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Abdoli A, Ghaffarifar F, Sharifi Z, Taghipour A. Toxoplasma gondii infection and testosterone alteration: A systematic review and meta-analyses. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297362. [PMID: 38568993 PMCID: PMC10990213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a worldwide distributed protozoan parasite which has infected a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans. The most common form of T. gondii infection is asymptomatic (latent); nevertheless, latent toxoplasmosis can induce various alterations of sex hormones, especially testosterone, in infected humans and animals. On the other hand, testosterone is involved in behavioral traits and reproductive functions in both sexes. Hence, the purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the available evidence regarding the association between T. gondii infection and testosterone alteration. METHODS In the setting of a systematic review, an electronic search (any date to 10 January 2023) without language restrictions was performed using Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Following the initial search, a total of 12,306 titles and abstracts were screened initially; 12,281 were excluded due to the lack of eligibility criteria or duplication. Finally, 24 articles met the included criteria. A mean±standard deviation (SD) was calculated to assess the difference of testosterone between T. gondii positive and T. gondii negative humans. The possibility of publication bias was assessed using Egger's regression. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS This systematic review identified 24 articles (18 studies in humans and six studies in animals). Most human studies (13 out of 19) reported an increased level of testosterone following latent toxoplasmosis in males, while three studies reported decreased levels and two studies reported an insignificant change. Eleven articles (seven datasets in males and seven datasets in females) were eligible to be included in the data synthesis. Based on the random-effects model, the pooled mean± SD of testosterone in T. gondii positive than T. gondii negative was increased by 0.73 and 0.55 units in males and females, respectively. The Egger's regression did not detect a statistically significant publication bias in males and females (p = value = 0.95 and 0.71), respectively. Three studies in male animals (rats, mice, and spotted hyenas) and two studies in female animals (mice and spotted hyenas) reported a decline in testosterone in infected compared with non-infected animals. While, one study in female rats reported no significant changes of testosterone in infected than non-infected animals. Moreover, two studies in male rats reported an increased level of testosterone in infected than non-infected animals. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights about the association between T. gondii infection and testosterone alteration and identifies relevant data gaps that can inform and encourage further studies. The consequence of increased testosterone levels following T. gondii infection could partly be associated with increased sexual behavior and sexual transmission of the parasite. On the other hand, declining testosterone levels following T. gondii infection may be associated with male reproductive impairments, which were observed in T. gondii-infected humans and animals. Furthermore, these findings suggest the great need for more epidemiological and experimental investigations in depth to understand the relationship between T. gondii infection and testosterone alteration alongside with future consequences of testosterone alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abdoli
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Sharifi
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Taghipour
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
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Sofia O, Amalia M, Thomassawa H, Fitri LE, Prayitnaningsih S, Susianti H. The Decreased Treg Cells Number Associated with Retinal Lesion Size in Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis 2024; 2024:3495376. [PMID: 38314317 PMCID: PMC10830908 DOI: 10.1155/2024/3495376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The imbalance of the immune response is an important factor contributing to the incidence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT). Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in maintaining the balance between Th1 and Th17 immune responses, while interleukin-27 (IL-27) levels are related to the differentiation of Th17 cells. This study analyzes the differences in the number of Treg cells and the level of IL-27 between OT patients and seropositive individuals without ocular lesions and its correlation with retinal lesion size. Methods This analytic observational study, conducted for 8 months, involved 11 OT patients and 10 seropositive individuals without ocular lesions. All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination. Retinal lesions were documented by fundus photographs and the size was measured using Digimizer 4.2.2.0 software. Isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was performed to measure the number of Treg cells using flow cytometry and interleukin-27 levels were assessed using the Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Data were analyzed with SPSS. Result The number of Treg cells in the OT group (47.16 ± 15.66%) was lower than in the seropositive group without the ocular lesions (62.86 ± 17.08%) (p = 0.029). The serum IL-27 levels in the OT group were not significantly different from the seropositive group without the ocular lesions (p = 0.360). The number of Treg cells was significantly related to retinal lesion size (p = 0.043), with a correlation coefficient of -0.648, indicating a strong and inverse correlation. There was no significant correlation between serum IL-27 levels and retinal lesion size (p = 0.556). Conclusion Ocular toxoplasmosis patients have a low number of Treg cells that are inversely related to the retinal lesion size. The size of the retinal lesion increases as the number of Treg cells decreases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovi Sofia
- Doctoral Program in Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Muna Amalia
- Residency Training Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Herryanto Thomassawa
- Residency Training Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Loeki Enggar Fitri
- Department of Clinical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Seskoati Prayitnaningsih
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Hani Susianti
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
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Durieux MF, Lopez JG, Banjari M, Passebosc-Faure K, Brenier-Pinchart MP, Paris L, Gargala G, Berthier S, Bonhomme J, Chemla C, Villena I, Flori P, Fréalle E, L’Ollivier C, Lussac-Sorton F, Montoya JG, Cateau E, Pomares C, Simon L, Quinio D, Robert-Gangneux F, Yera H, Labriffe M, Fauchais AL, Dardé ML. Toxoplasmosis in patients with an autoimmune disease and immunosuppressive agents: A multicenter study and literature review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010691. [PMID: 35939518 PMCID: PMC9387931 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Cases of Toxoplasma reactivation or more severe primary infection have been reported in patients receiving immunosuppressive (IS) treatment for autoimmune diseases (AID). The purpose of this study was to describe features of toxoplasmosis occurring in patients with AID treated by IS therapy, excluded HIV-positive and transplant patients.
Methods
A multicenter descriptive study was conducted using data from the French National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (NRCT) that received DNA extracts or strains isolated from patients, associated with clinical data. Other cases were retrieved through a questionnaire sent to all French parasitology and internal medicine departments. Furthermore, a systematic literature review was conducted.
Results
61 cases were collected: 25 retrieved by the NRCT and by a call for observations and 36 from a literature review. Half of the cases were attributed to reactivation (50.9%), and most of cases (49.2%) were cerebral toxoplasmosis. The most common associated AID were rheumatoid arthritis (28%) and most frequent treatments were antimetabolites (44.3%). Corticosteroids were involved in 60.7% of cases. Patients had a favorable outcome (50.8%) but nine did not survive. For 12 cases, a successful Toxoplasma strain characterization suggested the possible role of this parasitic factor in ocular cases.
Conclusion
Although this remains a rare condition, clinicians should be aware for the management of patients and for the choice of IS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Fleur Durieux
- Department of parasitology and mycology, Dupuytren University Hospital, National Reference Center of Toxoplasmosis, Limoges Cedex, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Jean-Guillaume Lopez
- Department of internal medicine, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges Cedex, France
| | - Maher Banjari
- Department of internal medicine faculty of medicine -Rabigh Campus- King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Karine Passebosc-Faure
- Department of parasitology and mycology, Dupuytren University Hospital, National Reference Center of Toxoplasmosis, Limoges Cedex, France
| | | | - Luc Paris
- Parasitology laboratory, AP-HP Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Gargala
- Parasitology laboratory, University hospital of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Sabine Berthier
- Department of internal medicine, University hospital of Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Julie Bonhomme
- Microbiology laboratory, University hospital of Caen, Caen, France
| | - Cathy Chemla
- Parasitology Laboratory, EA 7510, Reims Champagne Ardenne University, National Reference Centre on Toxoplasmosis CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- Parasitology Laboratory, EA 7510, Reims Champagne Ardenne University, National Reference Centre on Toxoplasmosis CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Pierre Flori
- Parasitology laboratory, Hospital of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Emilie Fréalle
- Parasitology laboratory, University hospital of Lille, Lille, France
| | | | | | - José Gilberto Montoya
- Dr. Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Estelle Cateau
- Parasitology laboratory, University hospital of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Christelle Pomares
- Parasitology-Mycology laboratory, Côte d’Azur University, INSERM 1065, University hospital of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Loïc Simon
- Parasitology-Mycology laboratory, Côte d’Azur University, INSERM 1065, University hospital of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Dorothée Quinio
- Parasitology laboratory, University hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | | | - Hélène Yera
- Parasitology laboratory, AP-HP Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Marc Labriffe
- Pharmacology & Transplantation, INSERM U1248, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Anne-Laure Fauchais
- Department of internal medicine, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges Cedex, France
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- Department of parasitology and mycology, Dupuytren University Hospital, National Reference Center of Toxoplasmosis, Limoges Cedex, France
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Treatment Strategy in Human Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Why Antibiotics Have Failed. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10051090. [PMID: 33807871 PMCID: PMC7961948 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is currently no clear evidence of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in acute ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), but its effect as a secondary prophylaxis is undisputed. The majority of uveitis specialists advocate treatment. This meta-analytic review aims to critically analyze determinants of treatment success and to update current treatment strategies for OT in order to explain this discrepancy. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in NCBI/PubMed, Clinical Trials, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect to retrieve pro- and retrospective studies using the key terms “ocular toxoplasmosis” or “retinochoroiditis” and “immunocompetent” and “treatment” or “therapy” and “human.” Of these, larger case series and prospective clinical studies and cross references identified from meta-analyses were selected by a manual search, and primary and secondary outcome parameters were extracted. Results: Ten case series and clinical trials reported success parameters for treatment outcomes, and four additional for recurrence prophylaxis. Five treatment studies were randomized clinical trials, three comparative and two noncomparative case series. Though several outcome parameters were reported, five of them defined time to healing, four visual gain and one lesion size as primary and secondary outcome parameters, recurrence rate as a secondary outcome parameter was reported once. No conclusive evidence was found for an antibiotic treatment effect. Four prophylaxis studies addressed the prevention of recurrences after treatment. The primary outcome in all studies was the effect of treatment and prophylaxis on recurrences, and all four found a significant effect on the risk of and time to recurrences. Conclusions: Antibiotic treatment of OT aims at controlling parasite proliferation. The absence of an effect on visual acuity and time to healing is thus not surprising. The fact that time to and number of recurrences respond to recurrence of prophylaxis proves the antibiotic effect on parasite activity.
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Li K, Feng X, Hikosaka K, Norose K. Murine Model of Primary Acquired Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Fluorescein Angiography and Multiplex Immune Mediator Profiles in the Aqueous Humor. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:9. [PMID: 33683297 PMCID: PMC7960860 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.3.9] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To establish a murine model of primary acquired ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) and to investigate the immune mediator profiles in the aqueous humor (AH). Methods C57BL/6 mice were perorally infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The ocular fundus was observed, and fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed. The AH, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and serum were collected before infection and at 28 days post-infection (dpi); the immune mediator levels in these samples were analyzed using multiplex bead assay. Results Fundus imaging revealed soft retinochoroidal lesions at 14 dpi; many of these lesions became harder by 28 dpi. FA abnormalities, such as leakage from retinal vessels and dilation and tortuosity of the retinal veins, were observed at 14 dpi. Nearly all these abnormalities resolved spontaneously at 28 dpi. In the AH, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12(p40), IL-12(p70), CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, CCL5/RANTES, and CXCL1/KC levels increased after infection. All these molecules except IL-1α, IL-4, and IL-13 showed almost the same postinfection patterns in the CSF as they did in the AH. The tumor necrosis factor α, IL-4, and IL-5 levels in the AH and CSF of the T. gondii–infected mice were lower than those in the serum. The postinfection IL-1α, IL-6, CCL2/MCP-1, CCL4/MIP-1β, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels in the AH were significantly higher than those in the CSF and serum. Conclusions A murine model of primary acquired OT induced via the natural infection route was established. This OT model allows detailed ophthalmologic, histopathologic, and immunologic evaluations of human OT. Investigation of AH immune modulators provides new insight into OT immunopathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Li
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Xue Feng
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kenji Hikosaka
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazumi Norose
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
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Pleyer U, Gross U, Schlüter D, Wilking H, Seeber F. Toxoplasmosis in Germany. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 116:435-444. [PMID: 31423982 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With approximately 30% of the world population infected, Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread pathogenic parasites in both humans and animals and a major problem for health economics in many countries. METHODS This review is based on the findings of individual studies, meta-analyses, and Cochrane Reviews retrieved by a selective literature survey of the Medline and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS Current data indicate a high rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Germany, ranging from 20% to 77% depending on age (95% confidence interval for 18- to 29-year-olds [17.0; 23.1]; for 70- to 79-year-olds [72.7; 80.5]). Male sex, caring for a cat, and a body mass index of 30 or more are independent risk factors for seroconversion. Postnatally acquired (food-related) infec- tion is predominant, but maternal-to-fetal transmission still plays an important role. While most infections are asymptomatic, congenital toxoplasmosis and reactivated Toxoplasma encephalitis in immunosuppressed persons (transplant recipients and others) are sources of considerable morbidity. Toxoplasma gondii infection of the retina is the most common cause of infectious uveitis in Germany. The diagnosis and treatment of this type of parasitic infection are particular to the specific organs involved in the individual patient. CONCLUSION Desirable steps for the near future include development of an effective treatment for the cystic stage and identifica- tion of biomarkers to assess the risk of reactivation and predict the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Pleyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité Campus Virchow, University Faculty of Medicine, Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health; Institute of Medical Microbiology and German Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasma Infection, Faculty of Medicine University of Göttingen; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School (MHH); Unit 35: Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin; Unit 16: Mycotic and parasitic agents and mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin
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Ellwanger JH, Kaminski VDL, Rodrigues AG, Kulmann-Leal B, Chies JAB. CCR5 and CCR5Δ32 in bacterial and parasitic infections: Thinking chemokine receptors outside the HIV box. Int J Immunogenet 2020; 47:261-285. [PMID: 32212259 DOI: 10.1111/iji.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The CCR5 molecule was reported in 1996 as the main HIV-1 co-receptor. In that same year, the CCR5Δ32 genetic variant was described as a strong protective factor against HIV-1 infection. These findings led to extensive research regarding the CCR5, culminating in critical scientific advances, such as the development of CCR5 inhibitors for the treatment of HIV infection. Recently, the research landscape surrounding CCR5 has begun to change. Different research groups have realized that, since CCR5 has such important effects in the chemokine system, it could also affect other different physiological systems. Therefore, the effect of reduced CCR5 expression due to the presence of the CCR5Δ32 variant began to be further studied. Several studies have investigated the role of CCR5 and the impacts of CCR5Δ32 on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, various types of cancer, and viral diseases. However, the role of CCR5 in diseases caused by bacteria and parasites is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this article is to review the role of CCR5 and the effects of CCR5Δ32 on bacterial (brucellosis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and infection by Chlamydia trachomatis) and parasitic infections (toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and schistosomiasis). Basic information about each of these infections was also addressed. The neglected role of CCR5 in fungal disease and emerging studies regarding the action of CCR5 on regulatory T cells are briefly covered in this review. Considering the "renaissance of CCR5 research," this article is useful for updating researchers who develop studies involving CCR5 and CCR5Δ32 in different infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Henrique Ellwanger
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Valéria de Lima Kaminski
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Andressa Gonçalves Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bruna Kulmann-Leal
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Artur Bogo Chies
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Tran L, Nhu Y M, Le Ba Nghia T, Hendam A, Vuong NL, Alzalal E, Sayed AM, Hussain MM, Sharma A, Tieu T, Mathenge PG, Hirayama K, Alexander N, Huy NT. Frequent inappropriate use of unweighted summary statistics in systematic reviews of pathogen genotypes or genogroups. J Clin Epidemiol 2019; 119:26-35. [PMID: 31740320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our study aimed to systematically assess and report the methodological quality used in epidemiological systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis (MA) of pathogen genotypes/genogroups. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Nine electronic databases and manual search of reference lists were used to identify relevant studies. The method types were divided into three groups: 1) with weighted pooling analysis (which we call MA), (2) unweighted analysis of the study-level measures (which we call summary statistics), and (3) without any data pooling (which we call SR only). Characteristics were evaluated using Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA), and Risk Of Bias In Systematic reviews (ROBIS) tools. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with CRD42017078146. RESULTS Among 36 included articles, 5 (14%) studies conducted SR only, 16 (44%) performed MA, and 15 (42%) used summary statistics. The univariable and multivariable linear regression of AMSTAR and PRISMA scores showed that MA had higher quality compared with those with summary statistics. The SR only and summary statistics groups had approximately equal scores among three scales of AMSTAR, PRISMA, and ROBIS. The methodological quality of epidemiological studies has improved from 1999 to 2017. CONCLUSION Despite the frequent use of unweighted summary statistics, MA remains the most suitable method for reaching rational conclusions in epidemiological studies of pathogen genotypes/genogroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Tran
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Danang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Mai Nhu Y
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Faculty of Medicine, Vo Truong Toan University, Hau Giang, Vietnam
| | - Thai Le Ba Nghia
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Faculty of Medicine, Vo Truong Toan University, Hau Giang, Vietnam
| | - Abdulrahman Hendam
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Nguyen Lam Vuong
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Department of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Ebrahim Alzalal
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Faculty of Medicine, Menofia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Sayed
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mustafa Mushtaq Hussain
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Department of Neurosurgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Akash Sharma
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India
| | - Thuan Tieu
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Peterson Gitonga Mathenge
- Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org/), Nagasaki, Japan; Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kenji Hirayama
- Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Neal Alexander
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Nguyen Tien Huy
- Evidence Based Medicine Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, 70000, Vietnam; Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, 70000, Vietnam; Department of Clinical Product Development, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
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Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), a parasitic infection of the eye, is considered to be the most important infectious cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. Its prevalence is particularly high in South America, where aggressive Toxoplasma gondii strains are responsible for more-severe presentations. The particular pathophysiology of this infection leads, from recurrence to recurrence, to potentially severe vision impairment. The diagnosis of this infection is usually exclusively based on the clinical examination. However, the symptoms may be misleading and are not always sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of OT. In such cases, biological tests performed by means of several techniques on blood and ocular samples may facilitate the diagnosis. In this study, we analyzed the tests that were performed in our laboratory over a 9-year period every time OT was suspected. Our report highlights that the quality of ocular sampling by ophthalmologists and combinations of several techniques are critical for a reliable biological OT diagnosis. Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), i.e., the ocular manifestation of Toxoplasma gondii infection, is one of the leading causes of posterior uveitis. While ocular lesions are often typical, atypical forms often require biological confirmation of the diagnosis. Our study sought to review the biological OT diagnoses made in our laboratory to further assess the role of each test in the diagnostic procedure. All ocular samples sent to our laboratory over the last 9 years for OT diagnosis were included. These samples were analyzed using T. gondii PCR and antibody detection by means of immunoblotting and Candolfi coefficient (CC) determinations, either alone or in combination. Since serum analysis is required to interpret both the CC and immunoblotting, blood serology for T. gondii was also performed in most cases. Of the 249 samples analyzed, 80 (32.1%; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 26.3 to 37.9) were positive for OT. Of these 80 cases, 52/80 (65.0%; 54.6 to 74.5) displayed a positive PCR, 15/80 (18.8%; 10.2 to 27.3) a positive CC, and 33/80 (41.3%; 95%CI, 30.5 to 52.0) a positive immunoblot result. Overall, 63 of the 80 OT diagnoses (78.8%; 95%CI, 69.8 to 87.7) were made on the basis of a single positive test result. Our study results remind us that current biological diagnostic tools for OT must be employed in combination to obtain an optimal diagnosis based on the precious ocular fluids sampled by ophthalmologists. Clinicobiological studies that are focused on correlating the performances of the different tests with clinical features are critically needed to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and diagnosis of OT. IMPORTANCE Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), a parasitic infection of the eye, is considered to be the most important infectious cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. Its prevalence is particularly high in South America, where aggressive Toxoplasma gondii strains are responsible for more-severe presentations. The particular pathophysiology of this infection leads, from recurrence to recurrence, to potentially severe vision impairment. The diagnosis of this infection is usually exclusively based on the clinical examination. However, the symptoms may be misleading and are not always sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of OT. In such cases, biological tests performed by means of several techniques on blood and ocular samples may facilitate the diagnosis. In this study, we analyzed the tests that were performed in our laboratory over a 9-year period every time OT was suspected. Our report highlights that the quality of ocular sampling by ophthalmologists and combinations of several techniques are critical for a reliable biological OT diagnosis.
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Greigert V, Di Foggia E, Filisetti D, Villard O, Pfaff AW, Sauer A, Candolfi E. When biology supports clinical diagnosis: review of techniques to diagnose ocular toxoplasmosis. Br J Ophthalmol 2019; 103:1008-1012. [DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-313884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a common infection whose worldwide prevalence is estimated at 30%, with large disparities across the world. Among infected subjects, the prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is, however, limited to about 2% in Europe and 17% in South America. In France, it is estimated that about 1 000 000 patients present either active OT or subsequent chorioretinal scars. Toxoplasmagondii is the first cause of posterior uveitis worldwide, responsible for retinochoroiditis, at times associated with anterior uveitis. To date, there is no consensus yet on how to diagnose OT, which is often based only on clinical presentation. Nevertheless, OT-associated symptoms are often atypical and misleading. Over the last 20 years, tremendous progress has been made in biological tools, enabling parasitologists to confirm the diagnosis in most suspected cases of OT. Using anterior chamber puncture, a safe and fast procedure, ophthalmologists sample aqueous humour for analysis using multiple techniques in order to reach high specificity and sensitivity in OT diagnosis. In this article, we present the different techniques available for the biological diagnosis of OT, along with their characteristics, and propose a diagnostic algorithm designed to select the best of these techniques if clinical examination is not sufficient to ascertain the diagnosis.
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11
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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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Zheng B, Lou D, Ding J, Zhuo X, Ding H, Kong Q, Lu S. GRA24-Based DNA Vaccine Prolongs Survival in Mice Challenged With a Virulent Toxoplasma gondii Strain. Front Immunol 2019; 10:418. [PMID: 30894865 PMCID: PMC6414464 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes infections in a wide range of intermediate hosts and remains a threatening disease worldwide because of the lack of effective drugs and vaccines. Dense granule protein 24 (GRA24) is a novel essential virulence factor that is transferred into the nucleus of host cells from the parasitophorous vacuole to regulate gene expression. In the present study, bioinformatic analysis showed that GRA24 had a high score for B-cell and T-cell epitopes compared with surface antigen 1 (SAG1), which has been studied as a promising vaccine candidate. As a DNA vaccine, pVAX1-GRA24 was injected intramuscularly into BALB/c mice and the induced immune response was evaluated. pVAX1-GRA24 induced high levels of a mixed Th1/Th2 cytokines at 6 weeks after immunization. Antibody determinations, cytokines [interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-12, IL-4, IL-10], antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity showed that mice immunized with pVAX1-GRA24 produced specific humoral and cellular immune responses. The expression levels of interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and T-Box 21 (T-bet) were significantly higher in the pVAX1-GRA24 immunization group than in the control groups. Survival times were prolonged significantly (24.6 ± 5.5 days) in the mice immunized with pVAX1-GRA24 compared with the mice in the control groups, which died within 7 days of T. gondii challenge (p < 0.05). The results of the present study showed that pVAX1-GRA24 induced a T. gondii-specific immune response and thus represents a promising candidate vaccine to treat toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Lou
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianzu Ding
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xunhui Zhuo
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaohong Lu
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
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Moreira-Souza ACA, Rangel TP, Silva SRBD, Figliuolo VR, Savio LEB, Schmitz F, Takiya CM, Wyse ATS, Vommaro RC, Coutinho-Silva R. Disruption of Purinergic Receptor P2X7 Signaling Increases Susceptibility to Cerebral Toxoplasmosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2019; 189:730-738. [PMID: 30653952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a neglected disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii infection is an asymptomatic disease, with lethal cases occurring mostly in HIV patients and organ transplant recipients. Nevertheless, atypical strains of T. gondii in endemic locations cause severe pathology in healthy individuals. Toxoplasmosis has no cure but it can be controlled by the proinflammatory immune response. The purinergic receptor P2X7 (P2X7) is involved in many inflammatory events and has been associated with genes that confer resistance against toxoplasmosis in humans. In vitro studies have reported parasite death after P2X7-receptor activation in various cell types. To understand the contribution of P2X7 during cerebral toxoplasmosis, wild-type and P2rx7 knockout mice were infected orally with T. gondii and their pathologic profiles were analyzed. We found that all P2rx7-/- mice died 8 weeks after infection with an increased number of cysts and fewer inflammatory infiltrates in their brains. The cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-12, tumor necrosis factor-α, and reactive oxygen species were absent or reduced in P2rx7-/- mice. Taken together, these data suggest that the P2X7 receptor promotes inflammatory infiltrates, proinflammatory cytokines, and reactive oxygen species production in the brain, and that P2X7 signaling mediates major events that confer resistance to cerebral toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Cristina Abreu Moreira-Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory of Cellular Ultrastructure Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thuany Prado Rangel
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Vanessa Ribeiro Figliuolo
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo Baggio Savio
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe Schmitz
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Metabolic Disease, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Christina Maeda Takiya
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Angela T S Wyse
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Metabolic Disease, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rossiane Claudia Vommaro
- Laboratory of Cellular Ultrastructure Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology in Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Robson Coutinho-Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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