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Li G, Li Q, Tong Y, Zeng J, Dang T, Yang N, Zhou Y, Ma L, Ge Q, Zhao Z. The anticancer mechanisms of Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein 16 on lung adenocarcinoma cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2392902. [PMID: 39174877 PMCID: PMC11346528 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2392902] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent subtype of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) Rhoptry protein 16 (ROP16) has been shown to quickly enter the nucleus, and through activate host cell signaling pathways by phosphorylation STAT3 and may affect the survival of tumor cells. This study constructed recombinant lentiviral expression vector of T. gondii ROP16 I/II/III and stably transfected them into A549 cells, and the effects of ROP16 on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of A549 cells were explored by utilizing CCK-8, flow cytometry, qPCR, Western blotting, TUNEL, Transwell assay, and cell scratch assay, and these effects were confirmed in the primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells from postoperative cancer tissues of patients. The type I and III ROP16 activate STAT3 and inhibited A549 cell proliferation, regulated the expression of p21, CDK6, CyclinD1, and induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. ROP16 also regulated the Bax, Bcl-2, p53, cleaved-Caspase3, and Caspase9, inducing cell apoptosis, and reduced the invasion and migration of A549 cells, while type II ROP16 protein had no such effect. Furthermore, in the regulation of ROP16 on primary lung adenocarcinoma cells, type I and III ROP16 showed the same anticancer potential. These findings confirmed the anti-lung adenocarcinoma effect of type I and III ROP16, offering fresh perspectives on the possible application of ROP16 as a target with adjuvant therapy for lung adenocarcinoma and propelling the field of precision therapy research toward parasite treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangqi Li
- Medical Laboratory Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical Pathogenic Microorganisms, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Clinical Research Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Qinhui Li
- College of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yongqing Tong
- Department of Clinical laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Zeng
- College of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tiantian Dang
- Medical Laboratory Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical Pathogenic Microorganisms, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Clinical Research Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Ningai Yang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yuning Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Lei Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Qirui Ge
- The First Clinical Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Zhijun Zhao
- Medical Laboratory Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical Pathogenic Microorganisms, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Clinical Research Center of Medical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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Eissa MM, Salem AE, El Skhawy N. Parasites revive hope for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:489. [PMID: 39367471 PMCID: PMC11453045 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-02057-2] [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: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasites have attained a life-long stigma of being detrimental organisms with deleterious outcomes. Yet, recently, a creditable twist was verified that can dramatically change our perception of those parasites from being a source of misery to millions of people to a useful anti-cancerous tool. Various parasites have shown promise to combat cancer in different experimental models, including colorectal, lung, and breast cancers, among others. Helminths and protozoan parasites, as well as their derivatives such as Echinococcus granulosus protein KI-1, Toxoplasma gondii GRA15II, and Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin, have demonstrated the ability to inhibit tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This article provides an overview of the literature on various cancer types that have shown promising responses to parasite therapy in both in vitro and in vivo animal studies. Parasites have shown anti-neoplastic activity through a variety of mechanisms that collectively contribute to their anti-cancer properties. These include immunomodulation, inhibition of angiogenesis, and molecular mimicry with cancer cells. This review article sheds light on this intriguing emerging field and emphasizes the value of collaborative multidisciplinary research projects with funding agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Thus, these strategies would secure continuous exploration of this new avenue and accelerate the advancement of cancer therapy research. Although experimental studies are heavily conducted by leaps and bounds, further steps are definitely lagging. Upgrading research from the experimental level to the clinical trial would be a wise progression toward efficient exploitation of the anti-neoplastic capabilities of parasites, ultimately saving countless lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha M Eissa
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed Ebada Salem
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 48123, USA
| | - Nahla El Skhawy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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3
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Gaspar V, Fonseca NM, Lino S. Sulfadiazine-induced crystalluria and non-oliguric renal failure in HIV-1 inaugural infection with presumed cerebral toxoplasmosis. J Bras Nefrol 2024; 46:e20230151. [PMID: 38739000 PMCID: PMC11287978 DOI: 10.1590/2175-8239-jbn-2023-0151en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Gaspar
- Centro Hospital Universitário Lisboa Central, Departamento de
Medicina Interna, Lisboa, Portugal
- Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina NOVA, Lisboa,
Portugal
| | - Nuno Moreira Fonseca
- Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina NOVA, Lisboa,
Portugal
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Hospital Curry
Cabral, Departamento de Nefrologia, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara Lino
- Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina NOVA, Lisboa,
Portugal
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Hospital Curry
Cabral, Departamento de Infecciologia, Lisboa, Portugal
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Shen P, Xu PY. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection of Cattle and Goats in Farms of Hunan Province, China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:710-713. [PMID: 38717094 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0120] [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] [Indexed: 10/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most widespread foodborne parasitic zoonoses caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Although a number of studies have reported on the seroprevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in ruminants in China, information about T. gondii infection in cattle in Hunan province of China is not available. Material and Methods: Sera of 985 cattle and 1147 goats were examined for the presence of specific antibodies against T. gondii using the indirect hemagglutination test. Some risk factors related to the presence of cats, herd size, gender, age, and geographical origin were determined using a binary logistic regression. Results: Specific IgG against T. gondii were detected in 8.3% (82/985) and 13.3% (153/1147) of the cattle and goats, respectively. Based on statistical analysis, the presence of cats and gender were considered important risk factors for T. gondii infection in cattle and goats in the farms in this study (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results provide a baseline for future prevention and control of T. gondii infection in cattle and goats in Hunan province, subtropical China. This is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in cattle in Hunan province, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Shen
- Hunan Biological and Electromechanical Polytechnic, Changsha, China
| | - Ping-Yuan Xu
- Hunan Biological and Electromechanical Polytechnic, Changsha, China
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5
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Duffus E, Chinta S, Patel P, Finkel DG. Coinfection of cerebral toxoplasmosis and neurosyphilis as the first manifestation of AIDS. BMJ Case Rep 2024; 17:e261502. [PMID: 39299714 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2024-261502] [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] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
A male in his 30s with a medical history of newly diagnosed HIV with a CD4 count of 292 cells/mm3 presented with a bilateral frontal headache and left upper and lower extremity weakness and paraesthesias. A few months prior, the patient experienced a desquamating rash on his scalp and a pruritic, papular genital rash, which both self-resolved. CT head without contrast revealed extensive vasogenic oedema involving the right basal ganglia, thalamus, temporal and occipital lobes. MRI of the brain with and without contrast revealed two enhancing masses in the right lentiform nucleus and right temporal-occipital junction with associated vasogenic oedema. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies confirmed cerebral toxoplasmosis with positive CSF Toxoplasma gondii PCR and neurosyphilis with positive serum rapid plasma reagin and CSF venereal disease research laboratory test. He was treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and intravenous penicillin G with the resolution of his symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Duffus
- Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sree Chinta
- Internal Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Pooja Patel
- Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Diana G Finkel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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Ji Q, Liu M, Gao L, Zhang S, Zhang W, Wang M, Xia Z, Li B, Kong L, Yao Y, Wang Y, Li J, Yan Q, Wu S, Liu H, Hu S. Combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and mesenchymal stem cell therapy to treat toxoplasmic encephalitis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A case report. Transpl Immunol 2024; 87:102130. [PMID: 39278332 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2024.102130] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a life-threatening infection that may occur following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is one of the most severe manifestations of this infection and often results in unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes, especially regarding neurological damage. Recent studies have demonstrated that human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) can significantly aid in neural repair and remodeling. Furthermore, hUC-MSCs have been shown to reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) associated with the reduction or discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapy. In this case report, we present a pediatric patient who developed TE as a complication of haploidentical HSCT. The patient received a combined treatment regimen of standard anti-Toxoplasma therapy and adjunctive hUC-MSC therapy. The outcomes were satisfactory. The patient regained consciousness, maintained a stable body temperature, and regained the ability to perform daily activities independently. Additionally, next-generation sequencing revealed a decrease in Toxoplasma DNA sequences in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid to undetectable levels. This case report underscores the potential of hUC-MSCs as a promising therapeutic modality for TE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Ji
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minyuan Liu
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Gao
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Senlin Zhang
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiliang Zhang
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Manli Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zihao Xia
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bohan Li
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingjun Kong
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanhua Yao
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Yan
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuiyan Wu
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China; Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hu Liu
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaoyan Hu
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Pediatric Hematol & Oncol Center, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China.
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7
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Li J, Kang Y, Wu ZX, Yang SF, Tian YY, Zhu XQ, Zheng XN. Live-attenuated PruΔgra72 strain of Toxoplasma gondii induces strong protective immunity against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in mice. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:377. [PMID: 39237959 PMCID: PMC11378421 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06461-9] [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: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular opportunistic pathogenic protozoan that poses serious threats, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. In the absence of a robust prophylactic measure, the mitigation and management of toxoplasmosis present formidable challenges to public health. We recently found that GRA72 plays an important role in parasitophorous vacuole (PV) morphology, growth and virulence of T. gondii. However, whether gra72-deficient strain can be used as a vaccine remains unknown. METHODS We first examined the attenuated virulence of gra72 gene knockout strain (PruΔgra72) and the parasite load in organs of the infected mice. Subsequently, we evaluated the immune-protective effects of the PruΔgra72 vaccination against challenge with various types of T. gondii tachyzoites and Pru cysts. Furthermore, levels of antibodies and cytokines induced by PruΔgra72 vaccination were examined. Statistical analysis was conducted by Student's t-test or Mantel-Cox log-rank test based on data obtained from three independent experiments with GraphPad Prism 8.0. RESULTS We found that PruΔgra72 strain exhibited a significantly attenuated virulence even at the highest dose of 5 × 107 tachyzoites in Kunming mice model. The significant decrease of brain cyst burden and parasite load in the organs of the PruΔgra72-infected mice suggested its potentiality as a live-attenuated vaccine. Hence, we explored the protective immunity of PruΔgra72 vaccination against toxoplasmosis. Results showed that vaccination with 5 × 106 PruΔgra72 tachyzoites triggered a strong and sustained Th1-biased immune response, marked by significantly increased levels of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, and significantly higher levels of Th1 type cytokines (IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-γ) compared to that of Th2 type (IL-4 and IL-10). Vaccination with 5 × 106 PruΔgra72 tachyzoites in mice conferred long-term protection against T. gondii infection by less virulent tachyzoites (ToxoDB#9 PYS and Pru strains) and Pru cysts, provided partial protection against acute infection by high virulent Type I RH tachyzoites and significantly decreased brain cyst burden of chronically infected mice. CONCLUSIONS The avirulent PruΔgra72 induced strong protective immunity against acute and chronic T. gondii infection and is a promising candidate for developing a safe and effective live-attenuated vaccine against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Kang
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze-Xuan Wu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Feng Yang
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Yang Tian
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Nan Zheng
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China.
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Ma ZY, Wu XJ, Li C, Gao J, Kou YJ, Wang M, Zhu XQ, Zheng XN. Functional Characterization of 11 Tentative Microneme Proteins in Type I RH Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2543. [PMID: 39272328 PMCID: PMC11394663 DOI: 10.3390/ani14172543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a pathogenic apicomplexan parasite, infects approximately one third of the world's population and poses a serious threat to global public health. Microneme proteins (MICs) secreted by the microneme, an apical secretory organelle of T. gondii, play important roles in the invasion, motility, and intracellular survival of T. gondii. In this study, we selected 11 genes of interest (GOIs) of T. gondii, tentative MICs predicted to be localized in micronemes, and we used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to construct epitope tagging strains and gene knockout strains to explore the localization and function of these 11 tentative MICs. Immunofluorescence assay showed that nine tentative MICs (TGME49_243930, TGME49_200270, TGME49_273320, TGME49_287040, TGME49_261710, TGME49_205680, TGME49_304490, TGME49_245485, and TGME49_224620) were localized or partially localized in the microneme, consistent with the prediction. However, TGME49_272380 and TGME49_243790 showed different localizations from the prediction, being localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and the dense granule, respectively. Further functional characterization of the 11 RHΔGOI strains revealed that deletion of these 11 GOIs had no significant effect on plaque formation, intracellular replication, egress, invasion ability, and virulence of T. gondii. Although these 11 GOIs are not essential genes for the growth and virulence of tachyzoites of type I RH strain, they may have potential roles in other developmental stages or other genotypes of T. gondii. Thus, further research should be performed to explore the possible role of the nine mics and the other two GOIs in other life cycle stages and other genotypes of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ya Ma
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Wu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Chuan Li
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Jin Gao
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Yong-Jie Kou
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - Xiao-Nan Zheng
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
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9
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Zheng XN, Li TT, Elsheikha HM, Wang M, Sun LX, Wu XJ, Fu BQ, Zhu XQ, Wang JL. GRA47 is important for the morphology and permeability of the parasitophorous vacuole in Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:583-596. [PMID: 38936501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Establishing an intact intracellular parasitophorous vacuole (PV) that enables efficient nutrient uptake and protein trafficking is essential for the survival and proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii. Although the PV membrane (PVM)-localized dense granule protein 17 (GRA17) and GRA23 mediate the permeability of the PVM to small molecules, including nutrient uptake and excretion of metabolic by-products, the molecular mechanism by which T. gondii acquires nutrients remains unclear. In this study, we showed that the secreted protein GRA47 contributed to normal PV morphology, PVM permeability to small molecules, growth, and virulence in T. gondii. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated potential interaction of GRA47 with GRA72, and the loss of GRA72 affected PV morphology, parasite growth and infectivity. To investigate the biological relationship among GRA47, GRA72, GRA17 and GRA23, attempts were made to construct strains with double gene deletion and overexpressing strains. Only Δgra23Δgra72 was successfully constructed. This strain exhibited a significant increase in the proportion of aberrant PVs compared with the Δgra23 strain. Overexpressing one of the three related GRAs partially rescued PVs with aberrant morphology in Δgra47, Δgra72 and Δgra17, while the expression of the Plasmodium falciparum PVM protein PfExp2, an ortholog of GRA17 and GRA23, fully rescued the PV morphological defect in all three Δgra strains. These results suggest that these GRA proteins may not be functionally redundant but rather work in different ways to regulate nutrient acquisition. These findings highlight the versatility of the nutrient uptake mechanisms in T. gondii, which may contribute to the parasite's remarkable ability to grow in different cellular niches in a very broad range of hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Nan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Xiu Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Jing Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Quan Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province 030801, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610213, People's Republic of China.
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Uddin T, Xia J, Fu Y, McNamara CW, Chatterjee AK, Sibley LD. High Throughput Repurposing Screen Reveals Compounds with Activity Against Toxoplasma gondii Bradyzoites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601569. [PMID: 39005312 PMCID: PMC11244992 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes widespread chronic infections that are not cured by current treatments due to inability to affect semi-dormant bradyzoite stages within tissue cysts. To identify compounds to eliminate chronic infection, we developed a HTS using a recently characterized strain of T. gondii that undergoes efficient conversion to bradyzoites in intro. Stage-specific expression of luciferase was used to selectively monitor growth inhibition of bradyzoites by the Library of Pharmacological Active Compounds, consisting of 1,280 drug-like compounds. We identified 44 compounds with >50% inhibitory effects against bradyzoites, including new highly potent compounds, several of which have precedent for antimicrobial activity. Subsequent characterization of the compound Sanguinarine sulfate revealed potent and rapid killing against in vitro produced bradyzoites and bradyzoites harvested from chronically infected mice. These findings provide a platform for expanded screening and identify promising compounds for further preclinical development against T. gondii bradyzoites responsible for chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taher Uddin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jing Xia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yong Fu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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11
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Hu Z, Zhang Y, Xie Y, Yang J, Tang H, Fan B, Zeng K, Han Z, Lu J, Jiang H, Peng W, Li H, Chen H, Wu S, Shen B, Lun Z, Yu X. The Toxoplasma Effector GRA4 Hijacks Host TBK1 to Oppositely Regulate Anti-T. Gondii Immunity and Tumor Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2400952. [PMID: 39031880 PMCID: PMC11348266 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii)-associated polymorphic effector proteins are crucial in parasite development and regulating host anti-T. gondii immune responses. However, the mechanism remains obscure. Here, it is shown that Toxoplasma effector dense granules 4 (GRA4) restricts host IFN-I activation. Infection with Δgra4 mutant T. gondii strain induces stronger IFN-I responses and poses a severe threat to host health. Mechanistically, GRA4 binds to phosphorylated TBK1 to promote TRIM27-catalyzed K48-ubiquitination at Lys251/Lys372 residues, which enhances its recognition by autophagy receptor p62, ultimately leading to TBK1 autophagic degradation. Furthermore, an avirulent Δgra4 strain (ME49Δompdc/gra4) is constructed for tumor immunotherapy due to its ability to enhance IFN-I production. Earlier vaccination with ME49Δompdc/gra4 confers complete host resistance to the tumor compared with the classical ME49Δompdc treatment. Notably, ME49Δompdc/gra4 vaccination induces a specific CD64+MAR-1+CD11b+ dendritic cell subset, thereby enhancing T cell anti-tumor responses. Overall, these findings identify the negative role of T. gondii GRA4 in modulating host IFN-I signaling and suggest that GRA4 can be a potential target for the development of T. gondii vaccines and tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Hu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational MedicineZhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310029China
| | - Yufen Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Yingchao Xie
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Jianwu Yang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Haotian Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life SciencesSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510275China
| | - Bolin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary MedicineHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
| | - Ke Zeng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Zhongxin Han
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Jiansen Lu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
- Department of Joint Surgerythe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510900China
| | - Huaji Jiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
- Yue Bei People's Hospital Postdoctoral Innovation Practice BaseSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Wenqiang Peng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Hongyu Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Huadan Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Sha Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of ProteomicsSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary MedicineHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan430070China
| | - Zhao‐Rong Lun
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life SciencesSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510275China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510515China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences)Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510000China
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12
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Kang Y, Zhang X, Zhang L, Huang M, Tang C, Zhang L. Cerebral toxoplasmosis mimicking stroke in a woman living with undiagnosed HIV. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:102477. [PMID: 38905925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.102477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogen that can intrude into the blood-brain barrier and reside in the brain only with low inflammatory reaction. When infected with HIV, the immune system becomes severely compromised and leads to the reactivation of latent toxoplasmosis infection, which can mimic the clinical manifestation of stroke. We report a case of a 65-year-old female patient who presented with sudden right limb weakness, walking difficulty, and numbness without other typical symptoms, raising suspicion of acute ischemic stroke. The HIV serology returned positive, which expedited the diagnostic workup for opportunistic infection. Combining imageological examination and metagenomics next-generation sequencing of cerebrospinal fluid, HIV-associated cerebral toxoplasmosis was confirmed. The patient underwent treatment for toxoplasmosis and HIV. Six months after onset, the patient can walk independently but still exhibits weakness in the right upper limb. In HIV-infected patients, cerebral toxoplasmosis, particularly presenting as isolated stroke-like episodes, poses a more significant challenge, emphasizing the need for more thorough investigations to reduce the potential for misdiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulai Kang
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Centre of PLA, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Internal Medicine, No. 93285 Hospital of PLA, Jilin, China
| | - Xinqin Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Centre of PLA, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, No. 93285 Hospital of PLA, Jilin, China
| | - Mei Huang
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Centre of PLA, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunhua Tang
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Centre of PLA, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Centre of PLA, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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13
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Li Y, Yang HS, Klasse PJ, Zhao Z. The significance of antigen-antibody-binding avidity in clinical diagnosis. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2024:1-15. [PMID: 39041650 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2024.2379286] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) testing are commonly used to determine infection status. Typically, the detection of IgM indicates an acute or recent infection, while the presence of IgG alone suggests a chronic or past infection. However, relying solely on IgG and IgM antibody positivity may not be sufficient to differentiate acute from chronic infections. This limitation arises from several factors. The prolonged presence of IgM can complicate diagnostic interpretations, and false positive IgM results often arise from antibody cross-reactivity with various antigens. Additionally, IgM may remain undetectable in prematurely collected samples or in individuals who are immunocompromised, further complicating accurate diagnosis. As a result, additional diagnostic tools are required to confirm infection status. Avidity is a measure of the strength of the binding between an antigen and antibody. Avidity-based assays have been developed for various infectious agents, including toxoplasma, cytomegalovirus (CMV), SARS-CoV-2, and avian influenza, and are promising tools in clinical diagnostics. By measuring the strength of antibody binding, they offer critical insights into the maturity of the immune response. These assays are instrumental in distinguishing between acute and chronic or past infections, monitoring disease progression, and guiding treatment decisions. The development of automated platforms has optimized the testing process by enhancing efficiency and minimizing the risk of manual errors. Additionally, the recent advent of real-time biosensor immunoassays, including the label-free immunoassays (LFIA), has further amplified the capabilities of these assays. These advances have expanded the clinical applications of avidity-based assays, making them useful tools for the diagnosis and management of various infectious diseases. This review is structured around several key aspects of IgG avidity in clinical diagnosis, including: (i) a detailed exposition of the IgG affinity maturation process; (ii) a thorough discussion of the IgG avidity assays, including the recently emerged biosensor-based approaches; and (iii) an examination of the applications of IgG avidity in clinical diagnosis. This review is intended to contribute toward the development of enhanced diagnostic tools through critical assessment of the present landscape of avidity-based testing, which allows us to identify the existing knowledge gaps and highlight areas for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxin Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - He S Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - P J Klasse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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14
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González-Barrio D, Carpio AJ, Preite L, Miguel-Vicedo M, Estévez-Reboredo RM, González-Viadero M, Barba-Sánchez R, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D, Fuentes I. Toxoplasma gondii exposure in wildlife in Spain: Is there any predictable threat for humans and domestic animals? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173290. [PMID: 38782291 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis of key importance in veterinary and public health. This article summarizes the available data (from 2000 to 2023) of exposition to Toxoplasma gondii in wildlife species in Spain based on a systematic bibliographic search, as well as further analysis of its potential relationship with environmental variables, biodiversity, anthropogenic impact on the habitat, and the reported human cases of toxoplasmosis. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in carnivorous mammals, birds, ungulate and lagomorph species in Spain was estimated at 69.3 %, 36.4 %, 18.4 %, and 16.2 %, respectively. Among the studies considered, great heterogeneity was observed both between and within taxonomic groups [Cohen's d > 0.8; X2 = 1039.10, df = 4 (p < 0.01) I2 = 97 %, r2 = 1.88, (p < 0.001)] and between and within bioregions [Cohen's d > 0.5; X2 = 368.59, df = 4 (p < 0.01)]. The results of a generalized linear model explaining T. gondii seroprevalence in wild animals suggest the influence of abiotic variables [wetland (p < 0.001), unvegetated (p < 0.001), isothermality (p < 0.001), and mean temperature during wettest quarter (p < 0.05)] and number of intermediate host species as positively associated with increased exposure of wildlife to T. gondii (p < 0.01). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in both wild birds and wild mammals (range: 0.0-51.2 %) mainly from north-centre, northeast, and central-west of Spain. Regarding hospitalisation rates due to toxoplasmosis in humans, some abiotic variables [permanent crops (p < 0.05) and mean temperature during wettest quarter (p < 0.05)] showed a positive association. Despite certain limitations, this research evidences a substantial gap of knowledge on the implication of wildlife in the life cycle of T. gondii in Spain. This lack of knowledge is particularly evident in areas where the human-livestock-wildlife interface overlaps, preventing us from accurately determining its true distribution in different habitats, as well as its potential direct or indirect implications on public and veterinary health.
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Affiliation(s)
- David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health In-stitute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain.
| | - Antonio J Carpio
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales, Cordoba, Spain.
| | - Ludovica Preite
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Mariola Miguel-Vicedo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health In-stitute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain; PhD Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, IMIENS, National University of Distance Education (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa M Estévez-Reboredo
- Epidemiological Surveillance Analysis Area, Spanish National Centre for Epidemiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - María González-Viadero
- Epidemiological Surveillance Analysis Area, Spanish National Centre for Epidemiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Barba-Sánchez
- Epidemiological Surveillance Analysis Area, Spanish National Centre for Epidemiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; The National School of Public Health, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health In-stitute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain; CIBER Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Isabel Fuentes
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health In-stitute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain.
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15
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Kou YJ, Gao J, Li R, Ma ZY, Elsheikha HM, Wu XJ, Zheng XN, Wang M, Zhu XQ. Functional Characterization of Six Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7834. [PMID: 39063076 PMCID: PMC11276994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147834] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) are crucial for initiating protein translation and ensuring the correct assembly of mRNA-ribosomal subunit complexes. In this study, we investigated the effects of deleting six eIFs in the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. We determined the subcellular localization of these eIFs using C-terminal endogenous tagging and immunofluorescence analysis. Four eIFs (RH::315150-6HA, RH::286090-6HA, RH::249370-6HA, and RH::211410-6HA) were localized in the cytoplasm, while RH::224235-6HA was localized in the apicoplast. Additionally, RH::272640-6HA was found in both the basal complex and the cytoplasm of T. gondii. Functional characterization of the six RHΔeIFs strains was conducted using plaque assay, cell invasion assay, intracellular growth assay and egress assay in vitro, and virulence assay in mice. Disruption of five eIF genes (RHΔ315150, RHΔ272640, RHΔ249370, RHΔ211410, and RHΔ224235) did not affect the ability of the T. gondii RH strain to invade, replicate, form plaques and egress in vitro, or virulence in Kunming mice (p > 0.05). However, the RHΔ286090 strain showed slightly reduced invasion efficiency and virulence (p < 0.01) compared to the other five RHΔeIFs strains and the wild-type strain. The disruption of the TGGT1_286090 gene significantly impaired the ability of tachyzoites to differentiate into bradyzoites in both type I RH and type II Pru strains. These findings reveal that the eukaryotic translation initiation factor TGGT1_286090 is crucial for T. gondii bradyzoite differentiation and may serve as a potential target for drug development and an attenuated vaccine against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jie Kou
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Y.-J.K.); (J.G.); (Z.-Y.M.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China;
| | - Jin Gao
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Y.-J.K.); (J.G.); (Z.-Y.M.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China;
| | - Rui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China;
| | - Zhi-Ya Ma
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Y.-J.K.); (J.G.); (Z.-Y.M.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.)
| | - Hany M. Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Xiao-Jing Wu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Y.-J.K.); (J.G.); (Z.-Y.M.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China;
| | - Xiao-Nan Zheng
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Y.-J.K.); (J.G.); (Z.-Y.M.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.)
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China;
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Y.-J.K.); (J.G.); (Z.-Y.M.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.)
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16
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Chen J, Zhang C, Yang Z, Wu W, Zou W, Xin Z, Zheng S, Liu R, Yang L, Peng H. Intestinal microbiota imbalance resulted by anti-Toxoplasma gondii immune responses aggravate gut and brain injury. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:284. [PMID: 38956725 PMCID: PMC11221008 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06349-8] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii infection affects a significant portion of the global population, leading to severe toxoplasmosis and, in immunocompromised patients, even death. During T. gondii infection, disruption of gut microbiota further exacerbates the damage to intestinal and brain barriers. Therefore, identifying imbalanced probiotics during infection and restoring their equilibrium can regulate the balance of gut microbiota metabolites, thereby alleviating tissue damage. METHODS Vimentin gene knockout (vim-/-) mice were employed as an immunocompromised model to evaluate the influence of host immune responses on gut microbiota balance during T. gondii infection. Behavioral experiments were performed to assess changes in cognitive levels and depressive tendencies between chronically infected vim-/- and wild-type (WT) mice. Fecal samples were subjected to 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing, and serum metabolites were analyzed to identify potential gut probiotics and their metabolites for the treatment of T. gondii infection. RESULTS Compared to the immunocompetent WT sv129 mice, the immunocompromised mice exhibited lower levels of neuronal apoptosis and fewer neurobehavioral abnormalities during chronic infection. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed a significant decrease in the abundance of probiotics, including several species of Lactobacillus, in WT mice. Restoring this balance through the administration of Lactobacillus murinus and Lactobacillus gasseri significantly suppressed the T. gondii burden in the intestine, liver, and brain. Moreover, transplantation of these two Lactobacillus spp. significantly improved intestinal barrier damage and alleviated inflammation and neuronal apoptosis in the central nervous system. Metabolite detection studies revealed that the levels of various Lactobacillus-related metabolites, including indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) in serum, decreased significantly after T. gondii infection. We confirmed that L. gasseri secreted much more ILA than L. murinus. Notably, ILA can activate the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway in intestinal epithelial cells, promoting the activation of CD8+ T cells and the secretion of interferon-gamma. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that host immune responses against T. gondii infection severely disrupted the balance of gut microbiota, resulting in intestinal and brain damage. Lactobacillus spp. play a crucial role in immune regulation, and the metabolite ILA is a promising therapeutic compound for efficient and safe treatment of T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiating Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zihan Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiling Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weihao Zou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixuan Xin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuyu Zheng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Runchun Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjuan Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Yang L, Wang B, Yang Z, Zheng S, Xin Z, Wu S, Zou W, Peng H. Toxoplasma gondii infection positively associated with schizophrenia: Evidences from UK Biobank cohort and case-controlled studies. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 175:243-250. [PMID: 38749298 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an opportunistic pathogen affecting about 1/3 of world population. While often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, it can lead to severe toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients. Recent research has unveiled a potential link between T. gondii infection and neuropsychiatric diseases. We implemented both a cohort study and a case control study to further identify this association. In the cohort study, we analyzed data from the UK Biobank database, which included 8814 individuals tested for T. gondii SAG1 antibodies and free of neuropsychiatric disorders at baseline. Among them, 22.52% (n = 1985) tested positive for SAG1 antibody. Over an average follow-up period of 12.26 years, Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between the SAG1 seropositivity at baseline and the incidence of schizophrenia (HR: 5.89; 95% CI: 1.69-20.53). In our case-control study, 239 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 455 healthy individuals were involved. Using the modified agglutination test (MAT) to detect T. gondii antibodies, logistic regression analysis showed a higher prevalence of T. gondii infection among schizophrenia patients (10.04%) compared to healthy controls (3.74%). T. gondii infection emerged as a significant risk factor for schizophrenia (OR: 3.33; 95% CI: 1.68-6.61). However, our investigations did not reveal a robust association between T. gondii infection and other neuropsychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, dementia, anxiety, depression, neurodegenerative disorders, and peripheral neurological disorders such as neurological and plexus disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. 510515.
| | - Biyun Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. 510515; Department of Biobank, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Zihan Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. 510515
| | - Shuyu Zheng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. 510515
| | - Zixuan Xin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. 510515
| | - Shuizhen Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. 510515
| | - Weihao Zou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. 510515
| | - Hongjuan Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Research, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 South Shatai Rd, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. 510515.
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Yang C, Liu S, Tao C, Yu J, Yang M, Guo L, Bao L, Li X, Yang J, Jiang K. Serological and molecular survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors in urban cats in Kunming, Southwest China. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1393236. [PMID: 38957802 PMCID: PMC11218566 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1393236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a worldwide zoonotic parasite that can infect almost warm-blood animals, including humans, which seriously affect the health of host. Cats are known to be the only definitive host of T. gondii and continuously excrete highly infectious oocysts. This parasite carried by the companion animals leads to a great public health risk. However, there is little information on epidemiology of T. gondii in urban cats in Kunming, Southwest China. In the present study, a total of 231 serum and fecal samples were collected in Kunming aera, and then seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in serum and molecular investigation in feces were analyzed to elucidate T. gondii infection in urban cats. The results revealed that 168 of 231 cats (72.7%) were positive for T. gondii antibodies, and 1 of 74 cat feces (1.4%) also showed a positive PCR for T. gondii DNA. The positive fecal sample was sequenced and then phylogenetically analyzed, and the isolate of T. gondii in the present study was closely related to T. gondii strain CN. In addition, the food, water and age of cats were identified as the risk factor for seropositivity. Overall, our findings indicate the widespread occurrence of T. gondii infection in urban cats in Kunming, Southwest China and identify food, water and age are the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection, which can provide effective information for developing strategies to prevent and control this zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Songhao Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Cong Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jing Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Mengping Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Lijuan Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Liya Bao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaobing Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Biotechnology, Longyan University, Longyan, Fujian, China
| | - Kangfeng Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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19
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Mady RF, El-Temsahy MM, Issa YA, Zaghloul AS, Khedr SI. MicroRNA mmu-miR-511-5p: A promising Diagnostic Biomarker in Experimental Toxoplasmosis Using Different Strains and Infective Doses in Mice with Different Immune States Before and After Treatment. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1253-1266. [PMID: 38743178 PMCID: PMC11182863 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00851-w] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Searching for a novel early diagnostic biomarker for toxoplasmosis, real-time-PCR was currently used to measure the serum mmu-miR-511-5p level in male Swiss-albino mice infected with either; ME49 or RH Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) strains. METHODS Three mice groups were used; (GI) constituted the non-infected control group, while (GII) and (GIII) were experimentally infected with ME49 or RH strains, respectively. GII mice were orally infected using 10 or 20 ME49 cysts (ME-10 and ME-20), both were subdivided into; non-treated (ME-10-NT and ME-20-NT) and were further subdivided into; immunocompetent (ME-10-IC and ME-20-IC) [euthanized 3-days, 1, 2, 6 or 8-weeks post-infection (PI)], and immunosuppressed using two Endoxan® injections (ME-10-IS and ME-20-IS) [euthanized 6- or 8-weeks PI], and spiramycin-treated (ME-10-SP and ME-20-SP) that received daily spiramycin, for one-week before euthanasia. GIII mice individually received 2500 intraperitoneal RH strain tachyzoites, then, were subdivided into; non-treated (RH-NT) [euthanized 3 or 5-days PI], and spiramycin-treated (RH-SP) that were euthanized 5 or 10-days PI (refer to the graphical abstract). RESULTS Revealed significant upregulation of mmu-miR-511-5p in GII, one-week PI, with gradually increased expression, reaching its maximum 8-weeks PI, especially in ME-20-NT group that received the higher infective dose. Immunosuppression increased the upregulation. Contrarily, treatment caused significant downregulation. GIII recorded significant upregulation 3-days PI, yet, treatment significantly decreased this expression. CONCLUSION Serum mmu-miR-511-5p is a sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of ME49 and RH infection (as early as one-week and 3-days, respectively), and its expression varies according to T. gondii infective dose, duration of infection, spiramycin-treatment and host immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Fadly Mady
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2nd Floor, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mona Mohamed El-Temsahy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2nd Floor, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Yasmine Amr Issa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime transport, New Alamein campus, Egypt
| | - Aya Saied Zaghloul
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2nd Floor, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Safaa Ibrahim Khedr
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2nd Floor, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Alexandria, Egypt.
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Fadel EF, EL-Hady HA, Ahmed AM, Tolba MEM. Molecular diagnosis of human toxoplasmosis: the state of the art. J Parasit Dis 2024; 48:201-216. [PMID: 38840888 PMCID: PMC11147977 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-024-01667-1] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis. Approximately one-third of the world's population is currently T. gondii-seropositive. Although most infections are symptomless, a few can produce retinal lesions and, in immunocompromised persons or when congenitally contracted, can progress to life-threatening central nervous system disseminated infections. Therefore, quick, and precise diagnosis is a must. Molecular techniques nowadays play a crucial role in toxoplasmosis diagnosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients or congenital toxoplasmosis. This review aimed to detail recent advancements in molecular diagnostics of T. gondii infections. The terms "Toxoplasmosis," "Molecular diagnostics," "PCR," "qPCR," "B1," and "rep529" were used to search the English-language literature. In developed nations, conventional PCR (PCR) and nested PCR have been supplanted by quantitative PCR (qPCR), although they are still widely employed in poor nations. The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis has been revolutionized by the emergence of molecular diagnostics. Unfortunately, there is still substantial interlaboratory variability. There is an immediate need for standardization to increase the comparability of results between laboratories and clinical trials. Graphical abstract A graphical abstract highlighting the summary of Toxoplasma molecular diagnostics, created using Biorender.com.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Fathi Fadel
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Hanaa Ahmed EL-Hady
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Amal Mostafa Ahmed
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Essa Marghany Tolba
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khaled University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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21
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Zhang XX, Sun YZ, Wang W, Gao Y, Wei XY, Sun HC, Wang CR, Ni HB, Yang X, Elsheikha HM, Guo HP. Altered landscape of total RNA, tRNA and sncRNA modifications in the liver and spleen of mice infected by Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012281. [PMID: 38905319 PMCID: PMC11221703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogens can impact host RNA modification machinery to establish a favorable cellular environment for their replication. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on host RNA modification profiles and explored how these modifications may influence the host-parasite interaction. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We analyzed the modification levels of ∼ 80 nt tRNA and 17-50 nt sncRNAs in mouse liver, spleen, and serum using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The results revealed alterations in RNA modification profiles, particularly during acute infection. The liver exhibited more differentially abundant RNA modifications than the spleen. RNA modification levels in serum were mostly downregulated during acute infection compared to control mice. Correlations were detected between different RNA modifications in the liver and spleen during infection and between several RNA modifications and many cytokines. Alterations in RNA modifications affected tRNA stability and protein translation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These findings provide new insight into the role of RNA modifications in mediating the murine host response to T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xuan Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Yu-Zhe Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Yang Gao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agriculture University, Daqing, PR China
| | - Xin-Yu Wei
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agriculture University, Daqing, PR China
| | - Hong-Chao Sun
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Chun-Ren Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agriculture University, Daqing, PR China
| | - Hong-Bo Ni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, PR China
| | - Hany M. Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Huan-Ping Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Harbin, China
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Hasan MF, Harun AB, Hossain D, Bristi SZT, Uddin AHMM, Karim MR. Toxoplasmosis in animals and humans: a neglected zoonotic disease in Bangladesh. J Parasit Dis 2024; 48:189-200. [PMID: 38840887 PMCID: PMC11147975 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-024-01664-4] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The parasite undergoes both sexual and asexual reproduction in intermediate hosts (humans and animals) and definitive hosts (cats). Transmission in humans occurs through consuming oocyst-contaminated water, fruits, vegetables, and raw or undercooked meats. In Bangladesh, several factors contribute to an increased risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. The parasite is reported to cause diseases among livestock such as goats and sheep in this country, and it has also been associated with some human illnesses. Toxoplasmosis prevalence varies significantly worldwide, with developing countries like Bangladesh experiencing higher rates. Diagnostic methods include both conventional non-DNA-based tests and molecular detection techniques, while treatment options involve using antiparasitic drugs like sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. To control toxoplasmosis, essential steps include improving sanitation, promoting safe food handling, and educating the public about risks related to cat ownership and undercooked meat consumption. Implementing prenatal screening and treatment is also important. With the growing popularity of pet ownership in urban areas, it becomes essential to emphasize the veterinary and public health significance of toxoplasmosis in Bangladesh. This article comprehensively reviews various aspects of toxoplasmosis, with a specific focus on the situation in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Farhan Hasan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
| | - Anas Bin Harun
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
| | - Delower Hossain
- Department of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, 1207 Bangladesh
| | - Sabiha Zarin Tasnim Bristi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, 4225 Bangladesh
| | - A. H. M. Musleh Uddin
- Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100 Bangladesh
| | - Md Robiul Karim
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
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Silva ZM, Toledo DNM, Pio S, Machado BAA, dos Santos PV, Hó FG, Medina YN, Cordeiro PHDM, Perucci LO, Pinto KMDC, Talvani A. Neuroserpin, IL-33 and IL-17A as potential markers of mild symptoms of depressive syndrome in Toxoplasma gondii-infected pregnant women. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1394456. [PMID: 38835777 PMCID: PMC11148649 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1394456] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Depressive syndrome (DS) is a common complication during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and is triggered by multiple organic/genetic and environmental factors. Clinical and biochemical follow-up is essential for the early diagnosis and prognosis of DS. The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii causes infectious damage to the fetus during parasite primary-infection. However, in long-term infections, pregnant women develop immune protection to protect the fetus, although they remain susceptible to pathological or inflammatory effects induced by T. gondii. This study aimed to investigate plasma inflammatory biomarkers in pregnant women seropositive and seronegative for T. gondii, with diagnoses of minor and moderate/severe DS. Methods Pregnant women (n=45; age=18-39 years) were recruited during prenatal care at health centers in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants were asked to complete a socio-demographic questionnaire to be submitted to well-standardized DS scale calculators (Beck Depression Inventory Questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Major Depressive Episode Module). Additionally, 4 mL of blood was collected for plasma neuroserpin, CCL2, IL-17A, and IL-33 analysis. Results Pregnant volunteers with chronic T. gondii contact were all IgG+ (44%; n=21) and exhibited increased plasma IL-33, IL-17A, and neuroserpin levels, but not CCL2, compared to uninfected pregnant women. Using Beck's depression inventory, we observed an increase in plasma IL-17A and IL-33 in women with T. gondii infeCction diagnosed with mild DS, whereas neuroserpin was associated with minor and moderate/severe DS. Discussion Our data suggest a close relationship between DS in pregnant women with chronic T. gondii infection and neurological conditions, which may be partially mediated by plasma neuroserpin, IL-33, and IL-17A levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zolder Marinho Silva
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Débora Nonato Miranda Toledo
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Sirlaine Pio
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Bianca Alves Almeida Machado
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Evolução Crustal e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Vilela dos Santos
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Flávia Galvão Hó
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Yasmim Nogueira Medina
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo Henrique de Miranda Cordeiro
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Luiza Oliveira Perucci
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, California University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Kelerson Mauro de Castro Pinto
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Escola de Educação Física, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - André Talvani
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia da Inflamação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Pacholak P, Durka K, Woźniak K, Krajewska J, Laudy AE, Luliński S. Ethynyl-substituted benzosiloxaboroles: the role of C(π)⋯B interactions in their crystal packing and use in Cu(i)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. RSC Adv 2024; 14:16069-16082. [PMID: 38765480 PMCID: PMC11099988 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02137a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The synthesis and characterization of two novel 6-ethynyl-7-halogen substituted benzosiloxaboroles (Hal = F, Cl) is reported. The crystal structures of these compounds show a unique type of supramolecular assembly dictated by distinctive C(π)⋯B interactions resulting in the formation of columnar networks involving alternating ethynyl groups and boron atoms. The QTAIM, NBO and NCI analyses were performed in order to obtain a deeper quantitative insight into the nature of these interactions including energy and charge density distribution. The fluoro derivative 1c was used as a starting material in Cu-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions with substituted benzenesulfonyl azides giving rise to benzosiloxaboroles with pendant 1-(arylsulfonyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-yl functionalities or analogous ionic species, i.e., 1,2,3-triazolium arylsulfonates. Screening of antimicrobial activity of obtained derivatives against a wide selection of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi strains was performed and the obtained results were compared with the data obtained previously for related benzosiloxaborole derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pacholak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Chemistry Pasteura 1 02-093 Warsaw Poland
| | - K Durka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
| | - K Woźniak
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Chemistry Pasteura 1 02-093 Warsaw Poland
| | - J Krajewska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Bioanalysis, Medical University of Warsaw Banacha 1b 02-097 Warsaw Poland
| | - A E Laudy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Bioanalysis, Medical University of Warsaw Banacha 1b 02-097 Warsaw Poland
| | - S Luliński
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
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Chen C, Qin SY, Yang X, Li XM, Cai Y, Lei CC, Zhao Q, Elsheikha HM, Cao H. Global prevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Vet Med 2024; 226:106187. [PMID: 38554654 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106187] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to identify the global prevalence and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild birds. Six bibliographic databases (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Journal Database, Wanfang Data, PubMed, Web of science and ScienceDirect) were searched from inception to February 2023. The search yielded 1220 records of which 659 articles underwent full-text evaluation, which identified 49 eligible articles and 16,030 wild bird samples that were included in the meta-analysis. The estimated pooled global prevalence of T. gondii infection in wild birds was 16.6%. Out of the variables tested, publication year after 2020 and climate type were significantly associated with T. gondii infection (P<0.01). Our data indicate that the prevalence of T. gondii in wild birds can be influenced by epidemiological variables. Further research is needed to identify the biological, environmental, anthropogenic, and geographical risk factors which impact the ecology and prevalence of T. gondii in wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224002, PR China
| | - Si-Yuan Qin
- Center of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shenyang, Liaoning 110034, PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000, PR China
| | - Xiao-Man Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong 266109, PR China
| | - Yanan Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, PR China
| | - Cong-Cong Lei
- Center of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shenyang, Liaoning 110034, PR China
| | - Quan Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, PR China.
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
| | - Hongwei Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224002, PR China.
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Yi XL, Yang WH, Zheng HL, Cao ML, Xiong J, Chen WC, Zhou YJ, Li F, Zhu XQ, Liu GH. Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in beef cattle and goats in Hunan province, China. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:195. [PMID: 38671515 PMCID: PMC11055231 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06283-9] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are closely related protozoan parasites that are considered important causes of abortion in livestock, causing huge economic losses. Hunan Province ranks 12th in the production of beef and mutton in China. However, limited data are available on the seroprevalence, risk factors and molecular characterization of T. gondii and N. caninum in beef cattle and goats in Hunan province, China. METHODS Sera of 985 beef cattle and 1147 goats were examined for the presence of specific antibodies against T. gondii using indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) and anti-N. caninum IgG using competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunoassay assay (cELISA). Statistical analysis of possible risk factors was performed using PASW Statistics. Muscle samples of 160 beef cattle and 160 goats were examined for the presence of T. gondii DNA (B1 gene) and N. caninum DNA (Nc-5 gene) by nested PCR. The B1 gene-positive samples were genotyped at 10 genetic markers using the multilocus nested PCR-RFLP (Mn-PCR-RFLP). RESULTS Specific IgG against T. gondii were detected in 8.3% (82/985) and 13.3% (153/1147) and against N. caninum in 2.1% (21/985) and 2.0% (23/1147) of the beef cattle and goats, respectively. Based on statistical analysis, the presence of cats, semi-intensive management mode and gender were identified as significant risk factors for T. gondii infection in beef cattle. Age was a significant risk factor for T. gondii infection in goats (P < 0.05), and age > 3 years was a significant risk factor for N. caninum infection in beef cattle (P < 0.05). PCR positivity for T. gondii was observed in three beef samples (1.9%; 3/160) and seven chevon samples (4.4%; 7/160). Genotyping of PCR positive samples identified one to be ToxoDB#10. The N. caninum DNA was observed in one beef sample (0.6%; 1/160) but was negative in all chevon samples. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale serological and molecular investigation of T. gondii and N. caninum and assessment of related risk factors in beef cattle and goats in Hunan Province, China. The findings provide baseline data for executing prevention and control of these two important parasites in beef cattle and goats in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Long Yi
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-He Yang
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - He-Liang Zheng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Ling Cao
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Xiong
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Cheng Chen
- Chenzhou Center for Livestock Poultry and Aquatic Product Quality Inspection, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Jing Zhou
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fen Li
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang ZW, Wang M, Sun LX, Elsheikha HM, Lei CL, Wang JL, Fu BQ, Luo JX, Zhu XQ, Li TT. Trx4, a novel thioredoxin protein, is important for Toxoplasma gondii fitness. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:178. [PMID: 38576040 PMCID: PMC10996207 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06259-9] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To successfully replicate within the host cell, Toxoplasma gondii employs several mechanisms to overcome the host cell defenses and mitigate the harmful effects of the free radicals resulting from its own metabolic processes using effectors such as thioredoxin proteins. In this study, we characterize the location and functions of a newly identified thioredoxin in T. gondii, which was named Trx4. METHODS We characterized the functional role of Trx4 in T. gondii Type I RH and Type II Pru strains by gene knockout and studied its subcellular localization by endogenous protein HA tagging using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. The enzyme-catalyzed proximity labeling technique, the TurboID system, was employed to identify the proteins in proximity to Trx4. RESULTS Trx4 was identified as a dense granule protein of T. gondii predominantly expressed in the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and was partially co-localized with GRA1 and GRA5. Functional analysis showed that deletion of trx4 markedly influenced the parasite lytic cycle, resulting in impaired host cell invasion capacity in both RH and Pru strains. Mutation of Trx domains in Trx4 in RH strain revealed that two Trx domains were important for the parasite invasion. By utilizing the TurboID system to biotinylate proteins in proximity to Trx4, we identified a substantial number of proteins, some of which are novel, and others are previously characterized, predominantly distributed in the dense granules. In addition, we uncovered three novel proteins co-localized with Trx4. Intriguingly, deletion of trx4 did not affect the localization of these three proteins. Finally, a virulence assay demonstrated that knockout of trx4 resulted in a significant attenuation of virulence and a significant reduction in brain cyst loads in mice. CONCLUSIONS Trx4 plays an important role in T. gondii invasion and virulence in Type I RH strain and Type II Pru strain. Combining the TurboID system with CRISPR-Cas9 technique revealed many PV-localized proximity proteins associated with Trx4. These findings suggest a versatile role of Trx4 in mediating the processes that occur in this distinctive intracellular membrane-bound vacuolar compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Xiu Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Cheng-Lin Lei
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Quan Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Xun Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610213, People's Republic of China.
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Liu Z, Mo J, Li Y, Liu S, Zeng Q, Zhang J. Effect of the mitochondrial uncoupling agent BAM15 against the Toxoplasma gondii RH strain and Prugniaud strain. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:96. [PMID: 38424591 PMCID: PMC10905885 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06187-8] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the infection of the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), and safe and effective therapeutic drugs are lacking. Mitochondria, is an important organelle that maintains T. gondii survival, however, drugs targeting mitochondria are lacking. METHODS The cytotoxicity of BAM15 was detected by CCK-8 and the in vitro effects of BAM15 was detected by qPCR, plaque assay and flow cytometry. Furthermore, the ultrastructural changes of T. gondii after BAM15 treatment were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and further the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), ATP level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of T. gondii after BAM15 treatment were detected. The pharmacokinetic experiments and in vivo infection assays were performed in mice to determine the in vivo effect of BAM15. RESULTS BAM15 had excellent anti-T. gondii activity in vitro and in vivo with an EC50 value of 1.25 μM, while the IC50 of BAM15 in Vero cells was 27.07 μM. Notably, BAM15 significantly inhibited proliferation activity of T. gondii RH strain and Prugniaud strain (PRU), caused T. gondii death. Furthermore, BAM15 treatment induced T. gondii mitochondrial vacuolation and autolysis by TEM. Moreover, the decrease in ΔΨm and ATP level, as well as the increase in ROS production further confirmed the changes CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies a useful T. gondii mitochondrial inhibitor, which may also serve as a leading molecule to develop therapeutic mitochondrial inhibitors in toxoplasmosis.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhendi Liu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhengjiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao Mo
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhengjiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Yetian Li
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhengjiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyang Liu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhengjiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingyuan Zeng
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhengjiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Jili Zhang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhengjiang Province, 315211, People's Republic of China.
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730050, People's Republic of China.
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Wang SS, Wang X, He JJ, Zheng WB, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM, Zhou CX. Expression profiles of host miRNAs and circRNAs and ceRNA network during Toxoplasma gondii lytic cycle. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:145. [PMID: 38418741 PMCID: PMC10902104 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08152-x] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that is highly prevalent in the human population and can lead to adverse health consequences in immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. Noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play important regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of many infections. However, the differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and circRNAs implicated in the host cell response during the lytic cycle of T. gondii are unknown. In this study, we profiled the expression of miRNAs and circRNAs in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) at different time points after T. gondii infection using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We identified a total of 7, 7, 27, 45, 70, 148, 203, and 217 DEmiRNAs and 276, 355, 782, 1863, 1738, 6336, 1229, and 1680 DEcircRNAs at 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h post infection (hpi), respectively. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the DE transcripts were enriched in immune response, apoptosis, signal transduction, and metabolism-related pathways. These findings provide new insight into the involvement of miRNAs and circRNAs in the host response to T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Sha Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Xiangwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Jun-Jun He
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Higher Education of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Wen-Bin Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Higher Education of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Chun-Xue Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, Shandong Province, China.
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Fan J, Sun H, Fang J, Gao Y, Ding H, Zheng B, Kong Q, Zhuo X, Lu S. Application of gold immunochromatographic assay strip combined with digital evaluation for early detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in multiple species. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:81. [PMID: 38389080 PMCID: PMC10882914 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06180-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Timely diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection is necessary to prevent and control toxoplasmosis transmission. The gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) is a means of rapidly detecting pathogen in samples. GICA-based diagnostic methods have been developed to accurately detect pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity, and their application in T. gondii diagnosis is expected to yield good results. METHODS Colloidal gold test strips were produced using T. gondii C-terminal truncated apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1C). Colloidal gold-AMA1C and colloidal gold-murine protein conjugate were synthesized under optimal conditions. A nitrocellulose membrane was treated with AMA1C and goat anti-mouse antibody as the test line and control line, respectively. In total, 90 cat serum samples were tested using AMA1C-GICA and a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The GICA results were digitally displayed using a portable colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip analyzer (HMREADER). The sensitivity, specificity, and stability of AMA1C-GICA were assessed, and this was then used to examine clinical samples, including 203 human sera, 266 cat sera, and 81 dog sera. RESULTS AMA1C-GICA had a detection threshold of 1:32 for T. gondii-positive serum. The GICA strips specifically detected T. gondii antibodies and exhibited no reactivity with Plasmodium vivax, Paragonimus kellicotti, Schistosoma japonicum, Clonorchis sinensis, and Schistosoma mansoni. Consequently, 15 (16.7%) positive samples were detected using the AMA1C-GICA and commercial ELISA kits for each of the assays. The receiver-operating characteristic curve showed that GICA had a relative sensitivity of 85.3% and specificity of 92%, with an area under the curve of 98%. After analyzing clinical samples using HMREADER, 1.2%-23.4% of these samples were found to be positive for T. gondii. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a novel assay that enables timely and efficient detection of serum antibodies against T. gondii, thereby allowing for its early clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, the integration of digital detection using HMREADER can enhance the implementation of GICA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiawen Fang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yafan Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xunhui Zhuo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Shaohong Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
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Beaumont E, Brodeur J, Thomas F, Dujon AM, Lupien SJ. Toxoplasma gondii infection in people with schizophrenia is related to higher hair glucocorticoid levels. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1286135. [PMID: 38435971 PMCID: PMC10904596 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1286135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Toxoplasma gondii (TG) is a common protozoan parasite infecting approximately one third of the human population. Animal studies have shown that this parasite can manipulate its host behavior. Based on this, human studies have assessed if TG can be involved in mental health disorders associated with important behavioral modifications such as schizophrenia. However, results have been discrepant. Given that TG has a strong impact on fear and risk-taking processes in animal studies and that fear and risk-taking behaviors are associated with the human stress response, we tested whether glucocorticoid biomarkers (salivary and hair) differ in people with schizophrenia and controls as a function of TG status. Methods We measured TG antibodies in blood samples, as well as salivary and hair glucocorticoid levels in 226 people with schizophrenia (19.9% women, mean age = 39 years old) and 129 healthy individuals (controls) (45.7% women, mean age = 41 years old). Results The results showed that people with schizophrenia infected with TG presented significantly higher hair glucocorticoid concentrations than non-infected people with schizophrenia. This effect was not found in control participants. No effect was observed for salivary glucocorticoid levels. Additionally, there were no associations between TG infection and positive psychotic symptoms nor impulsivity. Discussion These results show that people with schizophrenia present high levels of hair glucocorticoid levels only when they are infected with TG. Further studies performed in populations suffering from other mental health disorders are needed to determine if this effect is specific to schizophrenia, or whether it is generalized across mental health disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emy Beaumont
- Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Center for Studies on Human Stress, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacques Brodeur
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Research on Cancer (CREEC), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Antoine M. Dujon
- Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Research on Cancer (CREEC), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Center for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Sonia J. Lupien
- Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Center for Studies on Human Stress, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Depatment of Psychiatry and Addiction, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Diethelm LTH, Ramos ABDSB, de Lorena GB, Trajano BI, do Espírito Santo RD, de Menezes RPB, Scotti MT, Colombo FA, Marques MJ, Correia CRD, Reimão JQ. First Description of Marinoquinoline Derivatives' Activity against Toxoplasma gondii. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:262. [PMID: 38399316 PMCID: PMC10891983 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease with significant clinical implications, including neurotoxoplasmosis, a leading cause of cerebral lesions in AIDS patients. The current pharmacological treatments for toxoplasmosis face clinical limitations, necessitating the urgent development of new therapeutics. Natural sources have yielded diverse bioactive compounds, serving as the foundation for clinically used derivatives. The exploration of marine bacteria-derived natural products has led to marinoquinolines, which feature a pyrroloquinoline core and demonstrate in vitro and in vivo anti-Plasmodium activity. This study investigates the in vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii potential of six marinoquinoline derivatives. Additionally, it conducts absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) predictions, and evaluates the in vivo efficacy of one selected compound. The compounds displayed half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values between 1.31 and 3.78 µM and half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50) values ranging from 4.16 to 30.51 µM, resulting in selectivity indices (SI) from 3.18 to 20.85. MQ-1 exhibiting the highest in vitro SI, significantly reduced tachyzoite numbers in the peritoneum of RH-infected Swiss mice when it was orally administered at 12.5 mg/kg/day for eight consecutive days. Also, MQ-1 significantly reduced the cerebral parasite burden in chronically ME49 infected C57BL/6 mice when it was orally administered at 25 mg/kg/day for 10 consecutive days. These findings underscore the promising anti-T. gondii activity of marinoquinolines and their potential as novel therapeutic agents against this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Tamie Hirata Diethelm
- Laboratory of Preclinical Assays and Research of Alternative Sources of Innovative Therapy for Toxoplasmosis and Other Sicknesses (PARASITTOS), Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil
| | - Amanda Bruno da Silva Bellini Ramos
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil; (A.B.d.S.B.R.); (F.A.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Giovanna Braga de Lorena
- Laboratory of Preclinical Assays and Research of Alternative Sources of Innovative Therapy for Toxoplasmosis and Other Sicknesses (PARASITTOS), Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil
| | - Bruna Inácio Trajano
- Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil (R.D.d.E.S.); (C.R.D.C.)
| | | | - Renata Priscila Barros de Menezes
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos (PgPNSB), Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos (IPeFarM), Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil (M.T.S.)
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos Bioativos (PgPNSB), Instituto de Pesquisa em Fármacos e Medicamentos (IPeFarM), Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil (M.T.S.)
| | - Fabio Antonio Colombo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil; (A.B.d.S.B.R.); (F.A.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Marcos José Marques
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil; (A.B.d.S.B.R.); (F.A.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | | | - Juliana Quero Reimão
- Laboratory of Preclinical Assays and Research of Alternative Sources of Innovative Therapy for Toxoplasmosis and Other Sicknesses (PARASITTOS), Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Jundiaí 13202-550, Brazil
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Fasquelle F, Scuotto A, Howsam M, Betbeder D. Maltodextrin-Nanoparticles as a Delivery System for Nasal Vaccines: A Review Article. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:247. [PMID: 38399301 PMCID: PMC10892173 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020247] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticles are increasingly being studied as antigen delivery systems for immunization with nasal vaccines. The addition of adjuvants is still generally required in many nanoparticle formulations, which can induce potential side effects owing to mucosal reactogenicity. In contrast, maltodextrin nanoparticles do not require additional immunomodulators, and have been shown to be efficient vaccine delivery systems. In this review, the development of maltodextrin nanoparticles is presented, specifically their physico-chemical properties, their ability to load antigens and deliver them into airway mucosal cells, and the extent to which they trigger protective immune responses against bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. We demonstrate that the addition of lipids to maltodextrin nanoparticles increases their potency as a vaccine delivery system for nasal administration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Howsam
- Université de Lille, Inserm, Centre Hospitalier de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167—RID-AGE—Facteurs de Risque et Déterminants Moléculaires des Maladies Liées au Vieillissement, F-59000 Lille, France
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Wang JL, Li TT, Zhang NZ, Wang M, Sun LX, Zhang ZW, Fu BQ, Elsheikha HM, Zhu XQ. The transcription factor AP2XI-2 is a key negative regulator of Toxoplasma gondii merogony. Nat Commun 2024; 15:793. [PMID: 38278808 PMCID: PMC10817966 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44967-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexual development in Toxoplasma gondii is a multistep process that culminates in the production of oocysts, constituting approximately 50% of human infections. However, the molecular mechanisms governing sexual commitment in this parasite remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the transcription factors AP2XI-2 and AP2XII-1 act as negative regulators, suppressing merozoite-primed pre-sexual commitment during asexual development. Depletion of AP2XI-2 in type II Pru strain induces merogony and production of mature merozoites in an alkaline medium but not in a neutral medium. In contrast, AP2XII-1-depleted Pru strain undergoes several rounds of merogony and produces merozoites in a neutral medium, with more pronounced effects observed under alkaline conditions. Additionally, we identified two additional AP2XI-2-interacting proteins involved in repressing merozoite programming. These findings underscore the intricate regulation of pre-sexual commitment by a network of factors and suggest that AP2XI-2 or AP2XII-1-depleted Pru parasites can serve as a model for studying merogony in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Xiu Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Quan Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China.
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Liu X, Li X, Li C, Lu M, Xu L, Yan R, Song X, Li X. Toxoplasma gondii eIF-5A Modulates the Immune Response of Murine Macrophages In Vitro. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:101. [PMID: 38276673 PMCID: PMC10819733 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan that can elicit a robust immune response during infection. Macrophage cells have been shown to play an important role in the immune response against T. gondii. In our previous study, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) gene of T. gondii was found to influence the invasion and replication of tachyzoites. In this study, the recombinant protein of T. gondii eIF-5A (rTgeIF-5A) was incubated with murine macrophages, and the regulatory effect of TgeIF-5A on macrophages was characterized. Immunofluorescence assay showed that TgeIF-5A was able to bind to macrophages and partially be internalized. The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) level and chemotaxis of macrophages stimulated with TgeIF-5A were reduced. However, the phagocytosis and apoptosis of macrophages were amplified by TgeIF-5A. Meanwhile, the cell viability experiment indicated that TgeIF-5A can promote the viability of macrophages, and in the secretion assays, TgeIF-5A can induce the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) from macrophages. These findings demonstrate that eIF-5A of T. gondii can modulate the immune response of murine macrophages in vitro, which may provide a reference for further research on developing T. gondii vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchao Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, China;
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.L.); (L.X.); (R.Y.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.L.); (L.X.); (R.Y.); (X.S.)
| | - Chunjing Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.L.); (L.X.); (R.Y.); (X.S.)
| | - Mingmin Lu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.L.); (L.X.); (R.Y.); (X.S.)
| | - Lixin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.L.); (L.X.); (R.Y.); (X.S.)
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.L.); (L.X.); (R.Y.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaokai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.L.); (L.X.); (R.Y.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiangrui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.L.); (L.X.); (R.Y.); (X.S.)
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Sarhan MH, Felemban SG, Alelwani W, Sharaf HM, Abd El-Latif YA, Elgazzar E, Kandil AM, Tellez-Isaias G, Mohamed AA. Zinc Oxide and Magnesium-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Ameliorate Murine Chronic Toxoplasmosis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:113. [PMID: 38256946 PMCID: PMC10819917 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes a global parasitic disease. Therapeutic options for eradicating toxoplasmosis are limited. In this study, ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs were prepared, and their structural and morphological chrematistics were investigated. The XRD pattern revealed that Mg-doped ZnO NPs have weak crystallinity and a small crystallite size. FTIR and XPS analyses confirmed the integration of Mg ions into the ZnO framework, producing the high-purity Mg-doped ZnO nanocomposite. TEM micrographs determined the particle size of un-doped ZnO in the range of 29 nm, reduced to 23 nm with Mg2+ replacements. ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs significantly decreased the number of brain cysts (p < 0.05) by 29.30% and 35.08%, respectively, compared to the infected untreated group. The administration of ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs revealed a marked histopathological improvement in the brain, liver, and spleen. Furthermore, ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs reduced P53 expression in the cerebral tissue while inducing CD31 expression, which indicated a protective effect against the infection-induced apoptosis and the restoration of balance between free radicals and antioxidant defense activity. In conclusion, the study proved these nanoparticles have antiparasitic, antiapoptotic, and angiogenetic effects. Being nontoxic compounds, these nanoparticles could be promising adjuvants in treating chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H. Sarhan
- Microbiology Section, Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Shatha G. Felemban
- Medical Laboratory Science Department, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah 21461, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Walla Alelwani
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23890, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hesham M. Sharaf
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (H.M.S.); (Y.A.A.E.-L.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Yasmin A. Abd El-Latif
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (H.M.S.); (Y.A.A.E.-L.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Elsayed Elgazzar
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Ahmad M. Kandil
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11651, Egypt;
| | - Guillermo Tellez-Isaias
- Department of Poultry Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Aya A. Mohamed
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (H.M.S.); (Y.A.A.E.-L.); (A.A.M.)
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Wakid MH, Alsulami MN, Farid M, El Kholy WA. Potential Anti-Toxoplasmosis Efficiency of Phoenix dactylifera Extracts Loaded on Selenium Nanoparticles. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:7743-7758. [PMID: 38144223 PMCID: PMC10749168 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s443047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that infects humans and many types of mammals and birds. Objective To investigate the effect of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and Phoenix dactylifera (Pd) extracts loaded on SeNPs as a new agent to combat chronic T. gondii infections in murine model as an alternative method to standard Spiramycin drug therapy. Methods A total of 64 female mice were randomly divided into eight groups: GI: Normal control, GII: Positive control, GIII: infected and treated with Spiramycin, GIV: infected and treated with SeNPs, GV: infected and treated with aqueous extract of Pd, GVI: infected and treated with methanolic extract of Pd, GVII: infected and treated with aqueous extract of Pd loaded on SeNPs, GVIII: infected and treated with methanolic extract of Pd loaded on SeNPs. Date palm (P. dactylifera) fruits were identified and collected from the farms of Saudi Arabia. Preparation and characterization of SeNPs were done. The parasitological, histopathological examinations and biochemical changes were evaluated in all groups. Results Parasitological results showed significant differences in GVII in comparison to GII while GVIII showed significant differences in comparison to GII and GIII. The histopathological section of the cerebral cortex showed obvious alterations in the infected compared with untreated control groups. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of P. dactylifera loaded on SeNPs treatment showed improvement that indicated by few perivascular cuffing with few inflammatory cell infiltrations. Few granule cells with mild intracellular vacuolation and edema few deformed neurons with deep pyknotic nuclei. Microglia cells expression of Iba-1 and inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and INF-γ) in serum of all groups was higher in GII and lowest in GVIII followed by GVII. Conclusion SeNPs and P. dactylifera extracts loaded on SeNPs could be a potent agent to combat T. gondii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majed H Wakid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muslimah N Alsulami
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Farid
- Sciences Academy of Experimental Researches, Special Scientific Foundation, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Walaa A El Kholy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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38
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Rodriguez JB, Szajnman SH. An updated review of chemical compounds with anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115885. [PMID: 37871407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115885] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The opportunistic apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent for toxoplasmosis, which can infect a widespread range of hosts, particularly humans and warm-blooded animals. The present chemotherapy to treat or prevent toxoplasmosis is deficient and is based on diverse drugs such as atovaquone, trimethoprim, spiramycine, which are effective in acute toxoplasmosis. Therefore, a safe chemotherapy is required for toxoplasmosis considering that its responsible agent, T. gondii, provokes severe illness and death in pregnant women and immunodeficient patients. A certain disadvantage of the available treatments is the lack of effectiveness against the tissue cyst of the parasite. A safe chemotherapy to combat toxoplasmosis should be based on the metabolic differences between the parasite and the mammalian host. This article covers different relevant molecular targets to combat this disease including the isoprenoid pathway (farnesyl diphosphate synthase, squalene synthase), dihydrofolate reductase, calcium-dependent protein kinases, histone deacetylase, mitochondrial electron transport chain, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan B Rodriguez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR), C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Sergio H Szajnman
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR), C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Fasquelle F, Scuotto A, Vreulx AC, Petit T, Charpentier T, Betbeder D. Nasal vaccination of six squirrel monkeys ( Saimiri sciureus): Improved immunization protocol against Toxoplasma gondii with a nanoparticle-born vaccine. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 22:69-74. [PMID: 37720360 PMCID: PMC10500419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoon found worldwide, which completes its life cycle between felids (its definitive host) and other warm-blooded animals. While the infection rarely leads to severe complications in humans, many animal species are very susceptible to this infection, for example the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) which is the subject of this study. Toxoplasmosis is lethal for 80% of cases in this species, and fatal outbreaks are frequently reported in zoological parks. No efficient treatment exists, but a new vaccine prepared with maltodextrin nanoparticles containing killed T. gondii antigens has been tested recently in French zoos. The animals were immunized through heterologous administrations, with two nasal doses at one-month interval, followed by nasal/subcutaneous boosts thereafter. No death has been reported since the beginning of this vaccination campaign, but we felt the protocol could be simplified. Here, an improved and less-invasive immunization protocol was evaluated on 6 Saimiri sciureus in the French zoo La Palmyre. It consisted of two nasal administrations at one-month interval, followed by a nasal boost at 6 months. A specific memory T-cell immunity was observed by ELISPOT after two administrations in all the animals, without humoral responses. The results suggest that 2 nasal administrations induce a protective immune response against T. gondii infection and might be sufficient to induce a strong Tcell memory, further improving immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Thierry Petit
- Zoo de La Palmyre, 6 avenue de Royan, 17570, Les Mathes, France
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Zhai B, Meng YM, Xie SC, Peng JJ, Liu Y, Qiu Y, Wang L, Zhang J, He JJ. iTRAQ-Based Phosphoproteomic Analysis Exposes Molecular Changes in the Small Intestinal Epithelia of Cats after Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3537. [PMID: 38003154 PMCID: PMC10668779 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, has the ability to invade and proliferate within most nucleated cells. The invasion and destruction of host cells by T. gondii lead to significant changes in the cellular signal transduction network. One important post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins is phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, which plays a crucial role in cell signal transmission. In this study, we aimed to investigate how T. gondii regulates signal transduction in definitive host cells. We employed titanium dioxide (TiO2) affinity chromatography to enrich phosphopeptides in the small intestinal epithelia of cats at 10 days post-infection with the T. gondii Prugniuad (Pru) strain and quantified them using iTRAQ technology. A total of 4998 phosphopeptides, 3497 phosphorylation sites, and 1805 phosphoproteins were identified. Among the 705 differentially expressed phosphoproteins (DEPs), 68 were down-regulated and 637 were up-regulated. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that the DE phosphoproteins were involved in various cellular processes, including actin cytoskeleton reorganization, cell necroptosis, and MHC immune processes. Our findings confirm that T. gondii infection leads to extensive changes in the phosphorylation of proteins in the cat intestinal epithelial cells. The results of this study provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the interaction between T. gondii and its definitive host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bintao Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharma-Ceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Yu-Meng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Y.-M.M.); (J.-J.P.)
| | - Shi-Chen Xie
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (S.-C.X.); (L.W.)
| | - Jun-Jie Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Y.-M.M.); (J.-J.P.)
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China;
| | - Yanhua Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharma-Ceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Lu Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (S.-C.X.); (L.W.)
| | - Jiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharma-Ceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Jun-Jun He
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
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Jafari MM, Azimzadeh Tabrizi Z, Dayer MS, Kazemi-Sefat NA, Mohtashamifard M, Mohseni R, Bagheri A, Bahadory S, Karimipour-Saryazdi A, Ghaffarifar F. Immune system roles in pathogenesis, prognosis, control, and treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110872. [PMID: 37660595 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the protozoan causative agent of toxoplasmosis in humans and warm-blooded animals. Recent studies have illustrated that the immune system plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis by triggering immune cytokines like IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ and immune cells like DCs, Th1, and Th17. On the other hand, some immune components can serve as prognosis markers of toxoplasmosis. In healthy people, the disease is often asymptomatic, but immunocompromised people and newborns may suffer severe symptoms and complications. Therefore, the immune prognostic markers may provide tools to measure the disease progress and help patients to avoid further complications. Immunotherapies using monoclonal antibody, cytokines, immune cells, exosomes, novel vaccines, and anti-inflammatory molecules open new horizon for toxoplasmosis treatment. In this review article, we discussed the immunopathogenesis, prognosis, and immunotherapy of Toxoplasma gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahdi Jafari
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Azimzadeh Tabrizi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saaid Dayer
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mahshid Mohtashamifard
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rahimeh Mohseni
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Bagheri
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Bahadory
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Karimipour-Saryazdi
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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Shi Y, Li J, Yang W, Chen J. Protective immunity induced by DNA vaccine containing Tg GRA35, Tg GRA42, and Tg GRA43 against Toxoplasma gondii infection in Kunming mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1236130. [PMID: 38029261 PMCID: PMC10644269 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1236130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii can cause congenital infection and abortion in humans and warm-blooded animals. T. gondii dense granule proteins, GRA35, GRA42, and GRA43, play a critical role in the establishment of chronic infection. However, their potential to induce protective immunity against T. gondii infection remains unexplored. Objective This study aimed to test the efficacy of a DNA vaccine encompassing GRA35, GRA42, and GRA43 in inducing protective immunity against the highly virulent T. gondii RH strain (type I) and the brain cyst-forming PRU strain (type II). Methods The eukaryotic plasmids pVAX-GRA35, pVAX-GRA42, and pVAX-GRA43 were constructed and formulated into two- or three-gene cocktail DNA vaccines. The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to analyze their expression and immunogenicity. Mice were immunized with a single-gene, two-genes, or multicomponent eukaryotic plasmid, intramuscularly. We assessed antibody levels, cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) responses, cytokines, and lymphocyte surface markers by using flow cytometry. Additionally, mouse survival and cyst numbers in the brain of mice challenged 1 to 2 months postvaccination were determined. Results Specific humoral and cellular immune responses were elicited in mice immunized with single-, two-, or three-gene cocktail DNA vaccine, as indicated by significant increases in serum antibody concentrations of total IgG, IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, cytokine levels (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, IL-4, and IL-10), lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte populations (CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes), CTL activities, and survival, as well as decreased brain cysts, in comparison with control mice. Moreover, compared with pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42, pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43, or pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA43, multicomponent DNA vaccine with three genes (pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43) induced the higher humoral and cellular immune responses, including serum antibody concentrations, cytokine levels, lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte populations, CTL activities and survival, resulting in prolonged survival time and reduced brain cyst loads. Furthermore, mice immunized with pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42, pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43, or pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA43 showed greater Th1 immune responses and protective efficacy than the single-gene-vaccinated groups. Conclusion These results demonstrate that TgGRA35, TgGRA42, or TgGRA43 are vaccine candidates against T. gondii infection, and the three-gene DNA vaccine cocktail conferred the strongest protection against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youbo Shi
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jianbing Li
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Weili Yang
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jia Chen
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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Gao J, Wu XJ, Zheng XN, Li TT, Kou YJ, Wang XC, Wang M, Zhu XQ. Functional Characterization of Eight Zinc Finger Motif-Containing Proteins in Toxoplasma gondii Type I RH Strain Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System. Pathogens 2023; 12:1232. [PMID: 37887748 PMCID: PMC10609756 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The Zinc finger protein (ZFP) family is widely distributed in eukaryotes and interacts with DNA, RNA, and various proteins to participate in many molecular processes. In the present study, the biological functions of eight ZFP genes in the lytic cycle and the pathogenicity of Toxoplasma gondii were examined using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Immunofluorescence showed that four ZFPs (RH248270-HA, RH255310-HA, RH309200-HA, and RH236640-HA) were localized in the cytoplasm, and one ZFP (RH273150-HA) was located in the nucleus, while the expression level of RH285190-HA, RH260870-HA, and RH248450-HA was undetectable. No significant differences were detected between seven RHΔzfp strains (RHΔ285190, RHΔ248270, RHΔ260870, RHΔ255310, RHΔ309200, RHΔ248450, and RHΔ236640) and the wild-type (WT) strain in the T. gondii lytic cycle, including plaque formation, invasion, intracellular replication, and egress, as well as in vitro virulence (p > 0.05). However, the RHΔ273150 strain exhibited significantly lower replication efficiency compared to the other seven RHΔzfp strains and the WT strain, while in vivo virulence in mice was not significantly affected. Comparative expression analysis of the eight zfp genes indicates that certain genes may have essential functions in the sexual reproductive stage of T. gondii. Taken together, these findings expand our current understanding of the roles of ZFPs in T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gao
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (J.G.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.); (Y.-J.K.)
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (T.-T.L.); (X.-C.W.)
| | - Xiao-Jing Wu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (J.G.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.); (Y.-J.K.)
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (T.-T.L.); (X.-C.W.)
| | - Xiao-Nan Zheng
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (J.G.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.); (Y.-J.K.)
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (T.-T.L.); (X.-C.W.)
| | - Yong-Jie Kou
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (J.G.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.); (Y.-J.K.)
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (T.-T.L.); (X.-C.W.)
| | - Xin-Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (T.-T.L.); (X.-C.W.)
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (T.-T.L.); (X.-C.W.)
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (J.G.); (X.-J.W.); (X.-N.Z.); (Y.-J.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Higher Education of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
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Yu CW, Zhu XF, Huang C, Meng HD, Cao XG. Case report: A toxoplasmic encephalitis in an immunocompromised child detected through metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1247233. [PMID: 37841727 PMCID: PMC10569600 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1247233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
There exist numerous pathogens that are capable of causing infections within the central nervous system (CNS); however, conventional detection and analysis methods prove to be challenging. Clinical diagnosis of CNS infections often depends on clinical characteristics, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, imaging, and molecular detection assays. Unfortunately, these methods can be both insensitive and time consuming, which can lead to missed diagnoses and catastrophic outcomes, especially in the case of infrequent diseases. Despite the application of appropriate prophylactic regimens and evidence-based antimicrobial agents, CNS infections continue to result in significant morbidity and mortality in hospital settings. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a novel tool that enables the identification of thousands of pathogens in a target-independent manner in a single run. The role of this innovative detection method in clinical pathogen diagnostics has matured over time. In this particular research, clinicians employed mNGS to investigate a suspected CNS infection in a child with leukemia, and unexpectedly detected Toxoplasma gondii. Case A 3-year-old child diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma was admitted to our hospital due to a 2-day history of fever and headache, along with 1 day of altered consciousness. Upon admission, the patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple abnormal signals. Due to the patient's atypical clinical symptoms and laboratory test results, determining the etiology and treatment plan was difficulty.Subsequently, the patient underwent next-generation sequencing examination of cerebrospinal fluid. The following day, the results indicated the presence of Toxoplasma gondii. The patient received treatment with a combination of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) and azithromycin. After approximately 7 days, the patient's symptoms significantly improved, and they were discharged from the hospital with oral medication to continue at home. A follow-up polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing after about 6 weeks revealed the absence of Toxoplasma. Conclusion This case highlights the potential of mNGS as an effective method for detecting toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE). Since mNGS can identify thousands of pathogens in a single run, it may be a promising detection method for investigating the causative pathogens of central nervous system infections with atypical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang-Wei Yu
- Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit, TaiHe County People’s Hospital, Fuyan, China
| | - Xiong-Feng Zhu
- Department of Emergency Emergency Internal Medicine Department, The Third People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei, China
| | - Chongjian Huang
- Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, China
| | - Hua-Dong Meng
- Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit, The Third Affiliated Hospital of AnhuiMedical University (The First People's Hospital of Hefei), Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Guang Cao
- Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, China
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El Naggar HM, Anwar MM, Khayyal AE, Abdelhameed RM, Barakat AM, Sadek SAS, Elashkar AM. Application of honeybee venom loaded nanoparticles for the treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis: parasitological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical studies. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:591-607. [PMID: 37520202 PMCID: PMC10382463 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01602-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic intracellular protozoon which may cause severe disease in the immunocompromised patients. Unfortunately, the majority of treatments on the market work against tachyzoites in the acute infection but can't affect tissue cysts in the chronic phase. So, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of bee venom (BV) loaded metal organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of chronic murine toxoplasmosis. Ninety laboratory Swiss Albino mice were divided into 9 groups (10 mice each); GI (negative control), GII (infected control), GIII-GXI (infected with Me49 strain of Toxoplasma and treated); GIII (MOFs-NPs), GIV and GV (BV alone and loaded on MOFs-NPs), GVI and GVII (spiramycin alone and loaded on MOFs-NPs), GVIII and GIX (ciprofloxacin alone and loaded on MOFs-NPs). Parasitological examination of brain cyst count, histopathological study of brain, retina, liver, and kidney tissue sections and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation of liver was performed. Counting of Toxoplasma brain cysts showed high statistically significant difference between the infected treated groups and GII. GV showed the least count of brain cysts; mean ± SD (281 ± 29.5). Histopathological examination revealed a marked ameliorative effect of BV administration when used alone or loaded MOFs-NPs. It significantly reduced tissue inflammation, degeneration, and fibrosis. IHC examination of liver sections revealed high density CD8+ infiltration in GII, low density CD8+ infiltration in GIII, GVI, GVII, GVIII, and GIX while GIV and GV showed intermediate density CD8+ infiltration. BV is a promising Apitherapy against chronic toxoplasmosis. This effect is markedly enhanced by MOFs-NPs. Graphical abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba M. El Naggar
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona M Anwar
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira E. Khayyal
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reda M Abdelhameed
- Department of Applied Organic Chemistry, Chemical Industries Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ashraf M. Barakat
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sabry A. S. Sadek
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ayman M. Elashkar
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, KSA Saudi Arabia
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Li X, Zhu S, Zhang X, Ren Y, He J, Zhou J, Yin L, Wang G, Zhong T, Wang L, Xiao Y, Zhu C, Yin C, Yu X. Advances in the application of recombinase-aided amplification combined with CRISPR-Cas technology in quick detection of pathogenic microbes. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1215466. [PMID: 37720320 PMCID: PMC10502170 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1215466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid diagnosis of pathogenic infections plays a vital role in disease prevention, control, and public health safety. Recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) is an innovative isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology capable of fast DNA or RNA amplification at low temperatures. RAA offers advantages such as simplicity, speed, precision, energy efficiency, and convenient operation. This technology relies on four essential components: recombinase, single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB), DNA polymerase, and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, which collectively replace the laborious thermal cycling process of traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In recent years, the CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated proteins) system, a groundbreaking genome engineering tool, has garnered widespread attention across biotechnology, agriculture, and medicine. Increasingly, researchers have integrated the recombinase polymerase amplification system (or RAA system) with CRISPR technology, enabling more convenient and intuitive determination of detection results. This integration has significantly expanded the application of RAA in pathogen detection. The step-by-step operation of these two systems has been successfully employed for molecular diagnosis of pathogenic microbes, while the single-tube one-step method holds promise for efficient pathogen detection. This paper provides a comprehensive review of RAA combined with CRISPR-Cas and its applications in pathogen detection, aiming to serve as a valuable reference for further research in related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Li
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long Taipa, Macau, 999078, China
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310015, China
| | - Shuying Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310015, China
| | - Xinling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310015, China
| | - Yanli Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, China
| | - Jing He
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310015, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310015, China
| | - Liliang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310015, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310015, China
| | - Tian Zhong
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long Taipa, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long Taipa, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long Taipa, Macau, 999078, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
| | - Chunying Zhu
- Clinical Psychology Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310005, China
| | - Chengliang Yin
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long Taipa, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long Taipa, Macau, 999078, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510006, China
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Zawadzki R, Modzelewski S, Naumowicz M, Matyja AM, Urbaniak AD, Zajkowska J, Kubas B. Evaluation of imaging methods in cerebral toxoplasmosis. Pol J Radiol 2023; 88:e389-e398. [PMID: 37701171 PMCID: PMC10493861 DOI: 10.5114/pjr.2023.130981] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease resulting, in most cases, from a reactivation of a latent cyst with Toxoplasma gondii. The disease mainly affects immunosuppressed individuals, such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-infected patients. Diagnosis is based on specialized antibody testing, clinical symptoms, neuroimaging methods, and histological examination. The gold standard for diagnosis is a brain biopsy, but more often the response to treatment seen in clinical symptoms and neuroimaging studies is sufficient. The imaging features support the diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis and help assess the effectiveness of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radosław Zawadzki
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Stefan Modzelewski
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Maciej Naumowicz
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | | | | | - Joanna Zajkowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Bożena Kubas
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
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Daka V, Mukosha M, Matafwali SK, Mudenda S, Phiri AM. Knowledge and practices of toxoplasmosis among healthcare workers at two large referral hospitals in Zambia: Implications on the One Health Approach. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002235. [PMID: 37582063 PMCID: PMC10426967 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Assessing the knowledge and practices of healthcare workers regarding Toxoplasma gondii infection, diagnosis, treatment, and control is crucial for developing an effective management strategy. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 175 healthcare workers at Ndola Teaching Hospital and Namwala District Hospital in Zambia from September 2021 to April 2022. RESULTS More than half (57.1%) of the respondents were males. Overall, 46(26.3%) and 68 (38.9%) respondents reported good knowledge and practices, respectively. Respondents with a higher number of years of experience (AOR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.97), who were nurses than clinicians (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.007-0.41) and working at Ndola teaching hospital than Namwala hospital (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI:0.13-0.89) were less likely to have good knowledge. Respondents with a degree qualification than a diploma (AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.09-8.47) were more likely to have good knowledge. Respondents from Ndola teaching hospital than Namwala hospital (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.17-0.92) were less likely to have good practices. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that healthcare workers had low levels of knowledge and poor practices, which could have negative implications for the management of toxoplasmosis. To improve their knowledge and practices, continuous medical education in Toxoplasma related aspects is recommended for in-service healthcare workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Daka
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Public Health Department, School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
- Africa Center for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Moses Mukosha
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Scott K. Matafwali
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steward Mudenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Andrew M. Phiri
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Africa Center for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Dragomir A, Lupu MA, Lighezan R, Paduraru AA, Olariu TR. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases from Western Romania: A Case-Control Study. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1575. [PMID: 37511950 PMCID: PMC10382031 DOI: 10.3390/life13071575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii infects approximately one third of the world's human population. The seroepidemiology of T. gondii in cardiovascular patients is poorly discussed in the existing literature. We aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the seroprevalence of T. gondii in cardiovascular patients from Western Romania. (2) Methods: Serologic testing to demonstrate the presence of T. gondii antibodies was conducted in 256 patients with cardiovascular diseases and 261 matched blood donors. (3) Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was 64.06% in patients with cardiovascular diseases and 52.88% in blood donors and tended to increase with age in both groups. The seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was significantly higher in cardiovascular male patients (69.94%) compared to male blood donors (55.69%) (p = 0.006). When compared to the control group, a significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was found among patients with hypertension (82.35%; p = 0.01) and unstable angina (67.56%; p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: This study brings new epidemiological information on the prevalence of T. gondii in Romanian cardiovascular patients. T. gondii seroprevalence was significantly higher in patients with hypertension and unstable angina, suggesting that individuals with these diagnoses may be more frequently infected with T. gondii. This study may be a valuable starting point for further research to better evaluate the impact of T. gondii exposure on patients with cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Dragomir
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria Alina Lupu
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Patogen Preventia, 300124 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Rodica Lighezan
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Regional Blood Transfusion Center, 300737 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ana Alexandra Paduraru
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Patogen Preventia, 300124 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Tudor Rares Olariu
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Patogen Preventia, 300124 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, Municipal Clinical Emergency Teaching Hospital, 300254 Timisoara, Romania
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Sang X, Li X, Chen R, Feng Y, He T, Zhang X, El-Ashram S, Al-Olayan E, Yang N. Co-Immunization with DNA Vaccines Expressing SABP1 and SAG1 Proteins Effectively Enhanced Mice Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii Acute Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1190. [PMID: 37515006 PMCID: PMC10384583 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has many intermediate hosts, obligately invades nucleated cells, and seriously threatens human and animal health due to a lack of effective drugs and vaccines. Sialic acid-binding protein 1 (SABP1) is a novel invasion-related protein that, like surface antigen 1 (SAG1), is found on the plasma membrane of T. gondii. To investigate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DNA vaccines expressing SABP1 and SAG1 proteins against T. gondii acute infection, the recombinant plasmids pVAX1-SABP1 and pVAX1-SAG1 were produced and administered intramuscularly in Balb/c mice. Serum antibody levels and subtypes, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokines were used to assess immunized mice's humoral and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, the ability of DNA vaccines to protect mice against T. gondii RH tachyzoites was tested. Immunized mice exhibited substantially higher IgG levels, with IgG2a titers higher than IgG1. When the immune group mice's splenocytes were stimulated with T. gondii lysate antigen, Th1-type cytokines (IL-12p70, IFN-γ, and IL-2) and Th2-type cytokine (IL-4) increased significantly. The combined DNA vaccine significantly increased the immunized mouse survival compared to the control group, with an average death time extended by 4.33 ± 0.6 days (p < 0.0001). These findings show that DNA vaccines based on the SABP1 and SAG1 genes induced robust humoral and cellular immunity in mice, effectively protecting against acute toxoplasmosis and potentially serving as a viable option for vaccination to prevent T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ting He
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Ebtsam Al-Olayan
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
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