modes of infection with respect to horizontal transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in endemic settings. We investigated the prevalence of salivary IgA against a sporozoite-specific embryogenesis-related protein (TgERP) in a highly endemic area for toxoplasmosis in Brazil in order to pinpoint parasite transmission via oocysts. Prevalence calculated by salivary IgA specific to TgERP was compared to the prevalence calculated by serum IgG against both TgERP and tachyzoites (in conventional serological tests). Prevalence calculated by different serological and salivary parameters varied in the studied age groups. However, for the 15-21 years age group, values for T. gondii prevalence estimated by conventional serological tests and by anti-TgERP salivary IgA were similar; i.e. 68·7% and 66·6% or 66·7%, respectively, using two different cut-off parameters for salivary IgA anti-TgERP. Furthermore, salivary IgA anti-TgERP for this age group presented the highest specificity (93·33%), sensitivity (93·94%), and likelihood (14·09) compared to all the other age groups. These data demonstrate the importance of age for salivary IgA investigation against TgERP to estimate the mode of T. gondii transmission in endemic settings.
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