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Ihara F, Kyan H, Takashima Y, Ono F, Hayashi K, Matsuo T, Igarashi M, Nishikawa Y, Hikosaka K, Sakamoto H, Nakamura S, Motooka D, Yamauchi K, Ichikawa-Seki M, Fukumoto S, Sasaki M, Ikadai H, Kusakisako K, Ohari Y, Yoshida A, Sasai M, Grigg ME, Yamamoto M. Far-East Asian Toxoplasma isolates share ancestry with North and South/Central American recombinant lineages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4278. [PMID: 38778039 PMCID: PMC11111807 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47625-6] [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] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a global protozoan pathogen. Clonal lineages predominate in Europe, North America, Africa, and China, whereas highly recombinant parasites are endemic in South/Central America. Far East Asian T. gondii isolates are not included in current global population genetic structure analyses at WGS resolution. Here we report a genome-wide population study that compared eight Japanese and two Chinese isolates against representative worldwide T. gondii genomes using POPSICLE, a novel population structure analyzing software. Also included were 7 genomes resurrected from non-viable isolates by target enrichment sequencing. Visualization of the genome structure by POPSICLE shows a mixture of Chinese haplogroup (HG) 13 haploblocks introgressed within the genomes of Japanese HG2 and North American HG12. Furthermore, two ancestral lineages were identified in the Japanese strains; one lineage shares a common ancestor with HG11 found in both Japanese strains and North American HG12. The other ancestral lineage, found in T. gondii isolates from a small island in Japan, is admixed with genetically diversified South/Central American strains. Taken together, this study suggests multiple ancestral links between Far East Asian and American T. gondii strains and provides insight into the transmission history of this cosmopolitan organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ihara
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hisako Kyan
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, Uruma, Okinawa, 904-2241, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1112, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Translational Research, COMIT, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1112, Japan
| | - Fumiko Ono
- Department of Veterinary Associated Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari, Ehime, 794-8555, Japan
| | - Kei Hayashi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari, Ehime, 794-8555, Japan
| | - Tomohide Matsuo
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Makoto Igarashi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Kenji Hikosaka
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-0856, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Sakamoto
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-0856, Japan
| | - Shota Nakamura
- Department of Infection Metagenomics, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Department of Infection Metagenomics, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Yamauchi
- Laboratory of Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8550, Japan
| | - Madoka Ichikawa-Seki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8550, Japan
| | - Shinya Fukumoto
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Motoki Sasaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hiromi Ikadai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Yuma Ohari
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Ayako Yoshida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-2155, Japan
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-2155, Japan
| | - Miwa Sasai
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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Rojas-Barón L, Hermosilla C, Taubert A, Velásquez ZD. Toxoplasma gondii infection-induced host cellular DNA damage is strain-dependent and leads to the activation of the ATM-dependent homologous recombination pathway. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1374659. [PMID: 38524184 PMCID: PMC10957594 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1374659] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a globally occurring apicomplexan parasite that infects humans and animals. Globally, different typical and atypical haplotypes of T. gondii induce varying pathologies in hosts. As an obligate intracellular protozoon, T. gondii was shown to interfere with host cell cycle progression, leading to mitotic spindle alteration, chromosome segregation errors and cytokinesis failure which all may reflect chromosomal instability. Referring to strain-dependent virulence, we here studied the potential of different T. gondii strains (RH, Me49 and NED) to drive DNA damage in primary endothelial host cells. Utilizing microscopic analyses, comet assays and γ-H2AX quantification, we demonstrated a strain-dependent induction of binucleated host cells, DNA damage and DNA double strand breaks, respectively, in T. gondii-infected cells with the RH strain driving the most prominent effects. Interestingly, only the NED strain significantly triggered micronuclei formation in T. gondii-infected cells. Focusing on the RH strain, we furthermore demonstrated that T. gondii-infected primary host cells showed a DNA damage response by activating the ATM-dependent homologous recombination (HR) pathway. In contrast, key molecules of the nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) pathway were either not affected or downregulated in RH-infected host cells, suggesting that this pathway is not activated by infection. In conclusion, current finding suggests that T. gondii infection affects the host cell genome integrity in a strain-dependent manner by causing DNA damage and chromosomal instability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zahady D. Velásquez
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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3
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Rojas-Barón L, Hermosilla C, Taubert A, Velásquez ZD. Toxoplasma gondii Me49 and NED strains arrest host cell cycle progression and alter chromosome segregation in a strain-independent manner. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1336267. [PMID: 38450167 PMCID: PMC10915083 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1336267] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that modulates a broad range of host cell functions to guarantee its intracellular development and replication. T. gondii includes three classical clonal lineages exhibiting different degrees of virulence. Regarding the genetic diversity of T. gondii circulating in Europe, type II strains and, to a lesser extent, type III strains are the dominant populations, both in humans and animals. Infections with the type I strain led to widespread parasite dissemination and death in mice, while type III is considered avirulent. Previously, we demonstrated that primary endothelial cells infected with the T. gondii RH strain (haplotype I) were arrested in the G2/M-phase transition, triggering cytokinesis failure and chromosome missegregation. Since T. gondii haplotypes differ in their virulence, we here studied whether T. gondii-driven host cell cycle perturbation is strain-dependent. Primary endothelial cells were infected with T. gondii Me49 (type II strain) or NED (type III strain), and their growth kinetics were compared up to cell lysis (6-30 h p. i.). In this study, only slight differences in the onset of full proliferation were observed, and developmental data in principle matched those of the RH strain. FACS-based DNA quantification to estimate cell proportions experiencing different cell cycle phases (G0/1-, S-, and G2/M-phase) revealed that Me49 and NED strains both arrested the host cell cycle in the S-phase. Cyclins A2 and B1 as key molecules of S- and M-phase were not changed by Me49 infection, while NED infection induced cyclin B1 upregulation. To analyze parasite-driven alterations during mitosis, we demonstrated that both Me49 and NED infections led to impaired host cellular chromosome segregation and irregular centriole overduplication. Moreover, in line with the RH strain, both strains boosted the proportion of binucleated cells within infected endothelial cell layers, thereby indicating enhanced cytokinesis failure. Taken together, we demonstrate that all parasite-driven host cell cycle arrest, chromosome missegregation, and binucleated phenotypes are T. gondii-specific but strain independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisbeth Rojas-Barón
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Joeres M, Maksimov P, Höper D, Calvelage S, Calero-Bernal R, Fernández-Escobar M, Koudela B, Blaga R, Vrhovec MG, Stollberg K, Bier N, Sotiraki S, Sroka J, Piotrowska W, Kodym P, Basso W, Conraths FJ, Mercier A, Galal L, Dardé ML, Balea A, Spano F, Schulze C, Peters M, Scuda N, Lundén A, Davidson RK, Terland R, Waap H, de Bruin E, Vatta P, Caccio S, Ortega-Mora LM, Jokelainen P, Schares G. Genotyping of European Toxoplasma gondii strains by a new high-resolution next-generation sequencing-based method. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:355-371. [PMID: 38099986 PMCID: PMC10822014 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04721-7] [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] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A new high-resolution next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based method was established to type closely related European type II Toxoplasma gondii strains. METHODS T. gondii field isolates were collected from different parts of Europe and assessed by whole genome sequencing (WGS). In comparison to ME49 (a type II reference strain), highly polymorphic regions (HPRs) were identified, showing a considerable number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). After confirmation by Sanger sequencing, 18 HPRs were used to design a primer panel for multiplex PCR to establish a multilocus Ion AmpliSeq typing method. Toxoplasma gondii isolates and T. gondii present in clinical samples were typed with the new method. The sensitivity of the method was tested with serially diluted reference DNA samples. RESULTS Among type II specimens, the method could differentiate the same number of haplotypes as the reference standard, microsatellite (MS) typing. Passages of the same isolates and specimens originating from abortion outbreaks were identified as identical. In addition, seven different genotypes, two atypical and two recombinant specimens were clearly distinguished from each other by the method. Furthermore, almost all SNPs detected by the Ion AmpliSeq method corresponded to those expected based on WGS. By testing serially diluted DNA samples, the method exhibited a similar analytical sensitivity as MS typing. CONCLUSION The new method can distinguish different T. gondii genotypes and detect intra-genotype variability among European type II T. gondii strains. Furthermore, with WGS data additional target regions can be added to the method to potentially increase typing resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Joeres
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - P Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - D Höper
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S Calvelage
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - R Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Koudela
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - R Blaga
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - K Stollberg
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - N Bier
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-DIMITRA, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - J Sroka
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - W Piotrowska
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - P Kodym
- Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - W Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - F J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - A Mercier
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - L Galal
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - M L Dardé
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - A Balea
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - F Spano
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - C Schulze
- Landeslabor Berlin-Brandenburg, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
| | - M Peters
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Westfalen, Standort Arnsberg, Arnsberg, Germany
| | - N Scuda
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Lundén
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - R K Davidson
- Department of Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Tromsø, Norway
| | - R Terland
- Department of Analysis and Diagnostics, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway
| | - H Waap
- Parasitology Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - E de Bruin
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Pathology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - P Vatta
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - S Caccio
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - L M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - G Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
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Wijburg SR, Montizaan MGE, Kik MJL, Joeres M, Cardron G, Luttermann C, Maas M, Maksimov P, Opsteegh M, Schares G. Drivers of infection with Toxoplasma gondii genotype type II in Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:30. [PMID: 38263195 PMCID: PMC10804655 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06068-6] [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] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In September 2014, there was sudden upsurge in the number of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) found dead in the Netherlands. High infection levels with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii were demonstrated, but it was unclear what had caused this increase in cases of fatal toxoplasmosis. In the present study, we aimed to gain more knowledge on the pathology and prevalence of T. gondii infections in Eurasian red squirrels in the Netherlands, on the T. gondii genotypes present, and on the determinants of the spatiotemporal variability in these T. gondii infections. The presence of the closely related parasite Hammondia hammondi was also determined. METHODS Eurasian red squirrels that were found dead in the wild or that had died in wildlife rescue centres in the Netherlands over a period of seven years (2014-2020) were examined. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to analyse tissue samples for the presence of T. gondii and H. hammondi DNA. Toxoplasma gondii-positive samples were subjected to microsatellite typing and cluster analysis. A mixed logistic regression was used to identify climatic and other environmental predictors of T. gondii infection in the squirrels. RESULTS A total of 178 squirrels were examined (49/178 T. gondii positive, 5/178 H. hammondi positive). Inflammation of multiple organs was the cause of death in 29 squirrels, of which 24 were also T. gondii polymerase chain reaction positive. Toxoplasma gondii infection was positively associated with pneumonia and hepatitis. Microsatellite typing revealed only T. gondii type II alleles. Toxoplasma gondii infection rates showed a positive correlation with the number of days of heavy rainfall in the previous 12 months. Conversely, they showed a negative association with the number of hot days within the 2-week period preceding the sampling date, as well as with the percentage of deciduous forest cover at the sampling site. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma gondii infection in the squirrels appeared to pose a significant risk of acute mortality. The T. gondii genotype detected in this study is commonly found across Europe. The reasons for the unusually high infection rates and severe symptoms of these squirrels from the Netherlands remain unclear. The prevalence of T. gondii in the deceased squirrels was linked to specific environmental factors. However, whether the increase in the number of dead squirrels indicated a higher environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts has yet to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Wijburg
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Margriet G E Montizaan
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marja J L Kik
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Pathology, Veterinair Pathologisch Diagnostisch Centrum, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maike Joeres
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Garance Cardron
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Luttermann
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Miriam Maas
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Marieke Opsteegh
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gereon Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
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Brito RMDM, de Lima Bessa G, Bastilho AL, Dantas-Torres F, de Andrade-Neto VF, Bueno LL, Fujiwara RT, Magalhães LMD. Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in South America: occurrence, immunity, and fate of infection. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:461. [PMID: 38115102 PMCID: PMC10729521 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06080-w] [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] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii infections are of great concern for public health, and their impact is usually most severe in pregnant women and their foetuses, and in immunocompromised individuals. Displaying considerable genetic diversity, T. gondii strains differ widely according to geographical location, with archetypal strains predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere and non-archetypal (atypical) strains, with highly diverse genotypes, found mainly in South America. In this review, we present an overview of the identification and distribution of non-archetypal strains of T. gondii. Special attention is paid to the strains that have been isolated in Brazil, their interaction with the host immunological response, and their impact on disease outcomes. The genetic differences among the strains are pivotal to the distinct immunological responses that they elicit. These differences arise from polymorphisms of key proteins released by the parasite, which represent important virulence factors. Infection with divergent non-archetypal strains can lead to unusual manifestations of the disease, even in immunocompetent individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramayana Morais de Medeiros Brito
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Lazoski Bastilho
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Lilian Lacerda Bueno
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Luisa M D Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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7
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Dos Santos EH, Barreira GA, Yamamoto L, Rocha MC, Rodrigues KA, Cruz MCP, Kanunfre KA, Okay TS. New Allele-Specific Oligonucleotide (ASO) amplifications for Toxoplasma gondii rop18 allele typing: Analysis of 86 human congenital infections in Brazil. Acta Trop 2023; 247:107011. [PMID: 37652181 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107011] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to detect and differentiate Toxoplasma gondii by the allele typing of its polymorphic rop18 gene. For this purpose, a novel genotyping system using allele-specific oligonucleotides (ASOs) was designed, consisting of three ASO pairs. The first and third pairs specifically amplify rop18 allele I and allele III, while the second pair amplify both allele I and II. Genomic DNA from 86 congenital infections was analyzed by ASO-PCRs, successfully typing 82 (95.35%) samples. The remaining 4 samples (4.65%) required sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of the amplification products. The distribution of samples according to rop18 alleles was: 39.5% of allele III, 38.4% of allele II, 19.8% of mixed rop18 alleles (I/III or II/III), and 2.3% of allele I. The six severely compromised infants exhibited the highest parasite load levels and were infected during the first and early second trimesters of pregnancy. Among these cases, two were associated with rop18 allele I parasites, two with mixed rop18 alleles (I/III), one with allele II, and one with allele III parasites. In conclusion, all severe cases of congenital toxoplasmosis were infected during early pregnancy, but they were not exclusively associated with rop18 allele I parasites, as observed in murine toxoplasmosis. Furthermore, nearly one-fifth of parasites were non-archetypal, exhibiting more than one rop18 allele, indicating a higher genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in this South American sample. Overall, a robust T. gondii rop18 allele typing was developed and suggested that congenital toxoplasmosis in humans involves complex mechanisms beyond the parasite genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilly Henrique Dos Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil; Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Gabriel Acca Barreira
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil; Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (FICSAE), São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Lidia Yamamoto
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Mussya Cisotto Rocha
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Karen Alessandra Rodrigues
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil; Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
| | | | | | - Thelma Suely Okay
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil; Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
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8
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Jiang Y, Xin S, Ma Y, Zhang H, Yang X, Yang Y. Low Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep and Isolation of a Viable Strain from Edible Mutton from Central China. Pathogens 2023; 12:827. [PMID: 37375517 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060827] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sheep are highly susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii, and miscarriage is the main clinical feature. This study investigated 227 sheep samples (210 myocardial tissues from slaughterhouses, 6 ewe serum samples, 3 aborted fetuses, and 8 dead lambs from veterinary clinics) from central China for T. gondii infection. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the modified agglutination test (MAT). PCR was performed to detect T. gondii DNA in the tissue samples. The results showed that four samples were seropositive (MAT titer ≥ 1:100), with a seroprevalence of 1.8% (4/227). The seropositive samples included two myocardial samples from a slaughterhouse, one ewe and its aborted fetus from a veterinary clinic. The results revealed that 7 out of 207 (3.4%) sheep tissue samples were PCR-positive, including two myocardial tissue samples from slaughterhouses, three aborted fetuses, and two lambs from veterinary clinics. Toxoplasma gondii vertical transmission had occurred in two of three pairs of ewes and her pups. One viable T. gondii strain (TgSheepCHn14) was isolated from the myocardial tissues of sheep from a slaughterhouse. Tachyzoites were obtained from cell cultures at 70 days following seeding in the brains and lungs of mice. This strain was non-lethal to Swiss mice. The number of parasite brain cysts in mice decreased with time post-infection (p < 0.05). Overall, the prevalence of T. gondii in the sheep samples was low. Although the samples were scattered, and not from planned collections, the current study detected T. gondii antibodies and DNA in aborted fetuses, indicating that vertical transmission could occur and maintain the parasites in sheep herds without exogenous infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibao Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Shilin Xin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yiheng Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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9
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Overview of Apoptosis, Autophagy, and Inflammatory Processes in Toxoplasma gondii Infected Cells. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020253. [PMID: 36839525 PMCID: PMC9966443 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite. During the parasitic invasion, T. gondii creates a parasitophorous vacuole, which enables the modulation of cell functions, allowing its replication and host infection. It has effective strategies to escape the immune response and reach privileged immune sites and remain inactive in a controlled environment in tissue cysts. This current review presents the factors that affect host cells and the parasite, as well as changes in the immune system during host cell infection. The secretory organelles of T. gondii (dense granules, micronemes, and rhoptries) are responsible for these processes. They are involved with proteins secreted by micronemes and rhoptries (MIC, AMA, and RONs) that mediate the recognition and entry into host cells. Effector proteins (ROP and GRA) that modify the STAT signal or GTPases in immune cells determine their toxicity. Interference byhost autonomous cells during parasitic infection, gene expression, and production of microbicidal molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), result in the regulation of cell death. The high level of complexity in host cell mechanisms prevents cell death in its various pathways. Many of these abilities play an important role in escaping host immune responses, particularly by manipulating the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and inflammation. Here we present recent works that define the mechanisms by which T. gondii interacts with these processes in infected host cells.
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10
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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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11
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Andreopoulou M, Schares G, Koethe M, Chaligiannis I, Maksimov P, Joeres M, Cardron G, Goroll T, Sotiraki S, Daugschies A, Bangoura B. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in different types of poultry in Greece, associated risk factors and co-existence with Eimeria spp. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:97-111. [PMID: 36308531 PMCID: PMC9816277 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07701-6] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite of public health importance, infecting all warm-blooded animals, including chickens. Undercooked chicken meat or relevant products such as sausages could lead to human infections. In free-range, organic and slow-growth farming systems where the susceptibility period for chickens is extended, more knowledge about potential risk factors is essential. This study is the first seroepidemiological survey in different regions and types of chicken farms in Greece, using a major tachyzoite surface antigen-based ELISA (TgSAG1), combined with magnetic-capture PCR (mc-PCR) and bioassay for the isolation of strains from the chickens' tissues. Potential risk factors for T. gondii infection in these hosts were also investigated. Additionally, the co-existence of T. gondii and Eimeria spp. infections was assessed to elucidate epidemiological links between these two protozoan infections. Overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 9.5%. Of the backyard chickens sampled, 41.2% were seropositive and 70% of the organic and free-range layer farms had at least one T. gondii seropositive hen. No serologically positive broilers were found, although mc-PCR revealed a positive sample, highlighting the importance of accurate early-infection direct detection of T. gondii infections to ensure public health. T. gondii isolates obtained by mouse bioassay were genotyped. All belonged to type II (ToxoDB#3) as confirmed also by microsatellite typing. Production system, type of nutrition, and feeding system automation were identified as the most significant risk factors, while no association was found between the presence of cats and T. gondii seropositivity as calculated on both a farm level and per individual bird sampled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Andreopoulou
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany ,Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, 57001 Thessaloniki, Thermi Greece
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Koethe
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ilias Chaligiannis
- Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Maike Joeres
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Garance Cardron
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Tina Goroll
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Smaro Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, 57001 Thessaloniki, Thermi Greece
| | - Arwid Daugschies
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Berit Bangoura
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY USA
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12
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Hosseini SA, Sharif M, Sarvi S, Mirzaei N, Abediankenari S, Arefkhah N, Amouei A, Gholami S, Anvari D, Ahmadpour E, Javidnia J, Jafar-Ramaji T, Daryani A. Identification and multilocus genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from congenital infection in north of Iran. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:177-184. [PMID: 36369362 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07714-1] [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: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis can cause severe consequences in the fetus, such as spontaneous abortion which is affected by parasite strain. Also, recent studies revealed the high genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii. This study aims to investigate the serological status of T. gondii in pregnant women, multilocus genotyping in aborted fetuses' tissue, and archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placenta. This study was performed on 100 pregnant women with spontaneous abortion and their aborted fetuses, and 250 of the archived placentae in Iran. The blood and tissue were examined for seroprevalence and genotype determination of T. gondii using ELISA and multilocus nested-PCR-RFLP, respectively. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM were detected in 68 samples (68%) and 1 (1%) out of 100 serums. Toxoplasma DNA was identified in 1 (1%) aborted fetuses' tissue and 32 (12.8%) placenta samples. Overall, ten positive DNA samples were successfully genotyped, and five genotypes were recognized (ToxoDB#1, #2, #10, #27, and #48). The obtained results indicated congenital toxoplasmosis is a severe risk in this region. As type I is highly pathogen and can lead to severe complications, the prevention of the infection should be considered in seronegative pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Nazanin Mirzaei
- Tonekabon Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeid Abediankenari
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasir Arefkhah
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Amouei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Sara Gholami
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Davood Anvari
- School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Department of Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahereh Jafar-Ramaji
- Tonekabon Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran. .,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.
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13
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A unique Toxoplasma gondii haplotype accompanied the global expansion of cats. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5778. [PMID: 36182919 PMCID: PMC9526699 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33556-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a cyst-forming apicomplexan parasite of virtually all warm-blooded species, with all true cats (Felidae) as definitive hosts. It is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease causing substantial public health burden worldwide. Few intercontinental clonal lineages represent the large majority of isolates worldwide. Little is known about the evolutionary forces driving the success of these lineages, the timing and the mechanisms of their global dispersal. In this study, we analyse a set of 156 genomes and we provide estimates of T. gondii mutation rate and generation time. We elucidate how the evolution of T. gondii populations is intimately linked to the major events that have punctuated the recent history of cats. We show that a unique haplotype, whose length represents only 0.16% of the whole T. gondii genome, is common to all intercontinental lineages and hybrid populations derived from these lineages. This haplotype has accompanied wildcats (Felis silvestris) during their emergence from the wild to domestic settlements, their dispersal in the Old World, and their expansion in the last five centuries to the Americas. The selection of this haplotype is most parsimoniously explained by its role in sexual reproduction of T. gondii in domestic cats.
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14
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The Association of Toxoplasma gondii IgG and Liver Injury in US Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127515. [PMID: 35742764 PMCID: PMC9223808 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a ubiquitous obligatory intracellular parasite which infects over 40 million Americans and causes toxoplasmosis. Inside the human body, T. gondii can damage tissues and invade vital organs. Methods: This study evaluated the association of T. gondii infection and liver disease using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2010, with a sample size of 3371 participants (age 20–80 years). Toxoplasma infection was determined by the level of T. gondii IgG antibody in serum samples. Liver disease was assessed by liver injury biomarkers and the Fatty Liver Index (US-FLI). The evaluation of the association between T. gondii infection and liver disease included the calculation of the Mantel–Haenszel risk ratio (RRMH), Rho-Scott chi-square bivariate analyses, design-based t-tests, and linear and logistic regression models which were adjusted for demographic and anthropometric covariates. Results: Mean levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly more elevated in the T. gondii IgG-positive (IgG+) participants as compared to T. gondii-negative (IgG−) participants, p = 0.0435 and 0.0310, respectively. In linear regression analysis, exposure to T. gondii IgG+ had statistically significant positive associations with AST (p = 0.0211), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p = 0.0221), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (p = 0.0258) after adjusting for BMI, age, gender, and race. T. gondii exposure was associated with an elevated relative risk of chronic liver disease (CLD) (RRMH = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05–1.51). This association was more pronounced in certain occupations, such as construction, agriculture, forestry, and fishing, where Toxoplasma infection is more common (p = 0.0477). Moreover, Toxoplasma infection increased the odds of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (OR = 6.99, 95% CI = 1.85–26.32, p = 0.0237). Conclusion: T. gondii IgG+ antibody was significantly associated with liver injury biomarkers (ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP) and an increased risk of CLD and NAFLD. Moreover, the association of Toxoplasma with CLD was more evident in specific occupations where the prevalence of Toxoplasma was high. The findings of this study provide insight into utilizing liver biomarkers and US-FLI to assess the health complications of Toxoplasma when imaging tests are not accessible.
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15
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Galeh TM, Sarvi S, Hosseini SA, Daryani A. Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from rodents in the world: A systematic review. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:943-957. [PMID: 33825346 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most frequent food-borne infections in humans caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Rodents, as intermediate and reservoir hosts, play key role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis; because they are the main source of infection for the Felidae family members and establish the parasite life cycle. Hence, the infectious isolates of T. gondii in rodents may be the main genotypes infecting the environment, humans and animals. Our review aimed to present the population structure of T. gondii in these mammals. To access the relevant studies, six English language databases were systematically searched from 1990 to 2019. Finally, 3,395 samples of rodents were analysed for the genotyping data and 118 isolates were separated from the samples. The results of the present study showed that atypical genotypes were dominant with a frequency of 65.2% of the total isolates (77 out of 118). Clonal Types II, III and I had less frequency, respectively. Type I clonal isolates were identified only from Asia. The examination of genotypes circulating in rodents around the world revealed that ToxoDB #1 or #3 (Type II) were the most common, followed by ToxoDB #9 and #2, respectively. Overall, our data showed low genetic diversity of T. gondii with circulating clonal strains in rodents compare to the isolates from Europe, North America and Africa, while non-clonal parasites with high genetic diversity were dominant in South America and Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Mikaeili Galeh
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student of Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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16
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Calero-Bernal R, Fernández-Escobar M, Katzer F, Su C, Ortega-Mora LM. Unifying Virulence Evaluation in Toxoplasma gondii: A Timely Task. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:868727. [PMID: 35573788 PMCID: PMC9097680 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.868727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a major zoonotic pathogen, possess a significant genetic and phenotypic diversity that have been proposed to be responsible for the variation in clinical outcomes, mainly related to reproductive failure and ocular and neurological signs. Different T. gondii haplogroups showed strong phenotypic differences in laboratory mouse infections, which provide a suitable model for mimicking acute and chronic infections. In addition, it has been observed that degrees of virulence might be related to the physiological status of the host and its genetic background. Currently, mortality rate (lethality) in outbred laboratory mice is the most significant phenotypic marker, which has been well defined for the three archetypal clonal types (I, II and III) of T. gondii; nevertheless, such a trait seems to be insufficient to discriminate between different degrees of virulence of field isolates. Many other non-lethal parameters, observed both in in vivo and in vitro experimental models, have been suggested as highly informative, yielding promising discriminatory power. Although intra-genotype variations have been observed in phenotypic characteristics, there is no clear picture of the phenotypes circulating worldwide; therefore, a global overview of T. gondii strain mortality in mice is presented here. Molecular characterization has been normalized to some extent, but this is not the case for the phenotypic characterization and definition of virulence. The present paper proposes a baseline (minimum required information) for the phenotypic characterization of T. gondii virulence and intends to highlight the needs for consistent methods when a panel of T. gondii isolates is evaluated for virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal, ; Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora,
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Frank Katzer
- Disease Control Department, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal, ; Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora,
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17
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Fernández-Escobar M, Schares G, Maksimov P, Joeres M, Ortega-Mora LM, Calero-Bernal R. Toxoplasma gondii Genotyping: A Closer Look Into Europe. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:842595. [PMID: 35402301 PMCID: PMC8984497 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.842595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a major zoonotic agent which may cause harmful effects mainly in pregnant and immunocompromised hosts. Despite many efforts on its genetic characterization, an entirely clear picture of the population structure in Europe has not been achieved yet. The present study aimed to summarize the available genotyping information and to map the distribution of circulating strains. There is consensus on type II T. gondii genotypes prevailing in Europe, but the absence of harmonization in the use of typing methods limits detailed knowledge. Standardized, high-end typing tools and integrative strategies are needed to fill the gaps and complete an accurate image of the T. gondii genetic population in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gereon Schares
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Maike Joeres
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal,
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18
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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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19
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KYAN H, TAKARA T, TAIRA K, OBI T. Toxoplasma gondii antibody prevalence and isolation in free-ranging cats in Okinawa, Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2021; 83:1303-1305. [PMID: 34219071 PMCID: PMC8437723 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cats are an important host of Toxoplasma gondii from an epidemiological perspective because they are the only definitive hosts that excrete oocysts in their feces. In this study, 201 free-ranging cats in Okinawa were examined for T. gondii infection. Using the latex agglutination test, we detected antibodies against T. gondii in 26.9% (54/201) of the cats. Oocysts of T. gondii were not detected upon microscopic examination of the feces of 128 cats. T. gondii was isolated from the tissues of 9 out of 24 seropositive or pseudo-seropositive cats with a bioassay using laboratory mice. Genotyping for the GRA6 gene revealed that five and four of the isolates were type I and II, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisako KYAN
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment,
Okinawa 904-2241, Japan
| | - Taketoshi TAKARA
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment,
Okinawa 904-2241, Japan
| | - Katsuya TAIRA
- Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment,
Okinawa 904-2241, Japan
| | - Takeshi OBI
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University,
Kagoshima 890-0065 Japan
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20
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Nzelu IN, Kwaga JKP, Kabir J, Lawal IA, Beazley C, Evans L, Blake DP. Detection and genetic characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii circulating in free-range chickens, pigs and seropositive pregnant women in Benue state, Nigeria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009458. [PMID: 34077414 PMCID: PMC8202946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii parasites present strong but geographically varied signatures of population structure. Populations sampled from Europe and North America have commonly been defined by over-representation of a small number of clonal types, in contrast to greater diversity in South America. The occurrence and extent of genetic diversity in African T. gondii populations remains understudied, undermining assessments of risk and transmission. The present study was designed to establish the occurrence, genotype and phylogeny of T. gondii in meat samples collected from livestock produced for human consumption (free-range chickens, n = 173; pigs, n = 211), comparing with T. gondii detected in blood samples collected from seropositive pregnant women (n = 91) in Benue state, Nigeria. The presence of T. gondii DNA was determined using a published nested polymerase chain reaction, targeting the 529 bp multicopy gene element. Samples with the highest parasite load (assessed using quantitative PCR) were selected for PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) targeting the surface antigen 3 (SAG3), SAG2 (5’ and 3’), beta-tubulin (BTUB) and dense granule protein 6 (GRA6) loci, and the apicoplast genome (Apico). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in all three of the populations sampled, presenting 30.6, 31.3 and 25.3% occurrence in free-range chickens, pigs and seropositive pregnant women, respectively. Quantitative-PCR indicated low parasite occurrence in most positive samples, limiting some further molecular analyses. PCR-RFLP results suggested that T. gondii circulating in the sampled populations presented with a type II genetic background, although all included a hybrid type I/II or II/III haplotype. Concatenation of aligned RFLP amplicon sequences revealed limited diversity with nine haplotypes and little indication of host species-specific or spatially distributed sub-populations. Samples collected from humans shared haplotypes with free-range chickens and/or pigs. Africa remains under-explored for T. gondii genetic diversity and this study provides the first detailed definition of haplotypes circulating in human and animal populations in Nigeria. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that infects most warm-blooded animals and can be transmitted from animals to humans. Three dominant genetic types have been described from a larger pool of around 16, and it has been suggested that the severity of disease may be influenced by genetic type. Little is known of T. gondii in Africa. The burden of disease is unclear, while lack of knowledge around genetic diversity and population structure undermines effective risk assessment and control. We sought to determine if T. gondii was prevalent in pigs and poultry produced for human consumption in Nigeria, comparing with genetic types detected in the overlapping human population. Using meat samples from free-range chickens and pigs, and blood samples from seropositive pregnant women in Benue state, Nigeria, we found that T. gondii with a type II genetic background were most common with limited genetic diversity. Detection of comparable genetic types in the free-range chicken, pig and human populations indicate an overlapping parasite population and can be used to inform assessments of risk to human health, most notably pregnant women. The information reported here informs on the occurrence and population structure of T. gondii in Nigeria, contributing to improved understanding in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifeoma N. Nzelu
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob K. P. Kwaga
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Junaidu Kabir
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Idris A. Lawal
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Christy Beazley
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Evans
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Damer P. Blake
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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21
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ROP18 and ROP5 alleles combinations are related with virulence of T. gondii isolates from Argentina. Parasitol Int 2021; 83:102328. [PMID: 33713809 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The allelic combination of ROP18/ROP5 genes of Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to be highly predictive of mouse virulence in canonical isolates and strains. The aims of this study were to analyze the alleles present in the ROP18/ROP5 genes from T. gondii isolates obtained in Argentina, to associate the results with the virulence registered in mouse model, and to compare with other isolates and reference strains using a phylogenetic network. Fourteen T. gondii isolates from Argentina were analyzed by nPCR-RFLP for ROP18/ROP5. Phylogenetic network analysis was inferred using the ToxoDB genotypes and the ROPs molecular markers. All isolates and reference strains were categorized as lethal or non-lethal. As results, combinations 2/2, 3/3 and 4/3 for ROP18/ROP5 were detected in 12 isolates, whereas only alleles 1 and 2 of ROP5 were detected in 2 isolates. The majority of the isolates had a mouse virulence matching to that predicted by the ROP18/ROP5 allele combination. The 3 isolates that differed from the expected virulence presented non-clonal genotypes. ROPs incorporation increased the accuracy of the phylogenetic network relations among the T. gondii samples, prevailing the clustering according to regions. Our results indicate a predominance of type 3 allele in both ROP18 and ROP5 markers and an association of allelic profiles 3/3 and 4/3 of non-clonal genotypes from Argentina, both with virulent and avirulent profiles in mice.
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22
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A simple method to generate PCR-RFLP typing profiles from DNA sequences in Toxoplasma gondii. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 85:104590. [PMID: 33039604 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Multilocus polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) has been widely used to genotype microorganisms. Accumulation of data generated by this method has helped to reveal genetic diversity, population structure and transmission of many microbial pathogens. Advances in DNA sequencing technologies have made it possible to identify microorganisms by multilocus sequencing typing (MLST) or whole genome sequence typing (WGST) to reach high resolution of identification. While MLST and WGST are gradually replacing PCR-RFLP for genotyping, invaluable databases generated by the latter may not be easily linked to datasets generated by sequencing based methods. In addition, DNA sequences corresponding to PCR-RFLP markers are often deposited in public domains but not fully explored to infer the RFLP profile. To alleviate this problem, we developed a simple protocol that can generate PCR-RFLP profiles from DNA sequence data, therefore facilitating the integration of data generated by different typing methods. Here we used the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii as an example to bridge different typing methods.
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Ybañez RHD, Ybañez AP, Nishikawa Y. Review on the Current Trends of Toxoplasmosis Serodiagnosis in Humans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:204. [PMID: 32457848 PMCID: PMC7227408 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a widely distributed zoonotic infection caused by the obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is mainly transmitted through the ingestion of oocysts shed by an infected cat acting as its definitive host. The key to effective control and treatment of toxoplasmosis is prompt and accurate detection of T. gondii infection. Several laboratory diagnostic methods have been established, including the most commonly used serological assays such as the dye test (DT), direct or modified agglutination test (DAT/MAT), indirect hemagglutination test (IHA), latex agglutination test (LAT), indirect immunofluorescent test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), immunochromatographic tests (ICT), and the western blot. Nonetheless, creating specific and reliable approaches for serodiagnosis of T. gondii infection, and differentiating between acute and chronic phases of infection remains a challenge. This review provides information on the current trends in the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. It highlights the advantages of the use of recombinant proteins for serological testing and provides insight into the possible future direction of these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rochelle Haidee D Ybañez
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Adrian P Ybañez
- Institute of Molecular Parasitology and Protozoan Diseases at Main and College of Veterinary Medicine, Cebu Technological University, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
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24
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Shamaev ND, Shuralev EA, Petrov SV, Kazaryan GG, Aleksandrova NM, Valeeva AR, Khaertynov KS, Mukminov MN, Kitoh K, Takashima Y. Seroprevalence and B1 gene genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in farmed European mink in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. Parasitol Int 2020; 76:102067. [PMID: 32004751 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects almost all species of mammals and birds, including fur-bearing animals. However, the prevalence of T. gondii among Russian fur-bearing animals is unknown. In this study, the seroprevalence of T. gondii in European mink in Russia was investigated. In total, 100, 119 and 61 serum samples were collected from a fur farm, located in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, in autumn 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in 2016, 2017 and 2018 was 32% (23.2%-42.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]), 31.1% (23.1%-40.3%, 95% CI) and 41.0% (28.8%-54.3%, 95% CI), respectively. In total, 50 brain samples from 100 animals whose blood was sampled in 2016 were analyzed by PCR to detect T. gondii DNA. T. gondii DNA was detected in 14% (7/50) of the mink brain samples. To examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the partial B1 gene, we sequenced an 836-bp fragment, which contains a few SNPs, from the detected T. gondii DNA. The sequences of the fragments were identical to those of two of the major lineages, Type II and Type III, but differed from that of the Type I lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai D Shamaev
- Department of Applied Ecology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420008, Russian Federation; The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Eduard A Shuralev
- Department of Applied Ecology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420008, Russian Federation; Central Research Laboratory, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education (Kazan State Medical Academy Branch), 36 Butlerova St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420012, Russian Federation; Federal Center for Toxicological, Radiation and Biological Safety, Nauchniy Gorodok-2, Kazan, Tatarstan 420075, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey V Petrov
- Department of Applied Ecology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420008, Russian Federation
| | - Gevorg G Kazaryan
- Department of Applied Ecology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420008, Russian Federation; Central Research Laboratory, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education (Kazan State Medical Academy Branch), 36 Butlerova St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420012, Russian Federation
| | - Natalya M Aleksandrova
- Gene and Cell Technologies OpenLab, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya St, Kazan, Tatarstan 420008, Russian Federation
| | - Anna R Valeeva
- Central Research Laboratory, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education (Kazan State Medical Academy Branch), 36 Butlerova St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420012, Russian Federation
| | - Kamil S Khaertynov
- Central Research Laboratory, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education (Kazan State Medical Academy Branch), 36 Butlerova St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420012, Russian Federation; Federal Center for Toxicological, Radiation and Biological Safety, Nauchniy Gorodok-2, Kazan, Tatarstan 420075, Russian Federation
| | - Malik N Mukminov
- Department of Applied Ecology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420008, Russian Federation; Central Research Laboratory, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education (Kazan State Medical Academy Branch), 36 Butlerova St., Kazan, Tatarstan 420012, Russian Federation
| | - Katsuya Kitoh
- Department of Veterinary Parasitological Diseases, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Department of Veterinary Parasitological Diseases, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; Education and Research Center for Food Animal Health, Gifu University (GeFAH), 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences, Gifu University (G-CHAIN), 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
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25
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Vilares A, Borges V, Sampaio D, Ferreira I, Martins S, Vieira L, Gargaté MJ, Gomes JP. Towards a rapid sequencing-based molecular surveillance and mosaicism investigation of Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:587-599. [PMID: 31897784 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06523-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Advances in molecular epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii are hampered by technical and cost-associated hurdles underlying the acquisition of genomic data from parasites. In order to implement an enhanced genotyping approach for molecular surveillance of T. gondii, we applied a multi-locus amplicon-based sequencing strategy to samples associated with human infection. This approach, targeting genome-dispersed polymorphic loci potentially involved in adaptation and virulence, genetically discriminated almost all 68 studied strains and revealed a scenario of marked genomic mosaicism. Two-thirds (n = 43) of all strains were classified as recombinant, although recombination seemed to be linked to the classical archetypal lineage. While 92% of the Sag2 archetype I strains revealed genetic mosaicism, only 45% of Sag2 archetype II strains were identified as recombinant. Contrarily to the virulence-associated archetype I, most type II strains (regardless of their recombination background) were non-virulent in mouse. Besides Sag2, some of the newly studied loci (namely the type I/I-like alleles of Sag1, B17, PK1, and Sag3 and type III/III-like alleles of TgM-A) constitute promising candidates to rapidly infer T. gondii mouse virulence. Our successful attempt to capture microsatellite length variation launches good perspectives for the straightforward transition from the laborious intensive historical method to more informative next-generation sequencing (NGS)/bioinformatics-based methodologies. Overall, while T. gondii whole-genome sequencing will be hardly feasible in most laboratories, this study shows that a discrete loci panel has the potential to improve the molecular epidemiology of T. gondii towards a better monitoring of circulating genotypes with clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabela Vilares
- National Reference Laboratory of Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal. .,Faculty of Sciences, BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Vítor Borges
- Bioinformatics Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniel Sampaio
- Innovation and Technology Unit, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Idalina Ferreira
- National Reference Laboratory of Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Martins
- National Reference Laboratory of Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luis Vieira
- Innovation and Technology Unit, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, Nova Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Gargaté
- National Reference Laboratory of Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Bioinformatics Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
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Global selective sweep of a highly inbred genome of the cattle parasite Neospora caninum. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:22764-22773. [PMID: 31636194 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913531116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum, a cyst-forming apicomplexan parasite, is a leading cause of neuromuscular diseases in dogs as well as fetal abortion in cattle worldwide. The importance of the domestic and sylvatic life cycles of Neospora, and the role of vertical transmission in the expansion and transmission of infection in cattle, is not sufficiently understood. To elucidate the population genomics of Neospora, we genotyped 50 isolates collected worldwide from a wide range of hosts using 19 linked and unlinked genetic markers. Phylogenetic analysis and genetic distance indices resolved a single genotype of N. caninum Whole-genome sequencing of 7 isolates from 2 different continents identified high linkage disequilibrium, significant structural variation, but only limited polymorphism genome-wide, with only 5,766 biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) total. Greater than half of these SNPs (∼3,000) clustered into 6 distinct haploblocks and each block possessed limited allelic diversity (with only 4 to 6 haplotypes resolved at each cluster). Importantly, the alleles at each haploblock had independently segregated across the strains sequenced, supporting a unisexual expansion model that is mosaic at 6 genomic blocks. Integrating seroprevalence data from African cattle, our data support a global selective sweep of a highly inbred livestock pathogen that originated within European dairy stock and expanded transcontinentally via unisexual mating and vertical transmission very recently, likely the result of human activities, including recurrent migration, domestication, and breed development of bovid and canid hosts within similar proximities.
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Masatani T, Oyamada S, Inoue R, Tsujio M, Hatai H, Matsui T, Matsuo T. In vivo characterization of a Toxoplasma gondii strain TgCatJpTy1/k-3 isolated from a stray cat in Japan. Parasitol Int 2019; 74:101995. [PMID: 31634629 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.101995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Toxoplasma gondii strain TgCatJpTy1/k-3 (K-3), isolated from a stray cat in Tokyo, Japan, is categorized as a type II genotype. Since the K-3 strain is empirically known to form relatively larger cysts and exhibit weak pathogenesis in a mouse, it could serve as a useful model organism to study chronic T. gondii infection in the host. However, a detailed biological characterization of this strain had not been performed. In this study, we thoroughly assessed the K-3 strain in vivo using a mouse model. Tests indicated that pathogenicity of the K-3 strain was lower than that of the PLK strain, a clonal laboratory strain with a moderately pathogenic type II genotype. Further, cyst sizes of the K-3 strain were significantly larger than those of the PLK strain. Interestingly, K-3 cyst sizes in T. gondii-resistant ICR mice were larger than those in T. gondii-susceptible C57BL/6N mice. Our study suggests that the K-3 strain is suitable to study T. gondii cystogenesis and chronic infection, which are currently difficult to analyze using cell-adopted T. gondii strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsunori Masatani
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Shohei Oyamada
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Ryota Inoue
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Masashi Tsujio
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hatai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Histopathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Matsui
- Seisen University, Higashi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8642, Japan
| | - Tomohide Matsuo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
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28
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Simon S, de Thoisy B, Mercier A, Nacher M, Demar M. Virulence of atypical Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated in French Guiana in a murine model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 26:60. [PMID: 31549631 PMCID: PMC6757855 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2019048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background. Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of warm-blooded vertebrates. Most infections in immunocompetent patients are asymptomatic. However, since 2000s, strains with particular genetic profiles that differ from the known clonal type (type I, II, III), have been described. In French Guiana, these strains are highly pathogenic in immunocompetent patients. They have defined a new clinical entity called Amazonian Toxoplasmosis. The present study aims to further improve our knowledge on the pathogenicity of these Amazonian T. gondii strains in comparison with three reference strains using Swiss strain mice. With these data, we tried to establish a predictive virulence score to classify these strains, but also to correlate this virulence with the severity of the disease in infected patients. Results. All the virulence indicators revealed that the Amazonian strains isolated in French Guiana presented a high virulence profile, but lower than the highly virulent type I reference RH strain. The findings reveal differences in virulence between human and animal strains, but also between anthropized and wild strains. Conclusion. In addition to being a clinically relevant animal model of Amazonian Toxoplasmosis, this model could also provide a solid experimental basis for future studies aiming to investigate the underlying mechanisms of Amazonian Toxoplasmosis disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Simon
- Equipe EA3593 - Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de la Guyane, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana - Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, Cayenne General Hospital, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Benoit de Thoisy
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France - Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Ressource Center, CHU Limoges, 87042 Limoges, France
| | - Mathieu Nacher
- Equipe EA3593 - Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de la Guyane, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana - Centre d'Investigation Clinique Epidémiologie Clinique Antilles Guyane CIC CIE 1424, Cayenne General Hospital, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Magalie Demar
- Equipe EA3593 - Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de la Guyane, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana - Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, Cayenne General Hospital, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana
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29
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Rochet E, Appukuttan B, Ma Y, Ashander LM, Smith JR. Expression of Long Non-Coding RNAs by Human Retinal Müller Glial Cells Infected with Clonal and Exotic Virulent Toxoplasma gondii. Noncoding RNA 2019; 5:ncrna5040048. [PMID: 31547203 PMCID: PMC6958423 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna5040048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal infection with Toxoplasma gondii-ocular toxoplasmosis-is a common cause of vision impairment worldwide. Pathology combines parasite-induced retinal cell death and reactive intraocular inflammation. Müller glial cells, which represent the supporting cell population of the retina, are relatively susceptible to infection with T. gondii. We investigated expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with immunologic regulatory activity in Müller cells infected with virulent T. gondii strains-GT1 (haplogroup 1, type I) and GPHT (haplogroup 6). We first confirmed expression of 33 lncRNA in primary cell isolates. MIO-M1 human retinal Müller cell monolayers were infected with T. gondii tachyzoites (multiplicity of infection = 5) and harvested at 4, 12, 24, and 36 h post-infection, with infection being tracked by the expression of parasite surface antigen 1 (SAG1). Significant fold-changes were observed for 31 lncRNAs at one or more time intervals. Similar changes between strains were measured for BANCR, CYTOR, FOXD3-AS1, GAS5, GSTT1-AS1, LINC-ROR, LUCAT1, MALAT1, MIR22HG, MIR143HG, PVT1, RMRP, SNHG15, and SOCS2-AS1. Changes differing between strains were measured for APTR, FIRRE, HOTAIR, HOXD-AS1, KCNQ1OT1, LINC00968, LINC01105, lnc-SGK1, MEG3, MHRT, MIAT, MIR17HG, MIR155HG, NEAT1, NeST, NRON, and PACER. Our findings suggest roles for lncRNAs in regulating retinal Müller cell immune responses to T. gondii, and encourage future studies on lncRNA as biomarkers and/or drug targets in ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Rochet
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Binoy Appukuttan
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Yuefang Ma
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Liam M Ashander
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Justine R Smith
- Flinders University College of Medicine & Public Health, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
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30
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Amouei A, Sarvi S, Sharif M, Aghayan SA, Javidnia J, Mizani A, Moosazadeh M, Shams N, Hosseini SA, Hosseininejad Z, Nayeri Chegeni T, Badali H, Daryani A. A systematic review of Toxoplasma gondii genotypes and feline: Geographical distribution trends. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:46-64. [PMID: 31464067 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is well known for its ability to virtually infect all warm-blooded vertebrates. Although felines as the definitive hosts have an important role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis, there are few descriptions of genetic diversity in the world. The present review study aimed to describe the population structure of T. gondii in these animal species. For the purpose of the study, five English language databases reporting data on T. gondii genotyping in cats were searched within March-June 2019. This study is registered on the site of CAMARADES-NC3Rs (15-Jan-2018). The searching process resulted in the inclusion of 50 reports published from 1992 to June 2019. The data revealed that 47,390 samples were genotyped into 662 T. gondii DNA/isolates. Globally, atypical genotypes were predominant (47.7%, n = 316); in addition, Type II clonal strains were the second most common genotype (37%, n = 244). These results suggested an epidemic population structure in America and Asia, and a clonal population structure in Europe and Africa. Genotype #3 was found to be dominant in Africa, Europe and Oceania continents. Furthermore, genotypes #9 and #5 were prevalent in Asia and America, respectively. Additionally, genotypes #2, #3, #5 and #20 were common genotypes in domestic and sylvatic cycles from family Felidae. Collectively, this systematic review indicated a large degree of genetic diversity and circulation of mouse-virulent T. gondii strains in this family. However, further studies are necessary to better understand the population structure of T. gondii in these animal species and determine the significance of their features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Amouei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran.,Department of Basic Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Sari Branch Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
| | - Sargis A Aghayan
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Azadeh Mizani
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahmood Moosazadeh
- Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nemat Shams
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Hosseininejad
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tooran Nayeri Chegeni
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hamid Badali
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
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31
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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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32
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Chiebao DP, Pena HF, Passarelli D, Santín T, Pulz LH, Strefezzi RF, Sevá AP, Martins CM, Lopes EG, Grisi Filho JHH, Gennari SM, Soares RM. Congenital Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii After Experimental Reinfection With Brazilian Typical Strains in Chronically Infected Sheep. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:93. [PMID: 31001545 PMCID: PMC6454189 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a cause of congenital diseases, miscarriages and stillbirths in production animals. In Brazil, non-archetypal genotypes of the parasite may be related to severe disease. Experimental infection with T. gondii was studied in sheep to analyse congenital transmission-related parameters in reinfections with different Brazilian parasite strains. Thirteen T. gondii-seronegative sheep were orally infected with 2 × 103oocysts for the primary infection: G1 (4 animals) were inoculated with TgCatBr71 strain (Type BrI genotype) and G2 andG3 (5 and 4 animals, respectively) withTgCatBr60 strain (Type BrIII genotype). After chronification of infection, the animals were impregnated. A second infection was performed after 60 days of gestation. TheG1 andG3 animals were inoculated withTgCatBr60BrIII and the G2 animals withTgCatBr71 BrI oocysts. The effects of reinfection were compared with a control group (5 animals) through physical examination, ultrasound imaging and serology. Ovine experimental infections were evaluated using mouse bioassays, molecular analysis, serological tests, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. No abortions occurred; a seropositive lamb and a mummified fetus from G2-BrIIIxBrI were produced. The vertical transmission rate detected in lambs from chronically infected sheep was 31.6% (6/19). It is demonstrated that reinfection and subsequent congenital transmission occured in one sheep with a primary Brl infection challenged with BrIII genotype of T. gondii. In a twin pregnancy from G2-BrIIIxBrI, congenital transmission from a latent infection was detected in both lambs. Congenital transmission could not be tracked in three lambs. Overall, previous T. gondii infection may fail to protect against congenital transmission from a reinfection and primary infection induced insufficient protection against vertical transmission which must be taken into account in decision-making for the use of seropositive animals as breeders. Similar trials with larger groups and contemplating host cellular immune response studies should be conducted to evaluate the actual impact of T. gondii reinfection involving different strains in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pontes Chiebao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hilda Fátima Pena
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle Passarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Santín
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lidia Hildebrand Pulz
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Francisco Strefezzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anaiá Paixão Sevá
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Marinelli Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Estela Gallucci Lopes
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Henrique Hildebrand Grisi Filho
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Solange Maria Gennari
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Martins Soares
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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33
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Galal L, Hamidović A, Dardé ML, Mercier M. Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii strains at the global level and its determinants. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 15:e00052. [PMID: 32095622 PMCID: PMC7033991 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The population structure of Toxoplasma gondii is characterized by contrasting geographic patterns of strain diversity at different spatial scales: global, regional and even local scales in some regions. The determinants of this diversity pattern and its possible evolutionary mechanisms are still largely unexplored. This review will focus on three main dichotomies observed in the population structure of the parasite: (1) domestic versus wild, (2) South America versus the rest of the world and (3) intercontinental clonal lineages versus regional or local clonal lineages. Here, the impact in terms of public health of this remarkably contrasting geographic diversity of T. gondii populations is discussed, with emphasis on the role of globalization of exchanges that could lead to rapid evolution of T. gondii population spatial structure and new challenges in a One Health context. Recombination events drive the evolution of population structure of Toxoplasma gondii. The population structure of Toxoplasma is different in wild and domestic environments. Virulence of Toxoplasma strains in reservoir hosts influences selection of local strains. Globalization of exchanges will impact the population structure of the parasite. Clinicians should be aware of more pathogenic strains imported from the wild environment or from South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Galal
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, UMR 1094, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - A Hamidović
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, UMR 1094, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - M L Dardé
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, UMR 1094, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, 87000 Limoges, France.,Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, CHU Limoges, 87042 Limoges, France
| | - M Mercier
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, UMR 1094, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, 87000 Limoges, France.,Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, CHU Limoges, 87042 Limoges, France
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34
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Wang JL, Zhang NZ, Li TT, He JJ, Elsheikha HM, Zhu XQ. Advances in the Development of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Vaccines: Challenges, Opportunities, and Perspectives. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:239-253. [PMID: 30718083 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Important progress has been made in understanding how immunity is elicited against Toxoplasma gondii - a complex pathogen with multiple mechanisms of immune evasion. Many vaccine candidates have been tested using various strategies in animal models. However, none of these strategies has delivered as yet, and important challenges remain in the development of vaccines that can eliminate the tissue cysts and/or fully block vertical transmission. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the host immune response to T. gondii infection and summarize the key limitations for the development of an effective, safe, and durable toxoplasmosis vaccine. We also discuss how the successes and failures in developing and testing vaccine candidates have provided a roadmap for future vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Jun-Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China.
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35
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Pardini L, Bernstein M, Carral LA, Kaufer FJ, Dellarupe A, Gos ML, Campero LM, Moré G, Messina MT, Schneider MV, Freuler CB, Durlach RA, Unzaga JM, Venturini MC. Congenital human toxoplasmosis caused by non-clonal Toxoplasma gondii genotypes in Argentina. Parasitol Int 2018; 68:48-52. [PMID: 30304711 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, a worldwide distributed zoonosis, can be transmitted congenitally affecting fetuses and developing variable clinical signs. Different Toxoplasma gondii genotypes and infective dose are related factors with different clinical manifestations. Several studies indicate that atypical strains could produce more severe clinical manifestations compared to typical strains. Umbilical cord blood (n = 37) and placenta (n = 19) were collected at birth from women with acute T. gondii infection and processed for isolation by mice bioassay. Six isolates were obtained and identified as TgHm14-4Arg, TgHm15-02Arg, TgHm16-01Arg, TgHm16-02Arg, TgHm17-01Arg and TgHm17-02Arg. Three genotypes described previously on Toxo-DB were identified: #138 identified in chickens from Brazil, #182 isolated from eared doves from Brazil, #14 from wallaby kangaroos and chickens from Argentina, chickens from Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Venezuela, cats and dogs from Brazil and Colombia and also coyotes from USA indicating worldwide distribution of these genotypes. Two new allele combinations were obtained showing high genotypes diversity in Argentina. Four of the isolates (TgHm14-4Arg, TgHm15-02Arg, TgHm16-01Arg, TgHm16-02Arg) and two of them (TgHm17-01Arg, TgHm17-02Arg) produced chronic and acute infections in mice, respectively. Until now, seven T. gondii isolates have been obtained from humans in Argentina, and all were atypical or non-clonal genotypes. The identification of atypical strains causing congenital toxoplasmosis and circulating in our region, make important to perform the serological screenings according Argentine Consensus of Toxoplasmosis and to apply and monitoring treatments earlier in pregnancy. To achieve this aim, it is necessary to inform general population about T. gondii infection, diagnostics and control measures. These results should serve to generate awareness about congenital toxoplasmosis in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lais Pardini
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Argentina.
| | - Mariana Bernstein
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Argentina
| | - Liliana A Carral
- Centro de Toxoplasmosis, Hospital Alemán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Andrea Dellarupe
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Argentina
| | - María L Gos
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Argentina
| | - Lucía M Campero
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Argentina
| | - Gastón Moré
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Argentina
| | - Matías T Messina
- Centro de Toxoplasmosis, Hospital Alemán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Juan M Unzaga
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
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36
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Bernstein M, Pardini L, Moré G, Unzaga JM, Su C, Venturini MC. Population structure of Toxoplasma gondii in Argentina. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 65:72-79. [PMID: 30030206 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is worldwide distributed showing a particular population structure that may differ among continents and countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the T. gondii population structure in Argentina and compare it with genotyping information from other South American countries. For the analysis, 39 samples from Argentina (isolates from the provinces of Buenos Aires, Misiones, Entre Ríos and San Luis) were genotyped using 10 multilocus PCR-RFLP markers including SAG1, SAG2 (5'-3'SAG2, alt. SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, C22-8, C29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico. The T. gondii DNA samples were obtained from domestics animals (chickens n = 20; cats n = 3; pigs n = 2; goat n = 1; rabbit n = 1), humans (n = 6), zoo animals (n = 5) and a rat (n = 1). Phylogenetic relationship of these Argentinean isolates together with representative reference genotypes was determined by phylogenetic network analysis. Thirty-seven Argentinean samples belonged to 21 genotypes and two samples were genotyped at 8 of the 10 loci and considered incomplete characterized. Among these 37 typed samples, five genotypes were not previously reported. The majority of the samples grouped with the Type III (ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #2) lineage. The clonal Type II (ToxoDB genotypes #1 and #3) was also identified. Our results suggest a unique population structure with combination of unique genotypes and the common Type II and Type III lineages in Argentina. Nevertheless, different regions showed distinctive pattern of genotypes, revealing a higher variability in Northern provinces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Bernstein
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Bs. As, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lais Pardini
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Bs. As, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gastón Moré
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Bs. As, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Juan M Unzaga
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Bs. As, Argentina
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - María C Venturini
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Bs. As, Argentina
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37
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Taniguchi Y, Appiah-Kwarteng C, Murakami M, Fukumoto J, Nagamune K, Matsuo T, Masatani T, Kanuka H, Hoshina T, Kitoh K, Takashima Y. Atypical virulence in a type III Toxoplasma gondii strain isolated in Japan. Parasitol Int 2018; 67:587-592. [PMID: 29775826 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The virulence of a type III Toxoplasma gondii strain isolated in Japan and designated here as TgCatJpGi1/TaJ was examined in mice and micro minipigs in this study. Despite its type III genotype, oral or intraperitoneal inoculation of cysts from it resulted in severe virulence in C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice. In contrast, mice inoculated with a high dose of TgCatJpGi1/TaJ tachyzoites showed no obvious clinical signs of infection, and all of them survived for >21 days post-inoculation. Furthermore, no clinical signs of infection were seen when micro minipigs were inoculated with 900 cysts. Interestingly, our allelic type screening of the virulence-related rop5, rop16, rop17, and rop18 genes, as based on restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP), revealed that the RFLP patterns for TgCatJpGi1/TaJ were identical to those from nonvirulent type III parasites. These results suggest that TgCatJpGi1/TaJ possesses an unknown virulence factor or factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Taniguchi
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Cornelia Appiah-Kwarteng
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Mami Murakami
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; Department of Veterinary Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1, Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Junpei Fukumoto
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Kisaburo Nagamune
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan; Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Tomohide Matsuo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Masatani
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kanuka
- Department of Tropical Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tokio Hoshina
- Department of Tropical Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuya Kitoh
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; Department of Veterinary Parasitological Diseases, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; Department of Veterinary Parasitological Diseases, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences, Gifu University (G-CHAIN), 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
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Oh H, Eo KY, Gumber S, Hong JJ, Kim CY, Lee HH, Jung YM, Kim J, Whang GW, Lee JM, Yeo YG, Ryu B, Ryu JS, Lee SK, Kim U, Kang SG, Park JH. An outbreak of toxoplasmosis in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) in South Korea. J Med Primatol 2018; 47:238-246. [PMID: 29708278 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan parasite that can infect warm-blooded animals including humans. New World monkeys, such as squirrel monkeys, are more susceptible to T. gondii than Old World monkeys, often developing fatal disease. METHODS In this study, seven of thirteen dead squirrel monkeys at Seoul Grand Park were tested to find the cause of sudden death. RESULTS The main histopathological findings included interstitial pneumonia, necrotizing hepatitis, and splenitis. Periodic acid-Schiff staining of liver, spleen, and lung revealed cyst structures consistent with bradyzoites. Amplification of the B1 gene was detected in the liver or spleen of all monkeys. Additionally, a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and phylogenetic analysis of the GRA6 amplicon revealed a consistent clustering with the type II strain of T. gondii. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first report of T. gondii infection of squirrel monkeys in Korea, and the first report of type II T. gondii based on GRA6 analysis in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanseul Oh
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung-Yeon Eo
- Conservation and Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyonggido, Korea
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jung Joo Hong
- National Primate Research Center (NPRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Korea
| | - C-Yoon Kim
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Ho Lee
- Conservation and Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyonggido, Korea
| | - Young-Mok Jung
- Conservation and Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyonggido, Korea
| | - Jin Kim
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gyu-Whan Whang
- Conservation and Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyonggido, Korea
| | - Ji-Min Lee
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Gu Yeo
- Conservation and Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyonggido, Korea
| | - Bokyeong Ryu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Sook Ryu
- Conservation and Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyonggido, Korea
| | - Seul-Kee Lee
- Conservation and Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyonggido, Korea
| | - Ukjin Kim
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sin-Geun Kang
- Conservation and Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyonggido, Korea
| | - Jae-Hak Park
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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Rico-Torres CP, Valenzuela-Moreno LF, Luna-Pastén H, Figueroa-Damián R, Gómez-Toscano V, Hernández-Delgado L, Escobedo-Torres MP, Correa D. High heterogeneity, mixed infections and new genotypes in human congenital toxoplasmosis cases in the mega-metropolis of Central Mexico. Acta Trop 2018; 178:124-129. [PMID: 29170005 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mexico presents high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection, including the congenital form, but there are few data about the genetic diversity of the parasite, so we attempted parasite isolation and genotyping in nine mother/children pairs with congenital toxoplasmosis (CT), living in the Valley of Mexico, who were part of a 30 cases cohort that started 12 years ago. They were recruited through research projects which included pre- and postnatal screening of congenital infections or directly CT, and cases referred to INP for management because they had clinical abnormalities. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP of SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico markers, followed by sequencing. Sixty seven percent of samples were typed for the SAG3 locus, 39% for Apico and 33% for BTUB, while Alt. SAG2, GRA6 and c29-2 types could be labelled in less cases. Type I alleles predominated, followed by II and III. We isolated the first strain obtained from humans in Mexico and found three genotypes not previously found in the world. The presence of ToxoDB#10 clonal type was documented in one pair, as well as mixed infections in five mothers. No relation of genotype or parasite load with clinical signs was found. In conclusion, we encountered great genetic diversity and mixed T. gondii infections among mother/children pairs with congenital toxoplasmosis in the mega-metropolis of the Valley of Mexico.
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Cheng W, Wang C, Xu T, Liu F, Pappoe F, Luo Q, Xu Y, Lu F, Shen J. Genotyping of polymorphic effectors of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from China. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:580. [PMID: 29157292 PMCID: PMC5697216 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2527-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan apicomplexan and obligate intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of animals and humans. Rhoptry proteins 5 (ROP5), ROP16, ROP18 and dense granules 15 (GRA15) are the important effectors secreted by T. gondii which link to the strain virulence for mice and modulate the host’s response to the parasite. Little has been known about these molecules as well as GRA3 in type Chinese 1 strains that show polymorphism among strains of archetypical genotypes. This study examined the genetic diversity of these effectors and its correlated virulence in mice among T. gondii isolates from China. Results Twenty-one isolates from stray cats were detected, of which 15 belong to Chinese 1, and 6 to ToxoDB #205. Wh6 isolate, a Chinese 1 strain, has an avirulent phenotype. PCR-RFLP results of ROP5 and ROP18 presented few variations among the strains. Genotyping of GRA15 and ROP16 revealed that all the strains belong to type II allele except Xz7 which carries type I allele. ROP16 amino acid alignment at 503 locus demonstrated that 17 isolates are featured as type I or type III (ROP16I/III), and the other 4 as type II (ROP16II). The strains investigated may be divided into four groups based on GRA3 amino acid alignment, and all isolates of type Chinese 1 belong to the μ-1 allele except Wh6 which is identical to type II strain. Conclusions PCR-RFLP and sequence alignment analyses of ROP5, ROP16, ROP18, GRA3, and GRA15 in T. gondii revealed that strains with the same genotype may have variations in some of their key genes. GRA3 variation exhibited by Wh6 strain may be associated with the difference in phenotype and pathogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-017-2527-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisheng Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Faustina Pappoe
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Qingli Luo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Fangli Lu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
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Galal L, Ajzenberg D, Hamidović A, Durieux MF, Dardé ML, Mercier A. Toxoplasma and Africa: One Parasite, Two Opposite Population Structures. Trends Parasitol 2017; 34:140-154. [PMID: 29174610 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii is essential for an understanding of its worldwide distribution and the determinants of its evolution. Africa remains one of the least studied areas of the world regarding T. gondii genetic diversity. This review has compiled published data on T. gondii strains from Africa to generate a comprehensive map of their continent-wide geographical distribution. The emerging picture about T. gondii strain distribution in Africa suggests a geographical separation of the parasite populations across the continent. We discuss the potential role of a number of factors in shaping this structure. We finally suggest the next steps towards a better understanding of Toxoplasma epidemiology in Africa in light of the strains circulating on this continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokman Galal
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France
| | - Daniel Ajzenberg
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France; Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, 87042 Limoges, France
| | - Azra Hamidović
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France
| | - Marie-Fleur Durieux
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, 87042 Limoges, France
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France; Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, 87042 Limoges, France; Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, 87042 Limoges, France
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France; Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, 87042 Limoges, France.
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Multilocus sequence typing and clonal population genetic structure of Cyclospora cayetanensis in humans. Parasitology 2017; 144:1890-1897. [PMID: 28697813 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017001299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis in a longitudinal study and to conduct a population genetic analysis, fecal specimens from 6579 patients were collected during the cyclosporiasis - prevalent seasons in two urban areas of central China in 2011-2015. The overall incidence of C. cayetanensis infection was 1·2% (76/6579): 1·6% (50/3173) in Zhengzhou and 0·8% (26/3406) in Kaifeng (P 0·05). All the isolates clustered in the C. cayetanensis clade based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis. There were 45 specimens positive for all the five C. cayetanensis microsatellite loci, and formed 29 multilocus genotypes (MLGs). The phylogenetic relationships of 54 distinct MLGs (including 25 known reference MLGs), based on the concatenated multilocus sequences, formed three main clusters. A population structure analysis showed that the 79 isolates (including 34 known reference isolates) of C. cayetanensis produced three distinct subpopulations based on allelic profile data. In conclusion, we determined the frequency of C. cayetanensis infection in humans in Henan Province. The clonal population structure of the human C. cayetanensis isolates showed linkage disequilibrium and three distinct subpopulations.
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Abstract
Foodborne infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and foodborne parasitic diseases, though not as widespread as bacterial and viral infections, are common on all continents and in most ecosystems, including arctic, temperate, and tropical regions. Outbreaks of disease resulting from foodstuffs contaminated by parasitic protozoa have become increasingly recognized as a problem in the United States and globally. Increased international trade in food products has made movement of these organisms across national boundaries more frequent, and the risks associated with infections have become apparent in nations with well-developed food safety apparatus in place.
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Gao JM, Xie YT, Xu ZS, Chen H, Hide G, Yang TB, Shen JL, Lai DH, Lun ZR. Genetic analyses of Chinese isolates of Toxoplasma gondii reveal a new genotype with high virulence to murine hosts. Vet Parasitol 2017; 241:52-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Geographical distribution of Toxoplasma gondii genotypes in Asia: A link with neighboring continents. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 53:227-238. [PMID: 28583867 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Defining the pattern of genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii is important to understand its worldwide distribution. During the last decades, a large number of studies have been published on Toxoplasma genotypes circulating in Europe, in North and South America. Two continents are still largely unexplored, Africa and, to a less extent, Asia. In this last continent, an increasing number of publications reported genotypes circulating in diverse provinces of China, but very few data are available for other Asian countries. After a systematic database search, 47 papers related to T. gondii genotypes in Asia were analyzed. Genetic characterization of DNA was performed by microsatellite markers, or more usually by a multiplex PCR using 11 PCR-RFLP markers, allowing data comparison to draw a first global picture of the population structure of this parasite throughout Asia. Overall, 390 isolates or DNA extracts were completely typed by PCR-RFLP and/or microsatellite marker methods, revealing 36 different PCR-RFLP or equivalent microsatellite genotypes: 15 genotypes identified by a ToxoDB number and 21 atypical or unique genotypes. The most common genotype found in Asia is the genotype ToxoDB#9 (Chinese 1). The clonal types I, II and II variant, and III were also commonly found in Asia. The geographical distribution of these genotypes across Asia may reflect either a continuum with Europe for the western part of Asia (presence of Type II), or the circulation of strains through animal migration or human activities between Africa and the Southwestern part of Asia (Africa 1 genotype in Turkey or ToxoDB#20 both I Sri-Lanka and in Ethiopia or Egypt). Although there are some indications of a genetic population structure in Southeast Asian countries different from the rest of Asia, more studies in this tropical part of Asia will be necessary for a region which represent as well as Africa one of the missing links of the T. gondii genetic diversity.
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Martínez-Flores WA, Palma-García JM, Caballero-Ortega H, Del Viento-Camacho A, López-Escamilla E, Martínez-Hernández F, Vinuesa P, Correa D, Maravilla P. Genotyping Toxoplasma gondii with the B1 Gene in Naturally Infected Sheep from an Endemic Region in the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:495-502. [PMID: 28530509 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a broad ecological valence, which has been detected in a wide range of hosts and landscapes. Although the genus is considered monospecific, in recent years it has been demonstrated to exhibit more genetic variability than previously known. In Mexico, there are few genotyping studies, which suggest that classical, autochthonous, and atypical strains are circulating. The goal of this study was to describe T. gondii genetic diversity in naturally infected sheep from Colima, Mexico. This is a good site to study ecological aspects of this parasite since it is located between the Nearctic and Neotropical ecozones and it includes domestic and wild risks for transmission. We analyzed 305 tissue samples of semicaptive sheep from six coastal and central zones of Colima and border zones of Michoacán. We used an 803 bp amplicon of the B1 gene to genotype T. gondii and seroprevalence was determined by ELISA. Indexes for genetic diversity and genetic differentiation were calculated and compared with reference strains from North America (NA) and South America (SA). Twenty-three tissue samples were positive for the B1 gene by PCR, which were sequenced. Crude prevalence was 24.4%. The genetic analysis showed 16 variable sites along the 803 bp region that grouped all sequences into 13 haplotypes in the phylogenetic tree. Bayesian and haplotype network analysis showed nine new B1-types, of which three were frequent and six had unique alleles. Comparisons among sequence sets revealed that the Mexican population had lower differentiation than SA and an intermediate genetic variability between South America and North America. The B1 gene analysis showed new T. gondii haplotypes in naturally infected sheep; therefore, this marker could be initially used in molecular screening studies to identify potentially virulent genotypes of this parasite using natural host samples directly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Manuel Palma-García
- 2 Centro Universitario de Investigación y Desarrollo Agropecuario, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Colima , Colima, México
| | | | - Alejandra Del Viento-Camacho
- 2 Centro Universitario de Investigación y Desarrollo Agropecuario, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Colima , Colima, México
| | - Eduardo López-Escamilla
- 1 Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González," Ciudad de México, México
| | - Fernando Martínez-Hernández
- 1 Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González," Ciudad de México, México
| | - Pablo Vinuesa
- 4 Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Programa de Ingeniería Genómica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Cuernavaca, México
| | - Dolores Correa
- 3 Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría , Ciudad de México, México
| | - Pablo Maravilla
- 1 Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González," Ciudad de México, México
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Abstract
Early electron microscopy studies revealed the elaborate cellular features that define the unique adaptations of apicomplexan parasites. Among these were bulbous rhoptry (ROP) organelles and small, dense granules (GRAs), both of which are secreted during invasion of host cells. These early morphological studies were followed by the exploration of the cellular contents of these secretory organelles, revealing them to be comprised of highly divergent protein families with few conserved domains or predicted functions. In parallel, studies on host-pathogen interactions identified many host signaling pathways that were mysteriously altered by infection. It was only with the advent of forward and reverse genetic strategies that the connections between individual parasite effectors and the specific host pathways that they targeted finally became clear. The current repertoire of parasite effectors includes ROP kinases and pseudokinases that are secreted during invasion and that block host immune pathways. Similarly, many secretory GRA proteins alter host gene expression by activating host transcription factors, through modification of chromatin, or by inducing small noncoding RNAs. These effectors highlight novel mechanisms by which T. gondii has learned to harness host signaling to favor intracellular survival and will guide future studies designed to uncover the additional complexity of this intricate host-pathogen interaction.
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48
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Pappoe F, Cheng W, Wang L, Li Y, Obiri-Yeboah D, Nuvor SV, Ambachew H, Hu X, Luo Q, Chu D, Xu Y, Shen J. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV-infected patients and food animals and direct genotyping of T. gondii isolates, Southern Ghana. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1675-1685. [PMID: 28434050 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5442-x] [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: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is of public health and veterinary importance causing severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals including HIV/AIDS patients and in congenital cases and animals. There is limited information on the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in humans, particularly HIV patients and food animals and the parasite genotypes in Ghana. A total of 394 HIV-infected patients from three hospitals were screened for T. gondii anti-IgG and IgM using ELISA. DNAs from blood samples of seropositve participants and 95 brain tissues of food animals were PCR assayed to detect Toxoplasma gra6. DNA positive samples were genotyped using multilocus nested polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism at 10 loci: sag1, alt.sag2, sag3, btub, gra6, l358, c22-8, c29-2, pk1, and apico. The overall seroprevalence was 74.37% (293/394). Toxoplasma DNAs were detected in 3.07% of the seropositive participants and 9.47% of the animals. Six of the human DNA positive samples were partly typed at sag3: 33.33, 50, and 16.67% isolates had type I, II, and III alleles, respectively. All nine isolates from food animals typed at nine loci except apico were atypical: six isolates were identical to ToxoDB #41 and #145, and one was identical to TgCkBrRj2 all identified in Brazil. The genotype of two isolates has not been reported previously and was named as TgCtGh1. T. gondii seroprevalence is high among the HIV-infected individuals with T. gondii circulating in Ghana being genetically diverse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faustina Pappoe
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Weisheng Cheng
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.,Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, China
| | - Yuanling Li
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Samuel Victor Nuvor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Henock Ambachew
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, First Affiliated Hospital Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.,College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Xiaodong Hu
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Qingli Luo
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Deyong Chu
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, First Affiliated Hospital Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China. .,Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, First Affiliated Hospital Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
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Bertranpetit E, Jombart T, Paradis E, Pena H, Dubey J, Su C, Mercier A, Devillard S, Ajzenberg D. Phylogeography of Toxoplasma gondii points to a South American origin. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 48:150-155. [PMID: 28028000 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan found ubiquitously in mammals and birds, is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease causing substantial public health burden worldwide, including about 200,000 new cases of congenital toxoplasmosis each year. Clinical severity has been shown to vary across geographical regions, with South America exhibiting the highest burden. Unfortunately, the drivers of these heterogeneities are still poorly understood, and the geographical origin and historical spread of the pathogen worldwide are currently uncertain. A worldwide sample of 168 T. gondii isolates gathered in 13 populations was sequenced for five fragments of genes (140 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 3153bp per isolate). Phylogeny based on Maximum likelihood methods with estimation of the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) and geostatistical analyses were performed for inferring the putative origin of T. gondii. We show that extant strains of the pathogen likely evolved from a South American ancestor, around 1.5 million years ago, and reconstruct the subsequent spread of the pathogen worldwide. This emergence is much more recent than the appearance of ancestral T. gondii, believed to have taken place about 11 My ago, and follows the arrival of felids in this part of the world. We posit that an ancestral lineage of T. gondii likely arrived in South America with felids and that the evolution of oral infectivity through carnivorism and the radiation of felids in this region enabled a new strain to outcompete the ancestral lineage and undergo a pandemic radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Bertranpetit
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France
| | - Thibaut Jombart
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel Paradis
- Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution, Université Montpellier/CNRS/IRD/EPHE, Place Eugène Bataillon, CC 065, 34095 Montpellier cédex 05, France
| | - Hilda Pena
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jitender Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France
| | - Sébastien Devillard
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, F-69100 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Daniel Ajzenberg
- INSERM UMR_S 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges 87025, France.
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Infection of mice with oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii by oral route showed differences of virulence from Brazilian RFLP genotypes BrI and BrIII. Res Vet Sci 2016; 107:257-260. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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