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Velasco-Velásquez S, Orozco AS, Ramirez M, Pachón L, Hurtado-Gomez MJ, Valois G, Celis-Giraldo D, Cordero-López SS, McLeod R, Gómez-Marín JE. Impact of education on knowledge, attitudes, and practices for gestational toxoplasmosis. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:102516. [PMID: 39154433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.102516] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is potentially avoidable, treatable, and curable by simple and direct preventive measures. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) assessments concerning gestational toxoplasmosis were evaluated in a cohort of pregnant women from Armenia-Quindío (Colombia, South America). METHODS This cross-sectional descriptive KAP-type study was performed with informed consent between October 2021 and March 2022. The intervention involved a ten-minute talk administered by prenatal clinic nurses to pregnant women. This took place in the public health clinic RedSalud and the private clinic Happy Maternity with a post-KAP survey after pregnancy. RESULTS The findings of the initial KAP survey revealed that approximately 42.8 % of the 250 mothers surveyed had IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies present. A strong correlation was observed between a lower frequency of antibodies and a higher level of education. Following an educational intervention, 73 seronegative women demonstrated a significant improvement in their knowledge and behavior. Among the 111 mothers who received the intervention, 42 (37 %) were followed until delivery. Unfortunately, their level of compliance with prenatal serological follow-up was lower compared to previous historical records of cohort of mothers in the same health center during pre-pandemic periods. No seroconversion occurred, although the small number of cases makes the outcome inconclusive with respect to statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Education plays a crucial role in imparting valuable knowledge and fostering effective practices. It holds significant potential to prevent toxoplasmosis in pregnant seronegative mothers. Prenatal check-ups have proven to be a critical determinant in leveraging the benefits of education for seronegative mothers. Reporting and observed behaviors differed, identifying areas for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefany Velasco-Velásquez
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Ana Sofía Orozco
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Morgan Ramirez
- The College, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Center for Global Health, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Liliana Pachón
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Quindío, Colombia; Hospital Universitario San Juan de Dios de Armenia, Colombia
| | | | - Gloria Valois
- Centro de Atención Básica del Sur, Redsalud, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Daniel Celis-Giraldo
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Sara Sofia Cordero-López
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Rima McLeod
- The College, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Center for Global Health, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; The University of Chicago, Chicago Medicine, Biological Sciences Division, Departments of Opthamology and Visual Sciences, Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), CHESS, Committees on Molecular Medicine, Immunology, Institute for Genetics, Genomics, and Systems Biology, Toxoplasmosis Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia.
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Ye H, Zhou X, Zhu B, Xiong T, Huang W, He F, Li H, Chen L, Tang L, Ren Z. Toxoplasma gondii suppresses proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells by regulating their transcriptome. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:144. [PMID: 38654350 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03333-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has shown anticancer activity in breast cancer mouse models, and exerted beneficial effect on the survival of breast cancer patients, but the mechanism was unclear. METHODS The effect of tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH and ME49 strains) on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells) proliferation and migration was assessed using cell growth curve and wound healing assays. Dual RNA-seq was performed for T. gondii-infected and non-infected cells to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks analysis (PPI) were performed to explore the related signaling pathway and hub genes. Hub genes were validated using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database, and Pathogen Host Interaction (PHI-base) database. The results were verified by qRT-PCR. RESULTS The tachyzoites of T. gondii decreased the expression of Ki67 and increased the expression of E-cadherin, resulting in suppressing the proliferation and migration of infected human breast cancer cells. The inhibitory effect of T. gondii on breast cancer cells showed a significant dose-response relationship. Compared with the control group, 2321 genes were transcriptionally regulated in MCF-7 cells infected with T. gondii, while 169 genes were transcriptionally regulated in infected MDA-MB-231 cells. Among these genes, 698 genes in infected MCF-7 cells and 67 genes in infected MDA-MB-231 cells were validated by the publicly available database. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that several pathways were involved in anticancer function of T. gondii, such as ribosome, interleukin-17 signaling, coronavirus disease pathway, and breast cancer pathway. BRCA1, MYC and IL-6 were identified as the top three hub genes in infected-breast cancer cells based on the connectivity of PPI analysis. In addition, after interacting with breast cancer cells, the expression of ROP16 and ROP18 in T. gondii increased, while the expression of crt, TgIST, GRA15, GRA24 and MIC13 decreased. CONCLUSIONS T. gondii transcriptionally regulates several signaling pathways by altering the hub genes such as BRCA1, MYC and IL-6, which can inhibit the breast tumor growth and migration, hinting at a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengming Ye
- The School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Rd, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangzhou, China
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Xiaotao Zhou
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Bike Zhu
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Tiantian Xiong
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Weile Huang
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Feng He
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Hui Li
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Lihua Chen
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen, 518034, China
| | - Luying Tang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Zefang Ren
- The School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Rd, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangzhou, China.
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Carranza-Rodríguez C, Bolaños-Rivero M, Pérez-Arellano JL. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Humans: A Comprehensive Approach Involving the General Population, HIV-Infected Patients and Intermediate-Duration Fever in the Canary Islands, Spain. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:809. [PMID: 38667455 PMCID: PMC11049236 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14080809] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A prior investigation in 1993 identified a high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis (63%) in the Canary Islands. This study aims to assess the current prevalence of the disease in diverse population groups. The study was based on a population-scale screening involving 273 residents utilizing T. gondii IgG ELISA and a 20 year retrospective study (1998-2018). This included AIDS/HIV outpatients (1357, of which 324 were residents), AIDS/HIV hospitalized patients (741) and patients with fever of intermediate duration (158). The seroprevalence in the resident population was 37%, with significant differences between islands. Among resident outpatients with AIDS/HIV, 14.2% had specific anti-T. gondii IgG, and three had anti-T. gondii IgM; however, IgG avidity testing indicated non-active infection. In patients hospitalized for AIDS/HIV, T. gondii causing encephalitis was detected in 2%. Among patients with fever of intermediate duration, 28.5% were positive for T. gondii IgG, and four also showed IgM positivity, although the infection was non-active. The study reveals a decrease in human toxoplasmosis over the past 30 years. However, the current seroprevalence, which stands at 37%, together with the substantial risk that T. gondii represents for immunocompromised individuals, highlights the need to implement preventive and control strategies to control the threat that this infection can pose to public health in the Canary Islands population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Carranza-Rodríguez
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain and Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
| | - Margarita Bolaños-Rivero
- Microbiology Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
| | - José-Luis Pérez-Arellano
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain and Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
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Müller J, Hemphill A. In vitro screening technologies for the discovery and development of novel drugs against Toxoplasma gondii. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:97-109. [PMID: 37921660 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2276349] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis constitutes a challenge for public health, animal production and welfare. Since more than 60 years, only a limited panel of drugs has been in use for clinical applications. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors describe the methodology and the results of library screening approaches to identify inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii and related strains. The authors then provide the reader with their expert perspectives for the future. EXPERT OPINION Various library screening projects, in particular those using reporter strains, have led to the identification of numerous compounds with good efficacy and specificity in vitro. However, only few compounds are effective in suitable animal models such as rodents. Whereas no novel compound has cleared the hurdle to applications in humans, the few compounds with known indication and application profiles in human patients are of interest for further investigations. Taken together, drug repurposing as well as high-throughput screening of novel compound libraries may shorten the way to novel drugs against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Losa A, Carvalho I, Sousa B, Ashworth J, Guedes A, Carreira L, Pinho L, Godinho C. Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis: Challenges and Management Outcomes. Cureus 2024; 16:e52971. [PMID: 38406029 PMCID: PMC10894009 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT), despite being mostly subclinical at birth, can cause disabling disease in the fetus and lead to long-term sequelae. It is an important cause of chorioretinitis in infants and adolescents. Data on postnatal treatment are controversial, and there is a lack of universal guidelines. Methods A cross-sectional study of newborns with suspected CT was conducted between January 2007 and December 2021. Results Seventy-one patients with suspected CT were included. During pregnancy, 64 (90.1%) of the mothers underwent therapy, of which 59 (83.1%) with spiramycin. Amniocentesis identified one positive polymerase chain reaction assay. Most newborns were asymptomatic with normal laboratory, ophthalmological, and hearing screening. There was one case of hyperproteinorrachia. Fifty-seven patients (80.3%) started treatment: 42 (73.7%) with spiramycin, seven (12.3%) with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folinic acid (P+S+FA), and eight (14%) with P+S+FA intercalated with spiramycin. Adverse effects were found in 11 (19.3%) cases, mainly neutropenia. After investigation, we found three confirmed CT cases corresponding to 4.2% of suspected cases and an incidence of 0.4 per 10,000 births. All had normal clinical and laboratory exams in the neonatal period and started P+S+FA, fulfilling 12 months of therapy. During the follow-up, all presented normal psychomotor development without any long-term sequelae. Conclusion The lower incidence in our study, compared to the incidence in Europe, may be related to the decline in the prevalence of toxoplasmosis as well as the effectiveness of measures to prevent primary infection and a well-established program of antenatal screening, followed by the early initiation of treatment during pregnancy to prevent vertical transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Losa
- Pediatrics Department, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT
| | - Indira Carvalho
- Pediatrics Department, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT
| | - Bebiana Sousa
- Pediatrics Department, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT
| | - Joanna Ashworth
- Pediatrics Department, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT
| | - Ana Guedes
- Neonatology Department, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT
| | - Luísa Carreira
- Neonatology Department, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT
| | - Liliana Pinho
- Neonatology Department, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT
| | - Cristina Godinho
- Neonatology Department, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, PRT
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Seeber F. Past and present seroprevalence and disease burden estimates of Toxoplasma gondii infections in Germany: An appreciation of the role of serodiagnostics. Int J Med Microbiol 2023; 313:151592. [PMID: 38056090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2023.151592] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the major foodborne parasitic diseases in Germany, with 49% of its population chronically infected with its causative agent, Toxoplasma gondii. Although the acute disease is usually benign in immunocompetent individuals, it is a threat for immunocompromised patients as well as for fetuses of seronegative mothers. As a result of infection, congenital and ocular toxoplasmosis can have serious lifelong consequences. Here I will highlight the epidemiologic situation, from its past in the two separate parts of Germany, to its unification 30 years ago and up to the present day. The main identified risk factor for infection in Germany is thought to be the consumption of undercooked or raw meat or sausages. However, the relative impact of this risky eating habit as well as that of other risk factors are changing and are discussed and compared to the situation in the Netherlands. Finally, the importance of robust and efficient high-throughput serological assays for obtaining reliable epidemiological data, on which public health decisions can be made, is highlighted. The potential of bead-based multiplex assays, which allow the incorporation of multiple antigens with different analytical properties and thus yield additional information, are described in this context. It illustrates the interdependence of new analytic assay developments and sound epidemiology, a foundation that decades-old data from Germany did not have.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Seeber
- FG 16 - Mycotic and parasitic agents and mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestrasse 10, D-13353 Berlin, Germany.
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Dini F, Morselli S, Marangoni A, Taddei R, Maioli G, Roncarati G, Balboni A, Dondi F, Lunetta F, Galuppi R. Spread of Toxoplasma gondii among animals and humans in Northern Italy: A retrospective analysis in a One-Health framework. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2023; 32:e00197. [PMID: 37333686 PMCID: PMC10273278 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00197] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis occurs worldwide and is considered one of the most important food-borne parasitic zoonoses. The consumption of undercooked meat containing viable tissue cysts and ingestion of environmental oocyst are the most important sources of infection. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the spread of Toxoplasma gondii in the province of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna region) in northern Italy, with a One Health approach, comparing seropositivity rates in different animal species and in humans over the last 19 and 4 years respectively. Analyses were performed on serological data collected over different periods at three separate locations: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e della Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER); Veterinary University Hospital Clinical Pathology Service, Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna; and Unit of Microbiology, St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna. Most relevant seropositivity rates observed in animals were 15.5% (wild boar), 25% (roe deer), 18.7% (goat), 29.9% (sheep), 9.7% (pigs), 42.9% and 21.8% in cat and dog, respectively. A comprehensive screening was conducted on a population of 36,814 individuals, revealing a prevalence of 20.4%. Among pregnant women, a frequence of 0.39% for active toxoplasmosis was observed. Despite certain limitations, this study provided valuable insights into the extensive distribution of this parasitic infection among diverse animal species and human populations in the province of Bologna. These findings underscore the importance of implementing consistent and proactive toxoplasmosis screening protocols during pregnancy, while emphasizing the critical need for adopting a One Health approach for effective control of this parasitic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- F.M. Dini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - S. Morselli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - A. Marangoni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - R. Taddei
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e della Emilia-Romagna, Italy
| | - G. Maioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e della Emilia-Romagna, Italy
| | - G. Roncarati
- Microbiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - A. Balboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - F. Dondi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - F. Lunetta
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - R. Galuppi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
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Rząd M, Kanecki K, Lewtak K, Goryński P, Tyszko P, Lewandowska-Andruszuk I, Nitsch-Osuch A. Congenital toxoplasmosis among hospitalized infants in Poland in the years 2007-2021: study based on the national hospital registry. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11060. [PMID: 37422492 PMCID: PMC10329637 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38270-y] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is a rare entity and it may pose a life-threatening risk for the newborns. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and other selected factors of CT in Poland. Our study is a population-based study on CT patients in 2007-2021. The study was based on 1504 hospitalization records of first-time diagnosis of CT in newborns. In the study group, we observed 763 males (50.7%) and 741 females (49.3%). The mean and median age was 31 days and 10 days, respectively. Based on the hospital registry, the mean annual CT incidence was estimated to be 2.6 per 10,000 live births (95% CI 2.0-3.2 per 10,000 live births). The incidence of CT cases fluctuated over the years 2007-2021, with the highest incidence in 2010 and the lowest one in 2014. There were no statistically significant differences between the incidence of CT in relation to sex or place of residence. The periodic fluctuations in the number of cases of congenital toxoplasmosis indicates the need to develop effective prevention programs to effectively counteract the disease and its consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Rząd
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, 3 Oczki Str., 02-007, Warsaw, Poland
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kanecki
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, 3 Oczki Str., 02-007, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Lewtak
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, 3 Oczki Str., 02-007, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Paweł Goryński
- National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Tyszko
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, 3 Oczki Str., 02-007, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Izabela Lewandowska-Andruszuk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology, Mazovian Specialist Hospital, Radom, Poland
- Faculty of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences, Kazimierz Pulaski University of Technology and Humanities, Radom, Poland
| | - Aneta Nitsch-Osuch
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, 3 Oczki Str., 02-007, Warsaw, Poland
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Cañedo-Solares I, Correa D, Luna-Pastén H, Ortiz-Alegría LB, Gómez-Chávez F, Xicoténcatl-García L, García LD, Canfield-Rivera CE. Maternal anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies IgG2, IgG3 and IgG1 are markers of vertical transmission and clinical evolution of toxoplasmosis in the offspring. Acta Trop 2023; 243:106943. [PMID: 37172708 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii can be transmitted vertically during pregnancy and may cause neurological, ocular, and even systemic damage to the offspring. Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) can be diagnosed during gestation and/or after birth in the postnatal period. The timely diagnosis is highly relevant for efficient clinical management. The most common laboratory methods for diagnosing CT are based on Toxoplasma-specific humoral immune responses. However, these methods are of low sensitivity or specificity. In a previous study with a small number of cases, the comparison of anti-T. gondii IgG subclasses between mothers and their offspring showed promising results for CT diagnosis and prognosis. Thus, in this work, we analyzed specific IgG subclasses and IgA in 40 T. gondii-infected mothers and their children, of which 27 were congenitally infected and 13 uninfected. A higher frequency of anti-Toxoplasma IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and IgA antibodies was observed in mothers and congenitally infected offspring. Of these, IgG2 or IgG3 were statistically the most conspicuous. In the CT group, maternal IgG3 antibodies were significantly associated with severe disease of the infants and IgG1 and IgG3 with disseminated disease. The results support that maternal anti-T. gondii IgG3, IgG2 and IgG1 are markers of congenital transmission and severity/spread of disease in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Cañedo-Solares
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Subdirección de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, México.
| | - Dolores Correa
- Dirección de Investigación / Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac, México.
| | - Hector Luna-Pastén
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Subdirección de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, México
| | - Luz Belinda Ortiz-Alegría
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Subdirección de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, México
| | - Fernando Gómez-Chávez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Subdirección de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, México; Laboratorio de Enfermedades Osteoarticulares e Inmunológicas, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, ENMyH - IPN, México
| | - Lizbeth Xicoténcatl-García
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Subdirección de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, México
| | - Luisa Díaz- García
- Departamento de Metodología de la Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, México
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Müller J, Hemphill A. Toxoplasma gondii infection: novel emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:293-304. [PMID: 37212443 PMCID: PMC10330558 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2217353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis constitutes a challenge for public health, animal production, and welfare. So far, only a limited panel of drugs has been marketed for clinical applications. In addition to classical screening, the investigation of unique targets of the parasite may lead to the identification of novel drugs. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors describe the methodology to identify novel drug targets in Toxoplasma gondii and review the literature with a focus on the last two decades. EXPERT OPINION Over the last two decades, the investigation of essential proteins of T. gondii as potential drug targets has fostered the hope of identifying novel compounds for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Despite good efficacies in vitro, only a few classes of these compounds are effective in suitable rodent models, and none has cleared the hurdle to applications in humans. This shows that target-based drug discovery is in no way better than classical screening approaches. In both cases, off-target effects and adverse side effects in the hosts must be considered. Proteomics-driven analyses of parasite- and host-derived proteins that physically bind drug candidates may constitute a suitable tool to characterize drug targets, irrespectively of the drug discovery methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Juhas M. Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases. BRIEF LESSONS IN MICROBIOLOGY 2023:111-122. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-29544-7_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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