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González-Barrio D, Carpio AJ, Preite L, Miguel-Vicedo M, Estévez-Reboredo RM, González-Viadero M, Barba-Sánchez R, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D, Fuentes I. Toxoplasma gondii exposure in wildlife in Spain: Is there any predictable threat for humans and domestic animals? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173290. [PMID: 38782291 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis of key importance in veterinary and public health. This article summarizes the available data (from 2000 to 2023) of exposition to Toxoplasma gondii in wildlife species in Spain based on a systematic bibliographic search, as well as further analysis of its potential relationship with environmental variables, biodiversity, anthropogenic impact on the habitat, and the reported human cases of toxoplasmosis. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in carnivorous mammals, birds, ungulate and lagomorph species in Spain was estimated at 69.3 %, 36.4 %, 18.4 %, and 16.2 %, respectively. Among the studies considered, great heterogeneity was observed both between and within taxonomic groups [Cohen's d > 0.8; X2 = 1039.10, df = 4 (p < 0.01) I2 = 97 %, r2 = 1.88, (p < 0.001)] and between and within bioregions [Cohen's d > 0.5; X2 = 368.59, df = 4 (p < 0.01)]. The results of a generalized linear model explaining T. gondii seroprevalence in wild animals suggest the influence of abiotic variables [wetland (p < 0.001), unvegetated (p < 0.001), isothermality (p < 0.001), and mean temperature during wettest quarter (p < 0.05)] and number of intermediate host species as positively associated with increased exposure of wildlife to T. gondii (p < 0.01). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in both wild birds and wild mammals (range: 0.0-51.2 %) mainly from north-centre, northeast, and central-west of Spain. Regarding hospitalisation rates due to toxoplasmosis in humans, some abiotic variables [permanent crops (p < 0.05) and mean temperature during wettest quarter (p < 0.05)] showed a positive association. Despite certain limitations, this research evidences a substantial gap of knowledge on the implication of wildlife in the life cycle of T. gondii in Spain. This lack of knowledge is particularly evident in areas where the human-livestock-wildlife interface overlaps, preventing us from accurately determining its true distribution in different habitats, as well as its potential direct or indirect implications on public and veterinary health.
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Affiliation(s)
- David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health In-stitute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain.
| | - Antonio J Carpio
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales, Cordoba, Spain.
| | - Ludovica Preite
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Mariola Miguel-Vicedo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health In-stitute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain; PhD Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, IMIENS, National University of Distance Education (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa M Estévez-Reboredo
- Epidemiological Surveillance Analysis Area, Spanish National Centre for Epidemiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - María González-Viadero
- Epidemiological Surveillance Analysis Area, Spanish National Centre for Epidemiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Barba-Sánchez
- Epidemiological Surveillance Analysis Area, Spanish National Centre for Epidemiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; The National School of Public Health, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health In-stitute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain; CIBER Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Isabel Fuentes
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health In-stitute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain.
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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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Yang Z, Yuan H, Nie L, Wen Q, Li H, Yang L, Song Y, Luo X, Zhang XX, Yuan ZG. Deciphering the epidemiological dynamics: Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in mainland China's food animals, 2010-2023. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1381537. [PMID: 38633748 PMCID: PMC11021580 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1381537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a significant protozoan pathogen among food animals. Despite the threat to public health by T. gondii infections, there's limited understanding of its seroprevalence and trends in food animals across mainland China. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infections among swine, sheep, goats, chickens, and cattle in mainland China from 2010 to 2023. Methods We searched cross-sectional studies published between 2010 and 2023 that reported the prevalence of T. gondii in food animals from databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data, and the China Science and Technology Journal Database (CQVIP). We performed subgroup analyses to explore the impact of different factors on the seroprevalence of T. gondii. Pooled estimates of T. gondii seroprevalence were calculated with a random-effects model. Results An analysis of 184 studies involving 211985 animals revealed a T. gondii overall seroprevalence of 15.3% (95% CI: 13.1-17.8). Although the seroprevalence of food animals across mainland China was relatively stable from 2010 to 2023, notable variations were observed across different animal types and regions (P < 0.01), along with changes in geographical distribution. Sample type, detection method, animal age, and history of abortion were identified as key risk factors for T. gondii seroprevalence. Conclusion The study conducted a meta-analysis on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in mainland China's Food Animals from 2010 to 2023, and identified key risk factors. These findings advance our understanding of T. gondii infection dynamics, offering critical insights for developing control strategies and guiding public health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zipeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linchong Nie
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingyuan Wen
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haoxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Liulu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yining Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xun Luo
- Kerry Rehabilitation Medicine Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Marian L, Withoeft JA, Fornara MA, Pandolfo GW, D'ambroso Fernandes F, Vogel FSF, Zapala MP, Casagrande RA. Toxoplasmosis outbreak caused by north American genotypes in captive black-tufted marmosets in southern Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 47:100960. [PMID: 38199681 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we describe an outbreak of toxoplasmosis in an enclosure of five Callithrix penicillata in Southern Brazil. The marmosets were found dead and submitted to necropsy and histopathology. Liver, spleen, and lungs were frozen and sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii. Necropsy revealed a liver with a lobular pattern, along with diffusely congested lungs, spleen, and kidneys, and hemorrhage in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Mild-to-moderate, multifocal, necrotic hepatitis and splenitis, multifocal lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis, and moderate, diffuse necrohemorrhagic lymphadenitis were observed. T. gondii tachyzoites were in all the organs mentioned. The detected strains were closely related with the isolates TgWtdUs10, TgSoUs39, and TgShUs2, which were originally found in non-primate species all in the United States of America. This is an unprecedented report of North American strains causing mortality in captive individuals of the species Callithrix penicillata in the Southern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Marian
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Aline Withoeft
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Maria Augusta Fornara
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Willian Pandolfo
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Fagner D'ambroso Fernandes
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 63D, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Milene Pugliese Zapala
- Médica Veterinária, Prefeitura de Brusque, Praça das Bandeiras, 77, Centro 1, Brusque, Santa Catarina 88350-051, Brazil
| | - Renata Assis Casagrande
- Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina 88520-000, Brazil.
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Lignereux L, Tong WH, Tan S, Vyas A, O'handley R. Presence of IgG antibodies is not a reliable marker of Toxoplasma gondii infection in feral mice. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 22:75-79. [PMID: 37727638 PMCID: PMC10506062 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii uses mice as a vector to reach its definitive host, the cat, where it can accomplish its sexual reproduction and produce oocysts, which will contaminate the environment. In this study, we have captured 103 feral house mice (Mus musculus) on Kangaroo Island, Australia. We have measured the level of exposure to T.gondii serologically with the Modified Agglutination Test and conjointly with a T.gondii B1 gene PCR. We have included stringent quality control steps in the molecular analysis to reduce the risk of false positivity and false negativity. Our results indicated a low seroprevalence of 0.97%, 95%CI [-0.36; 0.58] associated with the detection of T.gondii genetic material in 51.46%, 95%CI [41.93, 60.88] of mice brains. Neither sex nor mice body weight had an effect on the PCR outcome. We postulate that both the transmission route, horizontal or vertical, and natural selection processes could lead to this discordance which has been observed elsewhere in wild mice. The question of the biological mechanisms allowing the chronic infection of wild mice in the absence of a measurable humoral immune response remains. Our findings indicate that serological studies should not be used to measure the level of exposure to T.gondii in feral house mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Lignereux
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Wen Han Tong
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Sijie Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Ajai Vyas
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Ryan O'handley
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia
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Mosquera JD, Valle CA, Nieto-Claudin A, Fessl B, Lewbart GA, Deresienski D, Bouazzi L, Zapata S, Villena I, Poulle ML. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Galapagos birds: Inference of risk factors associated with diet. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287403. [PMID: 37405972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic intracellular parasite of particular concern in the conservation of wildlife due to its ability to infect all homeotherms and potentially cause acute fatal disease in naive species. In the Galapagos (Ecuador), an archipelago composed of more than a hundred islets and islands, the presence of T. gondii can be attributed to human-introduced domestic cats, but little is known about its transmission in wildlife populations. We compared the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in sympatric Galapagos wild bird species that differ in diet and contact with oocyst-contaminated soil to determine the relative importance of trophic habits as an exposure factor. Plasma samples were obtained from 163 land birds inhabiting Santa Cruz, one of the cat-inhabited islands, and from 187 seabirds breeding in cat-free surrounding islands (Daphne Major, North Seymour, and South Plaza). These samples were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT ≥ 1:10). All seven species of land birds and 4/6 species of seabirds presented seropositive results. All great frigatebirds (Fregata minor) (N = 25) and swallow-tailed gulls (Creagrus furcatus) (N = 23) were seronegative. Prevalence ranged from 13% in Nazca boobies (Sula granti) to 100% in Galapagos mockingbirds (Mimus parvulus). It decreased from occasional carnivores (63.43%) to granivores-insectivores (26.22%), and strict piscivores (14.62%). These results indicate that the consumption of tissue cysts poses the highest risk of exposure to T. gondii for Galapagos birds, followed by the ingestion of plants and insects contaminated by oocysts as important transmission pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Mosquera
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Carlos A Valle
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ainoa Nieto-Claudin
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Lois Zoo, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Birgit Fessl
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Diane Deresienski
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Leïla Bouazzi
- Comité Universitaire de Ressources pour la Recherche en Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Sonia Zapata
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Isabelle Villena
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Centre de Ressources Biologiques Toxoplasma, CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Marie-Lazarine Poulle
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- CERFE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Boult-aux-Bois, France
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Ducournau C, Cantin P, Alerte V, Quintard B, Popelin-Wedlarski F, Wedlarski R, Ollivet-Courtois F, Ferri-Pisani Maltot J, Herkt C, Fasquelle F, Sannier M, Berthet M, Fretay V, Aubert D, Villena I, Betbeder D, Moiré N, Dimier-Poisson I. Vaccination of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.) with nanoparticle based-Toxoplasma gondii antigens: new hope for captive susceptible species. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:333-346. [PMID: 36997082 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.), new world primates from South America, are very susceptible to toxoplasmosis. Numerous outbreaks of fatal toxoplasmosis in zoos have been identified around the world, resulting in acute respiratory distress and sudden death. To date, preventive hygiene measures or available treatments are not able to significantly reduce this mortality in zoos. Therefore, vaccination seems to be the best long-term solution to control acute toxoplasmosis. Recently, we developed a nasal vaccine composed of total extract of soluble proteins of Toxoplasma gondii associated with muco-adhesive maltodextrin-nanoparticles. The vaccine, which generated specific cellular immune responses, demonstrated efficacy against toxoplasmosis in murine and ovine experimental models. In collaboration with six French zoos, our vaccine was used as a last resort in 48 squirrel monkeys to prevent toxoplasmosis. The full protocol of vaccination includes two intranasal sprays followed by combined intranasal and s.c. administration. No local or systemic side-effects were observed irrespective of the route of administration. Blood samples were collected to study systemic humoral and cellular immune responses up to 1 year after the last vaccination. Vaccination induced a strong and lasting systemic cellular immune response mediated by specific IFN-γ secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Since the introduction of vaccination, no deaths of squirrel monkeys due to T. gondii has been observed for more than 4 years suggesting the promising usage of our vaccine. Moreover, to explain the high susceptibility of naive squirrel monkeys to toxoplasmosis, their innate immune sensors were investigated. It was observed that Toll-like and Nod-like receptors appear to be functional following T. gondii recognition suggesting that the extreme susceptibility to toxoplasmosis may not be linked to innate detection of the parasite.
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Qamar W, Alsayeqh AF. A review of foodborne Toxoplasma gondii with a special focus on its prevalence in Pakistan from 2000 to 2022. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1080139. [PMID: 36744224 PMCID: PMC9890071 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1080139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Third-world countries have a higher prevalence of food-related disorders than developed nations. Millions of people in underdeveloped countries are seriously at risk from the potential water supply contamination with protozoan diseases. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the important protozoans causing diseases in livestock and humans. Despite the standard tests for diagnosing this parasite and different treatment methods, the spread of these parasites is uncontrollable and rising every year due to other management disorders. In this review, we summarize etiopathogenesis and prevalence in Pakistan. We looked for papers reporting the seroprevalence of T. gondii in people and animals between 2000 and 2022 in different databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Pakistan's domestic animals (sheep and goats, horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, and buffaloes), domestic pets (cats and dogs), poultry and rodents, and humans were gathered. According to the findings, sheep had an estimated pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii that varied from 11.20 to 26.50 %, and goats from 24.50 to 38.40%. Whereas in buffalo the opposite trend was followed, and the prevalence was observed is 0% in 2022, in horses, donkeys, and mules, only one study was reported according to which a high prevalence was observed in mules (28.60%) followed by donkeys (23.50%) and horses (23.50%), in cats 38.5% prevalence was observed in a recent study and in dogs 28.43% observed, and in humans from 22 to 60%. Human beings are found to be the most affected species showing high prevalence among all. According to our findings, animals and pets not only serve as a reservoir for the parasite but also serve as a direct route for human infection with T. gondii. The diagnostic techniques used in the observed studies were mostly serological testing whereas only a few studies have only been observed with molecular testing. To know the exact pattern of the disease for its control, the trend of molecular and advanced testing should be adopted as it is more reliable. Moreover, to decrease the transmission chances of T. gondii to humans, it is crucial to manage T. gondii infections in non-human species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warda Qamar
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Abdullah F. Alsayeqh ✉
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Experimental infection of Toxoplasma gondii in specific pathogen-free and commercial broiler chicks. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 90-91:101890. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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10
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Moreira SB, Pereira AHB, Pissinatti TDA, Arruda IF, de Azevedo RRM, Schiffler FB, Amendoeira MRR, Dos Santos AFA, Pissinatti A, Ubiali DG. Subacute multisystemic toxoplasmosis in a captive black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) indicates therapy challenging. J Med Primatol 2022; 51:392-395. [PMID: 35670089 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A 10-year-old black howler monkey presented with a 36-day subacute clinicopathological picture of fever, prostration, inappetence, intestinal hypomotility, and emaciation. Therapy was trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with streptomycin. The liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and spleen presented lesions. Toxoplasma gondii isolation and PCR determined the diagnosis, and indirect fluorescent antibody tests confirmed an increase in antibody titers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Asheley Henrique Barbosa Pereira
- Pathological Anatomy Sector (SAP), Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Thalita de Abreu Pissinatti
- Primatology Sector (SCPrim), Institute of Science and Technology in Biomodels (ICTB), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Igor Falco Arruda
- Toxoplasmosis and other Protozoan Diseases Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Francine Bittencourt Schiffler
- Laboratory of Viral Diversity and Diseases, Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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- Rio de Janeiro Primatology Center (CPRJ/INEA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - André Felipe Andrade Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Viral Diversity and Diseases, Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Guimarães Ubiali
- Pathological Anatomy Sector (SAP), Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
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11
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A Elias M, Maranhão L, Rabelo RM, Soares HS, Ferreira-Neto JS, Valsecchi J, Gennari SM, Santana MIS. Negative seroprevalence for Toxoplasma gondii in free-living primates from Central Amazonia. J Med Primatol 2022; 51:246-249. [PMID: 35578750 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12589] [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: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study presents 35 negative serologies for antibodies anti-T. gondii in free-living primates from Central Amazonia. Our results suggest that these populations have not had contact with the parasite and, therefore, do not have antibodies. This was the first study surveying T. gondii in Cacajao, Callicebus, Pithecia, and Saguinus monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica A Elias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Animal, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Louise Maranhão
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Ecologia de Vertebrados Terrestres, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, Brazil.,Rede de Pesquisa em Diversidade, Conservação e Uso da Fauna da Amazônia (REDEFAUNA), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Rabelo
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Ecologia de Vertebrados Terrestres, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, Brazil
| | - Herbert Sousa Soares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Única, Universidade Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - João Valsecchi
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Ecologia de Vertebrados Terrestres, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, Brazil.,Rede de Pesquisa em Diversidade, Conservação e Uso da Fauna da Amazônia (REDEFAUNA), Manaus, Brazil
| | - Solange Maria Gennari
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Única, Universidade Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil.,Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Cândido SL, Fonseca MJDOR, Pacheco RDC, Campos CGD, Morgado TO, Colodel EM, Nakazato L, Dutra V. Molecular detection of
Toxoplasma gondii
and
Neospora caninum
in neotropical primates. J Med Primatol 2022; 51:149-154. [DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stéfhano Luís Cândido
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology and Molecular Biology Veterinary Hospital – HOVET Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – FAVET Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT Cuiabá Brazil
| | - Maria Julia de Oliveira Rosa Fonseca
- Veterinary Pathology Laboratory Veterinary Hospital – HOVET Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – FAVET Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT Cuiabá Brazil
| | - Richard de Campos Pacheco
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases of Domestic and Wild Animals Veterinary Hospital – HOVET Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – FAVET Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT Cuiabá Brazil
| | - Camila Gonçalves de Campos
- Veterinary Pathology Laboratory Veterinary Hospital – HOVET Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – FAVET Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT Cuiabá Brazil
| | - Thais Oliveira Morgado
- Wild Animals Sector Veterinary Hospital – HOVET Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – FAVET Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT Cuiabá Brazil
| | - Edson Moleta Colodel
- Veterinary Pathology Laboratory Veterinary Hospital – HOVET Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – FAVET Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT Cuiabá Brazil
| | - Luciano Nakazato
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology and Molecular Biology Veterinary Hospital – HOVET Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – FAVET Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT Cuiabá Brazil
| | - Valéria Dutra
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology and Molecular Biology Veterinary Hospital – HOVET Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – FAVET Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT Cuiabá Brazil
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13
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McKay PA, Hufschmid J, Meredith AL, Zendejas-Heredia PA, Moseby KE. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur): a comparison of cat-free and cat-exposed populations. AUST J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/zo22010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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14
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protist infecting a wide group of warm-blooded animals, ranging from birds to humans. While this infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, it can also lead to severe ocular or neurological outcomes in immunocompromised individuals or in developing fetuses. This obligate intracellular parasite has the ability to infect a considerable range of nucleated cells and can propagate in the intermediate host. Yet, under the pressure of the immune system it transforms into an encysted persistent form residing primarily in the brain and muscle tissues. Encysted parasites, which are resistant to current medication, may reactivate and give rise to an acute infection. The clinical outcome of toxoplasmosis depends on a complex balance between the host immune response and parasite virulence factors. Susceptibility to the disease is thus determined by both parasite strains and host species. Recent advances on our understanding of host cell-parasite interactions and parasite virulence have brought new insights into the pathophysiology of T. gondii infection and are summarized here.
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15
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Villar-Echarte G, Arruda IF, Barbosa ADS, Guzmán RG, Augusto AM, Troccoli F, Segón AMR, Santos ALC, Zanotto PFDC, Gava MZE, Langoni H, Amendoeira MRR. Toxoplasma gondii among captive wild mammals in zoos in Brazil and Cuba: seroprevalence and associated risk factors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e001921. [PMID: 34133615 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of worldwide distribution that can infect several species of homeothermic animals. Few studies have evaluated the exposure of captive wild animals to T. gondii. This study involved a serological survey of anti-T. gondii antibodies in mammals kept in Cuba's National Zoo (PZN) and in the Rio de Janeiro Zoo (RIOZOO) in Brazil. The study consisted of a total of 231 serum samples from mammals, 108 from PZN and 123 from RIOZOO. All the samples were subjected to IgG anti-T. gondii testing by means of the inhibition ELISA method and the modified agglutination test, respectively. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 85.2% samples from PZN and 32.5% samples from RIOZOO. At the PZN, Perissodactyla (92.3%) was the order with the highest serological prevalence rate, whereas at the RIOZOO, the order Primates (46.7%) stood out (p<0.05). In addition to this association, the origin of the PZN animals was also associated with T. gondii infection. This finding demonstrates the need for constant veterinary monitoring of captive wild mammals in order to link the serological diagnosis with clinical alterations indicative of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ginette Villar-Echarte
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Igor Falco Arruda
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ana Letícia Carvalho Santos
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Paula Ferraz de Camargo Zanotto
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Mariana Zanchetta E Gava
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Hélio Langoni
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
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16
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Mukhopadhyay D, Arranz-Solís D, Saeij JPJ. Influence of the Host and Parasite Strain on the Immune Response During Toxoplasma Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:580425. [PMID: 33178630 PMCID: PMC7593385 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.580425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an exceptionally successful parasite that infects a very broad host range, including humans, across the globe. The outcome of infection differs remarkably between hosts, ranging from acute death to sterile infection. These differential disease patterns are strongly influenced by both host- and parasite-specific genetic factors. In this review, we discuss how the clinical outcome of toxoplasmosis varies between hosts and the role of different immune genes and parasite virulence factors, with a special emphasis on Toxoplasma-induced ileitis and encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debanjan Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - David Arranz-Solís
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jeroen P J Saeij
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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17
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Quintard B, François‐Brazier C, Giorgiadis M, Lefaux B, Lemberger K. Suspicion of epizootic
Lawsonia intracellularis
disease in a group of pileated gibbons (
Hylobates pileatus
). VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Brice Lefaux
- Parc Zoologique et Botanique de MulhouseMulhouseFrance
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18
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Ducournau C, Moiré N, Carpentier R, Cantin P, Herkt C, Lantier I, Betbeder D, Dimier-Poisson I. Effective Nanoparticle-Based Nasal Vaccine Against Latent and Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Sheep. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2183. [PMID: 33013917 PMCID: PMC7509486 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan of worldwide distribution, able to infect all warm-blooded animals, but particularly sheep. Primary infection in pregnant sheep leads to millions of abortions and significant economic losses for the livestock industry. Moreover, infected animals constitute the main parasitic reservoir for humans. Therefore, the development of a One-health vaccine seems the best prevention strategy. Following earlier work, a vaccine constituted of total extract of Toxoplasma gondii proteins (TE) associated with maltodextrin nanoparticles (DGNP) was developed in rodents. In this study we evaluated the ability of this vaccine candidate to protect against latent and congenital toxoplasmosis in sheep. After two immunizations by either intranasal or intradermal route, DGNP/TE vaccine generated specific Th1-cellular immune response, mediated by APC-secretion of IFN-γ and IL-12. Secretion of IL-10 appeared to regulate this Th1 response for intradermally vaccinated sheep but was absent in intranasally-vaccinated animals. Finally, protection against latent toxoplasmosis and transplacental transmission were explored. Intranasal vaccination led to a marked decrease of brain cysts compared with the non-vaccinated group. This DGNP/TE vaccine administered intranasally conferred a high level of protection against latent toxoplasmosis and its transplacental transmission in sheep, highlighting the potential for development of such a vaccine for studies in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rodolphe Carpentier
- INFINITE, Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, University of Lille, Inserm, Lille, France
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19
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Toxoplasma gondii Recombinant Antigens in the Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Domestic and Farm Animals. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10081245. [PMID: 32707821 PMCID: PMC7459674 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The very common parasite infections in animals are caused by members of Apicomplexa, including Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora sp., and Sarcocystis sp. These parasites pose serious veterinary problems. For example, the development of unambiguous diagnostic algorithms and determining the correct diagnosis are hindered by the similar antigenic structure of these parasites, as well as the multitude of similar disease symptoms presented in an infected animal. The intracellular parasite, T. gondii, infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. This parasite is widespread among different animal populations, contributes to the loss of reproductive and malformations in young individuals, and can become a serious economic concern for farmers. Additionally, the consumption of undercooked or raw meat and the consumption of improperly processed milk product derived from farm animals are the main parasite transmission routes in humans. This work reviews potential improvements to diagnostic techniques that use recombinant antigens for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in various species of animals. Abstract Toxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, and is a parasitic disease that occurs in all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases of animals and results in reproductive losses. Toxoplasmosis in humans is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked meat or consuming dairy products containing the parasite. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is currently based on serological assays using native antigens to detect specific anti-T. gondii antibodies. Due to the high price, the available commercial agglutination assays are not suited to test a large number of animal serum samples. The recent development of proteomics elucidated the antigenic structure of T. gondii and enabled the development of various recombinant antigens that can be used in new, cheaper, and more effective diagnostic tools. Continuous development of scientific disciplines, such as molecular biology and genetic engineering, allows for the production of new recombinant antigens and provides the basis for new diagnostic tests for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies in animal serum samples.
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20
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Lynton‐Jenkins JG, Bründl AC, Cauchoix M, Lejeune LA, Sallé L, Thiney AC, Russell AF, Chaine AS, Bonneaud C. Contrasting the seasonal and elevational prevalence of generalist avian haemosporidia in co-occurring host species. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:6097-6111. [PMID: 32607216 PMCID: PMC7319113 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the ecology and evolution of parasites is contingent on identifying the selection pressures they face across their infection landscape. Such a task is made challenging by the fact that these pressures will likely vary across time and space, as a result of seasonal and geographical differences in host susceptibility or transmission opportunities. Avian haemosporidian blood parasites are capable of infecting multiple co-occurring hosts within their ranges, yet whether their distribution across time and space varies similarly in their different host species remains unclear. Here, we applied a new PCR method to detect avian haemosporidia (genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Plasmodium) and to determine parasite prevalence in two closely related and co-occurring host species, blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus, N = 529) and great tits (Parus major, N = 443). Our samples were collected between autumn and spring, along an elevational gradient in the French Pyrenees and over a three-year period. Most parasites were found to infect both host species, and while these generalist parasites displayed similar elevational patterns of prevalence in the two host species, this was not always the case for seasonal prevalence patterns. For example, Leucocytozoon group A parasites showed inverse seasonal prevalence when comparing between the two host species, being highest in winter and spring in blue tits but higher in autumn in great tits. While Plasmodium relictum prevalence was overall lower in spring relative to winter or autumn in both species, spring prevalence was also lower in blue tits than in great tits. Together, these results reveal how generalist parasites can exhibit host-specific epidemiology, which is likely to complicate predictions of host-parasite co-evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aisha C. Bründl
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
- Present address:
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary AnthropologyLeipzigGermany
| | - Maxime Cauchoix
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Léa A. Lejeune
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Louis Sallé
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Alice C. Thiney
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Andrew F. Russell
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
| | - Alexis S. Chaine
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
- Institute for Advanced Studies in ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - Camille Bonneaud
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale (UMR5321)CNRSUniversité Paul SabatierMoulisFrance
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21
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Paula NFD, Dutra KS, Oliveira ARD, Santos DOD, Rocha CEV, Vitor RWDA, Tinoco HP, Costa MELTD, Paixão TAD, Santos RL. Host range and susceptibility toToxoplasma gondiiinfection in captive neotropical and Old‐world primates. J Med Primatol 2020; 49:202-210. [DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Ferreira de Paula
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias Escola de Veterinária Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Kateanne Silva Dutra
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias Escola de Veterinária Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Ayisa Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias Escola de Veterinária Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Daniel Oliveira dos Santos
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias Escola de Veterinária Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Cláudia Emanuela Viana Rocha
- Departamento de Patologia Geral Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | | | - Herlandes Penha Tinoco
- Fundação de Parques Municipais e Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte Hospital Veterinário Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | | | - Tatiane Alves da Paixão
- Departamento de Patologia Geral Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Renato Lima Santos
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias Escola de Veterinária Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
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22
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Nadipuram SM, Thind AC, Rayatpisheh S, Wohlschlegel JA, Bradley PJ. Proximity biotinylation reveals novel secreted dense granule proteins of Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232552. [PMID: 32374791 PMCID: PMC7202600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite which is capable of establishing life-long chronic infection in any mammalian host. During the intracellular life cycle, the parasite secretes an array of proteins into the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) where it resides. Specialized organelles called the dense granules secrete GRA proteins that are known to participate in nutrient acquisition, immune evasion, and host cell-cycle manipulation. Although many GRAs have been discovered which are expressed during the acute infection mediated by tachyzoites, little is known about those that participate in the chronic infection mediated by the bradyzoite form of the parasite. In this study, we sought to uncover novel bradyzoite-upregulated GRA proteins using proximity biotinylation, which we previously used to examine the secreted proteome of the tachyzoites. Using a fusion of the bradyzoite upregulated protein MAG1 to BirA* as bait and a strain with improved switch efficiency, we identified a number of novel GRA proteins which are expressed in bradyzoites. After using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to characterize these proteins by gene knockout, we focused on one of these GRAs (GRA55) and found it was important for the establishment or maintenance of cysts in the mouse brain. These findings highlight new components of the GRA proteome of the tissue-cyst life stage of T. gondii and identify potential targets that are important for maintenance of parasite persistence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhosh Mukund Nadipuram
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Amara Cervantes Thind
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Shima Rayatpisheh
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - James Akira Wohlschlegel
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Peter John Bradley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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23
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Pereira DC, Dubey JP, Mata AD, Neto H, Cardoso L, Lopes AP. Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cattle, sheep, goats and pigs from São Tomé and Príncipe. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2020; 29:e014819. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Despite the global importance of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, little is known regarding its infection in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP). This is the first report of antibodies to T. gondii in cattle, sheep, goats and pigs from the DRSTP. Antibodies were assessed by the modified agglutination test (MAT), with a cut-off titer of 100 for cattle and 20 for sheep, goats and pigs. The present study revealed an overall seroprevalence of 55.8%; 27.1% in 48 cattle, 68.4% in 98 sheep, 70.1% in 97 goats and 43.7% in 103 pigs. The south geographical area for cattle, the central area for sheep, and adult age and living in the central region for goats were found to be risk factors for seropositivity to T. gondii. These results support the scenario of a considerable presence of sporulated oocysts as well as of infected intermediate hosts in the local environment. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat should be considered as an important potential source of infection for animals and humans in the DRSTP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Helda Neto
- Pescas e Desenvolvimento Rural, São Tomé e Príncipe; Laboratório Central de Diagnóstico Veterinário de São Tomé, São Tomé e Príncipe
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal; Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Lopes
- Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal; Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto, Portugal
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Ross AK, Lowry J, Elphinstone A, Lawes JC. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in endangered bridled nailtail wallabies and co-occurring species. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/am19030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect any warm-blooded species; however, seroprevalence in most species remains largely unknown. In this study we examined the presence of T. gondii antibodies in captured individuals in the two remaining wild populations and one captive population of endangered bridled nailtail wallabies (Onychogalea fraenata). Samples from cats (Felis catus), rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and dogs (Canis lupus) were also taken opportunistically during invasive species control at the two wild populations. Seventy-one wallabies, sixteen cats, four rabbits, and two dogs’ blood samples were tested for T. gondii using a modified agglutination test. Half of the tested feral cats (n = 8) were seropositive and all intermediate hosts were seronegative for T. gondii antibodies. This unexpected result suggests a loss of infected individuals before capture and testing, or parasite infectivity being suppressed by Queensland’s hot, dry climate.
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Castaño P, Fernández M, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Fuertes M, Horcajo P, Ferre I, Ferreras MC, Ortega-Mora LM, Pérez V, Benavides J. Peripheral and placental immune responses in sheep after experimental infection with Toxoplasma gondii at the three terms of gestation. Vet Res 2019; 50:66. [PMID: 31533826 PMCID: PMC6751581 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0681-8] [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: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is known that gestation could influence the clinical course of ovine toxoplasmosis, the precise effect of the term of gestation when sheep are infected are yet mostly unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the peripheral and placental immune responses developed in pregnant sheep after experimental infection with Toxoplasma gondii at different times of gestation. Thirty-six pregnant sheep were allocated in different groups, orally inoculated with sporulated oocysts of T. gondii at early, mid and late gestation and culled within 30 days post-infection. The peripheral humoral and cytokine responses were evaluated, as well as the transcription of cytokines at the placenta. Serological analysis revealed that, regardless the term of gestation when infected, specific IgG against T. gondii were detected from day 8 post-infection and there was an early peripheral release of IFN-γ at the first week post-infection followed by a short peak of IL10 and TNF-α at the second week post-infection. There were no significant differences in this response between infected groups. At the placenta, a similar increase in transcription of IFN-γ, and TNF-α was found at the three terms of gestation, while IL-4 increased mainly at the first and second terms and IL-10 transcription was higher at the last term. While these findings show that both Th1 and Th2 cytokines play a key role in the pathogenesis of ovine toxoplasmosis and that placental and peripheral immune responses do not closely correlate, there seems to be no clear modulation of these responses along the gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Castaño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Miguel Fernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Fuertes
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Pilar Horcajo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Carmen Ferreras
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain.
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Pinto-Ferreira F, Pasquali AKS, Thomaz-Soccol V, Mitsuka-Breganó R, Caldart ET, Leandro ADS, Chiyo L, Pozzolo EM, Cubas P, Giordano LGP, Petterle RR, Navarro IT. Epidemiological relevance of dogs for the prevention of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Leptospira spp. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 28:383-394. [PMID: 31390432 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Leptospira spp. in dogs from Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was used to detect antibodies anti-T.gondii and anti-N. caninum. Immunoenzymatic assay and microscopic serum agglutination were used for screening antibodies anti-T.gondii and anti-Leptospira spp., respectively. The results were: 67.02% of the samples reactive for T.gondii and 1.38% for N. caninum, both without statistically significant variables. For Leptospira spp. the results indicated seroprevalence of 23.11%. The analysis of the variables without distinction of serovar showed association for intrinsic characteristics as breed, age, nutritional status and dog category. The extrinsic variables as city region and access to the street presented association (p<0.05). The most prevalent serovars were: Canicola 59.47%; Bratislava 13.07% and Butembo 15.68%. Variables that make up the adjusted multiple analysis model using Leptospira spp. were: age, breed and nutritional status; serovar Canicola, sex, nutritional status and area (p<0.05); serovar Bratislava, lymphadenomegaly and presence of fleas (p<0.05). Given the results obtained, dogs can be used as sentinels for toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis in Foz do Iguaçu and other cities with similar outcomes. In addition, preventive measures should be taken by health authorities because they are zoonoses and humans are also at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Luciana Chiyo
- Prefeitura de Foz do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brasil
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Tokiwa T, Yoshimura H, Hiruma S, Akahori Y, Suzuki A, Ito K, Yamamoto M, Ike K. Toxoplasma gondii infection in Amami spiny rat on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 9:244-247. [PMID: 31211046 PMCID: PMC6562108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The Amami spiny rat (Tokudaia osimensis) is an endangered rodent species that is endemic to the forests of Amami-Oshima Island, Kagoshima, Japan. In July 2018, a deceased adult male Amami spiny rat was found on the Yuwandake Mountain Trail on the south-central coast of Amami-Oshima Island. Histopathological observations revealed protozoan infections in the liver, lungs, and heart. Nested or semi-nested PCRs targeting the B1, SAG3, GRA6, and ROP18 genes successfully detected the genomic DNA of Toxoplasma gondii in the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimen. Sequence analyses of the SAG3, GRA6, and ROP18 genes suggested that the strain detected in the study specimen was related to the type II strain of T. gondii. This is the first confirmed case of T. gondii infection in an Amami spiny rat. A deceased Amami spiny rat was diagnosed with disseminated toxoplasmosis. We present the first case report of T. gondii infection in the Amami spiny rat. Feral cat populations require control to avoid the spread of T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Tokiwa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8602, Japan
| | - Hisashi Yoshimura
- Division of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8602, Japan
| | - Sayoko Hiruma
- Amami Wildlife Conservation Center, Ministry of the Environment, Koshinohata, Ongachi, Yamato-son, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima, 894-3104, Japan
| | - Yukie Akahori
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8602, Japan
| | - Ayami Suzuki
- Division of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8602, Japan
| | - Keiko Ito
- Amami Dog & Cat Animal Hospital, Nakagachi, Tatsugo-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima, 894-0106, Japan
| | - Masami Yamamoto
- Division of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8602, Japan
| | - Kazunori Ike
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Kyonan-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180-8602, Japan
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Innes EA, Hamilton C, Garcia JL, Chryssafidis A, Smith D. A one health approach to vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 15:e00053. [PMID: 32095623 PMCID: PMC7034027 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a serious disease with global impact, now recognised as one of the most important food borne diseases worldwide and a major cause of production loss in livestock. A one health approach to develop a vaccination programme to tackle toxoplasmosis is an attractive and realistic prospect. Knowledge of disease epidemiology, parasite transmission routes and main risk groups has helped to target key host species and outcomes for a vaccine programme and these would be to prevent/reduce congenital disease in women and sheep; prevent/reduce T. gondii tissue cysts in food animal species and to prevent/reduce T. gondii oocyst shedding in cats. Most animals, including humans, develop good protective immunity following infection, involving cell mediated immune responses, which may explain why live vaccines are generally more effective to protect against T. gondii. Recent advances in our knowledge of parasite genetics and gene manipulation, strain variation, key antigenic epitopes, delivery systems and induction of immune responses are all contributing to the prospects of developing new vaccines which may be more widely applicable. A key area in progressing vaccine development is to devise standard vaccine efficacy models in relevant animal hosts and this is where a one health approach bringing together researchers across different disciplines can be of major benefit. The tools and technologies are in place to make a real impact in tackling toxoplasmosis using vaccination and it just requires a collective will to make it happen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth A. Innes
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, Scotland EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Clare Hamilton
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, Scotland EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Joao L. Garcia
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Campus Universitario, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 380, CEP 86057-970 Londrina, Parana, Brazil
| | - Andreas Chryssafidis
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Campus Universitario, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 380, CEP 86057-970 Londrina, Parana, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, Brazil
| | - David Smith
- 5740A Medical Science Building II, 1150 W. Medical Centre Dr, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5620, USA
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Huang WY, Wang YP, Mahmmod YS, Wang JJ, Liu TH, Zheng YX, Zhou X, Zhang XX, Yuan ZG. A Double-Edged Sword: Complement Component 3 in Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Proteomics 2019; 19:e1800271. [PMID: 30515942 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201800271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sprague Dawley rats and Kunming (KM) mice are artificially infected with type II Toxoplasma gondii strain Prugniaud (Pru) to generate toxoplasmosis, which is a fatal disease mediated by T. gondii invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by unknown mechanisms. The aim is to explore the mechanism of differential susceptibility of mice and rats to T. gondii infection. Therefore, a strategy of isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) is established to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the rats' and the mice's brains compared to the healthy groups. In KM mice, which is susceptible to T. gondii infection, complement component 3 (C3) is upregulated and the tight junction (TJ) pathway shows a disorder. It is presumed that T. gondii-stimulated C3 disrupts the TJ of the blood-brain barrier in the CNS. This effect allows more T. gondii passing to the brain through the intercellular space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Yi Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Pei Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yasser S Mahmmod
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.,Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, Zagazig, Sharkia Province, Egypt
| | - Jun-Jie Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Tang-Hui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Xiang Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xue Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, P. R. China
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Treatment of Toxoplasmosis: Historical Perspective, Animal Models, and Current Clinical Practice. Clin Microbiol Rev 2018; 31:31/4/e00057-17. [PMID: 30209035 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00057-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Toxoplasma gondii infection is usually subclinical, but cervical lymphadenopathy or ocular disease can be present in some patients. Active infection is characterized by tachyzoites, while tissue cysts characterize latent disease. Infection in the fetus and in immunocompromised patients can cause devastating disease. The combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine (pyr-sulf), targeting the active stage of the infection, is the current gold standard for treating toxoplasmosis, but failure rates remain significant. Although other regimens are available, including pyrimethamine in combination with clindamycin, atovaquone, clarithromycin, or azithromycin or monotherapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) or atovaquone, none have been found to be superior to pyr-sulf, and no regimen is active against the latent stage of the infection. Furthermore, the efficacy of these regimens against ocular disease remains uncertain. In multiple studies, systematic screening for Toxoplasma infection during gestation, followed by treatment with spiramycin for acute maternal infections and with pyr-sulf for those with established fetal infection, has been shown to be effective at preventing vertical transmission and minimizing the severity of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT). Despite significant progress in treating human disease, there is a strong impetus to develop novel therapeutics for both the acute and latent forms of the infection. Here we present an overview of toxoplasmosis treatment in humans and in animal models. Additional research is needed to identify novel drugs by use of innovative high-throughput screening technologies and to improve experimental models to reflect human disease. Such advances will pave the way for lead candidates to be tested in thoroughly designed clinical trials in defined patient populations.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasitic protozoan that infects almost all warm-blooded animals and humans, resulting in threats to public health and economic losses. Despite continuous research efforts, there are still very few effective strategies against toxoplasmosis. In the past few years, numerous vaccination experiments have been performed to control T. gondii infection. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors summarize the development of T. gondii vaccines with proper adjuvants, ranging from live or live-attenuated vaccines to protein vaccines, DNA vaccines, epitope vaccines and novel vaccines. They also highlight the challenges involved in the development of T. gondii vaccines, including specific impediments and shortcomings. EXPERT OPINION Moving towards the development of effective vaccines against T. gondii is not only a tedious mission but also a difficult challenge. Future studies should consider new approaches and strategies for vaccine development, particularly novel vaccines and genetic adjuvants, as well as optimizing immunization protocols and evaluation criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Li
- a Department of Pathogen Biology , School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan , Shandong , PR China
| | - Huaiyu Zhou
- a Department of Pathogen Biology , School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan , Shandong , PR China
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Differential Gamma Interferon- and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Driven Cytokine Response Distinguishes Acute Infection of a Metatherian Host with Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00173-17. [PMID: 28348050 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00173-17] [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] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum (both Apicomplexa) are closely related cyst-forming coccidian parasites that differ significantly in their host ranges and ability to cause disease. Unlike eutherian mammals, Australian marsupials (metatherian mammals) have long been thought to be highly susceptible to toxoplasmosis and neosporosis because of their historical isolation from the parasites. In this study, the carnivorous fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) was used as a disease model to investigate the immune response and susceptibility to infection of an Australian marsupial to T. gondii and N. caninum The disease outcome was more severe in N. caninum-infected dunnarts than in T. gondii-infected dunnarts, as shown by the severity of clinical and histopathological features of disease and higher tissue parasite burdens in the tissues evaluated. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of spleens from infected dunnarts and mitogen-stimulated dunnart splenocytes was used to define the cytokine repertoires. Changes in mRNA expression during the time course of infection were measured using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) for key Th1 (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]), Th2 (interleukin 4 [IL-4] and IL-6), and Th17 (IL-17A) cytokines. The results show qualitative differences in cytokine responses by the fat-tailed dunnart to infection with N. caninum and T. gondii Dunnarts infected with T. gondii were capable of mounting a more effective Th1 immune response than those infected with N. caninum, indicating the role of the immune response in the outcome scenarios of parasite infection in this marsupial mammal.
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Abstract
Report of the Working Group on Hygiene of the Gesellschaft für Versuchstierkunde–Society for Laboratory Animal Science (GV-SOLAS) GV-SOLAS Working Group on Hygiene: Werner Nicklas (Chairman), Felix R. Homberger, Brunhilde Illgen-Wilcke, Karin Jacobi, Volker Kraft, Ivo Kunstyr, Michael Mähler, Herbert Meyer & Gabi Pohlmeyer-Esch
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Rougier S, Montoya JG, Peyron F. Lifelong Persistence of Toxoplasma Cysts: A Questionable Dogma? Trends Parasitol 2016; 33:93-101. [PMID: 27939103 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It is believed that infection by Toxoplasma gondii triggers a lifelong protective immunity due to the persistence of parasitic cysts which induce immunoprotection against reinfection. A review of the scientific literature since the 1950s did not yield any definitive data regarding the duration of cysts in the host or the presence of lifelong protective immunity, which led us to question this dogma. We put forward the hypothesis that sustained immunity to T. gondii requires repeated antigenic stimulations. The decline of seroprevalence recently observed in many countries might contribute to explain the loss of immunity. We address the potential consequences of this phenomenon, should it persist and worsen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solène Rougier
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Institut de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, F-69317 Lyon, France
| | - Jose G Montoya
- Department of Medicine and Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Palo Alto Medical Foundation Toxoplasma Serology Laboratory, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
| | - François Peyron
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Institut de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, F-69317 Lyon, France.
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Barbieri MM, Kashinsky L, Rotstein DS, Colegrove KM, Haman KH, Magargal SL, Sweeny AR, Kaufman AC, Grigg ME, Littnan CL. Protozoal-related mortalities in endangered Hawaiian monk seals Neomonachus schauinslandi. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2016; 121:85-95. [PMID: 27667806 DOI: 10.3354/dao03047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Protozoal infections have been widely documented in marine mammals and may cause morbidity and mortality at levels that result in population level effects. The presence and potential impact on the recovery of endangered Hawaiian monk seals Neomonachus schauinslandi by protozoal pathogens was first identified in the carcass of a stranded adult male with disseminated toxoplasmosis and a captive monk seal with hepatitis. We report 7 additional cases and 2 suspect cases of protozoal-related mortality in Hawaiian monk seals between 2001 and 2015, including the first record of vertical transmission in this species. This study establishes case definitions for classification of protozoal infections in Hawaiian monk seals. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were the primary diagnostic modalities used to define cases, given that these analyses establish a direct link between disease and pathogen presence. Findings were supported by serology and molecular data when available. Toxoplasma gondii was the predominant apicomplexan parasite identified and was associated with 100% of mortalities (n = 8) and 50% of suspect cases (n = 2). Incidental identification of sarcocysts in the skeletal muscle without tissue inflammation occurred in 4 seals, including one co-infected with T. gondii. In 2015, 2 cases of toxoplasmosis were identified ante-mortem and shared similar clinical findings, including hematological abnormalities and histopathology. Protozoal-related mortalities, specifically due to toxoplasmosis, are emerging as a threat to the recovery of this endangered pinniped and other native Hawaiian taxa. By establishing case definitions, this study provides a foundation for measuring the impact of these diseases on Hawaiian monk seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Barbieri
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
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Castaño P, Fuertes M, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Ferre I, Fernández M, Ferreras MC, Moreno-Gonzalo J, González-Lanza C, Pereira-Bueno J, Katzer F, Ortega-Mora LM, Pérez V, Benavides J. Experimental ovine toxoplasmosis: influence of the gestational stage on the clinical course, lesion development and parasite distribution. Vet Res 2016; 47:43. [PMID: 26983883 PMCID: PMC4793618 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-016-0327-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The relation between gestational age and foetal death risk in ovine toxoplasmosis is already known, but the mechanisms involved are not yet clear. In order to study how the stage of gestation influences these mechanisms, pregnant sheep of the same age and genetic background were orally dosed with 50 oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii (M4 isolate) at days 40 (G1), 90 (G2) and 120 (G3) of gestation. In each group, four animals were culled on the second, third and fourth week post infection (pi) in order to evaluate parasite load and distribution, and lesions in target organs. Ewes from G1 showed a longer period of hyperthermia than the other groups. Abortions occurred in all groups. While in G2 they were more frequent during the acute phase of the disease, in G3 they mainly occurred after day 20 pi. After challenge, parasite and lesions in the placentas and foetuses were detected from day 19 pi in G3 while in G2 or G1 they were only detected at day 26 pi. However, after initial detection at day 19 pi, parasite burden, measured through RT-PCR, in placenta or foetus of G3 did not increase significantly and, at in the third week pi it was lower than that measured in foetal liver or placenta from G1 to G3 respectively. These results show that the period of gestation clearly influences the parasite multiplication and development of lesions in the placenta and foetus and, as a consequence, the clinical course in ovine toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Castaño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Miguel Fuertes
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Fernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - M Carmen Ferreras
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno-Gonzalo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Camino González-Lanza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Juana Pereira-Bueno
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Frank Katzer
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain.
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Paredes-Santos TC, Tomita T, Yan Fen M, de Souza W, Attias M, Vommaro RC, Weiss LM. Development of dual fluorescent stage specific reporter strain of Toxoplasma gondii to follow tachyzoite and bradyzoite development in vitro and in vivo. Microbes Infect 2016; 18:39-47. [PMID: 26432517 PMCID: PMC4715970 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan that infects 30% of humans as intermediate hosts. T Sexual reproduction can occur only within the intestinal tract of felines, however, infection in other mammals and birds is associated with asexual replication and interconversion between the tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages. Bradyzoites are slow growing forms found in tissue cysts in latent infection. Recently, our group described the biological behavior of the EGS strain that forms thick walled cysts spontaneously in tissue culture, constituting a useful tool for examining the developmental biology of T. gondii. To further improve the usefulness of this model, we constructed genetically modified EGS parasites that express fluorescent tags under the control of stage specific promoters. The promoter regions for SAG-1 (tachyzoite specific), BAG-1 and LDH-2 (bradyzoite specific) were amplified by PCR and plasmids were constructed with mCherry (redT) and sfGFP (greenB) sequences, respectively. Strains of parasites were selected using FACS to arrive at single fluorescent and dual fluorescent strains of EGS expressing tags in a stage specific manner. In cell cultures, vacuoles labeled by immunofluorescence assay using anti-CST-1 a marker for T. gondii cyst wall contained parasites that were positive for BAG1-GFP and negative for SAG1-mCherry. Tachyzoites and bradyzoites harvested from the mice expressed stage specific mCherry and GFP proteins, respectively. These new dual fluorescent transgenic EGS strains are a promising tool to elucidate the mechanisms of T. gondii differentiation both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Paredes-Santos
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - T Tomita
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine - AECOM, USA
| | - M Yan Fen
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine - AECOM, USA
| | - W de Souza
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M Attias
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - R C Vommaro
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - L M Weiss
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine - AECOM, USA.
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Fancourt BA. Diagnosing species decline: a contextual review of threats,causes and future directions for management and conservation of the eastern quoll. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/wr15188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Diagnosing the cause of a species’ decline is one of the most challenging tasks faced by conservation practitioners. For a species approaching extinction, it is not possible to go back in time to measure the agents that operated at various stages of the decline. Accordingly, managers are often restricted to measuring factors currently affecting residual populations, which may not be related to factors that operated earlier in the decline, and inferring other mechanisms from different lines of evidence. In this review, I adopt a methodical diagnostic framework to comprehensively evaluate the potential causal factors for the decline of the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) in Tasmania, and propose a hypothesis as to the cause of decline. Potential causal agents were gleaned from two key sources: factors implicated in the eastern quoll’s historical demise on the Australian mainland, and factors that changed during the recent period of quoll decline in Tasmania. The three most likely candidate causal agents were investigated over 4 years to evaluate their likely contribution to the decline. Here, I synthesise the findings from this recent research to advance a hypothesis as to the cause of the eastern quoll decline in Tasmania. I suggest that a period of unsuitable weather reduced quoll populations to an unprecedented low abundance, and that populations are now too small to overcome established threat intensities to which they were robust when at higher densities. Residual small populations are inherently more susceptible to demographic, environmental and genetic stochasticity and are unlikely to recover without management intervention. I propose a study design to experimentally test this hypothesis, and outline priority areas for future research and actions to guide in the future management and conservation of the species. This case study illustrates an approach by which practical species conservation problems might be solved and recovery strategies may be better informed, thereby ensuring positive conservation outcomes for threatened species.
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Siskos N, Lampe K, Kaup FJ, Mätz-Rensing K. Unique case of disseminated toxoplasmosis and concurrent hepatic capillariasis in a ring-tailed lemur: first case description. Primate Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.5194/pb-2-9-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract. A unique co-infection with Toxoplasma gondii and Capillaria hepatica is reported in a semi-free-living ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). In this case acute toxoplasmosis, characterised by severe necrotising inflammation in different organs, was the leading cause of death, whilst accompanying chronic capillariasis was regarded as a predisposing factor. A concise description of both disease manifestations is given.
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Wang S, Zhao GW, Wang W, Zhang ZC, Shen B, Hassan IA, Xie Q, Yan RF, Song XK, Xu LX, Li XR. Pathogenicity of Five Strains of Toxoplasma gondii from Different Animals to Chickens. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2015; 53:155-62. [PMID: 25925173 PMCID: PMC4416365 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.2.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a broad range of intermediate hosts. Chickens as important food-producing animals can also serve as intermediate hosts. To date, experimental studies on the pathogenicity of T. gondii in broiler chickens were rarely reported. The objective of the present study was to compare the pathogenicity of 5 different T. gondii strains (RH, CN, JS, CAT2, and CAT3) from various host species origin in 10-day-old chickens. Each group of chickens was infected intraperitoneally with 5×108, 1×108, 1×107, and 1×106 tachyzoites of the 5 strains, respectively. The negative control group was mockly inoculated with PBS alone. After infection, clinical symptoms and rectal temperatures of all the chickens were checked daily. Dead chickens during acute phage of the infection were checked for T. gondii tachyzoites by microscope, while living cases were checked for T. gondii infection at day 53 post-inoculation (PI) by PCR method. Histopathological sections were used to observe the pathological changes in the dead chickens and the living animals at day 53 PI. No significant differences were found in survival periods, histopathological findings, and clinical symptoms among the chickens infected with the RH, CN, CAT2, and CAT3 strains. Histopathological findings and clinical symptoms of the JS (chicken origin) group were similar to the others. However, average survival times of infected chickens of the JS group inoculated with 5×108 and 1×108 tachyzoites were 30.0 and 188.4 hr, respectively, significantly shorter than those of the other 4 mammalian isolates. Chickens exposed to 108 of T. gondii tachyzoites and higher showed acute signs of toxoplasmosis, and the lesions were relatively more severe than those exposed to lower doses. The results indicated that the pathogenicity of JS strain was comparatively stronger to the chicken, and the pathogenicity was dose-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Guang-Wei Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Wang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Zhen-Chao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Bo Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - I A Hassan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Qing Xie
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Ruo-Feng Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Kai Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Li-Xin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
| | - Xiang-Rui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, P. R. China
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41
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Asencio MA, Herraez O, Tenias JM, Garduño E, Huertas M, Carranza R, Ramos JM. Seroprevalence Survey of Zoonoses in Extremadura, Southwestern Spain, 2002–2003. Jpn J Infect Dis 2015; 68:106-12. [DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2014.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Oscar Herraez
- Clinical Analysis Services, Hospital General La Mancha Centro
| | | | - Eugenio Garduño
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina
| | - Maria Huertas
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital General La Mancha Centro
| | - Rafael Carranza
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital General La Mancha Centro
| | - Julian Mauro Ramos
- Health Statistics and Analysis Unit, Directorate General of Health Research and Quality Management of the Department of Health and Dependency, Regional Government of Extremadura
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Fancourt BA, Nicol SC, Hawkins CE, Jones ME, Johnson CN. Beyond the disease: Is Toxoplasma gondii infection causing population declines in the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus)? Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2014; 3:102-12. [PMID: 25161908 PMCID: PMC4142269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Disease is often considered a key threat to species of conservation significance. For some, it has resulted in localised extinctions and declines in range and abundance. However, for some species, the assertion that a disease poses a significant threat of extinction is based solely on correlative or anecdotal evidence, often inferred from individual clinical case reports. While a species' susceptibility to a disease may be demonstrated in a number of individuals, investigations rarely extend to measuring the impact of disease at the population level and its contribution, if any, to population declines. The eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized Australian marsupial carnivore that is undergoing severe and rapid decline in Tasmania, its last refuge. Reasons for the decline are currently not understood. Feral cats (Felis catus) may be undergoing competitive release following the ongoing decline of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), with cats suppressing eastern quolls through increased predation, competition, exclusion or exposure to diseases such as toxoplasmosis. To investigate the effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection, eastern quoll populations at four sites were regularly screened for the seroprevalence of T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies. Seroprevalence was approximately five times higher at sites with declining quoll populations, and there was a negative association between seroprevalence and quoll abundance. However, T. gondii infection did not reduce quoll survival or reproduction. Despite a high susceptibility to T. gondii infection, eastern quoll populations do not appear to be limited by the parasite or its resultant disease. Significantly higher seroprevalence is a signal of greater exposure to feral cats at sites where eastern quolls are declining, suggesting that increased predation, competition or exclusion by feral cats may be precipitating population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn A. Fancourt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
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43
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Worth AR, Andrew Thompson RC, Lymbery AJ. Reevaluating the evidence for Toxoplasma gondii-induced behavioural changes in rodents. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2014; 85:109-42. [PMID: 24928181 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800182-0.00003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitous protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with behavioural changes in various hosts, including humans. In rodents, these behavioural changes are thought to represent adaptive manipulation by T. gondii to enhance transmission from intermediate hosts to the feline definitive host. In this review, we have tabulated evidence of changes in motor coordination, learning, memory, locomotion, anxiety, response to novelty and aversion to feline odour in rodents experimentally infected with T. gondii. In general, there was no consistent indication of the direction or magnitude of behavioural changes in response to infection. This may be due to the use, in these experimental studies, of different T. gondii strains, different host species and sexes and/or different methodologies to measure behaviour. A particular problem with studies of behavioural manipulation is likely to be the validity of behavioural tests, that is, whether they are actually measuring the traits that they were designed to measure. We suggest that future studies can be improved in three major ways. First, they should use multiple tests of behaviour, followed by multivariate data analysis to identify behavioural constructs such as aversion, anxiety and response to novelty. Second, they should incorporate longitudinal measurements on the behaviour of individual hosts before and after infection, so that within-individual and between-individual variances and covariances in behavioural traits can be estimated. Finally, they should investigate how variables such as parasite strain, host species and host sex interact with parasite infection to alter host behaviour, in order to provide a sound foundation for research concerning the proximate and ultimate mechanism(s) responsible for behavioural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Worth
- Parasitology, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - R C Andrew Thompson
- Parasitology, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alan J Lymbery
- Parasitology, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Freshwater Fish Group & Fish Health Unit, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Evans AK, Strassmann PS, Lee IP, Sapolsky RM. Patterns of Toxoplasma gondii cyst distribution in the forebrain associate with individual variation in predator odor avoidance and anxiety-related behavior in male Long-Evans rats. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 37:122-33. [PMID: 24269877 PMCID: PMC3951684 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the world's most successful brain parasites. T. gondii engages in parasite manipulation of host behavior and infection has been epidemiologically linked to numerous psychiatric disorders. Mechanisms by which T. gondii alters host behavior are not well understood, but neuroanatomical cyst presence and the localized host immune response to cysts are potential candidates. The aim of these studies was to test the hypothesis that T. gondii manipulation of specific host behaviors is dependent on neuroanatomical location of cysts in a time-dependent function post-infection. We examined neuroanatomical cyst distribution (53 forebrain regions) in infected rats after predator odor aversion behavior and anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze and open field arena, across a 6-week time course. In addition, we examined evidence for microglial response to the parasite across the time course. Our findings demonstrate that while cysts are randomly distributed throughout the forebrain, individual variation in cyst localization, beginning 3 weeks post-infection, can explain individual variation in the effects of T. gondii on behavior. Additionally, not all infected rats develop cysts in the forebrain, and attenuation of predator odor aversion and changes in anxiety-related behavior are linked with cyst presence in specific forebrain areas. Finally, the immune response to cysts is striking. These data provide the foundation for testing hypotheses about proximate mechanisms by which T. gondii alters behavior in specific brain regions, including consequences of establishment of a homeostasis between T. gondii and the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Evans
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | | | - I-Ping Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Robert M Sapolsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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SEROLOGIC EVIDENCE OFTOXOPLASMA GONDIIINFECTION IN WILD BIRDS AND MAMMALS FROM SOUTHEAST BRAZIL. J Zoo Wildl Med 2014; 45:197-9. [DOI: 10.1638/2013-0179r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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46
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Wang S, Zhao G, Wang W, Xie Q, Zhang M, Yuan C, Hassan IA, Liu X, Xu L, Yan R, Song X, Li X. Pathogenicity of two Toxoplasma gondii strains in chickens of different ages infected via intraperitoneal injection. Avian Pathol 2014; 43:91-5. [PMID: 24325275 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2013.874007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to investigate the pathogenicity of Toxoplasma gondii in broilers of different ages. Chickens at the ages of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days were injected intraperitoneally with 1 × 10(8) tachyzoites of RH and JS strains of T. gondii, respectively. The clinical signs and death of chickens were recorded daily post inoculation. Serum samples were collected at days 0, 4, 11, 18, 25, 32, 39, 46 and 53 post infection to screen T. gondii circulating antigens (TCA) and T. gondii circulating antibodies (TCAb). The results showed that T. gondii infection of 7-day-old chickens caused death, even though the mortality rate of the JS strain (100%) was significantly higher than that of the RH strain (70%). Chickens at 14 days old showed only mild clinical signs, but no death. Neither clinical signs nor death were recorded in 21-day-old and 28-day-old chickens. TCA and TCAb became positive at days 4 and 11, respectively. Both the TCA and the TCAb of groups 21 days old (RH strain) and 28 days old (both RH and JS strains) decreased to a negative level earlier than the other experimental groups. Specific T. gondii DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in chickens that survived in the 7-day-old group (RH strain) and in all infected chickens of groups 14 days old and 21 days old injected with both strains. In the groups injected at 28 days old, three samples (RH strain) and one sample (JS strain) were found negative. The results indicated that the age of the chicken was an important factor affecting the pathogenicity of T. gondii and that these two strains of T. gondii displayed different virulence for chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- a College of Veterinary Medicine , Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing , Jiangsu , PR China
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47
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Fancourt BA, Jackson RB. Regional seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in feral and stray cats (Felis catus) from Tasmania. AUST J ZOOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1071/zo14015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite of felids that also has significant implications for the health of wildlife, livestock and humans worldwide. In Australia, feral, stray and domestic cats (Felis catus) are the most important definitive host of T. gondii as they are the only species that can excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts that provide a major source of infection for mammals and birds. In Tasmania, the rapid decline of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) may allow an increase in feral cat abundance, thereby increasing the risk of T. gondii infection to a range of susceptible wildlife species. At present, there is scant information on the prevalence of T. gondii infection in feral cat populations across Tasmania. We tested feral cats from 13 regions across Tasmania for the presence of T. gondii–specific IgG antibodies using a modified agglutination test. Results were combined with serosurveys from three previous studies to enable a comparison of seroprevalence among 14 regions across Tasmania. We found that 84.2% (224 of 266) of cats tested positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. This is among the highest rates of prevalence recorded from Australia, and significantly higher than for most other countries. Adult cats had higher seroprevalence than kittens but there was no difference between sexes. In Tasmania, seroprevalence was high in 12 of 14 regions (range: 79.3–100.0%), with only two regions (Tasman Island and Southern Tasmania) recording significantly lower seroprevalence (≤50%). This suggests a high risk of infection across Tasmania, and has significant implications for wildlife conservation should feral cat abundance increase with the ongoing declines in Tasmanian devils.
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48
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Santos S, Strefezzi R, Pissinatti A, Kanamura C, Takakura C, Duarte M, Catão-Dias J. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii
in two southern Wooly spider monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides
- Geoffroy, 1806) from the Rio de Janeiro primate center, Brazil. J Med Primatol 2013; 43:125-9. [DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S.V. Santos
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science; Department of Pathology; University of São Paulo (FMVZ-USP); São Paulo Brazil
| | - R.F. Strefezzi
- Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering; Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of São Paulo (FZEA-USP); Pirassununga São Paulo Brazil
| | - A. Pissinatti
- Center of Primatology of Rio de Janeiro (CPRJ); Guapimirim Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - C.T. Kanamura
- Pathology Center; ‘Instituto Adolfo Lutz’ (IAL); São Paulo Brazil
| | - C.F.H. Takakura
- Faculty of Medicine; Department of Electron Microscopy; University of São Paulo (FM-USP); São Paulo Brazil
| | - M.I.S. Duarte
- Faculty of Medicine; Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases; University of São Paulo (FM-USP); São Paulo Brazil
| | - J.L. Catão-Dias
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science; Department of Pathology; University of São Paulo (FMVZ-USP); São Paulo Brazil
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49
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Choi BK, Cho JH, Jeong SH, Shin HS, Son SW, Yeo YK, Kang HG. Zearalenone affects immune-related parameters in lymphoid organs and serum of rats vaccinated with porcine parvovirus vaccine. Toxicol Res 2013; 28:279-88. [PMID: 24278621 PMCID: PMC3834426 DOI: 10.5487/tr.2012.28.4.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rats were administered zearalenone (ZEA) via gavage at dosages of 0, 1, 5, and 30 mg/kg for 36 days. On treatment day 8, inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccine (Vac) was injected intraperitoneally. Antibody production against porcine parvovirus was then measured as a function of ZEA treatment. Compared to the vaccine alone, ZEA treatment, with or without Vac, decreased the serum level of IgG. The level of IgM decreased in all ZEA groups at day 22, but the decrease was sustained only in the medium-dose ZEA group at day 36. The level of IgA was unchanged in the Vac only and ZEA groups at day 22, but was decreased in the 5 mg/kg ZEA plus Vac group compared to the Vac only group at day 36. The level of IgE was decreased by all doses of ZEA at day 22, but was unaffected in ZEA plus Vac groups compared to the Vac only group. The levels of IL-1 in the thymus and spleen; INF-γ in serum; IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 in the thymus; and IL-10 and IFN-γ in the spleen decreased after ZEA administration. Furthermore, the levels of IL-1β in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node, IL-1β in the thymus, IL-2 in the thymus and spleen, IL-6 in the thymus, IL-10 and IFN-γ in the spleen, and GM-CSF and TNF-α in the thymus decreased after vaccination in rats exposed to ZEA. In conclusion, these results suggest that ZEA exposure via drinking water can cause an immunosuppressive effect by decreasing immunoglobulins in serum and cytokines in lymphoid organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung-Kook Choi
- Toxicology & Residue Chemistry Division, Animal, Plant and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency, Anyang
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McNeilly TN, Rocchi M, Bartley Y, Brown JK, Frew D, Longhi C, McLean L, McIntyre J, Nisbet AJ, Wattegedera S, Huntley JF, Matthews JB. Suppression of ovine lymphocyte activation by Teladorsagia circumcincta larval excretory-secretory products. Vet Res 2013; 44:70. [PMID: 23964850 PMCID: PMC3848371 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Teladorsagia circumcincta is an important pathogenic nematode of sheep. It has been demonstrated previously that stimulation of murine T lymphocytes with excretory-secretory (ES) products derived from fourth stage larvae of T. circumcincta (Tci-L4-ES) results in de novo expression of Foxp3, a transcription factor intimately involved in regulatory T cell function. In the current study, Foxp3+ T cell responses in the abomasum and the effects of Tci-L4-ES on ovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) following T. circumcincta infection were investigated. T. circumcincta infection resulted in a significant increase in numbers of abomasal Foxp3+ T cells, but not an increase in the proportion of T cells expressing Foxp3. Unlike in mice, Tci-L4-ES was incapable of inducing T cell Foxp3 expression but instead suppressed mitogen-induced and antigen-specific activation and proliferation of ovine PBMC in vitro. This effect was heat labile, suggesting that it is mediated by protein(s). Suppression was associated with up-regulation of interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA, and specific monoclonal antibody neutralisation of IL-10 resulted in a 50% reduction in suppression, indicating involvement of the IL-10 signaling pathway. Suppression was significantly reduced in PBMC isolated from T. circumcincta infected vs. helminth-naïve lambs, and this reduction in suppression was associated with an increase in Tci-L4-ES antigen-specific T cells within the PBMC. In conclusion, we have identified a mechanism by which T. circumcincta may modulate the host adaptive immune response, potentially assisting survival of the parasite within the host. However, the impact of Tci-L4-ES-mediated lymphocyte suppression during T. circumcincta infection remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom N McNeilly
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK.
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