1
|
Singh I, Tzipori S. A Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaque Model of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Infection. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2023; 39:76-83. [PMID: 36424832 PMCID: PMC9942168 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2022.0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidiosis caused by Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common opportunistic infection in patients with HIV/AIDS and those on immunosuppressive therapy. A significant loss of mucosal or peripheral CD4+ T cells and subsequent dysfunction of the intestinal immune system may be responsible for the development of chronic microsporidiosis in these patients. We have used the Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaque model to investigate this relationship. To establish the course of E. bieneusi infection in SIV-infected animals, four SIV-infected animals were experimentally challenged with E. bieneusi when their CD4+ counts dropped to less than 300 cells/μL of blood. Analysis of fecal samples by nested polymerase chain reaction revealed that three out of four E. bieneusi-infected macaques continued to shed spores for 7-24 months after infection, an indication of chronic microsporidiosis. Four other SIV-infected macaques, after having an initial negative phase, spontaneously acquired E. bieneusi infection when their CD4+ counts dropped to less than 600 cells/μL of blood and shed spores for 8-19 months. The shedding of E. bieneusi spores in the feces increased relative to decrease in peripheral blood CD4+ T cell numbers. Gut biopsies were obtained before and after challenge to phenotype the mucosal lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry. The immunophenotypic analysis showed no restoration of CD4+ T cells after E. bieneusi infection in the intestinal cells. A slight increase in the percentage population of CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood did not have any effect on the control of E. bieneusi infection in the SIV-infected macaques. These preliminary studies demonstrate that SIV-infected macaques develop chronic E. bieneusi infections as their CD4+ counts dropped to below 300 cells/μL of blood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inderpal Singh
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Saul Tzipori
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Butel C, Mundeke SA, Drakulovski P, Krasteva D, Ngole EM, Mallié M, Delaporte E, Peeters M, Locatelli S. Assessment of Infections with Microsporidia and Cryptosporidium spp. in Fecal Samples from Wild Primate Populations from Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo. INT J PRIMATOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-015-9820-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
3
|
Freeman MA, Kasper JM, Kristmundsson Á. Nucleospora cyclopteri n. sp., an intranuclear microsporidian infecting wild lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus L., in Icelandic waters. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:49. [PMID: 23445616 PMCID: PMC3606367 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Commercial fisheries of lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus have been carried out in Iceland for centuries. Traditionally the most valuable part is the eggs which are harvested for use as a caviar substitute. Previously reported parasitic infections from lumpfish include an undescribed intranuclear microsporidian associated with abnormal kidneys and mortalities in captive lumpfish in Canada. During Icelandic lumpfish fisheries in spring 2011, extensive enlargements to the kidneys were observed in some fish during processing. The aim of this study was to identify the pathogen responsible for these abnormalities. Methods Lumpfish from the Icelandic coast were examined for the causative agent of kidney enlargement. Fish were dissected and used in histological and molecular studies. Results Lumpfish, with various grades of clinical signs, were observed at 12 of the 43 sites sampled around Iceland. From a total of 77 fish examined, 18 had clear clinical signs, the most prominent of which was an extensive enlargement and pallor of the kidneys. The histopathology of the most severely affected fish consisted of extensive degeneration and necrosis of kidney tubules and vacuolar degeneration of the haematopoietic tissue. Intranuclear microsporidians were detected in all organs examined in fish with prominent clinical signs and most organs of apparently healthy fish using the new PCR and histological examination. One or multiple uniformly oval shaped spores measuring 3.12 ± 0.15 × 1.30 ± 0.12 μm were observed in the nucleus of affected lymphocytes and lymphocyte precursor cells. DNA sequencing provided a ribosomal DNA sequence that was strongly supported in phylogenetic analyses in a clade containing other microsporidian parasites from the Enterocytozoonidae, showing highest similarity to the intranuclear microsporidian Nucleospora salmonis. Conclusions Intranuclear microsporidian infections are common in wild caught lumpfish from around the Icelandic coast. Infections can cause severe clinical signs and extensive histopathological changes, but are also present, at lower levels, in fish that do not show clinical signs. Some common features exist with the intranuclear microsporidian previously reported from captive Canadian lumpfish, but DNA sequence data is required from Canadian fish to confirm conspecificity. Based on phylogenetic analysis and the intranuclear location of the parasite, the name Nucleospora cyclopteri n. sp. is proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Freeman
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) infected and noninfected cattle herds. Res Vet Sci 2013; 94:100-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
5
|
Wachtman LM, Mansfield KG. Opportunistic Infections in Immunologically Compromised Nonhuman Primates. ILAR J 2008; 49:191-208. [DOI: 10.1093/ilar.49.2.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
|
6
|
Singh I, Li W, Woods M, Carville A, Tzipori S. Factors contributing to spontaneous Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques. J Med Primatol 2006; 35:352-60. [PMID: 17214663 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2006.00181.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A cohort of SIV-infected macaques had been used to investigate the effect of dietary supplement, immune status, SIV/AIDS disease progression and serum micronutrients levels on spontaneous acquisition of Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in SIV-infected macaques. METHODS Twenty-four SIV-infected macaques were randomized into 2 groups. One group received a vitamin/mineral supplementation and a second group received a placebo. Both groups were examined for E. bieneusi infection. RESULTS SIV-infected macaques were more prone to acquire E. bieneusi with the progression of SIV/AIDS, and the increased shedding of infectious spores was directly associated with decreased CD4 lymphocyte and increased circulating SIV, in both supplemented and unsupplemented groups of animals. Dietary supplementation, body composition factors and serum micronutrients levels however had no association with the acquisition of E. bieneusi infection in these animals. CONCLUSIONS Acquisition of E. bieneusi infection is related to SIV disease progression, CD4 counts and viral load but independent of changes in body composition and serum micronutrient levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inderpal Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Science, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Singh I, Sheoran AS, Zhang Q, Carville A, Tzipori S. Sensitivity and specificity of a monoclonal antibody-based fluorescence assay for detecting Enterocytozoon bieneusi spores in feces of simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 12:1141-4. [PMID: 16210474 PMCID: PMC1247839 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.12.10.1141-1144.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is clinically the most significant among the microsporidia causing chronic diarrhea, wasting, and cholangitis in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. Microscopy with either calcofluor or modified trichrome stains is the standard diagnostic test for microsporidiosis and does not allow species identification. Detection of E. bieneusi infection based on PCR is limited to a few reference laboratories, and thus it is not the standard diagnostic assay. We have recently reported the development and characterization of a panel of monoclonal antibodies against E. bieneusi, and in this publication we evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of an immunofluorescence assay (IFA), compared with PCR, in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques. The IFA, which correlated with the primary PCR method, with a detection limit of 1.5 x 10(5) spores per gram of feces, will simplify considerably the detection of E. bieneusi spores in clinical and environmental specimens and in laboratory and epidemiological investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inderpal Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westborough Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sheoran AS, Feng X, Singh I, Chapman-Bonofiglio S, Kitaka S, Hanawalt J, Nunnari J, Mansfield K, Tumwine JK, Tzipori S. Monoclonal antibodies against Enterocytozoon bieneusi of human origin. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 12:1109-13. [PMID: 16148179 PMCID: PMC1235791 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.12.9.1109-1113.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is clinically the most significant among the microsporidia infecting humans, causing chronic diarrhea, wasting, and cholangitis in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. The lack of immune reagents is largely due to the absence of methods for laboratory propagation of E. bieneusi. We recently described a procedure for the concentration and purification of spores from diarrheic stool of infected humans. Purified spores were used to immunize mice for production and screening of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against E. bieneusi. The eight immunoglobulin M MAbs generated and fully characterized did not cross-react with other human microsporidia or with other microorganisms normally present in stool. One of the MAbs, 2G4, reacted with E. bieneusi spores in stools from monkeys and humans, without background fluorescence, which makes it an ideal diagnostic reagent. It also recognizes intracellular stages of the parasite and will be suitable for determining tissue distribution of E. bieneusi in infected hosts. At least two immunodominant antigens of E. bieneusi of 33,000 and 35,000 Da exist, which were recognized by rabbit and mouse antisera. The availability of MAbs against E. bieneusi will simplify considerably the diagnosis of this infection in humans and will provide tools for epidemiologic investigations regarding the true prevalence of the infection in various human and mammalian populations and the environmental sources of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhineet S Sheoran
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhao W, Xia M, Bridges-Malveo T, Cantú M, McNeal MM, Choi AH, Ward RL, Sestak K. Evaluation of rotavirus dsRNA load in specimens and body fluids from experimentally infected juvenile macaques by real-time PCR. Virology 2005; 341:248-56. [PMID: 16095646 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2005.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2005] [Revised: 04/22/2005] [Accepted: 06/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We recently established a non-human primate model of rotavirus infection that is characterized by consistent and high levels of virus antigen shedding in stools. Here, we report that starting from post challenge day (PCD) 2, 6 x 10(3) to 1.5 x 10(6) copies of rotavirus double-stranded RNA per nanogram of total RNA were detected by real-time PCR in MA104 cells that were 48 h pre-incubated with filtered stool suspensions of three experimentally infected juvenile macaques. The peak of virus load was detected at PCD 4-5, followed by decreased load at PCD 6-11, and very low levels at PCD 12. Such a pattern corresponded to virus shedding in stools as reported recently based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results. In addition, plasma and cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from six infected animals were tested for the presence of rotavirus. Rotavirus extraintestinal escape was revealed in three out of six animals by a combination of real-time and nested PCR. However, very low quantities of detected viral RNA (approximately 20 copies/ng of total RNA) were not suggestive of viremia. Thus, the rhesus model of rotavirus infection can be exploited further in studies with vaccine candidates designed to prevent or abrogate rotavirus infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Drosten C, Laabs J, Kuhn EM, Schottelius J. Interspecies transmission of Enterozytozoon bieneusi supported by observations in laboratory animals and phylogeny. Med Microbiol Immunol 2005; 194:207-9. [PMID: 15864680 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-005-0240-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is emerging as an important cause of chronic diarrhoea in AIDS patients. Its reservoirs and transmission patterns are unknown. In this study, we have examined E. bieneusi sequences from four Rhesus macaques of different origin, which were kept at one animal facility. The sequences were identical in all animals, which suggested that infection had occurred within the facility. Full sequence agreement of E. bieneusi from macaques was found with an E. bieneusi genotype that occurs frequently in humans. To clarify, the relevance of possible inter-species transmission from man to macaque, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted including all sequences of E. bieneusi deposited in GenBank. The hitherto used system of diverse nomenclatures could be reduced to an outlier group and three main lineages, one of which could be further sub-divided into five subgroups. Based in this phylogeny, an association of parasites and host species could be observed for main lineages 2 and 3, as well as for most of the subgroups of main lineage 1. For confirmation, the phylogeny of main lineage 1 was reconstructed with an alternative method of distance estimation, yielding essentially the same parasite-host associations. Zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi is thus supported on a phylogenetic basis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Drosten
- Medical Microbiology Section, Bernhard Nocht Insitute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Str. 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Microsporidia have emerged as causes of infectious diseases in AIDS patients, organ transplant recipients, children, travelers, contact lens wearers, and the elderly. These organisms are small single-celled, obligate intracellular parasites that were considered to be early eukaryotic protozoa but were recently reclassified with the fungi. Of the 14 species of microsporidia currently known to infect humans, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis are the most common causes of human infections and are associated with diarrhea and systemic disease. Species of microsporidia infecting humans have been identified in water sources as well as in wild, domestic, and food-producing farm animals, raising concerns for waterborne, foodborne, and zoonotic transmission. Current therapies for microsporidiosis include albendazole which is a benzimidazole that inhibits microtubule assembly and is effective against several microsporidia, including the Encephalitozoon species, but is less effective against E. bieneusi. Fumagillin, an antibiotic and anti-angiogenic compound produced by Aspergillus fumigatus, is more broadly effective against Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi but is toxic when administered systemically to mammals. Gene target studies have focused on methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) for characterizing the mechanism of action and for identifying more effective, less toxic fumagillin-related drugs. Polyamine analogues have shown promise in demonstrating anti-microsporidial activity in culture and in animal models, and a gene encoding topoisomerase IV was identified in Vittaforma corneae, raising prospects for studies on fluoroquinolone efficacy against microsporidia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Didier
- Division of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sestak K, Merritt CK, Borda J, Saylor E, Schwamberger SR, Cogswell F, Didier ES, Didier PJ, Plauche G, Bohm RP, Aye PP, Alexa P, Ward RL, Lackner AA. Infectious agent and immune response characteristics of chronic enterocolitis in captive rhesus macaques. Infect Immun 2003; 71:4079-86. [PMID: 12819098 PMCID: PMC162015 DOI: 10.1128/iai.71.7.4079-4086.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2002] [Revised: 02/26/2003] [Accepted: 03/26/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic enterocolitis is the leading cause of morbidity in colonies of captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). This study's aim was to identify the common enteric pathogens frequently associated with chronic enterocolitis in normal, immunocompetent rhesus monkeys and to elucidate the influence of this clinical syndrome on the host immune system. We analyzed the fecal specimens from 100 rhesus macaques with or without clinical symptoms of chronic diarrhea. Retrospective analysis revealed an increased incidence of Campylobacter spp. (Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni), Shigella flexneri, Yersinia enterocolitica, adenovirus, and Strongyloides fulleborni in samples collected from animals with chronic diarrhea (P < 0.05). The presence of additional enteric pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, carrying the eaeA intimin or Stx2c Shiga toxin virulence genes, Balantidium coli, Giardia lamblia, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Trichuris trichiura was found in all animals regardless of whether diarrhea was present. In addition, the upregulation of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-3, and tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine genes, accompanied by an increased presence of activated (CD4(+) CD69(+)) T lymphocytes was found in gut-associated lymphoid tissues collected from animals with chronic enterocolitis and diarrhea in comparison with clinically healthy controls (P < 0.05). These data indicate that chronic enterocolitis and diarrhea are associated, in part, with a variety of enteric pathogens and highlight the importance of defining the microbiological status of nonhuman primates used for infectious disease studies. The data also suggest that chronic colitis in rhesus macaques may have potential as a model of inflammatory bowel disease in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karol Sestak
- Division of Microbiology and Immunolgy, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana 70433, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|