Delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase enzyme activity and the oxidative profile of pregnant women being treated for acute toxoplasmosis

Five years of the biggest outbreak of human toxoplasmosis in Santa Maria, Brazil: a review

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In 2018, the first cases of people with clinical signs of acute febrile syndrome were reported, and in the same year, the largest outbreak of human toxoplasmosis ever described in the literature was reported. In this sense, the present work sought to describe the evolution of the outbreak cases in the municipality of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, as well as the studies conducted and published during and after the outbreak in the municipality (the period between 2018 and 2023). In addition, the discussion of public policies and their modifications after the notification of this outbreak. As a result of this research, verifying the evolution of notified and confirmed cases, the possibility of detection and genotypic characterization of T. gondii and the possibility of co-infections and evaluation of the humoral response is possible. With regard to public policies, the importance of detecting the agent through the heel prick test and increasing the monitoring of water quality to prevent outbreaks.

Nitric oxide in parasitic infections: a friend or foe?

The complex interaction between the host and the parasite remains a puzzling question. Control of parasitic infections requires an efficient immune response that must be balanced against destructive pathological consequences. Nitric oxide is a nitrogenous free radical which has many molecular targets and serves diverse functions. Apart from being a signaling messenger, nitric oxide is critical for controlling numerous infections. There is still controversy surrounding the exact role of nitric oxide in the immune response against different parasitic species. It proved protective against intracellular protozoa, as well as extracellular helminths. At the same time, it plays a pivotal role in stimulating detrimental pathological changes in the infected hosts. Several reports have discussed the anti-parasitic and immunoregulatory functions of nitric oxide, which could directly influence the control of the infection. Nevertheless, there is scarce literature addressing the harmful cytotoxic impacts of this mediator. Thus, this review provides insights into the most updated concepts and controversies regarding the dual nature and opposing sides of nitric oxide during the course of different parasitic infections.

Comparative study of oxidative stress and antioxidative markers in patients infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Recently, oxidative stress and antioxidative compounds have been described as potential biomarkers. However, there is no consensus on the most appropriate oxidative and antioxidative biomarkers for patients with Toxoplasma gondii. In the present study, we evaluated the levels of lipid, protein, DNA oxidative damage and antioxidants in samples from patients infected with T. gondii with and without ocular toxoplasmosis. The levels of MDA, TBARS, micronuclei, carbonyl, GSH, vitamin C and vitamin E were measured on samples from 8 patients positive for T. gondii antibodies with ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), 20 patients positive for T. gondii antibodies without ocular toxoplasmosis (non OT), and 12 healthy individuals negative for T. gondii antibodies. The levels of MDA, TBARS, carbonyl and micronuclei were significantly higher in non OT patients, while MDA and TBARS levels were lower in OT patients. In contrast, the antioxidative factors, GSH and vitamin E levels were significantly lower in non OT patients, while vitamin C was lower in non OT and OT patients. Additionally, non OT patients were indicated to be high producers of oxidative markers (TBARS, MDA, micronuclei and carbonyl), while control group was indicated to be high producer of antioxidative markers (GSH, vitamins C and E). However, OT patients were not found as high producers of oxidative nor antioxidative markers. Our results provide a starting point of possible markers to better understand the disease pathogenesis in patients infected with T. gondii. Additional studies are needed to clarify the potential contribution of oxidative and antioxidative markers in these patients population.