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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 PMCID: PMC11305302 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104024] [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: 04/20/2024] [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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Györke A, Balea A, Borșan S, Su C, Jiang T, Magdaș C, Mărcuțan D, Blaga R, Mircean V, Villena I, Spano F, Briciu V, Cozma V. Toxoplasma gondii genotypes and frequency in domestic cats from Romania. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:369. [PMID: 39152437 PMCID: PMC11330001 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04210-9] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite with a heteroxenus life cycle that involves felids as the definitive hosts and any warm-blooded animal, including humans, as intermediate hosts. Cats are key players in parasite transmission as they are capable of shedding high numbers of oocysts in their feces that contaminate the environment. METHODS The study was performed on 31 domestic cats (31.23 ± 27.18 months old) originating from rural and urban areas (5.17:1) in the center and north-west Romania. Feces (n = 31), blood (n = 28), and heart samples (n = 27) were collected. Fecal samples were analyzed by flotation technique, and PCR (529 bp repetitive element). Fecal samples with T. gondii oocysts were bioassayed in mice. Serum samples were analyzed by modified agglutination test and ImmunoComb for the detection of specific anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. Heart samples were bioassayed in mice, and analyzed by PCR. Toxoplasma gondii positive samples were genotyped by nPCR-RFLP targeting eleven genetic loci (SAG1, SAG2, alt-SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico). RESULTS Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were found in 2 out of 31 fecal samples collected from a 3-months old stray kitten, and a 4-years old female. In total, 17 out of 27 sera were positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. The antibody titers in MAT ranged from 1:6 to 1:384. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 7 out of 27 heart samples, and four of them were positive also by bioassay. Six T. gondii DNA samples from bioassayed mice could be assigned to ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #1 or #3 (Type II) and one T. gondii DNA from heart digest to genotype #2 (Type III). Both of these genotypes are common in Europe. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed that the infection with T. gondii is still high in cats from Romania. The oocysts shedded by these cats represent an important source of infection for intermediate hosts, including humans. Further studies on a wider range of cases are necessary for a more exhaustive definition of the T. gondii genotypes circulating in Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Györke
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Anamaria Balea
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Parasitology Laboratory, Animal Health and Food Safety Agency Cluj Division, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Silvia Borșan
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Tiantian Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Cristian Magdaș
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniel Mărcuțan
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Blaga
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, F- 94700, France
| | - Viorica Mircean
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Isabelle Villena
- EA 7510 ESCAPE, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, SFR CAP-SANTE, Reims, France
- National Reference Centre on Toxoplasmosis/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, CHU Reims, General Koening Street, Reims, France
| | - Furio Spano
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Violeta Briciu
- The Teaching Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Cluj-Napoca, 400348, Romania
- Department of Infectious Diseases, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, 400348, Romania
| | - Vasile Cozma
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences Gheorghe Ionescu-Siseşti (A.S.A.S), 61 Mǎrǎşti Boulevard, Bucharest, 011464, Romania
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Wang Y, Li J, Zhu J, Ma H, Zhuang B, Zhao J, Zhang F, Yu L. TgMIC6 inhibition of autophagy is partially responsible for the phenotypic differences between Chinese 1 Toxoplasma gondii strains. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 140:112857. [PMID: 39116491 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112857] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Chinese1 is the predominant Toxoplasma gondii lineage in China, and significant phenotypic differences are observed within the lineage. WH3 and WH6 are two representative strains of Chinese 1, which exhibit divergent virulence and pathogenicity in mice. However, virulence determinants and their modulating mechanisms remain elusive. A global genome expression analysis of the WH3 and WH6 transcriptional profiles identified microneme secretory protein 6 (MIC6), which may be associated with the phenotypic difference observed in WH3. In the present study, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 genome-editing technique was used to generate a T. gondii microneme secretory protein (TgMIC6) knockout in WH3. Wild-type mice and different mouse and human cell lines were infected with the WH3, WH3-Δmic6, and WH6 strains. The survival rate of mice, related cytokine levels in serum, and the proliferation of parasites were observed. These results suggested that TgMIC6 is an important effector molecule that determines the differential virulence of WH3 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, MIC6 may enhance WH3 virulence via inhibition of host cell autophagy and activation of key molecules in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) classical autophagy pathway. CD40L was cleared in vivo by i.p injection of CD40L monoclonal antibody, and it was found that the virulence of WH3-Δmic6 to mice was restored to a certain extent in the absence of CD40L. This study elucidates the virulence determinants and immune escape strategies of Toxoplasma gondii in China. Moreover, these data will aid the development of effective strategies for the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingyang Li
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Medical Laboratory, The Third People's Hospital of Hefei, The Third Clinical Medical College of Hefei of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jinjin Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Haiyang Ma
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Baocan Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ji Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Famin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Dámek F, Basso W, Joeres M, Thoumire S, Swart A, Silva AD, Gassama I, Škorič M, Smola J, Schares G, Blaga R, Koudela B. Infection dynamics following experimental challenge of pigs orally dosed with different stages of two archetypal genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii. Vet Parasitol 2024; 330:110222. [PMID: 38878463 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110222] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a food-borne zoonotic parasite widespread in a variety of hosts, including humans. With a majority of infections in Europe estimated to be meat-borne, pork, as one of the most consumed meats worldwide, represents a potential risk for consumers. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the progress of T. gondii infection and tissue tropism in experimentally infected pigs, using different T. gondii isolates and infectious stages, i.e. tissue cysts or oocysts. Twenty-four pigs were allocated to treatment in four groups of six, with each group inoculated orally with an estimated low dose of either 400 oocysts or 10 tissue cysts of two European T. gondii isolates, a type II and a type III isolate. The majority of pigs seroconverted two weeks post-inoculation. Pigs infected with the type III isolate had significantly higher levels of anti-T. gondii antibodies compared to those infected with the type II isolate. Histopathological exams revealed reactive hyperplasia of the lymphatic tissue of all pigs. Additionally, a selected set of nine tissues was collected during necropsy at 50 dpi from each of the remaining 22 pigs for T. gondii DNA detection by quantitative real-time PCR. A positive result was obtained in 29.8 % (59/139) of tested tissues. The brain was identified as the most frequently positive tissue in 63.6 % (14/22) of the animals. In contrast, liver samples tested negative in all animals. The highest mean parasite load, calculated by interpolating the average Cq values on the standard curve made of ten-fold serial dilutions of the genomic DNA, corresponding to 100 to 104 tachyzoites/µL, was observed in shoulder musculature with an estimated concentration of 84.4 [0.0-442.5] parasites per gram of tissue. The study highlights the variability in clinical signs and tissue distribution of T. gondii in pigs based on the combination of parasite stages and strains, with type III isolates, particularly oocysts, causing a stronger antibody response and higher tissue parasite burden. These findings suggest the need for further investigation of type III isolates to better understand their potential risks to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Dámek
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, 22 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Maisons-Alfort Cedex 94701, France.
| | - Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
| | - Maike Joeres
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald, Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Sandra Thoumire
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, 22 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Maisons-Alfort Cedex 94701, France
| | - Arno Swart
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control-Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven 3720 BA, the Netherlands
| | - Anaëlle da Silva
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, 22 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Maisons-Alfort Cedex 94701, France
| | - Inés Gassama
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, 22 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Maisons-Alfort Cedex 94701, France
| | - Miša Škorič
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno Palackého tř. 1946/1, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Smola
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno Palackého tř. 1946/1, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary Sciences, Palackého tř. 1, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald, Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Radu Blaga
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, 22 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Maisons-Alfort Cedex 94701, France; University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Calea Mănăştur Street, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Břetislav Koudela
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno Palackého tř. 1946/1, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary Sciences, Palackého tř. 1, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic
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Withoeft JA, Marian L, da Costa LS, Fernandes FD, Vogel FSF, das Neves GB, Miletti LC, Casagrande RA. Sheep abortions associated with Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infections in multiple flocks from Southern Brazil. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:2699-2705. [PMID: 38653939 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10390-4] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Neosporosis and toxoplasmosis are important parasitic causes of abortions in small ruminants. This study verified the occurrence of these diseases in sheep fetuses from Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil from 2015 to 2022. Sheep fetuses were necropsied with organ sampling for histopathology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii using the Nc5 and SAG2 targets, respectively, in frozen brain tissue. Microbiological culture and RT-PCR for Pestivirus were conducted to discard other abortion causes. One positive fetus for toxoplasmosis was genotyped using multiplex multilocus nested PCR-RFLP (Mn-PCR-RFLP) with ten genetic markers. Fifty-five sheep fetuses were evaluated, with 10 (18.2%) cases of neosporosis and 7 (12.7%) cases of toxoplasmosis, comprising six and four flocks, respectively. Macroscopically, neosporosis abortions exhibited fetal mummification, maceration, and arthrogryposis. Toxoplasmosis abortions showed fetal mummification and maceration. The neosporosis abortions included lymphoplasmacytic myositis (70%; 7/10) and myocarditis (60%; 6/10), in addition to necrotizing encephalitis and gliosis (50%; 5/10). Toxoplasmosis abortions included lymphoplasmacytic necrotizing encephalitis (71.4%; 5/7), lymphoplasmacytic myositis (42.8%, 3/7), and myocarditis (14.3%; 1/7). Through PCR, N. caninum and T. gondii were detected in 6 (60%) and 5 (71.4%) fetuses, respectively. In one fetus, T. gondii genotyping was conducted, which was characterized as atypical genotype ToxoDB #98. All of the cases were negative for Pestivirus and bacterial agents. This study establishes the occurrence of these diseases as causes of abortions, malformations, mummification, and fetal maceration in sheep, with the characterization of an atypical T. gondii genotype in one of the fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Aline Withoeft
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC, 88520-000, Brasil
| | - Lucas Marian
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC, 88520-000, Brasil
| | - Leonardo Silva da Costa
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC, 88520-000, Brasil
| | - Fagner D'ambroso Fernandes
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, 97105-900, Brasil
| | - Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, 97105-900, Brasil
| | - Gabriela Bassi das Neves
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, CAV/UDESC, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC, 88520-000, Brasil
| | - Luiz Cláudio Miletti
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, CAV/UDESC, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC, 88520-000, Brasil
| | - Renata Assis Casagrande
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC, 88520-000, Brasil.
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Uzelac A, Klun I, Djurković-Djaković O. Early immune response to Toxoplasma gondii lineage III isolates of different virulence phenotype. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1414067. [PMID: 38912206 PMCID: PMC11190176 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1414067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite of importance to human and veterinary health. The structure and diversity of the genotype population of T. gondii varies considerably with respect to geography, but three lineages, type I, II and III, are distributed globally. Lineage III genotypes are the least well characterized in terms of biology, host immunity and virulence. Once a host is infected with T.gondii, innate immune mechanisms are engaged to reduce the parasite burden in tissues and create a pro-inflammatory environment in which the TH1 response develops to ensure survival. This study investigated the early cellular immune response of Swiss-Webster mice post intraperitoneal infection with 10 tachyzoites of four distinct non-clonal genotypes of lineage III and a local isolate of ToxoDB#1. The virulence phenotype, cumulative mortality (CM) and allele profiles of ROP5, ROP16, ROP18 and GRA15 were published previously. Methods Parasite dissemination in different tissues was analyzed by real-time PCR and relative expression levels of IFNγ, IL12-p40, IL-10 and TBX21 in the cervical lymph nodes (CLN), brain and spleen were calculated using the ΔΔCt method. Stage conversion was determined by detection of the BAG1 transcript in the brain. Results Tissue dissemination depends on the virulence phenotype but not CM, while the TBX21 and cytokine levels and kinetics correlate better with CM than virulence phenotype. The earliest detection of BAG1 was seven days post infection. Only infection with the genotype of high CM (69.4%) was associated with high T-bet levels in the CLN 24 h and high systemic IFNγ expression which was sustained over the first week, while infection with genotypes of lower CM (38.8%, 10.7% and 6.8%) is characterized by down-regulation and/or low systemic levels of IFNγ. The response intensity, as assessed by cytokine levels, to the genotype of high CM wanes over time, while it increases gradually to genotypes of lower CM. Discussion The results point to the conclusion that the immune response is not correlated with the virulence phenotype and/or allele profile, but an early onset, intense pro-inflammatory response is characteristic of genotypes with high CM. Additionally, high IFNγ level in the brain may hamper stage conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Uzelac
- Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Fadel EF, EL-Hady HA, Ahmed AM, Tolba MEM. Molecular diagnosis of human toxoplasmosis: the state of the art. J Parasit Dis 2024; 48:201-216. [PMID: 38840888 PMCID: PMC11147977 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-024-01667-1] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis. Approximately one-third of the world's population is currently T. gondii-seropositive. Although most infections are symptomless, a few can produce retinal lesions and, in immunocompromised persons or when congenitally contracted, can progress to life-threatening central nervous system disseminated infections. Therefore, quick, and precise diagnosis is a must. Molecular techniques nowadays play a crucial role in toxoplasmosis diagnosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients or congenital toxoplasmosis. This review aimed to detail recent advancements in molecular diagnostics of T. gondii infections. The terms "Toxoplasmosis," "Molecular diagnostics," "PCR," "qPCR," "B1," and "rep529" were used to search the English-language literature. In developed nations, conventional PCR (PCR) and nested PCR have been supplanted by quantitative PCR (qPCR), although they are still widely employed in poor nations. The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis has been revolutionized by the emergence of molecular diagnostics. Unfortunately, there is still substantial interlaboratory variability. There is an immediate need for standardization to increase the comparability of results between laboratories and clinical trials. Graphical abstract A graphical abstract highlighting the summary of Toxoplasma molecular diagnostics, created using Biorender.com.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Fathi Fadel
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Hanaa Ahmed EL-Hady
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Amal Mostafa Ahmed
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Essa Marghany Tolba
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khaled University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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Hasan MF, Harun AB, Hossain D, Bristi SZT, Uddin AHMM, Karim MR. Toxoplasmosis in animals and humans: a neglected zoonotic disease in Bangladesh. J Parasit Dis 2024; 48:189-200. [PMID: 38840887 PMCID: PMC11147975 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-024-01664-4] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The parasite undergoes both sexual and asexual reproduction in intermediate hosts (humans and animals) and definitive hosts (cats). Transmission in humans occurs through consuming oocyst-contaminated water, fruits, vegetables, and raw or undercooked meats. In Bangladesh, several factors contribute to an increased risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. The parasite is reported to cause diseases among livestock such as goats and sheep in this country, and it has also been associated with some human illnesses. Toxoplasmosis prevalence varies significantly worldwide, with developing countries like Bangladesh experiencing higher rates. Diagnostic methods include both conventional non-DNA-based tests and molecular detection techniques, while treatment options involve using antiparasitic drugs like sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. To control toxoplasmosis, essential steps include improving sanitation, promoting safe food handling, and educating the public about risks related to cat ownership and undercooked meat consumption. Implementing prenatal screening and treatment is also important. With the growing popularity of pet ownership in urban areas, it becomes essential to emphasize the veterinary and public health significance of toxoplasmosis in Bangladesh. This article comprehensively reviews various aspects of toxoplasmosis, with a specific focus on the situation in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Farhan Hasan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
| | - Anas Bin Harun
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
| | - Delower Hossain
- Department of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, 1207 Bangladesh
| | - Sabiha Zarin Tasnim Bristi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, 4225 Bangladesh
| | - A. H. M. Musleh Uddin
- Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100 Bangladesh
| | - Md Robiul Karim
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
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9
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Ihara F, Kyan H, Takashima Y, Ono F, Hayashi K, Matsuo T, Igarashi M, Nishikawa Y, Hikosaka K, Sakamoto H, Nakamura S, Motooka D, Yamauchi K, Ichikawa-Seki M, Fukumoto S, Sasaki M, Ikadai H, Kusakisako K, Ohari Y, Yoshida A, Sasai M, Grigg ME, Yamamoto M. Far-East Asian Toxoplasma isolates share ancestry with North and South/Central American recombinant lineages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4278. [PMID: 38778039 PMCID: PMC11111807 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47625-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a global protozoan pathogen. Clonal lineages predominate in Europe, North America, Africa, and China, whereas highly recombinant parasites are endemic in South/Central America. Far East Asian T. gondii isolates are not included in current global population genetic structure analyses at WGS resolution. Here we report a genome-wide population study that compared eight Japanese and two Chinese isolates against representative worldwide T. gondii genomes using POPSICLE, a novel population structure analyzing software. Also included were 7 genomes resurrected from non-viable isolates by target enrichment sequencing. Visualization of the genome structure by POPSICLE shows a mixture of Chinese haplogroup (HG) 13 haploblocks introgressed within the genomes of Japanese HG2 and North American HG12. Furthermore, two ancestral lineages were identified in the Japanese strains; one lineage shares a common ancestor with HG11 found in both Japanese strains and North American HG12. The other ancestral lineage, found in T. gondii isolates from a small island in Japan, is admixed with genetically diversified South/Central American strains. Taken together, this study suggests multiple ancestral links between Far East Asian and American T. gondii strains and provides insight into the transmission history of this cosmopolitan organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ihara
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hisako Kyan
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, Uruma, Okinawa, 904-2241, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1112, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Translational Research, COMIT, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1112, Japan
| | - Fumiko Ono
- Department of Veterinary Associated Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari, Ehime, 794-8555, Japan
| | - Kei Hayashi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari, Ehime, 794-8555, Japan
| | - Tomohide Matsuo
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Makoto Igarashi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Kenji Hikosaka
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-0856, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Sakamoto
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-0856, Japan
| | - Shota Nakamura
- Department of Infection Metagenomics, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Department of Infection Metagenomics, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Yamauchi
- Laboratory of Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8550, Japan
| | - Madoka Ichikawa-Seki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8550, Japan
| | - Shinya Fukumoto
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Motoki Sasaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hiromi Ikadai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Yuma Ohari
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Ayako Yoshida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-2155, Japan
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-2155, Japan
| | - Miwa Sasai
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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10
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Lynn MK, Rodriguez Aquino MS, Cornejo Rivas PM, Miranda X, Torres-Romero DF, Cowan H, Meyer MM, Castro-Godoy WD, Kanyangarara M, Self SCW, Campbell BA, Nolan MS. Employing digital PCR for enhanced detection of perinatal Toxoplasma gondii infection: A cross-sectional surveillance and maternal-infant outcomes study in El Salvador. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012153. [PMID: 38768194 PMCID: PMC11142657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic infection that can be transmitted in utero, resulting in fetal chorioretinitis and other long-term neurological outcomes. If diagnosed early, pregnancy-safe chemotherapeutics can prevent vertical transmission. Unfortunately, diagnosis of acute, primary infection among pregnant women remains neglected, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. Clinically actionable diagnosis is complex due to the commonality of infection during childhood and early adulthood which spawn long-last antibody titers and historically unreliable direct molecular diagnostics. The current study employed a cross-sectional T. gondii perinatal surveillance study using digital PCR, a next generation molecular diagnostic platform, and a maternal-fetal outcomes survey to ascertain the risk of vertical toxoplasmosis transmission in the Western Region of El Salvador. Of 198 enrolled mothers at the time of childbirth, 6.6% had evidence of recent T. gondii infection-85% of these cases were identified using digital PCR. Neonates born to these acutely infected mothers were significantly more likely to meconium aspiration syndrome and mothers were more likely to experience labor and delivery complications. Multivariable logistic regression found higher maternal T. gondii infection odds were associated with the presence of pet cats, the definitive T. gondii host. In closing, this study provides evidence of maternal T. gondii infection, vertical transmission and deleterious fetal outcomes in a vulnerable population near the El Salvador-Guatemala border. Further, this is the first published study to show clinical utility potential of digital PCR for accurate diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K. Lynn
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | | | | | - Xiomara Miranda
- Hospital Nacional “Dr Jorge Mazzini Villacorta”, Ministerio de Salud, Sonsonate, El Salvador
| | - David F. Torres-Romero
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Hanson Cowan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Madeleine M. Meyer
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Willber D. Castro-Godoy
- Health Research and Development Center (CENSALUD), University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Mufaro Kanyangarara
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Stella C. W. Self
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Berry A. Campbell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prisma Health, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Melissa S. Nolan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
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11
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Yi XL, Yang WH, Zheng HL, Cao ML, Xiong J, Chen WC, Zhou YJ, Li F, Zhu XQ, Liu GH. Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in beef cattle and goats in Hunan province, China. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:195. [PMID: 38671515 PMCID: PMC11055231 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06283-9] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are closely related protozoan parasites that are considered important causes of abortion in livestock, causing huge economic losses. Hunan Province ranks 12th in the production of beef and mutton in China. However, limited data are available on the seroprevalence, risk factors and molecular characterization of T. gondii and N. caninum in beef cattle and goats in Hunan province, China. METHODS Sera of 985 beef cattle and 1147 goats were examined for the presence of specific antibodies against T. gondii using indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) and anti-N. caninum IgG using competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunoassay assay (cELISA). Statistical analysis of possible risk factors was performed using PASW Statistics. Muscle samples of 160 beef cattle and 160 goats were examined for the presence of T. gondii DNA (B1 gene) and N. caninum DNA (Nc-5 gene) by nested PCR. The B1 gene-positive samples were genotyped at 10 genetic markers using the multilocus nested PCR-RFLP (Mn-PCR-RFLP). RESULTS Specific IgG against T. gondii were detected in 8.3% (82/985) and 13.3% (153/1147) and against N. caninum in 2.1% (21/985) and 2.0% (23/1147) of the beef cattle and goats, respectively. Based on statistical analysis, the presence of cats, semi-intensive management mode and gender were identified as significant risk factors for T. gondii infection in beef cattle. Age was a significant risk factor for T. gondii infection in goats (P < 0.05), and age > 3 years was a significant risk factor for N. caninum infection in beef cattle (P < 0.05). PCR positivity for T. gondii was observed in three beef samples (1.9%; 3/160) and seven chevon samples (4.4%; 7/160). Genotyping of PCR positive samples identified one to be ToxoDB#10. The N. caninum DNA was observed in one beef sample (0.6%; 1/160) but was negative in all chevon samples. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale serological and molecular investigation of T. gondii and N. caninum and assessment of related risk factors in beef cattle and goats in Hunan Province, China. The findings provide baseline data for executing prevention and control of these two important parasites in beef cattle and goats in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Long Yi
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-He Yang
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - He-Liang Zheng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Ling Cao
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Xiong
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Cheng Chen
- Chenzhou Center for Livestock Poultry and Aquatic Product Quality Inspection, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Jing Zhou
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fen Li
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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12
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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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13
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Dawant T, Wang W, Spriggs M, Magela de Faria Junior G, Horton L, Szafranski NM, Waap H, Jokelainen P, Gerhold RW, Su C. Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii in cell culture: an alternative to bioassay. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:131-137. [PMID: 38097034 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.12.002] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that can infect mammals and birds. The infection can cause acute toxoplasmosis and death in susceptible hosts. Bioassay using cats and mice has been the standard for the isolation of T. gondii from infected hosts for the past several decades. However, bioassay is labor-intensive, expensive, and involves using laboratory animals. To search alternative approaches and o work towards replacement of animal experiments, we summarized the key literature and conducted four experiments to isolate T. gondii in vitro by cell culture. A few heart tissue samples from animals with the highest antibody titers in a given collection were used for T. gondii isolation. These experiments included samples from five out of 51 wild ducks, four of 46 wild turkeys, six of 24 white-tailed deer, as well as from six kangaroos that had died with acute toxoplasmosis in a zoo. These experiments resulted in three isolates from five chronically infected wild ducks (60%), four isolates from four chronically infected wild turkeys (100%), one isolate from six chronically infected white-tailed deer (17%), and four isolates from six kangaroos with acute toxoplasmosis (67%). In addition, five isolates from the five chronically infected wild ducks were obtained by bioassay in mice, showing a 100% success rate, which is higher than the 60% rate by direct cell culture. These T. gondii isolates were successfully propagated in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) or Vero cells, and genotyped by multilocus PCR-RFLP markers. The results showed that it is practical to isolate T. gondii directly in cell culture. Although the cell culture approach may not be as sensitive as the bioassay, it does provide an alternative that is simple, cost-effective, ethically more acceptable, and less time-sensitive to isolate T. gondii. In this paper we propose a procedure that may be applied and further optimized for isolation of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Dawant
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Maria Spriggs
- SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Busch Gardens, 3605 E. Bougainvillea Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | | | - Laura Horton
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. USA
| | - Nicole M Szafranski
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. USA
| | - Helga Waap
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Unidade Estratégica de Investigação e Serviços, de Produção e Saúde Anima (UEISPSA), Portugal; Animal Behaviour and Welfare Laboratory, Centre of Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal; Centre for Infectious Disease Control-Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Richard W Gerhold
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. USA
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
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14
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Heddergott M, Pikalo J, Müller F, Osten-Sacken N, Steinbach P. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Wild American Mink ( Neogale vison): The First Serological Study in Germany and Poland. Pathogens 2024; 13:153. [PMID: 38392891 PMCID: PMC10892754 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020153] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded animals. Although most infections in humans and animals are subclinical, an infection can nevertheless be fatal. One of the important characteristics in the epidemiology of this parasite is waterborne transmission. The American mink (Neogale vison), a mammal closely adapted to freshwater ecosystems, is a potential sentinel for T. gondii. We analysed meat juice from the heart of 194 wild minks collected between 2019 and 2022 in five study areas from Germany and Poland and tested for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii. The analysis was performed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (ELISA). Antibodies were detected in 45.36% (88/194, 95% confidence interval (CI): 38.39-52.41%) of the analysed animals. While the prevalence values ranged from 37.50% to 49.30%, there was no significant difference in seroprevalence between the study areas. Juveniles were less likely to carry T. gondii antibodies than adults (odds ratio: 0.216), whereas there was no significant difference in prevalence between the sexes (odds ratio: 0.933). The results of our study show that contact with T. gondii is widespread in minks, and the parasite is common in inland freshwater ecosystems in Germany and Poland. This indicates that watercourses play an important role in the spread of T. gondii oocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike Heddergott
- Department of Zoology, Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle, 2160 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
| | - Jutta Pikalo
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Franz Müller
- Wildlife Biology Working Group, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Natalia Osten-Sacken
- Institute for Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
| | - Peter Steinbach
- Department of Zoology, Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle, 2160 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
- Faculty of Chemistry, Georg-August University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
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15
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Vilela VLR, Feitosa TF, Simões SVD, Mota RA, Katzer F, Bartley PM. An abortion storm in a goat farm in the Northeast Region of Brazil was caused by the atypical Toxoplasma gondii genotype #13. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 5:100157. [PMID: 38223290 PMCID: PMC10784673 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100157] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterise a Toxoplasma gondii-induced abortion outbreak on a goat farm in the State of Paraíba, Northeast Region of Brazil. From a herd of 10 does, seven experienced abortions and one gave birth to twins (one stillborn and the other weak and underdeveloped). Serum samples from all of the does were analysed by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Samples of colostrum and placenta from two does, along with lung, heart, brain and umbilical cord samples from four of the foetuses, were screened by nested ITS1 PCR specific for T. gondii. The positive samples were then analysed by multiplex nested PCR-RFLP. All ten does tested positive by IFAT for anti-T. gondii IgG (titrations ranging from 1:4096 to 1:65,536). The ITS1 PCR screening revealed T. gondii DNA in the placenta (2/2), colostrum (2/2), umbilical cord (2/4), lung (1/4), heart (1/4), and brain (1/4). Four samples produced complete RFLP genotyping results, identifying a single genotype, ToxoDB #13. In conclusion, we demonstrated a high rate of abortion caused by T. gondii in a goat herd, highlighting the pathogenicity of genotype #13, one of the most prevalent genotypes of T. gondii in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thais Ferreira Feitosa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Instituto Federal da Paraíba - IFPB, Sousa, Paraíba ZC 58800-970, Brazil
| | - Sara Vilar Dantas Simões
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB, Areia, Paraíba ZC 58397-000, Brazil
| | - Rinaldo Aparecido Mota
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal Rural de 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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16
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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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17
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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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18
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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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19
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Lignereux L, Tong WH, Tan S, Vyas A, O'handley R. Presence of IgG antibodies is not a reliable marker of Toxoplasma gondii infection in feral mice. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 22:75-79. [PMID: 37727638 PMCID: PMC10506062 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.09.004] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii uses mice as a vector to reach its definitive host, the cat, where it can accomplish its sexual reproduction and produce oocysts, which will contaminate the environment. In this study, we have captured 103 feral house mice (Mus musculus) on Kangaroo Island, Australia. We have measured the level of exposure to T.gondii serologically with the Modified Agglutination Test and conjointly with a T.gondii B1 gene PCR. We have included stringent quality control steps in the molecular analysis to reduce the risk of false positivity and false negativity. Our results indicated a low seroprevalence of 0.97%, 95%CI [-0.36; 0.58] associated with the detection of T.gondii genetic material in 51.46%, 95%CI [41.93, 60.88] of mice brains. Neither sex nor mice body weight had an effect on the PCR outcome. We postulate that both the transmission route, horizontal or vertical, and natural selection processes could lead to this discordance which has been observed elsewhere in wild mice. The question of the biological mechanisms allowing the chronic infection of wild mice in the absence of a measurable humoral immune response remains. Our findings indicate that serological studies should not be used to measure the level of exposure to T.gondii in feral house mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Lignereux
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Wen Han Tong
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Sijie Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Ajai Vyas
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Ryan O'handley
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
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20
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Salas-Fajardo MY, Benavides J, Azevedo A, Figueiras P, Monteiro M, Orge L, Mendonça P, Carvalho P, Waap H, Ortega-Mora LM, Calero-Bernal R. Fatal toxoplasmosis in a captive squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis) in Portugal. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2363-2370. [PMID: 37474881 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10179-x] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
New World monkeys are especially vulnerable to develop severe clinical manifestations and succumb to acute toxoplasmosis. This study aimed to describe the histopathological findings and genotypic characterization of the Toxoplasma gondii strain involved in a lethal case occurring in a zoo-housed black-capped squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis) in Portugal. Cyst-like structures suggestive of Sarcocystidae parasites and acute injuries in liver and brain were observed by light microscopy examination. By immunohistochemistry, calprotectin, T. gondii antigen and Iba1 antigen had a positive signaling in lung, liver and brain tissues. Toxoplasma gondii B1, ITS1 and 529 repetitive element fragments amplifications together with the genotyping of 13 microsatellite markers confirmed a systemic T. gondii infection linked to a non-clonal type II strain. This description is consistent to the majority T. gondii strains circulating in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Ynés Salas-Fajardo
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León, 24346, Spain
| | - Alexandre Azevedo
- Zoo de Lagos, Lagos, 8600-013, Portugal
- CIVG - Vasco da Gama Research Center / Vasco da Gama University School, Coimbra, 3020-210, Portugal
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Madalena Monteiro
- Pathology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
| | - Leonor Orge
- Pathology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, 5000- 801, Portugal
| | - Paula Mendonça
- Pathology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
| | - Paulo Carvalho
- Pathology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
| | - Helga Waap
- Parasitology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
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21
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Ren H, Mao G, Zhang Y, Zhu N, Liang Q, Jiang Y, Yang Y. Isolation and Characterization of a Viable Toxoplasma gondii from Captive Caracal ( Caracal caracal). Pathogens 2023; 12:1412. [PMID: 38133295 PMCID: PMC10747901 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121412] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite that infects most warm-blooded animals, and felids can serve as intermediate and definitive hosts. Pathological diagnosis and serological and etiological investigations were conducted on a captive caracal (Caracal caracal) carcass collected from China in 2022. Pathological diagnosis revealed that cardiac insufficiency, pulmonary edema, hepatic failure, and renal insufficiency were the causes of the caracal's death. A modified agglutination test (cut-off: 1:25) revealed that IgG antibodies against T. gondii were present in the myocardium juice (1:1600), ascitic fluid (1:3200), and hydropericardium (1:800). A viable T. gondii (TgCaracalCHn2) strain was isolated from the tissue samples (heart, brain, spleen, and skeletal muscle) of this caracal using a mouse bioassay. The genotype of TgCaracalCHn2 was ToxoDB#5 (Type II variant), as determined via RFLP-PCR. The strain was avirulent in Swiss mice and matched the prediction of ROP18 and ROP5 gene alleles of TgCaracalCHn2 (2/2). Mild tissue cysts (203 ± 265) were observed in mice brains after inoculation with TgCaracalCHn2 tachyzoites. ToxoDB#5 is the dominant genotype in North American wildlife, and this is the first documented isolation of T. gondii ToxoDB#5 from China. This indicates that caracal plays an important role in the transmission of this T. gondii genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Ren
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Gaohui Mao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Niuping Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Qunchao Liang
- Henan Yinji Jiabao Amusement Park Management Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou 452300, China
| | - Yibao Jiang
- College of Animal Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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22
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Namasivayam S, Sun C, Bah AB, Oberstaller J, Pierre-Louis E, Etheridge RD, Feschotte C, Pritham EJ, Kissinger JC. Massive invasion of organellar DNA drives nuclear genome evolution in Toxoplasma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2308569120. [PMID: 37917792 PMCID: PMC10636329 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308569120] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protist pathogen that infects up to one third of the human population. This apicomplexan parasite contains three genome sequences: nuclear (65 Mb); plastid organellar, ptDNA (35 kb); and mitochondrial organellar, mtDNA (5.9 kb of non-repetitive sequence). We find that the nuclear genome contains a significant amount of NUMTs (nuclear integrants of mitochondrial DNA) and NUPTs (nuclear integrants of plastid DNA) that are continuously acquired and represent a significant source of intraspecific genetic variation. NUOT (nuclear DNA of organellar origin) accretion has generated 1.6% of the extant T. gondii ME49 nuclear genome-the highest fraction ever reported in any organism. NUOTs are primarily found in organisms that retain the non-homologous end-joining repair pathway. Significant movement of organellar DNA was experimentally captured via amplicon sequencing of a CRISPR-induced double-strand break in non-homologous end-joining repair competent, but not ku80 mutant, Toxoplasma parasites. Comparisons with Neospora caninum, a species that diverged from Toxoplasma ~28 mya, revealed that the movement and fixation of five NUMTs predates the split of the two genera. This unexpected level of NUMT conservation suggests evolutionary constraint for cellular function. Most NUMT insertions reside within (60%) or nearby genes (23% within 1.5 kb), and reporter assays indicate that some NUMTs have the ability to function as cis-regulatory elements modulating gene expression. Together, these findings portray a role for organellar sequence insertion in dynamically shaping the genomic architecture and likely contributing to adaptation and phenotypic changes in this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cheng Sun
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX76019
| | - Assiatu B. Bah
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX76019
| | | | - Edwin Pierre-Louis
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Ronald Drew Etheridge
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Cedric Feschotte
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX76019
| | - Ellen J. Pritham
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX76019
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Bioinformatics, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
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23
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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: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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24
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Yang L, Ren H, Zhu N, Xin S, Mao G, Ma Y, Li J, Liang Q, Yang Y. Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from a Patas Monkey ( Erythrocebus patas) in China. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1606. [PMID: 37628657 PMCID: PMC10454590 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081606] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cases of Toxoplasma gondii infection have been reported worldwide in non-human primates (NHPs), especially in captive New World monkeys. However, few studies on toxoplasmosis in Old World monkeys have been conducted. In this study, serological and molecular biological analyses were carried out to look for T. gondii antibodies and T. gondii infection in 13 NHPs from China. T. gondii infection was confirmed in 8 NHP cases. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 1/5 New World monkeys and in 4/7 Old World monkeys. T. gondii DNA was detected in 3/5 New World monkeys and 5/7 Old World monkeys. The one ring-tailed lemur was negative for both antibodies and DNA of T. gondii. The most common clinical manifestations of T. gondii infection were malaise, poor appetite, emaciation, and foamy nasal discharge. The most common histopathological findings were interstitial pneumonia, necrotic hepatitis, necrotizing myocarditis, lymphadenitis, and necrotic splenitis. One viable T. gondii strain was successfully isolated from the myocardium of a patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) by bioassay in mice. T. gondii tachyzoites were obtained from cell cultures and were designated as TgMonkeyCHn2. The genotype of this strain belongs to ToxoDB genotype #9, and the allele of ROP18/ROP5 gene was 3/6. TgMonkeyCHn2 tachyzoites were avirulent in Swiss mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of fatal toxoplasmosis in a patas monkey. T. gondii infection in patas monkeys may indicate environmental contamination by oocysts. The patas monkey is a new host record for T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liulu Yang
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Hongjie Ren
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Niuping Zhu
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Shilin Xin
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Gaohui Mao
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yiheng Ma
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Junbao Li
- Zhengzhou Zoo, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Qunchao Liang
- Henan Yinji Jiabao Amusement Park Management Co., Ltd., Xinmi 452300, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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Scherrer P, Ryser-Degiorgis MP, Marti IA, Borel S, Frey CF, Mueller N, Ruetten M, Basso W. Exploring the epidemiological role of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY: PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2023; 21:1-10. [PMID: 37032843 PMCID: PMC10074407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a successful coccidian parasite able to infect all warm-blooded animals and humans, causing one of the most common zoonoses worldwide. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is one of the feline potential hosts of T. gondii in Switzerland, but little is known about its epidemiological role as a definitive or intermediate host. Serum samples from 183 Eurasian lynx collected from 2002 to 2021 were tested for antibodies to T. gondii by ELISA, IFAT and in case of inconclusive results, immunoblot. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 150 of 183 (82%) Eurasian lynx. Older age, good health status and a low-altitude habitat were found to be significant predictors for seropositivity. T. gondii oocysts were detected in 3 of 176 (1.7%) faecal samples, indicating the Eurasian lynx as a definitive host. In addition, T. gondii DNA was detected in skeletal muscle (7/88), heart muscle (2/26) and/or brain tissue (2/36) from 10 different lynx by real-time PCR. In one animal, a T. gondii-like tissue cyst was observed in heart muscle and confirmed as T. gondii by immunohistochemistry (1/20) and real-time PCR. With an adapted nested-PCR-multilocus-sequence typing (MLST) and in silico restriction-fragment-length-polymorphism analysis (RFLP) approach two different T. gondii genotypes were detected: a lineage II variant (ToxoDB #3) in three animals (two oocyst samples and one heart muscle sample) and a novel genotype exhibiting both type II and III alleles in a further animal (skeletal muscle). The present results indicate that T. gondii infection is widespread in the Swiss lynx population. The Eurasian lynx may contribute to environmental contamination with oocysts and is able to harbour the parasite in different tissues. Genotyping revealed the presence of both a common T. gondii lineage in Europe and a previously unknown genotype and thus shedding more light on the complex molecular epidemiology of T. gondii.
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Namasivayam S, Sun C, Bah AB, Oberstaller J, Pierre-Louis E, Etheridge RD, Feschotte C, Pritham EJ, Kissinger JC. Massive invasion of organellar DNA drives nuclear genome evolution in Toxoplasma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.22.539837. [PMID: 37293002 PMCID: PMC10245829 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.22.539837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protist pathogen that infects up to 1/3 of the human population. This apicomplexan parasite contains three genome sequences: nuclear (63 Mb); plastid organellar, ptDNA (35 kb); and mitochondrial organellar, mtDNA (5.9 kb of non-repetitive sequence). We find that the nuclear genome contains a significant amount of NUMTs (nuclear DNA of mitochondrial origin) and NUPTs (nuclear DNA of plastid origin) that are continuously acquired and represent a significant source of intraspecific genetic variation. NUOT (nuclear DNA of organellar origin) accretion has generated 1.6% of the extant T. gondii ME49 nuclear genome; the highest fraction ever reported in any organism. NUOTs are primarily found in organisms that retain the non-homologous end-joining repair pathway. Significant movement of organellar DNA was experimentally captured via amplicon sequencing of a CRISPR-induced double-strand break in non-homologous end-joining repair competent, but not ku80 mutant, Toxoplasma parasites. Comparisons with Neospora caninum, a species that diverged from Toxoplasma ~28 MY ago, revealed that the movement and fixation of 5 NUMTs predates the split of the two genera. This unexpected level of NUMT conservation suggests evolutionary constraint for cellular function. Most NUMT insertions reside within (60%) or nearby genes (23% within 1.5 kb) and reporter assays indicate that some NUMTs have the ability to function as cis-regulatory elements modulating gene expression. Together these findings portray a role for organellar sequence insertion in dynamically shaping the genomic architecture and likely contributing to adaptation and phenotypic changes in this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivaranjani Namasivayam
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Present address: Clinical Microbiome Unit, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Cheng Sun
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA; Present address: College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Assiatu B Bah
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019
| | - Jenna Oberstaller
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Present address: Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Edwin Pierre-Louis
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ronald Drew Etheridge
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Cedric Feschotte
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019; Present address: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703, USA
| | - Ellen J. Pritham
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Bioinformatics, and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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dos Santos DA, Souza HFS, Silber AM, de Souza TDACB, Ávila AR. Protein kinases on carbon metabolism: potential targets for alternative chemotherapies against toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1175409. [PMID: 37287468 PMCID: PMC10242022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1175409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a global disease that significantly impacts human health. The clinical manifestations are mainly observed in immunocompromised patients, including ocular damage and neuronal alterations leading to psychiatric disorders. The congenital infection leads to miscarriage or severe alterations in the development of newborns. The conventional treatment is limited to the acute phase of illness, without effects in latent parasites; consequently, a cure is not available yet. Furthermore, considerable toxic effects and long-term therapy contribute to high treatment abandonment rates. The investigation of exclusive parasite pathways would provide new drug targets for more effective therapies, eliminating or reducing the side effects of conventional pharmacological approaches. Protein kinases (PKs) have emerged as promising targets for developing specific inhibitors with high selectivity and efficiency against diseases. Studies in T. gondii have indicated the presence of exclusive PKs without homologs in human cells, which could become important targets for developing new drugs. Knockout of specific kinases linked to energy metabolism have shown to impair the parasite development, reinforcing the essentiality of these enzymes in parasite metabolism. In addition, the specificities found in the PKs that regulate the energy metabolism in this parasite could bring new perspectives for safer and more efficient therapies for treating toxoplasmosis. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the limitations for reaching an efficient treatment and explores the role of PKs in regulating carbon metabolism in Toxoplasma, discussing their potential as targets for more applied and efficient pharmacological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Higo Fernando Santos Souza
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Trypanosomes (LabTryp), Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariel M. Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Trypanosomes (LabTryp), Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andréa Rodrigues Ávila
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Apicomplexa, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
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CRISPR Screens Identify Toxoplasma Genes That Determine Parasite Fitness in Interferon Gamma-Stimulated Human Cells. mBio 2023; 14:e0006023. [PMID: 36916910 PMCID: PMC10128063 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00060-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma virulence depends on its ability to evade or survive the toxoplasmacidal mechanisms induced by interferon gamma (IFNγ). While many Toxoplasma genes involved in the evasion of the murine IFNγ response have been identified, genes required to survive the human IFNγ response are largely unknown. In this study, we used a genome-wide loss-of-function screen to identify Toxoplasma genes important for parasite fitness in IFNγ-stimulated primary human fibroblasts. We generated gene knockouts for the top six hits from the screen and confirmed their importance for parasite growth in IFNγ-stimulated human fibroblasts. Of these six genes, three have homology to GRA32, localize to dense granules, and coimmunoprecipitate with each other and GRA32, suggesting they might form a complex. Deletion of individual members of this complex leads to early parasite egress in IFNγ-stimulated cells. Thus, prevention of early egress is an important Toxoplasma fitness determinant in IFNγ-stimulated human cells. IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma infection causes serious complications in immunocompromised individuals and in the developing fetus. During infection, certain immune cells release a protein called interferon gamma that activates cells to destroy the parasite or inhibit its growth. While most Toxoplasma parasites are cleared by this immune response, some can survive by blocking or evading the IFNγ-induced restrictive environment. Many Toxoplasma genes that determine parasite survival in IFNγ-activated murine cells are known but parasite genes conferring fitness in IFNγ-activated human cells are largely unknown. Using a Toxoplasma adapted genome-wide loss-of-function screen, we identified many Toxoplasma genes that determine parasite fitness in IFNγ-activated human cells. The gene products of four top hits play a role in preventing early parasite egress in IFNγ-stimulated human cells. Understanding how IFNγ-stimulated human cells inhibit Toxoplasma growth and how Toxoplasma counteracts this, could lead to the development of novel therapeutics.
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29
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Mutka T, Seyfang A, Yoo JY, Dutra SVO, Ji M, Louis-Jacques A, Bruder K, Prescott S, Kim K, Groer M. Adverse pregnancy outcomes in Toxoplasma gondii seropositive Hispanic women. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2023; 49:893-903. [PMID: 36495217 PMCID: PMC9991953 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15511] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection is not thought to affect pregnancy or birth outcomes, but there are few prospective studies. The study aims were T. gondii immunoglobulin G measurement and relationship of chronic T. gondii infection with gestational age at birth and adverse pregnancy outcomes in 690 Hispanic women in Tampa, Florida. METHODS Hispanic women, born either in the United States or in Latin America or the Caribbean had a venous blood sample drawn to measure T. gondii IgG and T. gondii serotype at the first prenatal visit, along with collection of demographic and health-related measures. Seropositive and seronegative women were followed throughout their pregnancy. Gestational age, infant weights, and adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriages, preterm births) were compared in the two groups. RESULTS There were 740 women of self-reported Hispanic ethnicity screened and enrolled in Tampa, Florida, with 690 having birth data extracted from the electronic health record (538 T. gondii negative and 152 T. gondii seropositive). T. gondii seropositivity was 22.4% and the majority (83%) had high avidity titers, indicating chronic infection. Compared to T. gondii seronegative Hispanic women, seroseropositive women had more smaller for gestational age infants and higher prevalences of miscarriages and preterm birth. CONCLUSION This is one of the largest longitudinal cohort studies of women with chronic T. gondii infection followed through pregnancy. There was a higher percentages of adverse pregnancy outcomes in this group compared to T. gondii seronegative controls. The mechanism for this is unknown and warrants reexamination of the dogma that chronic T. gondii infection in pregnant women has no significant clinical consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Mutka
- University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa, FL
| | | | - Ji Youn Yoo
- University of Tennessee College of Nursing, Knoxville, TN
| | | | - Ming Ji
- University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa, FL
| | | | | | | | - Kami Kim
- Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
| | - Maureen Groer
- University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa, FL
- Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
- University of Tennessee College of Nursing, Knoxville, TN
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Yang L, Ren H, Zhu N, Mao G, Li J, Su C, Jiang Y, Yang Y. Epidemiology and isolation of viable Toxoplasma gondii strain from macropods. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13960. [PMID: 36938389 PMCID: PMC10015192 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13960] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Wallabies and other marsupials are highly susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii. In this study, 26 macropod samples were collected (8 red kangaroos, 4 Parma wallabies, 8 red-necked wallabies, 5 albino red-necked wallabies and 1 Eastern grey kangaroo), including tissue (n = 9) and serum (n = 17) samples. According to the modified agglutination test (MAT) results (cutoff 1:25), 50% (95% Cl: 32.06-67.94%) of the macropods had T. gondii antibodies. Among them, species, survival state, and sampling date were risk factors for T. gondii susceptibility (P < 0.05). T. gondii DNA was detected in two (cases #14 and #15) of the nine cases obtained from macropod tissues. One viable T. gondii strain (TgRooCHn4) was isolated from an albino red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus, case #14) via bioassay in mice. TgRooCHn4 belongs to ToxoDB genotype #3, using the 10 multilocus PCR-RFLP markers. The ROP18 and ROP5 gene allele types of TgRooCHn4 were 2/2, which was predicted to be non-lethal to mice. The virulence of TgRooCHn4 tachyzoites was avirulent in mice. Most macropods sampled from Hernan province in 2021 and 2022 were positive with T. gondii infection. A flood occurred in July 2021 in Zhengzhou from Henan province may promote the transmission of T. gondii oocysts. To our knowledge, this is the first T. gondii strain isolated from albino red-necked wallaby. However, further investigation is required to enhance our understanding of the transmission and prevention of toxoplasmosis in sensitive zoo animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liulu Yang
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Hongjie Ren
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Niuping Zhu
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Gaohui Mao
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | | | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Yibao Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Yurong Yang
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
- Corresponding author.
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31
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Wana MN, Watanabe M, Chiroma SM, Unyah NZ, Abdullahi SA, Nordin S, Basir R, Mohd Moklas MA, Majid RA. Toxoplasma gondii induced cognitive impairment in rats via dysregulation of dopamine receptors and indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14370. [PMID: 36950587 PMCID: PMC10025920 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14370] [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: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasite capable of residing in the brain of their host which influences behaviour changes due to alterations in the neurotransmitters. Consequently, dopamine receptors (DRD) and indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase (IDO) dysregulation facilitate the progression of behaviour changes in a host as a response to infection. This study tested the effect of neurotransmitter changes as a result of T. gondii infection on rats cognitive impairment. The T. gondii strain of type I, II and III from Malaysia were previously identified by standard procedures. Sporulated oocysts each of type I, II and III were inoculated separately into three groups of Wistar rats (n = 9) respectively. Two separate control groups received either phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or MK-801 (dizocilpine). Behaviour changes were evaluated at nine weeks post infection in a square box, elevated plus maze and gene expression level of DRD and IDO compounds. The study revealed increased fatal feline attraction, reduced anxiety, decreased DRD and increased IDO gene expression in the T. gondii infected groups and MK-801 compared to the PBS control group. In conclusion, T. gondii infection alter the level of neurotransmitters in rat which cause cognitive impairment. This implies that all the T. gondii strain can cause behaviour changes if human were infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Nasiru Wana
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria
| | - Malaika Watanabe
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Samaila Musa Chiroma
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
- Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NuMed) No 1, Jalan Sarjana 1,Kota Ilmu, EduCity@Iskandar,79200 Iskandar Puteri (formerly Nusajaya) Johor-Malaysia
| | - Ngah Zasmy Unyah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sharif Alhassan Abdullahi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Shariza Nordin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rusliza Basir
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Roslaini Abd Majid
- Department of Pre-Clinical, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kem Sungai Besi, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Corresponding author.
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Castillo-Cuenca JC, Almería S, Calero-Bernal R, Fernández-Escobar M, Fraga J, Entrena-García A, Arias PC, Martínez-Moreno Á, García-Bocanegra I. Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs intended for human consumption in Cuba. Zoonoses Public Health 2023; 70:125-133. [PMID: 36416370 PMCID: PMC10100425 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13010] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Domestic pigs are considered as one of the main intermediate hosts in the zoonotic transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in many countries. Serological and molecular studies are warranted to better understand the epidemiology and transmission patterns of this parasite worldwide. To date, seroepidemiological information on T. gondii in domestic pigs in Cuba is very scarce and there are no reports of T. gondii genotypes circulating in this country. Here, we aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and provide genetic characterization of the strains circulating in slaughtered pigs intended for human consumption in Central Cuba. Seroprevalence was determined in 450 serum samples from slaughtered pigs in Villa Clara province using ELISA. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 100 animals (22.2%, 95% CI: 18.5-26.2). Conventional PCR of the 529-bp marker of T. gondii was performed in hearts and diaphragm tissues of all ELISA-seropositive pigs. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in four animals. Further genetic characterization of the positive DNA samples was performed by multilocus PCR-RFLP and PCR-sequencing typing tools. Molecular analysis revealed four different genetic profiles that were combinations of type I, II, III and u-1 alleles, suggesting the circulation of non-clonal genotypes of T. gondii in domestic pigs in Cuba. Our results indicate that T. gondii is widely distributed in slaughtered pigs in this country, which might have important implications for public health. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on genetic characterization of T. gondii in Cuba. Although preliminary, the results suggest a high genetic diversity of T. gondii in the study region. Further studies based on parasite isolation are needed to definitively identify the genotypes circulating and characterize the virulence of strains detected in pigs in Cuba, and to assess the risk of zoonotic transmission from pork products in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Castillo-Cuenca
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
| | - Sonia Almería
- Division of Virulence Assessment, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment (OARSA), Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Fraga
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba
| | - Angel Entrena-García
- Departamento de Parasitología, Centro Nacional Para La Producción de Animales de Laboratorio (CENPALAB), La Habana, Cuba
| | - Pedro Casanova Arias
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Moreno
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Unidad de Parasitología, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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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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Wang M, Jiang W. Virulence evolution of
Toxoplasma gondii
within a multi‐host system. Evol Appl 2023; 16:721-737. [PMID: 36969145 PMCID: PMC10033858 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Current research on the virulence evolution of Toxoplasma gondii is mainly conducted via experiments, and studies using mathematical models are still limited. Here, we constructed a complex cycle model of T. gondii in a multi-host system considering multiple transmission routes and cat-mouse interaction. Based on this model, we studied how the virulence of T. gondii evolves with the factors related to transmission routes and the regulation of infection on host behavior under an adaptive dynamics framework. The study shows that all factors that enhance the role of mice favored decreased virulence of T. gondii, except the decay rate of oocysts that led to different evolutionary trajectories under different vertical transmission. The same was true of the environmental infection rate of cats, whose effect was different under different vertical transmission. The effect of the regulation factor on the virulence evolution of T. gondii was the same as that of the inherent predation rate depending on its net effect on direct and vertical transmissions. The global sensitivity analysis on the evolutionary outcome suggests that changing the vertical infection rate and decay rate was most effective in regulating the virulence of T. gondii. Furthermore, the presence of coinfection would favor virulent T. gondii and make evolutionary bifurcation easy to occur. The results reveal that the virulence evolution of T. gondii had a compromise between adapting to different transmission routes and maintaining the cat-mouse interaction thereby leading to different evolutionary scenarios. This highlights the significance of evolutionary ecological feedback to evolution. In addition, the qualitative verification of T. gondii virulence evolution in different areas by the present framework will provide a new perspective for the study of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyue Wang
- Department of Mechanics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
- Hubei Key Laboratory for Engineering Structural Analysis and Safety Assessment Wuhan China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Mechanics Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
- Hubei Key Laboratory for Engineering Structural Analysis and Safety Assessment Wuhan China
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Pardo Gil M, Hegglin D, Briner T, Ruetten M, Müller N, Moré G, Frey CF, Deplazes P, Basso W. High prevalence rates of Toxoplasma gondii in cat-hunted small mammals - Evidence for parasite induced behavioural manipulation in the natural environment? Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 20:108-116. [PMID: 36747510 PMCID: PMC9898578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.01.007] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes one of the most frequent parasitic infections in vertebrates on earth. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of T. gondii infection in cat-hunted wild small mammals, and to determine the circulating T. gondii genotypes in cat prey. There is evidence suggesting that T. gondii may manipulate rodents' behaviour enhancing transmission to their definitive feline host by facilitating predation. Given that most studies focusing on rodent behavior have been performed under laboratory conditions, we tested this hypothesis in the natural environment. We analysed 157 cat-hunted wild small mammals of six different species from Switzerland. Brain and skeletal muscle samples from each animal were tested for T. gondii DNA by PCR, and positive samples were genotyped using a multilocus sequence typing approach, including 10 genetic markers. Additionally, to evaluate exposure to cat faeces, the presence of Taenia taeniaeformis metacestodes was investigated at necropsy. The prevalence of T. gondii in cat-hunted Arvicola amphibius s.l. was 11.1% (7/63), 14.6% (7/48) in Apodemus spp., 13.6% (3/22) in Myodes glareolus, 6.7% (1/15) in Crocidura russula, and 0% in Microtus arvalis (0/8) and Sorex sp. (0/1). All completely genotyped T. gondii parasites, exhibited the ToxoDB #3 genotype, a Type II variant. We additionally analysed 48 trap-captured A. amphibius s.l., which all tested negative for T. gondii infection, contrasting with the higher prevalence in cat-hunted A. amphibius s.l. (0% vs. 11.1%; p = 0.0176). Furthermore, T. taeniaeformis was detected in both groups, indicating widespread contamination with cat faeces in the sampled areas. These results provide evidence that T. gondii infected rodents are at higher risk to be predated by cats and therewith support the behaviour manipulation hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Pardo Gil
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Corresponding author.
| | - Daniel Hegglin
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- SWILD– Urban Ecology and Wildlife Research, Wuhrstrasse 12, CH-8003, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Briner
- Naturmuseum Solothurn, Klosterplatz 2, CH-4500, Solothurn, Switzerland
| | - Maja Ruetten
- PathoVet AG, Buckstrasse 2, CH-8317, Tagelswangen, Switzerland
| | - Norbert Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gastón Moré
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Caroline F. Frey
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Corresponding author.
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Paștiu AI, Mircean V, Mercier A, Passebosc-Faure K, Plault N, Dardé ML, Blaga R, Villena I, Pusta DL, Cozma-Petruț A, Györke A. Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from Romania. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:24. [PMID: 36691063 PMCID: PMC9872358 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05634-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Limited epidemiological information is available about the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep in Romania, and a high incidence would have implications for both the economy and public health. To our knowledge, no studies are available about the T. gondii strains circulating in lambs. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep (serology), lambs (serology, bioassay, PCR) and sheep abortions (PCR) in Romania. Moreover, the study aimed to perform the genetic characterization of T. gondii isolates from lambs. METHODS Serum samples collected from 2650 sheep (2067 adults and 583 lambs) were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG) using a commercial ELISA kit. Likewise, 328 pairs of diaphragmatic muscle-serum samples were collected from lambs aged between 2 and 4 months. Lamb serum samples were analyzed using MAT for anti-T. gondii antibody detection. The diaphragm tissue samples from MAT-positive lambs (at a dilution ≥ 1:25) were bioassayed in mice. The T. gondii strains were genotyped using 15 microsatellites markers. Additionally, brain and heart samples from 76 sheep abortions were analyzed for T. gondii DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 529-bp repeat region (REP529). RESULTS The results showed that more than half of the tested sheep were T. gondii seropositive (53.5%). The seroprevalence was significantly higher in adults (61.1%) than in lambs (26.4%). The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in slaughtered lambs, by MAT, was 37.5% (123/328). There were bioassayed in mice 56 diaphragmatic tissues from 123 seropositive lambs. Toxoplasma gondii strains were isolated from 18 (32.1%) lambs intended for human consumption. All T. gondii strains were confirmed by PCR. Six strains were genotyped using 15 microsatellite markers and belonged to genotype II. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 11.8% (9/76) of sheep abortions. CONCLUSIONS The present study showed the presence of T. gondii in sheep in all the regions considered in the study. The high prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and lambs, demonstrated by serology, molecular analysis and bioassay, highlighted that there is an important risk of human infection in consuming raw or undercooked sheep/lamb meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Ioana Paștiu
- grid.413013.40000 0001 1012 5390Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj‐Napoca, 3‐5 Calea Mănăştur Street, 400372 Cluj‐Napoca, Cluj-Napoca Romania ,grid.413013.40000 0001 1012 5390Department of Genetics and Hereditary Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj‐Napoca, 3‐5 Calea Mănăştur Street, 400372 Cluj‐Napoca, Cluj-Napoca Romania
| | - Viorica Mircean
- grid.413013.40000 0001 1012 5390Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj‐Napoca, 3‐5 Calea Mănăştur Street, 400372 Cluj‐Napoca, Cluj-Napoca Romania
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France ,grid.411178.a0000 0001 1486 4131Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose, CHU Limoges, 2 Martin Luther King Street, 87042 Limoges, France
| | - Karine Passebosc-Faure
- grid.411178.a0000 0001 1486 4131Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose, CHU Limoges, 2 Martin Luther King Street, 87042 Limoges, France
| | - Nicolas Plault
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidémiologie des maladies chroniques en zone tropicale, Institut d’Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France ,grid.411178.a0000 0001 1486 4131Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose, CHU Limoges, 2 Martin Luther King Street, 87042 Limoges, France
| | - Radu Blaga
- grid.503106.10000 0004 4658 9391Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- grid.11667.370000 0004 1937 0618EA 7510 ESCAPE, SFR CAP-SANTE, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France ,grid.139510.f0000 0004 0472 3476National Reference Centre On Toxoplasmosis/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, CHU Reims, General Koening Street, Reims, France
| | - Dana Liana Pusta
- grid.413013.40000 0001 1012 5390Department of Genetics and Hereditary Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj‐Napoca, 3‐5 Calea Mănăştur Street, 400372 Cluj‐Napoca, Cluj-Napoca Romania
| | - Anamaria Cozma-Petruț
- grid.411040.00000 0004 0571 5814Department of Bromatology, Hygiene, Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca Romania
| | - Adriana Györke
- grid.413013.40000 0001 1012 5390Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj‐Napoca, 3‐5 Calea Mănăştur Street, 400372 Cluj‐Napoca, Cluj-Napoca Romania
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TORCH Congenital Syndrome Infections in Central America's Northern Triangle. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020257. [PMID: 36838223 PMCID: PMC9964893 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
TORCH pathogens are a group of globally prevalent infectious agents that may cross the placental barrier, causing severe negative sequalae in neonates, including fetal death and lifelong morbidity. TORCH infections are classically defined by Toxoplasma gondii, other infectious causes of concern (e.g., syphilis, Zika virus, malaria, human immunodeficiency virus), rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses. Neonatal disorders and congenital birth defects are the leading causes of neonatal mortality in Central America's Northern Triangle, yet little is known about TORCH congenital syndrome in this region. This review synthesizes the little that is known regarding the most salient TORCH infections among pregnant women and neonates in Central America's Northern Triangle and highlights gaps in the literature that warrant further research. Due to the limited publicly available information, this review includes both peer-reviewed published literature and university professional degree theses. Further large-scale studies should be conducted to clarify the public health impact these infections in this world region.
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Singh S, Murillo-León M, Endres NS, Arenas Soto AF, Gómez-Marín JE, Melbert F, Kanneganti TD, Yamamoto M, Campos C, Howard JC, Taylor GA, Steinfeldt T. ROP39 is an Irgb10-specific parasite effector that modulates acute Toxoplasma gondii virulence. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011003. [PMID: 36603017 PMCID: PMC9848475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic apicomplexan parasite that is an important cause of clinical disability in humans. On a global scale, one third of the human population is infected with T. gondii. Mice and other small rodents are believed to be responsible for transmission of T. gondii to the domestic cat, its definitive host. Interferon-inducible Immunity-Related GTPases (IRG proteins) are important for control of murine T. gondii infections. Virulence differences between T. gondii strains are linked to polymorphic rhoptry proteins (ROPs) that cooperate to inactivate individual IRG family members. In particular, the pseudokinase ROP5 isoform B is critically important in laboratory strains of mice. We identified T. gondii ROP39 in complex with ROP5B and demonstrate its contribution to acute T. gondii virulence. ROP39 directly targets Irgb10 and inhibits homodimer formation of the GTPase leading to an overall reduction of IRG protein loading onto the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM). Maintenance of PVM integrity rescues the parasite from IRG protein-mediated clearance in vitro and in vivo. This study identifies a novel T. gondii effector that is important for specific inactivation of the IRG resistance system. Our data reveal that yet unknown T. gondii effectors can emerge from identification of direct interaction partners of ROP5B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishir Singh
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mateo Murillo-León
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Sebastian Endres
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ailan Farid Arenas Soto
- Grupo GEPAMOL, Centro de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad del Quindio, Armenia, Quindio, Colombia
| | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- Grupo GEPAMOL, Centro de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad del Quindio, Armenia, Quindio, Colombia
| | - Florence Melbert
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children´s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenessee, United States of America
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Claudia Campos
- Fundacao Calouste Gulbekian, Instituto Gulbekian de Ciencia, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Gregory Alan Taylor
- Departments of Medicine; Molecular Genetics and Microbiology; and Immunology; and Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Tobias Steinfeldt
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Effects of diverse Types of Toxoplasma gondii on the outcome of Alzheimer's disease in the rat model. Microb Pathog 2023; 174:105931. [PMID: 36473668 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105931] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii has lifelong persistence in the brain and its cysts can affect gene expression and change diverse biological functions of neurons. Many studies indicated T. gondii infection as a risk factor for the development of behavioral changes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), although the etiopathogenetic link between them has not been exactly elucidated. The current study aimed to examine the effects of chronic toxoplasmosis infection with Types I, II, and III strains (RH, PRU, and VEG) alone and in combination on cognitive impairments and neuronal death in the Aβ1-42-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease. In the chronic toxoplasmosis phase, Alzheimer's induction was conducted by injecting Aβ1-42 oligomers into the rat brain hippocampus. Behavioral tests were conducted 10 days after the AD induction. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate T. gondii parasite burden by amplification of the B1 gene. Cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 were assayed in brain tissue supernatant using ELISA. Also, histopathological examinations were conducted to calculate inflammatory changes and neuronal death in the brain. Our findings showed that chronic toxoplasmosis infection with PRU reduces cognitive disorders, while the RH strain of T. gondii plays a destructive role and aggravates cognitive impairments in AD. Also, infection with a combination of PRU and VEG strains significantly improved spatial learning and memory impairments in Alzheimer's rat model. Histopathological findings also confirmed the results of behavioral tests, so that in AβPRU and AβPRU + VEG groups, neuronal death and infiltration of inflammatory cells were negligible and significantly less than in Alzheimer's and AβRH groups. Our findings indicate that chronic toxoplasmosis infection with PRU strain alone, also in combination with VEG strain can significantly improve cognitive disorders in AD rats, while RH strain plays a destructive role in AD pathogenesis.
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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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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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42
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Xie SC, Zhou CX, Zhai BT, Zheng WB, Liu GH, Zhu XQ. A combined miRNA-piRNA signature in the serum and urine of rabbits infected with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:490. [PMID: 36572911 PMCID: PMC9793633 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05620-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence has shown that non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules play fundamental roles in cells, and many are stable in body fluids as circulating RNAs. Study on these ncRNAs will provide insights into toxoplasmosis pathophysiology and/or help reveal diagnostic biomarkers. METHODS We performed a high-throughput RNA-Seq study to comprehensively profile the microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in rabbit serum and urine after infection with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts during the whole infection process. RESULTS Total RNA extracted from serum and urine samples of acutely infected [8 days post-infection (DPI)], chronically infected (70 DPI) and uninfected rabbits were subjected to genome-wide small RNA sequencing. We identified 2089 miRNAs and 2224 novel piRNAs from the rabbit sera associated with T. gondii infection. Meanwhile, a total of 518 miRNAs and 4182 novel piRNAs were identified in the rabbit urine associated with T. gondii infection. Of these identified small ncRNAs, 1178 and 1317 serum miRNAs and 311 and 294 urine miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs in the acute and chronic stages of infections, respectively. A total of 1748 and 1814 serum piRNAs and 597 and 708 urine piRNAs were found in the acute and chronic infection stages, respectively. Of these dysregulated ncRNAs, a total of 88 common DE miRNAs and 120 DE novel piRNAs were found in both serum and urine samples of infected rabbits. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide valuable data for revealing the physiology of herbivore toxoplasmosis caused by oocyst infection. Circulating ncRNAs identified in this study are potential novel diagnostic biomarkers for the detection/diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in herbivorous animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Chen Xie
- grid.257160.70000 0004 1761 0331Research Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128 Hunan Province People’s Republic of China ,grid.412545.30000 0004 1798 1300Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801 Shanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun-Xue Zhou
- grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin-Tao Zhai
- grid.410727.70000 0001 0526 1937Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou, 730050 Gansu Province People’s Republic of China ,grid.410727.70000 0001 0526 1937State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046 Gansu Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen-Bin Zheng
- grid.412545.30000 0004 1798 1300Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801 Shanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- grid.257160.70000 0004 1761 0331Research Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128 Hunan Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- grid.257160.70000 0004 1761 0331Research Center for Parasites and Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128 Hunan Province People’s Republic of China ,grid.412545.30000 0004 1798 1300Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801 Shanxi Province People’s Republic of China
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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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Bekier A, Gatkowska J, Chyb M, Sokołowska J, Chwatko G, Głowacki R, Paneth A, Dzitko K. 4-Arylthiosemicarbazide derivatives – Pharmacokinetics, toxicity and anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114812. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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45
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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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46
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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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47
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TOXOPLASMA GONDII PREVALENCE, PARTIAL GENOTYPES, AND SPATIAL VARIATION IN NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTERS (LONTRA CANADENSIS) IN THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN, USA. J Wildl Dis 2022; 58:869-881. [PMID: 36321926 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasitic protozoan that poses a health threat to wildlife and human health worldwide. Oocysts shed into the environment in felid host feces may persist for several years. Runoff from rainfall and snowmelt may carry the oocysts into waterways. Semiaquatic mammals such as the Northern American river otter (Lontra canadensis) are particularly at risk of exposure, as they may encounter infective stages in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Despite this risk, only a small number of studies have examined the prevalence of T. gondii in US river otter populations. Tongue tissue was sampled from 124 otters from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan submitted by trappers to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the 2018-19 harvest season. Following DNA extraction, a portion of the B1 T. gondii gene was amplified with PCR. A subset of positive samples was genotyped for comparison with known T. gondii sequences. Of the 124 tongue samples, 35 (28%) were positive for T. gondii. Prevalence did not differ significantly between sexes or age classes across the entire study area. Most (53.8%) of the genotyped samples were type 4 (type 12), a genotype commonly found in North American wildlife. Genotypes 127 and 197 were also found. Three clusters of T. gondii prevalence were identified through SaTScan analysis, although they were not significant. When modeling prevalence of T. gondii with covariates at individual otter locations, the top three models included the presence of Sarcocystis, area of exotic plants, area of agriculture, and sex of the otter. Our results suggest that T. gondii is widespread in otter populations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
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48
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Guo G, Cui J, Song L, Tang L, Fan S, Shen B, Fang R, Hu M, Zhao J, Zhou Y. Activation of NF-κB signaling by the dense granule protein GRA15 of a newly isolated type 1 Toxoplasma gondii strain. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:347. [PMID: 36175964 PMCID: PMC9523984 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05429-x] [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: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been reported that the NF-κB pathway, an important component of host defense system against pathogens infections, can be differentially modulated by different Toxoplasma gondii strains, depending on the polymorphism of the GRA15 protein. The recently isolated Toxoplasma strain T.gHB1 is a type 1 (ToxoDB#10) strain but shows different virulence determination mechanisms compared to the classic type 1 strains like RH (ToxoDB#10). Therefore, it is worth investigating whether the T.gHB1 strain (ToxoDB#10) affects the host NF-κB signaling pathway. Methods The effects of T.gHB1 (ToxoDB#10) on host NF-κB pathway were investigated in HEK293T cells. The GRA15 gene product was analyzed by bioinformatics, and its effect on NF-κB activation was examined by Western blotting and nuclear translocation of p65. Different truncations of T.gHB1 GRA15 were constructed to map the critical domains for NF-κB activation. Results We demonstrated that the NF-κB pathway signaling pathway could be activated by the newly identified type 1 T.gHB1 strain (ToxoDB#10) of Toxoplasma, while the classic type 1 strain RH (ToxoDB#10) did not. T.gHB1 GRA15 possesses only one transmembrane region with an extended C terminal region, which is distinct from that of classic type 1 (ToxoDB#10) and type 2 (ToxoDB#1) strains. T.gHB1 GRA15 could clearly induce IκBα phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation. Dual luciferase assays in HEK293T cells revealed a requirement for 194–518 aa of T.gHB1 GRA15 to effectively activate NF-κB. Conclusions The overall results indicated that the newly isolated type 1 isolate T.gHB1 (ToxoDB#10) had a unique GRA15, which could activate the host NF-κB signaling through inducing IκBα phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation. These results provide new insights for our understanding of the interaction between Toxoplasma parasites and its hosts. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghao Guo
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianmin Cui
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lindong Song
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lvqing Tang
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Sijie Fan
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Bang Shen
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Hu
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqin Zhou
- Key Laboratory Preventive Veterinary of Hubei Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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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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50
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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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