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Brito RMDM, de Lima Bessa G, Bastilho AL, Dantas-Torres F, de Andrade-Neto VF, Bueno LL, Fujiwara RT, Magalhães LMD. Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in South America: occurrence, immunity, and fate of infection. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:461. [PMID: 38115102 PMCID: PMC10729521 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06080-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii infections are of great concern for public health, and their impact is usually most severe in pregnant women and their foetuses, and in immunocompromised individuals. Displaying considerable genetic diversity, T. gondii strains differ widely according to geographical location, with archetypal strains predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere and non-archetypal (atypical) strains, with highly diverse genotypes, found mainly in South America. In this review, we present an overview of the identification and distribution of non-archetypal strains of T. gondii. Special attention is paid to the strains that have been isolated in Brazil, their interaction with the host immunological response, and their impact on disease outcomes. The genetic differences among the strains are pivotal to the distinct immunological responses that they elicit. These differences arise from polymorphisms of key proteins released by the parasite, which represent important virulence factors. Infection with divergent non-archetypal strains can lead to unusual manifestations of the disease, even in immunocompetent individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramayana Morais de Medeiros Brito
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Lazoski Bastilho
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Lilian Lacerda Bueno
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Luisa M D Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Zoghroban HS, Elmansory BM, Issa YA, Eltokhy AK, Abo Safia HS, El Maghraby GM, Salama AM. Novel insights on the therapeutic effect of levamisole on the chronic toxoplasmosis in mice model. Exp Parasitol 2023; 248:108515. [PMID: 36958594 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Latent toxoplasmosis mostly reactivates which could result in acute encephalitis. Chronic toxoplasmosis treatments are severely constrained by Toxoplasma cyst resistance. Novel therapeutic approaches are therefore becoming more essential. In this study, the effects of levamisole (LEVA) and spiramycin on the early and late stages of experimental toxoplasmosis are investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-five Me49 Toxoplasma gondii infected Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups; (GI): noninfected control group; (GII): infected untreated control group; (GIII): infected- LEVA treated group; (GIV): infected and received combination of spiramycin and LEVA and (GV): infected-spiramycin treated group. The impact was assessed through brain cyst count by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) assay, histopathological study, and total blood counts. RESULTS The progression of chronic toxoplasmosis could only be partially controlled by using either levamisole or spiramycin as a separate drug. The combined spiramycin and levamisole treatment significantly decreased the burden of Toxoplasma brain cyst, increased IFN-γ level, total blood parameters and improved the histopathological features especially at the late stage of infection. IN CONCLUSION Levamisole effectively modulated Toxoplasma-induced immune responses, resulting in chronic toxoplasmosis remission. Further clinical trials will be needed to study the effect of these combination in HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus) patients with toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hager S Zoghroban
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Basma M Elmansory
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Yasmine Amr Issa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, New Alamein, Egypt
| | - Amira K Eltokhy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Hend S Abo Safia
- Department of Medical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Gamal M El Maghraby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Amina M Salama
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Guimarães Gois PS, Franco PS, Cota Teixeira S, Guirelli PM, de Araújo TE, da Fonseca Batistão DW, de Oliveira FC, Lícia Santos Ferreira G, de Oliveira Gomes A, Favoreto S, Mineo JR, de Freitas Barbosa B, Ferro EAV. Polarisation of human macrophages towards an M1 subtype triggered by an atypical Brazilian strain of Toxoplasma gondii results in a reduction in parasite burden. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2022; 69. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2022.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Xu X, Zheng G, Ren Y, He X, Peng B, Hu X, Liu W. A novel 2B4 receptor leads to worse pregnancy outcomes by facilitating TNF-α and IFN-γ production in dNK cells during Toxoplasma gondii infection. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:337. [PMID: 36153598 PMCID: PMC9509566 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05455-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Infections are a major threat to human reproductive health because they can induce pregnancy failure, including recurrent abortion, stillbirth, and preterm birth. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes by affecting certain immune molecules and cytokines. However, the detailed mechanisms behind T. gondii-induced pregnancy failure are poorly understood.
Methods
Toxoplasma gondii-infected wild-type (WT) pregnant mice and 2B4 knockout (2B4−/−) pregnant mice were established for in vivo study. Human decidual natural killer (dNK) cells were cultured for in vitro study. Abnormal pregnancy outcomes were observed, and the expression of 2B4, functional molecules (CD69, CD107a, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interferon gamma [IFN-γ]), and signaling molecules (SHP-2, Fyn, p-ERK, p-P38) in dNK cells were detected by flow cytometry, Western blot, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and/or immunofluorescence. The direct interactions (2B4 interacts with SHP-2 and Fyn; SHP-2 interacts with p-P38 and 2B4; Fyn interacts with p-ERK and 2B4) were verified by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) in NK-92 cells.
Results
Here, results showed that 2B4 was significantly downregulated after T. gondii infection. Subsequently, infected 2B4−/− pregnant mice displayed worse pregnancy outcomes compared with infected WT pregnant mice. Also, increased TNF-α and IFN-γ expression and elevated dNK cell cytotoxicity were found in 2B4−/− pregnant mice during T. gondii infection. In contrast, reduced TNF-α and IFN-γ expression and decreased human dNK cell activity were found following 2B4 activation during T. gondii infection. Interestingly, results showed that 2B4 binds to adaptor SHP-2 or Fyn, which then triggers different signaling pathways to regulate TNF-α and IFN-γ expression in dNK cells during T. gondii infection. Further, SHP-2 binds 2B4 and p-P38 directly after 2B4 activation, which generates an inhibitory signal for TNF-α and IFN-γ in NK-92 cells. In addition, Fyn can bind to 2B4 and p-ERK after activation of 2B4, thereby inhibiting TNF-α and IFN-γ expression in NK-92 cells following T. gondii infection.
Conclusions
These data suggest that 2B4 may be a novel danger-signaling molecule that is implicated in pregnancy failure during T. gondii infection. Unraveling the mechanism by which 2B4 regulates dNK cell activity will provide novel insights to aid our understanding of T. gondii-induced adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Graphical Abstract
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Rosa RB, da Costa MS, Teixeira SC, de Castro EF, Dantas WM, Ferro EAV, da Silva MV. Calomys callosus: An Experimental Animal Model Applied to Parasitic Diseases Investigations of Public Health Concern. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030369. [PMID: 35335694 PMCID: PMC8948650 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The appearance and spread of parasitic diseases around the world aroused the interest of the scientific community to discover new animal models for improving the quality and specificity of surveys. Calomys callosus is a rodent native to South America, an easy handling model, with satisfactory longevity and reproducibility. C. callosus is susceptible to toxoplasmosis and can be used as experimental model for the study the pathogenesis, treatment, vertical transmission, and ocular toxoplasmosis. C. callosus can also be used to study cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, as the animals present cutaneous lesions, as well as parasites in the organs. C. callosus has epidemiological importance in Chagas disease, and since it is a Trypanosoma cruzi natural host in which rodents show high parasitemia and lethality, they are also effective as a model of congenital transmission. In the study of schistosomiasis, Schistosoma mansoni was proven to be a C. callosus natural host; thus, this rodent is a great model for fibrosis, hepatic granulomatous reaction, and celloma associated with lymphomyeloid tissue (CALT) during S. mansoni infection. In this review, we summarize the leading studies of parasitic diseases that used C. callosus as a rodent experimental model, describing the main uses and characteristics that led them to be considered an effective model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Borges Rosa
- Rodents Animal Facilities Complex, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, Brazil; (R.B.R.); (M.S.d.C.); (E.F.d.C.)
| | - Mylla Spirandelli da Costa
- Rodents Animal Facilities Complex, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, Brazil; (R.B.R.); (M.S.d.C.); (E.F.d.C.)
| | - Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38405-318, Brazil; (S.C.T.); (E.A.V.F.)
| | - Emilene Ferreira de Castro
- Rodents Animal Facilities Complex, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, Brazil; (R.B.R.); (M.S.d.C.); (E.F.d.C.)
| | | | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38405-318, Brazil; (S.C.T.); (E.A.V.F.)
| | - Murilo Vieira da Silva
- Rodents Animal Facilities Complex, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, Brazil; (R.B.R.); (M.S.d.C.); (E.F.d.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Eid RK, Arafa MF, Ashour DS, Essa EA, Zoghroban HS, Issa YA, Nomeir HM, Abo Safia HS, El Maghraby GM. Eudragit coated microemulsion for enhanced efficacy of spiramycin against toxoplasmic encephalitis. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Oya Y, Futami H, Nakazawa T, Ishijima K, Umemiya K, Takizawa F, Imai N, Kitamura H, Matsumura R. Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome following meningitis and systemic lymphadenopathy with persistent Toxoplasma immunoglobulin M: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2021; 15:482. [PMID: 34556154 PMCID: PMC8461971 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-021-02909-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome is a rare lymphocyte-related oculorenal inflammatory disease presumed to be associated with drug use and infectious agents. Toxoplasma gondii is one of such pathogens that could exhibit encephalitis, meningitis, and uveitis in immunocompromised or in some immunocompetent individuals. If the immunoglobulin M of Toxoplasma is positive on screening, the interpretation of the result is not simple, especially when immunoglobulin M stays positive persistently. Case presentation A 34-year-old Asian male developed fever, headache, and lymphadenopathy with tenderness, which was initially diagnosed as meningitis. Antibiotics were started, and diclofenac sodium was used for the fever. Although his symptoms were alleviated in a week by the treatment, gradual decline in renal function was noted, prompting a renal biopsy that indicated acute granulomatous interstitial nephritis. A week later, tenderness in both eyes with blurred vision appeared and revealed iritis and keratic precipitations in both eyes; hence, the diagnosis of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and bilateral uveitis syndrome was made. Toxoplasma gondii-specific immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M titers were both positive. Although we could not rule out recent infection of Toxoplasma gondii, which may cause uveitis initially, Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G avidity test indicated a distant infection, which allowed us to rule out meningitis and uveitis as responsible for the complication of recent Toxoplasma gondii infection. Drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test, or lymphocyte transformation test of diclofenac sodium, was solely positive among the tested drugs. Uveitis was alleviated only with ophthalmic steroid, and renal function returned to normal without administration of systemic steroid. Conclusions We experienced a case of diclofenac-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome. In ruling out infections, Toxoplasma immunoglobulin M was persistently positive, and Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G avidity test indicated a “distant” infection. From these two results, we ruled out recent infection. However, it should be noted that “distant” infection indicated by commercial immunoglobulin G avidity is still a multiplex profile consisting of reinfection, reactivation, and latent infection. Narrowing down the infection profile of Toxoplasma is challenging in some cases. Therefore, careful diagnosis and extended follow-up of such patients are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Oya
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuou-ku, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan. .,Laboratory of Autoimmune diseases, Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan.
| | - Hidekazu Futami
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuou-ku, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Takuya Nakazawa
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuou-ku, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Ishijima
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuou-ku, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Keiko Umemiya
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuou-ku, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Fumiyoshi Takizawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-0842, Japan
| | - Naoki Imai
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kitamura
- Department of Pathology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Matsumura
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuou-ku, Chiba City, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
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Toxoplasma gondii in South America: a differentiated pattern of spread, population structure and clinical manifestations. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3065-3076. [PMID: 34390383 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07282-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. It has a worldwide distribution and can infect a wide variety of intermediate hosts, including humans. In South America, toxoplasmosis shows high health impacts, and the incidence of the disease is frequently reported and more severe than in other regions, such as Europe. Although most T. gondii infections are asymptomatic, severe manifestations can occur in cases of congenital toxoplasmosis and immunocompromised individuals. In South America, the ocular disease in immunocompetent individuals is also frequently reported. Treatment for any clinical manifestation of toxoplasmosis consists of the combination of sulfadiazine (SDZ) and pyrimethamine (PYR). However, failures in the treatment of toxoplasmosis have been reported, especially in South America, suggesting the acquisition of resistance against SDZ and PYR. Another paradigm present in the literature is that once infected with T. gondii, the host is immunologically protected from further reinfections. However, some studies indicate cases of congenital transmission of T. gondii from immunocompetent pregnant women with chronic infection, suggesting the possibility of reinfection in humans. Thus, in this review, we will cover several aspects of South American T. gondii isolates, such as genetic characterization, disease manifestation, host reinfection and drug resistance.
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Chiebao DP, Pena HF, Passarelli D, Santín T, Pulz LH, Strefezzi RF, Sevá AP, Martins CM, Lopes EG, Grisi Filho JHH, Gennari SM, Soares RM. Congenital Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii After Experimental Reinfection With Brazilian Typical Strains in Chronically Infected Sheep. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:93. [PMID: 31001545 PMCID: PMC6454189 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a cause of congenital diseases, miscarriages and stillbirths in production animals. In Brazil, non-archetypal genotypes of the parasite may be related to severe disease. Experimental infection with T. gondii was studied in sheep to analyse congenital transmission-related parameters in reinfections with different Brazilian parasite strains. Thirteen T. gondii-seronegative sheep were orally infected with 2 × 103oocysts for the primary infection: G1 (4 animals) were inoculated with TgCatBr71 strain (Type BrI genotype) and G2 andG3 (5 and 4 animals, respectively) withTgCatBr60 strain (Type BrIII genotype). After chronification of infection, the animals were impregnated. A second infection was performed after 60 days of gestation. TheG1 andG3 animals were inoculated withTgCatBr60BrIII and the G2 animals withTgCatBr71 BrI oocysts. The effects of reinfection were compared with a control group (5 animals) through physical examination, ultrasound imaging and serology. Ovine experimental infections were evaluated using mouse bioassays, molecular analysis, serological tests, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. No abortions occurred; a seropositive lamb and a mummified fetus from G2-BrIIIxBrI were produced. The vertical transmission rate detected in lambs from chronically infected sheep was 31.6% (6/19). It is demonstrated that reinfection and subsequent congenital transmission occured in one sheep with a primary Brl infection challenged with BrIII genotype of T. gondii. In a twin pregnancy from G2-BrIIIxBrI, congenital transmission from a latent infection was detected in both lambs. Congenital transmission could not be tracked in three lambs. Overall, previous T. gondii infection may fail to protect against congenital transmission from a reinfection and primary infection induced insufficient protection against vertical transmission which must be taken into account in decision-making for the use of seropositive animals as breeders. Similar trials with larger groups and contemplating host cellular immune response studies should be conducted to evaluate the actual impact of T. gondii reinfection involving different strains in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pontes Chiebao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hilda Fátima Pena
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle Passarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Santín
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lidia Hildebrand Pulz
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Francisco Strefezzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anaiá Paixão Sevá
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Marinelli Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Estela Gallucci Lopes
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Henrique Hildebrand Grisi Filho
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Solange Maria Gennari
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Martins Soares
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Pereira ACA, Silva RJ, Franco PS, de Oliveira Gomes A, Souza G, Milian ICB, Ribeiro M, Rosini AM, Guirelli PM, Ramos ELP, Mineo TWP, Mineo JR, Silva NM, Ferro EAV, Barbosa BF. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 Inhibitors Reduce Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Upregulate the Pro-inflammatory Immune Response in Calomys callosus Rodents and Human Monocyte Cell Line. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:225. [PMID: 30809216 PMCID: PMC6379304 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is able to infect a wide range of vertebrates, including humans. Studies show that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a modulator of immune response in multiple types of infection, such as Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the role of COX-2 during T. gondii infection is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of COX-2 during infection by moderately or highly virulent strains of T. gondii in Calomys callosus rodents and human THP-1 cells. C. callosus were infected with 50 cysts of T. gondii (ME49), treated with COX-2 inhibitors (meloxicam or celecoxib) and evaluated to check body weight and morbidity. After 40 days, brain and serum were collected for detection of T. gondii by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry or cytokines by CBA. Furthermore, peritoneal macrophages or THP-1 cells, infected with RH strain or uninfected, were treated with meloxicam or celecoxib to evaluate the parasite proliferation by colorimetric assay and cytokine production by ELISA. Finally, in order to verify the role of prostaglandin E2 in COX-2 mechanism, THP-1 cells were infected, treated with meloxicam or celecoxib plus PGE2, and analyzed to parasite proliferation and cytokine production. The data showed that body weight and morbidity of the animals changed after infection by T. gondii, under both treatments. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR showed a reduction of T. gondii in brains of animals treated with both COX-2 inhibitors. Additionally, it was observed that both COX-2 inhibitors controlled the T. gondii proliferation in peritoneal macrophages and THP-1 cells, and the treatment with PGE2 restored the parasite growth in THP-1 cells blocked to COX-2. In the serum of Calomys, upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines was detected, while the supernatants of peritoneal macrophages and THP-1 cells demonstrated significant production of TNF and nitrite, or TNF, nitrite and MIF, respectively, under both COX-2 inhibitors. Finally, PGE2 treatment in THP-1 cells triggered downmodulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and upregulation of IL-8 and IL-10. Thus, COX-2 is an immune mediator involved in the susceptibility to T. gondii regardless of strain or cell types, since inhibition of this enzyme induced control of infection by upregulating important pro-inflammatory mediators against Toxoplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Alcântara Pereira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Rafaela José Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Priscila Silva Franco
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Angelica de Oliveira Gomes
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Iliana Claudia Balga Milian
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Mayara Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Pâmela Mendonça Guirelli
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eliézer Lucas Pires Ramos
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
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Franco PS, Gois PSG, de Araújo TE, da Silva RJ, de Freitas Barbosa B, de Oliveira Gomes A, Ietta F, Dos Santos LA, Dos Santos MC, Mineo JR, Ferro EAV. Brazilian strains of Toxoplasma gondii are controlled by azithromycin and modulate cytokine production in human placental explants. J Biomed Sci 2019; 26:10. [PMID: 30665403 PMCID: PMC6340180 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0503-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes congenital toxoplasmosis by transplacental transmission. Parasite strains are genetically diverse and disease severity is related to the genotype. In Uberlândia city, Brazil, two virulent strains were isolated: TgChBrUD1 and TgChBrUD2. Congenital toxoplasmosis is more prevalent in South America compared to Europe, and more often associated with severe symptoms, usually as a result of infection with atypical strains. METHODS Considering that T. gondii has shown high genetic diversity in Brazil, the effectiveness of traditional treatment may not be the same, as more virulent strains of atypical genotypes may predominate. Thus, the aim of this study were to evaluate the Brazilian strain infection rate in human villous explants and the azithromycin efficacy with regard to the control of these strains compared to traditional therapy. Villi were infected with RH, ME49, TgChBrUD1 or TgChBrUD2 strains and treated with azithromycin, spiramycin or a combination of pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine. The villous viability was analyzed by LDH assay and morphological analysis. Parasite proliferation, as well as production of cytokines was analyzed by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the GraphPad Prism 5.0. RESULTS The treatments were not toxic and TgChBrUD1 infected villi showed a higher parasite burden compared with others strains. Treatments significantly reduced the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii, regardless of the strain. TgChBrUD1-infected villi produced a larger amount of MIF, IL-6 and TGF-β1 compared with other infected villi. Azithromycin treatment increased MIF production by RH- or TgChBrUD2-infected villi, but in ME49- or TgChBrUD1-infected villi, the MIF production was not altered by treatment. On the other hand, azithromycin treatment induced lower IL-6 production by ME49- or TgChBrUD1-infected villi. CONCLUSIONS Azithromycin treatment was effective against T. gondii Brazilian strains compared with conventional treatment. Also, the TgChBrUD1 strain replicated more in villi and modulated important cytokines involved in parasite control, showing that different strains use different strategies to evade the host immune response and ensure their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Silva Franco
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Paula Suellen Guimarães Gois
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Thádia Evelyn de Araújo
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Rafaela José da Silva
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Bellisa de Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Angelica de Oliveira Gomes
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Francesca Ietta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lara Affonso Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Maria Célia Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil.
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12
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Gomes AO, Barbosa BF, Franco PS, Ribeiro M, Silva RJ, Gois PSG, Almeida KC, Angeloni MB, Castro AS, Guirelli PM, Cândido JV, Chica JEL, Silva NM, Mineo TWP, Mineo JR, Ferro EAV. Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) Prevents Maternal Death, but Contributes to Poor Fetal Outcome During Congenital Toxoplasmosis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:906. [PMID: 29867817 PMCID: PMC5952001 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays important roles in physiology, pathology, immunology and parasitology, including the control of infection by protozoa parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii. As the MIF function in congenital toxoplasmosis is not fully elucidated yet, the present study brings new insights for T. gondii infection in the absence of MIF based on pregnant C57BL/6MIF-/- mouse models. Pregnant C57BL/6MIF-/- and C57BL/6WT mice were infected with 05 cysts of T. gondii (ME49 strain) on the first day of pregnancy (dop) and were euthanized at 8 dop. Non-pregnant and non-infected females were used as control. Our results demonstrated that MIF-/- mice have more accentuated change in body weight and succumbed to infection first than their WT counterparts. Otherwise, pregnancy outcome was less destructive in MIF-/- mice compared to WT ones, and the former had an increase in the mast cell recruitment and IDO expression and consequently presented less inflammatory cytokine production. Also, MIF receptor (CD74) was upregulated in MIF-/- mice, indicating that a compensatory mechanism may be required in this model of study. The global absence of MIF was associated with attenuation of pathology in congenital toxoplasmosis, but resulted in female death probably because of uncontrolled infection. Altogether, ours results demonstrated that part of the immune response that protects a pregnant female from T. gondii infection, favors fetal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica O. Gomes
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Bellisa F. Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Priscila S. Franco
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Mayara Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Rafaela J. Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Paula S. G. Gois
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Karine C. Almeida
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Mariana B. Angeloni
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Andressa S. Castro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Pâmela M. Guirelli
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - João V. Cândido
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Javier E. L. Chica
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Neide M. Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Tiago W. P. Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - José R. Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa A. V. Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
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13
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da Silva MV, Ferreira França FB, Mota CM, de Macedo Júnior AG, Ramos ELP, Santiago FM, Mineo JR, Mineo TWP. Dectin-1 Compromises Innate Responses and Host Resistance against Neospora caninum Infection. Front Immunol 2017; 8:245. [PMID: 28326085 PMCID: PMC5339258 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan parasite that has drawn increasing interest due to its association with worldwide repetitive bovine abortions, which cause billionaire losses to the meat and dairy industries annually. Innate immunity plays an important role in infection control, and N. caninum activates the production of inflammatory mediators through toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Advances in the knowledge of initial host–parasite interactions are desirable for the design of control measures against the infection, obliterating its pathogenesis. In that sense, we here aimed to describe the role of the innate C-type lectin receptor Dectin-1 during the infection by N. caninum. With that intent, we observed that the absence of Dectin-1, observed in genetically depleted (Dectin-1−/−) mice or competitively inhibited by an inert agonist [laminarin (LAM)], rescued 50% of the mice infected with lethal doses of N. caninum. Dectin-1−/− and LAM-treated mice also presented a reduction in the parasite load during acute and chronic phases, associated with decreased inflammatory scores in the central nervous system. Among all the cell phenotypes that migrated to the initial site of infection, dendritic cells and macrophages gained subpopulations with high Dectin-1 surface expression. The impairment of the receptor in these cells led to a decreased parasite burden, as well as augmented production of IL-12p40. We also found that Dectin-1+ cells produced less reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the initial site of the infection, while mice deficient in NADPH oxidase isoform 2 (NOX2−/−) were not able to control parasite replication and produce IL-12p40, even upon LAM treatment. Interestingly, the absence of functional Dectin-1 did not alter the susceptibility of mice against closely related Toxoplasma gondii. In conclusion, the gathered data suggest that Dectin-1 is involved in the parasite-induced downmodulation of ROS, and other key molecules triggered for the control of N. caninum infection and are a promising target for future development of protocols intended for intervention against neosporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo Vieira da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia , Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Flávia Batista Ferreira França
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia , Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Caroline Martins Mota
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia , Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Arlindo Gomes de Macedo Júnior
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia , Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Eliézer Lucas Pires Ramos
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia , Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Fernanda Maria Santiago
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia , Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia , Uberlândia , Brazil
| | - Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia , Uberlândia , Brazil
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14
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Verma SK, Sweeny AR, Lovallo MJ, Calero-Bernal R, Kwok OC, Jiang T, Su C, Grigg ME, Dubey JP. Seroprevalence, isolation and co-infection of multiple Toxoplasma gondii strains in individual bobcats (Lynx rufus) from Mississippi, USA. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:297-303. [PMID: 28238868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes lifelong chronic infection in both feline definitive hosts and intermediate hosts. Multiple exposures to the parasite are likely to occur in nature due to high environmental contamination. Here, we present data of high seroprevalence and multiple T. gondii strain co-infections in individual bobcats (Lynx rufus). Unfrozen samples (blood, heart, tongue and faeces) were collected from 35 free ranging wild bobcats from Mississippi, USA. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were detected in serum by the modified agglutination test (1:≥200) in all 35 bobcats. Hearts from all bobcats were bioassayed in mice and viable T. gondii was isolated from 21; these strains were further propagated in cell culture. Additionally, DNA was extracted from digests of tongues and hearts of all 35 bobcats; T. gondii DNA was detected in tissues of all 35 bobcats. Genetic characterisation of DNA from cell culture-derived isolates was performed by multiplex PCR using 10 PCR-RFLP markers. Results showed that ToxoDB genotype #5 predominated (in 18 isolates) with a few other types (#24 in two isolates, and #2 in one isolate). PCR-DNA sequencing at two polymorphic markers, GRA6 and GRA7, detected multiple recombinant strains co-infecting the tissues of bobcats; most possessing Type II alleles at GRA7 versus Type X (HG-12) alleles at GRA6. Our results suggest that individual bobcats have been exposed to more than one parasite strain during their life time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv K Verma
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Amy R Sweeny
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew J Lovallo
- Game Mammals Section, Bureau of Wildlife Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Oliver C Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Tiantian Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
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15
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Hide G. Role of vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in prevalence of infection. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2016; 14:335-44. [PMID: 26807498 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2016.1146131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, is a highly successful pathogen that infects around 30% of the global human population. Additionally, it is able to infect all warm blooded animals with high prevalence. This is surprising as it is a parasite of the cat and can only complete its full sexual cycle in that host. This review examines the important key routes of transmission: infective oocysts from the cat, ingestion of raw infected tissue and vertical transmission. The latter route of transmission has traditionally been thought to be rare. In this review, this assumption is examined and discussed in the light of the current literature. The available evidence points to the possibility that vertical transmission occurs frequently in natural populations of mice however the evidence in sheep is currently ambivalent and controversial. In humans, the situation appears as though vertical transmission may be rare although there is still much that is unexplained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Hide
- a Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre and Biomedical Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences , University of Salford , Salford , UK
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16
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Bastos LM, Macêdo AG, Silva MV, Santiago FM, Ramos ELP, Santos FAA, Pirovani CP, Goulart LR, Mineo TWP, Mineo JR. Toxoplasma gondii-Derived Synthetic Peptides Containing B- and T-Cell Epitopes from GRA2 Protein Are Able to Enhance Mice Survival in a Model of Experimental Toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:59. [PMID: 27313992 PMCID: PMC4888622 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis distributed all over the world, which the etiologic agent is an intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. This disease may cause abortions and severe diseases in many warm-blood hosts, including humans, particularly the immunocompromised patients. The parasite specialized secretory organelles, as micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules, are critical for the successful parasitism. The dense granule protein 2 (GRA2) is a parasite immunogenic protein secreted during infections and previous studies have been shown that this parasite component is crucial for the formation of intravacuolar membranous nanotubular network (MNN), as well as for secretion into the vacuole and spatial organization of the parasites within the vacuole. In the present study, we produced a monoclonal antibody to GRA2 (C3C5 mAb, isotype IgG2b), mapped the immunodominant epitope of the protein by phage display and built GRA2 synthetic epitopes to evaluate their ability to protect mice in a model of experimental infection. Our results showed that synthetic peptides for B- and T-cell epitopes are able to improve survival of immunized animals. In contrast with non-immunized animals, the immunized mice with both B- and T-cell epitopes had a better balance of cytokines and demonstrated higher levels of IL-10, IL-4 and IL-17 production, though similar levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were observed. The immunization with both B- and T-cell epitopes resulted in survival rate higher than 85% of the challenged mice. Overall, these results demonstrate that immunization with synthetic epitopes for both B- and T-cells from GRA2 protein can be more effective to protect against infection by T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana M Bastos
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil; Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil
| | - Arlindo G Macêdo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Murilo V Silva
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Fernanda M Santiago
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eliezer L P Ramos
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Fabiana A A Santos
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Carlos P Pirovani
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Luiz R Goulart
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Tiago W P Mineo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - José R Mineo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
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17
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Santana SS, Gebrim LC, Carvalho FR, Barros HS, Barros PC, Pajuaba ACAM, Messina V, Possenti A, Cherchi S, Reiche EMV, Navarro IT, Garcia JL, Pozio E, Mineo TWP, Spano F, Mineo JR. CCp5A Protein from Toxoplasma gondii as a Serological Marker of Oocyst-driven Infections in Humans and Domestic Animals. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1305. [PMID: 26635770 PMCID: PMC4656833 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering that the current immunoassays are not able to distinguish the infective forms that cause Toxoplasma gondii infection, the present study was carried out to evaluate the reactivity of two recombinant proteins (CCp5A and OWP1) from oocyst/sporozoite, in order to differentiate infections occurring by ingestion of oocysts or tissue cysts. The reactivity of the recombinant proteins was assessed against panels of serum samples from animals (chickens, pigs, and mice) that were naturally or experimentally infected by different infective stages of the parasite. Also, we tested sera from humans who have been infected by oocysts during a well-characterized toxoplasmosis outbreak, as well as sera from pregnant women tested IgM+/IgG+ for T. gondii, which source of infection was unknown. Only the sporozoite-specific CCp5A protein was able to differentiate the parasite stage that infected chickens, pigs and mice, with specific reactivity for oocyst-infected animals. Furthermore, the CCp5A showed preferential reactivity for recent infection by oocyst/sporozoite in pigs and mice. In humans, CCp5A showed higher reactivity with serum samples from the outbreak, compared with serum from pregnant women. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the usefulness of the CCp5A protein as a new tool to identify the parasite stage of T. gondii infection, allowing its application for diagnosis and epidemiological investigations in animals and humans. The identification of parasite infective stage can help to design effective strategies to minimize severe complications in immunocompromised people and, particularly, in pregnant women to prevent congenital infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silas S Santana
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Luiz C Gebrim
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Fernando R Carvalho
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Heber S Barros
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Patrício C Barros
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Ana C A M Pajuaba
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Valeria Messina
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Possenti
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Cherchi
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
| | - Edna M V Reiche
- Department of Clinical Medicine, State University of Londrina - University Hospital Londrina, Brazil
| | - Italmar T Navarro
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina Londrina, Brazil
| | - João L Garcia
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina Londrina, Brazil
| | - Edoardo Pozio
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
| | - Tiago W P Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Furio Spano
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
| | - José R Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
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