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Karakavuk M, Can H, Çeltik A, Karakavuk T, Gül C, Erdem HA, Pullukçu H, Taşbakan M, Taşbakan MS, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from humans living in İzmir, Türkiye. Indian J Med Microbiol 2024; 49:100571. [PMID: 38554777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2024.100571] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic parasite that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Currently, clinical findings of toxoplasmosis are being related to T. gondii strains such as Type I genotype may cause high pathogenicity and Type II genotype causes a milder clinical presentation. We have showed in our previous that Type II genotype is the most frequent strain detected in stray cats and wild birds living in natural life of İzmir. The aim of this study was to assess toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in immunocompromised patients, investigate the presence of T. gondii DNA in their blood samples, and genotype the PCR positive ones. METHODS The 42 buffy-coat and serum samples were collected from immunocompromised patients who were from various clinics. Thereafter, Real-Time PCR targeting RE gene of T. gondii was performed with DNA samples obtained from buffy-coat samples. Genotyping was performed by sequencing of GRA6 and GRA7 gene regions of positive DNA samples obtained from tissues of bioassay and PCR positive samples. RESULTS According to Real-Time PCR results, T. gondii DNA was detected in 23.8% (10/42) samples. Among these 10 samples, two samples were determined as T. gondii Type II genotype. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were detected in 28.57% (12/42) samples. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the detection of Type II genotype in humans in İzmir province suggested that T. gondii infection in humans, stray cats, and wild animals may be associated to each other in terms of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University, Odemis Vocational School, Ödemiş, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aygül Çeltik
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Aytaç Erdem
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüsnü Pullukçu
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Meltem Taşbakan
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Sezai Taşbakan
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Yıldırım A, Özbilgin A, Yereli K. Antiprotozoal activity of auranofin on Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania tropica and Toxoplasma gondii: in vitro and ex vivo study. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2023; 117:733-740. [PMID: 37377375 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad040] [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: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Three obligate intracellular protozoan parasite species, which are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality and settle in macrophage cells, affect more than one-half of the world's population, namely, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania tropica and Toxoplasma gondii, which are causative agents of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and toxoplasmosis, respectively. In the current study, it was aimed to investigate the in vitro and ex vivo antiprotozoal activity of auranofin on T. cruzi, L. tropica and T. gondii. METHODS The in vitro drug efficacy (IC50) of auranofin was investigated by haemocytometry and the CellTiter-Glo assay methods and the ex vivo drug efficacy (IC50) by light microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained slides. Also, the cytotoxic activity (CC50) of auranofin was examined by the CellTiter-Glo assay. The selectivity index (SI) was calculated for auranofin. RESULTS According to IC50, CC50 and SI data, auranofin did not exhibit cytotoxic activity on Vero cells, but exhibited antiprotozoal activity on epimastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of T. cruzi, promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of L. tropica and intracellular tachyzoites of T. gondii (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The detection antiprotozoal activity of auranofin on T. cruzi, L. tropica and T. gondii according to the IC50, CC50 and SI values is considered an important and promising development. This is significant because auranofin may be an effective alternative treatment for Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and toxoplasmosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Yıldırım
- Manisa Celal Bayar University, Medical Faculty, Department of Parasitology, Uncubozköy, 45030 Manisa, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Özbilgin
- Manisa Celal Bayar University, Medical Faculty, Department of Parasitology, Uncubozköy, 45030 Manisa, Turkey
| | - Kor Yereli
- Manisa Celal Bayar University, Medical Faculty, Department of Parasitology, Uncubozköy, 45030 Manisa, Turkey
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Damar Çakırca T, Can İN, Deniz M, Torun A, Akçabay Ç, Güzelçiçek A. Toxoplasmosis: A Timeless Challenge for Pregnancy. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8010063. [PMID: 36668970 PMCID: PMC9867407 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8010063] [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: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, as well as the general characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings, and pregnancy and fetal outcomes of pregnant women diagnosed with acute toxoplasma infection (ATI). The toxoplasma IgM, IgG, and IgG avidity test results of pregnant women who applied to our referral hospital between January 2016 and June 2022, and among them, those diagnosed with ATI, were analyzed. The 119 patients diagnosed with ATI during this time period were included for further analysis. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women was found to be 46.2%, and the rate of ATI was 4%. The total mother-to-child transmission rate was 5% (5/101). Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) was observed in 1 (1.1%) child of the 87 pregnant women who received spiramycin prophylaxis, though it was found in 4 (30.8%) of the children of the 13 untreated mothers. With respect to prenatal treatment, CT rates were significantly higher in the children born to untreated mothers (p = 0.001). In conclusion, although toxoplasma seroprevalence was found to be high in our region, there was a paucity in diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment. Our findings support that prenatal spiramycin prophylaxis is effective in preventing the transmission of parasites from mother to child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Damar Çakırca
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Sanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa 63250, Turkey
- Correspondence:
| | - İlkay Nur Can
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Sanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa 63250, Turkey
| | - Melis Deniz
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Sanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa 63250, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Torun
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Sanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa 63250, Turkey
| | - Çiğdem Akçabay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Sanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa 63250, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Güzelçiçek
- Department of Pediatrics, Harran University Faculty of Medicine, Sanliurfa 63290, Turkey
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Hammed-Akanmu M, Mim M, Osman AY, Sheikh AM, Behmard E, Rabaan AA, Suppain R, Hajissa K. Designing a Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii: An Immunoinformatics Approach. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091389. [PMID: 36146470 PMCID: PMC9505382 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with the intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes serious clinical outcomes in both human and veterinary settings worldwide. Although approximately one-third of the world’s population is infected with T. gondii, an effective human vaccine for this disease remains unavailable. We aimed to design a potential T. gondii vaccine candidate that consisted of the B- and T-lymphocyte epitopes of three parasite immunogenic antigens. Firstly, the immunodominant epitopes expressed within the ROP2, MIC3, and GRA7 proteins of T. gondii were identified. Subsequently, six B-cell epitopes, five CTL epitopes, and five HTL epitopes were combined to generate a multi-epitope vaccine, and the 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 was added as an adjuvant to boost the vaccine’s immunogenicity. All these epitopes were found to be antigenic, nonallergenic, nontoxic, and nonhuman homologs. The designed vaccine construct has a molecular weight of 51 kDa, an antigenicity score of 0.6182, and a solubility of 0.903461. Likewise, the candidate vaccine was immunogenic, nonallergenic, and stable. Molecular docking analysis revealed stable interactions between the vaccine construct and the TLR-4 immune receptor. Meanwhile, the stability of the developed vaccine was validated using molecular dynamics simulation. In silico, the vaccine construct was able to trigger primary immune responses. However, further laboratory-based assessments are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutiat Hammed-Akanmu
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Maria Mim
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Abdinasir Yusuf Osman
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Abdulrahman M. Sheikh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Esmaeil Behmard
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Rapeah Suppain
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (K.H.)
| | - Khalid Hajissa
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman P.O. Box 382, Sudan
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (K.H.)
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Zhao G, Zhang L, Dai L, Xu H, Xu C, Xiao T, Li J, Sun H, Zhou B, Yin K. Development of Toxoplasma gondii Chinese I genotype Wh6 Strain in Cat Intestinal Epithelial Cells. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2022; 60:241-246. [PMID: 36041485 PMCID: PMC9441452 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.4.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Felids are the unique definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii. The intestine of felid is the only site for initiating Toxoplasma gondii sexual reproduction. T. gondii excretes millions of infectious oocysts from the intestine, which are the primary source of infection. There are many difficulties in developing vaccines and drugs to control oocyst excretion due to the lack of an appropriate experimental model. Here, we established an in vitro feline intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) infection system and an efficient animal model of T. gondii Chinese 1 genotype, Wh6 strain (TgCtwh6). The Kunming mice brain tissues containing TgCtwh6 cysts were harvested 42-day post-infection. The bradyzoites were co-cultured with cat IECs in vitro at a ratio of 1:10. Five 3-month-old domestic cats were orally inoculated with 600 cysts each. The oocysts were detected by daily observation of cat feces by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. We found that the parasite adhered and invaded cat IECs in vitro, transformed into tachyzoites, and then divided to form rose-like structures. These parasites eventually destroyed host cells, escaped, and finished the asexual reproduction process. Schizonts associated with sexual reproduction have not been observed during development in vitro cultured cells. However, schizonts were detected in all infected cat intestinal epithelial cells, and oocysts were presented in all cat feces. Our study provides a feasible cell model and an efficient infection system for the following studies of T. gondii sexual reproduction, and also lays a foundation to develop drugs and vaccines for blocking excretion and transmission of oocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Zhao
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
| | - Lisha Dai
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
| | - Haozhi Xu
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
| | - Chao Xu
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
| | - Ting Xiao
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
| | - Jin Li
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
| | - Beibei Zhou
- Jining Blood Center, 92 Ji’anqiao Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272041, China
| | - Kun Yin
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Taibai Middle Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272033, China
- Corresponding author ()
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Irehan B, Sonmez A, Atalay MM, Ekinci AI, Celik F, Durmus N, Ciftçi AT, Simsek S. Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Tritrichomonas foetus in abortions of cattle, sheep and goats in Turkey: Analysis by real-time PCR, conventional PCR and histopathological methods. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 89:101867. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Hasan T, Mannan A, Hossain D, Rekha A, Hossan MM, Alim MA, Uddin AHMM. Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in aborted fetuses of goats in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Vet World 2021; 14:2386-2391. [PMID: 34840458 PMCID: PMC8613768 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.2386-2391] [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: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is responsible for the major cause of congenital diseases, abortion, and stillbirth in humans and farm animals. Primary infection in pregnant goats due to T. gondii leads to abortion and significant economic losses in the livestock industry. Moreover, very few studies have been performed for the identification of T. gondii from aborted fetuses of goats. The study was conducted for the molecular identification of Toxoplasma gondii from aborted fetuses of goats in Chattogram, Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty aborted fetuses of goats were collected from 52 farms in the study area. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the B1 gene was performed, and a positive sample yield of 197 bp amplified DNA products consistent with T. gondii. RESULTS The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the aborted fetus of goats was 35%. Heart muscle, liver, brain, and placenta showed positive PCR results. The risk factors related to the does age, presence of cats in farms, and aborted fetus age were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Our results showed that T. gondii is a major possible causal factor for abortion and reproductive failure in goats. The high prevalence of T. gondii infection in aborted fetuses of goats revealed that T. gondii could be imperative in causing reproductive failure in goats. CONCLUSION Active or congenital toxoplasmosis was shown by the presence of T. gondii in fetal tissues, which is a matter of concern as this parasite has zoonotic significance and causes economic hazards to the livestock industry by causing various reproductive problems. Therefore, proper control measures and strategies are needed to reduce the rate of abortion in goats, ultimately saving the livestock industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanjila Hasan
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Abdul Mannan
- Teaching and Training Pet Hospital and Research Center, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Delower Hossain
- Department of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Azizunnesa Rekha
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Monir Hossan
- Upazila Livestock Office, Department of Livestock Services, Farmgate, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Abdul Alim
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
| | - AHM Musleh Uddin
- Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
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Asghari A, Shamsinia S, Nourmohammadi H, Majidiani H, Fatollahzadeh M, Nemati T, Irannejad H, Nouri HR, Ghasemi E, Shams M. Development of a chimeric vaccine candidate based on Toxoplasma gondii major surface antigen 1 and apicoplast proteins using comprehensive immunoinformatics approaches. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 162:105837. [PMID: 33836177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.105837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This study was aimed at designing and evaluation of a multimeric vaccine construct against Toxoplasma gondii via utilization of SAG1 along with apicoplast ribosomal proteins (S2, S5 and L11). Top-ranked MHC-I and MHC-II binding as well as shared, immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes were predicted and joined together via appropriate linkers. Also, TLR-4 agonist (RS-09 synthetic protein) and His-tag were added to the N- and C-terminal of the vaccine sequence. The finally-engineered chimeric vaccine had a length of 291 amino acids with a molecular weight of 31.46 kDa. Physico-chemical features showed a soluble, highly-antigenic and non-allergenic candidate. Secondary and tertiary structures were predicted, and subsequent analyses confirmed the construct stability that was capable to properly interact with human TLR-4. Immunoinformatics-based simulation displayed potent stimulation of T- and B-cell mediated immune responses upon vaccination with the proposed multi-epitope candidate. In conclusion, obtained information demonstrated a highly antigenic vaccine candidate, which could develop high levels of IFN-γ and other components of cellular immune profile, and can be directed for toxoplasmosis prophylactic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Asghari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sadegh Shamsinia
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Nourmohammadi
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Department of Internal Medicine, Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Majidiani
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mohammad Fatollahzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Taher Nemati
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hamid Irannejad
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Nouri
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ezatollah Ghasemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran.
| | - Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
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Yılmaz A, Yazıcı E, Turk C. Assessment of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in blood donors applied to the blood center of Gazi university hospital. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2021; 13:243-247. [PMID: 34540160 PMCID: PMC8408027 DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v13i2.5986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening zoonotic infection in immunosuppressive individuals. Determining the prevalence and seropositivity rates of toxoplasmosis in asymptomatic blood donors is crucial in terms of the risk status of the transmission of this infection to the blood recipients. Materials and Methods: In this study, the presence and level of the specific Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in blood donors was investigated by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The statistical significance levels between Toxoplasma seropositivity and demographic characteristics of the donors such as age, educational status, raw meat consumption, drinking water supply were examined. Results: Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity was found among the 225 (25.6%) of the donors present in the study group, while IgM seropositivity was detected in 20 donors (2.3%). The number of donors with only IgM (+) was 8 (0.9%). Both IgG and IgM seropositivities were found in 12 donors (1.4%). Conclusion: Our study provides information about Toxoplasma seropositivity based on the samples collected from the donors who were admitted to the blood center of a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. This study demonstrates that Toxoplasma seropositivity is high in the rural areas and the regions where the education level is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşegül Yılmaz
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Engin Yazıcı
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Can Turk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Turkey
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Su C. Economic and public health importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep: 2009-2020. Vet Parasitol 2020; 286:109195. [PMID: 32979682 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, diagnosis, control, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in sheep in the past decade. There is debate and uncertainty concerning repeat congenital infection as evidenced by finding T. gondii DNA in progeny of chronically infected sheep. However, there is no concrete evidence that T. gondii is the cause of repeated abortions in sheep. Recent data concerning pathogenesis of abortion in acutely infected sheep are reviewed. PCR-RFLP typing of T. gondii DNA derived from viable T. gondii isolates or tissues of infected sheep revealed low genetic diversity in sheep in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America but high diversity in South America. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - F H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - C K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - O C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - C Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
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Nasiru Wana M, Mohd Moklas MA, Watanabe M, Zasmy Unyah N, Alhassan Abdullahi S, Ahmad Issa Alapid A, Nordin N, Basir R, Abd Majid R. Molecular Detection and Genetic Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Cat Faeces from Klang Valley, Malaysia, Using B1 and REP Genes in 2018. Pathogens 2020; 9:E576. [PMID: 32708648 PMCID: PMC7400314 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The major route for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is through the ingestion of foods contaminated with oocyst from cat faeces. The microscopic detection of T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces is challenging, which contributes to the failure of detecting or differentiating it from other related coccidian parasites. This study aims to detect T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces using two multicopy-target PCR assays and to evaluate their genetic diversity. Cat faecal (200) samples were collected from pet cats (PCs; 100) and free-roaming cats (FRCs; 100) within Klang Valley, Malaysia, and screened for coccidian oocysts by microscopy using Sheather's sucrose floatation. PCR assays were performed on each faecal sample, targeting a B1 gene and a repetitive element (REP) gene to confirm T. gondii oocysts. Additionally, the PCR amplicons from the REP gene were sequenced to further confirm T. gondii-positive samples for phylogenetic analysis. Microscopy detected 7/200 (3.5%) T. gondii-like oocysts, while both the B1 gene and the REP gene detected 17/200 (8.5%) samples positive for T. gondii. All samples that were microscopically positive for T. gondii-like oocysts were also shown to be positive by both B1 and REP genes. The BLAST results sequenced for 16/200 (8.0%) PCR-positive T. gondii samples revealed homology and genetic heterogeneity with T. gondii strains in the GenBank, except for only one positive sample that did not show a result. There was almost perfect agreement (k = 0.145) between the two PCR assays targeting the B1 gene and the REP gene. This is the first report on microscopic, molecular detection and genetic diversity of T. gondii from cat faecal samples in Malaysia. In addition, the sensitivities of either the B1 gene or REP gene multicopy-target PCR assays are suitable for the accurate detection of T. gondii from cat faeces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Nasiru Wana
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi 740272, Nigeria
| | - Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Malaika Watanabe
- Department of Companion Animal Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Ngah Zasmy Unyah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.)
| | - Sharif Alhassan Abdullahi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano 700241, Nigeria
| | - Ashraf Ahmad Issa Alapid
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science-Alasaba, University of Gharyan, Gharyan 010101, Libya
| | - Norshariza Nordin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Rusliza Basir
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Roslaini Abd Majid
- Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kem Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
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Dubey JP, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Murata FHA, Kwok OCH, Hill D, Yang Y, Su C. All about Toxoplasma gondii infections in pigs: 2009-2020. Vet Parasitol 2020; 288:109185. [PMID: 33271424 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs continues to be of public health concern. Pigs are important for the economy of many countries, particularly, USA, China, and European countries. Among the many food animals, pigs are considered the most important for T. gondii transmission in USA and China because viable parasites have rarely been isolated from beef or indoor raised chickens. Besides public health issues, T. gondii causes outbreaks of clinical toxoplasmosis in pigs in China, associated with a unique genotype of T. gondii (ToxoDB genotype #9 or Chinese 1), rarely found in other countries. The safety of ready to eat pork products with respect to T. gondii infection is a matter of recent debate. Here, we review in detail seroprevalence, prevalence of viable and nonviable T. gondii, epidemiology, risk assessment, diagnosis, and curing of pork products containing T. gondii for the past decade. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - Camila K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Fernando H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Oliver C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Dolores Hill
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Yurong Yang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, PR China
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
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Dubey J, Murata F, Cerqueira-Cézar C, Kwok O, Su C. WITHDRAWN: Economic and public health importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep: the last decade. Vet Parasitol X 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2020.100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH. Public health and economic importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in goats: The last decade. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:292-307. [PMID: 32711218 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Toxoplasmosis in goats continues to be of public health and economic concern. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in goats in the past decade. There is debate and uncertainty regarding excretion of T. gondii in milk and the ingestion of raw milk as sources of T. gondii infection for humans. Toxoplasmosis can cause abortion and deaths even in adult goats. PCR-RFLP typing of T. gondii DNA derived from viable T. gondii isolates has revealed genetic diversity in goats in North and South America. The significance of T. gondii isolates in domestic goats usually associated with wildlife in USA is discussed. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - F H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - C K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - O C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
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