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Robinson S, Falinski K, Johnson D, VanWormer E, Shapiro K, Amlin A, Barbieri M. Evaluating the Risk Landscape of Hawaiian Monk Seal Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. ECOHEALTH 2024:10.1007/s10393-024-01678-7. [PMID: 38850367 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-024-01678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a disease of primary concern for Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi), due to its apparently acute lethality and especially heavy impacts on breeding female seals. The disease-causing parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, depends on cats to complete its life cycle; thus, in order to understand how this pathogen infects marine mammals, it is essential to understand aspects of the terrestrial ecosystem and land-to-sea transport. In this study, we constructed a three-tiered model to assess risk of Hawaiian monk seal exposure to T. gondii oocysts: (1) oocyst contamination as a function of cat population characteristics; (2) land-to-sea transport of oocysts as a function of island hydrology, and (3) seal exposure as a function of habitat and space use. We were able to generate risk maps highlighting watersheds contributing the most to oocyst contamination of Hawaiian monk seal habitat. Further, the model showed that free-roaming cats most associated with humans (pets or strays often supplementally fed by people) were able to achieve high densities leading to high levels of oocyst contamination and elevated risk of T. gondii exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kim Falinski
- UH, Water Resources Research Center, Honolulu, USA
| | | | | | | | - Angela Amlin
- NOAA, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Honolulu, USA
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Zhu S, Camp L, Patel A, VanWormer E, Shapiro K. High prevalence and diversity of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in feral cat feces from coastal California. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011829. [PMID: 38100522 PMCID: PMC10756541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011829] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that can cause severe morbidity and mortality in warm-blooded animals, including marine mammals such as sea otters. Free-ranging cats can shed environmentally resistant T. gondii oocysts in their feces, which are transported through rain-driven runoff from land to sea. Despite their large population sizes and ability to contribute to environmental oocyst contamination, there are limited studies on T. gondii oocyst shedding by free-ranging cats. We aimed to determine the frequency and genotypes of T. gondii oocysts shed by free-ranging domestic cats in central coastal California and evaluate whether genotypes present in feces are similar to those identified in sea otters that died from fatal toxoplasmosis. We utilized a longitudinal field study of four free-ranging cat colonies to assess oocyst shedding prevalence using microscopy and molecular testing with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). T. gondii DNA was confirmed with primers targeting the ITS1 locus and positive samples were genotyped at the B1 locus. While oocysts were not visualized using microscopy (0/404), we detected T. gondii DNA in 25.9% (94/362) of fecal samples. We genotyped 27 samples at the B1 locus and characterized 13 of these samples at one to three additional loci using multi locus sequence typing (MLST). Parasite DNA detection was significantly higher during the wet season (16.3%, 59/362) compared to the dry season (9.7%; 35/362), suggesting seasonal variation in T. gondii DNA presence in feces. High diversity of T. gondii strains was characterized at the B1 locus, including non-archetypal strains previously associated with sea otter mortalities. Free-ranging cats may thus play an important role in the transmission of virulent T. gondii genotypes that cause morbidity and mortality in marine wildlife. Management of free-ranging cat colonies could reduce environmental contamination with oocysts and subsequent T. gondii infection in endangered marine mammals and people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Lauren Camp
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Anika Patel
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth VanWormer
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Karen Shapiro
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
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Pinto-Duarte VA, Hérnandez-Arango NM, Marin-Gallego BJ, Toloza-Beltrán PA, Lora-Suarez FM, Gómez-Marín JE. Detection of Giardia duodenalis and Toxoplasma gondii in soil and water samples in the Quindío River basin, Colombia. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2022; 28:e00175. [PMID: 36035634 PMCID: PMC9399255 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00175] [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: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two zoonotic protozoan pathogens, Giardia duodenalis and Toxoplasma gondii, are important causes of waterborne infections in the Quindío region in Colombia. No previous data exist on how contamination occurs at the source for drinking water consumed by the human population in this region. Our aim was to describe the frequency of G. duodenalis and T. gondii DNA in 11 sampling points during a five-month period in water and adjacent soil at the Quindío River basin (Andean region in the central western part of Colombia). The study employed nested PCR for T. gondii, using the B1 gene as the amplification target, and single-round PCR for G. duodenalis assemblage A and assemblage B, amplifying the gdh gene, followed by DNA sequencing. In 50 soil samples, 28% (14/50) were positive for T. gondii. For G. duodenalis, distribution was in equal parts for assemblage A (8%; 4/50) and assemblage B (8%, 4/50). Genotyping of T. gondii sequences showed two soil samples with type I strain, another two samples of soil with type III strain, but most samples were of unidentified strains. In water samples, T. gondii was detected in 9.1% (5/55), G. duodenalis assemblage A in 34.5% (19/55), and G. duodenalis assemblage B in 12.7% (7/55). T. gondii DNA positivity was associated with lower soil temperature (p = 0.0239). Presence of G. duodenalis and T. gondii was evidenced in soil and water samples in the Quindío River basin, indicating soil as the potential source of contamination for the river that it is destined for human consumption. Monitoring these protozoa in drinking water is necessary to prevent public health risks in human populations. 55 water and 50 soil samples from Colombian Quindio river basin were studied. Positive soil: 28% T. gondii, 8% G. intestinalis assemblages A and B. Positive water: 9.1% T. gondii, 4.5% G. intestinalis assemblages A and B. Soil and water are potential sources of contamination for river water that is destined for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Benyi Juliana Marin-Gallego
- Universidad del Quindío, Molecular Parasitology Study Group (GEPAMOL), Carrera 15, Calle 12N, Armenia, 630003, Colombia
| | - Paola Andrea Toloza-Beltrán
- Universidad del Quindío, Molecular Parasitology Study Group (GEPAMOL), Carrera 15, Calle 12N, Armenia, 630003, Colombia
| | - Fabiana María Lora-Suarez
- Universidad del Quindío, Molecular Parasitology Study Group (GEPAMOL), Carrera 15, Calle 12N, Armenia, 630003, Colombia
| | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- Universidad del Quindío, Molecular Parasitology Study Group (GEPAMOL), Carrera 15, Calle 12N, Armenia, 630003, Colombia
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de Barros RAM, Torrecilhas AC, Marciano MAM, Mazuz ML, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Fux B. Toxoplasmosis in Human and Animals Around the World. Diagnosis and Perspectives in the One Health Approach. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106432. [PMID: 35390311 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a unique health disease that significantly affects the health of humans, domestic animals, wildlife and is present in ecosystems, including water, soil and food. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the best-adapted parasites in the word. This parasite is able to persist for long periods in its hosts, in different geographic regions of the word. This review summarizes the current literature of these themes, focusing on: (1) toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection; (2) One health approach and toxoplasmosis; (3) human toxoplasmosis; (4) animal toxoplasmosis; (5) toxoplasmosis diagnosis, as immunological, parasitological and molecular diagnosis; (6) T. gondii outbreaks caused by infected meat, milk and dairy products, as well as, vegetables and water consume; (7) studies in experimental models; (8) genetic characterization of T. gondii strains; (9) extracellular vesicles and miRNA; and (10) future perspectives on T. gondii and toxoplasmosis. The vast prevalence of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals and the dispersion and resistence of T. gondii parasites in environment highlight the importance of the one health approach in diagnostic and control of the disease. Here the different aspects of the one health approach are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Aparecida Müller de Barros
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Diadema, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil..
| | | | - Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israeli Veterinary Service and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Beit Dagan, 5025000, Israel..
| | | | - Blima Fux
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
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Disseminated Toxoplasma gondii Infection in an Adult Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus). Vet Sci 2021; 9:vetsci9010005. [PMID: 35051089 PMCID: PMC8780292 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9010005] [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: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An adult female osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was found weak and unable to fly in Auburn, Alabama in August 2019. The bird was captured and submitted to the Southeastern Raptor Center of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation. On presentation, the bird was thin with a body condition score of approximately 1.5 out of 5. The bird died during the examination and was submitted for necropsy. At the necropsy, there was a severe loss of muscle mass over the body, and the keel was prominent. The liver and spleen were moderately enlarged with pale tan to red foci randomly scattered throughout the parenchyma. A histopathologic observation revealed multifocal to coalescing areas of necrosis and hemorrhage with intralesional protozoans in the liver, spleen, lungs, kidney, sciatic nerve, esophagus, cerebrum, heart, and proventriculus. Immunohistochemistry using anti-Toxoplasma gondii-specific antibodies showed a strong positive labeling of the parasite. Semi-nested PCR, specific for the B1 gene of T. gondii, successfully identified T. gondii. This is the first confirmed case of T. gondii infection in an osprey.
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Poulle ML, Le Corre M, Bastien M, Gedda E, Feare C, Jaeger A, Larose C, Shah N, Voogt N, Göpper B, Lagadec E, Rocamora G, Geers R, Aubert D, Villena I, Lebarbenchon C. Exposure of pelagic seabirds to Toxoplasma gondii in the Western Indian Ocean points to an open sea dispersal of this terrestrial parasite. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255664. [PMID: 34407103 PMCID: PMC8372946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that uses felids as definitive hosts and warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. While the dispersal of T. gondii infectious oocysts from land to coastal waters has been well documented, transmission routes to pelagic species remain puzzling. We used the modified agglutination test (MAT titre ≥ 10) to detect antibodies against T. gondii in sera collected from 1014 pelagic seabirds belonging to 10 species. Sampling was carried out on eight islands of the Western Indian Ocean: Reunion and Juan de Nova (colonized by cats), Cousin, Cousine, Aride, Bird, Europa and Tromelin islands (cat-free). Antibodies against T. gondii were found in all islands and all species but the great frigatebird. The overall seroprevalence was 16.8% [95% CI: 14.5%-19.1%] but significantly varied according to species, islands and age-classes. The low antibody levels (MAT titres = 10 or 25) detected in one shearwater and three red-footed booby chicks most likely resulted from maternal antibody transfer. In adults, exposure to soils contaminated by locally deposited oocysts may explain the detection of antibodies in both wedge-tailed shearwaters on Reunion Island and sooty terns on Juan de Nova. However, 144 adults breeding on cat-free islands also tested positive. In the Seychelles, there was a significant decrease in T. gondii prevalence associated with greater distances to cat populations for species that sometimes rest on the shore, i.e. terns and noddies. This suggests that oocysts carried by marine currents could be deposited on shore tens of kilometres from their initial deposition point and that the number of deposited oocysts decreases with distance from the nearest cat population. The consumption of fishes from the families Mullidae, Carangidae, Clupeidae and Engraulidae, previously described as T. gondii oocyst-carriers (i.e. paratenic hosts), could also explain the exposure of terns, noddies, boobies and tropicbirds to T. gondii. Our detection of antibodies against T. gondii in seabirds that fish in the high sea, have no contact with locally contaminated soils but frequent the shores and/or consume paratenic hosts supports the hypothesis of an open-sea dispersal of T. gondii oocysts by oceanic currents and/or fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lazarine Poulle
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
- CERFE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Boult-aux-Bois, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Matthieu Le Corre
- UMR Ecologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien (ENTROPIE), CNRS IRD, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Université de la Réunion, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Matthieu Bastien
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
- UMR Ecologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien (ENTROPIE), CNRS IRD, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Université de la Réunion, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
- Université de La Réunion, UMR Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical (PIMIT), INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Elsa Gedda
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Chris Feare
- WildWings Bird Management, Haslemere, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Audrey Jaeger
- UMR Ecologie marine tropicale des océans Pacifique et Indien (ENTROPIE), CNRS IRD, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Université de la Réunion, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | | | - Nirmal Shah
- Center for Environment and Education, Nature Seychelles, Roche Caïman, Mahé, Seychelles
| | | | | | - Erwan Lagadec
- Université de La Réunion, UMR Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical (PIMIT), INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Gérard Rocamora
- Island Biodiversity and Conservation Centre, University of Seychelles, Anse Royale, Seychelles
- Island Conservation Society, Mahé, Seychelles
| | - Régine Geers
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Centre de Ressources Biologiques Toxoplasma, CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Centre de Ressources Biologiques Toxoplasma, CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Centre de Ressources Biologiques Toxoplasma, CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Camille Lebarbenchon
- Université de La Réunion, UMR Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical (PIMIT), INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
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LEPTOSPIRA, PARVOVIRUS, AND TOXOPLASMA IN THE NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER (LONTRA CANADENSIS) IN NORTH CAROLINA, USA. J Wildl Dis 2021; 56:791-802. [PMID: 32320341 DOI: 10.7589/2019-05-129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is the largest mustelid in North Carolina, US, and was once extirpated from the central and western portions of the state. Over time and after a successful reintroduction project, otters are now abundant and occur throughout North Carolina. However, there is a concern that diseases may have an impact on the otter population, as well as on other aquatic mammals, either through exposure to emerging diseases, contact with domestic animals such as domestic cats (Felis catus), or less robust condition of individuals through declines in water quality. We tested brain and kidney tissue from harvested otters for the pathogens that cause leptospirosis, parvovirus, and toxoplasmosis. Leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis are priority zoonoses and are maintained by domestic and wild mammals. Although parvovirus is not zoonotic, it does affect pets, causing mild to fatal symptoms. Across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 trapping seasons, we tested 220 otters (76 females, 144 males) using real-time PCR for Leptospira interrogans, parvovirus, and Toxoplasma gondii. Of the otters tested, 1% (3/220) were positive for L. interrogans, 19% (41/220) were positive for parvovirus, and 24% (53/220) were positive for T. gondii. Although the pathogens for parvovirus and toxoplasmosis are relatively common in North Carolina otters, the otter harvest has remained steady and the population appears to be abundant and self-sustaining. Therefore, parvovirus and toxoplasmosis do not currently appear to be negatively impacting the population. However, subsequent research should examine transmission parameters between domestic and wild species and the sublethal effects of infection.
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Rouse NM, Counihan KL, Goertz CEC, Duddleston KN. Competency of common northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) prey items to harbor Streptococcus lutetiensis and S. phocae. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2021; 143:69-78. [PMID: 33570041 DOI: 10.3354/dao03562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus lutetiensis and S. phocae have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality in northern sea otters Enhydra lutris kenyoni in Alaska, USA, but the route and mechanism(s) of transmission remain unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the competence of common northern sea otter prey to harbor 2 species of pathogenic Streptococcus bacteria. Prey items (bay mussels Mytilus trossulus, butter clams Saxidomus giganteus, Dungeness crab Metacarcinus magister and black turban snails Tegula funebralis) were exposed to known concentrations of exponential phase cultures of S. lutetiensis and S. phocae in seawater for 24 h. A quantitative PCR assay was developed targeting the sodA gene of both S. lutetiensis and S. phocae to quantify DNA in the prey samples. Results (mean ± SD) revealed that butter clams had the highest concentration of bacteria (4.32 × 107 ± 8.20 × 106 CFU ml-1 of S. lutetiensis, 1.20 × 108 ± 2.08 × 107 CFU ml-1 of S. phocae), followed by mussels (4.26 × 107 ± 1.66 × 107 CFU ml-1, 1.16 × 108 ± 5.39 × 107 CFU ml-1), snails (1.90 × 107 ± 5.26 × 106 CFU ml-1, 5.97 × 107 ± 2.07 × 107 CFU ml-1) and crab (1.46 × 107 ± 0 CFU ml-1, 1.64 × 107 ± 0 CFU ml-1). All prey species harbored higher concentrations of S. phocae than S. lutetiensis.
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Viscardi M, Santoro M, Cozzolino L, Borriello G, Fusco G. A type II variant of Toxoplasma gondii infects the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in southern Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:874-880. [PMID: 33527733 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14012] [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: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a widespread zoonosis capable to affect a wide range of warm-blooded vertebrates. In the past two decades, T. gondii emerged as a significant aquatic pathogen with some pathogenic atypical genotypes isolated and characterized from stranded marine mammals. In contrast, no information is available for mammals in freshwater environment. Although otters are considered highly susceptible to T. gondii infection, to date molecular evidence of T. gondii in Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) does not exist. We report the first molecular evidence of T. gondii in a free-ranging Eurasian otter from southern Italy and characterized the present strain as a genotype type II variant, with all loci type II except PK1 (locus sequence corresponding to type II variant B), B1 (locus sequence corresponding to type II/X A) and C29-2 (locus with SNPs). Our results indicate circulation of a type II variant in freshwater environment which suggests potential risk of transmission to animals and humans. The finding of a potential pathogenic strain is of great concern for future conservation programmes of the critically endangered Eurasian otter in southern Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Viscardi
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Cozzolino
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
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Molecular prevalence, risk factors and genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in wild marine snails collected from offshore waters in eastern China. Acta Trop 2021; 214:105779. [PMID: 33253657 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence exisits for the role that shellfish play in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in marine environment. However, limited information is available on the level of T. gondii infection in wild marine snails, which can play a role in the transmission of T. gondii to other marine organisms and humans. In this study, the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in wild marine snails collected from three coastal cities in China was determined. Between January 2018 and November 2019, 1,206 wild marine snails were randomly collected and examined for the presence of T. gondii DNA using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting T. gondii B1 gene. The amplified products were genotyped using multilocus PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. We also examined whether species of snail, sampling region, sampling season, surface runoff near samplic site, residential water discharge near samplic site, and proximity to livestock farms are associated with the occurrence of T. gondii DNA in marine snails. Our results showed that 23 (1.91%) snails were positive for T. gondii B1 gene. The genotype of two of the 23 T. gondii amplicons was consistent with ToxoDB Genotype #9. Multiple logistic regression revealed that surface runoff near the sampling site (P = 0.039, odds ratio [OR] = 3.413, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-10.94) and residential water discharge near the sampling site (P = 0.021, OR = 3.990, 95%CI: 1.24-12.87) are more likely to be associated with the presence of T. gondii DNA in marine snails. The detection of T. gondii DNA in marine snails in China highlights the potential impact of the anthropogenic activities on marine organisms and the potential foodborne risk posed to humans with such an important terrestrial pathogen.
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Grigg ME. Recent epidemiologic and clinical importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in marine mammals: 2009-2020. Vet Parasitol 2020; 288:109296. [PMID: 33271425 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. T. gondii causes mortality in several species of marine mammals, including threatened Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and endangered Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi). Marine mammals are now considered sentinels for environmental exposure to protozoan agents contaminating marine waters, including T. gondii oocysts. Marine mammals also serve as food for humans and can result in foodborne T. gondii infections in humans. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, and genetic diversity of T. gondii infecting marine mammals in the past decade. The role of genetic types of T. gondii and clinical disease is discussed.
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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.
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20895, USA
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12
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Burgess TL, Tinker MT, Miller MA, Smith WA, Bodkin JL, Murray MJ, Nichol LM, Saarinen JA, Larson S, Tomoleoni JA, Conrad PA, Johnson CK. Spatial epidemiological patterns suggest mechanisms of land-sea transmission for Sarcocystis neurona in a coastal marine mammal. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3683. [PMID: 32111856 PMCID: PMC7048795 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60254-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcocystis neurona was recognised as an important cause of mortality in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) after an outbreak in April 2004 and has since been detected in many marine mammal species in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Risk of S. neurona exposure in sea otters is associated with consumption of clams and soft-sediment prey and is temporally associated with runoff events. We examined the spatial distribution of S. neurona exposure risk based on serum antibody testing and assessed risk factors for exposure in animals from California, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Significant spatial clustering of seropositive animals was observed in California and Washington, compared with British Columbia and Alaska. Adult males were at greatest risk for exposure to S. neurona, and there were strong associations with terrestrial features (wetlands, cropland, high human housing-unit density). In California, habitats containing soft sediment exhibited greater risk than hard substrate or kelp beds. Consuming a diet rich in clams was also associated with increased exposure risk. These findings suggest a transmission pathway analogous to that described for Toxoplasma gondii, with infectious stages traveling in freshwater runoff and being concentrated in particular locations by marine habitat features, ocean physical processes, and invertebrate bioconcentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan L Burgess
- EpiCenter for Disease Dynamics, Karen C Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, University of California Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Acadia Wildlife Services, P.O. Box 56, South Freeport, ME, 04078, USA
| | - M Tim Tinker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Santa Cruz Field Station, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.,Nhydra Ecological Consulting, 11 Parklea Dr Head of St, Margarets Bay, NS, B3Z2G6, Canada
| | - Melissa A Miller
- Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 151 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - Woutrina A Smith
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - James L Bodkin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4201 University Dr., Anchorage, AK, 99503, USA
| | - Michael J Murray
- Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA, 93940, USA
| | - Linda M Nichol
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station, 3190 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6N7, Canada
| | - Justin A Saarinen
- New College of Florida 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA
| | - Shawn Larson
- The Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Joseph A Tomoleoni
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Santa Cruz Field Station, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - Patricia A Conrad
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Christine K Johnson
- EpiCenter for Disease Dynamics, Karen C Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, University of California Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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13
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Freppel W, Ferguson DJ, Shapiro K, Dubey JP, Puech PH, Dumètre A. Structure, composition, and roles of the Toxoplasma gondii oocyst and sporocyst walls. Cell Surf 2019; 5:100016. [PMID: 32743133 PMCID: PMC7389338 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2018.100016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian parasite with the cat as its definitive host but any warm-blooded animal, including humans, may act as intermediate hosts. It has a worldwide distribution where it may cause acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. Infection can result from ingestion either of tissue cysts in infected meat of intermediate hosts or oocysts found in cat faeces via contaminated water or food. In this review, we highlight how the oocyst and sporocyst walls sustain the persistence and transmission of infective T. gondii parasites from terrestrial and aquatic environments to the host. We further discuss why targeting the oocyst wall structure and molecules may reduce the burden of foodborne and waterborne T. gondii infections.
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14
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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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15
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Manore AJW, Harper SL, Aguilar B, Weese JS, Shapiro K. Comparison of freeze-thaw cycles for nucleic acid extraction and molecular detection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in environmental matrices. J Microbiol Methods 2018; 156:1-4. [PMID: 30468750 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2018.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Freeze-thaw DNA extraction methods and PCR primers were compared to optimize detection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in different matrices. Increasing FT cycles did not increase parasite DNA detection, and primers targeting the 18S ssrRNA gene yielded the most sensitive detection of C. parvum oocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J W Manore
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sherilee L Harper
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Beatriz Aguilar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Ave, 4206 VM3A, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USA
| | - J S Weese
- Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Karen Shapiro
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Ave, 4206 VM3A, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USA.
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16
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Burgess TL, Tim Tinker M, Miller MA, Bodkin JL, Murray MJ, Saarinen JA, Nichol LM, Larson S, Conrad PA, Johnson CK. Defining the risk landscape in the context of pathogen pollution: Toxoplasma gondii in sea otters along the Pacific Rim. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:171178. [PMID: 30109036 PMCID: PMC6083690 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens entering the marine environment as pollutants exhibit a spatial signature driven by their transport mechanisms. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris), a marine animal which lives much of its life within sight of land, presents a unique opportunity to understand land-sea pathogen transmission. Using a dataset on Toxoplasma gondii prevalence across sea otter range from Alaska to California, we found that the dominant drivers of infection risk vary depending upon the spatial scale of analysis. At the population level, regions with high T. gondii prevalence had higher human population density and a greater proportion of human-dominated land uses, suggesting a strong role for population density of the felid definitive host of this parasite. This relationship persisted when a subset of data were analysed at the individual level: large-scale patterns in sea otter T. gondii infection prevalence were largely explained by individual exposure to areas of high human housing unit density, and other landscape features associated with anthropogenic land use, such as impervious surfaces and cropping land. These results contrast with the small-scale, within-region analysis, in which age, sex and prey choice accounted for most of the variation in infection risk, and terrestrial environmental features provided little variation to help in explaining observed patterns. These results underscore the importance of spatial scale in study design when quantifying both individual-level risk factors and landscape-scale variation in infection risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan L. Burgess
- Karen C Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - M. Tim Tinker
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - Melissa A. Miller
- Karen C Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - James L. Bodkin
- US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4201 University Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99503, USA
| | | | | | - Linda M. Nichol
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station, 3190 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada V9T 6N7
| | - Shawn Larson
- The Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Patricia A. Conrad
- Karen C Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Christine K. Johnson
- Karen C Drayer Wildlife Health Center, One Health Institute, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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17
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Bigot-Clivot A, Palos Ladeiro M, Lepoutre A, Bastien F, Bonnard I, Dubey JP, Villena I, Aubert D, Geffard O, François A, Geffard A. Bioaccumulation of Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium by the freshwater crustacean Gammarus fossarum: Involvement in biomonitoring surveys and trophic transfer. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2016; 133:188-194. [PMID: 27454203 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The protozoa Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum are public health priorities because their oocysts can persist in recreational, surface, drinking, river, and sea water sources for a long time. To evaluate the capacity of the freshwater crustacean Gammarus fossarum to accumulate T. gondii and C. parvum oocysts, gammarids were exposed to 200, 2000 or 20,000 oocysts per gammarid and per day for 21 days followed by 5 days of depuration. C. parvum DNA was detected by qPCR in G. fossarum in only one out of four pools for the highest concentration and after 14 days of exposure, and T. gondii DNA was detected after 7 days of exposure to the two highest concentrations. Our results document the capacity of G. fossarum to accumulate T. gondii in its tissues proportionally to the ambient concentration; the maximum number of oocysts was detected in gammarid tissues after exposure to 20,000 oocysts per day. Mean values of 3.26 (±3), 21.71 (±15.18), and 17.41 (±10.89) oocysts were detected in gammarids after 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively, and after 5 days of depuration, T. gondii oocysts were still present in gammarid tissues. These results show for the first time that a freshwater crustacean can bioaccumulate T. gondii oocysts, suggesting that G. fossarum is a potential effective bioindicator of protozoan contamination in biomonitoring studies. Moreover, due to its key position in freshwater food webs, G. fossarum could also play a role in the trophic transfer of protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Bigot-Clivot
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Unité Stress Environnementaux et BIOSurveillance des Milieux Aquatiques, UMR-I 02 (SEBIO), Reims, France.
| | - Mélissa Palos Ladeiro
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Unité Stress Environnementaux et BIOSurveillance des Milieux Aquatiques, UMR-I 02 (SEBIO), Reims, France
| | - Alexandra Lepoutre
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Unité Stress Environnementaux et BIOSurveillance des Milieux Aquatiques, UMR-I 02 (SEBIO), Reims, France
| | - Fanny Bastien
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Unité Stress Environnementaux et BIOSurveillance des Milieux Aquatiques, UMR-I 02 (SEBIO), Reims, France
| | - Isabelle Bonnard
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Unité Stress Environnementaux et BIOSurveillance des Milieux Aquatiques, UMR-I 02 (SEBIO), Reims, France
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Isabelle Villena
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, EA 3800, SFR CAP-Santé FED 4231, Hôpital Maison Blanche Reims, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, EA 3800, SFR CAP-Santé FED 4231, Hôpital Maison Blanche Reims, France
| | - Olivier Geffard
- Institut National de Recherche en Sciences et Technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture, Unité de Recherche Milieux Aquatiques, Ecologie et Pollutions, Ecotoxicologie, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Adeline François
- Institut National de Recherche en Sciences et Technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture, Unité de Recherche Milieux Aquatiques, Ecologie et Pollutions, Ecotoxicologie, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Alain Geffard
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Unité Stress Environnementaux et BIOSurveillance des Milieux Aquatiques, UMR-I 02 (SEBIO), Reims, France
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18
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Hide G. Role of vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in prevalence of infection. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2016; 14:335-44. [PMID: 26807498 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2016.1146131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, is a highly successful pathogen that infects around 30% of the global human population. Additionally, it is able to infect all warm blooded animals with high prevalence. This is surprising as it is a parasite of the cat and can only complete its full sexual cycle in that host. This review examines the important key routes of transmission: infective oocysts from the cat, ingestion of raw infected tissue and vertical transmission. The latter route of transmission has traditionally been thought to be rare. In this review, this assumption is examined and discussed in the light of the current literature. The available evidence points to the possibility that vertical transmission occurs frequently in natural populations of mice however the evidence in sheep is currently ambivalent and controversial. In humans, the situation appears as though vertical transmission may be rare although there is still much that is unexplained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Hide
- a Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre and Biomedical Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences , University of Salford , Salford , UK
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19
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Concentration and retention of Toxoplasma gondii surrogates from seawater by red abalone (Haliotis rufescens). Parasitology 2016; 143:1703-1712. [PMID: 27573192 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Small marine snails and abalone have been identified as high- and low-risk prey items, respectively, for exposure of threatened southern sea otters to Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic parasite that can cause fatal encephalitis in animals and humans. While recent work has characterized snails as paratenic hosts for T. gondii, the ability of abalone to vector the parasite has not been evaluated. To further elucidate why abalone predation may be protective against T. gondii exposure, this study aimed to determine whether: (1) abalone are physiologically capable of acquiring T. gondii; and (2) abalone and snails differ in their ability to concentrate and retain the parasite. Abalone were exposed to T. gondii surrogate microspheres for 24 h, and fecal samples were examined for 2 weeks following exposure. Concentration of surrogates was 2-3 orders of magnitude greater in abalone feces than in the spiked seawater, and excretion of surrogates continued for 14 days post-exposure. These results indicate that, physiologically, abalone and snails can equally vector T. gondii as paratenic hosts. Reduced risk of T. gondii infection in abalone-specializing otters may therefore result from abalone's high nutritional value, which implies otters must consume fewer animals to meet their caloric needs.
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Fernández C, Jaimes J, Ortiz MC, Ramírez JD. Host and Toxoplasma gondii genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the development of ocular toxoplasmosis: A systematic review. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 44:199-209. [PMID: 27389360 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan infection caused by the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This infectious disease is widely distributed across the world where cats play an important role in its spread. The symptomatology caused by this parasite is diverse but the ocular affectation emerges as the most important clinical phenotype. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the current knowledge of ocular toxoplasmosis from the genetic diversity of the pathogen towards the treatment available for this infection. This review represents an update to the scientific community regarding the genetic diversity of the parasite, the genetic factors of the host, the molecular pathogenesis and its association with disease, the available diagnostic tools and the available treatment of patients undergoing ocular toxoplamosis. This review will be an update for the scientific community in order to encourage researchers to deploy cutting-edge investigation across this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Fernández
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jesús Jaimes
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - María Camila Ortiz
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
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