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Toxoplasma gondii in Foods: Prevalence, Control, and Safety. Foods 2022; 11:foods11162542. [PMID: 36010541 PMCID: PMC9407268 DOI: 10.3390/foods11162542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, with approximately one third of the population around the world seropositive. The consumption of contaminated food is the main source of infection. These include meat products with T. gondii tissue cysts, and dairy products with tachyzoites. Recently, contamination has been detected in fresh products with oocysts and marine products. Despite the great health problems that are caused by T. gondii, currently there are no standardized methods for its detection in the food industry. In this review, we analyze the current detection methods, the prevalence of T. gondii in different food products, and the control measures. The main detection methods are bioassays, cell culture, molecular and microscopic techniques, and serological methods, but some of these do not have applicability in the food industry. As a result, emerging techniques are being developed that are aimed at the detection of multiple parasites simultaneously that would make their application more efficient in the industry. Since the prevalence of this parasite is high in many products (meat and milk, marine products, and vegetables), it is necessary to standardize detection methods, as well as implement control measures.
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El-Ashram SA, Aboelhadid SM, Gadelhaq SM, Arafa WM, Abdel-Razik ARH, Abohamra S, Abdelaziz KT. Oral inoculation of ultraviolet-irradiated Eimeria species oocysts protects chickens against coccidiosis. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3173-3183. [PMID: 31606835 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06455-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Prevention of coccidiosis is one of the best ways of controlling disease. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species against coccidiosis in layer chickens. One hundred forty-four one-day-old layer chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 36), including non-immunized/non-challenged negative control group (NC group), non-immunized/challenged control group (NIC group), non-irradiated sporulated oocyst/challenged group (CA group), and UV-irradiated sporulated oocyst/challenged (UV group). At the age of 4 days, chickens in groups UV and CA were both orally inoculated with 1.0 × 104 UV-irradiated and non-irradiated sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species, respectively. Chickens in groups NIC and NC were served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Chickens in all groups were orally challenged with 7.5 × 104 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species except the NC group at the age of 21 days. The results revealed that chicks receiving UV-irradiated sporulated oocysts had no signs of illness with minimal or no changes in the cecal integrity and a significantly lower oocyst shedding (OPG) than in the NIC group. Additionally, the cytokine gene expression profiles were evaluated. Expression levels of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the spleen of chicks in the UV and CA groups than in the NC group post-challenge. As expected, treatment with irradiated oocysts resulted in a significant reduction in oocyst shedding and maintenance of cecal mucosal integrity. Furthermore, the body weight was higher in chickens inoculated with UV-irradiated oocysts than their non-irradiated counterparts. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that inoculation with UV-irradiated sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species can produce a substantial reduction in infection symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed A El-Ashram
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong Province, China.
- Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr el-Sheikh, 33516, Egypt.
| | - Shawky M Aboelhadid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt.
| | - Sahar M Gadelhaq
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
| | - Walid M Arafa
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt
| | - Abdel-Razik H Abdel-Razik
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt
| | - Salama Abohamra
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt
| | - Khaled T Abdelaziz
- Department of pathology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt
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Kannan G, Prandovszky E, Severance E, Yolken RH, Pletnikov MV. A New T. gondii Mouse Model of Gene-Environment Interaction Relevant to Psychiatric Disease. SCIENTIFICA 2018; 2018:7590958. [PMID: 30631636 PMCID: PMC6305013 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7590958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Infection with the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), was linked to several psychiatric disorders. The exact mechanisms of a hypothesized contribution of T. gondii infection are poorly understood, and it appears that only a subset of seropositive individuals go on to develop a mental illness, suggesting genetic vulnerability. In order to stimulate mechanistic studies of how exposure to T. gondii could interact with genetic predisposition to psychiatric disorders, we have generated and characterized a mouse model of chronic T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice with inducible forebrain neuronal expression of a C-terminus truncated dominant-negative form of disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DN-DISC1). In this gene-environment interaction (GxE) model, exposing control and DN-DISC1 male and female mice to T. gondii produced sex-dependent abnormalities in locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle. No genotype- or sex-dependent effects were found on levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies or anti-NMDAR or C1q antibodies. Our work demonstrates that a psychiatric genetic risk factor, DN-DISC1, modulates the neurobehavioral effects of chronic T. gondii infection in a sex-dependent manner. The present T. gondii model of GxE provides a valuable experimental system for future mechanistic studies and evaluation of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetha Kannan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emese Prandovszky
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Emily Severance
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Robert H. Yolken
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Mikhail V. Pletnikov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection Induces Anti- N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Autoantibodies and Associated Behavioral Changes and Neuropathology. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00398-18. [PMID: 30037790 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00398-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) autoantibodies have been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of NMDAR hypofunction, which contributes to the etiology of psychotic symptoms. Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen implicated in psychiatric disorders and associated with elevation of NMDAR autoantibodies. However, it remains unclear whether parasite infection is the cause of NMDAR autoantibodies. By using mouse models, we found that NMDAR autoantibody generation had a strong temporal association with tissue cyst formation, as determined by MAG1 antibody seroreactivity (r = 0.96; P < 0.0001), which is a serologic marker for the cyst burden. The presence of MAG1 antibody response, but not T. gondii IgG response, was required for NMDAR autoantibody production. The pathogenic relevance of NMDAR autoantibodies to behavioral abnormalities (blunted response to amphetamine-triggered activity and decreased locomotor activity and exploration) and reduced expression of synaptic proteins (the GLUN2B subtype of NMDAR and PSD-95) has been demonstrated in infected mice. Our study suggests that NMDAR autoantibodies are specifically induced by persistent T. gondii infection and are most likely triggered by tissue cysts. NMDAR autoantibody seroreactivity may be a novel pathological hallmark of chronic toxoplasmosis, which raises questions about NMDAR hypofunction and neurodegeneration in the infected brain.
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Mirza Alizadeh A, Jazaeri S, Shemshadi B, Hashempour-Baltork F, Sarlak Z, Pilevar Z, Hosseini H. A review on inactivation methods of Toxoplasma gondii in foods. Pathog Glob Health 2018; 112:306-319. [PMID: 30346249 PMCID: PMC6381540 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2018.1514137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a widespread zoonotic protozoan which poses a great threat to human health and economic well-being worldwide. It is usually acquired by ingestion of water contaminated with oocysts from the feces of infected cats or by the ingestion of raw or undercooked foodstuff containing tissue cysts. The oocyst can contaminate irrigation water and fresh edible produce. It is estimated that approximately one-third of the human population worldwide harbor this parasite. Infection with T. gondii is an important cause of diseases of the central nervous system and the eye in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and applicability of thermal (heating, cooking, freezing and low temperature), non-thermal (high pressure processing, ionizing irradiation and curing) and chemical and biochemical (disinfection, essential oils and biochemical methods such as enzymes, nanoparticles, antibiotics and immune response) treatments for the inactivation, inhabitation or to kill T. gondii in foodstuff intended for public consumption and under experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Mirza Alizadeh
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Jazaeri
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Science, Food Science and Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahar Shemshadi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran
| | - Fataneh Hashempour-Baltork
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Sarlak
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Pilevar
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hedayat Hosseini
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Science, Food Science and Technology/National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Yañuk JG, Alomar ML, Gonzalez MM, Alonso AM, Angel SO, Coceres VM, Cabrerizo FM. A comprehensive analysis of direct and photosensitized attenuation of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2017; 177:8-17. [PMID: 29031212 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the present work, we have evaluated the effect of three different types of radiation: UVC (254±5nm), UVA (365±20nm) and visible (420±20nm) on different morphological and biological functions of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. Briefly, UVC and UVA showed an inhibitory effect on parasite invasion in a dose-dependent manner. UVC showed the strongest effect inducing both structural damage (antigens) and functional inhibition (i.e., invasion and replication). On its own, visible light induces a quite distinctive and selective pattern of parasite-attenuation. This type of incident radiation inhibits the replication of the parasite affecting neither the capability of invasion/attachment nor the native structure of proteins (antigens) on parasites. Such effects are a consequence of photosensitized processes where phenol red might act as the active photosensitizer. The potential uses of the methodologies investigated herein are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan G Yañuk
- Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Lis Alomar
- Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Micaela Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés M Alonso
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sergio O Angel
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verónica M Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Franco M Cabrerizo
- Laboratorio de Fotoquímica y Fotobiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Kannan G, Gressitt KL, Yang S, Stallings CR, Katsafanas E, Schweinfurth LA, Savage CLG, Adamos MB, Sweeney KM, Origoni AE, Khushalani S, Bahn S, Leweke FM, Dickerson FB, Yolken RH, Pletnikov MV, Severance EG. Pathogen-mediated NMDA receptor autoimmunity and cellular barrier dysfunction in schizophrenia. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1186. [PMID: 28763062 PMCID: PMC5611729 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies that bind the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) may underlie glutamate receptor hypofunction and related cognitive impairment found in schizophrenia. Exposure to neurotropic pathogens can foster an autoimmune-prone environment and drive systemic inflammation leading to endothelial barrier defects. In mouse model cohorts, we demonstrate that infection with the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, caused sustained elevations of IgG class antibodies to the NMDAR in conjunction with compromised blood-gut and blood-brain barriers. In human cohorts, NMDAR IgG and markers of barrier permeability were significantly associated with T. gondii exposure in schizophrenia compared with controls and independently of antipsychotic medication. Combined T. gondii and NMDAR antibody seropositivity in schizophrenia resulted in higher degrees of cognitive impairment as measured by tests of delayed memory. These data underscore the necessity of disentangling the heterogeneous pathophysiology of schizophrenia so that relevant subsets eligible for NMDAR-related treatment can be identified. Our data aid to reconcile conflicting reports regarding a role of pathological NMDAR autoantibodies in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kannan
- Department of Psychiatry, Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - K L Gressitt
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - S Yang
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - C R Stallings
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - E Katsafanas
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - L A Schweinfurth
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - C L G Savage
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M B Adamos
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - K M Sweeney
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A E Origoni
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - S Khushalani
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - S Bahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - F M Leweke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - F B Dickerson
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R H Yolken
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M V Pletnikov
- Department of Psychiatry, Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - E G Severance
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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