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Swapna LS, Stevens GC, Sardinha-Silva A, Hu LZ, Brand V, Fusca DD, Wan C, Xiong X, Boyle JP, Grigg ME, Emili A, Parkinson J. ToxoNet: A high confidence map of protein-protein interactions in Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012208. [PMID: 38900844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a major food borne pathogen that is highly prevalent in the global population. The majority of the T. gondii proteome remains uncharacterized and the organization of proteins into complexes is unclear. To overcome this knowledge gap, we used a biochemical fractionation strategy to predict interactions by correlation profiling. To overcome the deficit of high-quality training data in non-model organisms, we complemented a supervised machine learning strategy, with an unsupervised approach, based on similarity network fusion. The resulting combined high confidence network, ToxoNet, comprises 2,063 interactions connecting 652 proteins. Clustering identifies 93 protein complexes. We identified clusters enriched in mitochondrial machinery that include previously uncharacterized proteins that likely represent novel adaptations to oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, complexes enriched in proteins localized to secretory organelles and the inner membrane complex, predict additional novel components representing novel targets for detailed functional characterization. We present ToxoNet as a publicly available resource with the expectation that it will help drive future hypotheses within the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grant C Stevens
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aline Sardinha-Silva
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lucas Zhongming Hu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Verena Brand
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel D Fusca
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cuihong Wan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xuejian Xiong
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jon P Boyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew Emili
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John Parkinson
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2
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Kumar P, Tomita T, Gerken TA, Ballard CJ, Lee YS, Weiss LM, Samara NL. A Toxoplasma gondii O-glycosyltransferase that modulates bradyzoite cyst wall rigidity is distinct from host homologues. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3792. [PMID: 38710711 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48253-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection with the apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii can be life-threatening in immunocompromised hosts. Transmission frequently occurs through the oral ingestion of T. gondii bradyzoite cysts, which transition to tachyzoites, disseminate, and then form cysts containing bradyzoites in the central nervous system, resulting in latent infection. Encapsulation of bradyzoites by a cyst wall is critical for immune evasion, survival, and transmission. O-glycosylation of the protein CST1 by the mucin-type O-glycosyltransferase T. gondii (Txg) GalNAc-T3 influences cyst wall rigidity and stability. Here, we report X-ray crystal structures of TxgGalNAc-T3, revealing multiple features that are strictly conserved among its apicomplexan homologues. This includes a unique 2nd metal that is coupled to substrate binding and enzymatic activity in vitro and cyst wall O-glycosylation in T. gondii. The study illustrates the divergence of pathogenic protozoan GalNAc-Ts from their host homologues and lays the groundwork for studying apicomplexan GalNAc-Ts as therapeutic targets in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Kumar
- Structural Biochemistry Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Tadakimi Tomita
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, New York, 10461, USA
| | - Thomas A Gerken
- Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Collin J Ballard
- Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yong Sok Lee
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Louis M Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, New York, 10461, USA
- Department of Medicine (Infectious Disease), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx 1300 Morris Park Avenue, New York, 10461, USA
| | - Nadine L Samara
- Structural Biochemistry Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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3
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Yang Z, Yuan H, Nie L, Wen Q, Li H, Yang L, Song Y, Luo X, Zhang XX, Yuan ZG. Deciphering the epidemiological dynamics: Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in mainland China's food animals, 2010-2023. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1381537. [PMID: 38633748 PMCID: PMC11021580 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1381537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a significant protozoan pathogen among food animals. Despite the threat to public health by T. gondii infections, there's limited understanding of its seroprevalence and trends in food animals across mainland China. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infections among swine, sheep, goats, chickens, and cattle in mainland China from 2010 to 2023. Methods We searched cross-sectional studies published between 2010 and 2023 that reported the prevalence of T. gondii in food animals from databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data, and the China Science and Technology Journal Database (CQVIP). We performed subgroup analyses to explore the impact of different factors on the seroprevalence of T. gondii. Pooled estimates of T. gondii seroprevalence were calculated with a random-effects model. Results An analysis of 184 studies involving 211985 animals revealed a T. gondii overall seroprevalence of 15.3% (95% CI: 13.1-17.8). Although the seroprevalence of food animals across mainland China was relatively stable from 2010 to 2023, notable variations were observed across different animal types and regions (P < 0.01), along with changes in geographical distribution. Sample type, detection method, animal age, and history of abortion were identified as key risk factors for T. gondii seroprevalence. Conclusion The study conducted a meta-analysis on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in mainland China's Food Animals from 2010 to 2023, and identified key risk factors. These findings advance our understanding of T. gondii infection dynamics, offering critical insights for developing control strategies and guiding public health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zipeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linchong Nie
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingyuan Wen
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haoxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Liulu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yining Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xun Luo
- Kerry Rehabilitation Medicine Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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4
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Joeres M, Maksimov P, Höper D, Calvelage S, Calero-Bernal R, Fernández-Escobar M, Koudela B, Blaga R, Vrhovec MG, Stollberg K, Bier N, Sotiraki S, Sroka J, Piotrowska W, Kodym P, Basso W, Conraths FJ, Mercier A, Galal L, Dardé ML, Balea A, Spano F, Schulze C, Peters M, Scuda N, Lundén A, Davidson RK, Terland R, Waap H, de Bruin E, Vatta P, Caccio S, Ortega-Mora LM, Jokelainen P, Schares G. Genotyping of European Toxoplasma gondii strains by a new high-resolution next-generation sequencing-based method. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:355-371. [PMID: 38099986 PMCID: PMC10822014 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04721-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A new high-resolution next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based method was established to type closely related European type II Toxoplasma gondii strains. METHODS T. gondii field isolates were collected from different parts of Europe and assessed by whole genome sequencing (WGS). In comparison to ME49 (a type II reference strain), highly polymorphic regions (HPRs) were identified, showing a considerable number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). After confirmation by Sanger sequencing, 18 HPRs were used to design a primer panel for multiplex PCR to establish a multilocus Ion AmpliSeq typing method. Toxoplasma gondii isolates and T. gondii present in clinical samples were typed with the new method. The sensitivity of the method was tested with serially diluted reference DNA samples. RESULTS Among type II specimens, the method could differentiate the same number of haplotypes as the reference standard, microsatellite (MS) typing. Passages of the same isolates and specimens originating from abortion outbreaks were identified as identical. In addition, seven different genotypes, two atypical and two recombinant specimens were clearly distinguished from each other by the method. Furthermore, almost all SNPs detected by the Ion AmpliSeq method corresponded to those expected based on WGS. By testing serially diluted DNA samples, the method exhibited a similar analytical sensitivity as MS typing. CONCLUSION The new method can distinguish different T. gondii genotypes and detect intra-genotype variability among European type II T. gondii strains. Furthermore, with WGS data additional target regions can be added to the method to potentially increase typing resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Joeres
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - P Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - D Höper
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S Calvelage
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - R Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Koudela
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - R Blaga
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - K Stollberg
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - N Bier
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-DIMITRA, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - J Sroka
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - W Piotrowska
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - P Kodym
- Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - W Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - F J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - A Mercier
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - L Galal
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - M L Dardé
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - A Balea
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - F Spano
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - C Schulze
- Landeslabor Berlin-Brandenburg, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
| | - M Peters
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Westfalen, Standort Arnsberg, Arnsberg, Germany
| | - N Scuda
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Lundén
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - R K Davidson
- Department of Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Tromsø, Norway
| | - R Terland
- Department of Analysis and Diagnostics, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway
| | - H Waap
- Parasitology Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - E de Bruin
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Pathology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - P Vatta
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - S Caccio
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - L M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - G Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
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Rahman SU, Akbar H, Shabbir MZ, Ullah U, Rashid MI. Newly optimized ELISA kit and LAT reveal significantly higher seroprevalence in sheep raised in agro-ecological zone as against range-ecological zone, with a significant association of meteorological parameters. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290374. [PMID: 38051753 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic and foodborne intracellular parasite capable of inducing congenital infections, stillbirths and abortions in humans and animals, globally. The consumption of undercooked or raw mutton is "one of the vital risks" for acquiring toxoplasmosis: an asymptomatic condition in healthy persons, while life-threatening in immunodeficient individuals like "HIV/AIDS" patients. OBJECTIVES The current study has multiple objectives: to optimize a newly ELISA kit for Sheep, to find out the seroprevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis of two ecological zones of the Punjab, Pakistan through LAT and newly Optimized Sheep ELISA kit, to do the comparison of efficacies of various tests (LAT with newly Optimized ELISA kit and newly Optimized ELISA kit with commercial ELISA kit) and to determine the different meteorological parameters as the risk factors for T. gondii infection in sheep. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 sheep sera, 200 were collected from sheep raised on open grazing system by local farmers in the adjoining areas of Civil Veterinary Dispensaries (CVDs) of range-ecological zone i.e. tehsil Kot Chutta (Dera Ghazi khan). Similarly, the remaining 200 were collected from agro-ecological zone i.e. tehsil Sharaqpur (Sheikhupura), to evaluate the comparative efficacy of LAT with optimized ELISA kit and newly optimized ELISA kit with commercial ELISA kit. FINDINGS The newly ELISA kit optimized against a commercial ELISA kit was found to have 100% sensitivity, 97.6% specificity with 98% Positive Predictive Value, 100% Negative Predictive Value, Cut off value = 0.505, 28.28 LR+, 0.0104 LR-, and 2719.23 DOR. Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was detected significantly (P < 0.01; χ2) higher in Sharaqpur (44.5% by LAT; 35.5% by ELISA) as compared to that in Kot Chutta (39.5% by LAT; 31% by ELISA). The highest seroprevalence was seen in the sheep of the 1-2 years age group (P < 0.01; χ2), whereas the lowest in the oldest animals (≥ 4 years). Investigation of meteorological data of both the regions reveals that the zone with higher seroprevalence has relatively higher rainfall, higher humidity, lower environmental temperatures, and higher altitude as the critical factors, potentially behind the significant difference seen in seroprevalence level. The partial correlation of both tests (newly optimized ELISA kit and LAT) was 0.991 at maximum temperature in Sharaqpur while it was 0.981 in Kot Chutta. INTERPRETATION A novel significant correlation was found between the meteorological parameters (relative humidity, minimum, maximum, and average temperatures) divided into yearly units of both the ecological zones, and year-wise seroprevalence (birth years of age-wise groups) of the corresponding regions. We hypothesize that such environmental conditions increase the risk of toxoplasmosis in grazing sheep, owing to a more favorable environment for coccidian oocyst survival. The ELISA kit optimized in this study will be helpful for the detection of seroprevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis in other ecological zones of Pakistan as well as of any other country in the world. More studies are recommended involving regions from other ecological zones of Pakistan to further explore the seroprevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis and to ratify the novel correlation of meteorological parameters with seroprevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarfraz Ur Rahman
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Parasitology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Haroon Akbar
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Parasitology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Ubaid Ullah
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Parasitology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran Rashid
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Parasitology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
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Grochow T, Beck B, Rentería-Solís Z, Schares G, Maksimov P, Strube C, Raqué L, Kacza J, Daugschies A, Fietz SA. Reduced neural progenitor cell count and cortical neurogenesis in guinea pigs congenitally infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1209. [PMID: 38012384 PMCID: PMC10682419 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05576-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma (T.) gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution. Congenital infection can lead to severe pathological alterations in the brain. To examine the effects of toxoplasmosis in the fetal brain, pregnant guinea pigs are infected with T. gondii oocysts on gestation day 23 and dissected 10, 17 and 25 days afterwards. We show the neocortex to represent a target region of T. gondii and the parasite to infect neural progenitor cells (NPCs), neurons and astrocytes in the fetal brain. Importantly, we observe a significant reduction in neuron number at end-neurogenesis and find a marked reduction in NPC count, indicating that impaired neurogenesis underlies the neuronal decrease in infected fetuses. Moreover, we observe focal microglioses to be associated with T. gondii in the fetal brain. Our findings expand the understanding of the pathophysiology of congenital toxoplasmosis, especially contributing to the development of cortical malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grochow
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Britta Beck
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zaida Rentería-Solís
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gereon Schares
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa Raqué
- Veterinary practice Raqué, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Kacza
- BioImaging Core Facility, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arwid Daugschies
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone A Fietz
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
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7
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Joeres M, Cardron G, Passebosc-Faure K, Plault N, Fernández-Escobar M, Hamilton CM, O'Brien-Anderson L, Calero-Bernal R, Galal L, Luttermann C, Maksimov P, Conraths FJ, Dardé ML, Ortega-Mora LM, Jokelainen P, Mercier A, Schares G. A ring trial to harmonize Toxoplasma gondii microsatellite typing: comparative analysis of results and recommendations for optimization. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023:10.1007/s10096-023-04597-7. [PMID: 37093325 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04597-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
A ring trial among five European laboratories was organized to reach consistency in microsatellite (MS) typing of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Three sample sets were circulated and analyzed by each laboratory following a previously published method that is based on fragment length polymorphism of 15 MS markers. The first sample set compared typing results in general and focused on effects of DNA concentration; the second sample set focused on the polymorphic fingerprinting markers that can differentiate T. gondii strains within the same archetypal lineage; and the third set focused on non-archetypal genotypes. Methodological variations between laboratories, including the software programs used to determine MS fragment length, were collated using a questionnaire. Overall, lineage-level typing results reached a high level of agreement, especially in samples with the highest DNA concentrations. However, laboratory-specific differences were observed for particular markers. Major median differences in fragment length, of up to 6 base pairs, were related to the fluorophore used to label fragment-specific primers. In addition, primer pairs with identical sequences obtained from different suppliers resulted in fragments of differing length. Furthermore, differences in the way the sequencing profiles were assessed and interpreted may have led to deviating results in fragment length determination. Harmonization of MS typing, for example, by using the same fluorophores or by numerical adjustments applied to the fragment-lengths determined, could improve the uniformity of the results across laboratories. This is the first interlaboratory comparison, providing guidelines (added as a supplement) for the optimization of this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Joeres
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - G Cardron
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - K Passebosc-Faure
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - N Plault
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - M Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - C M Hamilton
- The Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, UK
| | - L O'Brien-Anderson
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Galal
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - C Luttermann
- Institute of Immunology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, -Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - P Maksimov
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - F J Conraths
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M L Dardé
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - L M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Mercier
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - G Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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8
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Hicks VJ, Sánchez C, López MR, Gottschlich A, Grajeda LM, Balish A, Gómez A, Nuñez N, Juárez J, López B, Freitas-Ning M, Cordón-Rosales C, Sagastume M, McCracken JP, Espinosa-Bode A, Cadena L, Lo TQ. Seroprevalence of high incidence congenital infections among pregnant women in Coatepeque, Guatemala and surrounding areas, 2017-2018. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011248. [PMID: 37093863 PMCID: PMC10159341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infections during pregnancy can potentially cause birth defects and severe adverse effects in infants. From 2017 to 2018, we investigated the seroprevalence of five antibodies among 436 mother-infant pairs enrolled in a pregnancy cohort study in Coatepeque, Guatemala. Upon enrollment (< 20 weeks gestational age) and shortly after delivery, we measured the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), rubella, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in mothers and newborns and used rapid tests to detect HIV and syphilis (Treponema pallidum) in mothers. The mean cohort age was 24.5 years. Maternal T. gondii IgM and IgG seropositivity was 1.9% and 69.7%, respectively. No women were positive for HIV, syphilis, or rubella IgM. Maternal rubella IgG seropositivity was 80.8% and significantly increased with age. Maternal CMV IgM and IgG seropositivity were 2.3% and 99.5%, respectively. Of the 323 women tested at both timepoints, IgM reactivation occurred in one woman for T. gondii infection and in eight for CMV. No newborn was seropositive for CMV IgM or rubella IgM. One newborn was seropositive for T. gondii IgM. Congenital T. gondii and CMV infections are important public health issues for pregnant women, newborns, and healthcare providers in Coatepeque and Guatemala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria J Hicks
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Central America Region Office, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - César Sánchez
- Departamento de Epidemiología, Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - María Reneé López
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Anna Gottschlich
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Central America Region Office, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Laura M Grajeda
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Global Health Institute, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Amanda Balish
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ana Gómez
- Departamento de Epidemiología, Área de Salud de Quetzaltenango; Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
| | - Nevis Nuñez
- Hospital Regional "Dr. Juan José Ortega" de Coatepeque, Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Coatepeque, Guatemala
| | - Julio Juárez
- Unidad de Atención Integral del VIH e Infecciones Crónicas "Dr. Carlos Rodolfo Mejia" del Hospital Roosevelt, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Beatriz López
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Central America Region Office, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Mariangeli Freitas-Ning
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Central America Region Office, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Celia Cordón-Rosales
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Manuel Sagastume
- Departamento de Epidemiología, Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - John P McCracken
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Andrés Espinosa-Bode
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Central America Region Office, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Loren Cadena
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Central America Region Office, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Terrence Q Lo
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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9
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Kuruca L, Belluco S, Vieira-Pinto M, Antic D, Blagojevic B. Current control options and a way towards risk-based control of Toxoplasma gondii in the meat chain. Food Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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10
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Marzok M, Al-Jabr OA, Salem M, Alkashif K, Sayed-Ahmed M, Wakid MH, Kandeel M, Selim A. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Horses. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10030237. [PMID: 36977276 PMCID: PMC10057672 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10030237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is classified as intracellular protozoa and is one of the major zoonotic parasites. Most warm-blooded intermediate hosts, including humans, are commonly infected by this parasite. The epidemiology of T. gondii infection in Egyptian horses is currently poorly understood. METHODS 420 blood samples were randomly collected from horses raised in four governorates in Northern Egypt (110 each from Giza and Kafr El Sheikh, and 100 each from Qalyubia and Gharbia) to investigate the existence of antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial ELISA kit, and to ascertain the risk factors for the infection. RESULTS the antibodies for T. gondii were found in 16.2% (68/420) of the examined horses, with no significant differences among the four studied governorates. The highest prevalence rate was observed in Giza. The results revealed that sex, breed, age, and contact with domestic ruminants or cats were recognized as potential risk factors. The high prevalence rate was found in mixed breed horses (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 0.95-7.26), mares (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.31-4.19), and horses aged over 10 years (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.30-3.44). Moreover, the likelihood of seropositivity for T. gondii infection was higher in horses raised in environments with cats (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.13-3.44, p = 0.017) or domestic ruminants (OR = 2.16, 1.21-3.86, p = 0.010). This report confirms that horses in Northern Egypt are exposed to T. gondii and thus raises the possibility that people and other animals could contract the disease. CONCLUSIONS routine examination and management of T. gondii infection in horses in these governorates is advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Marzok
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr El Sheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh 33511, Egypt
- King Faisal University Veterinary Hospital, Al-Asha 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar A Al-Jabr
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Asha 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Salem
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
- King Faisal University Veterinary Hospital, Al-Asha 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
| | - Khalid Alkashif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 82722, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Sayed-Ahmed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 82722, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Majed H Wakid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud Kandeel
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr El Sheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh 33511, Egypt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelfattah Selim
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt
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11
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Adeyemi OS, Ishii K, Kato K. The In Vitro Anti-Parasitic Activities of Emodin toward Toxoplasma gondii. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030447. [PMID: 36986545 PMCID: PMC10053859 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, toxoplasmosis affects nearly one-third of the world’s population, but the available treatments have several limitations. This factor underscores the search for better therapy for toxoplasmosis. Therefore, in the current investigation, we investigated the potential of emodin as a new anti-Toxoplasma gondii while exploring its anti-parasitic mechanism of action. We explored the mechanisms of action of emodin in the presence and absence of an in vitro model of experimental toxoplasmosis. Emodin showed strong anti-T. gondii action with an EC50 value of 0.03 µg/mL; at this same effective anti-parasite concentration, emodin showed no appreciable host cytotoxicity. Likewise, emodin showed a promising anti-T. gondii specificity with a selectivity index (SI) of 276. Pyrimethamine, a standard drug for toxoplasmosis, had an SI of 2.3. The results collectively imply that parasite damage was selective rather than as a result of a broad cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, our data confirm that emodin-induced parasite growth suppression stems from parasite targets and not host targets, and indicate that the anti-parasite action of emodin precludes oxidative stress and ROS production. Emodin likely mediates parasite growth suppression through means other than oxidative stress, ROS production, or mitochondrial toxicity. Collectively, our findings support the potential of emodin as a promising and novel anti-parasitic agent that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluyomi Stephen Adeyemi
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 232-3 Yomogida, Naruko-onsen, Osaki 989-6711, Miyagi, Japan
- Medicinal Biochemistry and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran 251101, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | - Kosei Ishii
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 232-3 Yomogida, Naruko-onsen, Osaki 989-6711, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kato
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 232-3 Yomogida, Naruko-onsen, Osaki 989-6711, Miyagi, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +81-229-84-7391
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12
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Bernardino PN, Pusterla N, Conrad PA, Packham AE, Tamez-Trevino E, Aleman M, James K, Smith WA. Evidence of intrathecally-derived antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in horses suspected of neurological disease consistent with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Vet Parasitol 2023; 318:109919. [PMID: 37043865 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Among the recognized neurologic diseases in horses, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) has been reported around the world and still presents challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Horses can present with clinical neurologic signs consistent with EPM while testing negative for the two main causative agents, Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi, and may still be clinically responsive to anti-parasitic drug therapy. This context led to our hypothesis that another protozoal parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which is known to cause toxoplasmosis in other mammalian species, is a potential pathogen to cause neurologic disease in horses. To evaluate this hypothesis, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected from 210 horses presenting with clinical signs compatible with EPM, and the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to detect antibody titers for T. gondii, S. neurona, and N. hughesi. Additionally, the serum to CSF titer ratio was calculated for T. gondii, S. neurona, and N. hughesi infections, suggesting intrathecally-derived antibodies for each of the three agents if the serum:CSF ratio was ≤ 64. There were 133 (63.3%) horses positive for serum T. gondii antibodies using a cutoff titer of 160, and 31 (14.8%) positive for CSF T. gondii antibodies using a cutoff titer of 5. Overall, 21 (10.0%) of EPM-suspect horses had a serum:CSF ratio ≤ 64 for antibodies for T. gondii, while 43 (20.5%) and 8 (3.8%) horses had a serum to CSF ratio ≤ 64 for antibodies for S. neurona and N. hughesi, respectively. A total of 6 (2.9%) animals presented evidence of concurrent intrathecally-derived antibodies for T. gondii and at least one other apicomplexan parasite in this study. Signalment and clinical signs were not different across the groups aforementioned. These data provide evidence of intrathecal production of anti-T. gondii antibodies, indicative of T. gondii infection in the brain and/or spinal cord of horses with EPM-like disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro N Bernardino
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Patricia A Conrad
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrea E Packham
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Eva Tamez-Trevino
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, Immunology/Virology Laboratory, 1 Garrod Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Monica Aleman
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kaitlyn James
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Woutrina A Smith
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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13
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Qamar W, Alsayeqh AF. A review of foodborne Toxoplasma gondii with a special focus on its prevalence in Pakistan from 2000 to 2022. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1080139. [PMID: 36744224 PMCID: PMC9890071 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1080139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Third-world countries have a higher prevalence of food-related disorders than developed nations. Millions of people in underdeveloped countries are seriously at risk from the potential water supply contamination with protozoan diseases. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the important protozoans causing diseases in livestock and humans. Despite the standard tests for diagnosing this parasite and different treatment methods, the spread of these parasites is uncontrollable and rising every year due to other management disorders. In this review, we summarize etiopathogenesis and prevalence in Pakistan. We looked for papers reporting the seroprevalence of T. gondii in people and animals between 2000 and 2022 in different databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Pakistan's domestic animals (sheep and goats, horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, and buffaloes), domestic pets (cats and dogs), poultry and rodents, and humans were gathered. According to the findings, sheep had an estimated pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii that varied from 11.20 to 26.50 %, and goats from 24.50 to 38.40%. Whereas in buffalo the opposite trend was followed, and the prevalence was observed is 0% in 2022, in horses, donkeys, and mules, only one study was reported according to which a high prevalence was observed in mules (28.60%) followed by donkeys (23.50%) and horses (23.50%), in cats 38.5% prevalence was observed in a recent study and in dogs 28.43% observed, and in humans from 22 to 60%. Human beings are found to be the most affected species showing high prevalence among all. According to our findings, animals and pets not only serve as a reservoir for the parasite but also serve as a direct route for human infection with T. gondii. The diagnostic techniques used in the observed studies were mostly serological testing whereas only a few studies have only been observed with molecular testing. To know the exact pattern of the disease for its control, the trend of molecular and advanced testing should be adopted as it is more reliable. Moreover, to decrease the transmission chances of T. gondii to humans, it is crucial to manage T. gondii infections in non-human species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warda Qamar
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Abdullah F. Alsayeqh ✉
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14
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Andreopoulou M, Schares G, Koethe M, Chaligiannis I, Maksimov P, Joeres M, Cardron G, Goroll T, Sotiraki S, Daugschies A, Bangoura B. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in different types of poultry in Greece, associated risk factors and co-existence with Eimeria spp. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:97-111. [PMID: 36308531 PMCID: PMC9816277 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07701-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite of public health importance, infecting all warm-blooded animals, including chickens. Undercooked chicken meat or relevant products such as sausages could lead to human infections. In free-range, organic and slow-growth farming systems where the susceptibility period for chickens is extended, more knowledge about potential risk factors is essential. This study is the first seroepidemiological survey in different regions and types of chicken farms in Greece, using a major tachyzoite surface antigen-based ELISA (TgSAG1), combined with magnetic-capture PCR (mc-PCR) and bioassay for the isolation of strains from the chickens' tissues. Potential risk factors for T. gondii infection in these hosts were also investigated. Additionally, the co-existence of T. gondii and Eimeria spp. infections was assessed to elucidate epidemiological links between these two protozoan infections. Overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 9.5%. Of the backyard chickens sampled, 41.2% were seropositive and 70% of the organic and free-range layer farms had at least one T. gondii seropositive hen. No serologically positive broilers were found, although mc-PCR revealed a positive sample, highlighting the importance of accurate early-infection direct detection of T. gondii infections to ensure public health. T. gondii isolates obtained by mouse bioassay were genotyped. All belonged to type II (ToxoDB#3) as confirmed also by microsatellite typing. Production system, type of nutrition, and feeding system automation were identified as the most significant risk factors, while no association was found between the presence of cats and T. gondii seropositivity as calculated on both a farm level and per individual bird sampled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Andreopoulou
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany ,Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, 57001 Thessaloniki, Thermi Greece
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Koethe
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ilias Chaligiannis
- Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Maike Joeres
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Garance Cardron
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Tina Goroll
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Smaro Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, 57001 Thessaloniki, Thermi Greece
| | - Arwid Daugschies
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Berit Bangoura
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY USA
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15
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Bokaba RP, Dermauw V, Morar-Leather D, Dorny P, Neves L. Toxoplasma gondii in African Wildlife: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080868. [PMID: 36014989 PMCID: PMC9414955 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite, which infects a wide variety of mammals and bird species globally. In large parts of the world, this parasite is relatively well documented in wildlife species, however, this topic is poorly documented in Africa. The current review systematically explores the presence and distribution of T. gondii in African wildlife species through a key word search in PubMed, Web of Science and CAB Direct. A total of 66 records were identified and included in the qualitative analysis, of which 19 records were retained for the quantitative synthesis. The presence of T. gondii was reported in a wide range of wildlife species, found in twelve countries, spread over the African continent. The retained records report a prevalence range of 6–100% in herbivores, 8–100% in omnivores and 14–100% in carnivores. In wild felines (cheetahs, leopards, and lions) a prevalence range of 33–100% was found. Reports from South Africa, and on the presence of T. gondii in lion were most common. Overall, the results indicate the scarcity of information on T. gondii in Africa and its circulation in wildlife. The lack of knowledge on the parasite in Africa, especially in areas at the human-livestock-wildlife interface, prevents us from understanding how prevalent it is on the continent, what strains are circulating in wildlife and what the most common routes of transmission are in the different habitats in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Refilwe Philadelphia Bokaba
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (D.M.-L.); (L.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Veronique Dermauw
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (V.D.); (P.D.)
| | - Darshana Morar-Leather
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (D.M.-L.); (L.N.)
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (V.D.); (P.D.)
| | - Luis Neves
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (D.M.-L.); (L.N.)
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo 3453, Mozambique
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16
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Hou Z, Wang L, Su D, Cai W, Zhu Y, Liu D, Huang S, Xu J, Pan Z, Tao J. Global MicroRNAs Expression Profile Analysis Reveals Possible Regulatory Mechanisms of Brain Injury Induced by Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:827570. [PMID: 35360170 PMCID: PMC8961362 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.827570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan that can cause toxoplasmosis in humans and other endotherms. T. gondii can manipulate the host gene expression profile by interfering with miRNA expression, which is closely associated with the molecular mechanisms of T. gondii-induced brain injury. However, it is unclear how T. gondii manipulates the gene expression of central nervous system (CNS) cells through modulation of miRNA expression in vivo during acute and chronic infection. Therefore, high-throughput sequencing was used to investigate expression profiles of brain miRNAs at 10, 25, and 50 days post-infection (DPI) in pigs infected with the Chinese I genotype T. gondii strain in this study. Compared with the control group 87, 68, and 135 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in the infected porcine brains at 10, 25, and 50 DPI, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that a large number significantly enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways were found, and were mostly associated with stimulus or immune response, signal transduction, cell death or apoptosis, metabolic processes, immune system or diseases, and cancers. miRNA–gene network analysis revealed that the crucial connecting nodes, including DEMs and their target genes, might have key roles in the interactions between porcine brain and T. gondii. These results suggest that the regulatory strategies of T. gondii are involved in the modulation of a variety of host cell signaling pathways and cellular processes, containing unfolded protein response (UPR), oxidative stress (OS), autophagy, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, and inflammatory responses, by interfering with the global miRNA expression profile of CNS cells, allowing parasites to persist in the host CNS cells and contribute to pathological damage of porcine brain. To our knowledge, this is the first report on miRNA expression profile in porcine brains during acute and chronic T. gondii infection in vivo. Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying T. gondii-induced brain injury during different infection stages and novel targets for developing therapeutic agents against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lele Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dingzeyang Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Weimin Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Siyang Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhiming Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jianping Tao,
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17
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Hou Z, Zhang H, Xu K, Zhu S, Wang L, Su D, Liu J, Su S, Liu D, Huang S, Xu J, Pan Z, Tao J. Cluster analysis of splenocyte microRNAs in the pig reveals key signal regulators of immunomodulation in the host during acute and chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:58. [PMID: 35177094 PMCID: PMC8851844 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05164-3] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause a geographically widespread zoonosis. Our previous splenocyte microRNA profile analyses of pig infected with T. gondii revealed that the coordination of a large number of miRNAs regulates the host immune response during infection. However, the functions of other miRNAs involved in the immune regulation during T. gondii infection are not yet known. METHODS Clustering analysis was performed by K-means, self-organizing map (SOM), and hierarchical clustering to obtain miRNA groups with the similar expression patterns. Then, the target genes of the miRNA group in each subcluster were further analyzed for functional enrichment by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome pathway to recognize the key signaling molecules and the regulatory signatures of the innate and adaptive immune responses of the host during T. gondii infection. RESULTS A total of 252 miRNAs were successfully divided into 22 subclusters by K-means clustering (designated as K1-K22), 29 subclusters by SOM clustering (designated as SOM1-SOM29), and six subclusters by hierarchical clustering (designated as H1-H6) based on their dynamic expression levels in the different infection stages. A total of 634, 660, and 477 GO terms, 15, 26, and 14 KEGG pathways, and 16, 15, and 7 Reactome pathways were significantly enriched by K-means, SOM, and hierarchical clustering, respectively. Of note, up to 22 miRNAs mainly showing downregulated expression at 50 days post-infection (dpi) were grouped into one subcluster (namely subcluster H3-K17-SOM1) through the three algorithms. Functional analysis revealed that a large group of immunomodulatory signaling molecules were controlled by the different miRNA groups to regulate multiple immune processes, for instance, IL-1-mediated cellular response and Th1/Th2 cell differentiation partly depending on Notch signaling transduction for subclusters K1 and K2, innate immune response involved in neutrophil degranulation and TLR4 cascade signaling for subcluster K15, B cell activation for subclusters SOM17, SOM1, and SOM25, leukocyte migration, and chemokine activity for subcluster SOM9, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction for subcluster H2, and interleukin production, chemotaxis of immune cells, chemokine signaling pathway, and C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway for subcluster H3-K17-SOM1. CONCLUSIONS Cluster analysis of splenocyte microRNAs in the pig revealed key regulatory properties of subcluster miRNA molecules and important features in the immune regulation induced by acute and chronic T. gondii infection. These results contribute new insight into the identification of physiological immune responses and maintenance of tolerance in pig spleen tissues during T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Kangzhi Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Shifan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Lele Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Dingzeyang Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiantao Liu
- YEBIO Bioengineering Co., Ltd. of QINGDAO, Qingdao, 266109, People's Republic of China
| | - Shijie Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyang Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiming Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered domestic ruminants in Northwest Ethiopia: occurrence, bioassay and virulence assessment. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:429-439. [DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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19
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Arango CA, Chang MK, Waters LM. Selected Infectious Diseases. Fam Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-54441-6_46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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20
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Abdullah A, Merza N, Merza A. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in contaminated soils using polymerase chain reaction analysis in Duhok City Iraq. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF BABYLON 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/mjbl.mjbl_29_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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21
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protist infecting a wide group of warm-blooded animals, ranging from birds to humans. While this infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, it can also lead to severe ocular or neurological outcomes in immunocompromised individuals or in developing fetuses. This obligate intracellular parasite has the ability to infect a considerable range of nucleated cells and can propagate in the intermediate host. Yet, under the pressure of the immune system it transforms into an encysted persistent form residing primarily in the brain and muscle tissues. Encysted parasites, which are resistant to current medication, may reactivate and give rise to an acute infection. The clinical outcome of toxoplasmosis depends on a complex balance between the host immune response and parasite virulence factors. Susceptibility to the disease is thus determined by both parasite strains and host species. Recent advances on our understanding of host cell-parasite interactions and parasite virulence have brought new insights into the pathophysiology of T. gondii infection and are summarized here.
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22
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Pereira-Suárez AL, Galván-Ramírez MDLL, Rodríguez-Pérez LR, López-Pulido EI, Hernández-Silva CD, Ramírez-López IG, Morales Amaya GV, Lopez Cabrera LD, Muñoz-Valle JF, Ramírez-de-Arellano A. 17β-estradiol modulates the expression of hormonal receptors on THP-1 T. gondii-infected macrophages and monocytes in an AKT and ERK-dependent manner. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 247:111433. [PMID: 34822916 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasite common in pregnancy. Monocytes and macrophages are a significant immunologic barrier against T. gondii by boosting up inflammation. This outcome is highly regulated by signaling pathways such as MAPK (ERK1/2) and PI3K (AKT), necessary in cell growth and proliferation. It may be associated with the hormonal receptors' modulation by T. gondii (Estrogen Receptor (ER)-α, ERβ, G Protein-coupled ER (GPER), and Prolactin Receptor (PRLR)), as previously reported by our research group. 17β-estradiol also activates MAPK and PI3K; however, its combined effect in THP-1 monocytes and macrophages, infected with T. gondii, has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of 17β-estradiol in the activation of signaling pathways using a model of THP-1 monocytes and macrophages infected with T. gondii. THP-1 monocytes were cultured and differentiated into macrophages. Inhibition of AKT and ERK1/2 was performed with specific inhibitors. Stimuli were performed with 17β-estradiol (10 nM), T. gondii (20,000 tachyzoites), and both conditions for 48 h. Proteins were extracted and quantified, and Western Blot assays were performed. 17β-estradiol performed activation of ERK1/2 and AKT in T. gondii-infected macrophages. 17β-estradiol modulated the expression of hormonal receptors in infected cells: increases the PRLR and PrgR in T. gondii-infected macrophages and decreases the PRLR and ERα in T. gondii-infected monocytes. As for GPER, its expression is abolished by T. gondii, and 17β-estradiol cannot restore it. Finally, the blockage of ERK and AKT pathways modified the expression of hormonal receptors. In conclusion, 17β-estradiol modifies the receptors of T. gondii-infected THP1 macrophages and monocytes in an ERK/AKT dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Pereira-Suárez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México; Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México
| | - María de la Luz Galván-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México
| | - Laura Rocío Rodríguez-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México
| | - Edgar I López-Pulido
- Departamento de Clínicas, Centro Universitario de los Altos, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | - Christian David Hernández-Silva
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México
| | - Inocencia Guadalupe Ramírez-López
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México
| | - Grecia Viridiana Morales Amaya
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México
| | - Luis David Lopez Cabrera
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México
| | - José Francisco Muñoz-Valle
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México
| | - Adrián Ramírez-de-Arellano
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44 340, México.
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23
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Mao F, Yang Y, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Ding X, Ni B, Xu X, Jin X, Dai Y. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Among High-Risk Populations in Jiangsu Province, Eastern China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:783654. [PMID: 34778115 PMCID: PMC8581562 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.783654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic protozoan, infects one-third of people worldwide and could lead to serious outcomes in immunodeficient or immunocompromised populations. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for T. gondii infection among high-risk populations in Jiangsu Province, eastern China. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 4 categories of populations in 13 prefectures including HIV/AIDS patients, livestock breeding/processing (B/P) staff, pregnant women, and cancer patients. We detected specific immunoglobulin G and M (IgG and IgM) levels for each participant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and asked to complete a questionnaire for each participant that covered sociodemographic information as well as the basic knowledge of attitudes toward and the practices for the prevention of toxoplasmosis. A total of 5231 participants distributed across 13 prefecture-level cities was surveyed, including 2455 males and 2776 females. Total seropositivity rate in each population category was as follows: 9.08% (HIV/AIDS patients), 11.65% (livestock B/P staff), 5.50% (pregnant women), and 12.89% (cancer patients). We detected IgM positivity in HIV/AIDS patients (0.47%, 6/1289), livestock B/P staff (0.08%, 1/1330), and cancer patients (0.46%, 6/1303) but not in pregnant women. Further, we detected IgM+IgG positivity only in cancer patients (0.31%, 4/1303). The seropositivity rate for pregnant women was significantly lower, while cancer patients were significantly higher. Higher educational levels were associated with lower seropositivity rates for T. gondii infection. High seropositivity rates were associated with long period of HIV infection among HIV/AIDS patients, frequent contact with livestock among livestock breeding/processing staff and male older patients among cancer patients, respectively. Analysis of practices across all participants showed that frequent contact with pets in everyday life or using the same cutting board for both raw and cooked foods leads to higher seropositivity rates. Therefore, we obtained the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among high-risk populations in Jiangsu Province which could provide evidence for the implementation of control measures in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanzhen Mao
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China
| | - Yougui Yang
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China.,Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing City, China
| | - Yuying Chen
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China.,Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing City, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China
| | - Xin Ding
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China
| | - Bixian Ni
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China
| | - Xiangzhen Xu
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China
| | - Xiaolin Jin
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China
| | - Yang Dai
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi City, China.,Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing City, China
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24
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Kelbert L, Stephan R, Furtwaengler C, Pinillo JA, Morach M, Nüesch-Inderbinen M. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Hepatitis E Virus, and Salmonella Antibodies in Meat Juice Samples from Pigs at Slaughter in Switzerland. J Food Prot 2021; 84:1760-1764. [PMID: 34086887 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-21-183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii, hepatitis E virus (HEV), and Salmonella are zoonotic foodborne pathogens that may be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii, anti-HEV, and anti-Salmonella antibodies from healthy pigs at slaughter in Switzerland. From August to September 2020, the diaphragm muscle of Swiss fattening pigs was collected in three Swiss abattoirs from 188 farms. Two randomly chosen pig carcasses per farm were selected. On the basis of the slaughter data, we noted the production system and the canton of origin, comparing indoor (n = 120) and free-range (n = 68) farming and regional allocation. The meat juice of these samples was analyzed for pathogen-specific antibodies by using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The seroprevalences were 1.3% for T. gondii, 71.8% for the HEV, and 5.3% for Salmonella, respectively. Comparing the origins, the results of many cantons were not meaningful due to the low number of samples. No regional accumulations were found for T. gondii and HEV. The results showed that 2.1% of the farms had least one T. gondii-seropositive animal, 80.3% had at least one HEV-seropositive animal, and 8.5% had at least one Salmonella-seropositive animal, respectively. The seropositivity of T. gondii was higher in free-range pigs than in indoor pigs, whereas anti-Salmonella antibodies were more common in pigs from indoor farming than in outdoor pigs. The seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was similar in free-range and indoor farming pigs. Compared with studies from 2012, the seroprevalence of T. gondii has decreased, whereas the seroprevalence of the HEV has increased and is highly prevalent among fattening pigs in Switzerland. The low seroprevalence of Salmonella has remained stable in recent years. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucien Kelbert
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Juan Antonio Pinillo
- Office for Food Safety and Animal Welfare of Canton Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Marina Morach
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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25
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Grochow T, Beck B, Rentería-Solís Z, Schares G, Maksimov P, Strube C, Seeger J, Raqué L, Ulrich R, Daugschies A, Fietz SA. Establishment and validation of a guinea pig model for human congenital toxoplasmosis. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:389. [PMID: 34362413 PMCID: PMC8344189 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution. Congenital infection in humans and animals may lead to severe symptoms in the offspring, especially in the brain. A suitable animal model for human congenital toxoplasmosis is currently lacking. The aim of this study is to establish and validate the guinea pig as a model for human congenital toxoplasmosis by investigating the impact of the T. gondii infection dose, the duration of infection and the gestational stage at infection on the seroconversion, survival rate of dams, fate of the offspring, T. gondii DNA loads in various offspring tissues and organs and the integrity of the offspring brain. Methods Pregnant guinea pigs were infected with three different doses (10, 100, 500 oocysts) of T. gondii strain ME49 at three different time points during gestation (15, 30, 48 days post-conception). Serum of dams was tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using immunoblotting. T. gondii DNA levels in the dam and offspring were determined by qPCR. Offspring brains were examined histologically. Results We found the survival rate of dams and fate of the offspring to be highly dependent on the T. gondii infection dose with an inoculation of 500 oocysts ending lethally for all respective offspring. Moreover, both parameters differ depending on the gestational stage at infection with infection in the first and third trimester of gestation resulting in a high offspring mortality rate. The duration of infection was found to substantially impact the seroconversion rate of dams with the probability of seroconversion exceeding 50% after day 20 post-infection. Furthermore, the infection duration of dams influenced the T. gondii DNA loads in the offspring and the integrity of offspring brain. Highest DNA levels were found in the offspring brain of dams infected for ≥ 34 days. Conclusion This study contributes to establishing the guinea pig as a suitable model for human congenital toxoplasmosis and thus lays the foundation for using the guinea pig as a suitable animal model to study scientific questions of high topicality and clinical significance, which address the pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04890-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grochow
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Britta Beck
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zaida Rentería-Solís
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gereon Schares
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Johannes Seeger
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lisa Raqué
- Veterinary Practice Raqué, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Reiner Ulrich
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arwid Daugschies
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone A Fietz
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
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26
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Bassi AMG, Steiner JC, Stephan R, Nüesch-Inderbinen M. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Salmonella in Hunted Wild Boars from Two Different Regions in Switzerland. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082227. [PMID: 34438685 PMCID: PMC8388357 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Wild boars are widely distributed in the northern and southern wooded regions of Switzerland and are popular for their meat. Wild boars can carry a variety of parasites, bacteria, and viruses that could infect humans and domestic animals. In this study, we focused on two important pathogens, the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and the bacterium Salmonella. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests to detect antibodies to these pathogens in diaphragm tissue samples from hunted wild boars from two different regions of Switzerland. While the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was similar for animals from the northern and southern region (29% and 37%, respectively), Salmonella seropositivity was very much higher in wild boars from the northern area (52%) than among animals from the south (5%). This may be related to the wild boar density, which may in turn be a risk factor for domestic animals and humans living in the same area. Pathogens in wild boars are of public health significance as a potential source of meat-borne diseases in humans. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii and Salmonella are zoonotic foodborne pathogens that may be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, including game. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Salmonella antibodies in wild boars in two different regions in Switzerland. During the hunting season of 2020, a total of 126 diaphragm muscle samples of hunted wild boars were collected and the meat juice of these samples was analysed for pathogen-specific IgG antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The overall seroprevalences were 35% for T. gondii and 17% for Salmonella, respectively. In general, seropositivity increased with the age of the animals. Seroprevalences of T. gondii were similar for animals from the northern region (29%) to those from the southern region (36.8%), indicating that T. gondii is widespread in the sylvestrian environment. By contrast, Salmonella seropositivity was remarkably higher in wild boars from the north (52%) compared with those from the south (5.3%). The high occurrence of Salmonella may represent a risk of transmission to compatriot domestic animals such free-range farmed pigs as well as to humans. Further, meat of hunted wild boars may present a source of human toxoplasmosis or salmonellosis.
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Muñoz R, Hidalgo-Hermoso E, Fredes F, Alegría-Morán R, Celis S, Ortiz-Tacci C, Kemec I, Mansell M, Verasay J, Ramírez-Toloza G. Serological prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Zoo Mammals in Chile. Prev Vet Med 2021; 194:105445. [PMID: 34329906 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic cosmopolitan protozoan that causes a high mortality rate among zoo mammals such as New World primates, meerkats, marsupials and Pallas' cat. It has been recently reported in Chile, mainly among wild populations, but also as the cause of death of a kangaroo and a mara. However, there has not been a T. gondii report at a Zoo population level in Chile in the last 35 years. The aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in mammals housed in a zoo located in the Metropolitan Region of Chile between 2011 and 2018. In this study, we analyzed 350 samples, from 324 animals, belonging to 57 species of carnivores, non-human primates, macropodids, ungulates and rodents to detect the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Additionally, 20 animals were longitudinally sampled to evaluate intra-zoo infection. Using a commercial indirect Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) test, we detected T. gondii antibodies in 72 (22.2 %) samples. The overall seroprevalence estimates were 48.4 % in felines, 22.9 % in non-feline carnivores, 21.1 % in ungulates and 15.0 % in non-human primates. There were no positive samples from rodents or marsupials. Of animals sampled longitudinally, only a culpeo fox (Lycalopex cualpaeus) became seropositive along the study indicating exposition inside the facility. T. gondii seroprevalence differed significantly in taxonomic groups (p = 0.003), felines are statistically different from non-feline carnivores (NFC) (p = 0.040), ungulate (p = 0.027) and non-human primates (NHP) (p = 0.009). Annual prevalence comparison was performed showing no statistical difference (p = 0.941). A multivariable logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effect of taxonomic groups, proximity to water sources, diet, sex and type of housing on seropositivity. Only taxonomic group was statistically significant, indicating that NFC (OR = 0.35; 95 % CI = 0.15 - 0.83; p = 0.017), ungulates (OR = 0.30; 95 % CI = 0.13 - 0.69; p = 0.005), and NHP (OR = 0.25; 95 % CI = 0.09 - 0.72; p = 0.010) have lower risk of positivity to T. gondii compared to felines. Additionally, a black-faced spider monkey (Ateles chamek) and a siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) were seropositive, being the first description of T. gondii infection in these species worldwide. As seen in previous studies, the widespread presence and exposure of T. gondii in zoo mammals was confirmed, and there may be contact with the agent and transmission within the zoo, which was confirmed by one animal became seropositive over the time. This fact could be a health problem for animals susceptible to fatal toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Muñoz
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11.735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ezequiel Hidalgo-Hermoso
- Department of Conservation and Research, Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km. 32, Buin, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Fernando Fredes
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11.735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Raúl Alegría-Morán
- Laboratory of Epidemiology of Zoonotic Agents, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11.735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile; Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Ambientales, Universidad Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Celis
- Departamento de Veterinaria, Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km. 32, Buin, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Ortiz-Tacci
- Departamento de Veterinaria, Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km. 32, Buin, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ignacio Kemec
- Departamento de Veterinaria, Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km. 32, Buin, Santiago, Chile
| | - Myra Mansell
- Department of Conservation and Research, Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km. 32, Buin, Santiago, Chile; School of Anthropology and Conservation, DICE, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Juan Verasay
- Department of Conservation and Research, Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km. 32, Buin, Santiago, Chile
| | - Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11.735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile.
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Szewczyk-Golec K, Pawłowska M, Wesołowski R, Wróblewski M, Mila-Kierzenkowska C. Oxidative Stress as a Possible Target in the Treatment of Toxoplasmosis: Perspectives and Ambiguities. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115705. [PMID: 34071892 PMCID: PMC8198901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite causing toxoplasmosis, a common disease, which is most typically asymptomatic. However, toxoplasmosis can be severe and even fatal in immunocompromised patients and fetuses. Available treatment options are limited, so there is a strong impetus to develop novel therapeutics. This review focuses on the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology and treatment of T. gondii infection. Chemical compounds that modify redox status can reduce the parasite viability and thus be potential anti-Toxoplasma drugs. On the other hand, oxidative stress caused by the activation of the inflammatory response may have some deleterious consequences in host cells. In this respect, the potential use of natural antioxidants is worth considering, including melatonin and some vitamins, as possible novel anti-Toxoplasma therapeutics. Results of in vitro and animal studies are promising. However, supplementation with some antioxidants was found to promote the increase in parasitemia, and the disease was then characterized by a milder course. Undoubtedly, research in this area may have a significant impact on the future prospects of toxoplasmosis therapy.
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Iritani D, Banks JC, Webb SC, Fidler A, Horiguchi T, Wakeman KC. New gregarine species (Apicomplexa) from tunicates show an evolutionary history of host switching and suggest a problem with the systematics of Lankesteria and Lecudina. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 183:107622. [PMID: 34043973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexa (sensu stricto) are a diverse group of obligate parasites to a variety of animal species. Gregarines have been the subject of particular interest due to their diversity, phylogenetically basal position, and more recently, their symbiotic relationships with their hosts. In the present study, four new species of marine eugregarines infecting ascidian hosts (Lankesteria kaiteriteriensis sp. nov., L. dolabra sp. nov., L. savignyii sp. nov., and L. pollywoga sp. nov.) were described using a combination of morphological and molecular data. Phylogenetic analysis using small subunit rDNA sequences suggested that gregarines that parasitize ascidians and polychaetes share a common origin as traditionally hypothesized by predecessors in the discipline. However, Lankesteria and Lecudina species did not form clades as expected, but were instead intermixed amongst each other and their respective type species in the phylogeny. These two major genera are therefore taxonomically problematic. We hypothesize that the continued addition of new species from polychaete and tunicate hosts as well as the construction of multigene phylogenies that include type-material will further dissolve the currently accepted distinction between Lankesteria and Lecudina. The species discovered and described in the current study add new phylogenetic and taxonomic data to the knowledge of marine gregarine parasitism in ascidian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis Iritani
- Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, North 10, West 8, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Jonathan C Banks
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
| | - Stephen C Webb
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
| | | | - Takeo Horiguchi
- Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, North 10, West 8, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Kevin C Wakeman
- Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan.
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Lymphotoxin β Receptor: a Crucial Role in Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses against Toxoplasma gondii. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00026-21. [PMID: 33753412 PMCID: PMC8316152 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00026-21] [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: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) plays an essential role in the initiation of immune responses to intracellular pathogens. In mice, the LTβR is crucial for surviving acute toxoplasmosis; however, until now, a functional analysis was largely incomplete. Here, we demonstrate that the LTβR is a key regulator required for the intricate balance of adaptive immune responses. Toxoplasma gondii-infected LTβR-deficient (LTβR−/−) mice show globally altered interferon-γ (IFN-γ) regulation, reduced IFN-γ-controlled host effector molecule expression, impaired T cell functionality, and an absent anti-parasite-specific IgG response, resulting in a severe loss of immune control of the parasites. Reconstitution of LTβR−/− mice with toxoplasma immune serum significantly prolongs survival following T. gondii infection. Notably, analysis of RNA-seq data clearly indicates a specific effect of T. gondii infection on the B cell response and isotype switching. This study uncovers the decisive role of the LTβR in cytokine regulation and adaptive immune responses to control T. gondii.
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Alhusseiny SM, Saleh NE, El-Zayady WM, Hussein MS, El-Beshbishi SN. Association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and coronary atherosclerosis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:1190-1197. [PMID: 33596320 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide protozoon that can infect all nucleated vertebrate cells. Little information is available about the association between T. gondii infection and coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS A total of 320 cases were enrolled (160 patients with coronary atherosclerosis and 160 non-atherosclerotic individuals). Blood samples were collected to measure anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum lipid profile. Coronary angiogram was also performed. RESULTS The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic individuals was 63.1% and 46.2%, respectively, with higher levels of anti-T. gondii IgG in atherosclerotic patients. Consumption of contaminated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables and raw meat and contact with soil were significant risk factors for Toxoplasma infection. Significant differences were detected in serum levels of low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides and cholesterol between both groups. Positive correlations were detected between ELISA titres and serum levels of low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides and cholesterol, disease severity and the number of affected vessels. Male gender and contact with soil had a significant association with positive T. gondii serology in atherosclerotic patients. CONCLUSIONS Patients with coronary atherosclerosis have a high prevalence of T. gondii infection. More studies are crucial to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of chronic toxoplasmosis on coronary atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar M Alhusseiny
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Nora E Saleh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Wafaa M El-Zayady
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Hussein
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Specialized Medical Hospital, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Samar N El-Beshbishi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in people with alcohol consumption in Durango, Mexico. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245701. [PMID: 33507955 PMCID: PMC7842906 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The seroepidemiology of infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in alcohol consumers is largely undeveloped. In light of this, we sought to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in alcohol consumers in Durango, Mexico, and the association of T. gondii seroprevalence with characteristics of the population studied. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were searched in sera of participants using commercially available enzyme immunoassays. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were then used to determine the association between T. gondii infection and the characteristics of the population studied. Of the 1544 people studied (mean age: 39.4±14.0 years), 173 (11.2%) tested positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. We were able to test 167 of the 173 anti-T. gondii IgG positive sera for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Fifty-five (32.9%) of these 167 serum samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Bivariate analysis showed that visual impairment, history of surgery, and hepatitis were negatively associated with T. gondii IgG seropositivity (P<0.05). In women, seropositivity to T. gondii was positively associated with a history of pregnancy (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that T. gondii seropositivity was associated with the variables consumption of armadillo meat (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.04–5.22; P = 0.03), and the use of latrines for elimination of excretes (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.07–4.80; P = 0.03); and high (>150 IU/ml) anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were associated with consumption of both armadillo meat (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.01–5.02; P = 0.04) and crowding at home (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.02–2.61; P = 0.03). We found a distinct T. gondii seroprevalence in people with alcohol consumption from those previously found in population groups in the region. This is the first study that illustrates the association between high anti-T. gondii antibodies and crowding in Mexico, and the second study on the association between T. gondii infection and consumption of armadillo meat and the use of latrines in this country. We conclude that epidemiology of T. gondii infection in people with alcohol consumption deserves further investigation.
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Yousefvand A, Mirhosseini SA, Ghorbani M, Mohammadzadeh T, Moghaddam MM, Mohammadyari S. Molecular and serological detection and of Toxoplasma gondii in small ruminants of southwest Iran and the potential risks for consumers. J Verbrauch Lebensm 2021; 16:117-127. [PMID: 33424528 PMCID: PMC7776314 DOI: 10.1007/s00003-020-01306-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases with serious health risks for humans, especially for immunodeficient patients, and can lead to abortion in pregnant women worldwide. The oral uptake of sporulated oocysts and/or consumption of undercooked/raw meat of animals infected with Toxoplasma gondii can infect other animals and humans. Heart, liver, and meat tissues of 150 sheep and 150 goats from a slaughterhouse in Ahvaz, Iran, were collected during autumn 2018 and analyzed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect parasitic DNA in the animal tissues. Moreover, antibodies against T. gondii of 150 sera samples were detected as the targets by in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (in-house ELISA). A total of 26 (17.3%), 33 (22%), and 48 (32%) of liver, meat, and heart samples in sheep, and a total of 24 (16%), 26 (17.3%), and 36 (24%) of liver, meat, and heart samples in goats, respectively, showed positive PCR results. Besides, the ELISA evaluation of sera samples from 150 sheep and 150 goats resulted in 26 (13.3%) and 16 (10.6%) positive cases, respectively. A significant difference was also found between PCR-positive heart samples and ELISA-positive sera samples of both animal species (p < 0.05), but no significant difference existed between PCR-positive liver samples and ELISA-positive sera samples of both species (p > 0.05). The results of this study confirm the presence of T. gondii in sheep and goats’ consumable organs, highlighting the need to avoid consuming raw or uncooked organs of these animal species to prevent human infection with T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Yousefvand
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Mirhosseini
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Ghorbani
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Mohammadzadeh
- Health Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shirin Mohammadyari
- Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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Chaechi Nosrati MR, Shemshadi B, Shayan P, Ranjbar Bahadory S, Eslami A. Serological Determination of Toxoplasma gondii among Sheep (Ovis aries) in Guilan Province, Iran. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2021; 75:463-471. [PMID: 33403841 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2019.127291.1383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common foodborne protozoan parasite causing congenital infection, abortion, and stillbirth in humans and animals. The temperate and humid climate is one of the most important factors in the high prevalence of T. gondii. Sheep are among the important sources of meat production in Guilan province, Iran. Therefore, the consumption of raw and half-cooked meat is one of the major risk factors for T. gondii infection. Toxoplasmosis in patients with intact immune systems is usually asymptomatic; however, it but can be life-threatening in patients with a weak immune system (for example, patients with the human immunodeficiency viruses/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or cancer and transplant recipients). Guilan is divided into three geographical regions of plains with a temperate climatic condition, hillsides with a semi-humid climate, and heights with cold mountainous climate. Climate situations play a role in the prevalence of toxoplasmosis. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among sheep in Guilan province, north of Iran. In the current cross-sectional study, a total of 400 sheep sera samples were tested for the determination of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody against T. gondii using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The samples were divided into different groups according to the geographical location and animal age. T. gondii antibody (i.e., IgG) was detected in 166 sheep (41.5%). The highest frequency of T. gondii infection (72.7%; n=56) was observed for the age group of &gt; 4 years; the difference was statistically significant in this regard (P=0.0001) in comparison to that reported for other groups. In addition, the seroprevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher in the plains (53.9%) than that of the hillsides and heights (P=0.0001). Consequently, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in Guilan was high indicating a significant relationship with geographical location and animal age.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Chaechi Nosrati
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - B Shemshadi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - P Shayan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sh Ranjbar Bahadory
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Eslami
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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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. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats was investigated for the first time in Myanmar. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in cats was 41.30% (out of 114 seropositive individuals). Age, sex, and type of feed were associated with T. gondii infection. The obtained sequences of TOX-element and COI were identical to those of T. gondii deposited in GenBank. The obtained SAG2 sequences were clustered with T. gondii Type I isolates.
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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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Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in small ruminants in Northwest Ethiopia. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 22:100456. [PMID: 33308719 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study with a cluster random sampling method was undertaken from November 2018 to May 2019 to estimate the prevalence and assess the potential risk factors of T. gondii seropositivity, and to assess the association of the T. gondii seropositivity with reproductive losses in small ruminants in Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 576 blood samples from 135 small ruminant flocks were collected and assayed for T. gondii IgG antibodies using the Toxo-latex slide agglutination test. A questionnaire survey was also conducted to gather information on the potential risk factors of T. gondii seropositivity and on the status of reproductive losses in the small ruminant flocks. The study demonstrated a high flock and animal level T. gondii seroprevalence of 96.3% (95% CI: 91% - 98%) and 70.48% (95% CI: 68% - 79%), respectively. Mixed effect logistic regression analysis of the potential risk factors showed that the odds of seropositive for T. gondii was significantly higher in sheep (OR = 1.7, 95%CI: 1.19-2.46) than in goats, in adult (OR = 1.6, 95%, CI: 1.11-2.31) than in young, in the presence of cats (OR = 2, 95%CI:1.32-3.04) than in the absence of cats, in the lack of knowledge on the role of cats as a pathogen source than knowing it (OR = 1.82, 95% CI:1.21-2.77). The study also showed that the likelihoods of experiencing the abortion, neonatal death and weak birth in the previous one year in T. gondii seropositive flocks were 20.76 (95% CI: 2.2-195.1, p < 0.001), 8.90 (95% CI: 1.99-83.0, p = 0.021) and 9.33 (95% CI: 1.1-86.2, p = 0.019) times more than the seronegative flocks, respectively. In conclusion, this study revealed high flock and animal level seroprevalence of T. gondii in the small ruminant population in northwest Ethiopia, suggesting that lamb and goat might be a source of this pathogen for human infection if their infected meat is consumed undercooked or uncooked. Besides, the observed association of T. gondii seropositivity with reproductive losses may suggest the economic importance of the pathogen for the small ruminant producers. Therefore, it warrants control attention to reduce its economic and public health burden in the study areas. Further works on the economic impacts, bioassay, isolation, and genetic characterization of the pathogen are suggested.
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Sandoval-Carrillo AA, Vértiz-Hernández AA, Salas-Pacheco JM, González-Lugo OE, Antuna-Salcido EI, Salas-Pacheco SM, Sánchez-Anguiano LF, Méndez-Hernández EM, Hernández-Tinoco J, Castellanos-Juárez FX, La-Llave-León O, Alvarado-Esquivel C. Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Matehuala City, Mexico. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e033995. [PMID: 32764080 PMCID: PMC7412581 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women in Matehuala City, Mexico; and the associated risk factors. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING Matehuala City, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS 311 pregnant women. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Sera of women were analysed for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by commercially available immunoassays. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between T. gondii seroprevalence and the characteristics of the pregnant women. RESULTS Thirteen (4.2%) of the 311 pregnant women studied were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. No anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive women. No association between seropositivity and history of blood transfusion, transplantation, caesarean sections, deliveries, miscarriages or number of pregnancies was found. Logistic regression analysis of sociodemographic, behavioural and housing variables showed that availability of potable water at street represented a risk factor for T. gondii infection (age-adjusted OR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.53; p=0.03), whereas being born in Mexico was a protective factor for infection (age-adjusted OR=0.01; 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.35; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS In this first study on the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in Matehuala, we conclude that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection is low and similar to those reported in pregnant women in other Mexican cities. However, the seroprevalence found is lower than those reported in pregnant women in other countries in the Americas and Europe. Two risk factors associated with T. gondii infection were identified. Results of the present study may help for the optimal planning of preventive measures against toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Olga Edith González-Lugo
- Coordinación Académica Regional Altiplano, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Edna Madai Méndez-Hernández
- Subdirección de Auxiliares de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Ixtapaluca, Mexico
| | - Jesús Hernández-Tinoco
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | | | - Osmel La-Llave-León
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | - Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel
- Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica, Juarez University of Durango State Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Durango, Mexico
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Fabian BT, Hedar F, Koethe M, Bangoura B, Maksimov P, Conraths FJ, Villena I, Aubert D, Seeber F, Schares G. Fluorescent bead-based serological detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in chickens. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:388. [PMID: 32736581 PMCID: PMC7393333 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04244-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Free-ranging chickens are often infected with Toxoplasma gondii and seroconvert upon infection. This indicates environmental contamination with T. gondii. METHODS Here, we established a bead-based multiplex assay (BBMA) using the Luminex technology for the detection of T. gondii infections in chickens. Recombinant biotinylated T. gondii surface antigen 1 (TgSAG1bio) bound to streptavidin-conjugated magnetic Luminex beads served as antigen. Serum antibodies were detected by a fluorophore-coupled secondary antibody. Beads of differing color codes were conjugated with anti-chicken IgY or chicken serum albumin and served for each sample as an internal positive or negative control, respectively. The assay was validated with sera from experimentally and naturally infected chickens. The results were compared to those from reference methods, including other serological tests, PCRs and bioassay in mice. RESULTS In experimentally infected chickens, the vast majority (98.5%, n = 65/66) of birds tested seropositive in the BBMA. This included all chickens positive by magnetic-capture PCR (100%, n = 45/45). Most, but not all inoculated and TgSAG1bio-BBMA-positive chickens were also positive in two previously established TgSAG1-ELISAs (TgSAG1-ELISASL, n = 61/65; or TgSAG1-ELISASH, n = 60/65), or positive in an immunofluorescence assay (IFAT, n = 64/65) and in a modified agglutination test (MAT, n = 61/65). All non-inoculated control animals (n = 28/28, 100%) tested negative. In naturally exposed chickens, the TgSAG1bio-BBMA showed a high sensitivity (98.5%; 95% confidence interval, CI: 90.7-99.9%) and specificity (100%; 95% CI: 85.0-100%) relative to a reference standard established using ELISA, IFAT and MAT. Almost all naturally exposed chickens that were positive in bioassay or by PCR tested positive in the TgSAG1bio-BBMA (93.5%; 95% CI: 77.1-98.9%), while all bioassay- or PCR-negative chickens remained negative (100%; 95% CI: 85.0-100%). CONCLUSIONS The TgSAG1bio-BBMA represents a suitable method for the detection of T. gondii infections in chickens with high sensitivity and specificity, which is comparable or even superior to other tests. Since assays based on this methodology allow for the simultaneous analysis of a single biological sample with respect to multiple analytes, the described assay may represent a component in future multiplex assays for broad serological monitoring of poultry and other farm animals for various pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt T. Fabian
- FG16: Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatima Hedar
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Koethe
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Food Hygiene, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Berit Bangoura
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Parasitology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Franz J. Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Isabelle Villena
- EA 7510, UFR Medecine, University of Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology, National Reference Centre on Toxoplasmosis, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- EA 7510, UFR Medecine, University of Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology, National Reference Centre on Toxoplasmosis, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Frank Seeber
- FG16: Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Méndez-Hernández EM, Hernández-Tinoco J, Salas-Pacheco JM, Sánchez-Anguiano LF, Arias-Carrión O, Sandoval-Carrillo AA, Castellanos-Juárez FX, Ruano-Calderón LÁ, Alvarado-Esquivel C. Toxoplasma gondii infection and multiple sclerosis: An age- and a gender-matched case-control seroprevalence study. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2020; 10:76-79. [PMID: 32628617 PMCID: PMC7391378 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2019.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The link between Toxoplasma gondii infection and multiple sclerosis remains controversial. In the present study, we aimed to determine the association between T.gondii seropositivity and multiple sclerosis. Using an age- and gender-matched case-control study, we studied 45 patients who had multiple sclerosis attended in two public hospitals and 225 control subjects without this disease and other neurological disorders in Durango City, Mexico. Serum samples of cases and controls were analyzed for detection of anti-Toxoplasma IgG using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay. One (2.22%) of the 45 patients with multiple sclerosis, and 15 (6.67%) of the 225 control subjects without this disease were seropositive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. No statistically significant difference (OR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.04–2.47; P = 0.48) in seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies between cases and controls was found. The frequency of T. gondii seropositivity did not vary among cases and controls about sex or age groups. Results of this study do not support an association between seropositivity to T. gondii and multiple sclerosis. However, additional research with larger sample sizes to confirm this lack of association should be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna Madai Méndez-Hernández
- 1Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Carretera Federal México Puebla Km 35, Ixtapaluca, 56530, Mexico
| | - Jesús Hernández-Tinoco
- 2Biomedical Research Laboratory. Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango, 34000, Mexico
| | - José Manuel Salas-Pacheco
- 3Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera-Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango, 34000, Mexico
| | - Luis Francisco Sánchez-Anguiano
- 3Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera-Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango, 34000, Mexico
| | - Oscar Arias-Carrión
- 4Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento y Sueño, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ada Agustina Sandoval-Carrillo
- 3Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera-Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango, 34000, Mexico
| | - Francisco Xavier Castellanos-Juárez
- 3Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera-Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango, 34000, Mexico
| | | | - Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel
- 2Biomedical Research Laboratory. Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango, 34000, Mexico
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Pleyer U, Gross U, Schlüter D, Wilking H, Seeber F. Toxoplasmosis in Germany. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 116:435-444. [PMID: 31423982 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With approximately 30% of the world population infected, Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread pathogenic parasites in both humans and animals and a major problem for health economics in many countries. METHODS This review is based on the findings of individual studies, meta-analyses, and Cochrane Reviews retrieved by a selective literature survey of the Medline and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS Current data indicate a high rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Germany, ranging from 20% to 77% depending on age (95% confidence interval for 18- to 29-year-olds [17.0; 23.1]; for 70- to 79-year-olds [72.7; 80.5]). Male sex, caring for a cat, and a body mass index of 30 or more are independent risk factors for seroconversion. Postnatally acquired (food-related) infec- tion is predominant, but maternal-to-fetal transmission still plays an important role. While most infections are asymptomatic, congenital toxoplasmosis and reactivated Toxoplasma encephalitis in immunosuppressed persons (transplant recipients and others) are sources of considerable morbidity. Toxoplasma gondii infection of the retina is the most common cause of infectious uveitis in Germany. The diagnosis and treatment of this type of parasitic infection are particular to the specific organs involved in the individual patient. CONCLUSION Desirable steps for the near future include development of an effective treatment for the cystic stage and identifica- tion of biomarkers to assess the risk of reactivation and predict the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Pleyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité Campus Virchow, University Faculty of Medicine, Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health; Institute of Medical Microbiology and German Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasma Infection, Faculty of Medicine University of Göttingen; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School (MHH); Unit 35: Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin; Unit 16: Mycotic and parasitic agents and mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin
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Li ZY, Guo HT, Calderón-Mantilla G, He JJ, Wang JL, Bonev BB, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM. Immunostimulatory efficacy and protective potential of putative TgERK7 protein in mice experimentally infected by Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Med Microbiol 2020; 310:151432. [PMID: 32654774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2020.151432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) serve as important determinants of cellular signal transduction pathways, and hence may play important roles during infections. Previous work suggested that putative ERK7 of Toxoplasma gondii is required for efficient intracellular replication of the parasite. However, the antigenic and immunostimulatory properties of TgERK7 protein remain unknown. The objective of this study was to produce a recombinant TgERK7 protein in vitro and to evaluate its effect on the induction of humoral and T cell-mediated immune responses against T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice. Immunization using TgERK7 mixed with Freund's adjuvants significantly increased the ratio of CD3e+CD4+ T/CD3e+CD8a+ T lymphocytes in spleen and elevated serum cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-23, MCP-1, and TNF-α) in immunized mice compared to control mice. On the contrary, immunization did not induce high levels of serum IgG antibodies. Five predicted peptides of TgERK7 were synthesized and conjugated with KLH and used to analyze the antibody specificity in the sera of immunized mice. We detected a progressive increase in the antibody level only against TgERK7 peptide A (DEVDKHVLRKYD). Antibody raised against this peptide significantly decreased intracellular proliferation of T. gondii in vitro, suggesting that peptide A can potentially induce a protective antibody response. We also showed that immunization improved the survival rate of mice challenged with a virulent strain and significantly reduced the parasite cyst burden within the brains of chronically infected mice. Our data show that TgERK7-based immunization induced TgERK7 peptide A-specific immune responses that can impart protective immunity against T. gondii infection. The therapeutic potential of targeting ERK7 signaling pathway for future toxoplasmosis treatment is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yuan Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Basic Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, China; 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, 730046, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Hai-Ting Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Basic Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, China
| | - Guillermo Calderón-Mantilla
- Universidad de La Sabana, Campus del Puente del Común, Km. 7, Autopista Norte de Bogotá. Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia
| | - Jun-Jun 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, 730046, China
| | - Jin-Lei 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, 730046, China
| | - Boyan B Bonev
- School of life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, 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, 730046, 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.
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Arango CA, Chang MK, Waters LM. Selected Infectious Diseases. Fam Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_46-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Ouslimani SF, Tennah S, Azzag N, Derdour SY, China B, Ghalmi F. Seroepidemiological study of the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii among horses in Algeria and analysis of risk factors. Vet World 2019; 12:2007-2016. [PMID: 32095054 PMCID: PMC6989325 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.2007-2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of the Toxoplasma gondii in horses in different parts of Algeria and to determine risk factors for the infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 736 blood samples were collected from horses of various breeds, gender, coat colors, and ages. All horses came from various farms, racecourses, and equestrian centers. The seroprevalence was investigated by three different methods: Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) as reference method, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and latex agglutination test (LAT). RESULTS Out of the 736 sera, 178 (24.18%) were positive for IFAT, 133 (18.07%) for LAT, and 317 (43.07%) for ELISA. It was found that IFAT and LAT were in high agreement (Kappa 0.79), indicating that LAT and IFAT had similar capabilities in the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies from horse sera. Risk factors analysis based on IFAT results indicated that the habit of the animals was significant risk factors (p≤0.05) for Toxoplasma infection. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in horses living on farms. Moreover, a higher seroprevalence was found in older animals compared to younger ones. Furthermore, the seroprevalence in females was significantly higher than that in males and gelding. Breed, coat color, and water sources are also important factors to influence the seroprevalence of T. gondii. CONCLUSION The results indicated that T. gondii is present in horses throughout Algeria and thus represents a risk for both human and animal health. These results underline the need to increase the vigilance and the preventive measures against this disease not only to protect the horses but also to limit the spread of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrine Fazia Ouslimani
- Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Oued Smar, Algiers 16000, Algeria
| | - Safia Tennah
- Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Oued Smar, Algiers 16000, Algeria
| | - Naouelle Azzag
- Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Oued Smar, Algiers 16000, Algeria
| | - Salima Yamina Derdour
- Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Oued Smar, Algiers 16000, Algeria
| | - Bernard China
- Sciensano (Research Institute and The National Public Health Institute of Belgium), Juliette Wytsman street 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Farida Ghalmi
- Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School of Algiers, Oued Smar, Algiers 16000, Algeria
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Liu XY, Wang ZD, El-Ashram S, Liu Q. Toxoplasma gondii oocyst-driven infection in pigs, chickens and humans in northeastern China. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:366. [PMID: 31653218 PMCID: PMC6814962 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2121-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite, can infect almost all warm-blooded animals. The aim of the present study was to investigate T. gondii oocyst-driven infection in pigs, chickens and humans in Jilin province, northeastern China. Results The serum samples of pigs, chickens and humans were sampled and tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using dense granule antigen GRA7, oocyst-specific protein OWP8, and sporozoite-specific protein CCp5A, respectively. Results showed a prevalence of 16.7% by GRA7-ELISA, and 12.2% by OWP8- and CCp5A-ELISA in pigs; 10.4% by GRA7-ELISA, 13.5% by OWP8-ELISA, and 9.4% by CCp5A-ELISA in chickens; and 14.2% by GRA7-ELISA, 3.6% by OWP8-ELISA, and 3.0% by CCp5A-ELISA in humans. No significant differences were observed between T. gondii seroprevalence in pigs and chickens among the three antigens-based ELISAs (P > 0.05). However, there were significant differences between T. gondii seroprevalence rates in humans (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrated a low prevalence of T. gondii oocyst-driven infection in humans, a medium prevalence in pigs, and a high prevalence in chickens. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that different oocyst-driven infection rates in different animal species, which would help to design effective strategies to prevent T. gondii transmission. To our knowledge, this is the first study to differentiate T. gondii infective forms in pigs, chickens and humans in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yi Liu
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ze-Dong Wang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.,Military Veterinary Institute Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Quan Liu
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China. .,Military Veterinary Institute Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
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Masatani T, Oyamada S, Inoue R, Tsujio M, Hatai H, Matsui T, Matsuo T. In vivo characterization of a Toxoplasma gondii strain TgCatJpTy1/k-3 isolated from a stray cat in Japan. Parasitol Int 2019; 74:101995. [PMID: 31634629 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.101995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Toxoplasma gondii strain TgCatJpTy1/k-3 (K-3), isolated from a stray cat in Tokyo, Japan, is categorized as a type II genotype. Since the K-3 strain is empirically known to form relatively larger cysts and exhibit weak pathogenesis in a mouse, it could serve as a useful model organism to study chronic T. gondii infection in the host. However, a detailed biological characterization of this strain had not been performed. In this study, we thoroughly assessed the K-3 strain in vivo using a mouse model. Tests indicated that pathogenicity of the K-3 strain was lower than that of the PLK strain, a clonal laboratory strain with a moderately pathogenic type II genotype. Further, cyst sizes of the K-3 strain were significantly larger than those of the PLK strain. Interestingly, K-3 cyst sizes in T. gondii-resistant ICR mice were larger than those in T. gondii-susceptible C57BL/6N mice. Our study suggests that the K-3 strain is suitable to study T. gondii cystogenesis and chronic infection, which are currently difficult to analyze using cell-adopted T. gondii strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsunori Masatani
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Shohei Oyamada
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Ryota Inoue
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Masashi Tsujio
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hatai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Histopathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Matsui
- Seisen University, Higashi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8642, Japan
| | - Tomohide Matsuo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
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46
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Garg M, Stern D, Groß U, Seeberger PH, Seeber F, Varón Silva D. Detection of Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Human Sera Using Synthetic Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Glycans on a Bead-Based Multiplex Assay. Anal Chem 2019; 91:11215-11222. [PMID: 31401830 PMCID: PMC6748559 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, while often an asymptomatic parasitic disease in healthy individuals, can cause severe complications in immunocompromised persons and during pregnancy. The most common method to diagnose Toxoplasma gondii infections is the serological determination of antibodies directed against parasite protein antigens. Here we report the use of a bead-based multiplex assay containing a synthetic phosphoglycan portion of the Toxoplasma gondii glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI1) for the detection of GPI1-specific antibodies in human sera. The glycan was conjugated to beads at the lipid site to retain its natural orientation and its immunogenic groups. We compared the response against GPI1 with that against the protein antigen SAG1, a common component of commercial serological assays, via the detection of parasite-specific human IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. The GPI1-based test is in excellent agreement with the results for the commercial ELISA, as the ROC analysis of the GPI1 test shows 97% specificity and 98% sensitivity for the assay. GPI1 was a more reliable predictor for a parasite-specific IgM response compared to SAG1, indicating that a bead-based multiplex assay using GPI1 in combination with SAG1 may strengthen Toxoplasma gondii serology, in particular in seroepidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Garg
- Department of Biomolecular Systems , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , 14424 Potsdam , Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Arnimallee 22 , 14195 Berlin , Germany
| | | | - Uwe Groß
- German Consulting Laboratory for Toxoplasma, Institute for Medical Microbiology , University Medical Center Göttingen , 37075 Goettingen , Germany
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Department of Biomolecular Systems , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , 14424 Potsdam , Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Arnimallee 22 , 14195 Berlin , Germany
| | | | - Daniel Varón Silva
- Department of Biomolecular Systems , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , 14424 Potsdam , Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Arnimallee 22 , 14195 Berlin , Germany
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47
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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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48
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He JJ, Ma J, Wang JL, Zhang FK, Li JX, Zhai BT, Wang ZX, Elsheikha HM, Zhu XQ. Global Transcriptome Profiling of Multiple Porcine Organs Reveals Toxoplasma gondii-Induced Transcriptional Landscapes. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1531. [PMID: 31333663 PMCID: PMC6618905 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterized the porcine tissue transcriptional landscapes that follow Toxoplasma gondii infection. RNAs were isolated from liver, spleen, cerebral cortex, lung, and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of T. gondii-infected and uninfected (control) pigs at days 6 and 18 postinfection, and were analyzed using next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq). T. gondii altered the expression of 178, 476, 199, 201, and 362 transcripts at 6 dpi and 217, 223, 347, 119, and 161 at 18 dpi in the infected brain, liver, lung, MLNs and spleen, respectively. The differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) were grouped into five expression patterns and 10 sub-clusters. Gene Ontology enrichment and pathway analysis revealed that immune-related genes dominated the overall transcriptomic signature and that metabolic processes, such as steroid biosynthesis, and metabolism of lipid and carboxylic acid, were downregulated in infected tissues. Co-expression network analysis identified transcriptional modules associated with host immune response to infection. These findings not only show how T. gondii infection alters porcine transcriptome in a tissue-specific manner, but also offer a gateway for testing new hypotheses regarding human response to T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Jun 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, China
| | - Jun Ma
- 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, China
| | - Jin-Lei 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, China
| | - Fu-Kai Zhang
- 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, China
| | - Jie-Xi Li
- 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, China
| | - Bin-Tao Zhai
- 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, China
| | - Ze-Xiang Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - 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, China
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49
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Spekker-Bosker K, Ufermann CM, Oldenburg M, Däubener W, Eller SK. Interplay between IDO1 and iNOS in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Med Microbiol Immunol 2019; 208:811-824. [PMID: 31267172 PMCID: PMC6817751 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-019-00627-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells form a selectively permeable monolayer between the neural retina and the highly permeable choroidal vessels. Thus, hRPE cells bear important regulatory functions and are potential targets of pathogens in vivo. Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis (EBE) is frequently caused by infections with the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Upon microbial infection, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a major cytokine of the adaptive immune response, induces a broad spectrum of effector molecules, such as the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1). We stimulated human RPE (hRPE) cells in vitro with proinflammatory cytokines and analyzed the expression levels and enzymatic activities of IDO1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), another antimicrobial effector molecule. The antimicrobial capacity was analyzed in infection experiments using S. aureus and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Our aim was to characterize the particular importance of IDO1 and iNOS during EBE. We found that an IFN-γ stimulation of hPRE cells induced the expression of IDO1, which inhibited the growth of T. gondii and S. aureus. A co-stimulation with IFN-γ, interleukin-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha induced a strong expression of iNOS. The iNOS-derived nitric oxide production was dependent on cell-culture conditions; however, it could not cause antimicrobial effects. iNOS did not act synergistically with IDO1. Instead, iNOS activity inhibited IDO1-mediated tryptophan degradation and bacteriostasis. This effect was reversible by the addition of the iNOS inhibitor NG-monomethyl-l-arginine. In conclusion, iNOS mediates anti-inflammatory effects in hRPE cells stimulated with high amounts of IFN-γ together with tumor necrosis factor alpha and Interleukin-1 beta and prevents potential IDO1-dependent tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Spekker-Bosker
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, Bldg. 22.21, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph-Martin Ufermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, Bldg. 22.21, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maike Oldenburg
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, Bldg. 22.21, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Walter Däubener
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, Bldg. 22.21, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Silvia Kathrin Eller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, Bldg. 22.21, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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50
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Ufermann CM, Domröse A, Babel T, Tersteegen A, Cengiz SC, Eller SK, Spekker-Bosker K, Sorg UR, Förster I, Däubener W. Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Activity During Acute Toxoplasmosis and the Suppressed T Cell Proliferation in Mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:184. [PMID: 31231617 PMCID: PMC6561234 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite and belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. T. gondii is of medical and veterinary importance, because T. gondii causes the parasitic disease toxoplasmosis. In human cells, the interferon-gamma inducible indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is an antimicrobial effector mechanism that degrades tryptophan to kynurenine and thus limits pathogen proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, IDO is described to have immunosuppressive properties, e.g., regulatory T cell differentiation and T cell suppression in humans and mice. However, there is only little known about the role of IDO1 in mice during acute toxoplasmosis. To shed further light on the role of mIDO1 in vivo, we have used a specifically adjusted experimental model. Therein, we infected mIDO1-deficient (IDO−/−) C57BL/6 mice and appropriate wild-type (WT) control mice with a high dose of T. gondii ME49 tachyozoites (type II strain) via the intraperitoneal route and compared the phenotype of IDO−/− and WT mice during acute toxoplasmosis. During murine T. gondii infection, we found mIDO1 mRNA and mIDO1 protein, as well as mIDO1-mediated tryptophan degradation in lungs of WT mice. IDO−/− mice show no tryptophan degradation in the lung during infection. Even though T. gondii is tryptophan auxotroph and rapidly replicates during acute infection, the parasite load was similar in IDO−/− mice compared to WT mice 7 days post-infection. IDO1 is described to have immunosuppressive properties, and since T cell suppression is observed during acute toxoplasmosis, we analyzed the possible involvement of mIDO1. Here, we did not find differences in the intensity of ex vivo mitogen stimulated T cell proliferation between WT and IDO−/− mice. Concomitant nitric oxide synthase inhibition and interleukin-2 supplementation increased the T cell proliferation from both genotypes drastically, but not completely. In sum, we analyzed the involvement of mIDO1 during acute murine toxoplasmosis in our specifically adjusted experimental model and found a definite mIDO1 induction. Nevertheless, mIDO1 seems to be functional redundant as an antiparasitic defense mechanism during acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Furthermore, we suggest that the systemic T cell suppression observed during acute toxoplasmosis is influenced by nitric oxide activity and IL-2 deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph-Martin Ufermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas Domröse
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Timo Babel
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anne Tersteegen
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sevgi Can Cengiz
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Silvia Kathrin Eller
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katrin Spekker-Bosker
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ursula Regina Sorg
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Irmgard Förster
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Walter Däubener
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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