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Hassanein F, Fadel HH, Shehata AI, Hamdy NA, Masoud IM. In silico study to explore the mechanism of Toxoplasma-induced inflammation and target therapy based on sero and salivary Toxoplasma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13600. [PMID: 38866852 PMCID: PMC11169245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63735-z] [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: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
We aimed to assess salivary and seroprevalence of Toxoplasma immunoglobulins in risky populations and evaluate drug docking targeting TgERP. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Alexandria University hospitals' outpatient clinics. 192 participants were enrolled from September 2022 to November 2023. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM were determined in serum and saliva by ELISA. An in-Silico study examined TgERP's protein-protein interactions (PPIs) with pro-inflammatory cytokine receptors, anti-inflammatory cytokine, cell cycle progression regulatory proteins, a proliferation marker, and nuclear envelope integrity-related protein Lamin B1. Our findings revealed that anti-T. gondii IgG were detected in serum (66.1%) and saliva (54.7%), with 2.1% of both samples were positive for IgM. Salivary IgG had 75.59% sensitivity, 86.15% specificity, 91.40% PPV, 64.40% NPP, 79.17% accuracy and fair agreement with serum IgG. On the other hand, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy in detecting salivary IgM were 75.0%, 99.47%, 75.0%, 99.47%, and 98.96%. AUC 0.859 indicates good discriminatory power. Examined synthetic drugs and natural products can target specific amino acids residues of TgERP that lie at the same binding interface with LB1 and Ki67, subsequently, hindering their interaction. Hence, salivary samples can be a promising diagnostic approach. The studied drugs can counteract the pro-inflammatory action of TgERP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faika Hassanein
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Dentistry, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Hewida H Fadel
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Technology, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amany I Shehata
- Department of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Noha Alaa Hamdy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Inas M Masoud
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
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2
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Hua QQ, Lin XJ, Xiang SP, Jiang LY, Cai JH, Sun JM, Tan F, Mou YN. Two small-molecule inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii proliferation in vitro. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1145824. [PMID: 37077525 PMCID: PMC10106592 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1145824] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonosis. Most infections appear asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, but toxoplasmosis can be fatal in fetuses and immunocompromised adults. There is an urgent need to research and develop effective and low-toxicity anti-T. gondii drugs because of some defects in current clinical anti-T. gondii drugs, such as limited efficacy, serious side effects and drug resistance. Methods In this study, 152 autophagy related compounds were evaluated as anti-T. gondii drugs. The activity of β-galactosidase assay based on luminescence was used to determine the inhibitory effect on parasite growth. At the same time, MTS assay was used to further detect the effects of compounds with over 60% inhibition rate on host cell viability. The invasion, intracellular proliferation, egress and gliding abilities of T. gondii were tested to assess the inhibitory effect of the chosen drugs on the distinct steps of the T. gondii lysis cycle. Results The results showed that a total of 38 compounds inhibited parasite growth by more than 60%. After excluding the compounds affecting host cell activity, CGI-1746 and JH-II-127 were considered for drug reuse and further characterized. Both CGI-1746 and JH-II-127 inhibited tachyzoite growth by 60%, with IC50 values of 14.58 ± 1.52 and 5.88 ± 0.23 μM, respectively. TD50 values were 154.20 ± 20.15 and 76.39 ± 14.32 μM, respectively. Further research found that these two compounds significantly inhibited the intracellular proliferation of tachyzoites. Summarize the results, we demonstrated that CGI-1746 inhibited the invasion, egress and especially the gliding abilities of parasites, which is essential for the successful invasion of host cells, while JH-II-127 did not affect the invasion and gliding ability, but seriously damaged the morphology of mitochondria which may be related to the damage of mitochondrial electron transport chain. Discussion Taken together, these findings suggest that both CGI-1746 and JH-II-127 could be potentially repurposed as anti-T. gondii drugs, lays the groundwork for future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-qian Hua
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xue-jing Lin
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shi-peng Xiang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li-ya Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin-hao Cai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian-min Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng Tan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ya-ni Mou
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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3
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Milne GC, Webster JP, Walker M. Is the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis declining? Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:26-37. [PMID: 36400672 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.10.003] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause congenital toxoplasmosis (CT), an often fatal or lifelong-disabling condition. Several studies of human populations have reported temporal decreases in seroprevalence, suggesting declining CT incidence. However, the consistency of this trend among diverse populations remains unclear, as does its implication for prenatal screening programmes, the major intervention against CT. Using temporally resolved data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in various countries, we discuss how the parasite's changing epidemiology may affect trends in CT incidence in varying and counterintuitive ways. We argue that parasite stage-specific serology could be helpful for understanding underlying causes of secular changes in seroprevalence. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of updating cost-effectiveness estimates of screening programmes, accounting for neuropsychiatric sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Colin Milne
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Martin Walker
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London, UK
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4
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Guimarães AL, Richer Araujo Coelho D, Scoriels L, Mambrini J, Ribeiro do Valle Antonelli L, Henriques P, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Assis Martins Filho O, Mineo J, Bahia-Oliveira L, Panizzutti R. Effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on cognition, symptoms, and response to digital cognitive training in schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 8:104. [PMID: 36434103 PMCID: PMC9700796 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00292-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Studies indicate that neuroscience-informed digital cognitive training can remediate cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, but the factors contributing to these deficits and response to treatment remain unclear. Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive parasite linked to cognitive decline that also presents a higher prevalence in schizophrenia. Here, we compared the cognition and symptom severity of IgG seropositive (TOXO+; n = 25) and seronegative (TOXO-; n = 35) patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial of digital cognitive training. At baseline, TOXO+ subjects presented lower global cognition than TOXO- (F = 3.78, p = 0.05). Specifically, TOXO+ subjects showed worse verbal memory and learning (F = 4.48, p = 0.03), social cognition (F = 5.71, p = 0.02), and higher antibody concentrations were associated with increased negative (r = 0.42, p = 0.04) and total (r = 0.40, p = 0.04) schizophrenia symptoms. After training, the TOXO+ group showed higher adherence to the intervention (X2 = 9.31, p = 0.03), but there were no differences in changes in cognition and symptoms between groups. These findings highlight the association between seropositivity to T. gondii and deteriorated cognition and symptoms in schizophrenia. Further research is needed to assess the specific efficacy of digital cognitive training on this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Luiza Guimarães
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Richer Araujo Coelho
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XDepartamento de Imunoparasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Linda Scoriels
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana Mambrini
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Priscilla Henriques
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - José Mineo
- grid.411284.a0000 0004 4647 6936Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Lilian Bahia-Oliveira
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XDepartamento de Imunoparasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rogério Panizzutti
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Mining the Proteome of Toxoplasma Parasites Seeking Vaccine and Diagnostic Candidates. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091098. [PMID: 35565525 PMCID: PMC9099775 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The One Health concept to toxoplasmosis highlights that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our common environment. Toxoplasmosis outcomes might be severe and fatal in patients with immunodeficiency, diabetes, and pregnant women and infants. Consequently, the development of effective vaccine and diagnostic strategies is urgent for the elimination of this disease. Proteomics analysis has allowed the identification of key proteins that can be utilized in the development of novel disease diagnostics and vaccines. This work presents relevant proteins found in the proteome of the life cycle-specific stages of Toxoplasma parasites. In fact, it brings together the main functionality key proteins from Toxoplasma parasites coming from proteomic approaches that are most likely to be useful in improving the disease management, and critically proposes innovative directions to finally develop promising vaccines and diagnostics tools. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogenic protozoan parasite that infects the nucleated cells of warm-blooded hosts leading to an infectious zoonotic disease known as toxoplasmosis. The infection outcomes might be severe and fatal in patients with immunodeficiency, diabetes, and pregnant women and infants. The One Health approach to toxoplasmosis highlights that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our common environment. The presence of drug resistance and side effects, the further improvement of sensitivity and specificity of serodiagnostic tools and the potentiality of vaccine candidates to induce the host immune response are considered as justifiable reasons for the identification of novel targets for the better management of toxoplasmosis. Thus, the identification of new critical proteins in the proteome of Toxoplasma parasites can also be helpful in designing and test more effective drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools. Accordingly, in this study we present important proteins found in the proteome of the life cycle-specific stages of Toxoplasma parasites that are potential diagnostic or vaccine candidates. The current study might help to understand the complexity of these parasites and provide a possible source of strategies and biomolecules that can be further evaluated in the pathobiology of Toxoplasma parasites and for diagnostics and vaccine trials against this disease.
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Identification of Oocyst-Driven Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Humans and Animals through Stage-Specific Serology-Current Status and Future Perspectives. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112346. [PMID: 34835471 PMCID: PMC8618849 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii has three infective stages: sporozoites in sporulated oocysts, which are shed in unsporulated form into the environment by infected felids; tissue cysts containing bradyzoites, and fast replicating tachyzoites that are responsible for acute toxoplasmosis. The contribution of oocysts to infections in both humans and animals is understudied despite being highly relevant. Only a few diagnostic antigens have been described to be capable of discriminating which parasite stage has caused an infection. Here we provide an extensive overview of the antigens and serological assays used to detect oocyst-driven infections in humans and animals according to the literature. In addition, we critically discuss the possibility to exploit the increasing knowledge of the T. gondii genome and the various 'omics datasets available, by applying predictive algorithms, for the identification of new oocyst-specific proteins for diagnostic purposes. Finally, we propose a workflow for how such antigens and assays based on them should be evaluated to ensure reproducible and robust results.
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7
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Milne G, Webster JP, Walker M. Toward Improving Interventions Against Toxoplasmosis by Identifying Routes of Transmission Using Sporozoite-specific Serological Tools. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 71:e686-e693. [PMID: 32280956 PMCID: PMC7744992 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Horizontal transmission of Toxoplasma gondii occurs primarily via ingestion of environmental oocysts or consumption of undercooked/raw meat containing cyst-stage bradyzoites. The relative importance of these 2 transmission routes remains unclear. Oocyst infection can be distinguished from bradyzoite infection by identification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii embryogenesis-related protein (TgERP). These antibodies are, however, thought to persist for only 6-8 months in human sera, limiting the use of TgERP serology to only those patients recently exposed to T. gondii. Yet recent serological survey data indicate a more sustained persistence of anti-TgERP antibodies. Elucidating the duration of anti-TgERP IgG will help to determine whether TgERP serology has epidemiological utility for quantifying the relative importance of different routes of T. gondii transmission. METHODS We developed a serocatalytic mathematical model to capture the change in seroprevalence of non-stage-specific IgG and anti-TgERP IgG antibodies with human age. The model was fitted to published datasets collected in an endemic region of Brazil to estimate the duration of anti-TgERP IgG antibodies, accounting for variable age-force of infection profiles and uncertainty in the diagnostic performance of TgERP serology. RESULTS We found that anti-TgERP IgG persists for substantially longer than previously recognized, with estimates ranging from 8.3 to 41.1 years. The Brazilian datasets were consistent with oocysts being the predominant transmission route in these settings. CONCLUSIONS The longer than previously recognized duration of anti-TgERP antibodies indicates that anti-TgERP serology could be a useful tool for delineating T. gondii transmission routes in human populations. TgERP serology may therefore be an important epidemiological tool for informing the design of tailored, setting-specific public health information campaigns and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Milne
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Walker
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
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Mévélec MN, Lakhrif Z, Dimier-Poisson I. Key Limitations and New Insights Into the Toxoplasma gondii Parasite Stage Switching for Future Vaccine Development in Human, Livestock, and Cats. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:607198. [PMID: 33324583 PMCID: PMC7724089 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.607198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease affecting human, livestock and cat. Prophylactic strategies would be ideal to prevent infection. In a One Health vaccination approach, the objectives would be the prevention of congenital disease in both women and livestock, prevention/reduction of T. gondii tissue cysts in food-producing animals; and oocyst shedding in cats. Over the last few years, an explosion of strategies for vaccine development, especially due to the development of genetic-engineering technologies has emerged. The field of vaccinology has been exploring safer vaccines by the generation of recombinant immunogenic proteins, naked DNA vaccines, and viral/bacterial recombinants vectors. These strategies based on single- or few antigens, are less efficacious than recombinant live-attenuated, mostly tachyzoite T. gondii vaccine candidates. Reflections on the development of an anti-Toxoplasma vaccine must focus not only on the appropriate route of administration, capable of inducing efficient immune response, but also on the choice of the antigen (s) of interest and the associated delivery systems. To answer these questions, the choice of the animal model is essential. If mice helped in understanding the protection mechanisms, the data obtained cannot be directly transposed to humans, livestock and cats. Moreover, effectiveness vaccines should elicit strong and protective humoral and cellular immune responses at both local and systemic levels against the different stages of the parasite. Finally, challenge protocols should use the oral route, major natural route of infection, either by feeding tissue cysts or oocysts from different T. gondii strains. Effective Toxoplasma vaccines depend on our understanding of the (1) protective host immune response during T. gondii invasion and infection in the different hosts, (2) manipulation and modulation of host immune response to ensure survival of the parasites able to evade and subvert host immunity, (3) molecular mechanisms that define specific stage development. This review presents an overview of the key limitations for the development of an effective vaccine and highlights the contributions made by recent studies on the mechanisms behind stage switching to offer interesting perspectives for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zineb Lakhrif
- Team BioMAP, Université de Tours, INRAE, ISP, Tours, France
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9
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Toxoplasma gondii: AnUnderestimated Threat? Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:959-969. [PMID: 33012669 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been thought of as relevant to public health primarily within the context of congenital toxoplasmosis or postnatally acquired disease in immunocompromised patients. However, latent T.gondii infection has been increasingly associated with a wide variety of neuropsychiatric disorders and, more recently, causal frameworks for these epidemiological associations have been proposed. We present assimilated evidence on the associations between T.gondii and various human neuropsychiatric disorders and outline how these may be explained within a unifying causal framework. We argue that the occult effects of latent T.gondii infection likely outweigh the recognised overt morbidity caused by toxoplasmosis, substantially raising the public health importance of this parasite.
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10
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Milne G, Fujimoto C, Bean T, Peters HJ, Hemmington M, Taylor C, Fowkes RC, Martineau HM, Hamilton CM, Walker M, Mitchell JA, Léger E, Priestnall SL, Webster JP. Infectious Causation of Abnormal Host Behavior: Toxoplasma gondii and Its Potential Association With Dopey Fox Syndrome. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:513536. [PMID: 33192643 PMCID: PMC7525129 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.513536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, can infect all warm-blooded animals. T. gondii can subtly alter host behaviors-either through manipulation to enhance transmission to the feline definitive host or as a side-effect, or "constraint," of infection. In humans, T. gondii infection, either alone or in association with other co-infecting neurotropic agents, has been reliably associated with both subtle behavioral changes and, in some cases, severe neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Research on the potential impact of T. gondii on the behavior of other long-lived naturally infected hosts is lacking. Recent studies reported a large number of wild red foxes exhibiting a range of aberrant behavioral traits, subsequently classified as Dopey Fox Syndrome (DFS). Here we assessed the potential association between T. gondii and/or other neurotropic agents with DFS. Live, captive foxes within welfare centers were serologically tested for T. gondii and, if they died naturally, PCR-tested for vulpine circovirus (FoxCV). Post-mortem pseudo-control wild foxes, obtained from pest management companies, were PCR-tested for T. gondii, FoxCV, canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type (CAV)-1 and CAV-2. We also assessed, using non-invasive assays, whether T. gondii-infected foxes showed subtle behavioral alterations as observed among infected rodent (and other) hosts, including altered activity, risk, and stress levels. All foxes tested negative for CAV, CDV, CHV, and DogCV. DFS was found to be associated with singular T. gondii infection (captives vs. pseudo-controls, 33.3% (3/9) vs. 6.8% (5/74)) and singular FoxCV infection (66.7% (6/9) vs. 11.1% (1/9)) and with T. gondii/FoxCV co-infection (33.3% (3/9) vs. 11.1% (1/9)). Overall, a higher proportion of captive foxes had signs of neuroinflammation compared to pseudo-controls (66.7% (4/6) vs. 11.1% (1/9)). Consistent with behavioral changes seen in infected rodents, T. gondii-infected foxes displayed increased attraction toward feline odor (n=6 foxes). These preliminary results suggest that wild foxes with DFS are infected with T. gondii and likely co-infected with FoxCV and/or another co-infecting neurotropic agent. Our findings using this novel system have important implications for our understanding of both the impact of parasites on mammalian host behavior in general and, potentially, of the infectious causation of certain neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Milne
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chelsea Fujimoto
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Theodor Bean
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Harry J Peters
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Charly Taylor
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Robert C Fowkes
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Henny M Martineau
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Clare M Hamilton
- Parasitology Division, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Walker
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Judy A Mitchell
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Elsa Léger
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon L Priestnall
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Lappin MR, Elston T, Evans L, Glaser C, Jarboe L, Karczmar P, Lund C, Ray M. 2019 AAFP Feline Zoonoses Guidelines. J Feline Med Surg 2019; 21:1008-1021. [PMID: 31613173 PMCID: PMC10814210 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x19880436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM The overarching purpose of the 2019 AAFP Feline Zoonoses Guidelines (hereafter referred to as the 'Guidelines') is to provide accurate information about feline zoonotic diseases to owners, physicians and veterinarians to allow logical decisions to be made concerning cat ownership. SCOPE AND ACCESSIBILITY The Panelists are physicians and veterinarians who worked closely together in an attempt to make these Guidelines a document that can be used to support the International One Health movement. This version of the Guidelines builds upon the first feline zoonosis panel report, published in 2003 ( catvets.com/guidelines ), and provides an updated reference list and recommendations. Each of the recommendations received full support from every Panelist. Primary recommendations are highlighted in a series of 'Panelists' advice' boxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Tom Elston
- The Cat Hospital, 3069 Edinger Avenue, Tustin, CA, USA
| | - Lisanne Evans
- All Pets Veterinary Hospital, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA
| | - Carol Glaser
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Kaiser Permanente, CA, USA
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Shapiro K, Kim M, Rajal VB, Arrowood MJ, Packham A, Aguilar B, Wuertz S. Simultaneous detection of four protozoan parasites on leafy greens using a novel multiplex PCR assay. Food Microbiol 2019; 84:103252. [PMID: 31421749 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2019.103252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Pathogen contamination of fresh produce presents a health risk for consumers; however, the produce industry still lacks adequate tools for simultaneous detection of protozoan parasites. Here, a simple multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay was developed for detection of protozoan (oo)cysts and compared with previously published real-time PCR assays and microscopy methods. The assay was evaluated for simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Toxoplasma gondii followed by parasite differentiation via either a nested specific PCR or a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. Spiking experiments using spinach as a model leafy green were performed for assay validation. Leaf-washing yielded higher recoveries and more consistent detection of parasites as compared with stomacher processing. Lowest limits of detection using the nested mPCR assay were 1-10 (oo)cysts/g spinach (in 10 g samples processed), and this method proved more sensitive than qPCR for parasite detection. Microscopy methods were more reliable for visual detection of parasites in lower spiking concentrations, but are more costly and laborious, require additional expertise, and lack molecular confirmation essential for accurate risk assessment. Overall, the nested mPCR assay provides a rapid (<24 h), inexpensive ($10 USD/sample), and simple approach for simultaneous detection of protozoan pathogens on fresh produce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Shapiro
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Minji Kim
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Veronica B Rajal
- Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), CONICET, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta, 4400, Argentina; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Michael J Arrowood
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrea Packham
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Beatriz Aguilar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Stefan Wuertz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NTU, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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Shapiro K, Bahia-Oliveira L, Dixon B, Dumètre A, de Wit LA, VanWormer E, Villena I. Environmental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii: Oocysts in water, soil and food. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 15:e00049. [PMID: 32095620 PMCID: PMC7033973 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in humans, domestic animals, and terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. The environmentally robust oocyst stage of T. gondii is fundamentally critical to the parasite's success, both in terms of its worldwide distribution as well as the extensive range of infected intermediate hosts. Despite the limited definitive host species (domestic and wild felids), infections have been reported on every continent, and in terrestrial as well as aquatic environments. The remarkable resistance of the oocyst wall enables dissemination of T. gondii through watersheds and ecosystems, and long-term persistence in diverse foods such as shellfish and fresh produce. Here, we review the key attributes of oocyst biophysical properties that confer their ability to disseminate and survive in the environment, as well as the epidemiological dynamics of oocyst sources including domestic and wild felids. This manuscript further provides a comprehensive review of the pathways by which T. gondii oocysts can infect animals and people through the environment, including in contaminated foods, water or soil. We conclude by identifying critical control points for reducing risk of exposure to oocysts as well as opportunities for future synergies and new directions for research aimed at reducing the burden of oocyst-borne toxoplasmosis in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Shapiro
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Ave, 4206 VM3A, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USA
| | - Lillian Bahia-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Brent Dixon
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, A.L. 2204E, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Aurélien Dumètre
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 257, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Luz A. de Wit
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95050, USA
| | - Elizabeth VanWormer
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, VBS 111, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - Isabelle Villena
- EA 7510, UFR Medicine, University Reims Champagne-Ardenne, National Reference Center on Toxoplasmosis, Hospital Maison Blanche, Reims, France
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Hill D, Luchansky J, Porto-Fett A, Gamble H, Fournet V, Hawkins-Cooper D, Urban J, Gajadhar A, Holley R, Juneja V, Dubey J. Rapid inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites during formulation of dry cured ready-to-eat pork sausage. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2018; 12:e00029. [PMID: 32095600 PMCID: PMC7033975 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2018.e00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Curing processes for pork meat in the U.S. currently require individual validation of methods to demonstrate inactivation of Trichinella spiralis, a nematode parasite historically associated with pork. However, for protozoan parasites, no such strictures exist. It has been assumed, with little evidence, that curing processes required to inactivate Trichinella also inactivate Toxoplasma gondii. Currently no model of meat chemistry exists that can be correlated with inactivation of T. gondii. Given the possibility of the presence of T. gondii in pork meat, and the frequent use of pork for ready-to-eat (RTE) products not intended to be cooked, curing methods which inactivate T. gondii early in the curing process would be of great value to producers. In this study, we tested the effect of five variables - salt/brine concentration, water activity (aw), pH, temperature, and time on inactivation of T. gondii bradyzoites in tissue cysts using low and high endpoints for common curing treatments during preparation of dry cured pork sausage. Survival of T. gondii bradyzoites at each stage of preparation was assessed using a mouse bioassay. Results indicated that encysted T. gondii bradyzoites do not survive the early stages of the dry curing process within the endpoint parameters tested here, even at levels of NaCl that are lower than typically used for dry curing (1.3%). Exposure of T. gondii encysted bradyzoites to curing components in the formulated batter resulted in rapid inactivation of bradyzoites. These data suggest that the use of dry curing components may be effective for controlling T. gondii potentially transmitted through RTE meats, rendering them safe from risk with respect to T. gondii transmission to human consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- D.E. Hill
- USDA, ARS, NEA, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, BARC-East, Bldgs. 1001 & 307-C, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States of America
| | - J. Luchansky
- USDA, ARS, NEA, Food Safety and Intervention Technologies, 600 E. Mermaid Ln. ERRC, Wyndmoor, PA 19038-8598, United States of America
| | - A. Porto-Fett
- USDA, ARS, NEA, Food Safety and Intervention Technologies, 600 E. Mermaid Ln. ERRC, Wyndmoor, PA 19038-8598, United States of America
| | - H.R. Gamble
- National Academy of Sciences, 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States of America
| | - V.M. Fournet
- USDA, ARS, NEA, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, BARC-East, Bldgs. 1001 & 307-C, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States of America
| | - D.S. Hawkins-Cooper
- USDA, ARS, NEA, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, BARC-East, Bldgs. 1001 & 307-C, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States of America
| | - J.F. Urban
- USDA, ARS, BHNRC, Diet, Genomics, and Immunology Laboratory, BARC-East, Bldgs. 307-C, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States of America
| | - A.A. Gajadhar
- University of Saskatchewan, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N5B4, Canada
| | - R. Holley
- University of Manitoba, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Room 250 Ellis Building, 13 Freedman Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - V.K. Juneja
- USDA, ARS, NEA, Food Safety and Intervention Technologies, 600 E. Mermaid Ln. ERRC, Wyndmoor, PA 19038-8598, United States of America
| | - J.P. Dubey
- USDA, ARS, NEA, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, BARC-East, Bldgs. 1001 & 307-C, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States of America
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SAEEDIBORUJENI MJ, SCHAEFFNER E, GOLKAR S, SALEHI M, RASHIDI B. The Survey of Saliva Compositional Alterations is a Non-invasive Method in Determining of Multiple Sclerosis Progression in Children. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY 2018; 12:109-110. [PMID: 29379571 PMCID: PMC5760682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Javad SAEEDIBORUJENI
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and molecular biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.,Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Erik SCHAEFFNER
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Shayan GOLKAR
- Dental student research center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Mehdi SALEHI
- Dental student research center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Bahman RASHIDI
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and molecular biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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