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Islam MM, Farag E, Hassan MM, Enan KA, Mohammadi A, Aldiqs AK, Alhussain H, Al Musalmani E, Al-Zeyara AA, Al-Romaihi H, Yassine HM, Sultan AA, Bansal D, Mkhize-Kwitshana Z. Rodent-borne parasites in Qatar: A possible risk at the human-animal-ecosystem interface. One Health 2024; 18:100708. [PMID: 38496338 PMCID: PMC10944255 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodents are known reservoirs for a diverse group of zoonotic pathogens that can pose a threat to human health. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate these pathogens to institute prevention and control measures. To achieve this, the current study was conducted to investigate the frequency of different parasites in commensal rodents in Qatar. A total of 148 rodents, including Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, and Mus musculus were captured using traps placed in different habitats such as agricultural and livestock farms, residential areas, and other localities. Blood, feces, ectoparasite, and visceral organs were collected for gross, microscopic, immunological, and molecular analysis. The study identified 10 different parasites, including Capillaria annulosa, Eimeria spp., Giardia spp., Hymenolepis diminuta, Mastophorus muris, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Taenia taeniaeformis, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma lewisi, and Xenopsylla astia. Overall, 62.2% of the rodents tested positive for at least one parasite species. Helminths were found to be the most prevalent parasites (46.0%), followed by ectoparasites (31.8%), and protozoa (10.1%). However, individually, X. astia was the most prevalent (31.8%), whereas C. annulosa was the least common (0.7%). The prevalence of X. astia and H. diminuta significantly differed between habitats (p < 0.05). The sequence analysis of Hymenolepis spp. was closely related to the previously reported H. diminuta in Iran, China, and Mexico. In conclusion, the study identified a diverse range of rodent-borne parasites that are important to public health, with most of them being recorded for the first time among commensal rodents in Qatar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mazharul Islam
- Department of Animal Resources, Ministry of Municipality, Doha, Qatar
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Elmoubashar Farag
- Department of Health Protection & Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
- Queensland Alliance for One Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chottogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Khalid A. Enan
- Preventive Reference Laboratory, Department of Health Protection & Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417613151, Iran
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infection Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan 6556153145, Iran
| | | | | | | | | | - Hamad Al-Romaihi
- Department of Health Protection & Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ali A. Sultan
- Department of Microbiology and Imunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Devendra Bansal
- Department of Health Protection & Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
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Wang F, Holmes MJ, Hong HJ, Thaprawat P, Kannan G, Huynh MH, Schultz TL, Licon MH, Lourido S, Dong W, Brito Querido J, Sullivan WJ, O'Leary SE, Carruthers VB. Translation initiation factor eIF1.2 promotes Toxoplasma stage conversion by regulating levels of key differentiation factors. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4385. [PMID: 38782906 PMCID: PMC11116398 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48685-4] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii persists in its hosts by converting from replicating tachyzoites to latent bradyzoites housed in tissue cysts. The molecular mechanisms that mediate T. gondii differentiation remain poorly understood. Through a mutagenesis screen, we identified translation initiation factor eIF1.2 as a critical factor for T. gondii differentiation. A F97L mutation in eIF1.2 or the genetic ablation of eIF1.2 (∆eif1.2) markedly impeded bradyzoite cyst formation in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated, at single-molecule level, that the eIF1.2 F97L mutation impacts the scanning process of the ribosome preinitiation complex on a model mRNA. RNA sequencing and ribosome profiling experiments unveiled that ∆eif1.2 parasites are defective in upregulating bradyzoite induction factors BFD1 and BFD2 during stress-induced differentiation. Forced expression of BFD1 or BFD2 significantly restored differentiation in ∆eif1.2 parasites. Together, our findings suggest that eIF1.2 functions by regulating the translation of key differentiation factors necessary to establish chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengrong Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Michael J Holmes
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Hea Jin Hong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Pariyamon Thaprawat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Geetha Kannan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - My-Hang Huynh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Tracey L Schultz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | | | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Wenzhao Dong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jailson Brito Querido
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - William J Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Seán E O'Leary
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
- Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Vern B Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Wang F, Holmes MJ, Hong HJ, Thaprawat P, Kannan G, Huynh MH, Schultz TL, Licon MH, Lourido S, Dong W, Querido JB, Sullivan WJ, O'Leary SE, Carruthers VB. Translation initiation factor eIF1.2 promotes Toxoplasma stage conversion by regulating levels of key differentiation factors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.03.565545. [PMID: 37961607 PMCID: PMC10635126 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.03.565545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii persists in its hosts by converting from replicating tachyzoites to latent bradyzoites housed in tissue cysts. The molecular mechanisms that mediate T. gondii differentiation remain poorly understood. Through a mutagenesis screen, we identified translation initiation factor eIF1.2 as a critical factor for T. gondii differentiation. A F97L mutation in eIF1.2 or the genetic ablation of eIF1.2 (Δ eif1.2 ) markedly impeded bradyzoite cyst formation in vitro and in vivo . We demonstrated, at single-molecule level, that the eIF1.2 F97L mutation impacts the scanning process of the ribosome preinitiation complex on a model mRNA. RNA sequencing and ribosome profiling experiments unveiled that Δ eif1.2 parasites are defective in upregulating bradyzoite induction factors BFD1 and BFD2 during stress-induced differentiation. Forced expression of BFD1 or BFD2 significantly restored differentiation in Δ eif1.2 parasites. Together, our findings suggest that eIF1.2 functions by regulating the translation of key differentiation factors necessary to establish chronic toxoplasmosis.
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de Melo SA, Pinto SD, Ferreira EDS, Brotas R, Marinho EPM, da Silva VA, Monte RL, Feitoza PVS, Reis MF, Almeida TVR, Ferreira LCDL, Bastos MDS. Molecular diagnosis of opportunistic infections in the central nervous system of HIV-infected adults in Manaus, Amazonas. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 10:1298435. [PMID: 38264048 PMCID: PMC10803427 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1298435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Opportunistic infections in the central nervous system (CNS) of people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) remain significant contributors to morbidity and mortality, especially in resource-limited scenarios. Diagnosing these infections can be challenging, as brain imaging is non-specific and expensive. Therefore, molecular analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may offer a more accurate and affordable method for diagnosing pathogens. Methods We conducted extensive real-time PCR testing (qPCR) on CSF to evaluate etiological agents in PLWHA with neurological manifestations. Primers targeting DNA from specific pathogens, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), John Cunningham virus (JCV), Toxoplasma gondii, and human T-lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2), were used. Results Cerebrospinal fluid samples revealed 90 pathogens (36.7%). Toxoplasma gondii was the most frequently detected pathogen, found in 22 samples (30.5%). Other pathogens included Cryptococcus sp. (7.7%), EBV (5.3%), CMV, VZV, and JCV (4.0% each). Conclusion Despite antiretroviral therapy and medical follow-up, opportunistic central nervous system infections remain frequent in PLWHA. Herpesviruses are commonly detected, but T. gondii is the most prevalent opportunistic pathogen in our study population. Therefore, molecular diagnosis is a crucial tool for identifying opportunistic infections, even in patients undergoing treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Reinan Brotas
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rossiclea Lins Monte
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Taynná V. Rocha Almeida
- Departamento de Formação em Emergências em Saúde Pública, Ministério da Saúde, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
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Müller J, Hemphill A. In vitro screening technologies for the discovery and development of novel drugs against Toxoplasma gondii. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:97-109. [PMID: 37921660 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2276349] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis constitutes a challenge for public health, animal production and welfare. Since more than 60 years, only a limited panel of drugs has been in use for clinical applications. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors describe the methodology and the results of library screening approaches to identify inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii and related strains. The authors then provide the reader with their expert perspectives for the future. EXPERT OPINION Various library screening projects, in particular those using reporter strains, have led to the identification of numerous compounds with good efficacy and specificity in vitro. However, only few compounds are effective in suitable animal models such as rodents. Whereas no novel compound has cleared the hurdle to applications in humans, the few compounds with known indication and application profiles in human patients are of interest for further investigations. Taken together, drug repurposing as well as high-throughput screening of novel compound libraries may shorten the way to novel drugs against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Elati HAA, Goerner AL, Martorelli Di Genova B, Sheiner L, de Koning HP. Pyrimidine salvage in Toxoplasma gondii as a target for new treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1320160. [PMID: 38162577 PMCID: PMC10755004 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1320160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a common protozoan infection that can have severe outcomes in the immunocompromised and during pregnancy, but treatment options are limited. Recently, nucleotide metabolism has received much attention as a target for new antiprotozoal agents and here we focus on pyrimidine salvage by Toxoplasma gondii as a drug target. Whereas uptake of [3H]-cytidine and particularly [3H]-thymidine was at most marginal, [3H]-uracil and [3H]-uridine were readily taken up. Kinetic analysis of uridine uptake was consistent with a single transporter with a Km of 3.3 ± 0.8 µM, which was inhibited by uracil with high affinity (Ki = 1.15 ± 0.07 µM) but not by thymidine or 5-methyluridine, showing that the 5-Me group is incompatible with uptake by T. gondii. Conversely, [3H]-uracil transport displayed a Km of 2.05 ± 0.40 µM, not significantly different from the uracil Ki on uridine transport, and was inhibited by uridine with a Ki of 2.44 ± 0.59 µM, also not significantly different from the experimental uridine Km. The reciprocal, complete inhibition, displaying Hill slopes of approximately -1, strongly suggest that uridine and uracil share a single transporter with similarly high affinity for both, and we designate it uridine/uracil transporter 1 (TgUUT1). While TgUUT1 excludes 5-methyl substitutions, the smaller 5F substitution was tolerated, as 5F-uracil inhibited uptake of [3H]-uracil with a Ki of 6.80 ± 2.12 µM (P > 0.05 compared to uracil Km). Indeed, we found that 5F-Uridine, 5F-uracil and 5F,2'-deoxyuridine were all potent antimetabolites against T. gondii with EC50 values well below that of the current first line treatment, sulfadiazine. In vivo evaluation also showed that 5F-uracil and 5F,2'-deoxyuridine were similarly effective as sulfadiazine against acute toxoplasmosis. Our preliminary conclusion is that TgUUT1 mediates potential new anti-toxoplasmosis drugs with activity superior to the current treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza A. A. Elati
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacy College, University of Elmergib, Al Khums, Libya
| | - Amber L. Goerner
- Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Bruno Martorelli Di Genova
- Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Lilach Sheiner
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Holec-Gąsior L, Sołowińska K. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Small Ruminants: Old Problems, and Current Solutions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2696. [PMID: 37684960 PMCID: PMC10487074 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172696] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis of veterinary importance, with implications for public health. Toxoplasma gondii infection causes abortion or congenital disease in small ruminants. Moreover, the consumption of infected meat, cured meat products, or unpasteurized milk and dairy products can facilitate zoonotic transmission. Serological studies conducted in various European countries have shown the high seroprevalence of specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in sheep and goats related to the presence of oocysts in the environment, as well as climatic conditions. This article presents the current status of the detection possibilities for T. gondii infection in small ruminants and their milk. Serological testing is considered the most practical method for diagnosing toxoplasmosis; therefore, many studies have shown that recombinant antigens as single proteins, mixtures of various antigens, or chimeric proteins can be successfully used as an alternative to Toxoplasma lysate antigens (TLA). Several assays based on DNA amplification have been developed as alternative diagnostic methods, which are especially useful when serodiagnosis is not possible, e.g., the detection of intrauterine T. gondii infection when the fetus is not immunocompetent. These techniques employ multicopy sequences highly conserved among different strains of T. gondii in conventional, nested, competitive, and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza Str., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Schultz AB, Kugler DG, Nivelo L, Vitari N, Doyle LP, Ristin S, Hennighausen L, O’Shea JJ, Jankovic D, Villarino AV. T cell intrinsic STAT1 signaling prevents aberrant Th1 responses during acute toxoplasmosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1212190. [PMID: 37559725 PMCID: PMC10407301 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212190] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection-induced T cell responses must be properly tempered and terminated to prevent immuno-pathology. Using transgenic mice, we demonstrate that T cell intrinsic STAT1 signaling is required to curb inflammation during acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Specifically, we report that mice lacking STAT1 selectively in T cells expel parasites but ultimately succumb to lethal immuno-pathology characterized by aberrant Th1-type responses with reduced IL-10 and increased IL-13 production. We also find that, unlike STAT1, STAT3 is not required for induction of IL-10 or suppression of IL-13 during acute toxoplasmosis. Each of these findings was confirmed in vitro and ChIP-seq data mining showed that STAT1 and STAT3 co-localize at the Il10 locus, as well as loci encoding other transcription factors that regulate IL-10 production, most notably Maf and Irf4. These data advance basic understanding of how infection-induced T cell responses are managed to prevent immuno-pathology and provide specific insights on the anti-inflammatory properties of STAT1, highlighting its role in shaping the character of Th1-type responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron B. Schultz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - David G. Kugler
- Immunoparasitology Unit, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Luis Nivelo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Nicolas Vitari
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Laura P. Doyle
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Svetlana Ristin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Lothar Hennighausen
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - John J. O’Shea
- Lymphocyte Cell Biology Section, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dragana Jankovic
- Immunoparasitology Unit, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Alejandro V. Villarino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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de Martinis C, Pucciarelli A, Ottaiano M, Pellicanò R, Baldi L, Veneziano V, Sgroi G, Boccia F, Carbone C, Cardillo L, Fusco G. Toxoplasma gondii Investigation of Home-Reared Pigs through Real-Time PCR and Digital Droplet PCR: A Very Low Prevalence. Pathogens 2023; 12:882. [PMID: 37513729 PMCID: PMC10384325 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoon that can infect both animals and humans. The main route of human infection is the consumption of the raw or undercooked meat of several animal species, including pigs. Although T. gondii represents a public health concern, control during slaughter is not mandatory, leading to a lack of information on the impact on human contagion as well as poor data availability in domestic animals intended for human consumption. We studied the presence of T. gondii in home-reared pigs, an unconventional type of farming subjected to stringent breeding conditions dictated by Italian regulation. Thus, the diaphragms, livers and masseter muscles from 480 pigs in Napoli Province (Italy) were analyzed using real-time PCR and digital droplet PCR. The results showed four matrices that tested positive for T. gondii with very low protozoan loads (0.62%), belonging to three different animals. The low density of the animals (the maximum was four animals per farm) and the biosafety farming features decisively contributed to the bioexclusion of this pathogen. Comparing these results to intensive and extensive farm data, lower exposure to the parasite was revealed, suggesting that this farming method might mitigate the risk of human exposure through meat consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio de Martinis
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Pucciarelli
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Ottaiano
- Regional Observatory of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Pellicanò
- Regional Observatory of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Baldi
- Regional Observatory of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, 80137 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Unit of Wildlife, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Boccia
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Napoli 3 Sud, Unit of Animal Health, Department of Prevention, 80059 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Napoli 3 Sud, Unit of Animal Health, Department of Prevention, 80059 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
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Barakat AM, El-Razik KAA, El Fadaly HAM, Saleh WM, Ali FAZ, Gouda AA, Sadek SAS, Dahran N, El-khadragy MF, Elmahallawy EK. Parasitological, Molecular, and Histopathological Investigation of the Potential Activity of Propolis and Wheat Germ Oil against Acute Toxoplasmosis in Mice. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020478. [PMID: 36839800 PMCID: PMC9967381 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020478] [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: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic zoonoses that affects all vertebrates. The drugs most commonly used against toxoplasmosis have many side effects, making the development of new antiparasitic drugs a big challenge. The present study evaluated the therapeutic effectiveness of novel herbal treatments, including propolis and wheat germ oil (WGO), against acute toxoplasmosis. A total of 50 albino mice were divided into five groups: group 1 (G1) (non-infected and non-treated); group 2 (G2) (infected without treatment); group 3 (G3) (treated with propolis); group 4 (G4) (treated with WGO); group 5 (G5) (treated with a combination of propolis and WGO). The effects of the herbal substances on different organs, mainly liver, spleen, and lungs, were investigated using parasitological, molecular, and histopathological examinations. The results of parasitological examination demonstrated statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in the parasitic load between treated groups (G3, G4, and G5) compared to the control positive group (G2). These differences were represented by a significant reduction in the parasite load in stained tissue smears from the liver obtained from the animals treated with propolis (G3) compared to the parasite load in the positive control group. Similarly, animals (G4) treated with WGO exhibited a significant reduction in the parasite load versus the positive control group, while the lowest parasite load was found in G5, treated with propolis and WGO. Quantification of the parasite burden through molecular methods (PCR) revealed similar findings represented by reduction in the parasite burden in all treated groups with WGO and propolis as compared to the control group. Importantly, these previous parasitological and molecular findings were accompanied by a marked improvement in the histopathological picture of the liver, spleen, and lungs. In conclusion, propolis and WGO showed a good combination of therapeutic efficacy against acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Mohamed Barakat
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, National Research Centre, El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Khaled A. Abd El-Razik
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza 12556, Egypt
| | | | - Walaa M. Saleh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Fatma Abo Zakaib Ali
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Aboelabbas Gouda
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
| | - Sabry A. S. Sadek
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, National Research Centre, El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Naief Dahran
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21959, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal F. El-khadragy
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
- Correspondence:
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11
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Souza JS, Farani PSG, Ferreira BIS, Barbosa HS, Menna-Barreto RFS, Moreira OC, Mariante RM. Establishment of a murine model of congenital toxoplasmosis and validation of a qPCR assay to assess the parasite load in maternal and fetal tissues. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1124378. [PMID: 36922978 PMCID: PMC10009190 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1124378] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects warm-blooded animals and one third of the human population worldwide. Pregnant women who have never been exposed to the parasite constitute an important risk group, as infection during pregnancy often leads to congenital toxoplasmosis, the most severe form of the disease. Current therapy for toxoplasmosis is the same as it was 50 years ago and has little or no effect when vertical transmission occurs. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new strategies to prevent mother-to-fetus transmission. The implementation of experimental animal models of congenital toxoplasmosis that reproduces the transmission rates and clinical signs in humans opens an avenue of possibilities to interfere in the progression of the disease. In addition, knowing the parasite load in maternal and fetal tissues after infection, which may be related to organ abnormalities and disease outcome, is another important step in designing a promising intervention strategy. Therefore, we implemented here a murine model of congenital toxoplasmosis with outbred Swiss Webster mice infected intravenously with tachyzoites of the ME49 strain of T. gondii that mimics the frequency of transmission of the parasite, as well as important clinical signs of human congenital toxoplasmosis, such as macrocephaly, in addition to providing a highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR assay to assess parasite load in mouse tissues. As the disease is not restricted to humans, also affecting several domestic animals, including companion animals and livestock, they can also benefit from the model presented in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica S Souza
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Priscila S G Farani
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Biological Science, Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Beatriz I S Ferreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helene S Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Otacilio C Moreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Mariante
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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12
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Hassanen EAA, Makau DN, Afifi M, Al-Jabr OA, Abdulrahman Alshahrani M, Saif A, Anter RGA, El-Neshwy WM, Ibrahim D, Abou Elez RMM. Interplay between cross sectional analysis of risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women and their domestic cats. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1147614. [PMID: 37035808 PMCID: PMC10080162 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1147614] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a global zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The primary aim of this study was to identify hygienic and cat management practices that could affect the occurrence of T. gondii in cats and their owners in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. T. gondii infection was evaluated in 80 pregnant women and 29 domestic cats using Real-time PCR. A questionnaire was administered to obtain information regarding the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection. Blood samples were collected from enrolled pregnant women, and fecal samples were collected from their pet cats. Firth logistic regression model complemented with random forest (RF) analysis was used to evaluate the association of different hygiene and cat management practices with T. gondii infection in pregnant women. T. gondii infection was identified in 27.5% of pregnant women and 17% of domestic cats. Drinking raw milk and contacting stray and pet cats were significantly associated with higher odds of T. gondii infection. The proportion of T. gondii-positive women who ate raw meat (60.0%) was higher than those ate heat-cooked meat (25.3%). Moreover, women who did not wash their hands after contact with cats were 6 times (OR 6.12; CI: 3.03-9.21) more likely to experience T. gondii infection than those washed their hands after cat contact. The RF analysis showed that washing hands constitute a serious yet preventable public health concern that requires targeted, community-specific efforts. Cat owners, particularly pregnant women, need to be aware about the risk of T. gondii infection, while handling cat and pet's owner should be advised to take necessary hygienic measures to prevent its infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A. A. Hassanen
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Dennis N. Makau
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Mohamed Afifi
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Biostatistics Section, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
| | - Omar A. Al-Jabr
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ahmed Saif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reham G. A. Anter
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Wafaa M. El-Neshwy
- Department of Animal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Doaa Ibrahim
- Department of Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Doaa Ibrahim
| | - Rasha M. M. Abou Elez
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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13
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Novel insights on the potential activity of propolis and wheat germ oil against chronic toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113811. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Figueiredo CA, Düsedau HP, Steffen J, Ehrentraut S, Dunay MP, Toth G, Reglödi D, Heimesaat MM, Dunay IR. The neuropeptide PACAP alleviates T. gondii infection-induced neuroinflammation and neuronal impairment. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:274. [PMCID: PMC9675261 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02639-z] [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: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is responsible for inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) contributing to subtle neuronal alterations. Albeit essential for brain parasite control, continuous microglia activation and recruitment of peripheral immune cells entail distinct neuronal impairment upon infection-induced neuroinflammation. PACAP is an endogenous neuropeptide known to inhibit inflammation and promote neuronal survival. Since PACAP is actively transported into the CNS, we aimed to assess the impact of PACAP on the T. gondii-induced neuroinflammation and subsequent effects on neuronal homeostasis. Methods Exogenous PACAP was administered intraperitoneally in the chronic stage of T. gondii infection, and brains were isolated for histopathological analysis and determination of pathogen levels. Immune cells from the brain, blood, and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the further production of inflammatory mediators was investigated by intracellular protein staining as well as expression levels by RT-qPCR. Neuronal and synaptic alterations were assessed on the transcriptional and protein level, focusing on neurotrophins, neurotrophin-receptors and signature synaptic markers. Results Here, we reveal that PACAP administration reduced the inflammatory foci and the number of apoptotic cells in the brain parenchyma and restrained the activation of microglia and recruitment of monocytes. The neuropeptide reduced the expression of inflammatory mediators such as IFN-γ, IL-6, iNOS, and IL-1β. Moreover, PACAP diminished IFN-γ production by recruited CD4+ T cells in the CNS. Importantly, PACAP promoted neuronal health via increased expression of the neurotrophin BDNF and reduction of p75NTR, a receptor related to neuronal cell death. In addition, PACAP administration was associated with increased expression of transporters involved in glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling that are particularly affected during cerebral toxoplasmosis. Conclusions Together, our findings unravel the beneficial effects of exogenous PACAP treatment upon infection-induced neuroinflammation, highlighting the potential implication of neuropeptides to promote neuronal survival and minimize synaptic prejudice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02639-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Andreeta Figueiredo
- grid.5807.a0000 0001 1018 4307Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Henning Peter Düsedau
- grid.5807.a0000 0001 1018 4307Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Steffen
- grid.5807.a0000 0001 1018 4307Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ehrentraut
- grid.5807.a0000 0001 1018 4307Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Miklos P. Dunay
- grid.483037.b0000 0001 2226 5083Department and Clinic of Surgery and Ophthalmology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabor Toth
- grid.9008.10000 0001 1016 9625Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dora Reglödi
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Department of Anatomy, MTA-PTE PACAP Research Team and Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs Medical School, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Markus M. Heimesaat
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ildiko Rita Dunay
- grid.5807.a0000 0001 1018 4307Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC-I3), Otto-Von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany ,grid.418723.b0000 0001 2109 6265Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences – CBBS, Magdeburg, Germany
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15
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Fereig RM, Abdelbaky HH, Mazeed AM, El-Alfy ES, Saleh S, Omar MA, Alsayeqh AF, Frey CF. Prevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and DNA in Raw Milk of Various Ruminants in Egypt. Pathogens 2022; 11:1305. [PMID: 36365056 PMCID: PMC9696228 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in raw milk samples was estimated in different ruminants and Egyptian governorates. Of 13 bulk milk samples tested by ELISA, five (38.5%) were positive for antibodies to N. caninum, and two samples were additionally positive for antibodies to T. gondii, resulting in a seroprevalence of 15.4% for both T. gondii and co-infection. In individual milk samples (n = 171) from the same bulks, antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 25.7%, to T. gondii in 14%, and 3.5% had antibodies to both parasites. A strong correlation between the OD values of the bulk samples and of the relevant individual milk samples was found for T. gondii (Pearson r = 0.9759) and moderately strong for N. caninum (Pearson r = 0.5801). Risk factor assessment for individual milk samples revealed that antibodies to T. gondii were significantly influenced by animal species, while no risk factors were detected for N. caninum antibodies. Additionally, DNA of N. caninum was detected in a bulk milk sample of cattle for the first time in Egypt, and DNA of T. gondii was found in bulk milk samples of cattle, sheep and goats. This is the first study in Egypt in which bulk milk samples of different ruminants were tested for the presence of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies and DNA. Both individual and bulk milk samples are useful tools for monitoring antibody response to N. caninum and T. gondii infections in different ruminants in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragab M. Fereig
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | | | - Amira M. Mazeed
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Arish University, North Sinai, Arish 45516, Egypt
| | - El-Sayed El-Alfy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Somaya Saleh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mosaab A. Omar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah 51452, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah 51452, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Caroline F. Frey
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
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16
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VanDyke D, Iglesias M, Tomala J, Young A, Smith J, Perry JA, Gebara E, Cross AR, Cheung LS, Dykema AG, Orcutt-Jahns BT, Henclová T, Golias J, Balolong J, Tomasovic LM, Funda D, Meyer AS, Pardoll DM, Hester J, Issa F, Hunter CA, Anderson MS, Bluestone JA, Raimondi G, Spangler JB. Engineered human cytokine/antibody fusion proteins expand regulatory T cells and confer autoimmune disease protection. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111478. [PMID: 36261022 PMCID: PMC9631798 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-dose human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) treatment is used clinically to treat autoimmune disorders due to the cytokine's preferential expansion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, off-target immune cell activation and short serum half-life limit the clinical potential of IL-2 treatment. Recent work showed that complexes comprising hIL-2 and the anti-hIL-2 antibody F5111 overcome these limitations by preferentially stimulating Tregs over immune effector cells. Although promising, therapeutic translation of this approach is complicated by the need to optimize dosing ratios and by the instability of the cytokine/antibody complex. We leverage structural insights to engineer a single-chain hIL-2/F5111 antibody fusion protein, termed F5111 immunocytokine (IC), which potently and selectively activates and expands Tregs. F5111 IC confers protection in mouse models of colitis and checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes mellitus. These results provide a roadmap for IC design and establish a Treg-biased immunotherapy that could be clinically translated for autoimmune disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek VanDyke
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Marcos Iglesias
- Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Laboratory, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jakub Tomala
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Arabella Young
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Sean N. Parker Autoimmune Research Laboratory, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jennifer Smith
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Joseph A Perry
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Edward Gebara
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Amy R Cross
- Translational Research Immunology Group, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Laurene S Cheung
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Arbor G Dykema
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Brian T Orcutt-Jahns
- Department of Bioengineering, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tereza Henclová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Golias
- Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Jared Balolong
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Luke M Tomasovic
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - David Funda
- Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Aaron S Meyer
- Department of Bioengineering, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Drew M Pardoll
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Joanna Hester
- Translational Research Immunology Group, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Fadi Issa
- Translational Research Immunology Group, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mark S Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Bluestone
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Sean N. Parker Autoimmune Research Laboratory, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Sonoma Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Giorgio Raimondi
- Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Laboratory, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jamie B Spangler
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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Toxoplasma gondii and Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from migratory birds in the Republic of Korea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12672. [PMID: 35879387 PMCID: PMC9314388 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16785-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Migratory birds disperse ticks and associated tick-borne pathogens along their migratory routes. Four selected pathogens of medical importance (Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis, and Toxoplasma gondii) were targeted for detection in 804 ticks (365 pools) collected from migratory birds at Hong and Heuksan Islands in the Republic of Korea (ROK) from 2010 to 2011 and 2016. Toxoplasma gondii and Rickettsia spp., were detected in 1/365 (0.27%) and 34/365 (9.32%) pools of ticks, respectively. T. gondii and five rickettsial species were recorded in ticks collected from migratory birds for the first time in ROK. The five rickettsial species (R. monacensis, Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii, R. japonica, R. raoultii, and R. tamurae) were identified using sequence and phylogenetic analysis using ompA and gltA gene fragments. Rickettsia spp. are important pathogens that cause rickettsiosis in humans, with cases recorded in the ROK. These results provide important evidence for the potential role of migratory birds in the introduction and dispersal of T. gondii and Rickettsia spp. along their migratory routes and raise awareness of potential transmission of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens associated with migratory birds in the ROK.
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de Barros RAM, Torrecilhas AC, Marciano MAM, Mazuz ML, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Fux B. Toxoplasmosis in Human and Animals Around the World. Diagnosis and Perspectives in the One Health Approach. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106432. [PMID: 35390311 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a unique health disease that significantly affects the health of humans, domestic animals, wildlife and is present in ecosystems, including water, soil and food. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the best-adapted parasites in the word. This parasite is able to persist for long periods in its hosts, in different geographic regions of the word. This review summarizes the current literature of these themes, focusing on: (1) toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection; (2) One health approach and toxoplasmosis; (3) human toxoplasmosis; (4) animal toxoplasmosis; (5) toxoplasmosis diagnosis, as immunological, parasitological and molecular diagnosis; (6) T. gondii outbreaks caused by infected meat, milk and dairy products, as well as, vegetables and water consume; (7) studies in experimental models; (8) genetic characterization of T. gondii strains; (9) extracellular vesicles and miRNA; and (10) future perspectives on T. gondii and toxoplasmosis. The vast prevalence of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals and the dispersion and resistence of T. gondii parasites in environment highlight the importance of the one health approach in diagnostic and control of the disease. Here the different aspects of the one health approach are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Aparecida Müller de Barros
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Diadema, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil..
| | | | - Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israeli Veterinary Service and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Beit Dagan, 5025000, Israel..
| | | | - Blima Fux
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
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Barakat AM, El Fadaly HAM, Selem RF, Madboli AENA, Abd El-Razik KA, Hassan EA, Alghamdi AH, Elmahallawy EK. Tamoxifen Increased Parasite Burden and Induced a Series of Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Changes During Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Experimentally Infected Mice. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:902855. [PMID: 35707167 PMCID: PMC9189418 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.902855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The global distribution of breast cancer and the opportunistic nature of the parasite have resulted in many patients with breast cancer becoming infected with toxoplasmosis. However, very limited information is available about the potential effects of tamoxifen on chronic toxoplasmosis and its contribution to the reactivation of the latent infection. The present study investigated the potential effects of tamoxifen on chronic toxoplasmosis in animal models (Swiss albino mice). Following induction of chronic toxoplasmosis and treatment with the drug for 14 and 28 days, the anti-parasitic effects of tamoxifen were evaluated by parasitological assessment and counting of Toxoplasma cysts. In addition, the effects of the drug on the parasite load were evaluated and quantitated using TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR followed by investigation of the major histopathological changes and immunohistochemical findings. Interestingly, tamoxifen increased the parasite burden on animals treated with the drug during 14 and 28 days as compared with the control group. The quantification of the DNA concentrations of Toxoplasma P29 gene after the treatment with the drug revealed a higher parasite load in both treated groups vs. control groups. Furthermore, treatment with tamoxifen induced a series of histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the kidney, liver, brain, and uterus, revealing the exacerbating effect of tamoxifen against chronic toxoplasmosis. These changes were represented by the presence of multiple T. gondii tissue cysts in the lumen of proximal convoluted tubules associated with complete necrosis in their lining epithelium of the kidney section. Meanwhile, liver tissue revealed multiple T. gondii tissue cysts in hepatic parenchyma which altered the structure of hepatocytes. Moreover, clusters of intracellular tachyzoites were observed in the lining epithelium of endometrium associated with severe endometrial necrosis and appeared as diffuse nuclear pyknosis combined with sever mononuclear cellular infiltration. Brain tissues experienced the presence of hemorrhages in pia mater and multiple T. gondii tissue cysts in brain tissue. The severity of the lesions was maximized by increasing the duration of treatment. Collectively, the study concluded novel findings in relation to the potential role of tamoxifen during chronic toxoplasmosis. These findings are very important for combating the disease, particularly in immunocompromised patients which could be life-threatening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Mohamed Barakat
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Ashraf Mohamed Barakat,
| | | | - Rabab Fawzy Selem
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Abd El-Nasser A. Madboli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Khaled A. Abd El-Razik
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ehssan Ahmed Hassan
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Ali H. Alghamdi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Albaha University, Alaqiq, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy,
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de Paula HL, Vendrame SA, Wess LC, Konopka CK, Gonçalves TDL, Beck ST. Toxoplasma gondii outbreak in southern Brazil: heterogeneity of the serological humoral response in pregnant women and outcomes in newborns. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 103:115724. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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21
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Steffen J, Ehrentraut S, Bank U, Biswas A, Figueiredo CA, Hölsken O, Düsedau HP, Dovhan V, Knop L, Thode J, Romero-Suárez S, Duarte CI, Gigley J, Romagnani C, Diefenbach A, Klose CSN, Schüler T, Dunay IR. Type 1 innate lymphoid cells regulate the onset of Toxoplasma gondii-induced neuroinflammation. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110564. [PMID: 35354032 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral infections are restrained by a complex interplay of tissue-resident and recruited peripheral immune cells. Whether innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are involved in the orchestration of the neuroinflammatory dynamics is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that ILCs accumulate in the cerebral parenchyma, the choroid plexus, and the meninges in the onset of cerebral Toxoplasma gondii infection. Antibody-mediated depletion of conventional natural killer (cNK) cells and ILC1s in the early stage of infection results in diminished cytokine and chemokine expression and increased cerebral parasite burden. Using cNK- and ILC1-deficient murine models, we demonstrate that exclusively the lack of ILC1s affects cerebral immune responses. In summary, our results provide evidence that ILC1s are an early source of IFN-γ and TNF in response to cerebral T. gondii infection, thereby inducing host defense factors and initiating the development of a neuroinflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Steffen
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ehrentraut
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ute Bank
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Aindrila Biswas
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Caio Andreeta Figueiredo
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Hölsken
- Mucosal and Developmental Immunology, German Rheuma Research Center Berlin (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany; Laboratory of Innate Immunity, Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henning Peter Düsedau
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Vladyslava Dovhan
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Laura Knop
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Thode
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Silvina Romero-Suárez
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmen Infante Duarte
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jason Gigley
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Chiara Romagnani
- Innate Immunity, German Rheumatism Research Center Berlin (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany; Medical Department I, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Diefenbach
- Mucosal and Developmental Immunology, German Rheuma Research Center Berlin (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany; Laboratory of Innate Immunity, Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph S N Klose
- Neuro-immune Interactions, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Schüler
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ildiko Rita Dunay
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology, and Inflammation (GC-I(3)), Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Figueiredo CA, Steffen J, Morton L, Arumugam S, Liesenfeld O, Deli MA, Kröger A, Schüler T, Dunay IR. Immune response and pathogen invasion at the choroid plexus in the onset of cerebral toxoplasmosis. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:17. [PMID: 35027063 PMCID: PMC8759173 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02370-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a highly successful parasite being able to cross all biological barriers of the body, finally reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Previous studies have highlighted the critical involvement of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during T. gondii invasion and development of subsequent neuroinflammation. Still, the potential contribution of the choroid plexus (CP), the main structure forming the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (BCSFB) have not been addressed. METHODS To investigate T. gondii invasion at the onset of neuroinflammation, the CP and brain microvessels (BMV) were isolated and analyzed for parasite burden. Additionally, immuno-stained brain sections and three-dimensional whole mount preparations were evaluated for parasite localization and morphological alterations. Activation of choroidal and brain endothelial cells were characterized by flow cytometry. To evaluate the impact of early immune responses on CP and BMV, expression levels of inflammatory mediators, tight junctions (TJ) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were quantified. Additionally, FITC-dextran was applied to determine infection-related changes in BCSFB permeability. Finally, the response of primary CP epithelial cells to T. gondii parasites was tested in vitro. RESULTS Here we revealed that endothelial cells in the CP are initially infected by T. gondii, and become activated prior to BBB endothelial cells indicated by MHCII upregulation. Additionally, CP elicited early local immune response with upregulation of IFN-γ, TNF, IL-6, host-defence factors as well as swift expression of CXCL9 chemokine, when compared to the BMV. Consequently, we uncovered distinct TJ disturbances of claudins, associated with upregulation of MMP-8 and MMP-13 expression in infected CP in vivo, which was confirmed by in vitro infection of primary CP epithelial cells. Notably, we detected early barrier damage and functional loss by increased BCSFB permeability to FITC-dextran in vivo, which was extended over the infection course. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our data reveal a close interaction between T. gondii infection at the CP and the impairment of the BCSFB function indicating that infection-related neuroinflammation is initiated in the CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Andreeta Figueiredo
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Steffen
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Lorena Morton
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sushmitha Arumugam
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Liesenfeld
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Charité Medical School, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mária A Deli
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andrea Kröger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schüler
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ildiko Rita Dunay
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, CBBS, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Disseminated Toxoplasma gondii Infection in an Adult Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus). Vet Sci 2021; 9:vetsci9010005. [PMID: 35051089 PMCID: PMC8780292 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An adult female osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was found weak and unable to fly in Auburn, Alabama in August 2019. The bird was captured and submitted to the Southeastern Raptor Center of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation. On presentation, the bird was thin with a body condition score of approximately 1.5 out of 5. The bird died during the examination and was submitted for necropsy. At the necropsy, there was a severe loss of muscle mass over the body, and the keel was prominent. The liver and spleen were moderately enlarged with pale tan to red foci randomly scattered throughout the parenchyma. A histopathologic observation revealed multifocal to coalescing areas of necrosis and hemorrhage with intralesional protozoans in the liver, spleen, lungs, kidney, sciatic nerve, esophagus, cerebrum, heart, and proventriculus. Immunohistochemistry using anti-Toxoplasma gondii-specific antibodies showed a strong positive labeling of the parasite. Semi-nested PCR, specific for the B1 gene of T. gondii, successfully identified T. gondii. This is the first confirmed case of T. gondii infection in an osprey.
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Hijikata M, Morioka I, Okahashi A, Nagano N, Kawakami K, Komatsu A, Kawana K, Ohyama S, Fujioka K, Tanimura K, Deguchi M, Sasai M, Yamamoto M, Yamada H. A prospective cohort study of newborns born to mothers with serum Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin M positivity during pregnancy. J Infect Chemother 2021; 28:486-491. [PMID: 34930624 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.12.005] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aims were to investigate the clinical characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) immunoglobulin (Ig) M-positive mothers and to clarify the incidences of serum T. gondii IgM or blood T. gondii DNA positivity in newborns born to the mothers and the actual congenital T. gondii infection. METHODS Mothers with T. gondii IgM positivity and newborns born to the mothers from 2013 to 2020 were prospectively investigated. Serum T. gondii IgG and IgM were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood T. gondii DNA was detected by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction. Congenital T. gondii infection was diagnosed based on clinical characteristic manifestations with serum T. gondii IgG positivity at any age or T. gondii IgG positivity after 12 months of age. RESULTS Among 71 T. gondii IgM-positive mothers, including one with triplets, 41% had low T. gondii IgG avidity index and 73% received maternal therapy. Among 73 newborns who were examined for serum T. gondii IgG and IgM at birth, none had clinical manifestations, and one (1.4%) had T. gondii IgM positivity. Among 32 newborns who were examined for blood T. gondii DNA at birth, two (6.3%) were positive. All patients with serum T. gondii IgM or blood T. gondii DNA positivity showed T. gondii IgG negativity within 12 months of age. CONCLUSIONS A few newborns born to T. gondii IgM-positive mothers were suspected of having congenital T. gondii infection based on serum T. gondii IgM or blood T. gondii DNA testing at birth. However, none developed congenital T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Midori Hijikata
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Ichiro Morioka
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan.
| | - Aya Okahashi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Nagano
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Kaori Kawakami
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Atsushi Komatsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Kei Kawana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Shohei Ohyama
- Department of Neonatology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, 1-6-7, Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kazumichi Fujioka
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kenji Tanimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Masashi Deguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Miwa Sasai
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hideto Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan; Center for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, 1-40, Maeda 1-jho, 12-chome, Teine-ku, Sapporo, 006-8555, Japan
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25
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Oh YI, Seo KW, Kim DH, Cheon DS. Prevalence, co-infection and seasonality of fecal enteropathogens from diarrheic cats in the Republic of Korea (2016-2019): a retrospective study. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:367. [PMID: 34852811 PMCID: PMC8633091 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diarrhea is one of the most common clinical symptoms in cats and can be caused by infectious pathogens and investigation of the prevalence, co-infection and seasonality of enteropathogens are not well-established in diarrheic cats. Results Fecal samples of 1620 diarrheic cats were collected and enteropathogens were detected using real-time PCR. We retrospectively investigated the clinical features, total/seasonal prevalence, and infection patterns of enteropathogens. The positive infection rate was 82.59%. Bacterial, viral, and protozoal infections accounted for 49.3, 37.57, and 13.13% of cases, respectively. Feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) was the most common pathogen (29.37%), followed by Clostridium (C.) perfringens, Campylobacter (C.) coli, feline parvovirus, and Tritrichomonas foetus. The seasonality of enteropathogens was observed with peaks as follows: bacterial infections peaked in October, viral infections peaked in November, and protozoal infections peaked in August. Viral and protozoal infections showed differences in prevalence according to patient age. In the infection patterns, the ratios of single infections, mixed infections, and co-infections were 35.72, 9.87, and 54.41%, respectively. FECV was predominant in single infections. The most common patterns of multiple infections were C. perfringens and C. coli in mixed infections and C. perfringens and FECV in co-infections. Conclusions Infection patterns differed according to the enteropathogen species, seasonality, and age distribution in cats. The results of this study might be helpful to understand in clinical characteristics of feline infectious diarrhea. In addition, continued monitoring of feline enteropathogens is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-In Oh
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Won Seo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
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Khanaliha K, Bokharaei-Salim F, Hedayatfar A, Esteghamati A, Alemzadeh SA, Asgari Q, Garshasbi S, Salemi B. Comparison of real-time PCR and nested PCR for toxoplasmosis diagnosis in toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis patients. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1180. [PMID: 34814840 PMCID: PMC8609853 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06873-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds PCR is a proper technique that significantly improves toxoplasmosis diagnosis. However, a more sensitive technique is required. This study compared real-time PCR with nested PCR using B1, SAG-4, and MAG-1 bradyzoite genes to diagnose toxoplasmosis in toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis patients. Methods Blood samples were collected from 10 patients with active toxoplasmic chorioretinal lesions and 10 healthy individuals. Blood samples including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), serum and whole blood samples were used for DNA extraction. Serum was also used to detect anti-toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. Nested PCR and real-time PCR were performed using B1, SAG-4, and MAG-1 target genes. Results Five (50%) out of the 10 patients were tested positive for toxoplasmosis with nested PCR using the PBMC samples. All the five patients tested positive with nested PCR were also tested positive for toxoplasmosis with real-time PCR using the PBMC samples. The real-time PCR results demonstrated that 9(90%) out of the 10 patients were positive based on B1 and the remaining one (10%) was positive only based on MAG-1. In general, of the patients, five (50%) were positive using SAG-4 and three (30%) were positive in term of MAG-1 using PBMCs with real-time PCR. Conclusion It appears that PBMC samples have the best performance as the PCR extraction method and are a good source for toxoplasmosis diagnosis. The use of B22 and B23 target genes due to their high sensitivity and specificity along with bradyzoite genes are recommended for toxoplasmosis diagnosis using PBMC samples with real-time PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Khanaliha
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farah Bokharaei-Salim
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Alireza Hedayatfar
- Eye Research Center, The Five Senses Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdoulreza Esteghamati
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Qasem Asgari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Borna Salemi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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27
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Berizi M, Babaie J, Fard-Esfahani P, Enshaeieh M, Noordin R, Saadatnia G, Golkar M. Development of a Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Brain Samples. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2021; 16:621-630. [PMID: 35082891 PMCID: PMC8710198 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v16i4.7875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide-distributed infection that can cause serious diseases, mainly in congenitally infected and immunodeficient individuals. PCR assays play an indispensable role in the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in different biological samples. METHODS This study was conducted in the Parasitology Department at Pasteur Institute of Iran (Tehran) during 2016-2018. We designed a highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) targeted REP-529, a noncoding repetitive DNA. We cloned the amplicon in a plasmid (pTZREP-529) and used it to generate the standard curve. The Toxoplasma RT-qPCR characteristics, i.e., detection limit, specificity, linear dynamic range, linearity, intra-, and inter-assay precisions, were determined. The detection limit of the assay was one plasmid copy number (PCN) per reaction (about 0.004 T. gondii genome), and the linear dynamic range was equal to 6 logs (1× 101 to 1× 107 PCN per reaction). RESULTS The assay showed no signal when genomic DNA of Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania major, and Trichomonas vaginallis were used. The standard curve was drawn using dilutions of pTZREP-529 plasmid spiked with genomic DNA from a mouse brain, and test characteristics were shown unaffected. Applying the Toxoplasma RT-qPCR, we showed brain cysts were significantly decreased in mice vaccinated with GRA2 antigen of Toxoplasma formulated in Monophosphoryl Lipid A (MPL) adjuvant. CONCLUSION We have developed a quantitative, specific, and highly sensitive PCR for detecting T. gondii in biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Berizi
- Department of Parasitology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Babaie
- Department of Parasitology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Marjan Enshaeieh
- Department of Parasitology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran
| | - Rahmah Noordin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Geita Saadatnia
- Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Golkar
- Department of Parasitology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Robert MG, Brenier-Pinchart MP, Garnaud C, Fricker-Hidalgo H, Pelloux H. Molecular diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: recent advances and a look to the future. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2021; 19:1529-1542. [PMID: 34112045 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1941867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed parasitic infection that can be particularly severe when opportunistic or congenital. Its diagnosis requires accurate and rapid techniques that rely mainly on serology and molecular methods. AREAS COVERED The aim of this review was to discuss the positioning of the molecular diagnosis of toxoplasmosis according to the different clinical situations possibly resulting from infection with T. gondii, and to detail recent developments in this technique. The English and French literature were searched with the following keywords: 'Toxoplasmosis', "Molecular diagnosis" and 'PCR'. EXPERT OPINION Molecular techniques have revolutionized the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, and practices have considerably evolved over the past decades. However, there is still a high degree of inter-laboratory heterogeneity which impairs comparisons between results and studies. Efforts to standardize practices are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Gladys Robert
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), Grenoble, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), Grenoble, France.,Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose - Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
| | - Cécile Garnaud
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Hervé Pelloux
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut pour l'Avancée des Biosciences (IAB), Grenoble, France.,Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose - Pôle Biologie Moléculaire, France
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Lv QY, Zheng HL, Yang WH, Liu GH. Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Domestic Ducks in Hunan Province, China. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:649603. [PMID: 33937375 PMCID: PMC8082677 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.649603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are protozoan parasites that infect warm-blooded animals, and cause major economic losses in livestock industries worldwide. However, little is known about the genotypes of T. gondii and N. caninum in domestic ducks in China. Herein, brain samples from 588 domestic ducks from Hunan province in China were examined for the presence of T. gondii and N. caninum. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect T. gondii B1 gene and N. caninum NC-5 gene. Forty-five DNA samples (7.7%; 95% CI: 5.5–9.9) were positive for B1 gene, and two (0.3%; 95% CI: 0–0.7) were positive for NC-5 gene. The risk factors significantly associated with T. gondii infection were age and sex. The 45 samples positive for T. gondii were genotyped using multi-locus PCR-RFLP analysis and only one sample was fully genotyped as ToxoDB#9 (Chinese I). These results provide new information about the epidemiology of T. gondii and N. caninum in ducks in Hunan province in China. The data also highlight the importance of a “One Health” approach to dealing with toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Yan Lv
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - He-Liang Zheng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Wen-He Yang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, Changsha, China
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Viscardi M, Santoro M, Cozzolino L, Borriello G, Fusco G. A type II variant of Toxoplasma gondii infects the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in southern Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:874-880. [PMID: 33527733 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14012] [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: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a widespread zoonosis capable to affect a wide range of warm-blooded vertebrates. In the past two decades, T. gondii emerged as a significant aquatic pathogen with some pathogenic atypical genotypes isolated and characterized from stranded marine mammals. In contrast, no information is available for mammals in freshwater environment. Although otters are considered highly susceptible to T. gondii infection, to date molecular evidence of T. gondii in Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) does not exist. We report the first molecular evidence of T. gondii in a free-ranging Eurasian otter from southern Italy and characterized the present strain as a genotype type II variant, with all loci type II except PK1 (locus sequence corresponding to type II variant B), B1 (locus sequence corresponding to type II/X A) and C29-2 (locus with SNPs). Our results indicate circulation of a type II variant in freshwater environment which suggests potential risk of transmission to animals and humans. The finding of a potential pathogenic strain is of great concern for future conservation programmes of the critically endangered Eurasian otter in southern Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Viscardi
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Cozzolino
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
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Liempi A, Castillo C, Medina L, Rojas-Pirela M, Araneda S, Maya JD, Parraguez VH, Kemmerling U. Ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii: differential activation of NF kappa B signaling pathways. Acta Trop 2021; 214:105766. [PMID: 33245906 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease and toxoplasmosis, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii, respectively, are important zoonotic diseases affecting humans, companion animals, and livestock, responsible for major health and economic burden. Both parasites can be transmitted vertically in different mammalian species through the placenta. Of note, the transmission rate of T. cruzi is low in dogs, whereas that of T. gondii is high in sheep. The probability of congenital infection depends on complex parasite-host interactions; parasite factors, maternal and fetal immune responses and placental responses all have a role in infection establishment. Since the innate immune response is regulated, at least partially, by NF-κB signaling pathways, our main objective was to determine the effect of ex vivo infection of canine (CPE) and ovine (OPE) placental explants with both parasites, on the activation of canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways and its relation to infection. Here, we show that T. cruzi activates both the NF-κB canonical and non-canonical pathways in CPE and OPE, unlike T. gondii, that activates only the canonical pathway in CPE and has no effect on the non-canonical pathway in both explants. Moreover, the inhibition of either or both NF-κB pathways increases the DNA load of T. cruzi in both explants, modulates, on the other hand, T. gondii infection in a differential fashion. Overall, we conclude that the differential modulation of the NF-κB pathways by both pathogens in placental explants might explain, at least partially, the differences in transmission rates of T. cruzi and T. gondii in different mammalian species.
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Moratal S, Dea-Ayuela MA, Cardells J, Marco-Hirs NM, Puigcercós S, Lizana V, López-Ramon J. Potential Risk of Three Zoonotic Protozoa ( Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Toxoplasma gondii) Transmission from Fish Consumption. Foods 2020; 9:E1913. [PMID: 33371396 PMCID: PMC7767443 DOI: 10.3390/foods9121913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, worldwide fish consumption has increased notably worldwide. Despite the health benefits of fish consumption, it also can suppose a risk because of fishborne diseases, including parasitic infections. Global changes are leading to the emergence of parasites in new locations and to the appearance of new sources of transmission. That is the case of the zoonotic protozoa Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Toxoplasma gondii; all of them reach aquatic environments and have been found in shellfish. Similarly, these protozoa can be present in other aquatic animals, such as fish. The present review gives an overview on these three zoonotic protozoa in order to understand their potential presence in fish and to comprehensively revise all the evidences of fish as a new potential source of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Toxoplasma gondii transmission. All of them have been found in both marine and freshwater fishes. Until now, it has not been possible to demonstrate that fish are natural hosts for these protozoa; otherwise, they would merely act as mechanical transporters. Nevertheless, even if fish only accumulate and transport these protozoa, they could be a "new" source of infection for people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Moratal
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (J.C.); (N.M.M.-H.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (J.L.-R.)
| | - M. Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Farmacy Department, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Santiago Ramón y Cajal St, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Cardells
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (J.C.); (N.M.M.-H.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (J.L.-R.)
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Travessera dels Turons, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Naima M. Marco-Hirs
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (J.C.); (N.M.M.-H.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (J.L.-R.)
| | - Silvia Puigcercós
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (J.C.); (N.M.M.-H.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (J.L.-R.)
| | - Víctor Lizana
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (J.C.); (N.M.M.-H.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (J.L.-R.)
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Travessera dels Turons, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi López-Ramon
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Tirant lo Blanc St 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; (S.M.); (J.C.); (N.M.M.-H.); (S.P.); (V.L.); (J.L.-R.)
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Smith NC, Goulart C, Hayward JA, Kupz A, Miller CM, van Dooren GG. Control of human toxoplasmosis. Int J Parasitol 2020; 51:95-121. [PMID: 33347832 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an apicomplexan parasite that is able to infect any nucleated cell in any warm-blooded animal. Toxoplasma gondii infects around 2 billion people and, whilst only a small percentage of infected people will suffer serious disease, the prevalence of the parasite makes it one of the most damaging zoonotic diseases in the world. Toxoplasmosis is a disease with multiple manifestations: it can cause a fatal encephalitis in immunosuppressed people; if first contracted during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage or congenital defects in the neonate; and it can cause serious ocular disease, even in immunocompetent people. The disease has a complex epidemiology, being transmitted by ingestion of oocysts that are shed in the faeces of definitive feline hosts and contaminate water, soil and crops, or by consumption of intracellular cysts in undercooked meat from intermediate hosts. In this review we examine current and future approaches to control toxoplasmosis, which encompass a variety of measures that target different components of the life cycle of T. gondii. These include: education programs about the parasite and avoidance of contact with infectious stages; biosecurity and sanitation to ensure food and water safety; chemo- and immunotherapeutics to control active infections and disease; prophylactic options to prevent acquisition of infection by livestock and cyst formation in meat; and vaccines to prevent shedding of oocysts by definitive feline hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Smith
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
| | - Cibelly Goulart
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Jenni A Hayward
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Andreas Kupz
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Catherine M Miller
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Science, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Giel G van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
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Lv QY, Quan MX, Tang HL, Wu XT, Liu GH, Li F, Hu SF. Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and Genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in Free-Range Chickens Intended for Human Consumption in China. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2020; 18:253-259. [PMID: 33306935 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2020.2844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with worldwide distribution that infects birds and mammals, including humans. The consumption of free-range chicken meat is a common practice in many parts of the world. However, little information is available concerning the molecular prevalence and genotypes of T. gondii infection in free-range chickens intended for human consumption in China. In this study, a total of 1360 serum samples were collected from food markets in Hunan province of China for detecting T. gondii antibodies by indirect hemagglutination assay. In addition, 650 brain tissues were also collected to investigate T. gondii DNA by amplification of B1 gene with a seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the positive DNA samples were typed at 10 genetic markers using multilocus PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 457 of the examined serum samples (33.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 31.1-36.1), and 72 DNA samples (11.1%; 95% CI: 8.6-13.4) were positive for the T. gondii B1 gene. In this study, region and age of free-range chickens were shown to be risk factors for T. gondii infection (p < 0.01). Two genotypes (ToxoDB#9 and ToxoDB#52) were identified from two samples with complete genotyping results. Our study revealed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in free-range chickens intended for human consumption in Hunan province, suggesting that recommendations to consumers should be made, especially in some regions of China where consumption of undercooked chicken meat is common. This is the first genetic characterization of T. gondii in free-range chickens intended for human consumption in Hunan province, China, and also the first report of genotype ToxoDB#52 in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Yan Lv
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Min-Xiu Quan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Hua-Li Tang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xi-Ting Wu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Fen Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Shi-Feng Hu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
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Cristina Borges Araujo E, Cariaco Y, Paulo Oliveira Almeida M, Patricia Pallete Briceño M, Neto de Sousa JE, Rezende Lima W, Maria Costa-Cruz J, Maria Silva N. Beneficial effects of Strongyloides venezuelensis antigen extract in acute experimental toxoplasmosis. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12811. [PMID: 33247953 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with worldwide distribution and triggers a strong Th1 immune response in infected susceptible hosts. On the contrary, most helminth infections are characterized by Th2 immune response and the use of helminth-derived antigens to regulate immune response in inflammatory disorders has been broadly investigated. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with Strongyloides venezuelensis antigen extract (SvAg) would alter immune response against T gondii. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with T gondii and treated with SvAg, and parasitological, histological and immunological parameters were investigated. RESULTS It was observed that SvAg treatment improved survival rates of T gondii-infected mice. At day 7 post-infection, the parasite load was lower in the lung and small intestine of infected SvAg-treated mice than untreated infected mice. Remarkably, SvAg-treated mice infected with T gondii presented reduced inflammatory lesions in the small intestine than infected untreated mice and decreased intestinal and systemic levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6. In contrast, SvAg treatment increased T gondii-specific IgA serum levels in infected mice. CONCLUSIONS S venezuelensis antigen extract has anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory properties during T gondii infection suggesting as a possible alternative to parasite and inflammation control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Cristina Borges Araujo
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Yusmaris Cariaco
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | | | - José Eduardo Neto de Sousa
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Wânia Rezende Lima
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Catalão, Rua Terezinha Margon Vaz, s/n Residencial Barka II, Catalão, Brasil
| | - Julia Maria Costa-Cruz
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
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Ammar S, Hoggard N, Wood L, Su C, Gerhold R. Toxoplasma gondii Strain and Dose Effects on Feed Conversion Rate, Body Weight, Serum Antibodies Response, and Systemic Distribution in Intraperitoneally Infected Domestic Turkey Poults. Avian Dis 2020; 65:138-148. [PMID: 34339133 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-20-00104] [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: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is an important foodborne zoonosis affecting a wide range of hosts, including birds. This study investigated the seroconversion, feed conversion rate, weight gain, and parasite tissue tropism as a function of parasite dose and virulence in turkeys. Twenty-five 4-wk-old female domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallapavo) were intraperitoneally infected with two different strains and two doses (105 and 108 tachyzoites/ml) of T. gondii tachyzoites, resulting in four treatment groups. A fifth group of 10 additional birds was intraperitoneally injected with sterile phosphate-buffered saline as a negative control. All birds remained subclinical except for three birds in the two high-dose groups (108 tachyzoites/ml). Survival rate was 88% (22/25). A 92% seroconversion rate was detected in T. gondii-infected birds using a modified agglutination test. Antibody titers as well as weight gain were related to the dose and strain of T. gondii used. Feed conversion rate was higher in the high-dose groups compared with low-dose and control groups, while weight gain was significantly lower at 14 days postinfection in the group infected with 108 tachyzoites/ml of virulent T. gondii strain. Gross lesions were detected in the pancreas and lungs of only one bird, and histopathologic findings varied depending on strain and dose. The organs that most frequently contained T. gondii DNA as detected by quantitative PCR were the brain and the heart, followed by the bursa of Fabricius and the lungs. This study confirmed that turkeys can be infected with T. gondii, and turkeys can show signs of infection when exposed to high doses. Given the increased practice of outdoor-raised livestock and wildlife consumption, continual experimental infection of T. gondii in wild and domestic animals should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsan Ammar
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN 37996.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sadat City University, Sadat City, Menofia, Egypt 32511
| | - Nathan Hoggard
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - Liberty Wood
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - Richard Gerhold
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN 37996,
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Gossner A, Hassan MA. Transcriptional Analyses Identify Genes That Modulate Bovine Macrophage Response to Toxoplasma Infection and Immune Stimulation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:437. [PMID: 33014886 PMCID: PMC7508302 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, is highly prevalent among livestock species. Although cattle are generally resistant to Toxoplasma strains circulating in Europe and North America, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we report that bovine bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) pre-stimulated with interferon gamma (IFNγ) restricts intracellular Toxoplasma growth independently of nitric oxide. While Toxoplasma promoted the expression of genes associated with alternative macrophage activation and lipid metabolism, IFNγ abrogated parasite-induced transcriptional responses and promoted the expression of genes linked to the classical macrophage activation phenotype. Additionally, several chemokines, including CCL22, that are linked to parasite-induced activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling were highly expressed in Toxoplasma-exposed naïve BMDMs. A chemical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway antagonist (IWR-1-endo) significantly reduced intracellular parasite burden in naïve BMDMs, suggesting that Toxoplasma activates this pathway to evade bovine macrophage anti-parasitic responses. Congruently, intracellular burden of a mutant Toxoplasma strain (RHΔASP5) that does not secrete dense granule proteins into the host cell, which is an essential requirement for parasite-induced activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, was significantly reduced in naïve BMDMs. However, both the Wnt/β-catenin antagonist and RHASPΔ5 did not abolish parasite burden differences in naïve and IFNγ-stimulated BMDMs. Finally, we observed that parasites infecting IFNγ-stimulated BMDMs largely express genes associated with the slow dividing bradyzoite stage. Overall, this study provides novel insights into bovine macrophage transcriptional response to Toxoplasma. It establishes a foundation for a mechanistic analysis IFNγ-induced bovine anti-Toxoplasma responses and the counteracting Toxoplasma survival strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Gossner
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Musa A Hassan
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Acetylome analysis of the feline small intestine following Toxoplasma gondii infection. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3649-3657. [PMID: 32951143 PMCID: PMC7502155 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06880-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting a large number of warm-blooded animals and causes serious health complications in immunocompromised patients. T. gondii infection of the feline small intestine is critical for the completion of the life cycle and transmission of T. gondii. Protein acetylation is an important posttranslational modification, which plays roles in the regulation of various cellular processes. Therefore, understanding of how T. gondii reprograms the protein acetylation status of feline definitive host can help to thwart the production and spread of T. gondii. Here, we used affinity enrichment and high-resolution liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to profile the alterations of the acetylome in cat small intestine 10 days after infection by T. gondii Prugniuad (Pru) strain. Our analysis showed that T. gondii induced significant changes in the acetylation of proteins in the cat intestine. We identified 2606 unique lysine acetylation sites in 1357 acetylated proteins. The levels of 334 acetylated peptides were downregulated, while the levels of 82 acetylated peptides were increased in the infected small intestine. The proteins with differentially acetylated peptides were particularly enriched in the bioenergetics-related processes, such as tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and oxidation-reduction. These results provide the first baseline of the global acetylome of feline small intestine following T. gondii infection and should facilitate further analysis of the role of acetylated protein in the pathogenesis of T. gondii infection in its definitive host.
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Sgroi G, Viscardi M, Santoro M, Borriello G, D'Alessio N, Boccia F, Pacifico L, Fioretti A, Veneziano V, Fusco G. Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in southern Italy: Epidemiological survey and associated risk for consumers. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:805-813. [PMID: 32885615 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite (phylum Apicomplexa), which causes a zoonotic parasitic disease, known as toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and genotypes of T. gondii in wild boars of southern Italy and thus to assess the risk of infection for consumers. The boars were inspected during the hunting season within the regional project 'Wild Boar Emergency Plan in Campania', and molecular analyses were performed on 338 boars analysing a total number of 884 matrices (263 brains, 310 hearts and 311 masseter muscles). Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 134 out of 338 boars (39.6%). No significant statistical difference between genders was found (χ2 = 0.15 p = .70). The prevalence was 47.1%, 39.3% and 39.2% in piglets, yearlings and adults, respectively (χ2 = 0.41; p = .81). The highest prevalence of T. gondii was found in masseter muscles (74/311, 23.8%), followed by the heart (70/310, 22.6%) and brain (58/263, 22.0%), respectively. Microsatellite (MS) analysis of 11 samples revealed eleven T. gondii genotypes (nine atypical, one belonging to type II one to type III). Most of the genotypes found were thus atypical and may be virulent in humans. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed the presence of three distinct clusters, with the majority of atypical genotypes in the GII-GIII cluster. The high prevalence of infection in masseters highlights the potential risk for public health, considering that this muscle is commonly used to prepare raw meat products ('guanciale' and sausages), which may be a source of T. gondii infection in humans. Wild boars may act as an interface role between wildlife, livestock and humans. Our data highlight the urgent need to minimize the risk of infection for animals and humans by setting up a surveillance programme and preventive strategies in a One Health approach to wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | | | - Giorgia Borriello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy.,Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio Regionale, Regione Campania, Italy
| | - Federica Boccia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Laura Pacifico
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fioretti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio Regionale, Regione Campania, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
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Grembi JA, Mayer-Blackwell K, Luby SP, Spormann AM. High-Throughput Multiparallel Enteropathogen Detection via Nano-Liter qPCR. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:351. [PMID: 32766166 PMCID: PMC7381150 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative molecular diagnostic methods can effectively detect pathogen-specific nucleic acid sequences, but costs associated with multi-pathogen panels hinder their widespread use in research trials. Nano-liter qPCR (nL-qPCR) is a miniaturized tool for quantification of multiple targets in large numbers of samples based on assay parallelization on a single chip, with potentially significant cost-savings due to rapid throughput and reduced reagent volumes. We evaluated a suite of novel and published assays to detect 17 enteric pathogens using a commercially available nL-qPCR technology. Amplification efficiencies ranged from 88 to 98% (mean 91%) and were reproducible across four operators at two separate facilities. When applied to fecal material, assays were sensitive and selective (99.8% of DNA amplified were genes from the target organism). Due to nanofluidic volumes, detection limits were 1-2 orders of magnitude less sensitive for nL-qPCR than an enteric TaqMan Array Card (TAC). However, higher detection limits do not hinder detection of diarrhea-causing pathogen concentrations. Compared to TAC, nL-qPCR displayed 99% (95% CI 0.98, 0.99) negative percent agreement and 62% (95% CI 0.59, 0.65) overall positive percent agreement for presence of pathogens across diarrheal and non-diarrheal fecal samples. Positive percent agreement was 89% among samples with concentrations above the nL-qPCR detection limits. nL-qPCR assays showed an underestimation bias of 0.34 log10 copies/gram of stool [IQR -0.40, -0.28] compared with TAC. With 12 times higher throughput for a sixth of the per-sample cost of the enteric TAC, the nL-qPCR chip is a viable alternative for enteropathogen quantification for studies where other technologies are cost-prohibitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Grembi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Koshlan Mayer-Blackwell
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Stephen P Luby
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Alfred M Spormann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
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Park Y, Noh J, Seo HJ, Kim KH, Min S, Yoo MS, Yun BR, Kim JH, Choi EJ, Cheon DS, Hong SJ, Yoon SS, Cho YS. Seroprevalence and B1 gene Phylogeny of Toxoplasma gondii of Dogs and Cats in Republic of Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2020; 58:257-265. [PMID: 32615739 PMCID: PMC7338905 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.3.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of human toxoplasmosis can be attributed to ingestion of food contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis recently increased in domestic and stray dogs and cats. It prompted studies on the zoonotic infectious diseases transmitted via these animals. Sero- and antigen prevalences of T. gondii in dogs and cats were surveyed using ELISA and PCR, and B1 gene phylogeny was analyzed in this study. Toxoplasmosis antibodies were measured on sera of 403 stray cats, 947 stray dogs, 909 domestic cats, and 2,412 domestic dogs collected at nationwide regions, Korea from 2017 to 2019. In addition, whole blood, feces, and tissue samples were also collected from stray cats (1,392), stray dogs (686), domestic cats (3,040), and domestic dogs (1,974), and T. gondii-specific B1 gene PCR was performed. Antibody prevalence of stray cats, stray dogs, domestic cats, and domestic dogs were 14.1%, 5.6%, 2.3%, and 0.04%, respectively. Antigen prevalence of these animals was 0.5%, 0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.4%, respectively. Stray cats revealed the highest infection rate of toxoplasmosis, followed by stray dogs, domestic cats, and domestic dogs. B1 gene positives were 5 of stray cats, and identified to high/moderate pathogenic Type I/III group. These findings enforce that preventive hygienic measure should be strengthened at One Health level in dogs and cats, domestic and stray, to minimize human toxoplasmosis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeojin Park
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Jinhyeong Noh
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Hyun-Ji Seo
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Keun-Ho Kim
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Subin Min
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Mi-Sun Yoo
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Bo-Ram Yun
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Jong-Ho Kim
- Animal Pathodiagnostic Laboratory, Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Department of Disease Control & Quarantine, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Choi
- Animal Pathodiagnostic Laboratory, Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Department of Disease Control & Quarantine, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | | | - Sung-Jong Hong
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Soon-Seek Yoon
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - Yun Sang Cho
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
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Sroka J, Karamon J, Wójcik-Fatla A, Piotrowska W, Dutkiewicz J, Bilska-Zając E, Zając V, Kochanowski M, Dąbrowska J, Cencek T. Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered pigs and cattle in Poland: seroprevalence, molecular detection and characterization of parasites in meat. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:223. [PMID: 32366276 PMCID: PMC7199313 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04106-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii infection may pose a severe medical problem especially in a congenital form and as an acquired infection in immunocompromised persons. Raw and undercooked meat of slaughtered animals is regarded as an important source of parasite infection; however, data concerning this issue in Poland are still insufficient. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in pigs and cattle slaughtered for human consumption in Poland using serological and molecular methods. Methods Sera of 3111 pigs and 2411 cattle from 16 regions (voivodeships) of the country were examined for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG using the direct agglutination test (DAT). Pepsin-digested samples of diaphragm and heart of seropositive animals were examined for the presence of T. gondii DNA (B1 gene) by nested PCR and real-time PCR, while non-digested samples were only examined by nested PCR. The B1 gene DNA samples were genotyped at 11 genetic markers using multilocus nested PCR-RFLP (Mn-PCR-RFLP) and sequencing. Results Seropositive DAT results were found in 11.9% of pigs and 13.0% of cattle. The highest seroprevalence was found in pigs from Podkarpackie (32.6%) and in cattle from Mazowieckie (44.6%). Data analysis showed that cattle > 5–10 years-old, as well as cattle and pigs from small farms, and pigs from farms with open production systems, had higher odds of testing seropositive (P < 0.05). Among the examined tissue samples, positive PCR results were found in samples from 12.2% and 10.2% of seropositive pigs and cattle, respectively. Among the samples successfully genotyped by Mn-PCR-RFLP and sequenced, four samples were identified as T. gondii type II and one sample as type I. Conclusions The presence of T. gondii antibodies in a substantial proportion of examined pigs and cattle as well as the detection of parasite DNA in their tissues highlight a potential health risk to the consumers in Poland.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Sroka
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Jacek Karamon
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
| | - Angelina Wójcik-Fatla
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Weronika Piotrowska
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
| | - Jacek Dutkiewicz
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Bilska-Zając
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
| | - Violetta Zając
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Maciej Kochanowski
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
| | - Joanna Dąbrowska
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
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Santoro M, Viscardi M, Boccia F, Borriello G, Lucibelli MG, Auriemma C, Anastasio A, Veneziano V, Galiero G, Baldi L, Fusco G. Parasite Load and STRs Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii Isolates From Mediterranean Mussels ( Mytilus galloprovincialis) in Southern Italy. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:355. [PMID: 32210944 PMCID: PMC7066981 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic food-borne disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a land-derived protozoan parasite that infects a broad range of terrestrial and aquatic hosts. T. gondii may reach coastal waters via contaminated freshwater runoff and its oocysts may enter into the marine food web. Marine invertebrates as mussels being filter feeders are exposed and may concentrate T. gondii oocysts representing a potential source of infection for animals and humans. The present works investigated the prevalence, parasite burden and genotypes of T. gondii in the Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from southern Italy. We sampled a total of 382 individual Mediterranean mussels from May to August 2018 from seven production sites in the Gulf of Naples (Campania region). An additional sample including 27 farmed Mediterranean mussels was obtained in February 2018 from a mollusk depuration plant in Corigliano Calabro (Calabria region). T. gondii DNA was detected in 43 out of 409 (10.5%) Mediterranean mussels from seven out of eight sampling sites. The number of T. gondii copies/g in the digestive gland ranged from 0.14 to 1.18. Fragment analysis of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) at 5 microsatellite loci was performed from 10 T. gondii PCR positive samples revealing the presence of five distinct genotypes including one corresponding to type I and four atypical genotypes. These findings suggest potential implications of epidemiological importance for human and animal health because both type I and atypical genotypes could be highly pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Federica Boccia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | | | | | - Aniello Anastasio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Loredana Baldi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
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Liempi A, Castillo C, Medina L, Galanti N, Maya JD, Parraguez VH, Kemmerling U. Comparative ex vivo infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii of human, canine and ovine placenta: Analysis of tissue damage and infection efficiency. Parasitol Int 2020; 76:102065. [PMID: 32001348 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, and Toxoplasma gondii, which is responsible for Toxoplasmosis, are two parasites that cause significant protozoan zoonoses and consequently important economic losses in human, companion animals and livestock. For the congenital transmission to occur, both parasites must cross the barrier present in the mammalian placenta, which differs between species. Particularly, hemochorial, endotheliochorial and epitheliochorial placental barriers are present, respectively, in human, dog and sheep. The type of placental barrier has been associated with the probability of transmission of pathogens. In this study, we used experimental placental ex vivo infection models of T. cruzi and T. gondii in the above-mentioned mammals in order to study tissue alterations and to compare infection efficiency. Here, we infected placental term explants from human, dog and sheep and analyzed tissue damage by standard histological and histochemical methods. Comparative infection efficiency was determined by quantitative PCR. Both parasites are able to infect the different placental explants; however, more T. gondii parasites were detected, and T. gondii causes a more severe tissue damage in human and canine explants than T. cruzi. The histopathological changes observed in ovine placenta explants were similar in presence of both parasites. We conclude that the infection efficiency of T. gondii is higher, compared to T. cruzi, during the ex vivo infection of human, canine and ovine placental explants. In addition, the ex vivo infection of mammalian placental explants constitutes an interesting experimental approach to study part of the infection mechanisms as well as host responses during congenital infection of both parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Liempi
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lisvaneth Medina
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Norbel Galanti
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Victor Hugo Parraguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Cronhjort S, Wilhelmsson P, Karlsson L, Thelaus J, Sjödin A, Forsberg P, Lindgren PE. The Tick-Borne Diseases STING study: Real-time PCR analysis of three emerging tick-borne pathogens in ticks that have bitten humans in different regions of Sweden and the Aland islands, Finland. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2019; 9:1683935. [PMID: 31741721 PMCID: PMC6844441 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2019.1683935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A milder climate has during the last decade contributed to an increased density and spreading of ixodid ticks, thus enhancing their role as emerging vectors for pathogenic microorganisms in northern Europe. It remains unclear if they contribute to the occurrence of infections caused by the bacteria Bartonella spp., Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in Sweden and on the Åland islands, Finland. In this study, we want to improve understanding of the tick-borne transmission of these pathogens. Volunteers were recruited at primary healthcare centers. Ticks and blood samples were acquired from participants recruited in 2008 and 2009. Health questionnaires were completed, and medical records were acquired where applicable. Feeding time was estimated and screening of pathogens in the ticks was performed through real-time PCR. Ticks (n = 1849) were of mixed developmental stages: 76 larvae, 1295 nymphs, 426 adults and 52 undetermined. All analyzed ticks were considered negative for these pathogens since the CT-values were all below the detection limit for Bartonella spp. (1663 ticks), Francisella spp. (1849 ticks) and Toxoplasma gondii (1813 ticks). We assume that infections with these pathogens are caused by other transmission pathways within these regions of Sweden and the Åland islands, Finland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Cronhjort
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Linda Karlsson
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johanna Thelaus
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Pia Forsberg
- Divison of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Liempi A, Castillo C, Medina L, Rojas M, Maya JD, Parraguez VH, Kemmerling U. Ex vivo infection of human placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii: Differential activation of NF kappa B signaling pathways. Acta Trop 2019; 199:105153. [PMID: 31469971 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) are the causative agents of Chagas disease and Toxoplasmosis. T. cruzi and T. gondii present, respectively, low and high congenital transmission rates and induce a distinctive cytokine/chemokine profile in ex vivo infected human placental explants (HPE). Since the innate immune response is regulated, at least partially, by NF-κB signaling pathways, our main objective was to determine the effect of ex vivo infection with both parasites on the activation of canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways and its relation to parasite infection. T. cruzi activates both, the canonical and non-canonical pathways of NF-κB, unlike T. gondii, which has no effect on the canonical pathway and inhibits the non-canonical pathway. The inhibition of both pathways of NF-κB increases the DNA load of T. cruzi and T. gondii in HPE. Therefore, the differential modulation of NF-κB signal transduction pathways by both parasites might explain, at least partially, the low and high congenital transmission rates of T. cruzi and T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Liempi
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lisvaneth Medina
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maura Rojas
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Victor H Parraguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Gutierrez-Loli R, Ferradas C, Diestra A, Traianou A, Bowman N, Bok J, Reimer-McAtee M, Ramal C, Ticona E, Steinberg H, Mayta H, Calderon M, Calla-Choque JS, Sterling C, Gilman RH, For The Toxoplasmosis Working Group In Peru And Bolivia. Development of a Novel Protocol Based on Blood Clot to Improve the Sensitivity of qPCR Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Peripheral Blood Specimens. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 100:83-89. [PMID: 30457102 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for Toxoplasma gondii multicopy genes has emerged as a promising strategy for sensitive detection of parasite DNA. qPCR can be performed from blood samples, which are minimally invasive to collect. However, there is no consensus about what type of blood specimen yields the best sensitivity. The development of a novel protocol for qPCR detection of T. gondii using blood clot, involving an appropriate DNA extraction method and the use of an internal amplification control to monitor the reaction is presented in the current study. Assays directed to the B1 and REP529 genes were performed in spiked specimens of whole blood, guanidine-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood, and clot. The clot-based qPCR was shown to be more sensitive when compared with other types of specimens, detecting five and 0.05 T. gondii genomes, using B1 and REP529 targets, respectively. Finally, a comparative analysis with samples from HIV patients with clinical suspicion of toxoplasmosis was performed, demonstrating the detection of four positive suspected cases with clots compared with only one using guanidine-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood. The high analytical sensitivity and the cost-effective advantages offered by clot supports this methodology as a good laboratory tool to monitor parasite burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzo Gutierrez-Loli
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Cusi Ferradas
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Andrea Diestra
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Aliki Traianou
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Natalie Bowman
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jeroen Bok
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Cesar Ramal
- Hospital Regional de Loreto "Felipe Santiago Arriola Iglesias," Iquitos, Peru
| | - Eduardo Ticona
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Unit, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, Lima, Peru
| | - Hannah Steinberg
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Holger Mayta
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Maritza Calderon
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Jaeson S Calla-Choque
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Charles Sterling
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Robert H Gilman
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Serological and molecular rapid diagnostic tests for Toxoplasma infection in humans and animals. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 39:19-30. [PMID: 31428897 PMCID: PMC7087738 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-019-03680-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Infection by Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent worldwide. The parasite can infect a broad spectrum of vertebrate hosts, but infection of fetuses and immunocompromised patients is of particular concern. Easy-to-perform, robust, and highly sensitive and specific methods to detect Toxoplasma infection are important for the treatment and management of patients. Rapid diagnostic methods that do not sacrifice the accuracy of the assay and give reproducible results in a short time are highly desirable. In this context, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), especially with point-of-care (POC) features, are promising diagnostic methods in clinical microbiology laboratories, especially in areas with minimal laboratory facilities. More advanced methods using microfluidics and sensor technology will be the future trend. In this review, we discuss serological and molecular-based rapid diagnostic tests for detecting Toxoplasma infection in humans as well as animals.
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Trotta A, Sposato A, Marinaro M, Zizzo N, Passantino G, Parisi A, Buonavoglia D, Corrente M. Neurological symptoms and mortality associated with Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus in calves. Vet Microbiol 2019; 236:108369. [PMID: 31500733 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Suppurative meningitis-meningoencephalitis (M-ME) is a sporadic disease in neonatal ungulates and only a few studies have reported the involvement of Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) members in bovine neonatal M-ME. The SBSEC taxonomy was recent revised and previous biotype II/2 was reclassified as S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus (SGP). The aim of this study was to describe a case of fatal neonatal neurological syndrome associated with SGP in calves. Ten calves were monitored because of neurological hyperacute symptoms associate with bilateral hypopyon and death. They were not fed with maternal colostrum; two of them died and were subjected to bacteriological, histopathological and biomolecular analysis as well as antibiotic susceptibility test. Both animals presented lesions mostly concentrated to meninges and brain and had bilateral hypopyon. Nine strains isolated in purity from brain, ocular humors and colon were identified as S. bovis group by using the API Strep system and as S. gallolyticus by using the 16S rRNA sequence. Two of these strains where subjected to WGS analysis that confirmed the sub-species identification and the clonality of the two SGP strains. The strains were found resistant to OT, SXT, MTZ and EN and susceptible to AMP, AMC, KZ and CN. We hypothesized that the syndrome observed could be due to the lack of maternal colostrum feeding. A timely and precise diagnosis could have likely prevented the death of the calves and, since the zoonotic potential of SBSECs members is known, accurate and rapid identification is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Trotta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy.
| | - Alessio Sposato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Marinaro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Zizzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Passantino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Sezione di Putignano, Contrada San Pietro Piturno, 70017, Putignano, BA, Italy
| | - Domenico Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Marialaura Corrente
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy
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50
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Santoro M, Viscardi M, Sgroi G, DʼAlessio N, Veneziano V, Pellicano R, Brunetti R, Fusco G. Real-time PCR detection of Toxoplasma gondii in tissue samples of wild boars (Sus scrofa) from southern Italy reveals high prevalence and parasite load. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:335. [PMID: 31277688 PMCID: PMC6610950 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3586-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a widespread protozoan in the phylum Apicomplexa. In Europe, several studies have demonstrated the presence of the parasite in tissues of wild boars (Sus scrofa), but no data exists on the T. gondii load in tissues which in turn may be an useful way to assess the infection risk for the consumer of wild boar meat. Methods We sampled and tested a total of 472 tissue samples of brain, heart and masseter muscle from 177 wild boars from the Campania region of southern Italy by real-time PCR analyses for detection and quantification of T. gondii. The sensitivity and specificity of the method were calculated by ROC analysis curves. Results PCR analysis revealed the presence of T. gondii in tissue samples of 78 out of 177 (44%) wild boars. In general, the brain presented the highest PCR prevalence (31%), followed by the heart (28.3%) and the masseter muscle (24.2%), with the highest estimated parasite numbers observed in the brain followed by the heart and masseter muscle. The PCR method showed an excellent discriminating ability for each of the examined tissues. According to the ROC analysis curves, the respective sensitivity and specificity were 99 and 100% for masseter muscle, 98 and 98% for brain and 96 and 98% for heart samples. Conclusions The high prevalence of infection here detected suggests a widespread distribution of the parasite in the wildlife of the Campania region of southern Italy. The T. gondii burdens detected may potentially represent a source of infection for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Santoro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola DʼAlessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Pellicano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Roberta Brunetti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
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