1
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Abstract
The complexity of parasites and their life cycles makes vaccination against parasitic diseases challenging. This review highlights this by discussing vaccination against four relevant parasites of poultry. Coccidia, i.e., Eimeria spp., are the most important parasites in poultry production, causing multiple billions of dollars of damage worldwide. Due to the trend of antibiotic-free broiler production, use of anticoccidia vaccines in broilers is becoming much more important. As of now, only live vaccines are on the market, almost all of which must be produced in birds. In addition, these live vaccines require extra care in the management of flocks to provide adequate protection and prevent the vaccines from causing damage. Considerable efforts to develop recombinant vaccines and related work to understand the immune response against coccidia have not yet resulted in an alternative. Leucozytozoon caulleryi is a blood parasite that is prevalent in East and South Asia. It is the only poultry parasite for which a recombinant vaccine has been developed and brought to market. Histomonas meleagridis causes typhlohepatitis in chickens and turkeys. The systemic immune response after intramuscular vaccination with inactivated parasites is not protective. The parasite can be grown and attenuated in vitro, but only together with bacteria. This and the necessary intracloacal application make the use of live vaccines difficult. So far, there have been no attempts to develop a recombinant vaccine against H. meleagridis. Inactivated vaccines inducing antibodies against the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae have the potential to control infestations with this parasite. Potential antigens for recombinant vaccines have been identified, but the use of whole-mite extracts yields superior results. In conclusion, while every parasite is unique, development of vaccines against them shares common problems, namely the difficulties of propagating them in vitro and the identification of protective antigens that might be used in recombinant vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruediger Hauck
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849,
- Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
| | - Kenneth S Macklin
- Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
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2
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Beer LC, Petrone-Garcia VM, Graham BD, Hargis BM, Tellez-Isaias G, Vuong CN. Histomonosis in Poultry: A Comprehensive Review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:880738. [PMID: 35601402 PMCID: PMC9120919 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.880738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histomonas meleagridis, the etiological agent of histomonosis, is a poultry parasite primarily detrimental to turkeys. Characteristic lesions occur in the liver and ceca, with mortalities in turkey flocks often reaching 80-100%. Chickens and other gallinaceous birds can be susceptible but the disease was primarily considered sub-clinical until recent years. Treating and preventing H. meleagridis infection have become more difficult since 2015, when nitarsone was voluntarily removed from the market, leaving the poultry industry with no approved prophylactics, therapeutics, or vaccines to combat histomonosis. Phytogenic compounds evaluated for chemoprophylaxis of histomonosis have varied results with in vitro and in vivo experiments. Some recent research successes are encouraging for the pursuit of antihistomonal compounds derived from plants. Turkeys and chickens exhibit a level of resistance to re-infection when recovered from H. meleagridis infection, but no commercial vaccines are yet available, despite experimental successes. Safety and stability of live-attenuated isolates have been demonstrated; furthermore, highly efficacious protection has been conferred in experimental settings with administration of these isolates without harming performance. Taken together, these research advancements are encouraging for vaccine development, but further investigation is necessary to evaluate proper administration age, dose, and route. A summary of the published research is provided in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesleigh C. Beer
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Victor M. Petrone-Garcia
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlan, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico
| | - B. Danielle Graham
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Billy M. Hargis
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Guillermo Tellez-Isaias
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Christine N. Vuong
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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3
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Beer LC, Graham BDM, Barros TL, Latorre JD, Tellez-Isaias G, Fuller AL, Hargis BM, Vuong CN. Evaluation of live-attenuated Histomonas meleagridis isolates as vaccine candidates against wild-type challenge. Poult Sci 2021; 101:101656. [PMID: 35016048 PMCID: PMC8752950 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated serial in vitro passage of Histomonas meleagridis, the etiological agent of histomoniasis (blackhead) of turkeys, was demonstrated to markedly achieve attenuation and reduction of virulence as compared to the original wild-type isolate. Four experiments were performed to evaluate the route (oral vs. intracloacal) and age (day-of-hatch vs. d 14) for administration of attenuated H. meleagridis isolates as vaccine candidates against homologous or heterologous wild-type challenge. Attenuated H. meleagridis were developed from 2 different strains (Buford strain originating in Georgia; PHL2017 strain originating in Northwest Arkansas). Buford P80a (passage 80, assigned as isolate lineage “a” following repeated passage) was selected as the primary vaccine candidate and was evaluated in Experiments 1–3. Experiment 4 evaluated selected candidates of attenuated PHL2017 (P67, P129) and Buford (P80a, P200a, P138b, P198c) strains against Buford wild-type challenge. As has been demonstrated previously, wild-type H. meleagridis cultures administered orally after 1 day of age were not infective in the current studies, but infection with wild-type cultures could be induced orally at day-of-hatch. Infection was effectively achieved via the intracloacal route at day-of-hatch and in older turkeys (d 21, d 28–29, d 35). Intracloacal inoculation of turkeys with the attenuated passaged isolates as vaccine candidates at d 14 was shown to produce significant (P < 0.05) protection from mortality, reduction in body weight gain, as well as reduction in hepatic and cecal lesions in these experiments following challenge with either the homologous wild-type isolate or from a wild-type strain obtained years later from a geographically disparate area of the United States. Inoculation with the attenuated H. meleagridis isolates at day-of-hatch, either orally or cloacally, did not produce significant protection against subsequent wild-type challenge. While offering significant protection with minimal vaccine-related negative effects, the protection from cloacal vaccine administration was neither significantly robust nor encouraging for industry application using the methods evaluated in the present manuscript since mortalities and lesions were not completely reduced which could thereby potentially allow transmission from residual infection and shedding within a flock.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Beer
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - B D M Graham
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - T L Barros
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - J D Latorre
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - G Tellez-Isaias
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - A L Fuller
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - B M Hargis
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - C N Vuong
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
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4
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Lagler J, Schmidt S, Mitra T, Stadler M, Grafl B, Hatfaludi T, Hess M, Gerner W, Liebhart D. Comparative investigation of IFN-γ-producing T cells in chickens and turkeys following vaccination and infection with the extracellular parasite Histomonas meleagridis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 116:103949. [PMID: 33253751 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The re-emerging disease histomonosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis that affects chickens and turkeys. Previously, protection by vaccination with in vitro attenuated H. meleagridis has been demonstrated and an involvement of T cells, potentially by IFN-γ production, was hypothesized. However, comparative studies between chickens and turkeys on H. meleagridis-specific T cells were not conducted yet. This work investigated IFN-γ production within CD4+, CD8α+ and TCRγδ+ (chicken) or CD3ε+CD4-CD8α- (turkey) T cells of spleen and liver from vaccinated and/or infected birds using clonal cultures of a monoxenic H. meleagridis strain. In infected chickens, re-stimulated splenocytes showed a significant increase of IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells. Contrariwise, significant increments of IFN-γ-producing cells within all major T-cell subsets of the spleen and liver were found for vaccinated/infected turkeys. This indicates that the vaccine in turkeys causes more intense systemic immune responses whereas in chickens protection might be mainly driven by local immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lagler
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Selma Schmidt
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Taniya Mitra
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Maria Stadler
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Beatrice Grafl
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Tamas Hatfaludi
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wilhelm Gerner
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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5
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Wei Z, Abraham M, Chadwick EV, Beckstead RB. Histomonas meleagridis isolates compared by virulence and gene expression. Vet Parasitol 2020; 286:109233. [PMID: 32949865 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pathology and putative virulence factor expression of three Histomonas meleagridis isolates differing in geographic origin, cell passage number (56 or 100), or cell populations grown from a monoculture were compared. Turkey poults inoculated with the high cell passage number isolates or monoculture isolates varied in gross lesion severity and weight gain (P<0.0001). Screening of a published H. meleagridis cDNA library identified forty- eight cysteine proteinases (CP) and one superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) proposed to function in either tissue damage and/or invasion and oxidative defense. The Fe-SOD and eight CPs were analyzed using real time polymerase chain reaction. CP2, CP3, and CP8 showed significant differences in expression among the field isolates (P ≤ 0.05). The high passage isolates had decreased CP2, CP3 and CP4 expression when compared with their field isolate. CP7 did not differ between field isolates or the 56-passaged isolate. The Fe-SOD gene showed significant differences in expression among the various isolates. When exposing cultured H. meleagridis to air, Fe-SOD expression decreased rapidly during the first hour of air exposure but increased progressively through the next 3 h. This study provides information on gross pathology and virulence factors associated with various isolates of Histomonas meleagridis which can aid in determining the pathogenetic mechanisms used by this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehui Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Mathew Abraham
- Breathitt Veterinary Center, Murray State University, Hopkinsville, KY 42240, USA
| | - Elle V Chadwick
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Robert B Beckstead
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
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6
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Chadwick E, Malheiros R, Oviedo E, Cordova Noboa HA, Quintana Ospina GA, Alfaro Wisaquillo MC, Sigmon C, Beckstead R. Early infection with Histomonas meleagridis has limited effects on broiler breeder hens' growth and egg production and quality. Poult Sci 2020; 99:4242-4248. [PMID: 32867968 PMCID: PMC7598008 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A study was conducted to determine differences between Histomonas meleagridis–infected and control pullets based on disease signs, hen growth, and egg production and quality. Ross 708SF females were weighed and then placed in pens on the day of hatch (92 chicks/pen). At 25 D, 4 pens were infected with H. meleagridis in the cloaca, whereas 4 pens were control. At 5, 10, and 20 D after inoculation, 5 birds per pen (2 birds per pen at 20 D) were subjectively scored for blackhead disease. Birds were feed restricted based on BW and/or egg production. Individual BW were collected at 3, 5, 13, 15, 20, and 64 wk. Egg production was recorded at 24–63 wk. Egg quality was measured at 30, 34, 39, 42, and 56 wk and included shell and vitelline membrane strength, shell thickness, egg weight, and Haugh units. Hatchability was measured at 27, 37, and 60 wk and fertility at 27 and 37 wk. Treatment effects were determined by JMP Pro 14 using GLM with means separated using the Student t test (P ≤ 0.05). Cecal lesions were apparent on 5, 10, and 20 D and liver lesions on 10 and 20 D for the infected birds. The control had no histomoniasis lesions. Flock uniformity differed on wk 13 and 20 (P = 0.04; 0.04). Infected birds weighed less at 64 wk (P = 0.002). The onset of lay was not delayed. Infected birds produced more eggs during 1 period (P = 0.02). The infected birds produced heavier eggs at 30 wk (P = 0.04), eggs with a stronger and thicker shell at 42 wk (P = 0.05, 0.03), and eggs with a stronger vitelline membrane at 56 wk (P = 0.049). Hatchability and fertility did not differ (P > 0.05). H. meleagridis was observed in the infected birds' cecal samples at trial termination. This study indicates early infection with H. meleagridis has limited effects on pullet egg production and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elle Chadwick
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7608, USA
| | - Ramon Malheiros
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7608, USA
| | - Edgar Oviedo
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7608, USA
| | | | | | | | - Christina Sigmon
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7608, USA
| | - Robert Beckstead
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7608, USA.
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Lagler J, Mitra T, Schmidt S, Pierron A, Vatzia E, Stadler M, Hammer SE, Mair KH, Grafl B, Wernsdorf P, Rauw F, Lambrecht B, Liebhart D, Gerner W. Cytokine production and phenotype of Histomonas meleagridis-specific T cells in the chicken. Vet Res 2019; 50:107. [PMID: 31806018 PMCID: PMC6896354 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0726-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis is the causative agent of the re-emerging disease histomonosis of chickens and turkeys. Due to the parasite’s extracellular occurrence, a type-2 differentiation of H. meleagridis-specific T cells has been hypothesized. In contrast, a recent study suggested that IFN-γ mRNA+ cells are involved in protection against histomonosis. However, the phenotype and cytokine production profile of H. meleagridis-specific T cells still awaits elucidation. In this work, clonal cultures of a virulent monoxenic strain of H. meleagridis were used for infecting chickens to detect IFN-γ protein and IL-13 mRNA by intracellular cytokine staining and PrimeFlow™ RNA Assays, respectively, in CD4+ and CD8β+ T cells. Infection was confirmed by characteristic pathological changes in the cecum corresponding with H. meleagridis detection by immunohistochemistry and H. meleagridis-specific antibodies in serum. In splenocytes stimulated either with H. meleagridis antigen or PMA/ionomycin, IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells from infected chickens increased in comparison to cells from non-infected birds 2 weeks and 5 weeks post-infection. Additionally, an increase of IFN-γ-producing CD4−CD8β− cells upon H. meleagridis antigen and PMA/ionomycin stimulation was detected. Contrariwise, frequencies of IL-13 mRNA-expressing cells were low even after PMA/ionomycin stimulation and mainly had a CD4−CD8β− phenotype. No clear increase of IL-13+ cells related to H. meleagridis infection could be found. In summary, these data suggest that H. meleagridis infection induces a type-1 differentiation of CD4+ T cells but also of non-CD4+ cells. This phenotype could include γδ T cells, which will be addressed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lagler
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Taniya Mitra
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Selma Schmidt
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alix Pierron
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eleni Vatzia
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Stadler
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabine E Hammer
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerstin H Mair
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beatrice Grafl
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Wernsdorf
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabienne Rauw
- Avian Virology & Immunology Unit, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Dieter Liebhart
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wilhelm Gerner
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Monoyios A, Hummel K, Nöbauer K, Patzl M, Schlosser S, Hess M, Bilic I. An Alliance of Gel-Based and Gel-Free Proteomic Techniques Displays Substantial Insight Into the Proteome of a Virulent and an Attenuated Histomonas meleagridis Strain. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:407. [PMID: 30505807 PMCID: PMC6250841 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The unicellular protozoan Histomonas meleagridis is notorious for being the causative agent of histomonosis, which can cause high mortality in turkeys and substantial production losses in chickens. The complete absence of commercially available curative strategies against the disease renders the devising of novel approaches a necessity. A fundamental step toward this objective is to understand the flagellate's virulence and attenuation mechanisms. For this purpose we have previously conducted a comparative proteomic analysis of an in vitro cultivated virulent and attenuated histomonad parasite using two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF. The current work aimed to substantially extend the knowledge of the flagellate's proteome by applying 2D-DIGE and sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH) MS as tools on the two well-defined strains. In the gel-based experiments, 49 identified protein spots were found to be differentially expressed, of which 37 belonged to the in vitro cultivated virulent strain and 12 to the attenuated one. The most frequently identified proteins in the virulent strain take part in cytoskeleton formation, carbohydrate metabolism and adaptation to stress. However, post-translationally modified or truncated ubiquitous cellular proteins such as actin and GAPDH were identified as upregulated in multiple gel positions. This indicated their contribution to processes not related to cytoskeleton and carbohydrate metabolism, such as fibronectin or plasminogen binding. Proteins involved in cell division and cytoskeleton organization were frequently observed in the attenuated strain. The findings of the gel-based studies were supplemented by the gel-free SWATH MS analysis, which identified and quantified 42 significantly differentially regulated proteins. In this case proteins with peptidase activity, metabolic proteins and actin-regulating proteins were the most frequent findings in the virulent strain, while proteins involved in hydrogenosomal carbohydrate metabolism dominated the results in the attenuated one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Monoyios
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Hummel
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Nöbauer
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Patzl
- Department for Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Schlosser
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Mitra T, Kidane FA, Hess M, Liebhart D. Unravelling the Immunity of Poultry Against the Extracellular Protozoan Parasite Histomonas meleagridis Is a Cornerstone for Vaccine Development: A Review. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2518. [PMID: 30450097 PMCID: PMC6224373 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis is the causative agent of histomonosis in gallinaceous birds, predominantly in turkeys and chickens. Depending on the host species the outcome of the disease can be very severe with high mortality as observed in turkeys, whereas in chickens the mortality rates are generally lower. The disease is known for more than 100 years when in vitro and in vivo investigations started to understand histomonosis and the causative pathogen. For decades histomonosis could be well-controlled by effective drugs for prevention and therapy until the withdrawal of such chemicals for reasons of consumer protection in Europe, the USA and additional countries worldwide. Consequently, research efforts also focused to find new strategies against the disease, resulting in the development of an efficacious live-attenuated vaccine. In addition to efficacy and safety several studies were performed to obtain a deeper understanding of the immune response of the host against H. meleagridis. It could be demonstrated that antibodies accumulate in different parts of the intestine of chickens following infection with H. meleagridis which was much pronounced in the ceca. Furthermore, expression profiles of various cytokines revealed that chickens mounted an effective cecal innate immune response during histomonosis compared to turkeys. Studying the cellular immune response following infection and/or vaccination of host birds showed a limitation of pronounced changes of B cells and T-cell subsets in vaccinated birds in comparison to non-protected birds. Additionally, numbers of lymphocytes including cytotoxic T cells increased in the ceca of diseased turkeys compared to infected chickens suggesting an immunopathological impact on disease pathogenesis. The identification of type 1 and type 2 T-helper (Th) cells in infected and lymphoid organs by in situ hybridization did not show a clear separation of Th cells during infection but revealed a coherence of an increase of interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA positive cells in ceca and protection. The present review not only summarizes the research performed on the immune response of host birds in the course of histomonosis but also highlights the specific features of H. meleagridis as a model organism to study immunological principles of an extracellular organism in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Mitra
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fana Alem Kidane
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Kidane FA, Mitra T, Wernsdorf P, Hess M, Liebhart D. Allocation of Interferon Gamma mRNA Positive Cells in Caecum Hallmarks a Protective Trait Against Histomonosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1164. [PMID: 29892298 PMCID: PMC5985309 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Histomonosis is a parasitic disease of gallinaceous birds characterized by necrotic lesions in cacum and liver that usually turns fatal in turkeys while it is less severe in chickens. Vaccination using in vitro attenuated Histomonas meleagridis has been experimentally shown to confer protection against histomonosis. The protective mechanisms that underpin the vaccine-induced immune response are not resolved so far. Therefore, the actual study aimed to evaluate the location and quantitative distribution patterns of signature cytokines of type 1 [interferon gamma (IFN-γ)] or type 2 [interleukin (IL)-13] immune responses in vaccinated or infected hosts. An intergroup and interspecies difference in the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of cytokine mRNA positive cells was evident. Quantification of cells showed a significantly decreased percentage of IFN-γ mRNA positive cells at 4 days post-inoculation (DPI) in caeca of turkeys inoculated exclusively with the attenuated or the virulent inocula, compared to control birds. The decrement was followed by a surge of cells expressing mRNA for IFN-γ or IL-13, reaching a peak of increment at 10 DPI. By contrast, turkeys challenged following vaccination showed a slight increment of cecal IFN-γ mRNA positive cells at 4 DPI after which positive cell counts became comparable to control birds. The increase in infected birds was accompanied by an extensive distribution of positively stained cells up to the muscularis layer of cecal tissue whereas the vaccine group maintained an intact mucosal structure. In chickens, the level of changes of positive cells was generally lower compared to turkeys. However, control chickens were found with a higher percentage of IFN-γ mRNA positive cells in cecum compared to their turkey counterparts indicating a higher resistance to histomonosis, similar to the observation in immunized turkeys. In chickens, it could be shown that the changes of cytokine-positive cells were related to variations of mononuclear cells quantified by immunofluorescence. Furthermore, gene expression measured by reverse transcription quantitative real time PCR confirmed variations in organs between the different groups of both bird species. Overall, it can be concluded that a proportionally increased, yet controlled, allocation of IFN-γ mRNA positive cells in caeca hallmarks a protective trait against histomonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fana Alem Kidane
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Taniya Mitra
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Wernsdorf
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Monoyios A, Patzl M, Schlosser S, Hess M, Bilic I. Unravelling the differences: comparative proteomic analysis of a clonal virulent and an attenuated Histomonas meleagridis strain. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:145-157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Mitra T, Gerner W, Kidane FA, Wernsdorf P, Hess M, Saalmüller A, Liebhart D. Vaccination against histomonosis limits pronounced changes of B cells and T-cell subsets in turkeys and chickens. Vaccine 2017; 35:4184-4196. [PMID: 28662952 PMCID: PMC5604733 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis is the causative agent of histomonosis in gallinaceous birds. In turkeys, the disease can result in high mortality due to severe inflammation and necrosis in caecum and liver, whereas in chickens the disease is less severe. Recently, experimental vaccination was shown to protect chickens and turkeys against histomonosis but dynamics in the cellular immune response are not yet demonstrated. In the present work, different groups of birds of both species were vaccinated with attenuated, and/or infected with virulent histomonads. Flow cytometry was applied at different days post inoculation to analyse the absolute number of T-cell subsets and B cells in caecum, liver, spleen and blood, in order to monitor changes in these major lymphocyte subsets. In addition, in chicken samples total white blood cells were investigated. Infected turkeys showed a significant decrease of T cells in the caecum within one week post infection compared to control birds, whereas vaccination showed delayed changes. The challenge of vaccinated turkeys led to a significant increase of all investigated lymphocytes in the blood already at 4 DPI, indicating an effective and fast recall response of the primed immune system. In the caecum of chickens, changes of B cells, CD4+ and CD8α+ T cells were much less pronounced than in turkeys, however, mostly caused by virulent histomonads. Analyses of whole blood in non-vaccinated but infected chickens revealed increasing numbers of monocytes/macrophages on all sampling days, whereas a decrease of heterophils was observed directly after challenge, suggesting recruitment of this cell population to the local site of infection. Our results showed that virulent histomonads caused more severe changes in the distribution of lymphocyte subsets in turkeys compared to chickens. Moreover, vaccination with attenuated histomonads resulted in less pronounced alterations in both species, even after challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Mitra
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Wilhelm Gerner
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Fana Alem Kidane
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Wernsdorf
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Armin Saalmüller
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
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Sulejmanovic T, Bilic I, Hess M, Liebhart D. An in vitro attenuated strain of Histomonas meleagridis provides cross-protective immunity in turkeys against heterologous virulent isolates. Avian Pathol 2017; 45:46-53. [PMID: 26542637 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2015.1117057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In the current study, cross-protective immunity induced by a well-defined clonal strain of Histomonas meleagridis, attenuated by prolonged in vitro cultivation against different clonal heterologous isolates of the same parasite was investigated. For this purpose, 86 turkey poults were assigned to groups consisting of 9-10 birds. Birds of four groups were vaccinated on their 1st day of life followed by re-vaccination on their 14th day of life when the remaining turkeys were left untreated. The challenge was performed using four strains of H. meleagridis that were isolated from chickens or turkeys from different outbreaks of histomonosis in Europe and three of them showed diversities in their genome. Hence, every strain used for the challenge was applied to a group of vaccinated and a group of non-vaccinated birds while birds of the negative control group were sham inoculated. Non-vaccinated birds suffered from severe histomonosis due to the challenge with fatalities reaching from 5 to 10 turkeys per group. Vaccinated birds did not contract clinical signs of the disease following challenge and the increase in weight was unaffected compared to birds of the negative control group. A significant difference in lesion scores was recorded between vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups, with very few instances of liver involvement in the former groups. Livers of vaccinated birds that were without recordable macroscopic lesions were also found negative by immunohistochemical investigation. According to the data obtained, the present study demonstrates, for the first time, the cross-protective capability of a tentative vaccine strain of H. meleagridis attenuated in vitro against heterologous virulent isolates of different origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sulejmanovic
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna , Austria
| | - I Bilic
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna , Austria
| | - M Hess
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna , Austria.,b Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV) , Vienna , Austria
| | - D Liebhart
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna , Austria
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Liebhart D, Ganas P, Sulejmanovic T, Hess M. Histomonosis in poultry: previous and current strategies for prevention and therapy. Avian Pathol 2016; 46:1-18. [PMID: 27624771 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2016.1229458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Histomonosis is a parasitic disease of poultry with worldwide prevalence. The disease can cause morbidity and mortality in chicken and turkey flocks entailing severe economic losses. In the first half of the last century, there was a high demand to control histomonosis as the turkey industry was severely affected by the disease. Consequently, numerous chemical compounds were tested for their efficacy against Histomonas meleagridis with varying outcomes, that are summarized and specified in this review. At the same time, preliminary attempts to protect birds with cultured histomonads indicated the possibility of vaccination. Several years ago antihistomonal drugs were banned in countries with tight regulations on pharmaceuticals in order to comply with the demand of consumer protection. As a consequence, outbreaks of histomonosis in poultry flocks increased and the disease became endemic again. New approaches to prevent and treat histomonosis are, therefore, needed and recently performed studies focused on various areas to combat the disease, from alternative chemotherapeutic substances to plant-derived compounds until vaccination, altogether reviewed here. Considering existing regulations and the overall outcome of experimental studies, it can be concluded that vaccination is very promising, despite the fact that various challenges need to be addressed until the first ever developed vaccine based upon live flagellates in human or bird medicine can be marketed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Liebhart
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria
| | - P Ganas
- b Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria
| | - T Sulejmanovic
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria
| | - M Hess
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria.,b Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria
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Hess M, Liebhart D, Bilic I, Ganas P. Histomonas meleagridis--new insights into an old pathogen. Vet Parasitol 2014; 208:67-76. [PMID: 25576442 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan flagellate Histomonas meleagridis is the etiological agent of histomonosis, first described in 1893. It is a fastidious disease in turkeys, with pathological lesions in the caeca and liver, sometimes with high mortality. In chickens the disease is less fatal and lesions are often confined to the caeca. The disease was well controlled by applying nitroimidazoles and nitrofurans for therapy or prophylaxis. Since their introduction into the market in the middle of the previous century, research nearly ceased as outbreaks of histomonosis occurred only very rarely. With the ban of these drugs in the last two decades in North America, the European Union and elsewhere, in combination with the changes in animal husbandry, the disease re-emerged. Consequently, research programs were set up in various places focusing on different features of the parasite and the disease. For the first time studies were performed to elucidate the molecular repertoire of the parasite. In addition, research has been started to investigate the parasite's interaction with its host. New diagnostic methods and tools were developed and tested with samples obtained from field outbreaks or experimental infections. Some of these studies aimed to clarify the introduction of the protozoan parasite into a flock and the transmission between birds. Finally, a strong focus was placed on research concentrated on the development of new treatment and prophylactic strategies, urgently needed to combat the disease. This review aims to summarize recent research activities and place them into context with older literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hess
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Ganas
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
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