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Mishra V, Mitra P, Barbuddhe S, Thorat Y, Chavan K, Shinde S, Chaudhari S, Khan W, Deshmukh AS. Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in free-ranging rats from Nagpur, India. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:63. [PMID: 38114841 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08095-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are cyst-forming coccidian parasites that infect both wild and domestic non-felids as intermediate hosts, with rodents serving as important reservoir hosts during their life cycles. This study was aimed at investigating T. gondii and N. caninum infections and identifying factors favouring T. gondii infection in free-ranging rats from India. A total of 181 rodents were trap-captured, and blood and brain samples were subsequently collected for serological and molecular examination of T. gondii and N. caninum. Antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum were detected by MAT/NAT and IFAT in 13.8% (25/181) and 1.65% (3/181) of rodents, respectively. All three N. caninum samples positive by NAT/IFAT were also positive for ELISA, while for T. gondii, 19 of 25 MAT/IFAT positive samples were also positive for ELISA. The antibody titers (MAT/NAT/IFAT) of rodents seropositive for T. gondii ranged from 25 to 400, while those of rats seropositive for N. caninum ranged from 25 to 100. Also, using PCR, DNA from T. gondii (B1 gene) and N. caninum (NC5 gene) was found in 2.76% (5/181) of brain samples and 0.55% (1/181) of brain samples. All PCR positive samples were also seropositive. No mixed infections were observed in the serological and molecular detections. A Chi-square analysis revealed that older rats and rats living in urban areas are significantly associated with T. gondii infection; however, rodent species, gender, location, habitat types, and seasonality were statistically nonsignificant. Overall, this study demonstrated that T. gondii was widely distributed while N. caninum was less prevalent among free-ranging rats in the studied area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veena Mishra
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500032, Telangana, India
| | - Pallabi Mitra
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Shruti Barbuddhe
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India
| | - Yogesh Thorat
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India
| | - Kailas Chavan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India
| | - Shilpshri Shinde
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India
| | - Sandeep Chaudhari
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India
| | - Waqar Khan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, India
| | - Abhijit S Deshmukh
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500032, Telangana, India.
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Hamzavi Y, Salimi Y, Ahmadi M, Adimi P, Falahi S, Bozorgomid A. Global prevalence of Neospora caninum in rodents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2192-2200. [PMID: 37417729 PMCID: PMC10508548 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neosporosis has been considered a cause of abortion in dairy and beef cattle worldwide. Rodents are reservoir hosts for several infectious diseases. It is necessary to determine the prevalence of Neospora caninum in rodents to improve the current understanding of the transmission dynamics of Neospora as well as its life cycle and risk of transmission to livestock. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to estimate the pooled global prevalence of N. caninum in different rodent species. METHODS Published studies on the prevalence of N. caninum in different rodent species were searched in the MEDLINE/PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar and the reference lists of the retrieved articles until July 30, 2022. The eligible studies were selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The extracted data were verified and analysed using the random-effect meta-analysis. RESULT For this meta-analysis, a total of 4372 rodents from 26 eligible studies were included. The global prevalence of N. caninum in rodents was estimated at 5% (95% CI 2%-9%), with the highest prevalence in Asia (12%; 95% CI 6%-24%) and lowest prevalence in America (3%; 95% CI 1%-14%) and Europe (3%; 95% CI 1%-6%). N. caninum was more prevalent in females (4%; 95% CI 2%-9%) than in males (3%; 95% CI 1%-11%). The most common diagnostic test was polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (21 studies). The pooled prevalence of N. caninum in rodents based on the diagnostic method was as follows: immunohistochemistry: 11% (95% CI 6%-20%), NAT: 5% (95% CI 4%-7%), IFAT: 5% (95% CI 2%-13%) and PCR: 3% (95% CI 1%-9%). CONCLUSION The results of this study showed a relatively low but widespread prevalence of N. caninum infection in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazdan Hamzavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and MycologySchool of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Yahya Salimi
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of HealthHealth Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Mobin Ahmadi
- Student Research CommitteeKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Parvaneh Adimi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of MedicineTehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Sahab Falahi
- Zoonotic Diseases Research CenterIlam University of Medical SciencesIlamIran
| | - Arezoo Bozorgomid
- Department of Medical Parasitology and MycologySchool of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Su C. Epidemiological Significance of Toxoplasma Gondii Infections in Wild Rodents: 2009-2020. J Parasitol 2021; 107:182-204. [PMID: 33662119 DOI: 10.1645/20-121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Rodents are one of the most important intermediate hosts for T. gondii because they are preyed on by cats, who in turn excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts in their feces and thus spread the infection. Information on T. gondii infections is spread in numerous reports and is not easily accessible to readers. Here, we review prevalence, persistence of infection, clinical disease, epidemiology, and genetic diversity of T. gondii infections in wild rodents worldwide. Data are tabulated by country, by each rodent species alphabetically, and chronologically. Recent genetic diversity of T. gondii strains in rodents is critically evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - F H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - C K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - O C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - C Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-0845
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Fernández-Escobar M, Millán J, Chirife AD, Ortega-Mora LM, Calero-Bernal R. Molecular survey for cyst-forming coccidia (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp.) in Mediterranean periurban micromammals. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2679-2686. [PMID: 32588173 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06777-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Rodents and other micromammals constitute important reservoirs of infectious diseases; their role in the life cycle of apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. still needs clarification. In the present study, we analyzed by PCR and Sanger sequencing methods the presence of specific parasite DNA within brain and heart tissues of 313 individuals of five synanthropic small mammal species (Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus spretus, M. musculus, Rattus rattus, and Crocidura russula) collected in Barcelona metropolitan area (NE Spain). In addition, PCR-RFLP and microsatellites were also used as tools for genotypic characterization of T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. Specific DNA of T. gondii, N. caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. was detected in 0.3% (n = 1), 1.3% (n = 4), and 3.8% (n = 12) of the animals, respectively. No mixed infections were observed. Crocidura russula stood out as the main host for Sarcocystis spp. Toxoplasma gondii-specific DNA detected in a house rat was genetically characterized by PCR-RFLP, presenting type II and III alleles (SAG1 [II], SAG3 [II], GRA6 [II], c22-8 [III], Apico [III]). Also, unsuccessful DNA sequencing and microsatellite typing were attempted in N. caninum-positive samples, which suggested a lack of PCR specificity and open avenues to speculate the host competence of rodents for N. caninum. Likewise, Sarcocystis spp. identity was studied by alignment and phylogenetic analyses of cox1 and 28S rRNA sequences from the 14 positive samples. It resulted in at least three unknown organisms closely similar (95.7-100% cox1-sequence homology) to Sarcocystis pantherophisi from the Eastern rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) (KU891603), suggesting together with 28S rRNA sequences analyses, three Sarcocystis sp. with a life cycle conformed by rodents as intermediate host (IH) and snakes as definitive hosts (DH) infecting the periurban micromammals surveyed. Prevalence figures found in this first survey carried out in Spain agree with other international studies focused on periurban areas. Further surveys should be conducted in farms and their surroundings in order to unravel the role of wild micromammals in the epidemiology of such protozoan parasites affecting our livestock, and therefore human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.,Fundación ARAID, Avda. de Ranillas, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Nazari N, Shojaee S, Mohebali M, Teimouri A, Ghadiri K, Raeghi S, Shiee MR, Azarakhsh Y, Bozorgomid A. Toxoplasma gondii And Neospora caninum In Brain Tissue Of Rodents In North-West Iran. VETERINARY MEDICINE-RESEARCH AND REPORTS 2019; 10:223-227. [PMID: 31908996 PMCID: PMC6929938 DOI: 10.2147/vmrr.s224664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Rodents live in proximity to humans and domestic animals. These creatures can serve as reservoir hosts for many zoonotic parasites; therefore, they increase the risk of human infections. The aim of this study was to investigate Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in rodents caught in Meshgin-Shahr District, Iran. Patients and methods In a cross-sectional study, brain samples were collected from 70 rodents caught in Meshgin-Shahr District during March and December 2015. The specimens were examined for exposure to T. gondii and N. caninum with molecular methods. Results Seventy rodents were caught, including 50 Meriones persicus, 11 Mus musculus and 9 Cricetulus migratorius. Thirty rodents were female and 40 were males. Using PCR (B1 gene), T. gondii was detected in 7.1% (5/70) of the rodents while N. caninum was not detected. The prevalence of Toxoplasma infection was higher in female rodents (4.28%) compared to male rodents (2.86%), but the difference was not significant. Conclusion The results showed a low risk of T. gondii and N. caninum among rodents. Finally, further research is needed to understand the role of these rodent species in the transmission of the above protozoan pathogens to humans and livestock in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naser Nazari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Shojaee
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aref Teimouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Students Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keyghobad Ghadiri
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Saber Raeghi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Shiee
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Students Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Arezoo Bozorgomid
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Baird SJE, Goüy de Bellocq J. Shifting Paradigms for Studying Parasitism in Hybridising Hosts: Response to Theodosopoulos, Hund, and Taylor. Trends Ecol Evol 2019; 34:387-389. [PMID: 30857755 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J E Baird
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, External Reserch Facility Studenec, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, External Reserch Facility Studenec, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
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Hofmannová L, Juránková J. Survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. in hedgehogs living in proximity to urban areas in the Czech Republic. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:711-714. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-06203-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Parasites and Host Species Barriers in Animal Hybrid Zones. Trends Ecol Evol 2018; 34:19-30. [PMID: 30348471 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Species barriers are tested in hybrid zones when gene flow occurs between hybridizing species. Hybridization can erode species barriers, lead to the introgression of adaptive traits, or remain stable through time. Outcomes in hybrid zones are influenced by divergence between the hybridizing taxa, behavior, ecology, and geography. Parasites and pathogens play a major role in host fitness and appear to have varied impacts on species barriers in hybrid zones. We comprehensively reviewed the literature on parasitism in animal hybrid zones and present an evolutionary framework within which to consider parasite-hybrid interactions. Parasites most frequently show potential to contribute to species barrier breakdown in hybrid zones, but also frequently show potential to facilitate the maintenance of species barriers. Incorporating eco-immunology, parasite community theory, and spatiotemporal approaches will be important as genomic tools allow researchers to examine parasites and hybrid zones at greater resolution and in a diversity of natural habitats.
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Krücken J, Blümke J, Maaz D, Demeler J, Ramünke S, Antolová D, Schaper R, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Small rodents as paratenic or intermediate hosts of carnivore parasites in Berlin, Germany. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172829. [PMID: 28278269 PMCID: PMC5344343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents are important intermediate and paratenic hosts for carnivore parasites, including the important zoonotic agents Toxoplasma, Echinococcus and Toxocara. Monitoring of such parasites in rodents can be used to detect increasing risks for human and veterinary public health. Rodents were trapped at four sites in Berlin, two near the city center, two at the periphery. PCRs were conducted to detect Coccidia (target ITS-1) and specifically Toxoplasma gondii (repetitive element) in brain and ascarids (ITS-2) in muscle or brain tissue. During necropsies, metacestodes were collected and identified using ITS-2 and 12S rRNA PCRs. An ELISA to detect antibodies against Toxocara canis ES antigens was performed. Within the 257 examined rodents, the most frequently observed parasite was Frenkelia glareoli predominantly found in Myodes glareolus. T. gondii was only detected in 12 rodents and Microtus spp. (although strongly underrepresented) had a significantly increased chance of being positive. Neither Echinococcus nor typical Taenia parasites of dogs and cats were found but Mesocestoides litteratus and Taenia martis metacestodes were identified which can cause severe peritoneal or ocular cysticercosis in dogs, primates and humans. Using PCR, the ascarids T. canis (n = 8), Toxocara cati (4) and Parascaris sp. (1) were detected predominantly in muscles. Seroprevalence of T. canis was 14.2% and ELISA was thus more sensitive than PCR to detect infection with this parasite. Non-parametric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis revealed that parasite communities could be grouped into an urban and a peri-urban cluster with high frequency of ascarid-positive rodents in urban and high frequency of F. glareoli in peri-urban sites. Prevalence rates of parasites in rodents with potential impact for human or veterinary public health are considerable and the monitoring of transmission cycles of carnivore parasites in intermediate rodent hosts is recommended to estimate the health risks arising from wild and domesticated carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Blümke
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denny Maaz
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janina Demeler
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabrina Ramünke
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Antolová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
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Dhandapani K, Sreekumar C, Sangaran A, Porteen K. Investigations into the role of rats as intermediate hosts for Neospora caninum in Chennai, India. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2016; 7:36-39. [PMID: 31014654 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Attempts were made to detect Neospora caninum in rats (Rattus rattus) in and around Chennai, India. During the study, 112 feral rats were trapped and blood, brain, heart, lungs and diaphragm samples were collected for serological, parasitological and molecular identification of N. caninum. Out of 112 rats, cyst-like structures were identified in 16 brain squash samples. However, the identity of the cysts could not be confirmed as N. caninum. A total of 12 sera samples were positive for N. caninum by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Four of the 'cyst' positive samples were also positive by IFAT. None of the above samples showed amplification of N. caninum (Nc5) or toxoplasmatiid (ITS-1) fragments by PCR. In conclusion, the present study showed 10.71% seroprevalence of N. caninum among feral rats, which is a first report in India. Low prevalence of the organism in the environment and the consequent low chance of exposure of rats to N. caninum might explain the failure to detect the DNA in any of the samples tested in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Dhandapani
- Mobile Veterinary Dispensary, Salem District, Yercaud 636 601, India
| | - C Sreekumar
- Postgraduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam, Kancheepuram District 603 203, India.
| | - A Sangaran
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai 600 007, India
| | - K Porteen
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai 600 007, India
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Müller UB, Howard JC. The impact of Toxoplasma gondii on the mammalian genome. Curr Opin Microbiol 2016; 32:19-25. [PMID: 27128504 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2016.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Nobody doubts that infections have imposed specialisations on the mammalian genome. However sufficient information is usually missing to attribute a specific genomic modification to pressure from a specific pathogen. Recent studies on mechanisms of mammalian resistance against the ubiquitous protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, have shown that the small rodents presumed to be largely responsible for transmission of the parasite to its definitive host, the domestic cat, possess distinctive recognition proteins, and interferon-inducible effector proteins (IRG proteins) that limit the potential virulence of the parasite. The phylogenetic association of the recognition proteins, TLR11 and TLR12, with T. gondii resistance is weak, but there is evidence for reciprocal polymorphism between parasite virulence proteins and host IRG proteins that strongly suggests current or recent coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs B Müller
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - Jonathan C Howard
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany; Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal; Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10, 50829 Cologne, Germany.
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