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Maisarah A, Mohamad S, Husain M, Abdullah S, Noordin R. Seroprevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with psychiatric disorders in Malaysia. Acta Trop 2024; 255:107241. [PMID: 38710263 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a neurotropic protozoan parasite that affects neuronal processing in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric disorder patients. We also investigated the potential association between sociodemographic, clinical manifestation, and behavior of Toxoplasma-seropositive patients with psychiatric disorders. Commercial ELISAs (IgG, IgM, and IgG avidity) using serum and PCR using buffy coat were performed on samples from 54 individuals in each of the following groups: patients diagnosed with depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as psychiatrically healthy subjects (control group). They were recruited from the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kelantan, Malaysia. Of 54 patients with depressive disorder, 24/54 (44.4 %) were seropositive for IgG, and four (16.7 %) were IgG+/IgM+. Among the latter, a high avidity index indicating a past infection was observed in half of the samples (50.0 %), and the other half (50.0 %) showed a low avidity index, indicating a possible recent infection. Meanwhile, 30/54 (55.6 %) patients with bipolar disorder were seropositive for IgG+, five (16.7 %) were IgG+/IgM+, and four of them had a high avidity index, and one had a low avidity index. Patients with schizophrenia showed 29/54 (53.7 %) seropositive for IgG, two of them (6.9 %) were IgG+/IgM+; one of latter had a high avidity index, and one had a low avidity index. Of 54 people in the control group, 37.0 % (20/54) were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. However, no significant difference was observed in seroprevalence between the control group and each patient group. No PCR-positive results were documented. A Chi-Square and multiple logistic regression showed that age (p = 0.031), close contact with cats/pets (p = 0.033) and contact with soil (p = 0.012) were significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity in patients with psychiatric disorders. Additional research is needed to elucidate the causal relationships and underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia Maisarah
- School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Suharni Mohamad
- School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
| | - Maruzairi Husain
- Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Sarimah Abdullah
- Biostatistics & Research Methodology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Rahmah Noordin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia; Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Fortin O, DeBiasi RL, Mulkey SB. Congenital infectious encephalopathies from the intrapartum period to postnatal life. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2024:101526. [PMID: 38677956 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2024.101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Congenital infections are a common but often underrecognized cause of fetal brain abnormalities, as well as fetal-neonatal morbidity and mortality, that should be considered by all healthcare professionals providing neurological care to fetuses and newborns. Maternal infection with various pathogens (cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasmosis, Rubella virus, Parvovirus B19, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, syphilis, Zika virus, varicella zoster virus) during pregnancy can be transmitted to the developing fetus, which can cause multisystem dysfunction and destructive or malformative central nervous system lesions. These can be recognized on fetal and neonatal imaging, including ultrasound and MRI. Imaging and clinical features often overlap, but some distinguishing features can help identify specific pathogens and guide subsequent testing strategies. Some pathogens can be specifically treated, and others can be managed with targeted interventions or symptomatic therapy based on expected complications. Neurological and neurodevelopmental complications related to congenital infections vary widely and are likely driven by a combination of pathophysiologic factors, alone or in combination. These include direct invasion of the fetal central nervous system by pathogens, inflammation of the maternal-placental-fetal triad in response to infection, and long-term effects of immunogenic and epigenetic changes in the fetus in response to maternal-fetal infection. Congenital infections and their neurodevelopmental impacts should be seen as an issue of public health policy, given that infection and the associated complications disproportionately affect woman and children from low- and middle-income countries and those with lower socio-economic status in high-income countries. Congenital infections may be preventable and treatable, which can improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Fortin
- Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington DC, USA
| | - Roberta L DeBiasi
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Children's National Hospital, Washington DC, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC, USA; Department of Tropical Medicine, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC, USA
| | - Sarah B Mulkey
- Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington DC, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC, USA; Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC, USA.
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Teixeira SC, Paschoalino M, de Souza G, Rosini AM, de Lima Junior JP, Luz LC, Fajardo Martínez AF, Alves RN, Almeida MPO, Damasceno JL, Silva MJB, Ietta F, Barbosa BF, Ferro EAV, Gomes Martins CH. Rottlerin impairs early and late steps of Toxoplasma gondii infection in human trophoblast cells and villous explants. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 384:110716. [PMID: 37722575 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis, caused by the opportunistic protozoan parasite T. gondii, can cause stillbirths, miscarriages and fetal abnormalities, as well as encephalitis and chorioretinitis in newborns. Available treatment options rely on antiparasitic drugs that have been linked to serious side effects, high toxicity and the development of drug-resistant parasites. The search for alternative therapeutics to treat this disease without acute toxicity for the mother and child is essential for the advancement of current therapeutic procedures. The present study aimed to unravel the mode of the anti-T. gondii action of Rottlerin, a natural polyphenol with multiple pharmacological properties described. Herein, we further assessed the antiparasitic activity of Rottlerin against T. gondii infection on the human trophoblastic cells (BeWo cells) and, for the first time, on human villous explants. We found that non-cytotoxic doses of Rottlerin impaired early and late steps of parasite infection with an irreversible manner in BeWo cells. Rottlerin caused parasite cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and compromised the ability of tachyzoites to infect new cells, thus highlighting the possible direct action on parasites. An additional and non-exclusive mechanism of action of Rottlerin involves the modulation of host cell components, by affecting lipid droplet formation, mitochondrial function and upregulation of the IL-6 and MIF levels in BeWo cells. Supporting our findings, Rottlerin also controlled T. gondii proliferation in villous explants with low toxicity and reduced the IL-10 levels, a cytokine associated with parasite susceptibility. Collectively, our results highlighted the potential use of Rottlerin as a promising tool to prevent and/or treat congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marina Paschoalino
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Joed Pires de Lima Junior
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Luana Carvalho Luz
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Aryani Felixa Fajardo Martínez
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Rosiane Nascimento Alves
- Department of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Ituiutaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Lopes Damasceno
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo José Barbosa Silva
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Francesca Ietta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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Yu CP, Chen BC, Chou YC, Hsieh CJ, Lin FH. The epidemiology of patients with toxoplasmosis and its associated risk factors in Taiwan during the 2007-2020 period. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290769. [PMID: 37624831 PMCID: PMC10456197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), and may cause miscarriage and birth defects during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological features, epidemic trends, and correlations between the before number of confirmed toxoplasmosis cases in Taiwan from 2007 to 2020 in gender, age, season, and residential area, and hypothesized the environmental and climate factors also might affect the disease in Taiwan. METHODS This study reviewed publicly available annual summary data on reported toxoplasmosis cases in the Taiwan Centers for Diseases Control (TCDC) between 2007 and 2020. RESULTS This study collected 150 confirmed domestic and nine patients with imported toxoplasmosis. There was an increasing trend in the incidence of toxoplasmosis, 0.09-0.89 cases per 1,000,000 people, peaking in 2017. The average annual toxoplasmosis incidence was 4.4, 13, and 18 during 2007-2011, 2012-2016, and 2017-2020, respectively. Comparing sex, age, season, and place of residence, the incidence rate was highest in male, 20-39 years-old patients, summer, and the eastern region, with 1.02, 1.72, 0.38, and 3.63 cases per million population, respectively. Additionally, comparing the distribution of cases by age group in Taiwan, there were significant differences between 40-59 years-old in the northern region (odds ratio (OR) = 0.343, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.167-0.705, p = 0.004) and 40-59 years-old in the southern region (OR = 4.488, and 95% CI = 2.149-9.374, p< 0.001), respectively. Linear regression analysis also showed that PM (particulate matter) 2.5 (μg/m3) concentration was positively associated with toxoplasmosis (β = 0.095, p = 0.037). CO concentration was negatively correlated with toxoplasmosis (β = -14.001, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to report domestic and confirmed cases of imported toxoplasmosis from the surveillance data of the TCDC between 2007 and 2020. It identified that residence and age were associated with an increased risk of toxoplasmosis in Taiwan. This study confirmed that toxoplasmosis remains a prevalent infectious disease in Taiwan, its epidemic is gradually increasing and becoming more severe. These findings might be useful for policy-makers and clinical experts to direct prevention and control activities to patients with T. gondii, which causes the most severe illness and greatest burden to Taiwanese people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Peng Yu
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Bao-Chung Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Chou
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Jeng Hsieh
- Department of Health Care Administration, Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Huang Lin
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Ormsby MJ, Akinbobola A, Quilliam RS. Plastic pollution and fungal, protozoan, and helminth pathogens - A neglected environmental and public health issue? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163093. [PMID: 36996975 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste is ubiquitous in the environment and can become colonised by distinct microbial biofilm communities, known collectively as the 'plastisphere.' The plastisphere can facilitate the increased survival and dissemination of human pathogenic prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria); however, our understanding of the potential for plastics to harbour and disseminate eukaryotic pathogens is lacking. Eukaryotic microorganisms are abundant in natural environments and represent some of the most important disease-causing agents, collectively responsible for tens of millions of infections, and millions of deaths worldwide. While prokaryotic plastisphere communities in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments are relatively well characterised, such biofilms will also contain eukaryotic species. Here, we critically review the potential for fungal, protozoan, and helminth pathogens to associate with the plastisphere, and consider the regulation and mechanisms of this interaction. As the volume of plastics in the environment continues to rise there is an urgent need to understand the role of the plastisphere for the survival, virulence, dissemination, and transfer of eukaryotic pathogens, and the effect this can have on environmental and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Ormsby
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Ayorinde Akinbobola
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Richard S Quilliam
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
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de Barros RAM, Torrecilhas AC, Marciano MAM, Mazuz ML, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Fux B. Toxoplasmosis in Human and Animals Around the World. Diagnosis and Perspectives in the One Health Approach. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106432. [PMID: 35390311 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a unique health disease that significantly affects the health of humans, domestic animals, wildlife and is present in ecosystems, including water, soil and food. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the best-adapted parasites in the word. This parasite is able to persist for long periods in its hosts, in different geographic regions of the word. This review summarizes the current literature of these themes, focusing on: (1) toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection; (2) One health approach and toxoplasmosis; (3) human toxoplasmosis; (4) animal toxoplasmosis; (5) toxoplasmosis diagnosis, as immunological, parasitological and molecular diagnosis; (6) T. gondii outbreaks caused by infected meat, milk and dairy products, as well as, vegetables and water consume; (7) studies in experimental models; (8) genetic characterization of T. gondii strains; (9) extracellular vesicles and miRNA; and (10) future perspectives on T. gondii and toxoplasmosis. The vast prevalence of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals and the dispersion and resistence of T. gondii parasites in environment highlight the importance of the one health approach in diagnostic and control of the disease. Here the different aspects of the one health approach are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Aparecida Müller de Barros
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Diadema, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil..
| | | | - Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israeli Veterinary Service and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Beit Dagan, 5025000, Israel..
| | | | - Blima Fux
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
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Maisarah A, Mohamad S, Husain M, Abdullah S, Noordin R. Association between infection with Toxoplasma gondii and psychiatric disorders. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2022; 69. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2022.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Antibody kinetics and exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in cats: a seroepidemiological study. Int J Parasitol 2020; 51:291-299. [PMID: 33359204 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Domestic cats are the most important definitive hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, the agent of an important global zoonosis. Serial sera from cats orally inoculated either withT. gondii tissue cysts (n = 3) or sporulated oocysts (n = 3) and from 65 client-owned cats, plus sera from 1,757 client-owned cats presented to veterinarians in Switzerland were analysed for an antibody response to T. gondii by ELISA. Risk factors for seropositivity and prevalence were estimated with a generalised linear and beta regression model. The first model examined the association of an OD405 value as the dependent variable, with gender, age, and outside access as possible independent variables. In the second model, we first analysed the data assuming a bimodal distribution representing two overlapping distributions of OD405 values from positive and negative cats, enabling the assignment of a probability of true infection status to each cat. Mean probabilities of true infection status across groups represent an estimate of true prevalence. These probabilities were then regressed against age, gender and outside access. Antibody kinetics in cats orally inoculated with tissue cysts, shedding oocysts, did not differ significantly from those of cats inoculated with sporulated oocysts without detectable oocyst excretion, suggesting extraintestinal parasite invasion and exposure to tachyzoites in both situations at an early stage of infection. Analysis of serial serum samples suggested a persisting long-term humoral immune response. Of the client-owned cats, 42.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 40.1-44.6) had a positive true infection status. This was higher (56.3% (95% CI: 53.2-59.6)) in cats with outside access than in those without (22.1% (95% CI: 18.9-25.4)). In the first model, the factors age (P < 0.0001), gender (male: P = 0.046), and outside access (P < 0.0001) were independently associated with significantly higher OD405 values. In the second model, the probability of having a positive true infection status increased with age (P < 0.0001), was higher with outside access (P < 0.0001) and in outdoor male cats (P = 0.0006).
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Tarekegn ZS, Dejene H, Addisu A, Dagnachew S. Potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008944. [PMID: 33320848 PMCID: PMC7771857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular and neurotropic apicomplexan protozoan parasite infecting almost all warm-blooded vertebrates including humans. To date in Ethiopia, no systematic study has been investigated on the overall effects of potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. We intended to determine the potential risk factors (PRFs) associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii from published data among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals of Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY An systematic review of the previous reports was made. We searched PubMed, Science Direct, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar for studies with no restriction on the year of publication. All references were screened independently in duplicate and were included if they presented data on at least two risk factors. Meta-analysis using the random or fixed-effects model was made to calculate the overall effects for each exposure. RESULTS Of the 216 records identified, twenty-four reports met our eligibility criteria, with a total of 6003 individuals (4356 pregnant women and 1647 HIV infected individuals). The pooled prevalences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found at 72.5% (95% CI: 58.7% - 83.1%) in pregnant women and 85.7% (95% CI: 76.3% - 91.8%) in HIV infected individuals. A significant overall effect of anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among pregnant women (p < 0.05) was witnessed with age, abortion history, contact with cats, cat ownership, having knowledge about toxoplasmosis, being a housewife and having unsafe water source. Age, cat ownership, and raw meat consumption were also shown a significant effect (p < 0.05) to anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among HIV infected individuals. CONCLUSIONS This review showed gaps and drawbacks in the earlier studies that are useful to keep in mind to design accurate investigations in the future. The pooled prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was found to be higher among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. This suggests that thousands of immunocompromised individuals (pregnant women and HIV infected patients) are at risk of toxoplasmosis due to the sociocultural and living standards of the communities of Ethiopia. Appropriate preventive measures are needed to reduce the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Further studies to investigate important risk factors are recommended to support the development of more cost-effective preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Haileyesus Dejene
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Agerie Addisu
- Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Shimelis Dagnachew
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Copaifera spp. oleoresins impair Toxoplasma gondii infection in both human trophoblastic cells and human placental explants. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15158. [PMID: 32938966 PMCID: PMC7495442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72230-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine is the standard care in cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. However, therapy with these drugs is associated with severe and sometimes life-threatening side effects. The investigation of phytotherapeutic alternatives to treat parasitic diseases without acute toxicity is essential for the advancement of current therapeutic practices. The present study investigates the antiparasitic effects of oleoresins from different species of Copaifera genus against T. gondii. Oleoresins from C. reticulata, C. duckei, C. paupera, and C. pubiflora were used to treat human trophoblastic cells (BeWo cells) and human villous explants infected with T. gondii. Our results demonstrated that oleoresins were able to reduce T. gondii intracellular proliferation, adhesion, and invasion. We observed an irreversible concentration-dependent antiparasitic action in infected BeWo cells, as well as parasite cell cycle arrest in the S/M phase. The oleoresins altered the host cell environment by modulation of ROS, IL-6, and MIF production in BeWo cells. Also, Copaifera oleoresins reduced parasite replication and TNF-α release in villous explants. Anti-T. gondii effects triggered by the oleoresins are associated with immunomodulation of the host cells, as well as, direct action on parasites.
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11
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Li R, Ma Y, Li J, Zhou P, Zheng F, Liu Q, Gao W. Application of Toxoplasma gondii GRA15 peptides in diagnosis and serotyping. Microb Pathog 2020; 143:104168. [PMID: 32205209 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104168] [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: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies showed that three clonal strain types (I, II, and III) of Toxoplasma gondii can be distinguished using serotyping based on a series of polymorphic proteins. However, to establish a systematic serotyping method with higher resolution even being equal to that of genotyping, more specific peptide markers are needed. The objective of the present study was to determine the possibility of the polymorphic dense granule protein 15 (GRA15) for diagnosis and serotyping of T. gondii infection. Three different T. gondii GT1 strain GRA15 gene fragments encoding a 584-residue peptide, a 199-residue peptide and a 84-residue peptide were amplified, expressed and purified, respectively. Anti-T. gondii GT1 strain antibodies, anti-T. gondii RH strain antibodies and anti-T. gondii PRU strain antibodies were used for immunoblotting analysis of the three peptides. Western blotting analysis showed that the 584-residue peptide of GT1 strain GRA15 was a potential candidate for serological diagnosis of T. gondii infection. RH strain from GT1 strain could be distinguished by serotyping based on the GRA15199 or GRA1584, and T. gondii GT1 strain could be distinguished from PRU strain by using serotyping based on the GRA1584. These findings reveal, for the first time, a novel potential role of GRA15-derived peptides in diagnosis and serological differentiation of T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runli Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Yeting Ma
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Jin Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Penglai Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Fuguo Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Qing Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China.
| | - Wenwei Gao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China.
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12
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Aguirre AA, Longcore T, Barbieri M, Dabritz H, Hill D, Klein PN, Lepczyk C, Lilly EL, McLeod R, Milcarsky J, Murphy CE, Su C, VanWormer E, Yolken R, Sizemore GC. The One Health Approach to Toxoplasmosis: Epidemiology, Control, and Prevention Strategies. ECOHEALTH 2019; 16:378-390. [PMID: 30945159 PMCID: PMC6682582 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01405-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
One Health is a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort that seeks optimal health for people, animals, plants, and the environment. Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is an intracellular protozoan infection distributed worldwide, with a heteroxenous life cycle that practically affects all homeotherms and in which felines act as definitive reservoirs. Herein, we review the natural history of T. gondii, its transmission and impacts in humans, domestic animals, wildlife both terrestrial and aquatic, and ecosystems. The epidemiology, prevention, and control strategies are reviewed, with the objective of facilitating awareness of this disease and promoting transdisciplinary collaborations, integrative research, and capacity building among universities, government agencies, NGOs, policy makers, practicing physicians, veterinarians, and the general public.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Alonso Aguirre
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr. MSN: 5F2, Fairfax, VA, 22030-4400, USA.
| | - Travis Longcore
- Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF B55, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Michelle Barbieri
- NMFS/PIFSC/PSD/Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA
| | - Haydee Dabritz
- Community Health Branch, Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency, 137 N Cottonwood St, Woodland, CA, 95695, USA
| | - Dolores Hill
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center Road Building 307-C Room 134, BARC East, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Patrice N Klein
- United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, 201 14th Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20250, USA
| | | | - Emily L Lilly
- Virginia Military Institute, 303D Maury-Brooke Hall, Lexington, VA, 24450, USA
| | - Rima McLeod
- The University of Chicago, AMB N310, (MC 2114) 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | | | - Caroline E Murphy
- The Wildlife Society, 425 Barlow Place, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Chunlei Su
- M409 Walters Life Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Elizabeth VanWormer
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 406 Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege Street, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Robert Yolken
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Grant C Sizemore
- American Bird Conservancy, 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 451, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
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13
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Mboera LEG, Kishamawe C, Kimario E, Rumisha SF. Mortality Patterns of Toxoplasmosis and Its Comorbidities in Tanzania: A 10-Year Retrospective Hospital-Based Survey. Front Public Health 2019; 7:25. [PMID: 30838195 PMCID: PMC6389597 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis and an important cause of abortions, mental retardation, encephalitis, blindness, and death worldwide. Few studies have quantified toxoplasmosis mortality and associated medical conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. This retrospective hospital-based study aimed to determine the mortality patterns of toxoplasmosis and its comorbidities among in-patients in Tanzania. Methods: Data on causes of death were collected using customized paper-based collection tools. Sources of data included death registers, inpatient registers, and International Classification of Diseases report forms. All death events from January 2006 to December 2015 were collected. Data used in this study is a subset of deaths where the underlying cause of death was toxoplasmosis. Data was analyzed by STATA programme version 13. Results: Thirty-seven public hospitals were involved in the study. A total of 188 deaths due to toxoplasmosis were reported during the 10-years period. Toxoplasmosis deaths accounted for 0.08% (188/247,976) of the total deaths recorded. The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 population increased from 0.11 in 2006 to 0.79 in 2015. Most deaths due to toxoplasmosis affected the adult age category. Of the 188 deaths, males accounted for 51.1% while females for 48.9% of the deaths. Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Pwani, Tanga, and Mwanza contributed to over half (59.05%) of all deaths due to Toxoplasmosis. Of the total deaths due to toxoplasmosis, 70.7% were associated with other medical conditions; which included HIV/AIDS (52.6%), HIV/AIDS+Cryptococcal meningitis (18.8%) and HIV+Pneumocystis pneumonia (6.8%). Conclusion: The age-standardized mortality rate due to toxoplasmosis has been increasing substantially between 2006 and 2015. Most deaths due to toxoplasmosis affected the adult age category and were highly associated with HIV/AIDS. Appropriate interventions are needed to alleviate the burden of toxoplasmosis in Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard E G Mboera
- Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania.,National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Coleman Kishamawe
- Mwanza Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Evord Kimario
- National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Susan F Rumisha
- National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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14
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Ramakrishnan C, Maier S, Walker RA, Rehrauer H, Joekel DE, Winiger RR, Basso WU, Grigg ME, Hehl AB, Deplazes P, Smith NC. An experimental genetically attenuated live vaccine to prevent transmission of Toxoplasma gondii by cats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1474. [PMID: 30728393 PMCID: PMC6365665 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37671-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost any warm-blooded creature can be an intermediate host for Toxoplasma gondii. However, sexual reproduction of T. gondii occurs only in felids, wherein fertilisation of haploid macrogametes by haploid microgametes, results in diploid zygotes, around which a protective wall develops, forming unsporulated oocysts. Unsporulated oocysts are shed in the faeces of cats and meiosis gives rise to haploid sporozoites within the oocysts. These, now infectious, sporulated oocysts contaminate the environment as a source of infection for people and their livestock. RNA-Seq analysis of cat enteric stages of T. gondii uncovered genes expressed uniquely in microgametes and macrogametes. A CRISPR/Cas9 strategy was used to create a T. gondii strain that exhibits defective fertilisation, decreased fecundity and generates oocysts that fail to produce sporozoites. Inoculation of cats with this engineered parasite strain totally prevented oocyst excretion following infection with wild-type T. gondii, demonstrating that this mutant is an attenuated, live, transmission-blocking vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simone Maier
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Robert A Walker
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Rehrauer
- Functional Genomics Center Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Deborah E Joekel
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rahel R Winiger
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Walter U Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Adrian B Hehl
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Nicholas C Smith
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia. .,School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Parramatta South Campus, Sydney, NSW, 2116, Australia.
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15
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El Bissati K, Levigne P, Lykins J, Adlaoui EB, Barkat A, Berraho A, Laboudi M, El Mansouri B, Ibrahimi A, Rhajaoui M, Quinn F, Murugesan M, Seghrouchni F, Gómez-Marín JE, Peyron F, McLeod R. Global initiative for congenital toxoplasmosis: an observational and international comparative clinical analysis. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:165. [PMID: 30262847 PMCID: PMC6160433 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0164-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Globally, congenital toxoplasmosis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and outbreaks of infection with T. gondii represent a significant, emerging public health burden, especially in the developing world. This parasite is a threat to public health. Disease often is not recognized and is inadequately managed. Herein, we analyze the status of congenital toxoplasmosis in Morocco, Colombia, the United States, and France. We identify the unique challenges faced by each nation in the implementation of optimal approaches to congenital toxoplasmosis as a public health problem. We suggest that developed and developing countries use a multipronged approach, modeling their public health management protocols after those in France. We conclude that education, screening, appropriate treatment, and the development of novel modalities will be required to intervene successfully in caring for individuals with this infection. Gestational screening has been demonstrated to be cost-effective, morbidity-sparing, and life-saving. Recognition of the value and promise of public health interventions to prevent human suffering from this emerging infection will facilitate better patient and societal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal El Bissati
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Pauline Levigne
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, 103 grande rue de la Croix Rousse, 69317, Lyon, France
| | - Joseph Lykins
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | | | - Amina Barkat
- Research Team on Mother-Child Health and Nutrition, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie de Rabat, Université Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Amina Berraho
- Department d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital des Spécialités, CHU, P6220, Rabat, Morocco
| | | | | | - Azeddine Ibrahimi
- Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie de Rabat, Université Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | | | - Fred Quinn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | | | | | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindio, Av. Bolivar 12N, Armenia, Quindio, Colombia
| | - François Peyron
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Mycologie Médicale Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, 103 grande rue de la Croix Rousse, 69317, Lyon, France
| | - Rima McLeod
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Department of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Institute of Genomics, Genetics, and Systems Biology, Global Health Center, Toxoplasmosis Center, CHeSS, The College, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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16
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Mirza Alizadeh A, Jazaeri S, Shemshadi B, Hashempour-Baltork F, Sarlak Z, Pilevar Z, Hosseini H. A review on inactivation methods of Toxoplasma gondii in foods. Pathog Glob Health 2018; 112:306-319. [PMID: 30346249 PMCID: PMC6381540 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2018.1514137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a widespread zoonotic protozoan which poses a great threat to human health and economic well-being worldwide. It is usually acquired by ingestion of water contaminated with oocysts from the feces of infected cats or by the ingestion of raw or undercooked foodstuff containing tissue cysts. The oocyst can contaminate irrigation water and fresh edible produce. It is estimated that approximately one-third of the human population worldwide harbor this parasite. Infection with T. gondii is an important cause of diseases of the central nervous system and the eye in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and applicability of thermal (heating, cooking, freezing and low temperature), non-thermal (high pressure processing, ionizing irradiation and curing) and chemical and biochemical (disinfection, essential oils and biochemical methods such as enzymes, nanoparticles, antibiotics and immune response) treatments for the inactivation, inhabitation or to kill T. gondii in foodstuff intended for public consumption and under experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Mirza Alizadeh
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Jazaeri
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Science, Food Science and Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahar Shemshadi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran
| | - Fataneh Hashempour-Baltork
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Sarlak
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Pilevar
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hedayat Hosseini
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Science, Food Science and Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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17
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van Enter BJD, Lau YL, Ling CL, Watthanaworawit W, Sukthana Y, Lee WC, Nosten F, McGready R. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Refugee and Migrant Pregnant Women along the Thailand-Myanmar Border. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:232-235. [PMID: 28719309 PMCID: PMC5508912 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii primary infection in pregnancy is associated with poor obstetric outcomes. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in pregnant migrant and refugee women from Myanmar attending antenatal care in Thailand. A random selection of 199 residual blood samples from first antenatal screen in 2014–2015 was tested for Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection was 31.7% (95% confidence interval = 25.6–38.4). Avidity testing in the three positive IgM cases indicated all were past infections. Multiparity (≥ 3 children) was significantly associated with higher Toxoplasma seropositivity rates. Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in this pregnant population is similar to the only other report from Myanmar, where multiparity was also identified as a significant association. Toxoplasma infection is important in pregnant women. Nevertheless, in this marginalized population, this infection may be given less priority, due to resource constraints in providing the most basic components of safe motherhood programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert J D van Enter
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Yee-Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Clare L Ling
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Wanitda Watthanaworawit
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Yaowalark Sukthana
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wenn-Chyau Lee
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - François Nosten
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Rose McGready
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
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18
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Abstract
Foodborne infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and foodborne parasitic diseases, though not as widespread as bacterial and viral infections, are common on all continents and in most ecosystems, including arctic, temperate, and tropical regions. Outbreaks of disease resulting from foodstuffs contaminated by parasitic protozoa have become increasingly recognized as a problem in the United States and globally. Increased international trade in food products has made movement of these organisms across national boundaries more frequent, and the risks associated with infections have become apparent in nations with well-developed food safety apparatus in place.
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19
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An ELISA for the early diagnosis of acute canine babesiosis detecting circulating antigen of large Babesia spp. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:162-168. [PMID: 28807287 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Babesia canis is the predominant Babesia species in dogs in Europe and is responsible for a severe and fatal disease. An increase in global pet tourism and a widening of the geographic distribution of the tick vector has led to the emergence of infections in areas where previously only imported cases have been reported. Due to the potential for rapid and serious disease progression, direct parasite detection by stained blood smears and light microscopy or DNA-based methods have traditionally been used for the diagnosis of acute infections. This study describes the production of a murine monoclonal antibody ('mAb BcFIII 7/1/2') that reacts to a 65kDa corpuscular epitope present in B. canis-infected erythrocytes and can be used in an ELISA to detect circulating Babesia antigen during acute infections. The sensitivity of the ELISA was 100% (95%CI: 84.5-100) as determined using blood lysate samples from 27 dogs with acute B. canis infections. Sensitivity was reduced to 53.8% in 13 patent Babesia vogeli infections (95%CI: 26.1-79.6) based on the current test design using convalescent serum from a B. canis-infected dog. The specificity was determined to be 86.4% (95%CI: 64-96.4) using 22 samples from healthy canine blood donors. In the course of acute B. canis infections, the ELISA showed a positive result at the same time as a positive PCR result was recorded. This was 24-48h before parasites could be detected by light microscopy. Convalescent samples collected from 6 B. canis-infected dogs at least 14days post treatment resulted in negative ELISA reactions. The hyper-acute to acute phase of a B. canis infection represents an emergency situation with high mortality. To increase the chances of survival, a fast and accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment is required. The current study demonstrates the opportunity of an early and specific detection of acute infections by an AgELISA that is potentially translatable to a rapid diagnostic test design.
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20
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Cisak E, Zając V, Sroka J, Sawczyn A, Kloc A, Dutkiewicz J, Wójcik-Fatla A. Presence of Pathogenic Rickettsiae and Protozoan in Samples of Raw Milk from Cows, Goats, and Sheep. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2017; 14:189-194. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2016.2203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Cisak
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Violetta Zając
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Sroka
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Anna Sawczyn
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Kloc
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Dutkiewicz
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Angelina Wójcik-Fatla
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
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21
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Wang ZD, Liu HH, Ma ZX, Ma HY, Li ZY, Yang ZB, Zhu XQ, Xu B, Wei F, Liu Q. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Immunocompromised Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:389. [PMID: 28337191 PMCID: PMC5343064 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii has been suggested as an important opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. We conducted a global meta-analysis to assess the prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) of T. gondii infection in immunocompromised individuals. Electronic databases were reviewed for T. gondii infection in HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients, and transplant recipients, and meta-analyses were conducted to calculate overall estimated prevalence and ORs using random or fixed-effects models. Totally, 72 eligible studies were included. The estimated pooled prevalence of T. gondii infection in immunocompromised patients and the control was 35.9 and 24.7% (p < 0.001), with an OR of 2.24, i.e., 42.1 and 32.0% for HIV/AIDS patients and the control (p < 0.05), 26.0 and 12.1% for cancer patients and the control (p < 0.001), and 42.1 and 34.5% for transplant recipients and the control (p > 0.05), whose estimated pooled ORs were 1.92 (95% CI, 1.44-2.55), 2.89 (95% CI, 2.36-3.55), and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.16-1.95), respectively. This study is the first to demonstrate that the immunocompromised patients are associated with higher odds of T. gondii infection, and appropriate prevention and control measures are highly recommended for these susceptible populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Dong Wang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural UniversityChangchun, China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesLanzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical SciencesChangchun, China
| | - Huan-Huan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences Changchun, China
| | - Zhan-Xi Ma
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inner Mongolia General Forestry Hospital Yakeshi, China
| | - Hong-Yu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences Changchun, China
| | - Zhong-Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences Changchun, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Yang
- Medical Library of the Chinese people's Liberation Army Beijing, 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, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Diseases of Banan District in Chongqing Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Wei
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University Changchun, China
| | - Quan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical SciencesChangchun, China; Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Ministry of EducationChangchun, China
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22
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Predictors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Czech and Slovak populations: the possible role of cat-related injuries and risky sexual behavior in the parasite transmission. Epidemiol Infect 2017; 145:1351-1362. [PMID: 28183362 DOI: 10.1017/s095026881700019x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii infects about one-third of the world's population. The consumption of raw meat, contact with cats, contact with soil, and ingestion of food or water contaminated with soil are considered to be the most important sources of infection. Still in most women who were infected during pregnancy, no definitive source of infection is found. In 2014-2016, independent sources of T. gondii infection were searched for by gathering epidemiological data from 1865 (519 infected) responders. Touching garden soil (odds ratio (OR) 3·14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·3-6·35), sustaining cat-related injuries (OR 2·16, 95% CI 1·25-3·74), and eating improperly washed root vegetables (OR 1·71, 95% CI 1·02-2·87), but not risky sexual behavior (OR 1·22, 95% CI 0·79-1·90), were the predictors of infection. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection had been increasing up to ages 35-50 in men and ages 50-54 in women. Past those ages, seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis has been decreasing. This suggests that the natural decrease of anamnestic antibodies concentrations over time leads to positivity-to-negativity seroconversion in many subjects. If this is true, then the prevalence of T. gondii infection in a general population and its potential impacts on public health could be much larger than generally believed.
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23
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Liu Q, Li FC, Elsheikha HM, Sun MM, Zhu XQ. Identification of host proteins interacting with Toxoplasma gondii GRA15 (TgGRA15) by yeast two-hybrid system. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:1. [PMID: 28049510 PMCID: PMC5209834 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1943-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, possesses the remarkable ability to co-opt host cell machinery in order to maintain its intracellular survival. This parasite can modulate signaling pathways of its host through the secretion of polymorphic effector proteins localized in the rhoptry and dense granule organelles. One of such effectors is T. gondii type II-specific dense granule protein 15, TgGRA15, which activates NF-κB pathway. The aim of the present study was to identify the host interaction partner proteins of TgGRA15. Methods We screened a yeast two-hybrid mouse cDNA library using TgGRA15 as the bait. TgGRA15 (PRU strain, Type II) was cloned into the pGBKT7 vector and expressed in the Y2HGold yeast strain. Then, the bait protein expression was validated by western blotting analysis, followed by auto-activation and toxicity tests in comparison with control (Y2HGold yeast strain transformed with empty pGBKT7 vector). Results This screening led to the identification of mouse Luzp1 and AW209491 as host binding proteins that interact with TgGRA15. Luzp1 contains three nuclear localizing signals and is involved in regulating a subset of host non-coding RNA genes. Conclusions These findings reveal, for the first time, new host cell proteins interacting with TgGRA15. The identification of these cellular targets and the understanding of their contribution to the host-pathogen interaction may serve as the foundation for novel therapeutic and prevention strategies against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410128, People's Republic of China.,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
| | - Fa-Cai Li
- 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.
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Miao-Miao Sun
- 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
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410128, People's Republic of China.,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 Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China
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Zhang K, Lin G, Han Y, Li J. Serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and standardization. Clin Chim Acta 2016; 461:83-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2016.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Rostami A, Seyyedtabaei SJ, Aghamolaie S, Behniafar H, Lasjerdi Z, Abdolrasouli A, Mehravar S, Alvarado-Esquivel C. SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH Toxoplasma gondii INFECTION AMONG RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN IRAN. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 58:70. [PMID: 27680175 PMCID: PMC5048641 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201658070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is the fourth most common cause of hospitalization and the second cause
of death due to food-borne infections. We conducted a cross-sectional study to
determine the prevalence, disease awareness and risk factors associated with
toxoplasmosis among rural communities in Northern Iran. Data were obtained from
serological testing and from participant's questionnaires and were
analyzed using a logistic regression. Of the 630 participants, 465 (73.8%), and 12
(1.9%) had IgG and both IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii
antibodies, respectively. In the logistic regression analysis, T.
gondii seropositivity was associated with the following factors: age,
occupation, consumption of undercooked meat, and of unwashed raw vegetables or fruits
(p < 0.001). Our study showed a high prevalence of T.
gondii infection in the general population of Northern Iran. A health
program is needed to increase the public awareness of toxoplasmosis, and its
associated risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rostami
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. E-mails: ; ; ; ;
| | - Seyyed Javad Seyyedtabaei
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. E-mails: ; ; ; ;
| | - Somayeh Aghamolaie
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. E-mails: ; ; ; ;
| | - Hamed Behniafar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. E-mails: ; ; ; ;
| | - Zohreh Lasjerdi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. E-mails: ; ; ; ;
| | - Alireza Abdolrasouli
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. London, United Kingdom. E-mail: .,Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Imperial College London. London, United Kingdom. E-mail:
| | - Saeed Mehravar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Science. Tehran, Iran. E-mail:
| | - Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State. Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Dgo, Mexico. E-mail:
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Counotte MJ, Minbaeva G, Usubalieva J, Abdykerimov K, Torgerson PR. The Burden of Zoonoses in Kyrgyzstan: A Systematic Review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004831. [PMID: 27387925 PMCID: PMC4936671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Zoonotic disease (ZD) pose a serious threat to human health in low-income countries. In these countries the human burden of disease is often underestimated due to insufficient monitoring because of insufficient funding. Quantification of the impact of zoonoses helps in prioritizing healthcare needs. Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with 48% of the population employed in agriculture and one third of the population living below the poverty line. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We have assessed the burden of zoonoses in Kyrgyzstan by conducting a systematic review. We have used the collected data to estimate the burden of ZDs and addressed the underestimation in officially reported disease incidence. The estimated incidences of the ZDs were used to calculate incidence-based Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). This standardized health gap measure enhances comparability between injuries and diseases. The combined burden for alveolar echinococcosis, cystic echinococcosis, brucellosis, campylobacteriosis, congenital toxoplasmosis, non-typhoidal salmonellosis and rabies in Kyrgyzstan in 2013 was 35,209 DALYs [95% Uncertainty interval (UI):13,413-83,777]; 576 deaths [95% UI: 279-1,168] were attributed to these infections. We estimate a combined median incidence of ZDs of 141,583 cases [95% UI: 33,912-250,924] in 2013. The highest burden was caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella and Echinococcus multilocularis, respectively 14,792 DALYs [95% UI: 3,966-41,532] and 11,915 DALYs [95% UI: 4,705-27,114] per year. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE The health impact of zoonoses in Kyrgyzstan is substantial, comparable to that of HIV. Community-based surveillance studies and hospital-based registration of all occurrences of zoonoses would increase the accuracy of the estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel J. Counotte
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gulnara Minbaeva
- State Sanitary Epidemiological Department of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Jumagul Usubalieva
- State Sanitary Epidemiological Department of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | | | - Paul R. Torgerson
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Dard C, Fricker-Hidalgo H, Brenier-Pinchart MP, Pelloux H. Relevance of and New Developments in Serology for Toxoplasmosis. Trends Parasitol 2016; 32:492-506. [PMID: 27167666 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii with a wide spectrum of clinical outcomes. The biological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is often difficult and of paramount importance because clinical features are not sufficient to discriminate between toxoplasmosis and other illnesses. Serological tests are the most widely used biological tools for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis worldwide. This review focuses on the crucial role of serology in providing answers to the most important questions related to the epidemiology and diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in human pathology. Notwithstanding their undeniable importance, serological tools need to be continuously improved and the interpretation of the ensuing results remains complex in many circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Dard
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France; Institut Albert Bonniot, INSERM U1209 - CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
| | - Hélène Fricker-Hidalgo
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France; Institut Albert Bonniot, INSERM U1209 - CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Hervé Pelloux
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France; Institut Albert Bonniot, INSERM U1209 - CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
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Shen G, Wang X, Sun H, Gao Y. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection among HIV/AIDS Patients in Eastern China. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2016; 54:93-6. [PMID: 26951986 PMCID: PMC4792320 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.1.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, occurs throughout the world. Human T. gondii infection is asymptomatic in 80% of the population; however, the infection is life-threatening and causes substantial neurologic damage in immunocompromised patients such as HIV-infected persons. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in subjects infected with HIV/AIDS in eastern China. Our findings showed 9.7% prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody in HIV/AIDS patients, which was higher than in intravenous drug users (2.2%) and healthy controls (4.7%), while no significant difference was observed in the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibody among all participants (P>0.05). Among all HIV/AIDS patients, 15 men (7.7%) and 10 women (15.9%) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibody; however, no significant difference was detected in the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody between males and females. The frequency of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody was 8.0%, 13.2%, 5.5%, and 0% in patients with normal immune function (CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count ≥500 cells/ml), immunocompromised patients (cell count ≥200 and <500 cells/ml), severely immunocompromised patients (cell count ≥50 and <200 cells/ml), and advanced AIDS patients, respectively (cell count <50 cells/ml), while only 3 immunocompromised patients were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibody. The results indicate a high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in HIV/AIDS patients in eastern China, and a preventive therapy for toxoplasmosis may be given to HIV/AIDS patients based on CD4(+) T lymphocyte count.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi No. 9 People's Hospital, 999 Liangxi Road, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province 214062, China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi No. 9 People's Hospital, 999 Liangxi Road, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province 214062, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi No. 9 People's Hospital, 999 Liangxi Road, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province 214062, China
| | - Yaying Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi No. 9 People's Hospital, 999 Liangxi Road, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province 214062, China
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Wei HX, He C, Yang PL, Lindsay DS, Peng HJ. Relationship Between Cat Contact and Infection by Toxoplasma gondii in Humans: A Meta-Analysis. COMP PARASITOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1654/1525-2647-83.1.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Xia Wei
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, the People’s Republic of China (e-mail: )
| | - Cheng He
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, the People’s Republic of China (e-mail: )
| | - Pei-Liang Yang
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, the People’s Republic of China (e-mail: )
| | - David S. Lindsay
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, U.S.A. (e-mail: )
| | - Hong-Juan Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, the People’s Republic of China (e-mail: )
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Boughattas S. Toxoplasmainfection and milk consumption: Meta-analysis of assumptions and evidences. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2015; 57:2924-2933. [DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2015.1084993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Boughattas S. Commentary on: "Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in raw caprine, ovine, buffalo, bovine, and camel milk using cell cultivation, cat bioassay, capture ELISA, and PCR methods in Iran". Front Microbiol 2015; 6:215. [PMID: 25852672 PMCID: PMC4364284 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Boughattas
- Department of Environmental and Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Chungbuk National University Cheongju, South Korea
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Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in cancer patients in Anhui Province, Eastern China. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:162. [PMID: 25889184 PMCID: PMC4379604 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0778-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have indicated the predominance of Toxoplasma gondii genotype Chinese 1 in animals in China. However, little is known of the genetic features of the parasite in humans. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies based on which the genetic character of the parasite was identified in cancer patients in China. Methods A total of 1014 serum samples with malignant neoplasms were collected from six tertiary-care hospitals (HAUCM, APH, HAMU, XAH, FHH and HBMC) from January, 2012 to August, 2013. Antibodies against T. gondii were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood samples were subsequently used for PCR assay to detect T. gondii DNA (gra6). The DNA positive samples were subjected to genotyping using a multiplex multilocus nested PCR-RFLP at 10 loci, including sag1, sag2, sag3, btub, gra6, l358, c22-8, c29-2, pk1 and apico. Samples from the patients were anonymous and only data with regard to age and gender was available at sample collection. Results Overall, 8.38% (85/1014) of the examined patients showed positive antibodies against T. gondii. Among them, 61 (6.02%) were seropositive only for IgG, 16 (1.58%) were only for IgM, and 8 (0.79%) were found to be positive for both IgG and IgM. The seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma ranged from 5.8% to 11.0%, without regional difference (χ2 = 4.764, P = 0.445). No significant differences of the positive rates of T. gondii infection were noted in genders (male, 8.96%; female, 7.45%) (χ2 = 0.707, P = 0.400) and in ages (χ2 = 1.172, P = 0.947). Of 1014 DNA samples, 36 (3.55%) were positive for T. gondii by nested PCR at gra6 locus and nine gave rise to complete genotyping results. All samples with achieved PCR-RFLP genotyping showed a common genetic character of type Chinese 1 (ToxoDB#9). Conclusion Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in immunosuppressed individuals is rarely reported in China and we presented a positive rate of 8.38% in cancer patients. Toxoplasma genomic DNA genotyping demonstrated a common genetic character of Chinese 1, indicating a possible pathogenic origin of animals in human infection.
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Yohanes T, Debalke S, Zemene E. Latent Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Associated Risk Factors among HIV-Infected Individuals at Arba Minch Hospital, South Ethiopia. AIDS Res Treat 2014; 2014:652941. [PMID: 25431660 PMCID: PMC4241326 DOI: 10.1155/2014/652941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The parasite has cosmopolitan distribution, infecting almost all species of warm-blooded animals. Latent T. gondii infection in HIV/AIDS patients is a risk for development of cerebral toxoplasmosis (CT). The aim of this study is to determine seroprevalence of latent T. gondii infection and assess its associated factors among individuals infected with HIV in Arba Minch Hospital, south Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study involving 170 HIV-infected individuals attending Arba Minch Hospital antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic was conducted from April to June 2013. Data on demographic profile of the study participants and factors associated with T. gondii infection were gathered using a questionnaire. Serum was tested for IgG anti-T. gondii antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Seroprevalence of latent T. gondii infection among the study participants was 88.2%. Consumption of raw meat (AOR = 4.361; 95% CI: 1.409-13.496) and involvement in farming/gardening activities (AOR = 4.051; 95% CI: 1.112-14.758) were independent predictors of T. gondii seropositivity. This study revealed high prevalence of latent T. gondii infection, similar to other studies. Monitoring of the patients to prevent reactivation of the latent T. gondii infection is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsegaye Yohanes
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Arba Minch University, P.O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Serkadis Debalke
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Pathology, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box 378, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Endalew Zemene
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Pathology, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box 378, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Ahmed HA, Shafik SM, Ali MEM, Elghamry ST, Ahmed AA. Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in milk and risk factors analysis of seroprevalence in pregnant women at Sharkia, Egypt. Vet World 2014. [DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.594-600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Zhang XX, Zhang NZ, Tian WP, Zhou DH, Xu YT, Zhu XQ. First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in pet parrots in China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014; 14:394-8. [PMID: 24866015 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, has become a serious public health problem worldwide. T. gondii can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including parrots. However, little is known of T. gondii infection in parrots in China. Antibodies against T. gondii in 311 parrots including 202 Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), 26 Lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), 22 Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), and 61 Alexandrine Parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) in the cities of Beijing and Weifang in north China were tested using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Twenty-six (8.36%) out of 311 serum samples were positive for T. gondii at the cutoff of 1:5. Among the four species, a higher seroprevalence of T. gondii was found in Cockatiels (13.64%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00-27.98), although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.61). Seropositivity rates against T. gondii in male parrots (10.43%, 95% CI 5.74-15.12) were not statistically different from that in female parrots (6.08%, 95% CI 2.23-9.93, p=0.17). The seropositivity of T. gondii in parrots from Weifang and Beijing was 11.11% (95% CI 6.13-16.09) and 5.70% (95% CI 2.08-9.31), respectively. The seroprevalence varied in parrots of different age groups, ranging from 5.71% (95% CI 1.27-10.15) to 13.00% (95% CI 6.41-19.69), however, the difference among age groups was not statistically significant (p=0.12). The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in parrots in summer (11.63%, 95% CI 6.84-16.42) was significantly higher than in spring (4.32%, 95% CI 0.94-7.70, p=0.02). The results of the present survey indicated that parrots in China are exposed to T. gondii. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in parrots in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xuan Zhang
- 1 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, PR China
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Du J, An R, Chen L, Shen Y, Chen Y, Cheng L, Jiang Z, Zhang A, Yu L, Chu D, Shen Y, Luo Q, Chen H, Wan L, Li M, Xu X, Shen J. WITHDRAWN: Toxoplasma gondii virulence factor ROP18 inhibits the host NF-κB pathway by promoting p65 degradation. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:12578-92. [PMID: 24648522 PMCID: PMC4007449 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.544718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii secretes effector molecules into the host cell to modulate host immunity. Previous studies have shown that T. gondii could interfere with host NF-κB signaling to promote their survival, but the effectors of type I strains remain unclear. The polymorphic rhoptry protein ROP18 is a key serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates host proteins to modulate acute virulence. Our data demonstrated that the N-terminal portion of ROP18 is associated with the dimerization domain of p65. ROP18 phosphorylates p65 at Ser-468 and targets this protein to the ubiquitin-dependent degradation pathway. The kinase activity of ROP18 is required for p65 degradation and suppresses NF-κB activation. Consistently, compared with wild-type ROP18 strain, ROP18 kinase-deficient type I parasites displayed a severe inability to inhibit NF-κB, culminating in the enhanced production of IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α in infected macrophages. In addition, studies have shown that transgenic parasites carrying kinase-deficient ROP18 induce M1-biased activation. These results demonstrate for the first time that the virulence factor ROP18 in T. gondii type I strains is responsible for inhibiting the host NF-κB pathway and for suppressing proinflammatory cytokine expression, thus providing a survival advantage to the infectious agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Du
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ran An
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Lijian Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yuxian Shen
- Institute of Biopharmaceuticals, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceuticals, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Li Cheng
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhongru Jiang
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Aimei Zhang
- Central Laboratory of Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230001, China, and
| | - Li Yu
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Deyong Chu
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yujun Shen
- Institute of Biopharmaceuticals, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qingli Luo
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - He Chen
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Lijuan Wan
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Min Li
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiucai Xu
- Central Laboratory of Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230001, China, and
| | - Jilong Shen
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
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Ocular toxoplasmosis past, present and new aspects of an old disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2014; 39:77-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Bresciani KDS, Galvão ALB, Vasconcellos ALD, Soares JA, Matos LVSD, Pierucci JC, Neto LDS, Rodrigues TO, Navarro IT, Gomes JF, Costa AJD. Relevant aspects of human toxoplasmosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.7243/2052-5958-1-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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