scholarly journals Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among small mammals in Tatarstan, Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolai D. Shamaev ◽  
Eduard A. Shuralev ◽  
Oleg V. Nikitin ◽  
Malik N. Mukminov ◽  
Yuriy N. Davidyuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
B1 Gene ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

AbstractToxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a wide host range that includes humans, domestic animals and wild animals. Small mammals serve as intermediate hosts for T. gondii and may contribute to the persistence of this parasite in the environment. Mass mortality in wild animals and deaths in rare endemic species make the study of this parasite of growing importance. In this study, T. gondii infection prevalence was evaluated in brain tissues from 474 small mammals captured at 26 trapping points in urban and rural areas of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. Nested PCR was used to detect the T. gondii B1 gene in the samples. Overall, 40/474 samples (8.44%) showed B1 gene positivity. T. gondii infection among the wild small mammals trapped in the rural area was significantly higher as a whole than that of the urban area as a whole. Multivariate logistical regression analysis also showed that the trapping area (rural or urban) significantly contributed to T. gondii positivity. Vegetation in the trapping points, small mammal species, sex, age or distance from the trapping points to the nearest human settlements did not significantly affect T. gondii positivity in the sampled small mammals.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among small mammals in Tatarstan, Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolai Shamaev ◽  
Eduard Shuralev ◽  
Oleg Nikitin ◽  
Malik Mukminov ◽  
Yuriy Davidyuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Zoonotic Parasite ◽  
B1 Gene ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Rare Endemic

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a wide host range that includes humans, domestic animals and wild animals. Small mammals serve as intermediate hosts for T. gondii and may contribute to the persistence of this parasite in the environment. Mass mortality in wild animals and deaths in rare endemic species make the study of this parasite of growing importance. In this study, T. gondii infection prevalence was evaluated in brain tissues from 474 small mammals captured at 26 trapping points in urban and rural areas of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. Nested PCR was used to detect the T. gondii B1 gene in the samples. Overall, 40/474 samples (8.44 %) showed B1 gene positivity. T. gondii infection among the wild small mammals trapped in the rural area was significantly higher as a whole than that of the urban area as a whole. Multivariate logistical regression analysis also showed that the trapping area (rural or urban) significantly contributed to T. gondii positivity. Vegetation in the trapping points, small mammal species, sex, age or distance from the trapping points to the nearest human settlements did not significantly affect T. gondii positivity in the sampled small mammals.

Insights into the molecular basis of host behaviour manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii infection

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 563-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Mehdi Hammoudi ◽  
Dominique Soldati-Favre
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Host Behaviour ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Brain Homeostasis

Typically illustrating the ‘manipulation hypothesis’, Toxoplasma gondii is widely known to trigger sustainable behavioural changes during chronic infection of intermediate hosts to enhance transmission to its feline definitive hosts, ensuring survival and dissemination. During the chronic stage of infection in rodents, a variety of neurological dysfunctions have been unravelled and correlated with the loss of cat fear, among other phenotypic impacts. However, the underlying neurological alteration(s) driving these behavioural modifications is only partially understood, which makes it difficult to draw more than a correlation between T. gondii infection and changes in brain homeostasis. Moreover, it is barely known which among the brain regions governing fear and stress responses are preferentially affected during T. gondii infection. Studies aiming at an in-depth dissection of underlying molecular mechanisms occurring at the host and parasite levels will be discussed in this review. Addressing this reminiscent topic in the light of recent technical progress and new discoveries regarding fear response, olfaction and neuromodulator mechanisms could contribute to a better understanding of this complex host–parasite interaction.

scholarly journals Molecular identification of Toxoplasma gondii in roadkill wild animals in Yucatan, Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Torres-Castro ◽  
Rodrigo Adán Medina-Pinto ◽  
Henry René Noh-Pech ◽  
Fernando I. Puerto ◽  
Roger Iván Rodríguez-Vivas
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Muscle Sample ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Lung Sample

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, recognized as the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic endemic disease in several countries, including Mexico. In the Yucatan State of Mexico, Toxoplasma infection has a high impact in both human and domestic animal health. Wild animals can also host zoonotic pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii. The presence of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in roadkill wild animals in Yucatan was detected using a nested Polymerase Chain Reaction. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was identified in several organs retrieved from a Yucatan squirrel (Sciurus yucatanensis), a coatimundi (Nasua narica), and a greater grison (Galictis vittata). The amplified fragments of Toxoplasma gondii DNA were purified, sequenced, and certified by BLAST analysis. Our results confirm that Toxoplasma gondii can infect wild mammals from Yucatan, which could act as intermediate hosts and contribute to the transmission of the disease to humans and domestic animals, as well as other wild animal species. We present the first molecular evidence of Toxoplasma gondii in a squirrel and a coatimundi from Yucatan, and quite possibly in a greater grison at a global level.Figure 1. Agarose gel presenting PCR amplicons (560 bp) positive to Toxoplasma gondii. 1) C+: positive control; A: Yucatan squirrel liver sample; B: great grison femoral muscle sample; C: coatimundi kidney sample; C-: negative control. 2) A: Yucatan squirrel brain sample; B: great grison lung sample; C-: negative control.

scholarly journals No Evidence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Urban and Rural Squirrels in Southern Manitoba, Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riikka P. Kinnunen ◽  
Chloé Schmidt ◽  
Adrián Hernándes-Ortiz ◽  
Colin J. Garroway
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Sciurus Carolinensis ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Important Intermediate ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

ABSTRACTWhen wildlife colonizes cities, they can bring parasites that have implications for human health, yet knowledge underlying the ways host-pathogen interactions operate in cities is limited. The Coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans and cause health issues. T. gondii also has host species that occur at higher densities in cities than in natural environments, including squirrel species (Sciuridae). Cats and other Felidae are the only known definitive hosts of T. gondii. In urban and suburban areas squirrels regularly share their territories with domestic cats where they can encounter infectious oocysts shed in cat feces in contaminated soil or in the food they eat. We hypothesized that urban squirrels might thus be particularly susceptible to T. gondii infection compared to squirrels in more natural areas. We investigated this using molecular and serological methods on samples collected from four squirrel species in and around the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. We tested a total of 272 tissue samples from 46 squirrels for T. gondii DNA using quantitative PCR, and 15 serum samples from grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) for T. gondii antibodies (IgG) by indirect ELISA. We found no evidence of T. gondii infection in squirrels in southern Manitoba. This suggests that squirrels are not important intermediate hosts of T. gondii in cities and that the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment in Manitoba is likely low. Consequently, squirrel management to prevent infection to humans or their pet cats is not needed in urban areas with abundant squirrel populations.

scholarly journals A community-based survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in rural areas of Taiz governorate, Yemen: the risk of waterborne transmission

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. K. Mahdy ◽  
Lina M. Q. Alareqi ◽  
Rashad Abdul-Ghani ◽  
Samira M. A. Al-Eryani ◽  
Abdullah A. Al-Mikhlafy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Waterborne Transmission ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

scholarly journals Behavioral biology of Toxoplasma gondii infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Han Tong ◽  
Chris Pavey ◽  
Ryan O’Handley ◽  
Ajai Vyas
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Laboratory Rodents ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Host Parasite

AbstractToxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle and a cosmopolitan host range. The asexual part of its life cycle can be perpetually sustained in a variety of intermediate hosts through a combination of carnivory and vertical transmission. However, T. gondii produces gametes only in felids after the predation of infected intermediate hosts. The parasite changes the behavior of its intermediate hosts by reducing their innate fear to cat odors and thereby plausibly increasing the probability that the definitive host will devour the infected host. Here, we provide a short description of such parasitic behavioral manipulation in laboratory rodents infected with T. gondii, along with a bird’s eye view of underpinning biological changes in the host. We also summarize critical gaps and opportunities for future research in this exciting research area with broad implications in the transdisciplinary study of host–parasite relationships.

scholarly journals Disseminated Toxoplasma gondii Infection in an Adult Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Xiaobo Wang ◽  
Charles T. Talbot ◽  
Ji-Hang Yin ◽  
Anwar A. Kalalah ◽  
Chengming Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pandion Haliaetus ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
B1 Gene ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

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.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Domestic and Migrating Birds from Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Amouei ◽  
Mehdi Sharif ◽  
Seyed Abdollah Hosseini ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Azadeh Mizani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Migrating Birds

Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in most warm-blooded animals worldwide. This protozoan is transmitted to intermediate hosts through a variety of modes. Humans are mainly infected by eating undercooked or raw meat of birds or livestock and eating food or drinking water contaminated with oocysts. Our aim was to assess T. gondii antibodies in birds. Samples were collected from 335 free-range birds and 50 migrating birds from September 2014 to December 2015. T. gondii antibodies were assayed using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Seroprevalence were verified in 51.4% of 385 birds (MAT titer ≥ 1:20 was seen in 51.3% and 52% of domestic and migrating birds, respectively). Statistically significant differences were not observed among species of birds. Free-range chickens of the central region showed a higher positive level than those of the other regions. However, the study results showed that more than half of the birds in this area are infected with T. gondii and therefore, could be considered as one of the most important hosts and a potential threat for consumers.

Comparison of the RE and B1 gene for detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in children with cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sh. Fallahi ◽  
B. Kazemi ◽  
S.J. Seyyed tabaei ◽  
M. Bandehpour ◽  
Z. Lasjerdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
B1 Gene ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

scholarly journals Risky business: linking Toxoplasma gondii infection and entrepreneurship behaviours across individuals and countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1883) ◽  
pp. 20180822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie K. Johnson ◽  
Markus A. Fitza ◽  
Daniel A. Lerner ◽  
Dana M. Calhoun ◽  
Marissa A. Beldon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
National Level ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Economic Productivity ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Disciplines such as business and economics often rely on the assumption of rationality when explaining complex human behaviours. However, growing evidence suggests that behaviour may concurrently be influenced by infectious microorganisms. The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii infects an estimated 2 billion people worldwide and has been linked to behavioural alterations in humans and other vertebrates. Here we integrate primary data from college students and business professionals with national-level information on cultural attitudes towards business to test the hypothesis that T. gondii infection influences individual- as well as societal-scale entrepreneurship activities. Using a saliva-based assay, we found that students ( n = 1495) who tested IgG positive for T. gondii exposure were 1.4× more likely to major in business and 1.7× more likely to have an emphasis in ‘management and entrepreneurship' over other business-related emphases. Among professionals attending entrepreneurship events, T. gondii -positive individuals were 1.8× more likely to have started their own business compared with other attendees ( n = 197). Finally, after synthesizing and combining country-level databases on T. gondii infection from the past 25 years with the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor of entrepreneurial activity, we found that infection prevalence was a consistent, positive predictor of entrepreneurial activity and intentions at the national scale, regardless of whether previously identified economic covariates were included. Nations with higher infection also had a lower fraction of respondents citing ‘fear of failure' in inhibiting new business ventures. While correlational, these results highlight the linkage between parasitic infection and complex human behaviours, including those relevant to business, entrepreneurship and economic productivity.

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