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Wang Y, Sang X, El-Ashram S, Ding Y, Yu K, Feng Y, Yang N. Establishment of a method for detecting Trichinella spiralis in ovine muscle tissues using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Exp Parasitol 2023; 246:108457. [PMID: 36599388 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108457] [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: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Trichinellosis is caused by Trichinella spiralis, a meat-borne zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through the consumption of infected undercooked or raw meat. Surveillance using safe and precise diagnostic tools to diagnose T. spiralis in sheep is needed to assess the incidence and probability of transmission from sheep to humans. In this study, we developed a real-time PCR assay to detect T. spiralis DNA in ovine muscle samples that can be used as an alternative surveillance tool to ensure food safety using newly designed primers. The assay is specific for the Scfld4 gene of Trichinella (T1) and enables the detection of larvae in ovine muscle tissue samples with high sensitivity and specificity. Trichuris ovis, Oesophagostomum dentatum, Haemonchus contortus, and Bunostomum trigonocephalum showed no nonspecific amplification. The assay could detect Trichinella DNA concentrations as low as 0.0026 ng/μL, equivalent to 0.0064 larvae, indicating a high sensitivity for T. spiralis detection. We used this real-time PCR to detect 73 ovine muscle samples from an ovine abattoir, and five samples tested positive via real-time PCR but negative via microscopy. This assay may provide a more specific and sensitive method for rapidly detecting Trichinella larvae in ovine muscle tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, 110866, Shengyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, 110866, Shengyang, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong Province, China; Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, 33516, Egypt
| | - Yingying Ding
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, 110866, Shengyang, China
| | - Kejie Yu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, 110866, Shengyang, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, 110866, Shengyang, China
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, 110866, Shengyang, China.
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Souza JS, Farani PSG, Ferreira BIS, Barbosa HS, Menna-Barreto RFS, Moreira OC, Mariante RM. Establishment of a murine model of congenital toxoplasmosis and validation of a qPCR assay to assess the parasite load in maternal and fetal tissues. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1124378. [PMID: 36922978 PMCID: PMC10009190 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1124378] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects warm-blooded animals and one third of the human population worldwide. Pregnant women who have never been exposed to the parasite constitute an important risk group, as infection during pregnancy often leads to congenital toxoplasmosis, the most severe form of the disease. Current therapy for toxoplasmosis is the same as it was 50 years ago and has little or no effect when vertical transmission occurs. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new strategies to prevent mother-to-fetus transmission. The implementation of experimental animal models of congenital toxoplasmosis that reproduces the transmission rates and clinical signs in humans opens an avenue of possibilities to interfere in the progression of the disease. In addition, knowing the parasite load in maternal and fetal tissues after infection, which may be related to organ abnormalities and disease outcome, is another important step in designing a promising intervention strategy. Therefore, we implemented here a murine model of congenital toxoplasmosis with outbred Swiss Webster mice infected intravenously with tachyzoites of the ME49 strain of T. gondii that mimics the frequency of transmission of the parasite, as well as important clinical signs of human congenital toxoplasmosis, such as macrocephaly, in addition to providing a highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR assay to assess parasite load in mouse tissues. As the disease is not restricted to humans, also affecting several domestic animals, including companion animals and livestock, they can also benefit from the model presented in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica S Souza
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Priscila S G Farani
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Biological Science, Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Beatriz I S Ferreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helene S Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Otacilio C Moreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Mariante
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Al Khoury C, Nemer G, Guillot J, Tokajian S. Absolute quantification of gene expression in drug discovery using RT-qPCR: Case of a drug used in the treatment of leishmaniasis. Res Vet Sci 2022; 153:17-22. [PMID: 36279791 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease and a public health concern. Chemotherapeutic agents available for the treatment of parasitic infections, including leishmaniasis, have several limitations. For that, we designed a highly sensitive assay using RT-aqPCR to evaluate the efficacy of antileishmanial drugs using SYBR Green to quantify the expression of marker genes. A matrix of reactions using different annealing temperatures and primer concentrations was tested to obtain optimum assay performance. The standard curves designed for quantification of parasites and macrophages showed linearity over a 9-log DNA concentration range. The amount of input target sequence was determined by plotting the Ct value of drug-exposed cells on the standard curves. We then tested the efficacy of miltefosine against Leishmania tropica. The RT-aqPCR assay was more sensitive, reproducible, and time-efficient than the conventional microscopic counting method. Most of the anti-parasitic drugs available have significant drawbacks, and there is an urgent need to develop new alternatives. Our assay expedites preclinical testing efficacy of candidate anti-parasitic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charbel Al Khoury
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut Campus, P.O. Box 13-5053, Chouran, 1102 2801 Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Nemer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 110236, Beirut, Lebanon; Division of Genomics and Translational Biomedicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Jacques Guillot
- Dermatology Parasitology Mycology Departement, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Nantes, Oniris, 44307 Nantes, France
| | - Sima Tokajian
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos Campus, P.O. Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon.
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4
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Taalay I, Iqbal RK, Asif M, Ahmad A, Amjad M, Anwar FN, Aktas M, Ben Said M, Iqbal F. Molecular survey of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle and buffaloes and phylogenetic position of Pakistani isolates based on ITS-1 gene. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 84:101782. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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He X, Zhou DR, Sun YW, Zhang Y, Zhang XG, Weng YB, Lin RQ. A PCR assay with high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of swine toxoplasmosis based on the GRA14 gene. Vet Parasitol 2021; 299:109566. [PMID: 34509125 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite, can infect all warm-blooded animals. Infected swine are considered one of the most important sources of T. gondii infection in humans. Rapidly and effectively diagnosing T. gondii infection in swine is essential. PCR-based diagnostic tests have been fully developed, and very sensitive and specific PCR is crucial for the diagnosis of swine toxoplasmosis. In this study, we used the T. gondii dense granule protein 14 (GRA14) gene as a target to design specific primers and established a high-specificity and high-sensitivity PCR detection method for swine toxoplasmosis. Notably, this PCR method could detect T. gondii tachyzoite DNA in the acute infection phase. The GRA14 gene PCR assay detected a minimum of 2.35 tachyzoites of T. gondii and can be used for T. gondii detection in blood, tissue, semen, urine and waste feed specimens. A total of 5462 blood specimens collected from pigs in 5 provinces and autonomous regions in southern China during 2016-2017 were assessed by the newly established GRA14 gene PCR method. The overall T. gondii infection rate was 18.9 % (1033/5462). According to the statistical analysis of different regions in China, the positive rates of swine toxoplasmosis from 2016 to 2017 were highest in the Shaanxi, Fujian and Guangdong areas, at 31.7 % (44/139), 21.9 % (86/391) and 18.8 % (874/4645), respectively. Specimens collected in 2017 had a higher positive rate (19.1 %) than those collected in 2016 (16.1 %). In addition, specimens collected in autumn (39.4 %), spring (22.8 %) and winter (18.2 %) had higher positive rates than those collected in summer (3.8 %). These results indicate that the new PCR method based on the T. gondii GRA14 gene has utility for the diagnosis of swine toxoplasmosis and can facilitate the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in clinical laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - De-Rong Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yan-Wu Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuan Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Gang Zhang
- Foshan Standard Bio-Tech Co., Ltd., Foshan 528138, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ya-Biao Weng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rui-Qing Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510642, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Rombouts S, Nollmann M. RNA imaging in bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:5917984. [PMID: 33016325 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression plays an essential role in many biological processes. Recently, several imaging-based RNA labeling and detection methods, both in fixed and live cells, were developed and now enable the study of transcript abundance, localization and dynamics. Here, we review the main single-cell techniques for RNA visualization with fluorescence microscopy and describe their applications in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rombouts
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, CNRS UMR 5048, INSERM U1054, Université de Montpellier, 60 Rue de Navacelles, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Marcelo Nollmann
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, CNRS UMR 5048, INSERM U1054, Université de Montpellier, 60 Rue de Navacelles, 34090, Montpellier, France
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Ma QN, Wang M, Zheng LB, Lin ZQ, Ehsan M, Xiao XX, Zhu XQ. RAA-Cas12a-Tg: A Nucleic Acid Detection System for Toxoplasma gondii Based on CRISPR-Cas12a Combined with Recombinase-Aided Amplification (RAA). Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081644. [PMID: 34442722 PMCID: PMC8401747 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the intracellular protozoon Toxoplasma gondii, is a significant parasitic zoonosis with a world-wide distribution. As a main transmission route, human infection can be acquired by the ingestion of T. gondii oocysts from the environment (e.g., soil, water, fruits and vegetables). Regarding the detection of T. gondii oocysts in environmental samples, the development of a time-saving, cost-effective and highly sensitive technique is crucial for the surveillance, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis. In this study, we developed a new method by combining recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) with CRISPR-Cas12a, designated as the RAA-Cas12a-Tg system. Here, we compared this system targeting the 529 bp repeat element (529 bp-RE) with the routine PCR targeting both 529 bp-RE and ITS-1 gene, respectively, to assess its ability to detect T. gondii oocysts in soil samples. Our results indicated that the 529 bp RE-based RAA-Cas12a-Tg system was able to detect T. gondii successfully in nearly an hour at body temperature and was more sensitive than the routine PCR assay. The sensitivity of this system reached as low as 1 fM with high specificity. Thus, RAA-Cas12a-Tg system provided a rapid, sensitive and easily operable method for point-of-care detection of T. gondii oocysts in soil, which will facilitate the control of T. gondii infection in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Ni Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Q.-N.M.); (M.W.)
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Q.-N.M.); (M.W.)
| | - Lai-Bao Zheng
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Sanitary Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (L.-B.Z.); (Z.-Q.L.)
| | - Zi-Qin Lin
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Sanitary Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (L.-B.Z.); (Z.-Q.L.)
| | - Muhammad Ehsan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan;
| | - Xing-Xing Xiao
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Sanitary Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (L.-B.Z.); (Z.-Q.L.)
- Correspondence: (X.-X.X.); (X.-Q.Z.)
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Q.-N.M.); (M.W.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
- Correspondence: (X.-X.X.); (X.-Q.Z.)
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Minutti AF, Gonçalves Vieira FE, Sasse JP, Martins TA, de Seixas M, Tosi Cardim S, de Barros LD, Garcia JL. Comparison of serological and molecular techniques to detect Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Vet Parasitol 2021; 296:109515. [PMID: 34242913 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to compare different indirect and direct diagnostic techniques to diagnose Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens. Samples of 386 chickens obtained from 24 Paraná properties were used for serological analysis by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), modified agglutination test (MAT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Animals positive by IFAT and/or MAT had their tissues submitted to the mouse bioassay, and those who were positive in this technique had their blood, tissues, and acidic pepsin tissue digestion submitted to PCR (conventional, nested, and quantitative-PCR (qPCR)). One hundred and nineteen chickens (30.8 %) were positive in at least one of the serological tests, being 102 (26.4 %) in the IFAT, 64 (16.6 %) in the MAT, and 62 (16.0 %) in the ELISA. The IFAT was used as a gold standard, and the MAT showed higher sensitivity (46.0 %) and specificity (94.0) compared to ELISA (43.5 % and 93.6 %, respectively). Ninety samples of eighteen chickens positive in the mouse bioassay were subjected to PCR, and according to molecular tests, the conventional PCR detected the T. gondii DNA in 30 % (27/90) of the samples, in 38.8 % (35/90) with nested-PCR and 40.0 % (36/90) with real-time. According to molecular analyzes, the sensitivity was higher in ITS1 nested-PCR (69.4 %) and specificity in conventional PCR-529bp (90.7 %), using the qPCR as the gold standard. MAT and ELISA had similarities in concordance analyzes. The IFAT was the serological technique with the highest agreement with the mouse bioassay, and serological tests in parallel showed to be a good screening option for the isolation of T. gondii in chick tissues. The PCR markers effectively detected the parasite DNA, and the heart was the tissue with the highest number of positives samples. The conventional PCR had sensitivity similar to nested-PCR and qPCR and could be a cheaper alternative to diagnose T. gondii infection in chicken tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Flávia Minutti
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 km 380, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - João Pedro Sasse
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 km 380, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Thais Agostinho Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 km 380, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Mércia de Seixas
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 km 380, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Tosi Cardim
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Norte do Paraná - UNOPAR, Arapongas, PR, Brazil
| | - Luiz Daniel de Barros
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 km 380, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Animal Protozoology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445 km 380, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil
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Nayeri T, Sarvi S, Daryani A. Toxoplasma gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals: a systematic review. Parasitology 2021; 148:895-903. [PMID: 33691818 PMCID: PMC11010209 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is known for its ability to infect warm-blooded vertebrates. Although T. gondii does not appear to parasitize cold-blooded animals, the occurrence of T. gondii infection in marine mammals raises concerns that cold-blooded animals (frogs, toad, turtles, crocodiles, snakes, and fish) and shellfish are potential sources of T. gondii. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals worldwide. We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to 1 August 2020 for eligible papers in the English language and identified 26 articles that reported the prevalence of T. gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals. These articles were subsequently reviewed and data extracted using a standard form. In total, 26 studies [involving 9 cross-sectional studies including 2988 samples of cold-blooded animals (129 positive cases for T. gondii) and 18 cross-sectional studies entailing 13 447 samples of shellfish (692 positive cases for T. gondii)] were included in this study. Although this study showed that shellfish and cold-blooded animals could be potential sources of T. gondii for humans and other hosts that feed on them, further investigations are recommended to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in shellfish and cold-blooded animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooran Nayeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Rosuvastatin revert memory impairment and anxiogenic-like effect in mice infected with the chronic ME-49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250079. [PMID: 33857221 PMCID: PMC8049280 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rosuvastatin treatment on memory impairment, and anxiogenic-like effects in mice chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii. For this, Balb/c mice were infected orally with chronic ME-49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Oral treatment with rosuvastatin (40mg/kg/day) started on the 51st day post-infection and was performed daily for 21 days. After completion of treatment, anxiety-like effects and locomotion were investigated in the open field (OF) test, whereas novel object recognition (NOR) test was used for evaluation of short- and long-term memory. At the end of the experiments, the brain was collected for Toxoplasma gondii DNA quantification and histopathological analysis. Infection with ME-49 strain decreased the time spent in the center of OF, indicating an anxiogenic effect, without affecting total and peripheral locomotion. Rosuvastatin treatment inhibited the change in the center time. Besides, pharmacological treatment increased total and central locomotion in both non-infected and infected animals. Infection also impaired both short- and long-term memory in the NOR test, and these effects were reverted by rosuvastatin treatment. In addition to effects in behavioral changes, rosuvastatin also reduced parasite load in the brain and attenuated signs of brain inflammation such as perivascular cuffs, inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage. These findings indicate for the first time the efficacy of rosuvastatin in treatment of memory impairment and anxiogenic effect evoked by infection with Toxoplasma gondii. These effects might be mediated by reduced cyst load, which in turn decrease inflammation and damage in the brain.
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Mangombi JB, N’dilimabaka N, Lekana-Douki JB, Banga O, Maghendji-Nzondo S, Bourgarel M, Leroy E, Fenollar F, Mediannikov O. First investigation of pathogenic bacteria, protozoa and viruses in rodents and shrews in context of forest-savannah-urban areas interface in the city of Franceville (Gabon). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248244. [PMID: 33684147 PMCID: PMC7939261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents are reservoirs of numerous zoonotic diseases caused by bacteria, protozoans, or viruses. In Gabon, the circulation and maintenance of rodent-borne zoonotic infectious agents are poorly studied and are often limited to one type of pathogen. Among the three existing studies on this topic, two are focused on a zoonotic virus, and the third is focused on rodent Plasmodium. In this study, we searched for a wide range of bacteria, protozoa and viruses in different organs of rodents from the town of Franceville in Gabon. Samples from one hundred and ninety-eight (198) small mammals captured, including two invasive rodent species, five native rodent species and 19 shrews belonging to the Soricidae family, were screened. The investigated pathogens were bacteria from the Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae families, Mycoplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., Orientia spp., Occidentia spp., Leptospira spp., Streptobacillus moniliformis, Coxiella burnetii, and Yersinia pestis; parasites from class Kinetoplastida spp. (Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp.), Piroplasmidae spp., and Toxoplasma gondii; and viruses from Paramyxoviridae, Hantaviridae, Flaviviridae and Mammarenavirus spp. We identified the following pathogenic bacteria: Anaplasma spp. (8.1%; 16/198), Bartonella spp. (6.6%; 13/198), Coxiella spp. (5.1%; 10/198) and Leptospira spp. (3.5%; 7/198); and protozoans: Piroplasma sp. (1%; 2/198), Toxoplasma gondii (0.5%; 1/198), and Trypanosoma sp. (7%; 14/198). None of the targeted viral genes were detected. These pathogens were found in Gabonese rodents, mainly Lophuromys sp., Lemniscomys striatus and Praomys sp. We also identified new genotypes: Candidatus Bartonella gabonensis and Uncultured Anaplasma spp. This study shows that rodents in Gabon harbor some human pathogenic bacteria and protozoans. It is necessary to determine whether the identified microorganisms are capable of undergoing zoonotic transmission from rodents to humans and if they may be responsible for human cases of febrile disease of unknown etiology in Gabon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joa Braïthe Mangombi
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Nadine N’dilimabaka
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des sciences, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Jean-Bernard Lekana-Douki
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- Département de Parasitologie, Université des Sciences de la Santé (USS), Owendo, Libreville
| | - Octavie Banga
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
| | - Sydney Maghendji-Nzondo
- Département Epidémiologie-Biostatistique et Informatique Médicale (DEBIM), Université des Sciences de la Santé (USS), Owendo, Libreville
| | - Mathieu Bourgarel
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Harare, Zimbabwe
- ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Eric Leroy
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon
- UMR MIVEGEC IRD-CNRS-UM, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, Microbes, MEPHI, Marseille, France
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12
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Toxoplasma gondii in Chickens (Gallus domesticus) from North India. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:185-192. [PMID: 32857258 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00266-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Toxoplasma gondii, an important food-borne parasite has been reported in a wide range of food animals globally. Poultry meat production is on rise in several developing nations including India. Several studies on status of T. gondii conducted globally had shown substantial risk of this parasite through poultry meat. Such information is lacking in the north India, where poultry meat is a preferred non-vegetarian food over other meats; therefore, this study determined the seroprevalence (based on detection of antibodies) and tissue prevalence (based on detection of DNA) of T. gondii in poultry meat intended for human consumption in north India. METHODS Samples (skeletal muscle and/heart as well as blood) were collected from slaughter poultry intended for human consumption reared in Punjab state (n = 366), Himachal Pradesh (n = 44) state, and Chandigarh union territory (n = 112) in North India. Serum samples were tested using commercially available Chicken T. gondii IgG ELISA kit to determine the serostatus. The DNA of T. gondii was detected by nested PCR. To determine the agreement between ELISA and PCR, Kappa value was estimated. RESULTS Overall, study reports 2.3% (95% CI 1.3%-4.1%) tissue prevalence and 6.5% (95% CI 4.6%-9.1%) seroprevalence from chickens reared in north India. Backyard poultry had significantly higher proportion of T. gondii (24.4%, 10/41; p < 0.001) than caged (0%, 0/284) and deep litter poultry (16.2%, 32/197). The sequence alignment score of three sequences obtained in this study showed 97-100% nucleotide identity with Type I RH strain and VEG type III strain. The agreement between ELISA and PCR was poor (Kappa = 0.145; 95% CI 0.07-0.22). Thus, a combination of serological and molecular tests can improve the diagnosis of T. gondii. CONCLUSION A low prevalence indicates that T. gondii in poultry presents a lower food safety risk for public health in north India; however, this study recommend cooking of poultry meat before consumption. Further studies are required to check the viability of T. gondii in poultry meat intended for human consumption, and to determine the risk factors associated and the genotypes circulating in poultry in north India.
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Parasitic Infections in African Humans and Non-Human Primates. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9070561. [PMID: 32664573 PMCID: PMC7400533 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Different protozoa and metazoa have been detected in great apes, monkeys and humans with possible interspecies exchanges. Some are either nonpathogenic or their detrimental effects on the host are not yet known. Others lead to serious diseases that can even be fatal. Their survey remains of great importance for public health and animal conservation. Fecal samples from gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) and humans living in same area in the Republic of Congo, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) from Senegal and one other from the Republic of Congo, Guinea baboons (Papio papio) from Senegal, hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) from Djibouti and Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) from Algeria, were collected. DNA was extracted and screened using specific qPCR assays for the presence of a large number of helminths and protozoa. Positive samples were then amplified in standard PCRs and sequenced when possible. Overall, infection rate was 36.5% in all non-human primates (NHPs) and 31.6% in humans. Great apes were more often infected (63.6%) than monkeys (7.3%). At least twelve parasite species, including ten nematodes and two protozoa were discovered in NHPs and five species, including four nematodes and a protozoan in humans. The prevalences of Giarida lamblia, Necator americanus, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis were similar between gorillas and human community co-habiting the same forest ecosystem in the Republic of Congo. In addition, human specific Mansonella perstans (5.1%) and other Mansonella spp. (5.1%) detected in these gorillas suggest a possible cross-species exchange. Low prevalence (2%) of Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis were observed in chimpanzees, as well as a high prevalence of Abbreviata caucasica (57.1%), which should be considered carefully as this parasite can affect other NHPs, animals and humans. The Barbary macaques were less infected (7.2%) and Oesophagostomum muntiacum was the main parasite detected (5.8%). Finally, we report the presence of Pelodera sp. and an environmental Nematoda DNAs in chimpanzee feces, Nematoda sp. and Bodo sp. in gorillas, as well as DNA of uncharacterized Nematoda in apes and humans, but with a relatively lower prevalence in humans. Prevalence of extraintestinal parasites remains underestimated since feces are not the suitable sampling methods. Using non-invasive sampling (feces) we provide important information on helminths and protozoa that can infect African NHPs and human communities living around them. Public health and animal conservation authorities need to be aware of these infections, as parasites detected in African NHPs could affect both human and other animals’ health.
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Abstract
Toxoplasma is a widespread parasite of animals including many rodents that are a natural part of the transmission cycle between cats, which serve as the definitive host. Although wild rodents, including house mice, are relatively resistant, laboratory mice are highly susceptible to infection. As such, laboratory mice have been used to compare pathogenesis of natural variants and to evaluate the contributions of both host and parasite genes to infection. Protocols are provided here for evaluating acute and chronic infection with different parasite strains in laboratory mice. These protocols should provide uniform standards for evaluating natural variants and attenuated mutants and for comparing outcomes across different studies and between different laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuling Wang
- 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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Rosuvastatin reduced brain parasite burden in a chronic toxoplasmosis in vivo model and influenced the neuropathological pattern of ME-49 strain. Parasitology 2019; 147:303-309. [PMID: 31727196 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019001604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of rosuvastatin in vivo on toxoplasmosis chronic infection. Thirty-five Swiss mice were orally infected (ME-49 strain). After 50 days, the mice were separated into five groups: GI - non-infected, GII - infected, GIII - infected and treated with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine (12.5 + 50 mg kg-1 body weight day-1), GIV and GV - infected and treated with rosuvastatin 10 and 40 mg kg-1 body weight day-1, respectively. After 21 days, we collected blood, liver, lungs, femoral biceps and brain were removed for Toxoplasma gondii DNA quantification by qPCR and histopathological analysis. GIV and GV did not present premature death or clinical changes, and the hepatic enzyme levels were lower compared to GI. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected mainly in brain and muscle, but the parasite load was significantly lower in GV compared to GII brains (P < 0.05). Histopathological changes were observed in brains, with T. gondii cysts as well as an inflammatory condition, including necrosis areas in GII and GIII. These data confirm active infection with tissue injury. This inflammatory condition was attenuated in the groups treated with rosuvastatin, especially R40 (GV). Our findings demonstrated the in vivo action of rosuvastatin in reducing cerebral parasitic load and indicate that this drug may interfere in chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Marquis ND, Bishop TJ, Record NR, Countway PD, Fernández Robledo JA. Molecular Epizootiology of Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum in the Eastern Oyster ( Crassostrea virginica) from Maine (USA). Pathogens 2019; 8:E125. [PMID: 31412532 PMCID: PMC6789735 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Shellfish are known as a potential source of Toxoplasma gondii (responsible for toxoplasmosis), and Cryptosporidium parvum, which is one of the major causes of gastroenteritis in the world. Here we performed a comprehensive qPCR-based monthly survey for T. gondii and C. parvum during 2016 and 2017 in oysters (Crassostrea virginica) (n = 1440) from all six sites along the coast of Maine (USA). Pooled samples (mantle, gills, and rectum) from individual oysters were used for DNA extraction and qPCR. Our study resulted in detections of qPCR positives oysters for T. gondii and C. parvum at each of the six sites sampled (in 31% and 10% of total oysters, respectively). The prevalence of T. gondii was low in 2016, and in September 2017 several sites peaked in prevalence with 100% of the samples testing positive. The prevalence of C. parvum was very low except in one estuarine location (Jack's Point) in June 2016 (58%), and in October of 2016, when both prevalence and density of C. parvum at most of the sampling sites were among the highest values detected. Statistical analysis of environmental data did not identify clear drivers of retention, but there were some notable statistically significant patterns including current direction and nitrate along with the T. gondii prevalence. The major C. parvum retention event (in October 2016) corresponded with the month of highest dissolved oxygen measurements as well as a shift in the current direction revealed by nearby instrumentation. This study may guide future research to locate any contributing parasite reservoirs and evaluate the potential risk to human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Theodore J Bishop
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Boothbay, ME 04544, USA
- Southern Maine Community College, South Portland, ME 04106, USA
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17
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Autier B, Dion S, Robert-Gangneux F. The liver as an organ at risk for Toxoplasma transmission during transplantation: myth or reality? J Clin Pathol 2018. [PMID: 29535213 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2018-205066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
AIM Toxoplasmosis following liver transplant with donor-recipient mismatch is rare, but is often life-threatening. However, there are no data on the frequency of cyst carriage in the liver, nor consensual chemoprophylaxis guidelines. This study aimed at describing frequency and localisation of Toxoplasma cysts in the liver in a mouse model of chronic infection to predict the risk in liver transplantation. METHODS Heart, brain and liver lobes of 21 mice chronically infected with Toxoplasma were collected for DNA extraction and amplification of Toxoplasma gondii rep529 sequence by real-time PCR. RESULTS Parasite DNA was detected in the liver of 19/21 mice (90.5%), with no preferential anatomical localisation, but with higher parasite loads in the papillary process. Parasite loads in the liver were far lower than in brain and heart. The number of infected lobes was inversely correlated to the total liver weight, but was independent of the brain parasite load and of the parasite strain. CONCLUSIONS The liver is a frequent site of cyst carriage, confirming that transplantation of an organ from a seropositive donor to seronegative recipient is at high risk for acquired toxoplasmosis. Systematic serological screening prior to transplantation and chemoprophylaxis in patients at risk are fully justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Autier
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Sarah Dion
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail, Inserm U0185, Rennes, France.,Université Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Florence Robert-Gangneux
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Rennes, France.,Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail, Inserm U0185, Rennes, France.,Université Rennes 1, Rennes, France
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Study of Tissue Orientation and Parasite Load in Various Tissues and Blood in an Experimental Mouse Model of Acute Toxoplasmosis. ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018. [DOI: 10.5812/archcid.13744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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19
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MOUSAVI P, MIRHENDI H, MOHEBALI M, SHOJAEE S, KESHAVARZ VALIAN H, FALLAHI S, MAMISHI S. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Acute and Chronic Phases of Infection in Immunocompromised Patients and Pregnant Women with Real-time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Fluorescent Probe. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2018; 13:373-381. [PMID: 30483328 PMCID: PMC6243173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii, cause severe medical complications in infants and immune-compromised individuals. As using early, sensitive and rapid technique has major in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, the present study was aimed to detect parasite by using from repetitive element (RE) and B1genes, in blood samples of seropositive immuno-compromised patients and pregnant women. METHODS A total of 110 peripheral blood samples were collected from seropositive cases with anti-T. gondii antibodies, including immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. DNA was extracted by a commercial kit and subjected to TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR assay by using primers and probes specific for RE and B1 genes, separately. The data were analyzed by Kappa test and SPSS-22 software. RESULTS In the pregnant women, 17 (68%) and 14 (56%) samples from 25 IgM+/ IgG+ cases and, 7 (25%) and 6 (21.4%) samples from 28 IgG+/IgM- cases were positive by RE and B1 real time PCR, respectively. Likewise, in immunocompromised group, 20 (66.6%) and 17 (56.6%) samples from 30 IgM+/ IgG+ cases and 2 (7.4%) and 2 (7.4%) samples from 27 IgG+/ IgM- cases were positive by RE and B1 real time PCR, respectively. CONCLUSION Probe-based real time PCR assay is a quantitative approach for early diagnosis of T. gondii infection in clinical samples. Moreover, this method can be more appropriate in diagnosis of acute and reactivated toxoplasmosis. In addition our results indicated that RE gene is more sensitive than B1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa MOUSAVI
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein MIRHENDI
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mehdi MOHEBALI
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh SHOJAEE
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein KESHAVARZ VALIAN
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Correspondence
| | - Shirzad FALLAHI
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Setareh MAMISHI
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Children Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Zolfaghari Emameh R, Purmonen S, Sukura A, Parkkila S. Surveillance and diagnosis of zoonotic foodborne parasites. Food Sci Nutr 2017; 6:3-17. [PMID: 29387356 PMCID: PMC5778216 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Foodborne parasites are a source of human parasitic infection. Zoonotic infections of humans arise from a variety of domestic and wild animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses, pigs, boars, bears, felines, canids, amphibians, reptiles, poultry, and aquatic animals such as fishes and shrimp. Therefore, the implementation of efficient, accessible, and controllable inspection policies for livestock, fisheries, slaughterhouses, and meat processing and packaging companies is highly recommended. In addition, more attention should be paid to the education of auditors from the quality control (QC) and assurance sectors, livestock breeders, the fishery sector, and meat inspection veterinarians in developing countries with high incidence of zoonotic parasitic infections. Furthermore, both the diagnosis of zoonotic parasitic infections by inexpensive, accessible, and reliable identification methods and the organization of effective control systems with sufficient supervision of product quality are other areas to which more attention should be paid. In this review, we present some examples of successful inspection policies and recent updates on present conventional, serologic, and molecular diagnostic methods for zoonotic foodborne parasites from both human infection and animal‐derived foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Zolfaghari Emameh
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB) Tehran Iran
| | - Sami Purmonen
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences University of Tampere Tampere Finland
| | - Antti Sukura
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Seppo Parkkila
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences University of Tampere Tampere Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories Ltd and Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
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21
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Jiang S, He Y, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Jiang L, Wang Z, Zhu Q, Ma X. Assessment of self-produced PCR methods for the detection ofToxoplasma gondiiDNA in meat. J Food Saf 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jfs.12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shoufu Jiang
- Department of Parasitic Disease Control; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Shanghai 200336 China
| | - Yanyan He
- Department of Parasitic Disease Control; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Shanghai 200336 China
| | - Yaoguang Zhang
- Department of Parasitic Disease Control; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Shanghai 200336 China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Parasitic Disease Control; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Shanghai 200336 China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Parasitic Disease Control; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Shanghai 200336 China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Department of Parasitic Disease Control; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Shanghai 200336 China
| | - Qian Zhu
- Department of Parasitic Disease Control; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Shanghai 200336 China
| | - Xiaojiang Ma
- Department of Parasitic Disease Control; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Shanghai 200336 China
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Chaubey KK, Gupta RD, Gupta S, Singh SV, Bhatia AK, Jayaraman S, Kumar N, Goel A, Rathore AS, Sahzad, Sohal JS, Stephen BJ, Singh M, Goyal M, Dhama K, Derakhshandeh A. Trends and advances in the diagnosis and control of paratuberculosis in domestic livestock. Vet Q 2016; 36:203-227. [PMID: 27356470 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2016.1196508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Paratuberculosis (pTB) is a chronic granulomatous enteritis caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. Control of pTB is difficult due to the lack of sensitive, efficacious and cost-effective diagnostics and marker vaccines. Microscopy, culture, and PCR have been used for the screening of MAP infection in animals for quite a long time. Besides, giving variable sensitivity and specificity, these tests have not been considered ideal for large-scale screening of domestic livestock. Serological tests like ELISA easily detects anti-MAP antibodies. However, it cannot differentiate between the vaccinated and infected animals. Nanotechnology-based diagnostic tests are underway to improve the sensitivity and specificity. Newer generation diagnostic tests based on recombinant MAP secretory proteins would open new paradigm for the differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals and for early detection of the infection. Due to higher seroreactivity of secretory proteins vis-à-vis cellular proteins, the secretory proteins may be used as marker vaccine, which may aid in the control of pTB infection in animals. Secretory proteins can be potentially used to develop future diagnostics, surveillance and monitoring of the disease progression in animals and the marker vaccine for the control and eradication of pTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kundan Kumar Chaubey
- a Microbiology Laboratory, Animal Health Division , Central Institute for Research on Goats , Mathura , India.,b Department of Microbiology and Immunology , GLA University , Mathura , India
| | - Rinkoo Devi Gupta
- c Department of Life sciences and Biotechnology , South Asian University , New Delhi , India
| | - Saurabh Gupta
- a Microbiology Laboratory, Animal Health Division , Central Institute for Research on Goats , Mathura , India.,b Department of Microbiology and Immunology , GLA University , Mathura , India
| | - Shoor Vir Singh
- a Microbiology Laboratory, Animal Health Division , Central Institute for Research on Goats , Mathura , India
| | - Ashok Kumar Bhatia
- b Department of Microbiology and Immunology , GLA University , Mathura , India
| | - Sujata Jayaraman
- d Amity Institutes of Microbial Technology , Amity University , Jaipur , India
| | - Naveen Kumar
- a Microbiology Laboratory, Animal Health Division , Central Institute for Research on Goats , Mathura , India
| | - Anjana Goel
- b Department of Microbiology and Immunology , GLA University , Mathura , India
| | - Abhishek Singh Rathore
- c Department of Life sciences and Biotechnology , South Asian University , New Delhi , India
| | - Sahzad
- a Microbiology Laboratory, Animal Health Division , Central Institute for Research on Goats , Mathura , India
| | - Jagdip Singh Sohal
- d Amity Institutes of Microbial Technology , Amity University , Jaipur , India
| | - Bjorn John Stephen
- a Microbiology Laboratory, Animal Health Division , Central Institute for Research on Goats , Mathura , India
| | - Manju Singh
- a Microbiology Laboratory, Animal Health Division , Central Institute for Research on Goats , Mathura , India
| | - Manish Goyal
- e Division of Parasitology , Central Drug Research Institute , Lucknow , India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- f Pathology Division , Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) , Bareilly , India
| | - Abdollah Derakhshandeh
- g Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine , Shiraz University , Shiraz , Iran
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Molecular investigation on the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in cat feces using TOX-element and ITS-1 region targets. Vet J 2016; 215:118-22. [PMID: 27325616 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
One of the most important routes of transmission for Toxoplasma gondii infection is the ingestion of foods contaminated with cat feces containing sporulated oocysts. The diagnosis of T. gondii infection by fecal microscopy is complicated, as other similar coccidian oocysts are often present in the same fecal specimen. This study aimed to identify T. gondii oocysts in cat feces using a novel PCR technique. Feline fecal specimens (n = 254) were screened for coccidian oocysts by light microscopy using the Sheather's flotation method. PCR analysis performed on the same specimens targeted a 529 bp repeat element and internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1) regions were used to confirm the presence of Toxoplasma oocysts. By light microscopy, 49/254 (19.3%) of specimens contained coccidian oocysts. PCR analysis demonstrated 2/254 (0.8%) and 17/254 (6.7%) positive results using Tox and ITS-1 primers, respectively. However, coccidian oocysts were not identified on microscopic examination of specimens that were PCR-positive by Tox primers. Coccidian oocysts were identified on microscopic examination of 6/17 (35.3%) of the PCR-positive fecal specimens using ITS-1 primers. The BLAST results of 16 ITS-1 sequences were identified as T. gondii (n = 12; 4.7%) and Hammondia hammondi (n = 4; 1.6%). There was slight agreement between the 529 bp and ITS-1 PCR results (κ = 0.148). This is the first report of the detection of Toxoplasma oocysts using PCR analysis on feline fecal specimens from Southern Thailand. The ITS-1 region has potential as an alternative marker to identify T. gondii oocysts in feline fecal specimens.
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Quintana S, Recavarren M, Scialfa E, Viera I, Rivero M, Krivokapich S. Development of A Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Trichinella Spiralis
in Muscle Tissue of Swine and Derivatives. J Food Saf 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jfs.12244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Quintana
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Fares Taie Biochemical Analysis Institute; Mar del Plata Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - M. Recavarren
- Laboratory of Veterinary, Fares Taie Biochemical Analysis Institute; Mar del Plata Buenos Aires Argentina
| | | | - I. Viera
- Laboratory of Veterinary, Fares Taie Biochemical Analysis Institute; Mar del Plata Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - M. Rivero
- Faculty of Veterinary Science; UNCPBA; Tandil Argentina
| | - S. Krivokapich
- Parasitology Department; INEI, ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”; Argentina
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Parasite Manipulation of the Invariant Chain and the Peptide Editor H2-DM Affects Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Antigen Presentation during Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Infect Immun 2015. [PMID: 26195549 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00415-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. This apicomplexan is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a leading cause of central nervous system disease in AIDS. It has long been known that T. gondii interferes with major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) antigen presentation to attenuate CD4(+) T cell responses and establish persisting infections. Transcriptional downregulation of MHC-II genes by T. gondii was previously established, but the precise mechanisms inhibiting MHC-II function are currently unknown. Here, we show that, in addition to transcriptional regulation of MHC-II, the parasite modulates the expression of key components of the MHC-II antigen presentation pathway, namely, the MHC-II-associated invariant chain (Ii or CD74) and the peptide editor H2-DM, in professional antigen-presenting cells (pAPCs). Genetic deletion of CD74 restored the ability of infected dendritic cells to present a parasite antigen in the context of MHC-II in vitro. CD74 mRNA and protein levels were, surprisingly, elevated in infected cells, whereas MHC-II and H2-DM expression was inhibited. CD74 accumulated mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and this phenotype required live parasites, but not active replication. Finally, we compared the impacts of genetic deletion of CD74 and H2-DM genes on parasite dissemination toward lymphoid organs in mice, as well as activation of CD4(+) T cells and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels during acute infection. Cyst burdens and survival during the chronic phase of infection were also evaluated in wild-type and knockout mice. These results highlight the fact that the infection is influenced by multiple levels of parasite manipulation of the MHC-II antigen presentation pathway.
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Liu Q, Wang ZD, Huang SY, Zhu XQ. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and typing of Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:292. [PMID: 26017718 PMCID: PMC4451882 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0902-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is an important zoonosis with medical and veterinary importance worldwide. The disease is mainly contracted by ingesting undercooked or raw meat containing viable tissue cysts, or by ingesting food or water contaminated with oocysts. The diagnosis and genetic characterization of T. gondii infection is crucial for the surveillance, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis. Traditional approaches for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis include etiological, immunological and imaging techniques. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis has been improved by the emergence of molecular technologies to amplify parasite nucleic acids. Among these, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular techniques have been useful for the genetic characterization of T. gondii. Serotyping methods based on polymorphic polypeptides have the potential to become the choice for typing T. gondii in humans and animals. In this review, we summarize conventional non-DNA-based diagnostic methods, and the DNA-based molecular techniques for the diagnosis and genetic characterization of T. gondii. These techniques have provided foundations for further development of more effective and accurate detection of T. gondii infection. These advances will contribute to an improved understanding of the epidemiology, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, 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. .,Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130122, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ze-Dong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130122, People's Republic of China.
| | - Si-Yang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, 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. .,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, 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. .,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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Dadimoghaddam Y, Daryani A, Sharif M, Ahmadpour E, Hossienikhah Z. Tissue tropism and parasite burden of Toxoplasma gondii RH strain in experimentally infected mice. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2015; 7:521-4. [PMID: 25063280 DOI: 10.1016/s1995-7645(14)60087-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate parasite distribution and tissue tropism of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in experimentally infected mice using real time QPCR. METHODS In this survey 16 Balb/c mice were inoculated with 1 × 10(4) alive tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii RH strain. After 1, 2, 3 days post infection and the last day (before death), different tissues of mice including blood, brain, eye, liver, spleen, kidney, heart and muscle were harvested. Following tissues DNA extraction, the parasite burden was quantified using real time QPCR targeting the B1 gene (451 bp). RESULTS It showed that Toxoplasma after intraperitoneal injection was able to movement to various tissues in 24 hours. Parasite burden was high in all tissues but the most number of parasites were observed in kidney, heart and liver, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These data provide significant baseline information about Toxoplasma pathogenesis, vaccine monitoring and drug efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Dadimoghaddam
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Parasitology and Mycology Department, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Parasitology and Mycology Department, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Parasitology and Mycology Department, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Parasitology and Mycology Department, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Zahra Hossienikhah
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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De Tommasi AS, Morini M, Turba ME, Otranto D, Bettini G. Hyperplastic cholangitis in a naturallyToxoplasma gondii-infected cat. Vet Q 2014; 34:229-31. [DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2014.978510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Dubey JP, Verma SK, Ferreira LR, Oliveira S, Cassinelli AB, Ying Y, Kwok OCH, Tuo W, Chiesa OA, Jones JL. Detection and survival of Toxoplasma gondii in milk and cheese from experimentally infected goats. J Food Prot 2014; 77:1747-53. [PMID: 25285492 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-14-167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The consumption of unpasteurized goat cheese and goat's milk has been suggested as a risk factor for toxoplasmosis in humans. In the present study, detection and survival of Toxoplasma gondii in milk and cheese was studied by bioassay in mice (milk) and in cats (cheese). Eight goats were inoculated orally with 300 to 10,000 oocysts of T. gondii strain TgGoatUS26. Milk samples were collected daily up to 30 days postinoculation and bioassayed in mice and cats. For mouse bioassay, 50 ml of milk samples were centrifuged, and the sediment was inoculated subcutaneously into mice. Mice were tested for T. gondii infection by seroconversion and by the demonstration of parasites. By mouse bioassay, T. gondii was detected in milk from all eight goats. The T. gondii excretion in milk was intermittent. For cat bioassay, 400 ml (100 ml or more from each goat) of milk from four goats from 6 to 27 days postinoculation were pooled daily, and cheese was made using rennin. Ten grams of cheese was fed daily to four cats, and cat feces were examined for oocyst shedding. One cat fed cheese shed oocysts 7 to 11 days after consuming cheese. Attempts were made to detect T. gondii DNA in milk of four goats; T. gondii was detected by PCR more consistently, but there was no correlation between detection of viable T. gondii by bioassay in mice and T. gondii DNA by PCR. Results indicate that T. gondii can be excreted in goat's milk and can survive in fresh cheese made by cold-enzyme treatment. To prevent transmission to humans or animals, milk should not be consumed raw. Raw fresh goat cheese made by cold-enzyme treatment of unpasteurized milk also should not be consumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA.
| | - S K Verma
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA
| | - L R Ferreira
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA
| | - S Oliveira
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA
| | - A B Cassinelli
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA
| | - Y Ying
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA
| | - O C H Kwok
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA
| | - W Tuo
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA
| | - O A Chiesa
- Division of Applied Veterinary Research, Office of Research, HFV-520, Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, MOD II - 8401 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708, USA
| | - J L Jones
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop A-06, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
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Abdulmawjood A, Rosa S, Taubert A, Bauer C, Failing K, Zahner H, Bülte M. Investigation of persistence of infectious Toxoplasma gondii in raw sausages using in-house developed and validated real time-PCR. Meat Sci 2014; 97:542-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Ge Y, Chen J, Qiu X, Zhang J, Cui L, Qi Y, Liu X, Qiu J, Shi Z, Lun Z, Shen J, Wang Y. Natural killer cell intrinsic toll-like receptor MyD88 signaling contributes to IL-12-dependent IFN-γ production by mice during infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:475-84. [PMID: 24727091 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent IL-12 secretion by dendritic cells is critical for natural killer cell-mediated IFN-γ production and innate resistance to Toxoplasma gondii. Although MyD88(-/-) mice challenged with T. gondii have defective IL-12 responses and succumb to infection, administration of IL-12 to MyD88(-/-) mice fails to prevent acute mortality, suggesting that MyD88 may mediate signals within natural killer cells important for IL-12-dependent IFN-γ production and innate resistance to this parasite. In this study, we found that T. gondii antigens and IL-12 could synergistically trigger IFN-γ secretion by natural killer cells, which was dependent on toll-like receptor-MyD88 signaling. Further analysis showed that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and NF-κB multiple pathways downstream of MyD88 contributed to IFN-γ production by natural killer cells. Moreover, the well-established toll-like receptor agonists, T. gondii profilin (Tgprofilin) and T. gondii heat shock protein 70 (TgHSP70) could evoke a similar IFN-γ secretory response in natural killer cells to that evoked by T. gondii antigens. In vivo adoptive transfer experiments showed that, upon challenge with T. gondii, NOD/SCID-β2 microglobulin null (NOD/SCID-β2m(-/-)) mice injected i.v. with MyD88(-/-) natural killer cells had reduced serum IFN-γ levels and increased splenic tachyzoite burdens compared with those injected i.v. with wild-type natural killer cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a critical role for natural killer cell intrinsic toll-like receptor-MyD88 signaling in IL-12-dependent early IFN-γ production and innate resistance to T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyue Ge
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Institute of Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Key Laboratories of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Ministry of Health, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinling Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoyan Qiu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lunbiao Cui
- Institute of Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Key Laboratories of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Ministry of Health, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuhua Qi
- Institute of Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Key Laboratories of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Ministry of Health, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinjian Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingfan Qiu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyang Shi
- Institute of Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Key Laboratories of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Ministry of Health, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaorong Lun
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Zhang M, Yang Z, Wang S, Tao L, Xu L, Yan R, Song X, Li X. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in shellfish and fish in parts of China. Vet Parasitol 2014; 200:85-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cao L, Cheng R, Yao L, Yuan S, Yao X. Establishment and application of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for simple, specific, sensitive and rapid detection of Toxoplasma gondii. J Vet Med Sci 2013; 76:9-14. [PMID: 23965849 PMCID: PMC3979957 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.13-0275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method amplifies DNA with
high simply, specificity, sensitivity and rapidity. In this study, A LAMP assay with 6
primers targeting a highly conserved region of the GRA1 gene was developed to diagnose
Toxoplasma gondii. The reaction time of the LAMP assay was shortened to
30 min after optimizing the reaction system. The LAMP assay was found to be highly
specific and stable. The detection limit of the LAMP assay was 10 copies, the same as that
of the conventional PCR. We used the LAMP assay to develop a real-time fluorogenic
protocol to quantitate T. gondii DNA and generated a log-linear
regression plot by plotting the time-to-threshold values against genomic equivalent
copies. Furthermore, the LAMP assay was applied to detect T. gondii DNA
in 423 blood samples and 380 lymph node samples from 10 pig farms, and positive results
were obtained for 7.8% and 8.2% of samples, respectively. The results showed that the LAMP
method is slightly more sensitive than conventional PCR (6.1% and 7.6%). Positive samples
obtained from 6 pig farms. The LAMP assay established in this study resulted in simple,
specific, sensitive and rapid detection of T. gondii DNA and is expected
to play an important role in clinical detection of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Cao
- Jilin Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
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Yu H, Huang B, Zhuo X, Chen X, Du A. Evaluation of a real-time PCR assay based on the single-copy SAG1 gene for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii. Vet Parasitol 2013; 197:670-3. [PMID: 23867074 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Real-time PCR-based detection of Toxoplasma gondii is very sensitive and convenient for diagnosing toxoplasmosis. However, the performance of the PCR assays could be influenced by the target gene chosen. Here we evaluate a real-time PCR assay using double-stranded DNA dyes (SYBR(®) Green I assay) with a new set of primers targeting the SAG1 gene for the fast and specific detection of T. gondii. The assay showed higher sensitivity than conventional PCR protocols using T. gondii DNA as template. The detection limit of the developed real-time PCR assay was in the order of 1 tachyzoite. The assay was also assessed by experimentally infected mice and showed positive results for blood (25%), spleen (50%) and lung (50%) as early as 1 dpi. The specificity of the assay was confirmed by using DNA from Neospora caninum, Escherichia coli, Babesia bovis, Trypanosoma brucei, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Toxocara canis. Assay applicability was successfully tested in blood samples collected from slaughtered pigs. These results indicate that, based on SYBR(®) green I, the quantitative SAG1 assay may also be useful in the study of the pathogenicity, immunoprophylaxis, and treatment of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijie Yu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
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Gencay YE, Yildiz K, Gokpinar S, Leblebicier A. A potential infection source for humans: Frozen buffalo meat can harbour tissue cysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Food Control 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Bovine cysticercosis--development of a real-time PCR to enhance classification of suspect cysts identified at meat inspection. Vet Parasitol 2013; 194:65-9. [PMID: 23499482 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Revised: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory confirmation methods are important in bovine cysticerosis diagnosis as other pathologies can result in morphologically similar lesions resulting in false identifications. We developed a probe-based real-time PCR assay to identify Taenia saginata in suspect cysts encountered at meat inspection and compared its use with the traditional method of identification, histology, as well as a published nested PCR. The assay simultaneously detects T. saginata DNA and a bovine internal control using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene of each species and shows specificity against parasites causing lesions morphologically similar to those of T. saginata. The assay was sufficiently sensitive to detect 1 fg (Ct 35.09 ± 0.95) of target DNA using serially-diluted plasmid DNA in reactions spiked with bovine DNA as well as in all viable and caseated positive control cysts. A loss in PCR sensitivity was observed with increasing cyst degeneration as seen in other molecular methods. In comparison to histology, the assay offered greater sensitivity and accuracy with 10/19 (53%) T. saginata positives detected by real-time PCR and none by histology. When the results were compared with the reference PCR, the assay was less sensitive but offered advantages of faster turnaround times and reduced contamination risk. Estimates of the assay's repeatability and reproducibility showed the assay is highly reliable with reliability coefficients greater than 0.94.
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Cuttell L, Corley SW, Gray CP, Vanderlinde PB, Jackson LA, Traub RJ. Real-time PCR as a surveillance tool for the detection of Trichinella infection in muscle samples from wildlife. Vet Parasitol 2012; 188:285-93. [PMID: 22541794 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.03.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trichinella nematodes are the causative agent of trichinellosis, a meat-borne zoonosis acquired by consuming undercooked, infected meat. Although most human infections are sourced from the domestic environment, the majority of Trichinella parasites circulate in the natural environment in carnivorous and scavenging wildlife. Surveillance using reliable and accurate diagnostic tools to detect Trichinella parasites in wildlife hosts is necessary to evaluate the prevalence and risk of transmission from wildlife to humans. Real-time PCR assays have previously been developed for the detection of European Trichinella species in commercial pork and wild fox muscle samples. We have expanded on the use of real-time PCR in Trichinella detection by developing an improved extraction method and SYBR green assay that detects all known Trichinella species in muscle samples from a greater variety of wildlife. We simulated low-level Trichinella infections in wild pig, fox, saltwater crocodile, wild cat and a native Australian marsupial using Trichinella pseudospiralis or Trichinella papuae ethanol-fixed larvae. Trichinella-specific primers targeted a conserved region of the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA and were tested for specificity against host and other parasite genomic DNAs. The analytical sensitivity of the assay was at least 100 fg using pure genomic T. pseudospiralis DNA serially diluted in water. The diagnostic sensitivity of the assay was evaluated by spiking 10 g of each host muscle with T. pseudospiralis or T. papuae larvae at representative infections of 1.0, 0.5 and 0.1 larvae per gram, and shown to detect larvae at the lowest infection rate. A field sample evaluation on naturally infected muscle samples of wild pigs and Tasmanian devils showed complete agreement with the EU reference artificial digestion method (k-value=1.00). Positive amplification of mouse tissue experimentally infected with T. spiralis indicated the assay could also be used on encapsulated species in situ. This real-time PCR assay offers an alternative highly specific and sensitive diagnostic method for use in Trichinella wildlife surveillance and could be adapted to wildlife hosts of any region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Cuttell
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton QLD 4343 Australia.
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Abstract
Microscopy still remains the gold standard procedure for the diagnosis of many protozoan infections in animals, but the specific identification requires skilled and experienced personnel. Immunoassays, detecting antibodies or specific protozoan antigens, have been developed but often lack sensitivity and specificity due to close relationship between many protozoa. Recent research has focussed almost exclusively on molecular based techniques for the identification and quantification of parasite DNA in samples. Opinion differ on most appropriate targets to use and there are very few diagnostic kits available making comparison between laboratories difficult. Future research needs to focus on robust, cheap field diagnostic assays.
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Targeted disruption of Toxoplasma gondii serine protease inhibitor 1 increases bradyzoite cyst formation in vitro and parasite tissue burden in mice. Infect Immun 2011; 80:1156-65. [PMID: 22202120 DOI: 10.1128/iai.06167-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As an intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii is likely to exploit proteases for host cell invasion, acquisition of nutrients, avoidance of host protective responses, escape from the parasitophorous vacuole, differentiation, and other activities. T. gondii serine protease inhibitor 1 (TgPI1) is the most abundantly expressed protease inhibitor in parasite tachyzoites. We show here that alternative splicing produces two TgPI1 isoforms, both of which are secreted via dense granules into the parasitophorous vacuole shortly after invasion, become progressively more abundant over the course of the infectious cycle, and can be detected in the infected host cell cytoplasm. To investigate TgPI1 function, the endogenous genomic locus was disrupted in the RH strain background. ΔTgPI1 parasites replicate normally as tachyzoites but exhibit increased bradyzoite gene transcription and labeling of vacuoles with Dolichos biflorus lectin under conditions promoting in vitro differentiation. The differentiation phenotype can be partially complemented by either TgPI1 isoform. Mice infected with the ΔTgPI1 mutant display ∼3-fold-increased parasite burden in the spleen and liver, and this in vivo phenotype is also complemented by either TgPI1 isoform. These results demonstrate that TgPI1 influences both parasite virulence and bradyzoite differentiation, presumably by inhibiting parasite and/or host serine proteases.
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Study on ovine abortion associated withToxoplasma gondiiin affected herds of Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran based on PCR detection of fetal brains and maternal serology. Parasitology 2011; 138:691-7. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182011000205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYToxoplasma gondii, an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite, is one of the causative agents of ovine abortion, as reported in many countries. Different techniques are being used to detect this pathogen in infected ovine fetuses. One of the most sensitive and specific diagnostic techniques is Nested-PCR amplification of the B1 target gene of the organism. In total, 200 brain samples of aborted ovine fetuses and maternal sera submitted from different parts of Khorasan Razavi province, Iran were investigated to track the role ofToxoplasma gondiiin ovine abortion by a slightly modified Nested-PCR and IFAT assays, respectively. Among all samples, 27 (13·5%) were PCR-positive and 31 (15·5%) were IFAT-positive and theToxoplasma-induced abortion prevalence calculated was 8·8% to18·2% with 95% confidence interval. Results show that high levels of congenital transmission may occur in 27/31(87%) of pregnancies with an excellent logical agreement (ĸ=0·9) between 2 different tests. According to the results of this study, the Nested-PCR employed in this investigation could be recommended as an applied routine test for the routine examination and confirmation ofToxoplasma gondii-induced ovine abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Englander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Aigner CP, Silva AVD, Sandrini F, Osório PDS, Poiares L, Largura A. Real-time PCR-based quantification of Toxoplasma gondii in tissue samples of serologically positive outdoor chickens. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2010; 105:935-7. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000700018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 07/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Yan C, Yue C, Yuan Z, Lin R, He Y, Yin C, Xu M, Song H, Zhu X. Molecular and serological diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in experimentally infected chickens. Vet Parasitol 2010; 173:179-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2009] [Revised: 07/12/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Verma S, Kumar R, Katara GK, Singh LC, Negi NS, Ramesh V, Salotra P. Quantification of parasite load in clinical samples of leishmaniasis patients: IL-10 level correlates with parasite load in visceral leishmaniasis. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10107. [PMID: 20404924 PMCID: PMC2852412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2010] [Accepted: 03/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A rapid and accurate method to detect and quantify Leishmania parasite is urgently needed to facilitate early diagnosis of Leishmaniasis and monitoring of antileishmania therapy. In this study, real-time assay was applied to estimate parasite load in clinical samples of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients. The mean parasite load in blood of VL patients (n = 31) was 8,372 parasites/ml, while the mean parasite load in bone marrow aspirate (BMA) was 194,962 parasites/million nucleated cells (n = 12). Parasite load was undetectable after treatment with amphotericin B (n = 9) in VL, while a residual parasite burden was detected in 2 of 6 patients following treatment with sodium antimony gluconate. Further, circulating levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-2 were analysed in VL patients (n = 29) by Cytometric Bead Array to evaluate correlation with parasitic load. Interestingly, IL-10 levels correlated significantly with parasite load (r = 0.82, P<0.0001). The mean parasite load in dermal lesions of PKDL patients was 9,502 parasites/µg tissue DNA at pre-treatment stage (n = 25), with no detectable parasites after therapy (n = 5). Parasite burden was distinctly higher (P<0.0001) in nodular lesions (n = 12) (19,586 parasites/µg tissue DNA) compared to papular/macular lesions (n = 13, 193 parasites/µg tissue DNA). Further, chronic PKDL lesions showed significantly (P = 0.0166) higher parasite load in comparison with acute lesions. Results indicate that chronic, nodular cases constitute the major parasite reservoir for anthroponotic transmission. Our results establish that the high parasite load in VL is strongly correlated with a high level of IL-10, implicating IL-10 as a marker of disease severity. The assay is applicable for diagnosis as well as prognosis of both VL and PKDL, providing a simple molecular tool to monitor the efficacy of antileishmanial drugs or vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Verma
- Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | - V. Ramesh
- Department of Dermatology, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Poonam Salotra
- Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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Daval S, Poirier P, Armenaud J, Cambon M, Livrelli V. Développement d’une technique de PCR quantitative en temps réel dans le diagnostic de la toxoplasmose chez des patients greffés de moelle osseuse. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 58:104-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.patbio.2009.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2009] [Accepted: 07/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Sibley LD, Khan A, Ajioka JW, Rosenthal BM. Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in animals and humans. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2009; 364:2749-61. [PMID: 19687043 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread parasites of domestic, wild, and companion animals, and it also commonly infects humans. Toxoplasma gondii has a complex life cycle. Sexual development occurs only in the cat gut, while asexual replication occurs in many vertebrate hosts. These features combine to create an unusual population structure. The vast majority of strains in North America and Europe fall into three recently derived, clonal lineages known as types I, II and III. Recent studies have revealed that South American strains are more genetically diverse and comprise distinct genotypes. These differences have been shaped by infrequent sexual recombination, population sweeps and biogeography. The majority of human infections that have been studied in North America and Europe are caused by type II strains, which are also common in agricultural animals from these regions. In contrast, several diverse genotypes of T. gondii are associated with severe infections in humans in South America. Defining the population structure of T. gondii from new regions has important implications for transmission, immunogenicity and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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In vitro culture combined with quantitative TaqMan PCR for the assessment of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cyst viability. Vet Parasitol 2009; 164:167-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2008] [Revised: 05/18/2009] [Accepted: 05/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Moving towards an integrated approach to molecular detection and identification ofToxoplasma gondii. Parasitology 2009; 137:1-11. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182009991065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 389] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYThe development of simple, sensitive and rapid methods for the detection and identification ofToxoplasma gondiiis important for the diagnosis and epidemiological studies of the zoonotic disease toxoplasmosis. In the past 2 decades, molecular methods based on a variety of genetic markers have been developed, each with its advantages and limitations. The application of these methods has generated invaluable information to enhance our understanding of the epidemiology, population genetics and phylogeny ofT. gondii. However, since most studies focused solely on the detection but not genetic characterization ofT. gondii, the information obtained was limited. In this review, we discuss some widely used molecular methods and propose an integrated approach for the detection and identification ofT. gondii, in order to generate maximum information for epidemiological, population and phylogenetic studies of this key pathogen.
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Kumar R, Bumb RA, Salotra P. Correlation of parasitic load with interleukin-4 response in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 57:239-46. [PMID: 19799628 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2009.00607.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We have established the association between parasite burden and localized immune response in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica. Real-time PCR was used to measure parasitic load in tissue lesions of CL patients at the pretreatment (n=26) and at the post-treatment stage (n=10). Leishmania tropica was detected in all CL lesions with a mean value of 118 357 parasites g(-1) of dermal tissue. Following treatment, only one out of 10 patients showed residual parasites (100 parasites g(-1) tissue). Parasite load was high (mean, 306 000 parasites g(-1) tissue) in acute infections (early lesions) and low (mean, 1081 parasites g(-1) tissue) in chronic infections (late lesions). Intralesional transcripts of interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-8, IL-10 and IL-4 were investigated in early lesions (<or=2 months, n=14) and late lesions (>2 months, n=15) by reverse transcriptase-PCR, where IL-4 was found to be significantly upregulated in early lesions (P<0.02). Further, the levels of parasite burden and IL-4 were distinctly correlated in various clinical forms of CL. Other cytokines were at comparable levels in early/late lesions and in different clinical forms. Upregulation of IL-4 was correlated with a higher parasite burden in early lesions of CL, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of CL by inhibiting a protective immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar
- Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India
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Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in water sample concentrates by real-time PCR. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:3477-83. [PMID: 19363083 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00285-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PCR techniques in combination with conventional parasite concentration procedures have potential for the sensitive and specific detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in water. Three real-time PCR assays based on the B1 gene and a 529-bp repetitive element were analyzed for the detection of T. gondii tachyzoites and oocysts. Lower sensitivity and specificity were obtained with the B1 gene-based PCR than with the 529-bp repeat-based PCR. New procedures for the real-time PCR detection of T. gondii oocysts in concentrates of surface water were developed and tested in conjunction with a method for the direct extraction of inhibitor-free DNA from water. This technique detected as few as one oocyst seeded to 0.5 ml of packed pellets from water samples concentrated by Envirocheck filters. Thus, this real-time PCR may provide a detection method alternative to the traditional mouse assay and microscopy.
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