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Zhu N, Ren H, Yang L, Mao G, Li J, Su C, Yang Y. Direct evidence of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) as intermediate host of Toxoplasma gondii through isolation of viable strains. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:71. [PMID: 38395812 PMCID: PMC10893619 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03928-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes lifelong infection in most definitive and intermediate hosts. Clinical cases of toxoplasmosis in captive cheetahs have been reported. However, there are few reports of viable T. gondii strains isolated from cheetahs. Here, T. gondii infection was investigated using molecular and serological assays in cheetahs from China. Modified agglutination test (MAT) (cut-off: 1:25) indicated that all six examined cheetahs (n = 6) showed T. gondii antibodies. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in three out of five cheetahs. Two viable T. gondii strains were isolated from the striated muscles of two cheetahs using mice bioassay. They were designated as TgCheetahCHn1 and TgCheetahCHn2. Genetic characterization of DNA derived from tachyzoites was performed using RFLP-PCR of 10 markers. Toxoplasma gondii TgCheetahCHn1 is ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #319, and the alleles of ROP18/ROP5 types were 3/7. TgCheetahCHn2 is ToxoDB genotype #9, and the alleles of ROP18/ROP5 were 3/6. The average survival time of TgCheetahCHn1-infected Swiss mice was 22 ± 1 days (n = 23), and the mice did not have detectable T. gondii-specific antibodies until 117 ± 30 days post-inoculation (n = 8), therefore, TgCheetahCHn1 had intermediate virulence. TgCheetahCHn2 was avirulent for Swiss mice. Few brain tissue cysts (0-50) were observed in the mice inoculated with TgCheetahCHn1 or TgCheetahCHn2. The results provide direct evidence of cheetah as intermediate host of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niuping Zhu
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Hongjie Ren
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Liulu Yang
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Gaohui Mao
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | | | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Yurong Yang
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China.
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Yang L, Ren H, Zhu N, Xin S, Mao G, Ma Y, Li J, Liang Q, Yang Y. Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from a Patas Monkey ( Erythrocebus patas) in China. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1606. [PMID: 37628657 PMCID: PMC10454590 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cases of Toxoplasma gondii infection have been reported worldwide in non-human primates (NHPs), especially in captive New World monkeys. However, few studies on toxoplasmosis in Old World monkeys have been conducted. In this study, serological and molecular biological analyses were carried out to look for T. gondii antibodies and T. gondii infection in 13 NHPs from China. T. gondii infection was confirmed in 8 NHP cases. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 1/5 New World monkeys and in 4/7 Old World monkeys. T. gondii DNA was detected in 3/5 New World monkeys and 5/7 Old World monkeys. The one ring-tailed lemur was negative for both antibodies and DNA of T. gondii. The most common clinical manifestations of T. gondii infection were malaise, poor appetite, emaciation, and foamy nasal discharge. The most common histopathological findings were interstitial pneumonia, necrotic hepatitis, necrotizing myocarditis, lymphadenitis, and necrotic splenitis. One viable T. gondii strain was successfully isolated from the myocardium of a patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) by bioassay in mice. T. gondii tachyzoites were obtained from cell cultures and were designated as TgMonkeyCHn2. The genotype of this strain belongs to ToxoDB genotype #9, and the allele of ROP18/ROP5 gene was 3/6. TgMonkeyCHn2 tachyzoites were avirulent in Swiss mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of fatal toxoplasmosis in a patas monkey. T. gondii infection in patas monkeys may indicate environmental contamination by oocysts. The patas monkey is a new host record for T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liulu Yang
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Hongjie Ren
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Niuping Zhu
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Shilin Xin
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Gaohui Mao
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yiheng Ma
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Junbao Li
- Zhengzhou Zoo, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Qunchao Liang
- Henan Yinji Jiabao Amusement Park Management Co., Ltd., Xinmi 452300, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- Veterinary Pathology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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Jiang Y, Xin S, Ma Y, Zhang H, Yang X, Yang Y. Low Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep and Isolation of a Viable Strain from Edible Mutton from Central China. Pathogens 2023; 12:827. [PMID: 37375517 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060827] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sheep are highly susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii, and miscarriage is the main clinical feature. This study investigated 227 sheep samples (210 myocardial tissues from slaughterhouses, 6 ewe serum samples, 3 aborted fetuses, and 8 dead lambs from veterinary clinics) from central China for T. gondii infection. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the modified agglutination test (MAT). PCR was performed to detect T. gondii DNA in the tissue samples. The results showed that four samples were seropositive (MAT titer ≥ 1:100), with a seroprevalence of 1.8% (4/227). The seropositive samples included two myocardial samples from a slaughterhouse, one ewe and its aborted fetus from a veterinary clinic. The results revealed that 7 out of 207 (3.4%) sheep tissue samples were PCR-positive, including two myocardial tissue samples from slaughterhouses, three aborted fetuses, and two lambs from veterinary clinics. Toxoplasma gondii vertical transmission had occurred in two of three pairs of ewes and her pups. One viable T. gondii strain (TgSheepCHn14) was isolated from the myocardial tissues of sheep from a slaughterhouse. Tachyzoites were obtained from cell cultures at 70 days following seeding in the brains and lungs of mice. This strain was non-lethal to Swiss mice. The number of parasite brain cysts in mice decreased with time post-infection (p < 0.05). Overall, the prevalence of T. gondii in the sheep samples was low. Although the samples were scattered, and not from planned collections, the current study detected T. gondii antibodies and DNA in aborted fetuses, indicating that vertical transmission could occur and maintain the parasites in sheep herds without exogenous infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibao Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Shilin Xin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yiheng Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Yang Y, Su C. Recent epidemiologic, clinical, and genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii infections in non-human primates. Res Vet Sci 2021; 136:631-641. [PMID: 33957546 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, diagnosis, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in non-human primates (NHP) for the past decade. Seroprevalence estimates of T. gondii worldwide were tabulated for each host. Risk factors associated with T. gondii infections are evaluated. New World NHP in captivity are highly susceptible to T. gondii infection with high mortality associated with disseminated toxoplasmosis. T. gondii can be transmitted to NHP in contact with symptomatic NHP. Therefore, precautions should be taken to prevent transmission of T. gondii to humans while handling symptomatic NHP. There were no reports of clinical toxoplasmosis in Old World NHP. Among the different genera of New World NHP, susceptibility to clinical toxoplasmosis varies a great deal; however, factors affecting this susceptibility are not fully understood. Genetic characteristics of T. gondii strains from monkeys is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - Fernando H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Camila K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Oliver C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Yurong Yang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, PR China
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
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