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Lyons MR, Arantes T, Vieira BR, Furtado JM, Smith JR. Impact of gender on clinical features and outcomes of ocular toxoplasmosis. Br J Ophthalmol 2024; 108:710-714. [PMID: 37225390 DOI: 10.1136/bjo-2023-323227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the effect of gender on the clinical features and outcomes of ocular toxoplasmosis. METHODS 262 patients (139 women and 123 men) presenting to a tertiary referral uveitis service in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, with serological and clinical evidence of ocular toxoplasmosis were prospectively enrolled in an observational study. Predefined data items including demographics, descriptors of uveitis and ocular toxoplasmosis, best-corrected visual acuity and ocular complications were disaggregated by gender and compared statistically. RESULTS Approximately equal numbers of women and men had active versus inactive ocular toxoplasmosis. In both women and men, most infections were remotely acquired. Men were significantly more likely to present with primary active disease than women (24.4% vs 12.9%); conversely, women were significantly more likely to present with recurrent active disease than men (36.0% vs 28.5%). One toxoplasmic retinal lesion was observed in more eyes of men than eyes of women (50.4% vs 35.3%), while women's eyes were more likely to have multiple lesions than men's eyes (54.7% vs 39.8%). Lesions in women's eyes were significantly more likely to occur at the posterior pole compared with those in men's eyes (56.1% vs 39.8%). Measures of vision were similar for women and men. There were no significant differences in measures of visual acuity, ocular complications, and occurrence and timing of reactivations between the genders. CONCLUSION Ocular toxoplasmosis has equivalent outcomes in women and men, with clinical differences in the form and type of disease, as well as characteristics of the retinal lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda R Lyons
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Tiago Arantes
- Sadalla Amin Ghanem Eye Hospital, Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Barbara R Vieira
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joao M Furtado
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Justine R Smith
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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2
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Fernández Zamora Y, Marinho PM, Dias JRO, Cabral T, Casoy J, Muccioli C, Nascimento H, Belfort R. Long-Term Low-Dose Pyrimethamine Use for the Prevention of Ocular Toxoplasmosis Recurrences: A Cohort Study. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2024:1-6. [PMID: 38441575 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2024.2321270] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the effect of long-term, low-dose pyrimethamine for the prevention of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) recurrences. METHODS Sixty-three consecutive patients with inactive ocular toxoplasmosis and positive toxoplasma IgG serology were included. Pyrimethamine (25 mg) + folinic acid (15 mg) were administered every other day (three times weekly) for 12 months. Eighteen patients received the treatment for an additional six months as part of an extension study. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients (60.3%, n = 63) were female; 38 (60.3%) had a previous history of recurrence and 37 (58.7%) had active OT within the preceding 12 months. Three (4.8%) patients had unilateral recurrences at 8, 12 and 18 months after starting intermittent pyrimethamine treatment. Five patients (7.9%) were discontinued due to hematological, renal and hepatic changes. Treatment was considered successful in 42 patients (84%). CONCLUSION Long-term, low-dose pyrimethamine can be considered as a treatment option for the prevention of ocular toxoplasmosis recurrence in selected patients, with only a few, mild and reversible systemic adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuslay Fernández Zamora
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula M Marinho
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, IPEPO - Vision Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Rafael Oliveira Dias
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Cabral
- Department of Ophthalmology, IPEPO - Vision Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Cristina Muccioli
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Nascimento
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, IPEPO - Vision Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rubens Belfort
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, IPEPO - Vision Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
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de Faria Júnior GM, Kumano LS, Bronchtein Gomes I, Camargos GS, Meira-Strejevitch CDS, Castiglioni L, Previato M, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Brandão CC, de Mattos LC. miRNA 511_5p is a potential biomarker for ocular toxoplasmosis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2023; 117:804-810. [PMID: 37477502 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad045] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is a frequent clinical manifestation due to infection by Toxoplasma gondii. It is characterized by an inflammatory process involving macrophages activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. The expression of microRNAs takes place during the inflammatory process and, among them, miRNA 511 regulates the activation of macrophages. This study evaluated the expression of miRNA 511_5p in patients with OT and healthy controls. METHODS A total of 361 patients from the Hospital de Base of Fundação Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto were enrolled and divided into four groups: G1-patients with active ocular lesions and reagent serology for T. gondii; G2-patients with scars and reagent serology for T. gondii; G3-patients without ocular lesions or scars and reagent serology for T. gondii; G4-patients without ocular lesions or scars and non-reagent serology for T. gondii. All patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation to confirm the diagnosis of OT. Serology tests, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed. RESULTS The miRNA 511_5p levels were compared among the groups. The G1 group showed a high blood plasma concentration of miRNA 511_5p (mean 22.34) compared with the G2 (4.65), G3 (8.91) and G4 (3.52) groups (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION These data suggest that miRNA 511_5p has significant potential as a biomarker for OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Magela de Faria Júnior
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Laurie Sayuri Kumano
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabela Bronchtein Gomes
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gláucio Silva Camargos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Lilian Castiglioni
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Previato
- Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic of Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (HB- FUNFARME), 5544 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia Pereira-Chioccola
- Parasitology and Mycology Center, Adolpho Lutz Institute, 355 Dr Arnaldo Avenue, São Paulo, SP, 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
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Yogeswaran K, Furtado JM, Bodaghi B, Matthews JM, Smith JR. Current practice in the management of ocular toxoplasmosis. Br J Ophthalmol 2023; 107:973-979. [PMID: 35197262 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2022-321091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular toxoplasmosis is common across all regions of the world. Understanding of the epidemiology and approach to diagnosis and treatment have evolved recently. In November 2020, an international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists formed the International Ocular Toxoplasmosis Study Group to define current practice. METHODS 192 Study Group members from 48 countries completed a 36-item survey on clinical features, use of investigations, indications for treatment, systemic and intravitreal treatment with antiparasitic drugs and corticosteroids, and approach to follow-up and preventive therapy. RESULTS For 77.1% of members, unilateral retinochoroiditis adjacent to a pigmented scar accounted for over 60% of presentations, but diverse atypical presentations were also reported. Common complications included persistent vitreous opacities, epiretinal membrane, cataract, and ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Most members used clinical examination with (56.8%) or without (35.9%) serology to diagnose typical disease but relied on intraocular fluid testing-usually PCR-in atypical cases (68.8%). 66.1% of members treated all non-pregnant patients, while 33.9% treated selected patients. Oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was first-line therapy for 66.7% of members, and 60.9% had experience using intravitreal clindamycin. Corticosteroid drugs were administered systemically by 97.4%; 24.7% also injected corticosteroid intravitreally, almost always in combination with an antimicrobial drug (72.3%). The majority of members followed up all (60.4%) or selected (35.9%) patients after resolution of acute disease, and prophylaxis against recurrence with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was prescribed to selected patients by 69.8%. CONCLUSION Our report presents a current management approach for ocular toxoplasmosis, as practised by a large international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kengadhevi Yogeswaran
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - João M Furtado
- Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Janet M Matthews
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Justine R Smith
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Mabchour A, Motulsky E, Kisma N. Active Ocular Toxoplasmosis Associated with Simultaneous Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023:1-4. [PMID: 36803158 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2023.2176888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We describe the association between active ocular toxoplasmosis and Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome (MEWDS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective observational case report of a patient who presented with concomitant ocular toxoplasmosis and MEWDS (Erasmus University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium). Clinical record and multimodal imaging including fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were analyzed. RESULTS Multimodal imaging of a 25-year-old-woman that presented with concomitant active ocular toxoplasmosis and MEWDS is described. Both clinical entities regressed completely after 8 weeks under steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. CONCLUSION Active ocular toxoplasmosis can be associated with simultaneous multiple evanescent white dot syndrome. Further reports are needed to precise and characterize this clinical relationship and its management.Abbreviations: MEWDS: Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome; Fundus Autofluorescence FAF; BCVA: Best-corrected Visual Acuity; FA: Fluorescein Angiography; ICGA: Indocyanine Green Angiography; SD-OCT: Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography; IR: Infrared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Mabchour
- Ophthalmology Department, Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elie Motulsky
- Ophthalmology Department, Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nacima Kisma
- Ophthalmology Department, Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
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Nsiangani Lusambo N, Kaimbo Wa Kaimbo D, Mumba Ngoyi D, Akilimali Zalagile P, de-la-Torre A. Risk factors for ocular toxoplasmosis among uveitis patients in Kinshasa, DR Congo. BMJ Open Ophthalmol 2023. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2022-001198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveTo identify the risk factors associated with ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in a cohort of Congolese patients with uveitis.Methods and analysisA cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2020 and July 2021 in two ophthalmic clinics in Kinshasa. Patients with a diagnosis of uveitis were enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent an interview, an ophthalmological examination and serology testing. Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for OT.Results212 patients were included in the study with a mean age at presentation of 42.1±15.9 years (limits: 8–74 years) and a sex ratio of 1.1:1. OT concerned 96 patients (45.3%). The age of the patients below 60 years (p=0.001, OR=9.75 CI 95% 2.51 to37.80)), the consumption of cat meat (p=0.01, OR=2.65 CI 95% 1.18 to 5.96)) and undercooked meat (p=0.044, OR=2.30 CI 95% 1.02 to 5.21)) and living in rural area (p=0.021, OR=11.4 (CI 95% 1.45 to 89.84])) were identified as risk factors for OT.ConclusionOT affects more young people. It is associated with dietary habits. Informing and educating the population is necessary to avoid infection.
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Offman R, Van Rees S, Culbertson M, Boss J. Woman with black floaters in eye. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2023; 4:e12881. [PMID: 36606137 PMCID: PMC9805751 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Offman
- Trinity Health – MuskegonDepartment of Emergency MedicineMuskegonMichiganUSA,Michigan State University College of Osteopathic MedicineDepartment of Osteopathic Medical SpecialtiesEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Steven Van Rees
- Trinity Health – MuskegonDepartment of Emergency MedicineMuskegonMichiganUSA,Michigan State University College of Osteopathic MedicineDepartment of Osteopathic Medical SpecialtiesEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Meredith Culbertson
- Trinity Health – MuskegonDepartment of Emergency MedicineMuskegonMichiganUSA,Michigan State University College of Osteopathic MedicineDepartment of Osteopathic Medical SpecialtiesEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Joseph Boss
- Retina Specialists of MichiganGrand RapidsMichiganUSA,Michigan State University College of Human MedicineGrand RapidsMichiganUSA
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Kohler JM, Mammo DA, Bennett SR, Davies JB. Primary ocular toxoplasmosis secondary to venison consumption. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2022; 29:101776. [PMID: 36544752 PMCID: PMC9762148 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101776] [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: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To describe primary ocular toxoplasmosis infection related to ingestion of undercooked venison. Observations This single site, retrospective case series reviewed 4 patients with primary ocular toxoplasmosis that was acquired by ingesting undercooked venison. De-identified data was collected regarding baseline patient characteristics including age, sex, past medical and ocular history, onset of symptoms, visual acuity (VA), response to treatment, and workup. All patients with acquired toxoplasmosis had similar chronology of systemic and ocular symptoms. Exposure occurred in October or November and systemic symptoms developed within 2 weeks, followed by ocular symptoms an average of 2.6 months later. Average age at onset was 56 ± 13 (age ± SD) years old and all were male. Average initial and final VA were 20/50 and 20/50, respectively. Positive anti-toxoplasma IgM and IgG serologies were found in all cases. All patients were treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and achieved rapid improvement. Complications occurred in 50% of cases and included epiretinal membrane, cystoid macular edema, vitreoretinal traction, and neovascularization. Conclusions and importance Consumption of undercooked venison is a source of primary ocular toxoplasmosis even in immunocompetent hosts and has a clear chronology. A presentation of retinochoroiditis during the winter months should prompt questioning for exposure to wild game.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Kohler
- University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Salt Lake City, USA
| | | | | | - John B. Davies
- Retina Consultants of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA,Corresponding author. Retina Consultants of Minnesota, 3601 W 76th St, Suite 300, Edina, MN, 55435, USA.
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Lin HY, Lee WJA. The Role of Corticosteroids in Treating Acute Ocular Toxoplasmosis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:843050. [PMID: 35847774 PMCID: PMC9276926 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.843050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to report a case who was treated with corticosteroids and anti- parasitic agents for ocular toxoplasmosis, but who progressed to acute retinal necrosis, and finally retinal detachment. Case Presentation A 42-year-old man presented to the ophthalmology clinic with a 1-month history of progressive blurred vision and floaters in his right eye. His best visual acuity (VA) was 20/20 in both eyes. The anterior segment was unremarkable. Funduscopic examination of the right eye revealed active lesions of whitish foci of chorioretinitis with surrounding edema along the superonasal vessels, and retinal vasculitis with perivascular sheathing. Serologic testing was positive for Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG, but negative for other virus- and syphilis infections. Ocular toxoplasmosis was diagnosed. Corticosteroids and anti-parasitic agents were given simultaneously, but his right eye VA became 20/100. Funduscopic examination revealed retinal necrosis with localized retinal breaks. We immediately performed focal photocoagulation, however, his right eye progressed to retinal detachment and required vitrectomy. Conclusion Early administration of systemic corticosteroids in patients with acquired acute ocular toxoplasmosis may lead to complications that impair vision. Intensive observation should be arranged after corticosteroid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Yi Lin
- Medical Education Center, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ju Annabelle Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Optometry, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Wan-Ju Annabelle Lee,
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Brenier-Pinchart MP, Filisetti D, Cassaing S, Varlet-Marie E, Robert-Gangneux F, Delhaes L, Guitard J, Yéra H, Bastien P, Pelloux H, Sterkers Y. Molecular Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis: Multicenter Evaluation of the Toxoplasma RealCycler Universal PCR Assay on 168 Characterized Human Samples. J Mol Diagn 2022; 24:687-696. [PMID: 35452843 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time PCR plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. In this multicenter study, the Toxoplasma RealCycler Universal assay was assessed for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis by eight reference laboratories. DNAs from diverse clinical samples were included: 141 characterized samples from patients with different clinical forms of proven toxoplasmosis and 27 from patients without toxoplasmosis were tested in duplicate with the commercial assay. Final diagnosis was affirmed by each center by analysis of clinical settings and biological follow-up. Calibrated Toxoplasma gondii standards and 11 external quality control samples were also included. Discrepant results observed after the first run of commercial PCR were controlled by both reference and commercial PCR assays. Using the commercial assay, the detection threshold varied from 0.01 to 1 tachyzoites/mL, depending on the center. The relationship between crossing point and DNA concentration was linear over 4 log units (r2 > 0.99), and PCR efficiencies were satisfactory (89% to 104%). The results of the 11 external quality control samples were concordant after one retesting, but those for 3 clinical samples remained discrepant. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated at 97.8% (95% CI, 97.8%-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 87.2%-100%), respectively. Provided that PCRs are performed at least in duplicate to detect low parasitic loads, Toxoplasma RealCycler Universal PCR showed suitable performances to diagnose the different forms of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes and University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France; "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France.
| | - Denis Filisetti
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology-Medical Mycology Laboratory, Parasitology and Tropical Diseases Institute, University Hospitals and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sophie Cassaing
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse and University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Emmanuelle Varlet-Marie
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology-Mycology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Robert-Gangneux
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes and Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Laurence Delhaes
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux and Cardio-Thoracic Research Center, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Juliette Guitard
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology Mycology Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and Saint-Antoine Research Center, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Yéra
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Cochin Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology-Mycology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier and MiVEGEC, Institut de Recherche pour Le Développement, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Hervé Pelloux
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes and University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- "Molecular Biology" Pole of the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, Montpellier, France; Parasitology-Mycology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier and MiVEGEC, Institut de Recherche pour Le Développement, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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11
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Ferreira LB, Furtado JM, Charng J, Franchina M, Matthews JM, Molan AAL, Hunter M, Mackey DA, Smith JR. Prevalence of Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis in an Australian Adult Population: a Community-Based Study. Ophthalmol Retina 2022; 6:963-968. [PMID: 35568370 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2022.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is the most common clinical manifestation of an infection with the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Up to 50% of the human population is estimated to be infected with T. gondii. However, the epidemiology of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is not widely reported. We sought to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in Australia using data collected as part of the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study. DESIGN Cross-sectional, community-based, prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS 5,020 Australian adults (2,264 men and 2,756 women; age range of 45-69 years and median age of 58 years). METHODS Retinal color photographs centered on the optic disc and macula were captured on a digital retinal camera following dilation of the pupils. Three uveitis-subspecialized ophthalmologists assessed each pigmented retinal lesion, and complete concordance of opinion was required to assign a toxoplasmic etiology. Serum T. gondii immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels were measured for those participants with retinal lesions judged to be toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. RESULTS Eight participants (0.16%) had retinal lesions that were considered to have the characteristic appearance of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, plus detectable serum T. gondii IgG, consistent with the diagnosis of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. On the assumption that 23.81% of retinal lesions occur at the posterior pole, as reported in a community-based survey conducted in Brazil (Sci Rep. 2021;11:3420), the prevalence of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis was estimated at 0.67% or 1 per 149 persons. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is common in Australian adults. Efforts to quantify and address risk factors for human infection with T. gondii are justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisia B Ferreira
- Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, Australia
| | - João M Furtado
- Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Jason Charng
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute
| | - Maria Franchina
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute
| | - Janet M Matthews
- Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Aus A L Molan
- Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia; PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Perth, Australia
| | - Michael Hunter
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - David A Mackey
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute
| | - Justine R Smith
- Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, Australia; Queensland Eye Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
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12
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Causes of functional low vision in a Brazilian rehabilitation service. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2807. [PMID: 35181704 PMCID: PMC8857251 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
There is limited information on functional low vision (FLV) in Latin America, especially in individuals under 50 years of age. In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 1393 consecutive subjects seen at a Brazilian tertiary rehabilitation service, from February 2009 to June 2016. We collected sociodemographic, clinical data, and information on optical aids and spectacle prescription. Subjects were divided into three age groups: 0 to 14 years old (children), 15 to 49 years old (young adults), and 50 years or older (older adults). The main etiologies leading to FLV in children were cerebral visual impairment (27.9%), ocular toxoplasmosis (8.2%), and retinopathy of prematurity (7.8%). In young adults, retinitis pigmentosa (7.4%) and cone/rod dystrophy (6.5%) were the most frequent, while in older adults, age-related macular degeneration (25.3%) and diabetic retinopathy (18.0%) were the leading causes. Our results indicate that preventable diseases are important causes of FLV in children in the area, and proper prenatal care could reduce their burden. The increasing life expectancy in Latin America and the diabetes epidemic are likely to increase the demand for affordable, people-centered rehabilitation centers, and their integration into health services should be planned accordingly.
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13
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Cifuentes-González C, Zapata-Bravo E, Sierra-Cote MC, Boada-Robayo L, Vargas-Largo ÁP, Reyes-Guanes J, de-la-Torre A. Colombian Ocular Infectious Epidemiology Study (COIES): Ocular toxoplasmosis incidence and sociodemographic characterization, 2015–2019. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 117:349-355. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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14
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Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered domestic ruminants in Northwest Ethiopia: occurrence, bioassay and virulence assessment. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:429-439. [DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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15
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Rinkenberger N, Abrams ME, Matta SK, Schoggins JW, Alto NM, Sibley LD. Over-expression screen of interferon-stimulated genes identifies RARRES3 as a restrictor of Toxoplasma gondii infection. eLife 2021; 10:73137. [PMID: 34871166 PMCID: PMC8789288 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important human pathogen infecting an estimated one in three people worldwide. The cytokine interferon gamma (IFNγ) is induced during infection and is critical for restricting T. gondii growth in human cells. Growth restriction is presumed to be due to the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that are upregulated to protect the host from infection. Although there are hundreds of ISGs induced by IFNγ, their individual roles in restricting parasite growth in human cells remain somewhat elusive. To address this deficiency, we screened a library of 414 IFNγ induced ISGs to identify factors that impact T. gondii infection in human cells. In addition to IRF1, which likely acts through the induction of numerous downstream genes, we identified RARRES3 as a single factor that restricts T. gondii infection by inducing premature egress of the parasite in multiple human cell lines. Overall, while we successfully identified a novel IFNγ induced factor restricting T. gondii infection, the limited number of ISGs capable of restricting T. gondii infection when individually expressed suggests that IFNγ-mediated immunity to T. gondii infection is a complex, multifactorial process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Rinkenberger
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Michael E Abrams
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Sumit K Matta
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - John W Schoggins
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Neal M Alto
- Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - L David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
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16
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Bonamigo EL, Rossi EE, Rosa MDCND, Stock RA, Sampaio RR, Lora RC. Uncommon progression of toxoplasmic papillitis: patient perception and case report. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE OFTALMOLOGIA 2021. [DOI: 10.37039/1982.8551.20210036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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17
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Aloise DDA, Coura-Vital W, Carneiro M, Rodrigues MV, Toscano GADS, da Silva RB, Silva-Portela RDCB, Fontes-Dantas FL, Agnez-Lima LF, Vitor RWA, Andrade-Neto VFD. Association between ocular toxoplasmosis and APEX1 and MYD88 polymorphism. Acta Trop 2021; 221:106006. [PMID: 34118207 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most common form of posterior uveitis, and in some countries, it is the most frequent cause of visual impairment. Studies demonstrate that the polymorphism in genes involved with the immune response can be related both to the occurrence and to the recurrence of OT. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the association between OT and the polymorphism of the APEX1 (rs1130409) and MyD88 (rs7744) genes. The studied sample consisted of 48 volunteers with OT and 96 asymptomatic volunteers, but positive for anti - T. gondii IgG (control group). Blood collection was performed for serological analysis (ELISA) and DNA extraction. Genotyping of the polymorphism was performed using real-time PCR. To analyze the association between gene polymorphism and OT, logistic regression was performed. The results showed no association between the MYD88 gene polymorphism and the development of OT. However, a significant association was found between OT and APEX1 gene polymorphism, indicating that individuals expressing polymorphic (GG) or heterozygous (GT) alleles are more likely to develop the disease (P-value = 0.02 and 0.03 respectively). These results suggest that APEX1 (rs1130409) polymorphism is a risk factor for the occurrence of ocular toxoplasmosis in the studied population.
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18
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Furtado JM, Simões M, Vasconcelos-Santos D, Oliver GF, Tyagi M, Nascimento H, Gordon DL, Smith JR. Ocular syphilis. Surv Ophthalmol 2021; 67:440-462. [PMID: 34147542 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies around the world suggest that syphilis is re-emerging. Ocular syphilis - with a wide range of presentations, most of which are subtypes of uveitis - has become an increasingly common cause of ocular inflammation over the past 20 years. Its rising incidence, diagnostic complexity, and manifestations that have only recently been characterized make ocular syphilis relevant from the public health, clinical, and scientific perspectives. We review the demographics, epidemiology, clinical features, ocular imaging findings, diagnosis, and medical management of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- João M Furtado
- Divisão de Oftalmologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
| | - Milena Simões
- Divisão de Oftalmologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Daniel Vasconcelos-Santos
- Departamento de Oftalmologia e Otorrinolaringologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Genevieve F Oliver
- Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Mudit Tyagi
- Ocular Inflammation and Immunology Services, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Heloisa Nascimento
- Departamento de Oftalmologia e Ciências Visuais, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Instituto Paulista de Estudos e Pesquisas em Oftalmologia-IPEPO, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - David L Gordon
- Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, Australia; SA Pathology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia
| | - Justine R Smith
- Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, Australia
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19
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Treatment Strategy in Human Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Why Antibiotics Have Failed. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10051090. [PMID: 33807871 PMCID: PMC7961948 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is currently no clear evidence of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in acute ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), but its effect as a secondary prophylaxis is undisputed. The majority of uveitis specialists advocate treatment. This meta-analytic review aims to critically analyze determinants of treatment success and to update current treatment strategies for OT in order to explain this discrepancy. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in NCBI/PubMed, Clinical Trials, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect to retrieve pro- and retrospective studies using the key terms “ocular toxoplasmosis” or “retinochoroiditis” and “immunocompetent” and “treatment” or “therapy” and “human.” Of these, larger case series and prospective clinical studies and cross references identified from meta-analyses were selected by a manual search, and primary and secondary outcome parameters were extracted. Results: Ten case series and clinical trials reported success parameters for treatment outcomes, and four additional for recurrence prophylaxis. Five treatment studies were randomized clinical trials, three comparative and two noncomparative case series. Though several outcome parameters were reported, five of them defined time to healing, four visual gain and one lesion size as primary and secondary outcome parameters, recurrence rate as a secondary outcome parameter was reported once. No conclusive evidence was found for an antibiotic treatment effect. Four prophylaxis studies addressed the prevention of recurrences after treatment. The primary outcome in all studies was the effect of treatment and prophylaxis on recurrences, and all four found a significant effect on the risk of and time to recurrences. Conclusions: Antibiotic treatment of OT aims at controlling parasite proliferation. The absence of an effect on visual acuity and time to healing is thus not surprising. The fact that time to and number of recurrences respond to recurrence of prophylaxis proves the antibiotic effect on parasite activity.
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20
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Kochanowsky JA, Thomas KK, Koshy AA. ROP16-Mediated Activation of STAT6 Suppresses Host Cell Reactive Oxygen Species Production, Facilitating Type III Toxoplasma gondii Growth and Survival. mBio 2021; 12:e03305-20. [PMID: 33653884 PMCID: PMC8092286 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03305-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymorphic effector proteins determine the susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii strains to IFN-γ-mediated clearance mechanisms deployed by murine host cells. However, less is known about the influence of these polymorphic effector proteins on IFN-γ-independent clearance mechanisms. Here, we show that deletion of one such polymorphic effector protein, ROP16, from a type III background leads to a defect in parasite growth and survival in unstimulated human fibroblasts and murine macrophages. Rescue of these defects requires a ROP16 with a functional kinase domain and the ability to activate a specific family of host cell transcription factors (STAT3, 5a, and 6). The growth and survival defects correlate with an accumulation of host cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are prevented by treatment with an ROS inhibitor. Exogenous activation of STAT3 and 6 suppresses host cell ROS production during infection with ROP16-deficient parasites and depletion of STAT6, but not STAT3 or 5a, causes an accumulation of ROS in cells infected with wild-type parasites. Pharmacological inhibition of NOX2 and mitochondrially derived ROS also rescues growth and survival of ROP16-deficient parasites. Collectively, these findings reveal an IFN-γ-independent mechanism of parasite restriction in human cells that is subverted by injection of ROP16 by type III parasites.IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects up to one-third of the world's population. Control of the parasite is largely accomplished by IFN-γ-dependent mechanisms that stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Parasite suppression of IFN-γ-stimulated responses has been linked to proteins that the parasite secretes into its host cell. These secreted proteins vary by T. gondii strain and determine strain-specific lethality in mice. How these strain-specific polymorphic effector proteins affect IFN-γ-independent parasite control mechanisms in human and murine cells is not well known. This study shows that one such secreted protein, ROP16, enables efficient parasite growth and survival by suppressing IFN-γ-independent production of ROS by human and mouse cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anita A Koshy
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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21
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Brenier-Pinchart MP, Varlet-Marie E, Robert-Gangneux F, Filisetti D, Guitard J, Sterkers Y, Yera H, Pelloux H, Bastien P. Impact of pre-analytic step duration on molecular diagnosis of toxoplasmosis for five types of biological samples. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246802. [PMID: 33596222 PMCID: PMC7888589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Toxoplasma-PCR is essential to diagnose ocular, cerebral, disseminated and congenital toxoplasmosis. This multicenter study evaluated the impact of sample storage duration at +4°C on PCR assay performances in order to propose guidelines for the storage of samples during shipment or/and before PCR. Materials and methods Five matrices, amniotic (AF), cerebrospinal (CSF), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), whole blood (WB) and buffy coat (BC), were artificially spiked with different amounts of Toxoplasma gondii (20, 100, 500 tachyzoites per mL of sample) or with previously infected THP1 cells. DNA extractions were performed at day 0 and after 2, 4 and 7 days of storage at +4°C. Each extract was amplified at least twice by real-time PCR. Results A total of 252 spiked samples was studied. No increase of crossing point was observed and all samples were positive for AF, BALF, BC and infected THP1-spiked WB after up to 7 days at 4°C. For CSF spiked with 20 parasites/mL, only 50% of PCR reactions were positive at D7 (p<0.05). For WB spiked with type II parasites, all reactions remained positive at D7 but amplifications were significantly delayed from D2; and for WB spiked with RH strain, the proportion of positive reactions decreased at D7. Conclusion The storage of clinical samples at +4°C is compatible with the molecular detection of T. gondii parasites. Provided that PCR assays are performed in duplicate, storage of samples is possible up to 7 days. However, from the fifth day onwards, and for samples susceptible to contain low parasitic loads, we recommend to perform the PCR in multiplicate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes et Institut pour l’Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209-CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble, Grenoble, France
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Emmanuelle Varlet-Marie
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
- Université de Montpellier et Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Robert-Gangneux
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
- CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé Environnement Travail), UMR_S 1085, Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Denis Filisetti
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Strasbourg et Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Juliette Guitard
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
- Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
- CNRS, IRD, CHU de Montpellier, "MiVEGEC" et Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Yera
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Cochin, Université de Paris, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Hervé Pelloux
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes et Institut pour l’Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209-CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble, Grenoble, France
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose-Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
- CNRS, IRD, CHU de Montpellier, "MiVEGEC" et Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Frequency and visual outcomes of ocular toxoplasmosis in an adult Brazilian population. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3420. [PMID: 33564078 PMCID: PMC7873183 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83051-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although ocular toxoplasmosis is a leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide, there is scarce information about the real-life frequency of ocular lesions, visual outcomes, and risk factors for poor prognosis. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study with 721 adults living in Cássia dos Coqueiros, Southeast Brazil, consisted of visual acuity measurement, dilated ocular examination, a risk-factor questionnaire, and peripheral blood collection for anti-T. gondii serology. Presumed toxoplasmic lesions were recorded on video and analyzed by experienced and masked ophthalmologists. Ocular toxoplasmosis was determined if at least one suspected lesion was appointed by two graders in the presence of positive anti-T. gondii serology. Forty-eight eyes (n = 42 participants; 6.7% among those with positive anti-T. gondii serology) with ocular toxoplasmosis were found. Most lesions were single (n = 28; 58.3%), peripheral (n = 34; 77.1%) and unilateral (85.7% of participants); no active lesions were found. Older age was associated with lesions larger than one-disc diameter (p = 0.047), and lower social stratum (OR: 2.89; CI 1.2-6.97; p = 0.018) was associated with the presence of toxoplasmic lesions. Although there were no differences in visual acuity between participants and eyes with or without ocular lesions (p > 0.05), unilateral blindness associated with ocular toxoplasmosis was identified in a reduced number of individuals.
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Arruda S, Vieira BR, Garcia DM, Araújo M, Simões M, Moreto R, Rodrigues MW, Belfort R, Smith JR, Furtado JM. Clinical manifestations and visual outcomes associated with ocular toxoplasmosis in a Brazilian population. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3137. [PMID: 33542439 PMCID: PMC7862362 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82830-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. We conducted an observational study of 262 consecutive individuals (n = 344 eyes) with ocular toxoplasmosis who were followed over a 34-month period. Most subjects were T. gondii IgG + /IgM- (n = 242; 92.4%; 317 eyes), and 140 eyes (40.7%) had active lesions. For eyes in which retinal lesions were active at recruitment and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) could be measured (n = 133), 21.0% (n = 28) remained blind (BCVA below 20/400) after inflammation resolved. In these eyes, atypical ocular toxoplasmosis (OR 4.99; 95% CI 1.14–22.85; p = 0.0330), macular lesion (OR 9.95; 95% CI 2.45–47.15; p = 0.0019) and any complication (OR 10.26; 95% CI 3.82–30.67; p < 0.0001) were associated with BCVA below 20/200. For eyes with only inactive lesions at recruitment and BCVA measured (n = 178), 28.1% (n = 50) were blind. In these eyes, having at least one lesion larger than one disc-diameter (OR 6.30; 95% CI 2.28–22.46; p = 0.0013) and macular lesion (OR 5.69; 95% CI 2.53–13.54; p < 0.0001) were associated with BCVA below 20/200. Older age (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.05; p = 0.0493) and active disease at presentation (OR 4.74; 95% CI 1.95–12.91; p = 0.0011) were associated with recurrences. Additional clinical attention should be directed towards patients with risk factors for poor visual outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Arruda
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Barbara R Vieira
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Denny M Garcia
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Michelle Araújo
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Milena Simões
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Renata Moreto
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Murilo W Rodrigues
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Rubens Belfort
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Justine R Smith
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - João M Furtado
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.
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Manuel L, Santos-Gomes G, Noormahomed EV. Human toxoplasmosis in Mozambique: gaps in knowledge and research opportunities. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:571. [PMID: 33176884 PMCID: PMC7659051 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04441-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that afflicts humans worldwide and wild and domestic warm-blooded animals. In immunocompetent individuals, the acute phase of infection presents transient low or mild symptoms that remain unnoticed. In immunocompromised patients, T. gondii is a life-threatening opportunistic infection, which can result from the reactivation of latent infection or primary infection. Moreover, congenital toxoplasmosis, which results from the transplacental passage of tachyzoites into the fetus during a pregnant primary infection, can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or ocular and neurologic disease, and neurocognitive deficits in the newborns. Thus, the present review aims to address the current knowledge of T. gondii infection and toxoplasmosis in Africa and especially in Mozambique, stressing the importance of identifying risk factors and promote awareness among the health care providers and population, assessing the gaps in knowledge and define research priorities. In Mozambique, and in general in southern African countries, clinical disease and epidemiological data have not yet been entirely addressed in addition to the implications of T. gondii infection in immunocompetent individuals, in pregnant women, and its relation with neuropsychiatric disorders. The main gaps in knowledge in Mozambique include lack of awareness of the disease, lack of diagnostic methods in health facilities, lack of genetic data, and lack of control strategies.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Manuel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Lurio, Nampula, Mozambique
| | - Gabriela Santos-Gomes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Emilia V Noormahomed
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), Maputo, Mozambique. .,Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, University of California, San Diego, USA. .,Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research (MIHER), Maputo, Mozambique.
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Velasco-Velásquez S, Celis-Giraldo D, Botero Hincapié A, Alejandro Hincapie Erira D, Sofia Cordero López S, Marulanda Orozco N, Enrique Gómez-Marín J. Clinical, Socio-economic and Environmental Factors Related with Recurrences in Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Quindío, Colombia. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2020; 28:258-264. [PMID: 33115293 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2020.1839509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the sociodemographic, clinical, and environmental factors associated with recurrences in ocular toxoplasmosis (OT). METHODS Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients who consulted in the Health Centre at Universidad del Quindío between 2004 and 2017. Patients with retinochoroiditis due to Toxoplasma gondii infection and follow up >12 months were included. Comparisons were made with a recurrence index adjusted for months of follow up. For the statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed in Epi Info 7.2 and SPSS 14.0. A statistical significance is shown if p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS A total of 58 patients were included, with median age of 28 years (range 1-61) and 55.1% were women. The median of recurrences was 1.4 (range 0.6-16.6). High recurrence index was present in 43.1% of the patients. A higher size of lesions was observed in low socioeconomic groups (p = .016) and patients with congenital infection had more bilateral compromise (p = .002). Intake of boiled water was related to a lower recurrence index (p = .04). CONCLUSIONS Low socioeconomic level was associated with bigger lesions and congenital infection was related with higher frequency of bilateral OT. Finally, intake of boiled water is related to a lower recurrence index of OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefany Velasco-Velásquez
- Group of Studies on Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Daniel Celis-Giraldo
- Group of Studies on Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Andrea Botero Hincapié
- Group of Studies on Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Diego Alejandro Hincapie Erira
- Group of Studies on Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Sara Sofia Cordero López
- Group of Studies on Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Nathalia Marulanda Orozco
- Group of Studies on Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- Group of Studies on Molecular Parasitology (GEPAMOL), Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
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Nsiangani-Lusambo N, Reyes-Guanes J, Uribe-Reina P, Kaimbo Wa Kaimbo D, Mumba Ngoyi D, de-la-Torre A. Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Africa: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2020; 30:342-347. [PMID: 32976046 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1801761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To present a narrative review about ocular toxoplasmosis epidemiology, disease burden and prevalent African parasitic strains. METHODS An initial search for MeSH terms was conducted with a posterior advanced search in two electronic databases. Full text reading was performed. RESULTS Animal African studies have identified Toxoplasma gondii type II, type III, Africa 1, and Africa 3 strains. Seroprevalence varies from 6.4% to 74.5%. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of epidemiology and serotyping information about ocular toxoplasmosis. African studies have demonstrated that uveitis patients present high frequencies of ocular toxoplasmosis. There is a lack of studies describing specific clinical characteristics, which can be related, to environmental and socioeconomic factors, parasite serotype and genotype, and genetic susceptibility of the host. CONCLUSION As Toxoplasma gondii has more virulent strains in the Southern hemisphere, it is relevant to determine African strain types and the correlation between the infecting strains and the clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Nsiangani-Lusambo
- Eye Department, University Clinic, Medical School, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Juliana Reyes-Guanes
- Escuela Superior de Oftalmología del Instituto Barraquer de América, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia (Neuros), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Pilar Uribe-Reina
- Escuela Superior de Oftalmología del Instituto Barraquer de América, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia (Neuros), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Dieudonné Kaimbo Wa Kaimbo
- Eye Department, University Clinic, Medical School, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Dieudonné Mumba Ngoyi
- Parasitology Department, University Clinic, Medical School, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia (Neuros), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Smith JR, Ashander LM, Arruda SL, Cordeiro CA, Lie S, Rochet E, Belfort R, Furtado JM. Pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 81:100882. [PMID: 32717377 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis is a retinitis -almost always accompanied by vitritis and choroiditis- caused by intraocular infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Depending on retinal location, this condition may cause substantial vision impairment. T. gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, with both sexual and asexual life cycles, and infection is typically contracted orally by consuming encysted bradyzoites in undercooked meat, or oocysts on unwashed garden produce or in contaminated water. Presently available anti-parasitic drugs cannot eliminate T. gondii from the body. In vitro studies using T. gondii tachyzoites, and human retinal cells and tissue have provided important insights into the pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis. T. gondii may cross the vascular endothelium to access human retina by at least three routes: in leukocyte taxis; as a transmigrating tachyzoite; and after infecting endothelial cells. The parasite is capable of navigating the human neuroretina, gaining access to a range of cell populations. Retinal Müller glial cells are preferred initial host cells. T. gondii infection of the retinal pigment epithelial cells alters the secretion of growth factors and induces proliferation of adjacent uninfected epithelial cells. This increases susceptibility of the cells to parasite infection, and may be the basis of the characteristic hyperpigmented toxoplasmic retinal lesion. Infected epithelial cells also generate a vigorous immunologic response, and influence the activity of leukocytes that infiltrate the retina. A range of T. gondii genotypes are associated with human ocular toxoplasmosis, and individual immunogenetics -including polymorphisms in genes encoding innate immune receptors, human leukocyte antigens and cytokines- impacts the clinical manifestations. Research into basic pathogenic mechanisms of ocular toxoplasmosis highlights the importance of prevention and suggests new biological drug targets for established disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine R Smith
- Eye & Vision Health and Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, Australia; Formerly of Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, USA.
| | - Liam M Ashander
- Eye & Vision Health and Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, Australia; Formerly of Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, USA
| | - Sigrid L Arruda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Cynthia A Cordeiro
- Cordeiro et Costa Ophtalmologie, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil; Formerly of Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Minas Gerais School of Medicine, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Shervi Lie
- Eye & Vision Health and Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Elise Rochet
- Eye & Vision Health and Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Rubens Belfort
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João M Furtado
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Formerly of Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, USA
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Murata FHA, Previato M, Frederico FB, Barbosa AP, Nakashima F, de Faria GM, Silveira Carvalho AP, Meira Strejevitch CDS, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Castiglioni L, de Mattos LC, Siqueira RC, Brandão de Mattos CC. Evaluation of Serological and Molecular Tests Used for the Identification of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients Treated in an Ophthalmology Clinic of a Public Health Service in São Paulo State, Brazil. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 9:472. [PMID: 32117820 PMCID: PMC7019025 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis is one of the most common complications caused by the infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The risk of developing eye lesions and impaired vision is considered higher in Brazil than other countries. The clinical diagnosis is difficult and the use of sensitive and specific laboratorial methods can aid to the correct diagnosis of this infection. We compared serological methods ELISA and ELFA, and molecular cPCR, Nested PCR and qPCR for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in groups of patients clinically evaluated with ocular diseases non-toxoplasma related (G1 = 185) and with lesions caused by toxoplasmosis (G2 = 164) in an Ophthalmology clinic in Brazil. Results were compared by the Kappa index, and sensitivity (S), specificity (E), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative (NPV) were calculated. Serologic methods were in agreement with ELISA more sensitive and ELFA more specific to characterize the acute and chronic infections while molecular methods were discrepant where qPCR presented higher sensitivity, however, lower specificity when compared to cPCR and Nested PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil.,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Mariana Previato
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil.,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Fábio Batista Frederico
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil.,Ambulatório de Oftalmologia Do Hospital de Base, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Amanda Pires Barbosa
- Ambulatório de Oftalmologia Do Hospital de Base, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Nakashima
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Magela de Faria
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil.,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | - Vera Lucia Pereira-Chioccola
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Fungos Do Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lilian Castiglioni
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil.,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Rubens Camargo Siqueira
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil.,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão de Mattos
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José Do Rio Preto, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil.,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Tuladhar S, Kochanowsky JA, Bhaskara A, Ghotmi Y, Chandrasekaran S, Koshy AA. The ROP16III-dependent early immune response determines the subacute CNS immune response and type III Toxoplasma gondii survival. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007856. [PMID: 31648279 PMCID: PMC6812932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that persistently infects the CNS and that has genetically distinct strains which provoke different acute immune responses. How differences in the acute immune response affect the CNS immune response is unknown. To address this question, we used two persistent Toxoplasma strains (type II and type III) and examined the CNS immune response at 21 days post infection (dpi). Contrary to acute infection studies, type III-infected mice had higher numbers of total CNS T cells and macrophages/microglia but fewer alternatively activated macrophages (M2s) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) than type II-infected mice. By profiling splenocytes at 5, 10, and 21 dpi, we determined that at 5 dpi type III-infected mice had more M2s while type II-infected mice had more pro-inflammatory macrophages and that these responses flipped over time. To test how these early differences influence the CNS immune response, we engineered the type III strain to lack ROP16 (IIIΔrop16), the polymorphic effector protein that drives the early type III-associated M2 response. IIIΔrop16-infected mice showed a type II-like neuroinflammatory response with fewer infiltrating T cells and macrophages/microglia and more M2s and an unexpectedly low CNS parasite burden. At 5 dpi, IIIΔrop16-infected mice showed a mixed inflammatory response with more pro-inflammatory macrophages, M2s, T effector cells, and Tregs, and decreased rates of infection of peritoneal exudative cells (PECs). These data suggested that type III parasites need the early ROP16-associated M2 response to avoid clearance, possibly by the Immunity-Related GTPases (IRGs), which are IFN-γ- dependent proteins essential for murine defenses against Toxoplasma. To test this possibility, we infected IRG-deficient mice and found that IIIΔrop16 parasites now maintained parental levels of PECs infection. Collectively, these studies suggest that, for the type III strain, rop16III plays a key role in parasite persistence and influences the subacute CNS immune response. Toxoplasma is a ubiquitous intracellular parasite that establishes an asymptomatic brain infection in immunocompetent individuals. However, in the immunocompromised and the developing fetus, Toxoplasma can cause problems ranging from fever to chorioretinitis to severe toxoplasmic encephalitis. Emerging evidence suggests that the genotype of the infecting Toxoplasma strain may influence these outcomes, possibly through the secretion of Toxoplasma strain-specific polymorphic effector proteins that trigger different host cell signaling pathways. While such strain-specific modulation of host cell signaling has been shown to affect acute immune responses, it is unclear how these differences influence the subacute or chronic responses in the CNS, the major organ affected in symptomatic disease. This study shows that genetically distinct strains of Toxoplasma provoke strain-specific CNS immune responses and that, for one strain (type III), acute and subacute immune responses and parasite survival are heavily influenced by a polymorphic parasite gene (rop16III).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shraddha Tuladhar
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Joshua A. Kochanowsky
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Apoorva Bhaskara
- Bio5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Yarah Ghotmi
- Bio5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP), University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | | | - Anita A. Koshy
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Bio5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Molecular Basis of The Retinal Pigment Epithelial Changes That Characterize The Ocular Lesion in Toxoplasmosis. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7100405. [PMID: 31569536 PMCID: PMC6843916 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7100405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
When a person becomes infected with Toxoplasma gondii, ocular toxoplasmosis is the most common clinical presentation. The medical literature describes retinitis with surrounding hyperpigmentation secondary to proliferative changes in the retinal pigment epithelium, which is sufficiently characteristic that investigation often is not needed to make the diagnosis. We aimed to establish the frequency of “typical” ocular toxoplasmosis and delineate its molecular basis. Among 263 patients presenting consecutively with ocular toxoplasmosis to Ribeirão Preto General Hospital in Brazil, where T. gondii infection is endemic, 94.2% of 345 eyes had retinal hyperpigmentation. In ARPE-19 and primary human retinal pigment epithelial cell monolayers exposed to minimal numbers of T. gondii tachyzoites, the proliferation marker–KI-67–was increased in uninfected cells, which also were rendered more susceptible to infection. RT-qPCR and ELISA detected increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)1, and decreased expression of thrombospondin (TSP)1 by infected cells. Blockade of VEGF and IGF1—or supplementation of TSP1—reversed the proliferation phenotype in uninfected cells. Our findings confirm that hyperpigmentation is a characteristic feature of retinitis in ocular toxoplasmosis, and demonstrate that T. gondii-infected human retinal pigment epithelial cells secrete VEGF and IGF1, and reduce production of TSP1, to promote proliferation of adjacent uninfected cells and create this disease-specific appearance.
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Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), a parasitic infection of the eye, is considered to be the most important infectious cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. Its prevalence is particularly high in South America, where aggressive Toxoplasma gondii strains are responsible for more-severe presentations. The particular pathophysiology of this infection leads, from recurrence to recurrence, to potentially severe vision impairment. The diagnosis of this infection is usually exclusively based on the clinical examination. However, the symptoms may be misleading and are not always sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of OT. In such cases, biological tests performed by means of several techniques on blood and ocular samples may facilitate the diagnosis. In this study, we analyzed the tests that were performed in our laboratory over a 9-year period every time OT was suspected. Our report highlights that the quality of ocular sampling by ophthalmologists and combinations of several techniques are critical for a reliable biological OT diagnosis. Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), i.e., the ocular manifestation of Toxoplasma gondii infection, is one of the leading causes of posterior uveitis. While ocular lesions are often typical, atypical forms often require biological confirmation of the diagnosis. Our study sought to review the biological OT diagnoses made in our laboratory to further assess the role of each test in the diagnostic procedure. All ocular samples sent to our laboratory over the last 9 years for OT diagnosis were included. These samples were analyzed using T. gondii PCR and antibody detection by means of immunoblotting and Candolfi coefficient (CC) determinations, either alone or in combination. Since serum analysis is required to interpret both the CC and immunoblotting, blood serology for T. gondii was also performed in most cases. Of the 249 samples analyzed, 80 (32.1%; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 26.3 to 37.9) were positive for OT. Of these 80 cases, 52/80 (65.0%; 54.6 to 74.5) displayed a positive PCR, 15/80 (18.8%; 10.2 to 27.3) a positive CC, and 33/80 (41.3%; 95%CI, 30.5 to 52.0) a positive immunoblot result. Overall, 63 of the 80 OT diagnoses (78.8%; 95%CI, 69.8 to 87.7) were made on the basis of a single positive test result. Our study results remind us that current biological diagnostic tools for OT must be employed in combination to obtain an optimal diagnosis based on the precious ocular fluids sampled by ophthalmologists. Clinicobiological studies that are focused on correlating the performances of the different tests with clinical features are critically needed to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and diagnosis of OT. IMPORTANCE Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), a parasitic infection of the eye, is considered to be the most important infectious cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. Its prevalence is particularly high in South America, where aggressive Toxoplasma gondii strains are responsible for more-severe presentations. The particular pathophysiology of this infection leads, from recurrence to recurrence, to potentially severe vision impairment. The diagnosis of this infection is usually exclusively based on the clinical examination. However, the symptoms may be misleading and are not always sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of OT. In such cases, biological tests performed by means of several techniques on blood and ocular samples may facilitate the diagnosis. In this study, we analyzed the tests that were performed in our laboratory over a 9-year period every time OT was suspected. Our report highlights that the quality of ocular sampling by ophthalmologists and combinations of several techniques are critical for a reliable biological OT diagnosis.
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Rochet E, Appukuttan B, Ma Y, Ashander LM, Smith JR. Expression of Long Non-Coding RNAs by Human Retinal Müller Glial Cells Infected with Clonal and Exotic Virulent Toxoplasma gondii. Noncoding RNA 2019; 5:ncrna5040048. [PMID: 31547203 PMCID: PMC6958423 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna5040048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal infection with Toxoplasma gondii-ocular toxoplasmosis-is a common cause of vision impairment worldwide. Pathology combines parasite-induced retinal cell death and reactive intraocular inflammation. Müller glial cells, which represent the supporting cell population of the retina, are relatively susceptible to infection with T. gondii. We investigated expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with immunologic regulatory activity in Müller cells infected with virulent T. gondii strains-GT1 (haplogroup 1, type I) and GPHT (haplogroup 6). We first confirmed expression of 33 lncRNA in primary cell isolates. MIO-M1 human retinal Müller cell monolayers were infected with T. gondii tachyzoites (multiplicity of infection = 5) and harvested at 4, 12, 24, and 36 h post-infection, with infection being tracked by the expression of parasite surface antigen 1 (SAG1). Significant fold-changes were observed for 31 lncRNAs at one or more time intervals. Similar changes between strains were measured for BANCR, CYTOR, FOXD3-AS1, GAS5, GSTT1-AS1, LINC-ROR, LUCAT1, MALAT1, MIR22HG, MIR143HG, PVT1, RMRP, SNHG15, and SOCS2-AS1. Changes differing between strains were measured for APTR, FIRRE, HOTAIR, HOXD-AS1, KCNQ1OT1, LINC00968, LINC01105, lnc-SGK1, MEG3, MHRT, MIAT, MIR17HG, MIR155HG, NEAT1, NeST, NRON, and PACER. Our findings suggest roles for lncRNAs in regulating retinal Müller cell immune responses to T. gondii, and encourage future studies on lncRNA as biomarkers and/or drug targets in ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Rochet
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Binoy Appukuttan
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Yuefang Ma
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Liam M Ashander
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Justine R Smith
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
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Blot J, Aptel F, Chumpitazi BFF, Gain P, Vasseneix C, Savy O, Bouillet L, Pelloux H, Chiquet C. Monitoring of visual field over 6 months after active ocular toxoplasmosis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019; 257:1481-1488. [DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04313-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Greigert V, Di Foggia E, Filisetti D, Villard O, Pfaff AW, Sauer A, Candolfi E. When biology supports clinical diagnosis: review of techniques to diagnose ocular toxoplasmosis. Br J Ophthalmol 2019; 103:1008-1012. [DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-313884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a common infection whose worldwide prevalence is estimated at 30%, with large disparities across the world. Among infected subjects, the prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is, however, limited to about 2% in Europe and 17% in South America. In France, it is estimated that about 1 000 000 patients present either active OT or subsequent chorioretinal scars. Toxoplasmagondii is the first cause of posterior uveitis worldwide, responsible for retinochoroiditis, at times associated with anterior uveitis. To date, there is no consensus yet on how to diagnose OT, which is often based only on clinical presentation. Nevertheless, OT-associated symptoms are often atypical and misleading. Over the last 20 years, tremendous progress has been made in biological tools, enabling parasitologists to confirm the diagnosis in most suspected cases of OT. Using anterior chamber puncture, a safe and fast procedure, ophthalmologists sample aqueous humour for analysis using multiple techniques in order to reach high specificity and sensitivity in OT diagnosis. In this article, we present the different techniques available for the biological diagnosis of OT, along with their characteristics, and propose a diagnostic algorithm designed to select the best of these techniques if clinical examination is not sufficient to ascertain the diagnosis.
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Lie S, Rochet E, Segerdell E, Ma Y, Ashander LM, Shadforth AMA, Blenkinsop TA, Michael MZ, Appukuttan B, Wilmot B, Smith JR. Immunological Molecular Responses of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells to Infection With Toxoplasma gondii. Front Immunol 2019; 10:708. [PMID: 31118929 PMCID: PMC6506780 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis is the commonest clinical manifestation of infection with obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Active ocular toxoplasmosis is characterized by replication of T. gondii tachyzoites in the retina, with reactive inflammation. The multifunctional retinal pigment epithelium is a key target cell population for T. gondii. Since the global gene expression profile is germane to understanding molecular involvements of retinal pigment epithelial cells in ocular toxoplasmosis, we performed RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) of human cells following infection with T. gondii tachyzoites. Primary cell isolates from eyes of cadaveric donors (n = 3), and the ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, were infected for 24 h with GT-1 strain T. gondii tachyzoites (multiplicity of infection = 5) or incubated uninfected as control. Total and small RNA were extracted from cells and sequenced on the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform; results were aligned to the human hg19 reference sequence. Multidimensional scaling showed good separation between transcriptomes of infected and uninfected primary cell isolates, which were compared in edgeR software. This differential expression analysis revealed a sizeable response in the total RNA transcriptome-with significantly differentially expressed genes totaling 7,234 (28.9% of assigned transcripts)-but very limited changes in the small RNA transcriptome-totaling 30 (0.35% of assigned transcripts) and including 8 microRNA. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses of differentially expressed total RNA in CAMERA software, identified a strong immunologic transcriptomic signature. We conducted RT-qPCR for 26 immune response-related protein-coding and long non-coding transcripts in epithelial cell isolates from different cadaveric donors (n = 3), extracted by a different isolation protocol but similarly infected with T. gondii, to confirm immunological activity of infected cells. For microRNA, increases in miR-146b and miR-212 were detected by RT-qPCR in 2 and 3 of these independent cell isolates. Biological network analysis in the InnateDB platform, including 735 annotated differentially expressed genes plus 2,046 first-order interactors, identified 10 contextural hubs and 5 subnetworks in the transcriptomic immune response of cells to T. gondii. Our observations provide a solid base for future studies of molecular and cellular interactions between T. gondii and the human retinal pigment epithelium to illuminate mechanisms of ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervi Lie
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Elise Rochet
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Erik Segerdell
- Department of Biostatistics, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Yuefang Ma
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Liam M. Ashander
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Audra M. A. Shadforth
- Queensland Eye Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Timothy A. Blenkinsop
- Departments of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, and Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael Z. Michael
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Binoy Appukuttan
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Beth Wilmot
- Department of Biostatistics, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Justine R. Smith
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Evaluation of 4-Amino 2-Anilinoquinazolines against Plasmodium and Other Apicomplexan Parasites In Vitro and in a P. falciparum Humanized NOD- scid IL2Rγ null Mouse Model of Malaria. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01804-18. [PMID: 30559138 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01804-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of 4-amino 2-anilinoquinazolines optimized for activity against the most lethal malaria parasite of humans, Plasmodium falciparum, was evaluated for activity against other human Plasmodium parasites and related apicomplexans that infect humans and animals. Four of the most promising compounds from the 4-amino 2-anilinoquinazoline series were equally as effective against the asexual blood stages of the zoonotic P. knowlesi, suggesting that they could also be effective against the closely related P. vivax, another important human pathogen. The 2-anilinoquinazoline compounds were also potent against an array of P. falciparum parasites resistant to clinically available antimalarial compounds, although slightly less so than against the drug-sensitive 3D7 parasite line. The apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii, Babesia bovis, and Cryptosporidium parvum were less sensitive to the 2-anilinoquinazoline series with a 50% effective concentration generally in the low micromolar range, suggesting that the yet to be discovered target of these compounds is absent or highly divergent in non-Plasmodium parasites. The 2-anilinoquinazoline compounds act as rapidly as chloroquine in vitro and when tested in rodents displayed a half-life that contributed to the compound's capacity to clear P. falciparum blood stages in a humanized mouse model. At a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight, adverse effects to the humanized mice were noted, and evaluation against a panel of experimental high-risk off targets indicated some potential off-target activity. Further optimization of the 2-anilinoquinazoline antimalarial class will concentrate on improving in vivo efficacy and addressing adverse risk.
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Santos ALC, Terças Trettel ACP, Ribeiro LDJBB, Vasconcellos ML, Zenazokenae LE, Atanaka Santos M, Lemos ERSD, Amendoeira MRR. Serological study on toxoplasmosis in the Haliti-Paresí community of the Utiariti indigenous territory, Campo Novo do Parecis, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2019; 5:e00097. [PMID: 30886914 PMCID: PMC6402422 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2019.e00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, a widespread zoonosis that affects several homeothermic animals, including humans. This disease causes serious health problems, such that 10% of infected individuals develop clinical manifestations. Some studies on indigenous human populations have indicated variations in seroprevalence from 10.6% to 80.4% in such populations in different regions of Brazil and in other countries like Venezuela and Malaysia. To date, there have been no studies regarding the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in Haliti-Paresí Indians living in Campo Novo do Parecis, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Our objective here was to determine the frequency of occurrence of antibodies against this protozoon in nine Haliti-Paresí villages by correlating seroprevalence with locations and variables. Serodiagnoses were made using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases of IOC/Fiocruz. It was considered that samples tested positive for T. gondii infection if IgG/IgM antibodies against this protozoon were detected through serodiagnosis using either IFAT or ELISA. Among the 293 samples analyzed, 66.9% presented anti-T. gondii IgG and 3.4% presented anti-T. gondii IgM. It was observed that there were no statistically significant differences in frequency of antibody occurrence among infected individuals, based on sex, schooling or occupation/activities. However, there were statistical differences based on age and villages. The prevalence observed in this study is in agreement with values found in other studies on indigenous populations in Latin America. Like among other such populations, the Haliti-Paresí villages are located close to forests and the individuals have domestic cats as pets, are involved in hunting and farming and consume water directly from water accumulation sources. These factors might cause exposure to T. gondii tissue cysts and oocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Letícia Carvalho Santos
- Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcelo Leitão Vasconcellos
- Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Elba Regina Sampaio de Lemos
- Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira
- Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Ahmad SS. Water related ocular diseases. Saudi J Ophthalmol 2018; 32:227-233. [PMID: 30224888 PMCID: PMC6137694 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjopt.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of ocular diseases can be attributed to contaminated water and we have coined a term "Water-related ocular diseases (WRODs)" to denote this wide-spectrum of conditions. WRODs are directly related to human contact with water and can occur through toxic, allergic, inflammatory or infective mechanisms. The non-infective causes can include chemicals used to clean swimming pools, oil spills and water-sport related injuries. Similarly, a number of infective organisms causing ocular diseases are transmitted through water. Since, these conditions can occasionally prove devastating, a review was done with the following aims: (i) To study the epidemiology of WRODs (ii) To assess the clinical presentation and current management of WRODs (iii) To highlight the future challenges and possible solutions to these problems. The online search was conducted utilizing search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ClinicalKey and the Virtual Library of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia for relevant terms such as water-borne, swimming pool and eye infections.
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Zhuo XH, Sun HC, Huang B, Yu HJ, Shan Y, Du AF. Evaluation of potential anti-toxoplasmosis efficiency of combined traditional herbs in a mouse model. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2018; 18:453-461. [PMID: 28585421 PMCID: PMC5482040 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1600316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide spread protozoan and is able to infect almost all warm-blood animals. No effective drugs are available clinically on toxoplasmosis. Chinese traditional herbal medicines have provided remedies for many health problems. There exists a possibility that Chinese herbs may provide protection against T. gondii. This work aims to assess the protective efficacy of combined Chinese herbs against T. gondii. We screened five herbal medicines that have different pharmacological effects and combined them into a prescription according to the traditional Chinese medicine compatibility principle. The drug potential and protective efficacy were evaluated through a mouse model by determining the survival time, the parasite load in blood and tissues, the change of cell proportions in blood and histological detection. The results showed that the survival time of mice in the 500 mg Chinese herbs group and sulfadiazine group was significantly longer than that of the PBS control group. Also the parasite load in blood and tissues of 500 mg Chinese herbs and sulfadiazine groups was significantly lower than that of PBS group at 7 days post infection (dpi), which was in accordance with the result of histological detection. Monocyte and neutrophil of infected mice were remarkably increased while lymphocyte was dramatically decreased compared to that of blank group at 7 dpi. The results demonstrated that the 500 mg dosage of our Chinese herbs could slow down the replication of T. gondii and prolong the survival time of mice and could be considered as possible candidate drug against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun-Hui Zhuo
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Department of Immunity and Biochemistry, Institute of Parasitic Disease, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Hong-Chao Sun
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bin Huang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hai-Jie Yu
- Jiaxing Vocational & Technical College, Jiaxing 314000, China
| | - Ying Shan
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ai-Fang Du
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Genetic Polymorphisms in Cytokine Genes in Colombian Patients with Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00597-17. [PMID: 29426041 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00597-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which has the capacity to infect all warm-blooded animals worldwide. Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of visual defects in the Colombian population; however, the association between genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes and susceptibility to ocular toxoplasmosis has not been studied in this population. This work evaluates the associations between polymorphisms in genes coding for the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (rs1799964, rs1800629, rs1799724, rs1800630, and rs361525), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (rs16944, rs1143634, and rs1143627), IL-1α (rs1800587), gamma interferon (IFN-γ) (rs2430561), and IL-10 (rs1800896 and rs1800871) and the presence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in a sample of a Colombian population (61 patients with OT and 116 healthy controls). Genotyping was performed with the "dideoxynucleotide (ddNTP) primer extension" technique. Functional-effect predictions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were done by using FuncPred. A polymorphism in the IL-10 gene promoter (-1082G/A) was significantly more prevalent in OT patients than in controls (P = 1.93e-08; odds ratio [OR] = 5.27e+03; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.18 to 8.739; Bonferroni correction [BONF] = 3.48e-07). In contrast, haplotype "AG" of the IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms (rs1800896 and rs1800871) was present at a lower frequency in OT patients (P = 7e-04; OR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.35). The +874A/T polymorphism of IFN-γ was associated with OT (P = 3.37e-05; OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 2.478 to 7.12; BONF = 6.07e-04). Haplotype "GAG" of the IL-1β gene promoter polymorphisms (rs1143634, rs1143627, and rs16944) appeared to be significantly associated with OT (P = 0.0494). The IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-1β polymorphisms influence the development of OT in the Colombian population.
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Hou JH, Patel SS, Farooq AV, Qadir AA, Tessler HH, Goldstein DA. Decline in Ocular Toxoplasmosis over 40 Years at a Tertiary Referral Practice in the United States. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2016; 26:577-583. [PMID: 27892751 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2016.1246665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify whether there has been a decline in ocular toxoplasmosis at a tertiary uveitis practice. METHODS Retrospective review of new patients at the University of Illinois Uveitis Service from 1973 to 2012. RESULTS There were 6820 patients with adequate records for inclusion; 323 (4.7%) were diagnosed with ocular toxoplasmosis. There was a 78.0% decline in prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis from 2008 to 2012 compared with 1973 to 1977. Compared with the aggregate uveitis population, toxoplasmosis patients were more likely to be Hispanic (p<0.0001) and less likely to be African American (p<0.0001). Ocular toxoplasmosis in Hispanics commonly occurred in foreign-born patients (85.3%). CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis at our clinic declined, with Hispanics accounting for an increasing proportion of cases. These trends are consistent with the decreasing toxoplasmosis seropositivity in the United States, but may also reflect decreased referrals due to improved management of ocular toxoplasmosis in primary clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua H Hou
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary , Chicago , Illinois, USA
| | - Sarju S Patel
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary , Chicago , Illinois, USA.,b Department of Ophthalmology , Weill Cornell Medical College, New York , New York, USA
| | - Asim V Farooq
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary , Chicago , Illinois, USA
| | - Asad A Qadir
- c Department of Pediatrics , Pritzer School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Howard H Tessler
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary , Chicago , Illinois, USA
| | - Debra A Goldstein
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary , Chicago , Illinois, USA.,d Department of Ophthalmology , Feinberg School of Medicine - Northwestern Memorial Hospital , Chicago , Illinois , USA
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Zhuo X, Sun H, Wang S, Guo X, Ding H, Yang Y, Shan Y, Du A. Ginseng Stem-and-Leaf Saponin (GSLS)-Enhanced Protective Immune Responses Induced by Toxoplasma gondii Heat Shocked Protein 70 (HSP70) Against Toxoplasmosis in Mice. J Parasitol 2016; 103:111-117. [PMID: 27828760 DOI: 10.1645/16-54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite and is able to infect birds and mammals including humans. In order to find effective antigen-adjuvant combinations that can boost the immunogenicity and protection of antigen vaccines against toxoplasmosis, we examined the protective efficacy in mice immunized with recombinant protein HSP70 when co-administered with ginseng stem-and-leaf saponins (GSLS) isolated from Panax ginseng . All immunized mice produced significantly high levels of specific antibodies against rTgHSP70, and splenocytes from mice presented strong proliferative immune responses. Vaccinated mice displayed a significantly increased percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, indicating a strong immune response was triggered. The cellular and humoral immune responses were enhanced, which could be reflected of the increased mRNA levels of IFN-γ and IL-4, respectively. Immunization with rTgHSP70 and GSLS prolonged survival time of the treated mice compared to the controls, which died within 6 days after challenge with the virulent T. gondii RH strain. Our data demonstrate that by addition with GSLS, rTgHSP70 induced a strong immune response and provided partial protection against T. gondii ; therefore GSLS could be used as a promising vaccine adjuvant against acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunhui Zhuo
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongchao Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Suhua Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaolu Guo
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ying Shan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Aifang Du
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Ozgonul C, Besirli CG. Recent Developments in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Ophthalmic Res 2016; 57:1-12. [PMID: 27723657 DOI: 10.1159/000449169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis, a chorioretinal infection with Toxoplasma gondii, is the most common etiology of posterior uveitis in many countries. Accurate diagnosis depends heavily on the characteristic clinical features of this disease, but atypical presentations, especially in immunocompromised patients, may create diagnostic challenges and lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Molecular biology techniques to diagnose ocular toxoplasmosis have been available for many years and are now accessible as standard laboratory tests in many countries. Aqueous humor or vitreous evaluation to detect parasite DNA by polymerase chain reaction or specific antibody may provide definitive evidence for rapid diagnosis. Oral pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine plus systemic corticosteroids are an effective therapy for ocular toxoplasmosis. Recent data supports the use of other treatment approaches, including intravitreal antibiotics. The aim of the present review is to discuss briefly the new diagnostic tools and treatment options for ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cem Ozgonul
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA
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Zare-Bidaki M, Assar S, Hakimi H, Abdollahi SH, Nosratabadi R, Kennedy D, Arababadi MK. TGF-β in Toxoplasmosis: Friend or foe? Cytokine 2016; 86:29-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Morais FB, Arantes TEFE, Muccioli C. Current Practices in Ocular Toxoplasmosis: A Survey of Brazilian Uveitis Specialists. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2016; 26:317-323. [PMID: 27598330 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2016.1215471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe treatment practices for ocular toxoplasmosis among members of the Brazilian Uveitis Society. METHODS An online questionnaire sent to specialists, between October 2014 and March 2015. RESULTS Most respondents (67.9%) treat all active cases. Most specialists consider visual acuity <20/200 (88.2%), severe vitreous inflammation (94.1%), and ocular disease during acquired infection (88.2%) as absolute indications for treatment. Systemic steroids are associated with anti-toxoplasmic therapy in most cases by 50.9% of the respondents. For immunocompetent individuals, 57.4% of the respondents chose trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Classical therapy (sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine) is preferred most for patients with central lesions (70.4%), immunosuppression (68.4%), acquired infection (70.4%), and atypical forms (74.1%). For patients with frequent relapses, 84.9% of the respondents preferred antibiotic prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS Treatment patterns of ocular toxoplasmosis are not uniform among Brazilian specialists. Most specialists treat all cases of active retinochoroiditis. Typical cases are more frequently treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. However, classical therapy is the regimen of choice when lesions are considered more severe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Barreto Morais
- a Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP , Department of Ophthalmology , São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | | | - Cristina Muccioli
- a Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP , Department of Ophthalmology , São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
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Cunningham ET, Belfort R, Muccioli C, Arevalo JF, Zierhut M. Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2016; 23:191-3. [PMID: 26066570 DOI: 10.3109/09273948.2015.1051360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emmett T Cunningham
- Department of Ophthalmology, California Pacific Medical Center , San Francisco, California , USA
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Gonzalez Fernandez D, Nascimento H, Nascimento C, Muccioli C, Belfort R. Uveitis in São Paulo, Brazil: 1053 New Patients in 15 Months. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2016; 25:382-387. [DOI: 10.3109/09273948.2015.1132741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Delia Gonzalez Fernandez
- Department of Ophthalmology, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Nascimento
- Department of Ophthalmology, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caio Nascimento
- Department of Ophthalmology, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina Muccioli
- Department of Ophthalmology, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rubens Belfort
- Department of Ophthalmology, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Iqbal J, Al-Awadhi MA, Raghupathy RG. TGF-β1 levels and intraocular tissue alterations in mice infected with a virulent type I RH Toxoplasma gondii strain. Exp Parasitol 2016; 162:57-63. [PMID: 26773166 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is generally self-limiting in healthy adults but it may cause toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in cases of congenital infection leading to blindness. The importance of host genetics in determining disease severity in ocular toxoplasmosis has been shown in different inbred mouse strains using low-virulence toxoplasma strain. In this study, we studied intraocular immune response and tissue alterations in the genetically resistant BALB/c and susceptible MF1 mice infected with a virulent type I RH Toxoplasma gondii strain by intravitreal route. We observed a significant up-regulation of IFN-γ and TNF-α to >2200 pg/ml and >300 pg/ml respectively in the blood of both BALB/c and MF1mice during the early stages of post intraocular infection (p < 0.01) but the levels dropped sharply to normal during the late stages of the infection on day 26. The cytokine levels detected were higher in the MF1 mice compared with the BALB/c mice and a relatively higher levels were observed in the aqueous humour (AqH) than in the blood of both group of mice. The TGF-β1 level in the blood and AqH of BALB/c mice remained low throughout the infection period compared with MF1 mice which showed gradual increase to 50 pg/ml in the blood and AqH during the early stages of infection which then further increased 2-fold-132 pg/ml on day 11 (p < 0.01) and remained high till the last day of observation on day 26 except that the TGF-β1 level in AqH dropped sharply to normal level. In summary, our results support that TGF-β1 may down-regulate the effector functions of anti-Toxoplasma cellular immunity during acute toxoplasmosis. We document that a mild Th1 pro-inflammatory response in the BALB/c mice with high IFN-γ and TNF-α and, low TGF-β1 levels during the early stages of infection may have contributed to an effective cellular immune response leading to lower morbidity, mortality and less ocular tissue damage. However in the MF1 mice, a significantly high TGF-β1 level in the blood as well as in the AqH during the acute intra-ocular toxoplasma infection may have adversely interfered with an effective cellular immune response leading to an increased mortality and extensive ocular tissue damage with parasite tachyzoites observed in the pigment epithelium layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshaid Iqbal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box: 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait.
| | - Mohammad Ahmed Al-Awadhi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box: 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait
| | - Raj Gopal Raghupathy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box: 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait
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Ayo CM, Camargo AVDS, Frederico FB, Siqueira RC, Previato M, Murata FHA, Silveira-Carvalho AP, Barbosa AP, Brandão de Mattos CDC, de Mattos LC. MHC Class I Chain-Related Gene A Polymorphisms and Linkage Disequilibrium with HLA-B and HLA-C Alleles in Ocular Toxoplasmosis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144534. [PMID: 26672749 PMCID: PMC4682939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether polymorphisms of the MICA (major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A) gene are associated with eye lesions due to Toxoplasma gondii infection in a group of immunocompetent patients from southeastern Brazil. The study enrolled 297 patients with serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Participants were classified into two distinct groups after conducting fundoscopic exams according to the presence (n = 148) or absence (n = 149) of ocular scars/lesions due to toxoplasmosis. The group of patients with scars/lesions was further subdivided into two groups according to the type of the ocular manifestation observed: primary (n = 120) or recurrent (n = 28). Genotyping of the MICA and HLA alleles was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide technique (PCR-SSO; One Lambda®) and the MICA-129 polymorphism (rs1051792) was identified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP). Significant associations involving MICA polymorphisms were not found. Although the MICA*002~HLA-B*35 haplotype was associated with increased risk of developing ocular toxoplasmosis (P-value = 0.04; OR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.05–4.60), and the MICA*008~HLA-C*07 haplotype was associated with protection against the development of manifestations of ocular toxoplasmosis (P-value = 0.009; OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.22–0.76), these associations were not statistically significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. MICA polymorphisms do not appear to influence the development of ocular lesions in patients diagnosed with toxoplasmosis in this study population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Maria Ayo
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Vitória da Silveira Camargo
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio Batista Frederico
- Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rubens Camargo Siqueira
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Previato
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Pires Barbosa
- Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cinara de Cássia Brandão de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail: or (LCM)
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50
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Previato M, Frederico FB, Murata FHA, Siqueira RC, Barbosa AP, Silveira-Carvalho AP, Meira CDS, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Gava R, Martins Neto PP, de Mattos LC, de Mattos CCB. A Brazilian report using serological and molecular diagnosis to monitoring acute ocular toxoplasmosis. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:746. [PMID: 26643197 PMCID: PMC4671220 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1650-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis was recently included as a neglected disease by the Center for Disease Control. Ocular toxoplasmosis is one clinical presentation of congenital or acquired infection. The laboratory diagnosis is being used worldwide to support the clinical diagnosis and imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of serology and molecular methods to monitor acute OT in immunocompetent patients during treatment. Methods Five immunocompetent patients were clinically diagnosed with acute OT. The clinical evaluation was performed by ophthalmologic examination using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, best-corrected visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopy, fundoscopic examination with indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography and spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT). Serology were performed by ELISA (IgA, IgM, IgG) and confirmed by ELFA (IgG, IgM). Molecular diagnoses were performed in peripheral blood by cPCR using the Toxoplasma gondiiB1 gene as the marker. Follow-up exams were performed on day +15 and day +45. Results Only five non-immunocompromised male patients completed the follow up and their data were used for analysis. The mean age was 41.2 ± 11.3 years (median: 35; range 31–54 years). All of them were positive for IgG antibodies but with different profiles for IgM and IgA, as well as PCR. For all patients the OCT exam showed active lesions with the inner retinal layers being abnormally hyper-reflective with full-thickness disorganization of the retinal reflective layers, which assumed a blurred reflective appearance and the retina was thickened. Conclusions The presence of IgA and IgM confirmed the acute infection and thus was in agreement with the clinical evaluation. Our results show the adopted treatment modified the serological profile of IgM antibodies and the PCR results, but not the IgG and IgA antibodies and that imaging is a good tool to follow-up patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1650-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Previato
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Batista Frederico
- Retinopathy Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina-HB-FUNFARME, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5544, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Rubens Camargo Siqueira
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Pires Barbosa
- Retinopathy Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina-HB-FUNFARME, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5544, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Aparecida Perpétuo Silveira-Carvalho
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Cristina da Silva Meira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, of Parasites and Fungi, Instituto Adolfo Lutz-IAL, Aenida Dr Arnaldo,355, São Paulo, São Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil. .,IAL Toxoplasma Research Group, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Dr Arnaldo, 355, São Paulo, Sao Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Vera Lúcia Pereira-Chioccola
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, of Parasites and Fungi, Instituto Adolfo Lutz-IAL, Aenida Dr Arnaldo,355, São Paulo, São Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil. .,IAL Toxoplasma Research Group, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Dr Arnaldo, 355, São Paulo, Sao Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo Gava
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, of Parasites and Fungi, Instituto Adolfo Lutz-IAL, Aenida Dr Arnaldo,355, São Paulo, São Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil. .,IAL Toxoplasma Research Group, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Avenida Dr Arnaldo, 355, São Paulo, Sao Paulo state, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Plínio Pereira Martins Neto
- Retinopathy Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina-HB-FUNFARME, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5544, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto-FAMERP, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil. .,FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, 15090-000, Brazil.
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