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Li SA, Huang LY, Guo XD, Miao WY, Lin YS, Zhou DH. First identified Toxoplasma gondii Type I in market-sold ducks in Fujian province, China: a significant for public health. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104024. [PMID: 39013296 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan that can cause toxoplasmosis in all warm-blooded hosts. This study focused on the prevalence and genetic characterize of T. gondii in ducks from Fujian province, China. Genomic DNA was extracted from duck tissue samples (heart, liver, lung, and muscle). To assess the genetic diversity of the T. gondii isolates, it was determined by using multilocus polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology. A total of 586 ducks from 5 cities in Fujian province were tested, and 35 (6.0%) of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene. Further genotyping of these positive samples at 10 genetic markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico) using PCR-RFLP revealed that one tissue samples (heart samples from Fuzhou ducks) were identified as Type I (ToxoDB#10). This study is the first report on the prevalence and genetic characterization of T. gondii in ducks in Fujian province, and Type I (ToxoDB#10) is found in ducks in China for the first time. The findings document the genetic characterization of T. gondii in free-range ducks from Fujian Province, thereby enriching the understanding of T. gondii genetic diversity in China. Moreover, these results provide essential data support for further prospective studies and underscores the "One Health" concept, emphasizing the integral link among human, animal, and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ang Li
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Li-Yuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xu-Dong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Wen-Yuan Miao
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Ying-Sheng Lin
- Zhangzhou Animal Husbandry Technical Service Station, Zhangzhou, 363000, China
| | - Dong-Hui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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2
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Arias-Pacheco C, Perin PP, de Oliveira Andrade L, Gomes JS, Oliveira WJ, Mendonça TO, de Oliveira Zolla N, Cavallieri AC, da Silva DA, Castilho PM, de Barros LD, Garcia JL, Lux Hoppe EG. Toxoplasma gondii infection in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Brazil. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:222. [PMID: 38801539 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08248-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis that affects warm-blooded animals, including humans. Wild animals can act as intermediate hosts of this pathogen; thus, this study aims to detect Toxoplasma gondii infection in invasive European brown hares in Brazil. For this, 72 wild European brown hares were captured from July 2020 to June 2022 in three Brazilian states: São Paulo, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul. The diagnostic of Toxoplasma gondii infection was performed by bioassay in mouse, histopathology in Hematoxylin-Eosin-stained tissue sections (brain, liver, lungs, kidneys, and small intestine), serology by IFAT, and molecular techniques by conventional PCR and qPCR. The combined prevalence of the different diagnostic methods was 51.4% (37/72, CI= 40.1 - 62.6 %), and there was no statistical difference between sexes, age range, or geographical region of the hosts. Mouse bioassay was the technique that detected more positive hares. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmation of Toxoplasma gondii infection in invasive European brown hares in Brazil. These animals act as reservoirs and potential infection source for carnivores and other wild and domestic animals, including humans, thus contributing to perpetuate the disease cycle in São Paulo, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul States. Research such as the present study is necessary to raise awareness about the role of animals in the disease cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Arias-Pacheco
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (LabEPar), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Patricia Parreira Perin
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (LabEPar), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Lívia de Oliveira Andrade
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (LabEPar), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Jonathan Silvestre Gomes
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (LabEPar), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Wilson Junior Oliveira
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (LabEPar), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Talita Oliveira Mendonça
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (LabEPar), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Natália de Oliveira Zolla
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (LabEPar), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Cavallieri
- Laboratory of Protozoology, Preventive Veterinary Medicine Department, State University of Londrina, São Paulo, PR, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Douglas Aparecido da Silva
- Laboratory of Protozoology, Preventive Veterinary Medicine Department, State University of Londrina, São Paulo, PR, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Pablo Menegon Castilho
- Laboratory of Protozoology, Preventive Veterinary Medicine Department, State University of Londrina, São Paulo, PR, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Luiz Daniel de Barros
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Medicine Department, Federal University of Lavras, Londrina, MG, 37203-202, Brazil
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Laboratory of Protozoology, Preventive Veterinary Medicine Department, State University of Londrina, São Paulo, PR, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Estevam G Lux Hoppe
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (LabEPar), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil.
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3
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Arruda IF, Amendoeira MRR, Bonifácio TF, Raso CNDS, Elidio HDSM, Coelho JWR, da Silva LCCP, dos Santos IB. Humane Endpoints in Swiss Webster Mice Infected with Toxoplasma gondii RH Strain. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1326. [PMID: 38731332 PMCID: PMC11083367 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The highly virulent Toxoplasma gondii RH strain is maintained through successive passages in mice, but there is still a lack of studies that refine these procedures from a 3Rs perspective, where humanitarian ideals aim to minimize the stress, pain, or suffering of the animals used in the research without the loss of results. The aim of this study was to establish humane endpoints in Swiss Webster mice inoculated with the T. gondii RH strain. A total of 52 mice were infected with 5 × 106 tachyzoites/mL and monitored for periods of up to 5 days. The parameters body weight; hair condition; higher than normal body temperature; hypothermia; respiratory function; pain; soft stools or diarrhea; bloody diarrhea; tense, nervous, or in distress during handling; and ascites were recorded daily in score tables. The results showed that prominent piloerection, respiratory function, pain parameters, and ascites are important clinical signs to be used as a cut-off point for implementing euthanasia. The application of this refinement method helped to avoid animal suffering and pain without compromising the number of parasites recovered. We therefore suggest adopting these parameters in research protocols that require the maintenance of the T. gondii RH strain in murine models to avoid and reduce animal suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Falco Arruda
- Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (M.R.R.A.); (T.F.B.); (C.N.d.S.R.)
| | - Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira
- Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (M.R.R.A.); (T.F.B.); (C.N.d.S.R.)
| | - Thamires Francisco Bonifácio
- Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (M.R.R.A.); (T.F.B.); (C.N.d.S.R.)
| | - Clarissa Nascimento da Silveira Raso
- Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (M.R.R.A.); (T.F.B.); (C.N.d.S.R.)
| | - Hyago da Silva Medeiros Elidio
- Center for Animal Experimentation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (H.d.S.M.E.); (J.W.R.C.); (L.C.C.P.d.S.); (I.B.d.S.)
| | - Jhônata Willy Rocha Coelho
- Center for Animal Experimentation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (H.d.S.M.E.); (J.W.R.C.); (L.C.C.P.d.S.); (I.B.d.S.)
| | - Luiz Cesar Cavalcanti Pereira da Silva
- Center for Animal Experimentation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (H.d.S.M.E.); (J.W.R.C.); (L.C.C.P.d.S.); (I.B.d.S.)
| | - Isabele Barbieri dos Santos
- Center for Animal Experimentation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (H.d.S.M.E.); (J.W.R.C.); (L.C.C.P.d.S.); (I.B.d.S.)
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Rico-Torres CP, Valenzuela-Moreno LF, Robles-González E, Cruz-Tamayo AA, Huchin-Cab M, Pérez-Flores J, Xicoténcatl-García L, Luna-Pastén H, Ortiz-Alegría LB, Cañedo-Solares I, Cedillo-Peláez C, García-Lacy F, Caballero-Ortega H. Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic animals from Campeche, México, reveals virulent genotypes and a recombinant ROP5 allele. Parasitology 2024; 151:363-369. [PMID: 38379406 PMCID: PMC11044059 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182024000106] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii has at least 318 genotypes distributed worldwide, and tropical regions usually have greater genetic diversity. Campeche is a state located in the southeastern region of México and has favourable climate conditions for the replication and dissemination of this protozoan, similar to those in South American countries where broad genetic diversity has been described. Thus, in this study, 4 T. gondii isolates were obtained from tissues of stray dogs and free-range chickens in Campeche, México, and were genotyped by Mn-PCR-RFLP with 10 typing markers (SAG1, altSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico) and 5 virulence markers (CS3, ROP16, ROP17, ROP18 and ROP5) to provide new information about the distribution and virulence prediction of T. gondii genotypes. Two isolates of T. gondii genotype #116 and 2 of genotype #38 were obtained from stray dogs and chickens, respectively. The parasite load found in these species was between <50 and more than 35 000 tachyzoites per mg of tissue. Virulence marker genotyping revealed a recombinant 1&3 ROP5 RFLP pattern in 2 ToxoDB #116 isolates with no prediction of virulence in a murine model, while in the 2 ToxoDB #38 isolates, the ROP18/ROP5 combination predicted high virulence. Considering all the typed markers, there is a predominance of type I and III alleles, as constantly reported for the isolates characterized in various regions of México. It is crucial to determine their phenotype to corroborate the genetic virulence profile of the T. gondii isolates obtained in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Miguel Huchin-Cab
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, México
| | - Jonathan Pérez-Flores
- Departamento de Observación y Estudio de la Tierra, la Atmósfera y el Océano, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, México
| | | | - Héctor Luna-Pastén
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, México
| | | | - Irma Cañedo-Solares
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, México
| | | | - Fernando García-Lacy
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México
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5
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Bernstein M, Rudzinski M, Schneider V, Messina M, Gos ML, Helman E, Dellarupe A, Unzaga JM, Venturini MC, Moré G, Pardini L. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from human and chicken isolates from Argentina. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:129. [PMID: 38332310 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08142-z] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the nPCR-RFLP genotypes of newly obtained T. gondii isolates from human congenital toxoplasmosis cases in Argentina and to determine their allelic profiles for virulence genes ROP18/ROP5. In addition, the ROP18/ROP5 profiles were also determined for previously characterized T. gondii samples. Isolation from congenital toxoplasmosis cases was carried out in mouse bioassay from two placentas (P1 and P2). Genotyping for the new human isolates was performed by nPCR-RFLP using 10 markers. The samples analyzed for ROP18/ROP5 included the two newly obtained isolates (from the congenital toxoplasmosis cases) and nine previously genotyped T. gondii DNA samples from humans and chickens. The results for P1 and P2 named as TgHm18-02Arg and TgHm19-01Arg showed ToxoDB genotypes #14 (non-archetypal) and #2 (clonal type III), respectively. Non-archetypal #14 has been isolated from human cases before in Argentina. However, this is the first report of T. gondii clonal type III in a human case in the country. The ROP18/ROP5 combination was detected in nine samples: 3/3 (n = 1), 4/3 (n = 4), 4/4 (n = 3), and 3-4/4 (n = 1). Notably, the 4/4 profile was identified for the first time and exclusively in T. gondii samples from Misiones province (which borders southern Brazil). Further studies are required to corroborate the regionalization of the ROP18/ROP5 profiles in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Bernstein
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 60 y 118 (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Marcelo Rudzinski
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad Católica de Las Misiones (UCAMI), Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Vanesa Schneider
- Centro de Toxoplasmosis y Otras Zoonosis, Hospital Alemán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matías Messina
- Centro de Toxoplasmosis y Otras Zoonosis, Hospital Alemán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Laura Gos
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 60 y 118 (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elisa Helman
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 60 y 118 (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Dellarupe
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 60 y 118 (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Manuel Unzaga
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 60 y 118 (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Venturini
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 60 y 118 (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gastón Moré
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 60 y 118 (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Länggassstrasse 122 (3012), Berne, Switzerland
| | - Lais Pardini
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 60 y 118 (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Marian L, Withoeft JA, Fornara MA, Pandolfo GW, D'ambroso Fernandes F, Vogel FSF, Zapala MP, Casagrande RA. Toxoplasmosis outbreak caused by north American genotypes in captive black-tufted marmosets in southern Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 47:100960. [PMID: 38199681 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we describe an outbreak of toxoplasmosis in an enclosure of five Callithrix penicillata in Southern Brazil. The marmosets were found dead and submitted to necropsy and histopathology. Liver, spleen, and lungs were frozen and sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii. Necropsy revealed a liver with a lobular pattern, along with diffusely congested lungs, spleen, and kidneys, and hemorrhage in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Mild-to-moderate, multifocal, necrotic hepatitis and splenitis, multifocal lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis, and moderate, diffuse necrohemorrhagic lymphadenitis were observed. T. gondii tachyzoites were in all the organs mentioned. The detected strains were closely related with the isolates TgWtdUs10, TgSoUs39, and TgShUs2, which were originally found in non-primate species all in the United States of America. This is an unprecedented report of North American strains causing mortality in captive individuals of the species Callithrix penicillata in the Southern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Marian
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Aline Withoeft
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Maria Augusta Fornara
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Willian Pandolfo
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Fagner D'ambroso Fernandes
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Milene Pugliese Zapala
- Médica Veterinária, Prefeitura de Brusque, Praça das Bandeiras, 77, Centro 1, Brusque, Santa Catarina 88350-051, Brazil
| | - Renata Assis Casagrande
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil.
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Scherrer P, Ryser-Degiorgis MP, Frey CF, Basso W. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in the Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) in Switzerland: Seroprevalence, Genetic Characterization, and Clinicopathologic Relevance. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:126-138. [PMID: 37909405 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian parasite able to infect all warm-blooded animals and humans. Rodents are one of the most important intermediate hosts for T. gondii, but little is known about infection in beavers and its clinical relevance. Toxoplasmosis was not considered an important waterborne disease until recently, but with increased outbreaks in humans and animals this perspective has changed. Serum samples from 247 Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) collected from 2002 to 2022 were tested for antibodies to T. gondii by a commercial ELISA. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 113 (45.8%) beavers. Higher weight and proximity to urban areas were found to be significant predictors for seropositivity. Additionally, T. gondii DNA was detected in 23/41 brain tissue samples by real-time PCR. Histopathologic examination of brain sections revealed inflammatory changes in 26/40 beavers, mainly characterized by encephalitis, meningitis, choroid plexitis, or a combination of them. In six of these cases the lesions were in direct association with parasitic stages. With an adapted nested PCR multilocus sequence typing and in silico restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis approach, three different T. gondii genotypes were detected in brain samples: the clonal Type II strain (ToxoDB 1), a Type II variant (ToxoDB 3), and a novel genotype exhibiting both Type II and I alleles in a further animal. Toxoplasma gondii infections in beavers have epidemiologic and clinical significance. The high seroprevalence indicates frequent contact with the parasite, and as competent intermediate hosts they may play an important role, contributing to maintaining the life cycle of T. gondii in semiaquatic habitats. In addition, although most beavers appear to develop subclinical to chronic disease courses, acute and fatal outcomes, mainly characterized by encephalitis and generalized infection, do also occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Scherrer
- Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis
- Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Caroline F Frey
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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8
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Evangelista FF, de Laet Sant'Ana P, Ferreira WC, Ferreira TA, Dos Santos ML, de Souza AH, de Andrade FAL, da Silva DA, de Barros LD, Colli CM, Nogueira-Melo GA, Costa IN, Falavigna-Guilherme AL. The Brazilian Toxoplasma gondii strain BRI caused greater inflammation and impairment in anxiogenic behavior in mice, which was reverted by rosuvastatin treatment. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:64. [PMID: 38117414 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08038-4] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of rosuvastatin treatment on anxiety-related behavior and short- and long-term memory impairment in mice infected with acute RH and BRI strains of Toxoplasma gondii. Balb/C mice were infected intraperitoneally and after 2 h, oral treatment with rosuvastatin (40 mg/kg/day) was initiated for 4 days. Behaviors related to anxiety and locomotion were evaluated in the open field (OF), and short- and long-term memory through the novel object recognition test (NOR). At the end of the experiments, peritoneal fluid, brain, liver, and lung were collected for T. gondii DNA quantification and histopathological analysis. Infection with BRI strain reduced the dwell time and central locomotion in the OF (p < 0.05), indicating anxiogenic type behavior, while treatment with rosuvastatin reversed this response (p < 0.05). RH strain infection did not alter any behavior in the OF (p > 0.05) and both strains impaired short- and long-term memory (NOR test), but with no significant treatment effect (p > 0.05). The BRI strain was shown to be more damaging in relation to anxiogenic type behavior when compared to the RH strain (p < 0.05), whereas rosuvastatin reduced this damaging effect in BRI. The treatment reduced the parasite load in the peritoneal lavage, liver, and lung of animals infected with both acute strains; however, it significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the inflammatory process only in BRI-infected and treated animals, showing that non-archetypal genotypes are more damaging in rodents. This suggests that rosuvastatin may be a drug with great therapeutic potential against T. gondii mainly to reduce damage from virulent strains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Luiz Daniel de Barros
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, Brazil
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9
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Brito RMDM, de Lima Bessa G, Bastilho AL, Dantas-Torres F, de Andrade-Neto VF, Bueno LL, Fujiwara RT, Magalhães LMD. Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in South America: occurrence, immunity, and fate of infection. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:461. [PMID: 38115102 PMCID: PMC10729521 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06080-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii infections are of great concern for public health, and their impact is usually most severe in pregnant women and their foetuses, and in immunocompromised individuals. Displaying considerable genetic diversity, T. gondii strains differ widely according to geographical location, with archetypal strains predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere and non-archetypal (atypical) strains, with highly diverse genotypes, found mainly in South America. In this review, we present an overview of the identification and distribution of non-archetypal strains of T. gondii. Special attention is paid to the strains that have been isolated in Brazil, their interaction with the host immunological response, and their impact on disease outcomes. The genetic differences among the strains are pivotal to the distinct immunological responses that they elicit. These differences arise from polymorphisms of key proteins released by the parasite, which represent important virulence factors. Infection with divergent non-archetypal strains can lead to unusual manifestations of the disease, even in immunocompetent individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramayana Morais de Medeiros Brito
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Lazoski Bastilho
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Lilian Lacerda Bueno
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Luisa M D Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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10
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Feitosa TF, Vilela VLR, Batista SP, Silva SS, Mota RA, Katzer F, Bartley PM. Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in goats and sheep from the Northeast Region of Brazil destined for human consumption. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 5:100163. [PMID: 38196495 PMCID: PMC10775902 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to genotype isolates of Toxoplasma gondii obtained from samples of brain, diaphragm and heart of goats and sheep intended for human consumption in the State of Paraíba, Brazil. Tissue samples from 14 animals, goats (n = 5) and lambs (n = 9), were sourced from public slaughterhouses in seven cities and bio-assayed in mice. The brains of the mice were utilized for DNA extraction. Genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using 10 markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, c22-8, PK1, GRA6, L358, c-29-2 and Apico). A total of 10 isolates were fully genotyped (i.e. at all loci), three from goats and seven from sheep, revealing five distinct genotypes: #13 (n = 4); #48 (n = 3); #57 (n = 1); #273 (n = 1); and one new genotype that had not been previously described. Genotype #13 is frequently found in the Northeast of Brazil and represents a clonal lineage circulating in this region and was the most prevalent genotype identified (n = 4). Moreover, in the present study genotypes #13, #48, #57, and #273 were documented for the first time in sheep from Brazil, and the novel genotype was isolated from a goat. Our findings align with previous studies on T. gondii from Brazil, where new genotypes are continuously being identified, highlighting a high level of genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Ferreira Feitosa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Institute of Paraíba - IFPB, Sousa, Paraíba, ZC 58800-970, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Institute of Paraíba - IFPB, Sousa, Paraíba, ZC 58800-970, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Science and Animal Health, Federal University of Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, Paraíba, ZC 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Samira Pereira Batista
- Postgraduate Program in Science and Animal Health, Federal University of Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, Paraíba, ZC 58708-110, Brazil
| | - Samara Santos Silva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, Pernambuco, ZC 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Rinaldo Aparecido Mota
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, Pernambuco, ZC 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Frank Katzer
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, United Kingdom
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11
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Domann N, Rezende SR, Fleury ACC, Barbosa IMFN, Ribeiro IDC, Dornelas JB, de Oliveira TFC, de Moura VOL, Storchilo HR, de Castro AM, Garcia JL, Cardoso LPV, Rezende HHA. Molecular characterization and epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from free-range chickens in the southwest region of Goiás: new genotypes. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2023; 32:e009823. [PMID: 38055433 PMCID: PMC10704866 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612023069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to isolate Toxoplasma gondii from tissues of free-range chickens in the southwestern region of Goiás, to detect and molecularly characterize the genetic material of the parasite, and to determine the seroprevalence of the protozoan parasite in these animals. A seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies of 76% (19/25) was found among the chickens, while genetic material from their tissues was detected in 56% (14/25). A total of 14 isolates was obtained in the bioassay, ten of which were considered acute, eight were considered isolates of high virulence lethal to mice, and four of low virulence, considered non-lethal but with the ability to chronify the infection. Seven of the ten isolates showed significant morphometric differences from the RH strain, in terms of nucleus-complex-apical distance, length and width. Genotyping of the acute isolates was performed by RFLP-PCR, using 11 genetic markers: SAG1, SAG2 (3'SAG2 and 5'SAG2), alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and APICO. The results were compared and classified according to the genotypes listed on the ToxoDB Platform, where different profiles were observed indicating the presence of two known genotypes (#7 and #63) and five new genotypes (NEW 3, NEW4, NEW5, NEW6, NEW 7). The results showed high seroprevalence, isolation rate, molecular detection and genotypic variations of T. gondii in free-range chickens in the southwestern region of Goiás.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Domann
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Universidade Federal de Jataí – UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | - Stéfanne Rodrigues Rezende
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Universidade Federal de Jataí – UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | - Amanda Cristina Corrêa Fleury
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Universidade Federal de Jataí – UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | | | - Isabella da Costa Ribeiro
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Universidade Federal de Jataí – UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | - Júlia Batista Dornelas
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Universidade Federal de Jataí – UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | | | - Vanessa Oliveira Lopes de Moura
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Universidade Federal de Jataí – UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | - Heloísa Ribeiro Storchilo
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Ana Maria de Castro
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - João Luís Garcia
- Laboratório de Protozoologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual de Londrina – UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Ludimila Paula Vaz Cardoso
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Universidade Federal de Jataí – UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | - Hanstter Hallison Alves Rezende
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Universidade Federal de Jataí – UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
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12
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Rico-Torres CP, Valenzuela-Moreno LF, Luna-Pastén H, Cedillo-Peláez C, Correa D, Morales-Salinas E, Martínez-Maya JJ, Alves BF, Pena HFJ, Caballero-Ortega H. Genotyping of toxoplasma gondii isolates from México reveals non-archetypal and potentially virulent strains for mice. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 113:105473. [PMID: 37353185 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Genotyping and virulence studies of Toxoplasma gondii are essential to investigate the pathogenesis of strains circulating worldwide. In this study, eight T. gondii isolates obtained from a congenitally infected newborn, a calf, two cats, three dogs, and a wallaby from five states of México were genotyped by Mn-PCR-RFLP with 11 typing markers (SAG1, SAG2 5'3', alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico), five virulence markers (CS3, ROP16, ROP17, ROP18 and ROP5), 15 microsatellite markers (TUB-2, W35, TgM-A, B18, B17, M33, IV.1, XI.1, M48, M102, N60, N82, AA, N61, N83), and sequencing. A phylogenetic network was built to determine the relationship between Mexican isolates and those reported worldwide. Six different genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), ToxoDB #8, #10, #28 (n = 3), #48, #116, and #282. Genotyping by microsatellite analysis differentiated the three PCR-RFLP genotype #28 isolates into two strains, revealing a total of seven microsatellite genotypes. Three different allele combinations of ROP18/ROP5 virulence markers were also found, 3/3, 1/1, and 4/1. The last two combinations are predicted to be highly virulent in the murine model. According to the phylogenetic network, the T. gondii strains studied here are related to archetypal strains I and III, but none are related to the strains previously reported in México. The genotypes identified in this study in different species of animals demonstrate the great genetic diversity of T. gondii in México. The ToxoDB-PCR-RFLP #28 genotype was found in three isolates from different hosts and states. Additionally, four of the isolates are predicted to be highly virulent in mice. The next step will be to perform in vitro and in vivo assays to determine the phenotype of these T. gondii isolates in murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Patricia Rico-Torres
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700C, Colonia Insurgentes Cuicuilco, Alcaldía Coyoacán, C.P. 04530 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luis Fernando Valenzuela-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700C, Colonia Insurgentes Cuicuilco, Alcaldía Coyoacán, C.P. 04530 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Héctor Luna-Pastén
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700C, Colonia Insurgentes Cuicuilco, Alcaldía Coyoacán, C.P. 04530 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Carlos Cedillo-Peláez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700C, Colonia Insurgentes Cuicuilco, Alcaldía Coyoacán, C.P. 04530 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Dolores Correa
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700C, Colonia Insurgentes Cuicuilco, Alcaldía Coyoacán, C.P. 04530 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Morales-Salinas
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Circuito Exterior s/n, Alcaldía Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - José Juan Martínez-Maya
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Circuito Exterior s/n, Alcaldía Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Bruna Farias Alves
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Heriberto Caballero-Ortega
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700C, Colonia Insurgentes Cuicuilco, Alcaldía Coyoacán, C.P. 04530 Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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13
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Wang Q, Zhong Y, Chen N, Chen J. From the immune system to mood disorders especially induced by Toxoplasma gondii: CD4+ T cell as a bridge. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1078984. [PMID: 37077528 PMCID: PMC10106765 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1078984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), a ubiquitous and obligatory intracellular protozoa, not only alters peripheral immune status, but crosses the blood-brain barrier to trigger brain parenchymal injury and central neuroinflammation to establish latent cerebral infection in humans and other vertebrates. Recent findings underscore the strong correlation between alterations in the peripheral and central immune environment and mood disorders. Th17 and Th1 cells are important pro-inflammatory cells that can drive the pathology of mood disorders by promoting neuroinflammation. As opposed to Th17 and Th1, regulatory T cells have inhibitory inflammatory and neuroprotective functions that can ameliorate mood disorders. T. gondii induces neuroinflammation, which can be mediated by CD4+ T cells (such as Tregs, Th17, Th1, and Th2). Though the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorder have been currently studied, emerging evidence points to unique role of CD4+ T cells in mood disorder, especially those caused by T. gondii infection. In this review, we explore some recent studies that extend our understanding of the relationship between mood disorders and T. gondii.
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14
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Zanet S, Veronesi F, Giglia G, Baptista CRP, Morganti G, Mandara MT, Vada R, De Carvalho LMM, Ferroglio E. The Dangerous Side of Being a Predator: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Birds of Prey. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020271. [PMID: 36839542 PMCID: PMC9963945 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020271] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are apicomplexan protozoa of major concern in livestock and T. gondii is also considered one of the major threats and a public health concern. These protozoa have a wide range of intermediate hosts, including birds. The present work aimed to assess the prevalence of these cyst-forming parasites in migratory and sedentary birds of prey. The skeletal muscle and myocardium of 159 birds of prey from Central Italy, belonging to 19 species and recovered across 6 Wildlife Recovery Centers/Care structures along the Italian migratory route, were collected specifically for molecular (PCR) and for histopathological analysis to detect T. gondii and N. caninum. For the molecular analysis, genomic DNA was extracted. The DNA was tested by sequence typing, targeting GRA6, 529 bp repeated element, B1, PK1, BTUB, SAG2, alt.SAG2, and APICO genes for T. gondii and to end-point PCR targeting NC5 gene for N. caninum. Thirty-seven out of the one hundred and fifty-nine analyzed samples tested positive for T. gondii with a prevalence of 23.27% and nine for N. caninum, with a prevalence of 5.66%. Thirty-two sequences were obtained from the thirty-seven isolates of T. gondii. Among these, 26 presented alleles compatible with type I strain in 1 or more loci, 4 with type II strain and 2 consisted of atypical strains. Toxoplasma gondii genetic variability in birds of prey confirms previous findings of wildlife as reservoirs of atypical strains. Results from the histology showed few protozoal tissue cysts in skeletal muscle (n. 4) and hearts (n. 2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zanet
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 6, 06126 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(07)-55857744
| | - Giuseppe Giglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 6, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carolina Raquel Pinto Baptista
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Giulia Morganti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 6, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Mandara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 6, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Rachele Vada
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Luis Manuel Madeira De Carvalho
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ezio Ferroglio
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
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15
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Targa LS, dos Santos EH, Yamamoto L, Barreira GA, Rodrigues KA, Rocha MC, Kanunfre KA, Okay TS. Toxoplasma gondii SAG2, SAG3 and GRA6 alleles and single nucleotide polymorphism in congenital infections with known parasite load and clinical outcome. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2023; 65:e8. [PMID: 36722670 PMCID: PMC9886222 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202365008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amniotic fluid DNA samples were genotyped by multilocus-nested-PCR-RFLP, but only three of 11 markers amplified 113 of 122 (92.6%) samples, resulting in 12 untyped and 101 partial non-archetypal genotypes. The 101 typed samples were subdivided into four groups: G1 with 73 samples (5'and 3' SAG2 allele I + SAG3 allele III + GRA6 allele III), 53 had parasite load ≤ 102 parasites/mL (43 asymptomatic, 10 mild infections), 17 had load > 102 and ≤ 103 (one mild, 13 moderate and three severe), and three had load > 103 parasites/mL (three severe); G2 with 22 samples (5'and 3' SAG2 allele I + SAG3 allele III), all parasite load levels ≤ 102 parasites/mL (18 asymptomatic and four mild); G3 with five samples (5' and 3' SAG2 allele I + SAG3 allele II), parasite load ≤ 102 parasites/mL (three asymptomatic and two mild); G4 with one sample (5' and 3' SAG2 allele II + SAG3 allele II + GRA6 allele I), a parasite load < 102 parasites/mL in an asymptomatic infant. After DNA sequencing, restriction sites confirmed SAG2, SAG3 and GRA6 alleles in 98.7%, 100% and 100% of the cases, respectively, while single nucleotide polymorphisms confirmed 90% of 5'-SAG2 allele I; 98.7% of 3'-SAG2 allele I; 98% of SAG-3 allele III, but only 40% of GRA6 allele III results. For the moment, partial non-archetypal genotypes of parasites did not show any relationship with either parasite load in amniotic fluid samples or clinical outcome of infants at the age of 12 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lília Spaleta Targa
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Emilly Henrique dos Santos
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Pediatria, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lidia Yamamoto
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Acca Barreira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karen Alessandra Rodrigues
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Pediatria, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mussya Cisotto Rocha
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kelly Aparecida Kanunfre
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thelma Suely Okay
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Pediatria, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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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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17
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Hosseini SA, Sharif M, Sarvi S, Mirzaei N, Abediankenari S, Arefkhah N, Amouei A, Gholami S, Anvari D, Ahmadpour E, Javidnia J, Jafar-Ramaji T, Daryani A. Identification and multilocus genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from congenital infection in north of Iran. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:177-184. [PMID: 36369362 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07714-1] [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: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis can cause severe consequences in the fetus, such as spontaneous abortion which is affected by parasite strain. Also, recent studies revealed the high genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii. This study aims to investigate the serological status of T. gondii in pregnant women, multilocus genotyping in aborted fetuses' tissue, and archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placenta. This study was performed on 100 pregnant women with spontaneous abortion and their aborted fetuses, and 250 of the archived placentae in Iran. The blood and tissue were examined for seroprevalence and genotype determination of T. gondii using ELISA and multilocus nested-PCR-RFLP, respectively. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM were detected in 68 samples (68%) and 1 (1%) out of 100 serums. Toxoplasma DNA was identified in 1 (1%) aborted fetuses' tissue and 32 (12.8%) placenta samples. Overall, ten positive DNA samples were successfully genotyped, and five genotypes were recognized (ToxoDB#1, #2, #10, #27, and #48). The obtained results indicated congenital toxoplasmosis is a severe risk in this region. As type I is highly pathogen and can lead to severe complications, the prevention of the infection should be considered in seronegative pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Nazanin Mirzaei
- Tonekabon Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeid Abediankenari
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasir Arefkhah
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Amouei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Sara Gholami
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Davood Anvari
- School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Department of Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahereh Jafar-Ramaji
- Tonekabon Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran. .,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.
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18
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Reis Amendoeira MR, Arruda IF, Moreira SB, Ubiali DG, da Silva Barbosa A, Jesus Pena HF, Barbosa Pereira AH, Nascimento da Silveira C, Bonifácio TF, Clemes YS, de Abreu Pissinatti T, Andrade dos Santos AF, Pissinatti A. Isolation and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from a captive black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya Humboldt, 1812) in Brazil. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 19:187-190. [PMID: 36204655 PMCID: PMC9530404 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii was isolated in mice from different tissues of a captive black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) kept in a colony at the Primatology Center of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and it was genotypically characterized based on using PCR-RFLP and Microsatellite Analysis (MS), later on. T. gondii was successfully isolated from inocula deriving from heart, liver and tissue pool (heart, liver, lungs, axillary lymph nodes and cerebellum) samples. The isolate was named TgBgHmBrRJ1. The high virulence of the aforementioned strain was observed in infected mice. Non-archetypal genotype (ToxoDB PCR-RFLP #206) was obtained through PCR-RFLP. This genotype had been previously described in 12 isolates from different hosts, also in Southeastern Brazil, a fact that indicates likely high circulation of this genotype in this region. The isolate was also classified as non-archetypal, based on MS genotyping, as well as presented genotypic identity close to that of strains isolated from free-range non-symptomatic chickens (TgCkBr244,245,278,279) in Espírito Santo State. It is worth emphasizing that despite the large number of reports about clinical toxoplasmosis in neotropical primates in Brazil, this is just the second isolate of this parasite ever reported in this group of animals. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated in a murine model from Alouatta caraya in captivity. An intermediate virulence of the isolated in the infected murine model was verified. A non-archetypal genotype (ToxoDB PCR-RFLP #206) was obtained by PCR-RFLP. This is the second isolation of T. gondii from a non-human primate in Brazil. For the first time, this genotype was associated with clinical disease in a host.
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19
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Guimarães AL, Richer Araujo Coelho D, Scoriels L, Mambrini J, Ribeiro do Valle Antonelli L, Henriques P, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Assis Martins Filho O, Mineo J, Bahia-Oliveira L, Panizzutti R. Effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on cognition, symptoms, and response to digital cognitive training in schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 8:104. [PMID: 36434103 PMCID: PMC9700796 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00292-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Studies indicate that neuroscience-informed digital cognitive training can remediate cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, but the factors contributing to these deficits and response to treatment remain unclear. Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive parasite linked to cognitive decline that also presents a higher prevalence in schizophrenia. Here, we compared the cognition and symptom severity of IgG seropositive (TOXO+; n = 25) and seronegative (TOXO-; n = 35) patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial of digital cognitive training. At baseline, TOXO+ subjects presented lower global cognition than TOXO- (F = 3.78, p = 0.05). Specifically, TOXO+ subjects showed worse verbal memory and learning (F = 4.48, p = 0.03), social cognition (F = 5.71, p = 0.02), and higher antibody concentrations were associated with increased negative (r = 0.42, p = 0.04) and total (r = 0.40, p = 0.04) schizophrenia symptoms. After training, the TOXO+ group showed higher adherence to the intervention (X2 = 9.31, p = 0.03), but there were no differences in changes in cognition and symptoms between groups. These findings highlight the association between seropositivity to T. gondii and deteriorated cognition and symptoms in schizophrenia. Further research is needed to assess the specific efficacy of digital cognitive training on this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Luiza Guimarães
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Richer Araujo Coelho
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XDepartamento de Imunoparasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Linda Scoriels
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana Mambrini
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Priscilla Henriques
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - José Mineo
- grid.411284.a0000 0004 4647 6936Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Lilian Bahia-Oliveira
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XDepartamento de Imunoparasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rogério Panizzutti
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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20
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Guimarães Gois PS, Franco PS, Cota Teixeira S, Guirelli PM, de Araújo TE, da Fonseca Batistão DW, de Oliveira FC, Lícia Santos Ferreira G, de Oliveira Gomes A, Favoreto S, Mineo JR, de Freitas Barbosa B, Ferro EAV. Polarisation of human macrophages towards an M1 subtype triggered by an atypical Brazilian strain of Toxoplasma gondii results in a reduction in parasite burden. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2022; 69. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2022.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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21
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A unique Toxoplasma gondii haplotype accompanied the global expansion of cats. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5778. [PMID: 36182919 PMCID: PMC9526699 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33556-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a cyst-forming apicomplexan parasite of virtually all warm-blooded species, with all true cats (Felidae) as definitive hosts. It is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease causing substantial public health burden worldwide. Few intercontinental clonal lineages represent the large majority of isolates worldwide. Little is known about the evolutionary forces driving the success of these lineages, the timing and the mechanisms of their global dispersal. In this study, we analyse a set of 156 genomes and we provide estimates of T. gondii mutation rate and generation time. We elucidate how the evolution of T. gondii populations is intimately linked to the major events that have punctuated the recent history of cats. We show that a unique haplotype, whose length represents only 0.16% of the whole T. gondii genome, is common to all intercontinental lineages and hybrid populations derived from these lineages. This haplotype has accompanied wildcats (Felis silvestris) during their emergence from the wild to domestic settlements, their dispersal in the Old World, and their expansion in the last five centuries to the Americas. The selection of this haplotype is most parsimoniously explained by its role in sexual reproduction of T. gondii in domestic cats.
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22
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Meireles LR, Bezerra ECM, Andrade JQ, Cassiano LA, Pena HFJ, Alves BF, Francisco RPV, de Andrade HF. Isolation and characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from human congenital toxoplasmosis cases reveal a new virulent genotype in São Paulo, Brazil. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3223-3228. [PMID: 36053347 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07643-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes severe disease in congenitally infected fetuses. The severity of fetal infection is related to the gestational stage at the time of maternal infection, parasite burden, and genotypic characteristics. South America has a high incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis and has the highest genotypic diversity of the parasite. In Brazil, clinical toxoplasmosis in children is notorious, however there are very limited data regarding the strains recovered from congenital infections. In this study, T. gondii strains from two cases of severe congenital toxoplasmosis from the São Paulo metropolitan area were isolated (TgHumIMTBr2 and TgHumIMTBr3) and biologically and molecularly characterized using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and microsatellite analysis, revealing a new non-archetypal virulent genotype designated as #318. The other isolate, genotype #175, has already been described in domestic and wild animals in Brazil, but is now associated with acute toxoplasmosis in humans. These data reinforce the role of non-archetypal T. gondii genotypes in the severity of human congenital toxoplasmosis, highlighting the importance of studies focused on parasite isolation and genotyping for a better understanding of the virulence of isolates from human toxoplasmosis and contributing to the knowledge of the diversity of T. gondii in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Regina Meireles
- Laboratório de Protozoologia (LIM49), Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Elizama Carneiro Machado Bezerra
- Laboratório de Protozoologia (LIM49), Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Joelma Queiroz Andrade
- Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa Aparecida Cassiano
- Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruna Farias Alves
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Heitor Franco de Andrade
- Laboratório de Protozoologia (LIM49), Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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23
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Chikweto A, Alhassan A, Su C, Macpherson C, Bhaiyat MI, Dubey JP. Toxoplasma gondii clonal type III is the dominant genotype identified in Grenadian pigs. Vet Med Sci 2022; 8:2005-2011. [PMID: 35809056 PMCID: PMC9514473 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread zoonotic protozoan parasite capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals. Although the genotypes of T. gondii in pigs have been reported worldwide, there is no information on the genotypes and diversity of T. gondii in pigs in Grenada, West Indies. OBJECTIVES The aims of the present study were to isolate, genotype and determine the diversity of T. gondii genotypes in pigs. METHODS We carried out a modified agglutination test (MAT) on blood from 149 pig hearts collected from a local meat market. Myocardial tissue homogenate from pigs that tested positive for T. gondii was homogenized and inoculated into mice for isolation of the parasite. We collected mouse tissues and extracted DNA for genotyping based on 11 polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism markers (SAG1, SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG 3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, C22-8, C 29-2 and Apico). RESULTS Out of the 149 pig hearts, 31 (20.8%) tested positive for T. gondii on MAT. Bioassays in mice yielded 12 isolates designated TgpgGr1 to TgpgGr12. Molecular characterisation of T. gondii revealed four genotypes as follows: ToxoDB #2-clonal type III (seven isolates); ToxoDB #7 (three isolates); ToxoDB #13 (one isolate); ToxoDB #30 (1 isolate). Overall, ToxoDB #2 was the most common (58%). Toxo database (DB) # 13, which causes interstitial pneumonia in affected mice, has also been reported. CONCLUSION The genetic diversity of T. gondii in pigs in Grenada is lower than that in other surrounding Caribbean areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Chikweto
- Department of PathobiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineSt. George's UniversitySt. George'sGrenada
| | - Andy Alhassan
- Department of PathobiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineSt. George's UniversitySt. George'sGrenada
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Calum Macpherson
- Windward Islands Research FoundationSt. George's UniversitySt. George'sGrenada
| | - Muhammad Iqbal Bhaiyat
- Department of PathobiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineSt. George's UniversitySt. George'sGrenada
| | - Jitender P. Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases LaboratoryBeltsville Agricultural Research CenterUnited States Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research ServiceBeltsvilleMarylandUSA
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24
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Fernández-Escobar M, Giorda F, Mattioda V, Audino T, Di Nocera F, Lucifora G, Varello K, Grattarola C, Ortega-Mora LM, Casalone C, Calero-Bernal R. Toxoplasma gondii Genetic Diversity in Mediterranean Dolphins. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080909. [PMID: 36015030 PMCID: PMC9416038 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii constitutes a major zoonotic agent but also has been frequently identified as an important cause of clinical disease (e.g., abortion, pneumonia, encephalitis) in wildlife; specifically, T. gondii has been associated with neurological disease in cetaceans. This study investigated the genetic diversity of T. gondii strains involved in infections in dolphins found stranded in the Mediterranean coastlines of Italy. Tissue samples from 16 dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba and Tursiops truncatus species) positive for T. gondii-DNA presence by PCR were examined by histology and subjected to further genetic characterization of strains detected by PCR-RFLP and multilocus PCR-sequencing assays. According to fully genotyped samples, the genotypes ToxoDB#3 (67%) and #2 (22%) were detected, the latter being reported for the first time in cetaceans, along with a mixed infection (11%). Subtyping by PCR-seq procedures provided evidence of common point mutations in strains from southwestern Europe. Despite evidence of T. gondii as a cause of neurological disease in dolphins, sources of infections are difficult to identify since they are long-living animals and some species have vast migration areas with multiple chances of infection. Finally, the genetic diversity of T. gondii found in the dolphins studied in the Mediterranean coastlines of Italy reflects the main genotypes circulating inland in the European continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Federica Giorda
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Virgina Mattioda
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Tania Audino
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Nocera
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lucifora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Katia Varello
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Carla Grattarola
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Casalone
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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25
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Amouei A, Sarvi S, Mizani A, Hashemi-Soteh MB, Salehi S, Javidnia J, Hosseini SA, Amuei F, Alizadeh A, Shabanzade S, Gholami S, Daryani A. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in meat-producing animals in Iran. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:255. [PMID: 35821057 PMCID: PMC9277799 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05360-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The consumption of uncooked or undercooked food from infected intermediate hosts can result in Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans. However, few studies have investigated the genetic diversity of this protozoan parasite in Iran. The aim of the present study was to genetically characterize isolates of T. gondii from intermediate host animals in Mazandaran Province, Iran. METHODS Blood and heart tissue samples were collected from 204 ruminants, and brain tissue was collected from 335 birds. The prevalence of T. gondii infection in these samples was determined serologically using the modified agglutination test and by conventional PCR assays. Those PCR samples positive for T. gondii DNA and 13 DNA samples extracted from aborted fetuses in a previous study were genotyped with 12 genetic markers using the multilocus-nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mn-PCR-RFLP) technique. RESULTS Antibodies for parasites were found in 35.7% of the ruminant (39.1% of sheep and 26.4% of goats) samples and in 51.3% of the bird (100% of geese, 52.3% of free-range chickens and 46% of ducks) samples. Molecular detection by PCR of the repetitive 529-bp DNA fragment revealed contamination of 13.2% of ruminant (14.6% of sheep and 9.4% of goats) samples and of 9.6% of bird (11.1% of chickens, 5.7% of ducks and 0% of geese samples). The results from 30 DNA samples revealed five ToxoDB (genome database for the genus Toxoplasma) PCR-RFLP genotypes, including #1 (Type II), #2 (Type III), #10 (Type I), #27 and #48, with genotype #1 the most predominant. CONCLUSIONS As evidenced by the results of this study, ruminants and birds are infected with T. gondii in the region, suggesting that they are likely to be involved in the transmission of T. gondii to humans through meat consumption. The identification of different genotypes may suggest a higher genetic diversity of this parasite in Mazandaran, reflecting local environmental contamination. These results have important public health implications for the prevention and control strategies of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Amouei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, 4847191971, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, 4847191971, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Mizani
- Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Bagher Hashemi-Soteh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeid Salehi
- Mazandaran Provincial Veterinary Department of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Department of Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, 4847191971, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Fateme Amuei
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Ahad Alizadeh
- Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Shafigheh Shabanzade
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sara Gholami
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, 4847191971, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. .,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, 4847191971, Mazandaran, Iran.
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Bolais PF, Galal L, Cronemberger C, Pereira FDA, Barbosa ADS, Dib LV, Amendoeira MRR, Dardé ML, Mercier A. Toxoplasma gondii in the faeces of wild felids from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210302. [PMID: 35766781 PMCID: PMC9241165 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a apicomplexan parasite of virtually all warm-blooded species. All true cats (Felidae) can act as definitive hosts for this parasite by shedding resistant oocysts into the environment. However, the patterns of oocysts shedding are only partially understood in domestic cats and largely unknown in wild felids. OBJECTIVES We carried out molecular analysis of 82 faecal samples from wild felids collected in the Serra dos Órgãos National Park (Parnaso), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS We screened samples for T. gondii DNA using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the 529bp DNA fragment. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive samples were genotyped using 15 microsatellite markers. RESULTS Only one faecal sample from a Puma yagouaroundi was PCR-positive [cycle threshold (Ct) = 26.88]. This sample was contaminated by a T. gondii strain of BrIII lineage, a common lineage in domestic animals from Brazil. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This first report of T. gondii in faeces of wild South American felids in their natural environment indicates infrequent oocyst shedding and suggests a role of acquired immunity in limiting re-excretion as in domestic cats. The presence of a domestic strain of T. gondii in a faecal sample from a wild felid at very low concentrations (not detected by microscopy) is consistent with the hypothesis of host-parasite co-adaptations limiting the circulation of T. gondii strains between domestic and wild environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula F Bolais
- University of Limoges, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - Lokman Galal
- University of Limoges, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - Cecília Cronemberger
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, Teresópolis, RJ, Brasil
| | - Fabiane de Aguiar Pereira
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, Teresópolis, RJ, Brasil
| | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e Outras Protozooses, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Laís Verdan Dib
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e Outras Protozooses, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e Outras Protozooses, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- University of Limoges, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France.,Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Centre National de Référence, Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Centre, Limoges, France
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- University of Limoges, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France.,Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Centre National de Référence, Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Centre, Limoges, France
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de Barros RAM, Torrecilhas AC, Marciano MAM, Mazuz ML, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Fux B. Toxoplasmosis in Human and Animals Around the World. Diagnosis and Perspectives in the One Health Approach. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106432. [PMID: 35390311 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a unique health disease that significantly affects the health of humans, domestic animals, wildlife and is present in ecosystems, including water, soil and food. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the best-adapted parasites in the word. This parasite is able to persist for long periods in its hosts, in different geographic regions of the word. This review summarizes the current literature of these themes, focusing on: (1) toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection; (2) One health approach and toxoplasmosis; (3) human toxoplasmosis; (4) animal toxoplasmosis; (5) toxoplasmosis diagnosis, as immunological, parasitological and molecular diagnosis; (6) T. gondii outbreaks caused by infected meat, milk and dairy products, as well as, vegetables and water consume; (7) studies in experimental models; (8) genetic characterization of T. gondii strains; (9) extracellular vesicles and miRNA; and (10) future perspectives on T. gondii and toxoplasmosis. The vast prevalence of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals and the dispersion and resistence of T. gondii parasites in environment highlight the importance of the one health approach in diagnostic and control of the disease. Here the different aspects of the one health approach are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Aparecida Müller de Barros
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Diadema, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil..
| | | | - Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israeli Veterinary Service and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Beit Dagan, 5025000, Israel..
| | | | - Blima Fux
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
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Calero-Bernal R, Fernández-Escobar M, Katzer F, Su C, Ortega-Mora LM. Unifying Virulence Evaluation in Toxoplasma gondii: A Timely Task. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:868727. [PMID: 35573788 PMCID: PMC9097680 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.868727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a major zoonotic pathogen, possess a significant genetic and phenotypic diversity that have been proposed to be responsible for the variation in clinical outcomes, mainly related to reproductive failure and ocular and neurological signs. Different T. gondii haplogroups showed strong phenotypic differences in laboratory mouse infections, which provide a suitable model for mimicking acute and chronic infections. In addition, it has been observed that degrees of virulence might be related to the physiological status of the host and its genetic background. Currently, mortality rate (lethality) in outbred laboratory mice is the most significant phenotypic marker, which has been well defined for the three archetypal clonal types (I, II and III) of T. gondii; nevertheless, such a trait seems to be insufficient to discriminate between different degrees of virulence of field isolates. Many other non-lethal parameters, observed both in in vivo and in vitro experimental models, have been suggested as highly informative, yielding promising discriminatory power. Although intra-genotype variations have been observed in phenotypic characteristics, there is no clear picture of the phenotypes circulating worldwide; therefore, a global overview of T. gondii strain mortality in mice is presented here. Molecular characterization has been normalized to some extent, but this is not the case for the phenotypic characterization and definition of virulence. The present paper proposes a baseline (minimum required information) for the phenotypic characterization of T. gondii virulence and intends to highlight the needs for consistent methods when a panel of T. gondii isolates is evaluated for virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal, ; Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora,
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Frank Katzer
- Disease Control Department, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal, ; Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora,
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Fernández-Escobar M, Schares G, Maksimov P, Joeres M, Ortega-Mora LM, Calero-Bernal R. Toxoplasma gondii Genotyping: A Closer Look Into Europe. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:842595. [PMID: 35402301 PMCID: PMC8984497 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.842595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a major zoonotic agent which may cause harmful effects mainly in pregnant and immunocompromised hosts. Despite many efforts on its genetic characterization, an entirely clear picture of the population structure in Europe has not been achieved yet. The present study aimed to summarize the available genotyping information and to map the distribution of circulating strains. There is consensus on type II T. gondii genotypes prevailing in Europe, but the absence of harmonization in the use of typing methods limits detailed knowledge. Standardized, high-end typing tools and integrative strategies are needed to fill the gaps and complete an accurate image of the T. gondii genetic population in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - 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
| | - Maike Joeres
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal,
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30
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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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Fisch D, Clough B, Khan R, Healy L, Frickel EM. Toxoplasma-proximal and distal control by GBPs in human macrophages. Pathog Dis 2022; 79:ftab058. [PMID: 34931666 PMCID: PMC8752258 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are key players of interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-induced cell intrinsic defense mechanisms targeting intracellular pathogens. In this study, we combine the well-established Toxoplasmagondii infection model with three in vitro macrophage culture systems to delineate the contribution of individual GBP family members to control this apicomplexan parasite. Use of high-throughput imaging assays and genome engineering allowed us to define a role for GBP1, 2 and 5 in parasite infection control. While GBP1 performs a pathogen-proximal, parasiticidal and growth-restricting function through accumulation at the parasitophorous vacuole of intracellular Toxoplasma, GBP2 and GBP5 perform a pathogen-distal, growth-restricting role. We further find that mutants of the GTPase or isoprenylation site of GBP1/2/5 affect their normal function in Toxoplasma control by leading to mis-localization of the proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fisch
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Barbara Clough
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Rabia Khan
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Lyn Healy
- HESCU (Human Embryo and Stem Cell Unit), The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Eva-Maria Frickel
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK
- Host-Toxoplasma Interaction Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
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32
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Witter R, Pena HFJ, Maia MO, da Costa Freitas L, Almeida SLH, de Aguiar DM, Igarashi M, Alves BF, Gennari SM, Pacheco RC. First report on the isolation and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii strains from free-range chickens in the state of Mato Grosso, Midwestern Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 80:101725. [PMID: 34847458 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, 51 strains of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) were isolated from free-range chickens in the state of Mato Grosso, Midwestern Brazil, upon conducting bioassays in mice, and genotyped them using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and 11 markers, including SAG1, SAG2 (5'3'SAG2 and alt. SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3. Fifty isolates were completely genotyped revealing 17 genotypes of T. gondii as follows: 12 matched using ToxoDB PCR-RFLP with the previously reported genotypes, including #6 type BrI (n = 4), #8 type BrIII (n = 7), #11 type BrII (n = 3), #14 (n = 1), #19 (n = 1), #41 (n = 1), #99 (n = 1), #109 (n = 4), #116 (n = 1), #140 (n = 2), #166 (n = 9), #190 (n = 1); and five genotypes have not been described before [#313 (n = 6), #314 (n = 1), #315 (n = 1), #316 (n = 1), #317 (n = 1)]. Moreover, mixed infections were identified in five isolates (TgCkBrMT8, TgCkBrMT9, TgCkBrMT33, TgCkBrMT38, and TgCkBrMT41). Additionally, genotype #190 was reported for the first time in chickens from Brazil. Our results corroborate with previous studies on T. gondii isolates identified in chickens from Brazil, thereby confirming their diversity, a typicality, and possibility of co-infection due to different T. gondii strains present in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute Witter
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias-PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária-FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Rondônia-IFRO campus Jaru, Jaru, RO, Brazil
| | - Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal-VPS, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia-FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maerle Oliveira Maia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias-PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária-FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Leodil da Costa Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias-PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária-FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Sayanne Luns Hatum Almeida
- Programa de Residência Uniprofissional em Medicina Veterinária-PRUMV, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária-FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Daniel Moura de Aguiar
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias-PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária-FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Michelle Igarashi
- Faculdade de Medicina -FM, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Bruna Farias Alves
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal-VPS, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia-FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Solange Maria Gennari
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal-VPS, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia-FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina e Bem-Estar Animal, Universidade de Santo Amaro - UNISA, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Richard Campos Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias-PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária-FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
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Piva MM, Pereira PR, Schwertz CI, Hammerschmitt ME, Lorenzett MP, Henker LC, Driemeier D, Clemes YS, Pena HFJ, Pavarini SP. Outbreak of toxoplasmosis associated with muscular lesions in finishing pigs caused by an atypical Toxoplasma gondii genotype. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e011622. [PMID: 36327395 PMCID: PMC9901883 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are usually asymptomatic in pigs, and an acute clinical disease is rare in this host. This study aimed to determine the pathological and molecular aspects of an outbreak of fatal systemic toxoplasmosis in finishing pigs in Brazil. The outbreak occurred on a commercial finishing pig farm in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The farm had 1500 pigs and 3.8% of mortality rate during the outbreak. The pigs had fever, anorexia, apathy, and locomotor deficits. Seven pigs were necropsied. Gross findings included multifocal to coalescent pale areas in skeletal muscles, lymphadenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and non-colapsed lungs. The histological findings included granulomatous lymphadenitis, hepatitis and splenitis, necrotizing myositis, and lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia. Lung and liver lesions were occasionally accompanied by T. gondii parasitic structures. Positive immunolabeling for T. gondii tachyzoites and encysted bradyzoites was detected in all examined pigs. PCR-RFLP (11 markers) and microsatellite analysis (15 markers) identified the non-archetypal genotype #278 in pigs. This is the first report of systemic toxoplasmosis in pigs with muscle lesions and additionally shows the diversity of disease-causing T. gondii genotypes circulating in animals in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoela Marchezan Piva
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Paula Reis Pereira
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Claiton Ismael Schwertz
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Márcia Elisa Hammerschmitt
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Marina Paula Lorenzett
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Luan Cleber Henker
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - David Driemeier
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Yara Souza Clemes
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Saulo Petinatti Pavarini
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
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Toxoplasma gondii in humans and animals in Japan: An epidemiological overview. Parasitol Int 2021; 87:102533. [PMID: 34968753 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102533] [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: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan protozoan zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii infamous for inducing severe clinical manifestations in humans. Although the disease affects at least one billion people worldwide, it is neglected in many countries including developed ones. In literature, the epidemiological data documenting the actual incidence of the disease in humans and domestic animals from Japan are limited and importantly many earlier papers on T. gondii infections were published in Japanese and a considerable part is not available online. Herein, we review the current summary about the epidemiological situation of T. gondii infection in Japan and the potential associated risk factors in humans and animals as well as the different T. gondii genotypes isolated in Japan. Several T. gondii isolates have been identified among cats (TgCatJpTy1/k-3, TgCatJpGi1/TaJ, TgCatJpObi1 and TgCatJpOk1-4) and goats (TgGoatJpOk1-13). This literature review underscores the need for a nationwide investigation of T. gondii infection in Japanese people and assessment of the socioeconomic impact of the disease burden. Furthermore, epidemiological studies in domestic and wild animals and estimation of degree of contamination of soil or water with T. gondii oocysts are needed, for a better understanding of the scope of this public health concern.
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Uzelac A, Klun I, Ćirković V, Bauman N, Bobić B, Štajner T, Srbljanović J, Lijeskić O, Djurković-Djaković O. Toxoplasma gondii Genotypes Circulating in Serbia-Insight into the Population Structure and Diversity of the Species in Southeastern Europe, a Region of Intercontinental Strain Exchange. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122526. [PMID: 34946128 PMCID: PMC8708754 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In Europe, Toxoplasma gondii lineage II is dominant, and ToxoDB#1 the most frequently occurring genotype. The abundance of lineage III genotypes varies geographically and lineage I are rare, yet present in several regions of the continent. Data on the T. gondii population structure in southeastern Europe (SEE) are scarce, yet necessary to appreciate the diversity of the species in Europe. To help fill this gap, we genotyped 67 strains from nine species of intermediate hosts in Serbia by MnPCR-RFLP, determined the population structure, and identified the genotypes using ToxoDB. A neighbor-joining tree was also constructed from the isolates genotyped on nine loci. While 42% of the total genotype population consisted of ToxoDB#1 and ToxoDB#2, variant genotypes of both lineages comprised 46% of the population in wildlife and 28% in domestic animals and humans. One genotype of Africa 4 lineage was detected in a human sample. Interestingly, the findings include one lineage III variant and one II/III recombinant isolate with intercontinental distribution, which appear to be moderately related to South American genotypes. Based on these findings, SEE is a region of underappreciated T. gondii genetic diversity and possible strain exchange between Europe and Africa.
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Deiró AGDJ, do Prado DP, Sousa IP, Rocha DDS, Bezerra RA, Gaiotto FA, Albuquerque GR, Munhoz AD. Presence of atypical genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from cats in the state of Bahia, Northeast of Brazil. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253630. [PMID: 34610028 PMCID: PMC8491887 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, 20 blood, heart, and brain samples were collected from euthanized cats at the Zoonosis Control Centers and Veterinary Clinics in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The sera were examined for anti-T. gondii antibodies using the indirect hemagglutination test. The brains and hearts of seven seropositive cats were ground, and peptide digestion was performed for bioassay in mice. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated in 5/7 (71.42%) of seropositive cats. In these isolates, the parasite was genotyped using the Polymerase chain reaction, associated with the DNA fragment polymorphism obtained by restriction enzyme PCR-RFLP technique with 11 markers (SAG1, 5’-SAG2, 3’-SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3) and 15 microsatellite markers (TUB-2, W35, TgM-A, B18, B17, M33, IV.1, XI.1, M48, M102, N60, N82, AA, N61, N83). The analysis of the isolates by PCR-RFLP revealed five distinct genotypes. Three of these genotypes have never been reported before; one corresponded to the TgDgCo13 genotype, and one incomplete genotype. In genotyping analysis using microsatellite markers, it was observed that the isolates showed atypical alleles in the typing and fingerprint markers. This revealed five atypical genotypes. The typing marker B17 showed the highest degree of atypia. This study is the first to report the genotyping of T. gondii obtained from naturally infected cats in Bahia, Northeast Brazil. The genotypes found in this study were different from those found in other studies conducted in Bahia, which included different species of animals. None of the clonal lineages I, II, or III were found. This study demonstrates the diversity of T. gondii in the study region, with the presence of unusual genotypes, reaffirming the genetic variability of the parasite in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Iuri Prates Sousa
- Graduate Student in Veterinary Medicine, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus (BA), Brazil
| | - Daniele de Santana Rocha
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus (BA), Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Amato Gaiotto
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, Center for Biotechnology and Genetics, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus (BA), Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Dias Munhoz
- Graduation Program in Animal Science, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus (BA), Brazil
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Toxoplasma gondii in South America: a differentiated pattern of spread, population structure and clinical manifestations. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3065-3076. [PMID: 34390383 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07282-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. It has a worldwide distribution and can infect a wide variety of intermediate hosts, including humans. In South America, toxoplasmosis shows high health impacts, and the incidence of the disease is frequently reported and more severe than in other regions, such as Europe. Although most T. gondii infections are asymptomatic, severe manifestations can occur in cases of congenital toxoplasmosis and immunocompromised individuals. In South America, the ocular disease in immunocompetent individuals is also frequently reported. Treatment for any clinical manifestation of toxoplasmosis consists of the combination of sulfadiazine (SDZ) and pyrimethamine (PYR). However, failures in the treatment of toxoplasmosis have been reported, especially in South America, suggesting the acquisition of resistance against SDZ and PYR. Another paradigm present in the literature is that once infected with T. gondii, the host is immunologically protected from further reinfections. However, some studies indicate cases of congenital transmission of T. gondii from immunocompetent pregnant women with chronic infection, suggesting the possibility of reinfection in humans. Thus, in this review, we will cover several aspects of South American T. gondii isolates, such as genetic characterization, disease manifestation, host reinfection and drug resistance.
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Langoni H, Generoso D, Hayasaka ÊY, Mantovan KB, Menozzi BD, Richini-Pereira VB, Silva RCD. Molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp. in raw kibbeh and other meat samples commercialized in Botucatu, Southeastern Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2021; 30:e029320. [PMID: 34190775 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis occurs worldwide causing economic losses to the animal production and problems to the public health. The study aimed to detect Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp.in 141 meat products from commercial meat cuts of pork, beef, and kibbeh sold in commercial markets from Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Samples were bioassayed in mice to isolate the parasite, and the parasite DNA detected by PCR targeting the 529 base pairs repeat element region (PCR-529-bp). All samples resulted negative on bioassay, whereas PCR positive for 9 (6,38%), distributed as 5/48 beef, 3/49 pork, and 1/44 kibbeh. PCR-positive were investigated for the the parasite genotype using multiplex-, nested-, and RFLP-PCR for 11 markers (SAG1, 5'-3'SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, B-TUB, GRA6, L358, c22-8, c29-6, PK1, Apico). Complete genotype was determined on just one PCR-positive sample that matched MAS, TgCkBr89 and TgCkBr147 isolates already identified. In addition, nested- and RFLP-PCR targeting 18S rRNA was run for all PCR-positive samples and, the products, sequenced and aligned to the GenBank at NCBI website. Four samples showed 100% homology with T. gondii (GenBank #L37415.1), three with Sarcocystis hominis (GenBank #AF006471.1), two Sarcocystis cruzi (GenBank #AF176934.1), and one Sarcocystis hirsuta (GenBank #AF006469.1), indicating the circulation of T. gondii and Sarcocystis spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helio Langoni
- Serviço de Diagnóstico de Zoonoses, Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Diego Generoso
- Serviço de Diagnóstico de Zoonoses, Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Ênio Yoshinori Hayasaka
- Serviço de Diagnóstico de Zoonoses, Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Karine Bott Mantovan
- Serviço de Diagnóstico de Zoonoses, Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Benedito Donizete Menozzi
- Serviço de Diagnóstico de Zoonoses, Departamento de Produção Animal e Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Fernández-Escobar M, Calero-Bernal R, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Vallejo R, Benavides J, Collantes-Fernández E, Ortega-Mora LM. In vivo and in vitro models show unexpected degrees of virulence among Toxoplasma gondii type II and III isolates from sheep. Vet Res 2021; 52:82. [PMID: 34112256 PMCID: PMC8194156 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00953-7] [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: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic agent with high genetic diversity, complex epidemiology, and variable clinical outcomes in animals and humans. In veterinary medicine, this apicomplexan parasite is considered one of the main infectious agents responsible for reproductive failure in small ruminants worldwide. The aim of this study was to phenotypically characterize 10 Spanish T. gondii isolates recently obtained from sheep in a normalized mouse model and in an ovine trophoblast cell line (AH-1) as infection target cells. The panel of isolates met selection criteria regarding such parameters as genetic diversity [types II (ToxoDB #1 and #3) and III (#2)], geographical location, and sample of origin (aborted foetal brain tissues or adult sheep myocardium). Evaluations of in vivo mortality, morbidity, parasite burden and histopathology were performed. Important variations between isolates were observed, although all isolates were classified as “nonvirulent” (< 30% cumulative mortality). The isolates TgShSp16 (#3) and TgShSp24 (#2) presented higher degrees of virulence. Significant differences were found in terms of in vitro invasion rates and tachyzoite yield at 72 h post-inoculation (hpi) between TgShSp1 and TgShSp24 isolates, which exhibited the lowest and highest rates, respectively. The study of the CS3, ROP18 and ROP5 loci allelic profiles revealed only type III alleles in ToxoDB #2 isolates and type II alleles in the #1 and #3 isolates included. We concluded that there are relevant intra- and inter-genotype virulence differences in Spanish T. gondii isolates, which could not be inferred by genetic characterization using currently described molecular markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET-Innova S.L., Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Esther Collantes-Fernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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Rezende HHA, Igreja JASLD, Gomes-Júnior AR, Melo JDO, Garcia JL, Martins FDC, Storchilo HR, Gomes TC, Vinaud MC, Castro AMD. Molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from free-range chickens reveals new genotypes in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2021; 30:e000321. [PMID: 34076043 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotypic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from free-range chickens in the metropolitan area of Goiânia, Goiás, in Brazil's central-west region. The seroprevalence rate was found to be 96%, according to an indirect hemagglutination assay. Brain and heart samples were processed by peptic digestion for a mice bioassay. The tissues were homogenized and the resulting samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which revealed that 64% of them contained the parasite's DNA. The mice bioassay revealed 15 isolates, 8 of them tachyzoites isolates from the peritoneal lavage and 7 from brain cysts. T. gondii genotypes were determined through PCR-RFLP, using the following markers: SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, alt. SAG2, Apico and CS3. Three genotypes were identified, inclued ToxoDB #65, and the other two are not yet described in the literature. Hence, we conclude that the isolates obtained from the metropolitan area of Goiânia showed relatively low genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanstter Hallison Alves Rezende
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Clínica e Líquidos Corporais, Unidade Acadêmica de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Jataí - UFJ, Jataí, GO, Brasil
| | - Jaqueline Ataíde Silva Lima da Igreja
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Antônio Roberto Gomes-Júnior
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Jade de Oliveira Melo
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - João Luís Garcia
- Laboratório de Protozoologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Heloísa Ribeiro Storchilo
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Taynara Cristina Gomes
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Marina Clare Vinaud
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Ana Maria de Castro
- Laboratório de Estudos da Relação Parasito-Hospedeiro, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
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Milne G, Webster JP, Walker M. Toward Improving Interventions Against Toxoplasmosis by Identifying Routes of Transmission Using Sporozoite-specific Serological Tools. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 71:e686-e693. [PMID: 32280956 PMCID: PMC7744992 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Horizontal transmission of Toxoplasma gondii occurs primarily via ingestion of environmental oocysts or consumption of undercooked/raw meat containing cyst-stage bradyzoites. The relative importance of these 2 transmission routes remains unclear. Oocyst infection can be distinguished from bradyzoite infection by identification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii embryogenesis-related protein (TgERP). These antibodies are, however, thought to persist for only 6-8 months in human sera, limiting the use of TgERP serology to only those patients recently exposed to T. gondii. Yet recent serological survey data indicate a more sustained persistence of anti-TgERP antibodies. Elucidating the duration of anti-TgERP IgG will help to determine whether TgERP serology has epidemiological utility for quantifying the relative importance of different routes of T. gondii transmission. METHODS We developed a serocatalytic mathematical model to capture the change in seroprevalence of non-stage-specific IgG and anti-TgERP IgG antibodies with human age. The model was fitted to published datasets collected in an endemic region of Brazil to estimate the duration of anti-TgERP IgG antibodies, accounting for variable age-force of infection profiles and uncertainty in the diagnostic performance of TgERP serology. RESULTS We found that anti-TgERP IgG persists for substantially longer than previously recognized, with estimates ranging from 8.3 to 41.1 years. The Brazilian datasets were consistent with oocysts being the predominant transmission route in these settings. CONCLUSIONS The longer than previously recognized duration of anti-TgERP antibodies indicates that anti-TgERP serology could be a useful tool for delineating T. gondii transmission routes in human populations. TgERP serology may therefore be an important epidemiological tool for informing the design of tailored, setting-specific public health information campaigns and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Milne
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Walker
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
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Giorda F, Romani-Cremaschi U, Marsh AE, Grattarola C, Iulini B, Pautasso A, Varello K, Berio E, Gazzuola P, Marsili L, Di Francesco CE, Goria M, Verna F, Audino T, Peletto S, Caramelli M, Fernández-Escobar M, Sierra E, Fernández A, Calero-Bernal R, Casalone C. Evidence for Unknown Sarcocystis-Like Infection in Stranded Striped Dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Ligurian Sea, Italy. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051201. [PMID: 33922074 PMCID: PMC8143450 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051201] [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: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Two stranded striped dolphins presented meningoenchepalitic lesions associated with the presence of unknown protozoan tissue cysts. The present study aimed at fully characterizing these previously undescribed parasites. Light microscopy re-examination of affected CNS areas showed high numbers of tissue cysts with morphological features resembling those of Sarcocystis species. Tissue cyst bradyzoites positively stained when labeled with polyclonal antisera but cross-reactivity could not be precluded. Sarcocystis sp. sequences with high homology to species infecting livestock were amplified by means of PCR from myocardial and muscle tissues. This is the first report of Sarcocystis-like tissue cysts in the cerebral tissue of stranded cetaceans with muscular sarcocystosis in Mediterranean dolphins. The obtained results may suggest a land-to-sea cycling of Apicomplexan parasites in this region and the need for further investigations in order to foster marine mammal conservation. Abstract Two striped dolphins (SD1, SD2), stranded along the Ligurian coast of Italy, were diagnosed with a nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis associated with previously undescribed protozoan tissue cysts. As tissue cysts were morphologically different from those of Toxoplasma gondii, additional histopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and biomolecular investigations were performed, aiming to fully characterize the organism. Histopathology revealed the presence of large Sarcocystis-like tissue cysts, associated with limited inflammatory lesions in all CNS areas studied. IHC was inconclusive, as positive staining with polyclonal antisera did not preclude cross-reaction with other Sarcocystidae coccidia. Applied to each animal, 11 different PCR protocols precluded a neural infection by Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis falcatula, Hammondia hammondi, and Neospora caninum. T. gondii coinfection was confirmed only in dolphin SD2. Sarcocystis sp. sequences, showing the highest homology to species infecting the Bovidae family, were amplified from SD1 myocardium and SD2 skeletal muscle. The present study represents the first report of Sarcocystis-like tissue cysts in the brain of stranded cetaceans along with the first description of Sarcocystis sp. infection in muscle tissue of dolphins from the Mediterranean basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giorda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (A.F.)
| | | | - Antoinette E. Marsh
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Carla Grattarola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Barbara Iulini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Alessandra Pautasso
- Department of Prevention, Local Veterinary Services (ASL1 Imperiese), Via Aurelia Ponente 97, Bussana di Sanremo, 18038 Imperia, Italy;
| | - Katia Varello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Enrica Berio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Paola Gazzuola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Letizia Marsili
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell’Ambiente, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Cristina E. Di Francesco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Strada Provinciale 18 Località Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Maria Goria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Federica Verna
- Department of Prevention, Local Veterinary Services, Via Conte Verde 125, 35040 Asti, Italy;
| | - Tania Audino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Simone Peletto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Caramelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.-E.); (R.C.-B.)
| | - Eva Sierra
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.-E.); (R.C.-B.)
| | - Cristina Casalone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Lv QY, Zheng HL, Yang WH, Liu GH. Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Domestic Ducks in Hunan Province, China. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:649603. [PMID: 33937375 PMCID: PMC8082677 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.649603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are protozoan parasites that infect warm-blooded animals, and cause major economic losses in livestock industries worldwide. However, little is known about the genotypes of T. gondii and N. caninum in domestic ducks in China. Herein, brain samples from 588 domestic ducks from Hunan province in China were examined for the presence of T. gondii and N. caninum. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect T. gondii B1 gene and N. caninum NC-5 gene. Forty-five DNA samples (7.7%; 95% CI: 5.5–9.9) were positive for B1 gene, and two (0.3%; 95% CI: 0–0.7) were positive for NC-5 gene. The risk factors significantly associated with T. gondii infection were age and sex. The 45 samples positive for T. gondii were genotyped using multi-locus PCR-RFLP analysis and only one sample was fully genotyped as ToxoDB#9 (Chinese I). These results provide new information about the epidemiology of T. gondii and N. caninum in ducks in Hunan province in China. The data also highlight the importance of a “One Health” approach to dealing with toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Yan Lv
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - He-Liang Zheng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Wen-He Yang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, Changsha, China
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Chiebao DP, Bartley PM, Chianini F, Black LE, Burrells A, Pena HFJ, Soares RM, Innes EA, Katzer F. Early immune responses and parasite tissue distribution in mice experimentally infected with oocysts of either archetypal or non-archetypal genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitology 2021; 148:464-476. [PMID: 33315001 PMCID: PMC11010124 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020002346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In most of the world Toxoplasma gondii is comprised of archetypal types (types I, II and III); however, South America displays several non-archetypal strains. This study used an experimental mouse model to characterize the immune response and parasite kinetics following infection with different parasite genotypes. An oral inoculation of 50 oocysts per mouse from T. gondii M4 type II (archetypal, avirulent), BrI or BrIII (non-archetypal, virulent and intermediate virulent, respectively) for groups (G)2, G3 and G4, respectively was used. The levels of mRNA expression of cytokines, immune compounds, cell surface markers and receptor adapters [interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-12, CD8, CD4, CD25, CXCR3 and MyD88] were quantified by SYBR green reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Lesions were characterized by histology and detection by immunohistochemistry established distribution of parasites. Infection in G2 mice was mild and characterized by an early MyD88-dependent pathway. In G3, there were high levels of expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFNγ and IL-12 in the mice showing severe clinical symptoms at 8–11 days post infection (dpi), combined with the upregulation of CD25, abundant tachyzoites and tissue lesions in livers, lungs and intestines. Significant longer expression of IFNγ and IL-12 genes, with other Th1-balanced immune responses, such as increased levels of CXCR3 and MyD88 in G4, resulted in survival of mice and chronic toxoplasmosis, with the occurrence of tissue cysts in brain and lungs, at 14 and 21 dpi. Different immune responses and kinetics of gene expression appear to be elicited by the different strains and non-archetypal parasites demonstrated higher virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela P. Chiebao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science – FMVZ, University of Sao Paulo, 87 Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 05508-270São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paul M. Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Francesca Chianini
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Lauren E. Black
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Alison Burrells
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Hilda F. J. Pena
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science – FMVZ, University of Sao Paulo, 87 Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 05508-270São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M. Soares
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science – FMVZ, University of Sao Paulo, 87 Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 05508-270São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth A. Innes
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Frank Katzer
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
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ROP18 and ROP5 alleles combinations are related with virulence of T. gondii isolates from Argentina. Parasitol Int 2021; 83:102328. [PMID: 33713809 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The allelic combination of ROP18/ROP5 genes of Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to be highly predictive of mouse virulence in canonical isolates and strains. The aims of this study were to analyze the alleles present in the ROP18/ROP5 genes from T. gondii isolates obtained in Argentina, to associate the results with the virulence registered in mouse model, and to compare with other isolates and reference strains using a phylogenetic network. Fourteen T. gondii isolates from Argentina were analyzed by nPCR-RFLP for ROP18/ROP5. Phylogenetic network analysis was inferred using the ToxoDB genotypes and the ROPs molecular markers. All isolates and reference strains were categorized as lethal or non-lethal. As results, combinations 2/2, 3/3 and 4/3 for ROP18/ROP5 were detected in 12 isolates, whereas only alleles 1 and 2 of ROP5 were detected in 2 isolates. The majority of the isolates had a mouse virulence matching to that predicted by the ROP18/ROP5 allele combination. The 3 isolates that differed from the expected virulence presented non-clonal genotypes. ROPs incorporation increased the accuracy of the phylogenetic network relations among the T. gondii samples, prevailing the clustering according to regions. Our results indicate a predominance of type 3 allele in both ROP18 and ROP5 markers and an association of allelic profiles 3/3 and 4/3 of non-clonal genotypes from Argentina, both with virulent and avirulent profiles in mice.
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Borges-Silva W, Rezende-Gondim MM, Galvão GS, Rocha DS, Albuquerque GR, Gondim LP. Cytologic detection of Toxoplasma gondii in the cerebrospinal fluid of a dog and in vitro isolation of a unique mouse-virulent recombinant strain. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 33:591-594. [PMID: 33719752 DOI: 10.1177/1040638721996685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites resembling Neospora caninum or Toxoplasma gondii were detected by cytologic examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a dog with neurologic disease. The dog became severely ill and was euthanized. Canine tissue homogenates were used for direct parasite isolation in cell culture, bioassay in 2 mouse lineages, and PCR. T. gondii was isolated in monkey kidney cells, and species identity was confirmed by PCR. Inoculated parasites were highly virulent for mice, which developed clinical signs and were euthanized immediately. PCR-RFLP for T. gondii using the cultured isolate (TgDgBA22) was conducted with 12 genetic markers, and a unique recombinant strain was identified. Detection of T. gondii by CSF cytology, although described in humans, had not been reported previously in dogs, to our knowledge, and was crucial for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in the examined dog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waléria Borges-Silva
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Mariana M Rezende-Gondim
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gideão S Galvão
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Daniele S Rocha
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Bahia, Brazil
| | - George R Albuquerque
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Luís P Gondim
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
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Machado DMR, de Barros LD, de Souza Lima Nino B, de Souza Pollo A, Dos Santos Silva AC, Perles L, André MR, Zacarias Machado R, Garcia JL, Lux Hoppe EG. Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild boars (Sus scrofa) from the State of São Paulo, Brazil: Serology, molecular characterization, and hunter's perception on toxoplasmosis. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2021; 23:100534. [PMID: 33678387 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The consumption of wild boar meat, common in many countries, became popular in Brazil after the hunting of these animals was authorized in 2013. The meat of these animals is often consumed by hunters and their social groups, and their offal is occasionally used as supplemental food in the diet of hunting dogs. Given the high frequency of foodborne diseases related to wild boar meat consumption in other countries, including toxoplasmosis, knowledge on these diseases is essential for risk assessment and elaboration of education campaigns for the exposed public. Thus, this study aimed diagnosing, isolating, and genotyping Toxoplasma gondii in hunted wild boars. For that, we obtained samples of serum and tissues (brain, tongue, diaphragm, and heart) from 26 wild boar hunted in three areas in São Paulo State, Brazil, based on convenience sampling strategy. The serum samples were submitted to the indirect immunofluorescence reaction test (IFAT) test while the tissue samples (n = 22) were used to perform a bioassay in mice to isolate the parasite. The isolated samples were genetically characterized by PCR-RFLP with SAG1, 5' and 3' SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico markers. Questionnaires were also formulated and applied to wildlife hunters to assess knowledge about toxoplasmosis. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 76.9% (20/26), with titers ranging from 16 to 1024. Viable parasites accounted for 4.5% (1/22) of the samples. The ToxoDB #6 genotype of TgJava1 alone was detected. Most interviewed hunters, 84.2% (16/19) consume game meat and a few of them (15.7%; 3/19) prefer undercooked meat. Also, 15.7% (3/19) of the hunters reported supplementing their hunting dogs' diet with wild boar meat and/or offal. As antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 76.9% (20/26) of the studied wild boars, we concluded that infection by T. gondii is frequent in wild boars used for human and animal consumption in the studied areas. Although genotype #6 is commonly found in Brazil in domestic animals, wild animals, and humans, causing everything from mild clinical symptoms to death, this study found, for the first time, the detection of this genotype in wild boars. These results also reaffirm the importance of these animals as a possible source of T. gondii infection for humans and domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dália Monique Ribeiro Machado
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução Animal e Saúde Única, Rodovia Professor Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n, Zona Rural, CEP 14887-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Daniel de Barros
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Jardim Portal de Versalhes 1, 86057-970 Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Beatriz de Souza Lima Nino
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Jardim Portal de Versalhes 1, 86057-970 Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Andressa de Souza Pollo
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução Animal e Saúde Única, Rodovia Professor Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n, Zona Rural, CEP 14887-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Clécia Dos Santos Silva
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Jardim Portal de Versalhes 1, 86057-970 Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lívia Perles
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução Animal e Saúde Única, Rodovia Professor Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n, Zona Rural, CEP 14887-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução Animal e Saúde Única, Rodovia Professor Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n, Zona Rural, CEP 14887-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosângela Zacarias Machado
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução Animal e Saúde Única, Rodovia Professor Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n, Zona Rural, CEP 14887-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Jardim Portal de Versalhes 1, 86057-970 Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Estevam Guilherme Lux Hoppe
- Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução Animal e Saúde Única, Rodovia Professor Paulo Donato Castelane, s/n, Zona Rural, CEP 14887-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Hamidović A, Etougbétché JR, Tonouhewa ABN, Galal L, Dobigny G, Houémènou G, Da Zoclanclounon H, Amagbégnon R, Laleye A, Fievet N, Piry S, Berthier K, Pena HFJ, Dardé ML, Mercier A. A hotspot of Toxoplasma gondii Africa 1 lineage in Benin: How new genotypes from West Africa contribute to understand the parasite genetic diversity worldwide. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0008980. [PMID: 33571262 PMCID: PMC7904144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Through international trades, Europe, Africa and South America share a long history of exchanges, potentially of pathogens. We used the worldwide parasite Toxoplasma gondii to test the hypothesis of a historical influence on pathogen genetic diversity in Benin, a West African country with a longstanding sea trade history. In Africa, T. gondii spatial structure is still non-uniformly studied and very few articles have reported strain genetic diversity in fauna and clinical forms of human toxoplasmosis so far, even in African diaspora. Sera from 758 domestic animals (mainly poultry) in two coastal areas (Cotonou and Ouidah) and two inland areas (Parakou and Natitingou) were tested for T. gondii antibodies using a Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). The hearts and brains of 69 seropositive animals were collected for parasite isolation in a mouse bioassay. Forty-five strains were obtained and 39 genotypes could be described via 15-microsatellite genotyping, with a predominance of the autochthonous African lineage Africa 1 (36/39). The remaining genotypes were Africa 4 variant TUB2 (1/39) and two identical isolates (clone) of Type III (2/39). No difference in terms of genotype distribution between inland and coastal sampling sites was found. In particular, contrarily to what has been described in Senegal, no type II (mostly present in Europe) was isolated in poultry from coastal cities. This result seems to refute a possible role of European maritime trade in Benin despite it was one of the most important hubs during the slave trade period. However, the presence of the Africa 1 genotype in Brazil, predominant in Benin, and genetic analyses suggest that the triangular trade was a route for the intercontinental dissemination of genetic strains from Africa to South America. This supports the possibility of contamination in humans and animals with potentially imported virulent strains. The parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide-distributed pathogen, able to infect all warm-blooded animals. There are important differences in the clinical expression of the infection in direct relation with the parasite genetic profile. In some regions, the geographical structuration of its genetic diversity points towards a crucial role of human activities in some lineages introduction or sorting. Benin is a West African country with a history of extensive transcontinental exchanges. Our genetic study of Toxoplasma in Benin shows a surprisingly homogeneous and autochthonous diversity, which contrasts with previous studies from other West and Central African countries. In Benin, the absence of European Toxoplasma lineages may be explained by the extreme rarity of the house mouse (Mus musculus), a host species that was previously described as highly susceptible to the mouse-virulent African strains. Might Benin be the origin region for the Africa 1 lineage, our results suggest that Guinean Gulf coasts may be a starting point of this lineage towards South America, especially Brazil, during the slave trade. As a whole, the present study provides further insights into the recent evolutionary history of Toxoplasma gondii and its consequences on human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Hamidović
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Jonas Raoul Etougbétché
- UAC, EPAC, Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions Biologiques, Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Lokman Galal
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Gauthier Dobigny
- UAC, EPAC, Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions Biologiques, Cotonou, Benin
- Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations, IRD, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, MUSE, Montpellier, France
| | - Gualbert Houémènou
- UAC, EPAC, Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Unité de Recherche sur les Invasions Biologiques, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Honoré Da Zoclanclounon
- Laboratoire d’Expérimentation Animale, Unité de Biologie Humaine, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Richard Amagbégnon
- Laboratoire de biologie médicale, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de la Mère et de l’Enfant Lagune (CHU-MEL), Cotonou, Bénin
| | - Anatole Laleye
- Laboratoire d’Expérimentation Animale, Unité de Biologie Humaine, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Nadine Fievet
- UMR216-MERIT, IRD, Université Paris-5, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur le Paludisme Associé à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance (CERPAGE), Cotonou, Bénin
| | - Sylvain Piry
- Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations, IRD, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, MUSE, Montpellier, France
| | - Karine Berthier
- Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations, IRD, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, MUSE, Montpellier, France
| | - Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France
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Cabral AD, Su C, Soares RM, Gennari SM, Sperança MA, da Rosa AR, Pena HFJ. Occurrence and diversity of Sarcocystidae protozoa in muscle and brain tissues of bats from São Paulo state, Brazil. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 14:91-96. [PMID: 33537206 PMCID: PMC7840805 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Studies on infectious and emerging diseases caused by bats have been increasing worldwide due to their well-recognised status as a reservoir species for various infectious agents as well as their close relationship to humans and animals. This study reports the molecular frequency and diversity of the parasites belonging to the Sarcocystidae family in bats in São Paulo state, Brazil. A total of 2892 tissue samples (brain and pectoral muscle/heart homogenates) from 1921 bats belonging to 36 species were collected, and the Sarcocystidae protozoan 18S ribosomal RNA encoding genes (18S rDNA) were detected by nested PCR and Sanger sequencing. The relative prevalence of Sarcocystidae species was 4.7% (91/1921) among 16 bat species, including insectivorous (n = 65), frugivorous (n = 13) and nectarivorous (n = 11) bats. From 66 sequenced positive samples, 50 were found to be suitable for analysis. Ten samples from insectivorous and nectarivorous bats showed 100% similarity with Neospora caninum (n = 1), Hammondia hammondi (n = 1), Cystoisospora canis (n = 1), Nephroisospora eptesici (n = 1), Sarcocystis (Frenkelia) glareoli (n = 1), and Toxoplasma gondii (n = 5). The 45 non-T. gondii samples revealed 15 different 18S rDNA alleles with identities varying from 96.1 to 100% with several Sarcocystidae species, which might suggest that bats can harbour a large variety of Sarcocystidae organisms. From the five T. gondii-positive tissue samples, three samples from two different bat specimens of the insectivorous Eumops glacinus were characterised using 11 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, revealing the non-archetypal ToxoDB genotypes #6 (type BrI), which is one of the most prevalent in different hosts and regions from Brazil, and #69. We recommend the inclusion of T. gondii as a differential diagnosis for rabies and other neurological syndromes in bats. Molecular detection of Sarcocystidae protozoa in 4.7% (91/1921) bats from Brazil. From 36 bat species examined, 16 were positive for Sarcocystidae protozoa. Results suggest large diversity of Sarcocystidae species in bats. Toxoplasma gondii ToxoDB-RFLP genotypes type BrI and #69 revealed for two bats. T. gondii should be included as a differential diagnosis for rabies in bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Diniz Cabral
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Rodrigo Martins Soares
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Solange Maria Gennari
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Márcia Aparecida Sperança
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do ABC, Rua Arcturus, 03, CEP 09606-045, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana Ruckert da Rosa
- Controle de Zoonoses (CCZ), Laboratório de Zoonoses e Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores (LabZoo), Rua Santa Eulália, 86, CEP 02031-020, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Corresponding author. Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando M. de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Toxoplasma gondii isolated from a Brazilian patient with rare pulmonary toxoplasmosis has a novel genotype and is closely related to Amazonian isolates. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:1109-1113. [PMID: 33420622 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary toxoplasmosis is rare in immunocompetent patients. Herein, a Toxoplasma gondii strain isolated in Brazil from an immunocompetent patient who had severe pulmonary involvement was biologically and molecularly characterized for the first time. The TgHumIMTBr1 isolate was bioassayed in mice showing a virulent phenotype. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping using 11 markers [SAG1, SAG2 (5´3´SAG2 and alt. SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico and CS3] revealed a new non-archetypal genotype assigned as #312. Genotyping using ROP18/ROP5 markers exhibited the virulent combination of alleles 4 and 1. Microsatellite analysis using 15 markers (TUB2, W35, TgM-A, B18, B17, M33, IV.1, X1.1, N60, N82, AA, N61, N83, M48 and M102) revealed an atypical genotype with three unique alleles and a rare combination of alleles 246 (W35) and 203 (TgM-A) that is typical of the Amazon region. Non-archetypal genotypes with unique alleles may function in the occurrence of severe toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients in Brazil. Attempts to isolate or molecularly detect T. gondii for further genotyping studies would contribute to the understanding of causes related to the severity of toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients.
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