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Kanno Y, Okamoto K, Shinohara T, Kinoshita O, Hatano M, Ikeda M, Harada S, Okugawa S, Moriya K, Ono M, Tsutsumi T. Pre-Transplant Seroprevalence, Associated Factors, and Post-Transplant Incidence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Among Heart Transplant Recipients in Japan. Transplant Proc 2024; 56:148-152. [PMID: 38177043 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, heart transplant (HT) recipients are at a higher risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection. As Toxoplasma seroprevalence varies by geographic location, updated local epidemiology is essential to guide preventive and therapeutic strategies. However, the Toxoplasma seroprevalence and incidence of post-transplant toxoplasmosis among SOT recipients in Japan are unknown. METHODS We performed a single-center retrospective observational study at an HT center in Tokyo, Japan. All HT recipients aged ≥18 years between 2006 and April 2019 were included. We reviewed patient charts and conducted a questionnaire survey to investigate the risk factors for infection. RESULTS Among 105 recipients included in the study, 11 (10.5%) were seropositive before transplant. Ninety-five recipients (90.5%), including all pre-transplant seropositive recipients, answered the questionnaire. The recipients who had lived in Okinawa (odds ratio [OR] 7.5 [95% CI 1.42-39.61]; P = .032) and who reported raw-meat eating habits (OR 4.64 [95% CI 1.04-23.3]; P = .021) were more likely to be seropositive. None of the patients developed symptoms of toxoplasmosis. The post-transplant incidence of other major adverse outcomes was not significantly different according to the pre-transplant serostatus. CONCLUSIONS About 10% of HT recipients at an HT center in Tokyo were seropositive for Toxoplasma pre-transplant, and none developed symptomatic toxoplasmosis post-transplant on trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The history of raw meat consumption was associated with seropositivity; therefore, avoiding it might be recommended for HT recipient candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Kanno
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koh Okamoto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Shinohara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Kinoshita
- Department of Heart Surgery, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Organ Transplant Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Hatano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo Japan
| | - Mahoko Ikeda
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sohei Harada
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shu Okugawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoji Moriya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Ono
- Department of Heart Surgery, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Organ Transplant Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeya Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Wesołowski R, Pawłowska M, Smoguła M, Szewczyk-Golec K. Advances and Challenges in Diagnostics of Toxoplasmosis in HIV-Infected Patients. Pathogens 2023; 12:110. [PMID: 36678458 PMCID: PMC9862295 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide distributed protozoan parasite. This apicomplexan parasite infects one-third of the population worldwide, causing toxoplasmosis, considered one of the neglected parasitic infections. In healthy humans, most infections are asymptomatic. However, in immunocompromised patients, the course of the disease can be life-threatening. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients have a very high burden of Toxoplasma gondii co-infection. Thus, it is essential to use modern, sensitive, and specific methods to properly monitor the course of toxoplasmosis in immunodeficient patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Pawłowska
- Department of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
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Pawełczyk A, Bednarska M, Caraballo Cortés K, Glamkowska-Sady M, Kowalska J, Uszyńska-Kałuża B, Radkowski M, Welc-Falęciak R. Seronegative Infection with Toxoplasma gondii in Asymptomatic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1)-Infected Patients and in Blood Donors. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030638. [PMID: 35160090 PMCID: PMC8836849 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection in AIDS patients. The routine diagnostics is based on serologic testing and IgG avidity index, but it may have limited utility in immunodeficient patients; thus, it is recommendable to detect T. gondii DNA in subjects with advanced HIV disease. The results of the studies published so far focused on patients with clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis. Our study encompassed a group of HIV-infected subjects on cART therapy, without immunological disturbances and clinical symptoms of T. gondii infection. Methods: The study was retrospective, and samples were collected between 2013 and 2016. We evaluate the prevalence of serological (IgM, IgG, and avidity IgG) and molecular (DNA) T. gondii infection markers in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients and the control group using serologic (ELISA) and quantitative (real-time PCR) molecular testing. Results: Of 152 HIV-infected in routine follow-up tested for T. gondii IgM and IgG, 6 (3.9%) and 50 (32.9%) were positive, respectively. Of 168 serum samples from blood donors, 1 (0.6%) and 49 (29.2%) were IgM+ and IgG+ positive, respectively. IgM seroprevalence in HIV-infected patients was significantly higher than in blood donors. T. gondii DNA (genotype II) was identified in 47 (30.9%) HIV-infected patients, with 13 (8.6%) IgM−IgG− samples. In blood donors, T. gondii DNA was present in 15 (8.9%) IgM−IgG−. Conclusions: In both groups, T. gondii DNA was detectable in seronegative subjects, implying the need to supplement the routine serological testing via the molecular method. It can help the accurate monitoring of the reactivation of infection in asymptomatic HIV-infected persons, and the quick introduction of specific therapy, in blood donors, would be of high importance for safe blood donations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Pawełczyk
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Pawińskiego 3C, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.C.C.); (M.G.-S.); (M.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Małgorzata Bednarska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, ul. Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.); (R.W.-F.)
| | - Kamila Caraballo Cortés
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Pawińskiego 3C, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.C.C.); (M.G.-S.); (M.R.)
| | - Marianna Glamkowska-Sady
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Pawińskiego 3C, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.C.C.); (M.G.-S.); (M.R.)
| | - Justyna Kowalska
- Department of Adults’ Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Wolska 37, 01-201 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Beata Uszyńska-Kałuża
- Blood Center, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Marek Radkowski
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Pawińskiego 3C, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (K.C.C.); (M.G.-S.); (M.R.)
| | - Renata Welc-Falęciak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, ul. Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.); (R.W.-F.)
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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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Rafati-Sajedi H, Majidi-Shad B, Jafari-Shakib R, Atrkar-Roshan Z, Mahmoudi MR, Rezvani SM. Serological Evaluation of Toxoplasmosis and Related Risk Factors Among HIV +/AIDS Patients in Northern Iran. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1417-1423. [PMID: 34021879 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00410-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause severe sequelae and even death in immunodeficient patients. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV+/AIDS patients of the study area. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out on 121 registered HIV+/AIDS patients of behavioral diseases consultation center (BDCC) in Guilan province, north of Iran. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA technique in the serum samples. IgG avidity was measured for IgG- plus IgM-positive cases. Also, the relationship between T. gondii infection and related demographic and clinical characteristics were investigated. RESULTS Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 60.3 and 4.9% of patients, respectively. One case of acute toxoplasmosis (0.83%) was detected using an IgG avidity test. A significant correlation was observed between toxoplasmosis with age and marital status in these patients. The mean CD4+count of HIV+/AIDS patients was 549 ± 27 cells/µl. Viral load in 69.7% of the HIV patients was less than1000 copies/ml. CONCLUSION None of the T. gondii IgM-positive HIV patients received anti-Toxoplasma prophylaxis. This finding highlights the importance of T. gondii infection surveillance in HIV patients. Regarding the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the study population, educational efforts are recommended to prevent reactivation or acquiring primary infection and developing severe cases of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised HIV+/AIDS patients.
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Rostami A, Riahi SM, Abdollahzadeh Sagha S, Taghipour A, Sepidarkish M, Mohammadnia-Afrouzi M, Ebrahimpour S, Hotez PJ, Gamble R, Gasser RB. Seroprevalence Estimates of Latent and Acute Toxoplasma Infections in HIV + People-Call for Action in Underprivileged Communities. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102034. [PMID: 34683355 PMCID: PMC8537859 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We undertook a comprehensive, systematic review of observational studies to estimate respective seroprevalences of latent and acute Toxoplasma gondii infections in HIV+ people at the global, regional and country levels; related seroprevalence to socio-economic variables and CD4+ cell counts; and assessed temporal changes in prevalence and risk factors for this group. We systematically searched international databases for seroepidemiological surveys between 1 January 1980 and 31 July 2020. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled seroprevalences with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and estimated the numbers of HIV+ people inferred to harbour latent and acute T. gondii infections (LT or AT). We grouped seroprevalence data according to the geographic regions defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and conducted subgroup and meta-regression analyses of the data. Of a total of 4024 studies identified, 150 and 65 of them met the inclusion criteria for LT and AT in HIV+ people, respectively. The overall, pooled seroprevalences of LT and AT were 37.4% (95% CI, 33.4–41.4) and 1.3% (95% CI, 0.9–1.8%), equating to ~14.2 and 0.5 million HIV+ people, respectively. Most HIV+ people with T. gondii infections originated from Africa, and the highest seroprevalences were in low-income countries with low human development indices. Significant risk factors for toxoplasmosis in HIV+ patients included the consumption of raw/undercooked meat, frequent contact with soil, a low CD4+ T lymphocyte number (<200 cells per μL) and age. Overall, the finding of high seroprevalences of particularly latent T. gondii infection in HIV+ people in underprivileged regions of the world, such as parts of Africa, calls for preventative action. Programs that include routine serological monitoring, counselling, care, animal control and/or prophylactic treatment measures are needed to prevent severe toxoplasmosis from developing in people living with HIV infection. Our study highlights the potential importance of parasite chemoprophylaxis in resource-poor settings, particularly in low-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; (S.A.S.); (S.E.)
- Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran;
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (R.B.G.)
| | - Seyed Mohammad Riahi
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran;
| | - Shayan Abdollahzadeh Sagha
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; (S.A.S.); (S.E.)
| | - Ali Taghipour
- Zoonoses Research Center, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran;
| | - Mahdi Sepidarkish
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran;
| | - Mousa Mohammadnia-Afrouzi
- Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran;
| | - Soheil Ebrahimpour
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; (S.A.S.); (S.E.)
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Ray Gamble
- National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC 20001, USA;
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (R.B.G.)
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Ka'e AC, Sosso SM, Fokam J, Simo RK, Essama SR, Nka AD, Yagai B, Dzukou CJN, Tchouaket MCT, Chenwi C, Abba A, Fainguem N, Zam MKN, Yimga JF, Colizzi V, Ndjolo A. Anti-Toxoplasmic Immunoglobulin G Quantitation Correlates with Immunovirological Parameters of HIV-Infected Cameroonians. Curr HIV Res 2021; 19:73-83. [PMID: 32885755 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x18666200903172523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is still a neglected common opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, who are mainly people living with HIV (PLHIV) in whom reactivation of toxoplasmosis may occur with advanced HIV conditions in resource-limited settings (RLS). OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the correlation between anti-toxoplasmic immunoglobulin G (anti-Toxo IgG) concentration and the immuno-virological status of PLHIV. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the year 2018 among 100 PLHIV aged ≥18 years in Yaounde-Cameroon. For each participant, anti-Toxo IgG, CD4-T lymphocytes, and plasma viral load (PVL) were measured using ELISA, flow cytometry, and real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS Overall, 56% of the participants were seropositive for anti-Toxo IgG, while 33% were negative and 11% were equivocal. All (n=19) those with PVL>1000 copies/mL were seropositive to anti-Toxo IgG versus 52.85% (37/70) with PVL<1000 copies/mL; p<0.0001. Interestingly, all (n=11) those with severe immunodeficiency (T-CD4<200 cells/μL) were positive to anti-Toxo IgG versus 57.69% (45/78) with T-CD4>200 cells/μL; p<0.0001. Most importantly, PVL and anti- Toxo IgG concentration were positively correlated (r = 0.54; p<0.0001), while T-CD4 and anti- Toxo IgG concentration were negatively correlated (r = - 0.70; p<0.0001). Adjusting age, gender, immune status, and virological profile in logistic regression shows that only immune status was independently associated with the serological status of toxoplasmosis (p=0.0004). CONCLUSION In Cameroon, about half of PLHIV might be seropositive to anti-Toxo IgG, with decreasing immunity appearing as a risk of toxoplasmosis relapse. Thus, in the context of immunodeficiency, routine quantification of anti-Toxo IgG would alleviate the programmatic burden of this opportunistic infection in RLS with the generalized HIV epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Christelle Ka'e
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Samuel Martin Sosso
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Joseph Fokam
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Rachel Kamgaing Simo
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Sara Riwom Essama
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Alex Durand Nka
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Bouba Yagai
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | - Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Collins Chenwi
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Aissatou Abba
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Nadine Fainguem
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Marie Krystel Nnomo Zam
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Junie Flore Yimga
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | - Alexis Ndjolo
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Center for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
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Mori T, Mikita K, Koda Y, Sakurai M, Saburi M, Hasegawa N, Kato J. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among Japanese adults with hematological diseases. Int J Hematol 2020; 112:755-756. [PMID: 33025462 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-020-03017-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takehiko Mori
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
| | - Kei Mikita
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuya Koda
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Sakurai
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masuho Saburi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.,Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Naoki Hasegawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Kato
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
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Immunogenicity and Protective Effect of a Virus-Like Particle Containing the SAG1 Antigen of Toxoplasma gondii as a Potential Vaccine Candidate for Toxoplasmosis. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8040091. [PMID: 32325746 PMCID: PMC7235809 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8040091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the vaccination effect of a virus-like particle (VLP) including the surface antigen 1 (SAG1) of Toxoplasma gondii as a potential vaccine for toxoplasmosis. The SAG1 virus-like particles (SAG1-VLPs) were expressed by Sf9 cells, and their expression was confirmed through cloning, RT-PCR analysis, and western blot method. The immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy of SAG1-VLPs were assessed by the antibody response, cytokine analysis, neutralization activity, splenocyte assay, and survival rates through a mouse model. In particular, IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA were markedly increased after immunization, and the survival rates of T. gondii were strongly inhibited by the immunized sera. Furthermore, the immunization of SAG1-VLPs effectively decreased the production of specific cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, after parasite infection. In particular, the immunized group showed strong activity and viability compared with the non-immunized infection group, and their survival rate was 75%. These results demonstrate that SAG1-VLP not only has the immunogenicity to block T. gondii infection by effectively inducing the generation of specific antibodies against T. gondii, but is also an effective antigen delivery system for preventing toxoplasmosis. This study indicates that SAG1-VLP can be effectively utilized as a promising vaccine candidate for preventing or inhibiting T. gondii infection.
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