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Jiang Y, Shi Y, Hu D, Song X. The anti-Toxoplasma activity of the plant natural phenolic compound piceatannol. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:972500. [PMID: 35982927 PMCID: PMC9379089 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.972500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that infects the nucleated cells of warm-blooded animals and causes life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients. Due to the limited effectiveness and prominent side effects of existing drugs, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic options against T. gondii. Piceatannol is a natural plant compound with multiple functions such as antibacterial, antileukemic and antiparasitic activities. In the present study, the anti-T. gondii activity of piceatannol was evaluated. Piceatannol potently inhibited Toxoplasma with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 28.10 μM. Piceatannol showed a significant inhibitory effect on intracellular proliferation, inhibiting intracellular parasites at a rate of 98.9% when treatment with 100 μM piceatannol. However, the invasion ability of tachyzoites was not affected by piceatannol. By immunofluorescence assay, we noted that the parasite showed abnormalities in cell division after exposure to piceatannol. To determine the in vivo effect of piceatannol on acute infection, a model was established by infecting BALB/c mice with the virulent RH strain of T. gondii. Mice infected with 500 tachyzoites showed a significant therapeutic effect when treated with 15 mg/kg of piceatannol. These results suggest that piceatannol is a promising drug for the treatment of T. gondii.
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Singhal KK, Kumar K, Mathew JL, Mewara A, Vaidya PC, Sodhi KS, Singh M. Active toxoplasmosis presenting with polymyositis and pleural effusion in a child. J Paediatr Child Health 2021; 57:1995-1997. [PMID: 33571377 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kamal K Singhal
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ketan Kumar
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Joseph L Mathew
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Abhishek Mewara
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Pankaj C Vaidya
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kushaljit S Sodhi
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Meenu Singh
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Neospora caninum and/or Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence: Vaccination against PCV2 and Muscle Enzyme Activity in Seropositive and Seronegative Pigs. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9051097. [PMID: 34065192 PMCID: PMC8160920 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii affect both humans and animals worldwide. To investigate their seroprevalence and differences in seropositivity between pigs vaccinated and unvaccinated against porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), as well as differences in muscle enzyme activity between seropositive and seronegative pigs, blood samples were collected from 380 sows. Antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay, while the activities of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were biochemically assessed. Out of the 364 sows finally included in the study, 4.4%, 3.5%, and 0.5% were seropositive to T. gondii, N. caninum, or both. A significantly higher percentage of seropositivity against T. gondii and/or N. caninum in PCV2 unvaccinated pigs compared with vaccinated pigs was observed. Increased serum activities of CK and AST were detected in 71.43% and 100% of only against T. gondii (T+) and 63.64% and 90.91% of only against N. caninum (N+) seropositive sows, respectively, and were significantly higher compared to seronegative animals. T. gondii and N. caninum seropositivity, especially in presumed immunocompromised pigs, and the evidence of muscle damage highlight their importance as a zoonotic pathogen and animal model of human infection, respectively.
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Steinhauser Motta JP, Barbosa Cleinman I, Palermo Bruno L. An immunocompetent young man with diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. Breathe (Sheff) 2021; 16:200165. [PMID: 33664833 PMCID: PMC7910030 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0165-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A 30-year-old doctor, without comorbidities, presented to the emergency department of our hospital in Rio de Janeiro with a 2-week history of intermittent high fever (reaching 39°C), headache and abdominal pain. A week later the patient developed a dry cough, dyspnoea, and cervical lymphadenopathy. As relevant epidemiological data, the patient had travelled to Canada 15 days before the start of these manifestations. He denied contact with sick people, visits to caves or rural areas, and eating of raw food. Treatment for community-acquired pneumonia with levofloxacin was started. As there was no clinical improvement, he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of our hospital for investigation and treatment. Pneumonitis due to primary toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent subject is rare. Here, the mononucleosis-like syndrome, associated with serological evidence of T. gondii infection and positive PCR for T. gondii in BAL, allowed us to establish the diagnosis.https://bit.ly/3qHE2U7
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leonardo Palermo Bruno
- Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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5
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Hosseini-Safa A, Shojaee S, Salami SA, Mohebali M, Hantoushzadeh S, Mousavi P, Dehghan Manshadi SA, Keshavarz Valian H. Development of High Resolution Melting Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool for Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma Infection in Pregnant Women and HIV Positive Cases. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 49:1983-1991. [PMID: 33346240 PMCID: PMC7719646 DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v49i10.4704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan with worldwide distribution. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is a very critical issue, especially in pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was rapid detection of T. gondii DNA in peripheral blood samples (PBS) employing HRM technique and using RE gene. Methods Totally, 242 samples from pregnant women and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients were collected from different hospitals and medical centers of Tehran during Oct 2017 to Dec 2018. High resolution melting analysis (HRM) using partial sequences of repetitive element (RE) gene was done and compared with ELISA test. Results Overall, 51 were positive for acute toxoplasmosis that among them, 12 and 20 reported as positive in pregnant women and HIV+ patients, respectively using HRM technique. Among 70 patients in chronic phase of disease, 10 and 3 samples were reported as positive for pregnant women and HIV+ patients respectively. From 121 negative control, 3 (4.62%) samples associated with HIV+ patients, showed positive real-time PCR and HRM analysis results. Conclusion For the first time, HRM technique via employing RE gene was used for detection of T. gondii infection in PBS. This method is suitable, helpful and in parallel with serological methods for early diagnosis of acute as well as active form of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and HIV+ patients. The use of techniques based on melt curve and through employing next-generation dyes for diagnosis of T. gondii would be accessible for patients in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Hosseini-Safa
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Shojaee
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Alireza Salami
- Department Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh
- Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Vali-Asr Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Mousavi
- Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Dehghan Manshadi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine and Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Keshavarz Valian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Butts DR, Langley-Hobbs SJ. Lameness, generalised myopathy and myalgia in an adult cat with toxoplasmosis. JFMS Open Rep 2020; 6:2055116920909668. [PMID: 32206329 PMCID: PMC7074614 DOI: 10.1177/2055116920909668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Case summary A 2-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair cat presented with an 18-month history of intermittent lameness on all four limbs. The cat was markedly lame on all four limbs. There was alternation between toe-walking on the forelimbs with a hunched posture and using the dorsal aspect of the carpi to walk on. The cat would hiss repeatedly when walking and would lie down tentatively, appearing happier and less painful when lying. When not lying, the cat preferred to sit back on the hindlimbs and non-weightbear on the forelimbs (the so-called kangaroo stance). Physical examination detected pain on palpation of the calcaneus bone and Achilles tendon bilaterally, and general resentment to handling. Investigations revealed an elevated creatine kinase, a positive Toxoplasma gondii IgG titre, toxic neutrophilic inflammation within the Achilles tendon bursae, electromyography and nerve conduction velocity studies consistent with a diffuse muscular disease, and histopathology of the muscle consistent with a chronic and diffuse myopathy. Arthrocentesis samples and an antinuclear antibodies titre were normal. Prior treatment with meloxicam had been ineffective. A 6-week course of clindamycin was prescribed; an improvement was seen within 3 days and clinical resolution at 3 months. The cat remained clinically normal after 20 months. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, there have been no previously published reports of histopathologically confirmed myopathy as a result of T gondii in cats. This report suggests toxoplasmosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats with myopathies or lameness in the absence of other causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Butts
- Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Saki J, Mowla K, Arjmand R, Kazemi F, Fallahizadeh S. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis Among Myositis Patients in the Southwest of Iran. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2020; 21:43-48. [PMID: 31889500 DOI: 10.2174/1871526520666191231123159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parasitic myositis is caused by some parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii) T. gondii (and Toxocara canis (T. canis). So, the aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence T. gondii and T. canis in patients with myositis and healthy individuals. METHODS A total of 108 samples were randomly selected as the control (54 healthy individuals) and test (54 myositis patients) groups. IgG and IgM antibodies (Ab) against T. gondii and IgG Ab against T. canis were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The detection of chronic and acute toxoplasmosis was performed by the ELISA IgG avidity. The presence of T. gondii in the blood was evaluated using the nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR). RESULTS Of 108, 33 (30.6%) cases were positive for IgG against T. gondii that 19 (35.2%) and 14 (25.9%) were observed in myositis patients and healthy individuals, respectively (P=0.296). Of 19 positive cases, 12 (63.2%) and 7 (36.8%) cases were detected as chronic and acute toxoplasmosis, respectively, while, all positive cases in the control group had chronic toxoplasmosis (P=0.013). One (1.9%) sample was positive for anti- T. gondii IgM and two (3.7%) samples were positive for IgG against T. canis by the ELISA that these positive cases were observed only in myositis patients (P=1.000 P=0.495, respectively). B1 T. gondii gene was amplified in 12 (63.2%) and 1 (7.1%) in myositis patients and healthy subjects (P=0.001). CONCLUSION Our findings showed that there was a relatively high prevalence of acute toxoplasmosis in myositis patients in comparison with the control subjects in the Southwest of Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasem Saki
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Karim Mowla
- Department of Rheumatology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Reza Arjmand
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Forough Kazemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Somayeh Fallahizadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Khodaverdi M, Razmi G. Prevalence and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in stray cats in Mashhad area, Iran. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:463. [PMID: 31864371 PMCID: PMC6925478 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2176-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cats as a definitive host have an important role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of Toxoplasma gondii infection and isolate and identify the genotypes of T. gondii in stray cats in the Mashhad suburb. METHODS From April 2016 to August 2017, 175 fecal samples from stray cats and 31 brain samples from cats killed in driving accidents were collected. The fecal samples were examined by fecal flotation technique and T. gondii-specific PCR. The brain samples were investigated by T. gondii-specific PCR and consequently examined by mice bioassay. The DNA of T. gondii isolated was genotyped using SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB and GRA6 as PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) markers. RESULTS In the present study, Toxoplasma-like oocysts were microscopically observed in 2.2% (4/175) fecal samples. The presence of Toxoplasma oocysts was confirmed in one microscopy-positive sample by PCR. In addition, T. gondii DNA was detected in 4% (7/175) microscopy-negative samples using PCR. T. gondii was isolated from one brain PCR-positive sample by mice bioassay. The isolate was avirulent and many T. gondii cysts were observed in mice brain. The isolate was successfully genotyped by PCR-RLFP analysis. The isolated genotyped was type II. Besides, eight Toxoplasma-positive fecal samples contained insufficient DNA and only amplified at SAG-3 locus in PCR. These samples were also showed type II pattern at this locus. CONCLUSIONS Parasitological and molecular results showed low frequency of Toxoplasma infection in the stray cats, and identified the genotype of T. gondii isolate as type II, for the first time in Mashhad area, Khorasan Razavi Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Khodaverdi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P.O. Box: 91775-1793, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Razmi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P.O. Box: 91775-1793, Mashhad, Iran
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Martinot M, Greigert V, Farnarier C, Dardé ML, Piperoglou C, Mohseni-Zadeh M, Tarabeux J, Guffroy A, Villard O, Vely F. Spinal cord toxoplasmosis in a young immunocompetent patient. Infection 2019; 48:299-302. [PMID: 31820319 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-019-01380-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We report a case of spinal cord toxoplasmosis occurring as a primary infection in a 31-year-old immunocompetent man. Exhaustive immunologic and genetic investigations did not identify any immunodeficiency. The causative agent was a typical type 2 strain. In cases of spinal cord lesions, toxoplasmosis should be considered, even in an immunocompetent patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Martinot
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Medecine E Hôpitaux Civils de Colmar, 39 Avenue de la liberté, 68024, Colmar, France.
| | - V Greigert
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Medecine E Hôpitaux Civils de Colmar, 39 Avenue de la liberté, 68024, Colmar, France.,Parasitology Department, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - C Farnarier
- APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service d'Immunologie, Marseille-Immunopole, Marseille, France
| | - M L Dardé
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France.,INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, UMR 1094, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, 87000, Limoges, France
| | - C Piperoglou
- APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service d'Immunologie, Marseille-Immunopole, Marseille, France
| | - M Mohseni-Zadeh
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Medecine E Hôpitaux Civils de Colmar, 39 Avenue de la liberté, 68024, Colmar, France
| | - J Tarabeux
- Laboratoires de Diagnostic Génétique, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - A Guffroy
- National Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases RESO, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Clinical Immunology and Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - O Villard
- Parasitology Department, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - F Vely
- APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Service d'Immunologie, Marseille-Immunopole, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Marseille, France
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Vieira PDC, Waghabi MC, Beghini DG, Predes D, Abreu JG, Mouly V, Butler-Browne G, Barbosa HS, Adesse D. Toxoplasma gondii Impairs Myogenesis in vitro, With Changes in Myogenic Regulatory Factors, Altered Host Cell Proliferation and Secretory Profile. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:395. [PMID: 31828046 PMCID: PMC6890860 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease with a wide global prevalence. The parasite forms cysts in skeletal muscle cells and neurons, although no evident association with inflammatory infiltrates has been typically found. We studied the impact of T. gondii infection on the myogenic program of mouse skeletal muscle cells (SkMC). The C2C12 murine myoblast cell line was infected with T. gondii tachyzoites (ME49 strain) for 24 h followed by myogenic differentiation induction. T. gondii infection caused a general decrease in myotube differentiation, fusion and maturation, along with decreased expression of myosin heavy chain. The expression of Myogenic Regulatory Factors Myf5, MyoD, Mrf4 and myogenin was modulated by the infection. Infected cultures presented increased proliferation rates, as assessed by Ki67 immunostaining, whereas neither host cell lysis nor apoptosis were significantly augmented in infected dishes. Cytokine Bead Array indicated that IL-6 and MCP-1 were highly increased in the medium from infected cultures, whereas TGF-β1 was consistently decreased. Inhibition of the IL-6 receptor or supplementation with recombinant TGF-β failed to reverse the deleterious effects caused by the infection. However, conditioned medium from infected cultures inhibited myogenesis in C2C12 cells. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was impaired in T. gondii-infected cultures. Our data indicate that T. gondii leads SkMCs to a pro-inflammatory phenotype, leaving cells unresponsive to β-catenin activation, and inhibition of the myogenic differentiation program. Such deregulation may suggest muscle atrophy and molecular mechanisms similar to those involved in myositis observed in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariana Caldas Waghabi
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela Gois Beghini
- Laboratório de Inovação em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danilo Predes
- Laboratório de Embriologia de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jose Garcia Abreu
- Laboratório de Embriologia de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut de Myologie, Myology Research Center UMRS974, Paris, France
| | - Gillian Butler-Browne
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut de Myologie, Myology Research Center UMRS974, Paris, France
| | - Helene Santos Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Adesse
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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11
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Leroy J, Houzé S, Dardé ML, Yéra H, Rossi B, Delhaes L, Gabriel F, Loubet P, Deleplancque AS, Senneville E, Ajana F, Sendid B, Malvy D. Severe toxoplasmosis imported from tropical Africa in immunocompetent patients: A case series. Travel Med Infect Dis 2019; 35:101509. [PMID: 31712179 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2019.101509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In immunocompetent patients the infection is usually benign. However, cases of severe and even lethal primo-infections are regularly reported in South America. In contrast, data from tropical Africa are fragmentary. METHODS Data for French cases of severe toxoplasmosis acquired between 2013 and 2018, in tropical Africa and among immunocompetent patients were collected retrospectively in 2018. RESULTS Four male patients with a mean age of 34-years were identified. All infections originated in West or Central Africa. The clinical presentations were heterogeneous: two patients had severe disseminated toxoplasmosis, of which one presented with chorioretinitis associated with myositis and the other with febrile pneumopathy; one patient presented with post-infectious acute cerebellar ataxia and the final case had general symptoms and skin manifestations. The diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis was confirmed by serology in four patients. Molecular diagnosis confirmed T. gondii infection in three patients with Africa 1 as the dominant genotype. The infection was cured with anti-infective treatment in all four patients. Ocular sequelae were reported in the two patients with chorioretinitis. CONCLUSIONS Imported cases of severe toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients are rare in France. However, this aetiology should be evoked rapidly in a patient with a severe infectious syndrome who has recently visited or originated from tropical Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Leroy
- CHU Lille, Parasitology Mycology Department, Univ. Lille, Inserm, U995 - LIRIC - Lille Inflammation Research International Center, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Sandrine Houzé
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bichat Claude Bernard, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- Inserm UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges, 87025, France; Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, CHU Limoges, 87042, Limoges, France
| | - Hélène Yéra
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Paris Descartes, Hôpitaux Universitaire Paris Centre, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, CHU Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Benjamin Rossi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beaujon Hospital, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Nord Val de Seine, APHP, Clichy, France
| | - Laurence Delhaes
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Bordeaux Hospital University Center, Bordeaux, France
| | - Frédéric Gabriel
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Bordeaux Hospital University Center, Bordeaux, France
| | - Paul Loubet
- IAME, UMR 1137, Inserm, Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, AP-HP, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Infectious Diseases Department, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Deleplancque
- CHU Lille, Parasitology Mycology Department, Univ. Lille, Inserm, U995 - LIRIC - Lille Inflammation Research International Center, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Eric Senneville
- Infectious Diseases Department, Gustave Dron Hospital, Tourcoing, France
| | - Faïza Ajana
- Infectious Diseases Department, Gustave Dron Hospital, Tourcoing, France
| | - Boualem Sendid
- CHU Lille, Parasitology Mycology Department, Univ. Lille, Inserm, U995 - LIRIC - Lille Inflammation Research International Center, F-59000, Lille, France.
| | - Denis Malvy
- Department for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Hospital Centre of Bordeaux, Inserm 1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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12
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Direct and Indirect Inhibition Effects of Resveratrol against Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoites In Vitro. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01233-18. [PMID: 30530601 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01233-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread obligatory parasitic protozoa and infects nearly all warm-blooded animals, leading to toxoplasmosis. The therapeutic drugs currently administered, like the combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, show high rates of toxic side effects, and drug resistance is encountered in some cases. Resveratrol is a natural plant extract with multiple functions, such as antibacterial, anticancer, and antiparasite activities. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on tachyzoites of the Toxoplasma gondii RH strain extracellularly and intracellularly. We demonstrate that resveratrol possesses direct antitoxoplasma activity by reducing the population of extracellularly grown tachyzoites, probably by disturbing the redox homeostasis of the parasites. Moreover, resveratrol was also able to release the burden of cellular stress, promote apoptosis, and maintain the autophagic status of macrophages, which turned out to be regulated by intracellular parasites, thereby functioning indirectly in eliminating T. gondii In conclusion, resveratrol has both direct and indirect antitoxoplasma effects against RH tachyzoites and may possess the potential to be further evaluated and employed for toxoplasmosis treatment.
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Lv X, Yu P. Early diagnosis and successful treatment of acquired toxoplasmosis infectious retinochoroiditis: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e11231. [PMID: 29952985 PMCID: PMC6039674 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000011231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Toxoplasma gondii is distributed worldwide, infecting a large population. It can cause focal necrotic retinitis or retinochoroiditis in the human eyes and is one of the most common causes of posterior uveitis. PATIENT CONCERNS A 68-year-old patient with normal immunity was complained about blurred vision and black shadow in the right eye for 1 week. DIAGNOSES Combined Yellow-and-white bulged lesions in the fundus of the right eye with the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient = 2 and based on the serological indicators, we considered the diagnosis of T. gondii infection-induced retinochondritis. INTERVENTIONS Acetylspiramycin 0.4 QID × 3 weeks, concussive 20 days treatment after 3 days, for a total of 3 months, prednisone 20 mg/day with a weekly reduction of 5 mg for 1 month. OUTCOMES After oral acetylspiramycin, topical and systemic corticosteroids for 3 months, the retinal lesions were scarred, and inflammation of the anterior chamber and vitreum disappeared. After a 9-month follow-up, the visual acuity was 0.6, and no active lesions were observed in the fundus. LESSONS The immunocompetent elderly who are in contact with domestic cats may have an opportunistic infection with toxoplasmosis leading to primary retinochoroiditis. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment can get a good clinical prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Lv
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Pingping Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
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Gachet B, Elbaz A, Boucher A, Robineau O, Fréalle E, Ajana F, Delannoy PY, Thellier D, Boussekey N, Meybeck A, Senneville E. Acute toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent traveller to Senegal. J Travel Med 2018; 25:5104383. [PMID: 30247670 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tay086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Gachet
- Service Universitaire des Maladies Infectieuses et du Voyageur, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Alexandre Elbaz
- Service de réanimation et des Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Anne Boucher
- Service Universitaire des Maladies Infectieuses et du Voyageur, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Olivier Robineau
- Service Universitaire des Maladies Infectieuses et du Voyageur, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Emilie Fréalle
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Faïza Ajana
- Service Universitaire des Maladies Infectieuses et du Voyageur, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Delannoy
- Service de réanimation et des Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Damien Thellier
- Service de réanimation et des Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Nicolas Boussekey
- Service de réanimation et des Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Agnès Meybeck
- Service Universitaire des Maladies Infectieuses et du Voyageur, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Eric Senneville
- Service Universitaire des Maladies Infectieuses et du Voyageur, Hôpital Dron, Tourcoing, France
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Finsterer J, Löscher WN, Wanschitz J, Quasthoff S, Grisold W. Secondary myopathy due to systemic diseases. Acta Neurol Scand 2016; 134:388-402. [PMID: 26915593 PMCID: PMC7159623 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Some systemic diseases also affect the skeletal muscle to various degrees and with different manifestations. This review aimed at summarizing and discussing recent advances concerning the management of muscle disease in systemic diseases. Method Literature review by search of MEDLINE, and Current Contents with appropriate search terms. Results Secondary muscle disease occurs in infectious disease, endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders, immunological disease, vascular diseases, hematological disorders, and malignancies. Muscle manifestations in these categories include pathogen‐caused myositis, muscle infarction, rhabdomyolysis, myasthenia, immune‐mediated myositis, necrotising myopathy, or vasculitis‐associated myopathy. Muscle affection may concern only a single muscle, a group of muscles, or the entire musculature. Severity of muscle affection may be transient or permanent, may be a minor part of or may dominate the clinical picture, or may be mild or severe, requiring invasive measures including artificial ventilation if the respiratory muscles are additionally involved. Diagnostic work‐up is similar to that of primary myopathies by application of non‐invasive and invasive techniques. Treatment of muscle involvement in systemic diseases is based on elimination of the underlying cause and supportive measures. The prognosis is usually fair if the causative disorder is effectively treatable but can be fatal in single cases if the entire musculature including the respiratory muscles is involved, in case of infection, or in case of severe rhabdomyolysis. Conclusion Secondary muscle manifestations of systemic diseases must be addressed and appropriately managed. Prognosis of secondary muscle disease in systemic diseases is usually fair if the underlying condition is accessible to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - W. N. Löscher
- Department of Neurology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
| | - J. Wanschitz
- Department of Neurology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
| | - S. Quasthoff
- Department of Neurology; Graz Medical University; Graz Austria
| | - W. Grisold
- Department of Neurology; Kaiser-Franz-Josef Spital; Vienna Austria
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16
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Alvarado-Esquivel C, Sánchez-Anguiano LF, Hernández-Tinoco J, Pérez-Álamos AR, Rico-Almochantaf YDR, Estrada-Martínez S, Vaquera-Enriquez R, Díaz-Herrera A, Ramos-Nevarez A, Sandoval-Carrillo AA, Salas-Pacheco JM, Cerrillo-Soto SM, Antuna-Salcido EI, Liesenfeld O, Guido-Arreola CA. Influence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection on Symptoms and Signs of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2016; 6:298-305. [PMID: 27980858 PMCID: PMC5146648 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2016.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Toxoplasma gondii in brain may cause some symptoms that resemble those in women with premenstrual syndrome. To determine the association of T. gondii infection with symptoms and signs of premenstrual syndrome, we examined 489 women aged 30-40 years old. Sera of participants were analyzed for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIA) and T. gondii DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 38 (7.8%) of the women studied. Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in 13 (34.2%) of the 38 IgG seropositive women. Logistic regression showed two variables associated with seropositivity to T. gondii: presence of diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] = 6.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-27.85; P = 0.01) and weight gain (OR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.37-6.07; P = 0.005), and two variables associated with high (>150 IU/ml) levels of IgG against T. gondii: presence of diarrhea (OR = 7.40; 95% CI: 1.79-30.46; P = 0.006) and abdominal inflammation (OR = 3.38; 95% CI: 1.13-10.10; P = 0.02). Positivity to EIA IgG and PCR was positively associated with obesity and negatively associated with joint pain by bivariate analysis. Our study for the first time reveals a potential association of T. gondii infection with clinical manifestations of premenstrual syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel
- Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Dgo, Mexico
| | - Luis Francisco Sánchez-Anguiano
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State. Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | - Jesús Hernández-Tinoco
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State. Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | - Alma Rosa Pérez-Álamos
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State. Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | | | - Sergio Estrada-Martínez
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State. Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | - Raquel Vaquera-Enriquez
- Health Center No. 2 “Dr. Carlos Santamaría”, Servicios de Salud de Durango, Durango, Mexico, Talpa S/N, 34170 Durango, Mexico
| | - Arturo Díaz-Herrera
- Health Center No. 2 “Dr. Carlos Santamaría”, Servicios de Salud de Durango, Durango, Mexico, Talpa S/N, 34170 Durango, Mexico
| | - Agar Ramos-Nevarez
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34079 Durango, Mexico
| | - Ada Agustina Sandoval-Carrillo
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State. Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | - José Manuel Salas-Pacheco
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State. Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | - Sandra Margarita Cerrillo-Soto
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34079 Durango, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Irasema Antuna-Salcido
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State. Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico
| | - Oliver Liesenfeld
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Medical School, Hindenburgdamm 27, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carlos Alberto Guido-Arreola
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34079 Durango, Mexico
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Abd El-Rehim El-Henawy A, Abdel-Razik A, Zakaria S, Elhammady D, Saudy N, Azab MS. Is toxoplasmosis a potential risk factor for liver cirrhosis? ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2015; 8:784-91. [PMID: 26522292 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To document Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibody status in patients with liver disease, blood samples were taken from 180 hepatic patients and 180 healthy controls. METHODS Toxoplasma IgG antibody was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and histopathological assessment of liver biopsy METAVIR score was applied. RESULTS Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 32.8% of patients and in 22.2% of controls (P = 0.02). Toxoplasma seropositivity was significantly associated with lymphadenopathy, history of blood transfusion and reflex impairment in patients. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and chronic HCV-related cirrhosis groups compared to chronic HBV and chronic HBV-related cirrhosis groups expressed significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii seropositivity (odds ratio (OR) = 4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-12.6; P = 0.013, OR = 4.8; 95% CI: 1.5-14.9; P = 0.006, respectively). Within the chronic HCV group, T. gondii seropositivity significantly associated disease evolution as regards to METAVIR histopathological system for fibrosis and inflammation (OR = 19.4; 95% CI: 2.3-165.2; P = 0.0008, OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.1-0.8; P = 0.01, respectively). Albumin, international normalized ratio (INR) and platelets count were the laboratory parameters significantly altered in Toxoplasma-positive chronic HCV patients (P = 0.001, 0.03, 0.04, respectively). Child-Pugh scoring for cirrhosis in chronic HCV group placed the majority of seropositive patient in class C with significant statistical difference compared to Child A reference group (OR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-0.5; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma seropositivity was high in patients with cirrhosis and associated higher grades of inflammation and necrosis signifying disease evolution, suggesting that cirrhotic patients may thus form a risk group for toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed Abdel-Razik
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Sahar Zakaria
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Dina Elhammady
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Niveen Saudy
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Manar Sobh Azab
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
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Liu Q, Wang ZD, Huang SY, Zhu XQ. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and typing of Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:292. [PMID: 26017718 PMCID: PMC4451882 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0902-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is an important zoonosis with medical and veterinary importance worldwide. The disease is mainly contracted by ingesting undercooked or raw meat containing viable tissue cysts, or by ingesting food or water contaminated with oocysts. The diagnosis and genetic characterization of T. gondii infection is crucial for the surveillance, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis. Traditional approaches for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis include etiological, immunological and imaging techniques. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis has been improved by the emergence of molecular technologies to amplify parasite nucleic acids. Among these, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular techniques have been useful for the genetic characterization of T. gondii. Serotyping methods based on polymorphic polypeptides have the potential to become the choice for typing T. gondii in humans and animals. In this review, we summarize conventional non-DNA-based diagnostic methods, and the DNA-based molecular techniques for the diagnosis and genetic characterization of T. gondii. These techniques have provided foundations for further development of more effective and accurate detection of T. gondii infection. These advances will contribute to an improved understanding of the epidemiology, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130122, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ze-Dong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130122, People's Republic of China.
| | - Si-Yang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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Flegr J, Prandota J, Sovičková M, Israili ZH. Toxoplasmosis--a global threat. Correlation of latent toxoplasmosis with specific disease burden in a set of 88 countries. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90203. [PMID: 24662942 PMCID: PMC3963851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is becoming a global health hazard as it infects 30-50% of the world human population. Clinically, the life-long presence of the parasite in tissues of a majority of infected individuals is usually considered asymptomatic. However, a number of studies show that this 'asymptomatic infection' may also lead to development of other human pathologies. AIMS OF THE STUDY The purpose of the study was to collect available geoepidemiological data on seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and search for its relationship with mortality and disability rates in different countries. METHODS AND FINDINGS Prevalence data published between 1995-2008 for women in child-bearing age were collected for 88 countries (29 European). The association between prevalence of toxoplasmosis and specific disease burden estimated with age-standardized Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) or with mortality, was calculated using General Linear Method with Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDP), geolatitude and humidity as covariates, and also using nonparametric partial Kendall correlation test with GDP as a covariate. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis correlated with specific disease burden in particular countries explaining 23% of variability in disease burden in Europe. The analyses revealed that for example, DALY of 23 of 128 analyzed diseases and disease categories on the WHO list showed correlations (18 positive, 5 negative) with prevalence of toxoplasmosis and another 12 diseases showed positive trends (p<0.1). For several obtained significant correlations between the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and specific diseases/clinical entities, possible pathophysiological, biochemical and molecular explanations are presented. CONCLUSIONS The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis correlated with various disease burden. Statistical associations does not necessarily mean causality. The precautionary principle suggests however that possible role of toxoplasmosis as a triggering factor responsible for development of several clinical entities deserves much more attention and financial support both in everyday medical practice and future clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Flegr
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Joseph Prandota
- Department of Social Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Michaela Sovičková
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zafar H. Israili
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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