scholarly journals Impact of Babesia microti on the initiation and course of pregnancy in murine model of vertically transmitted infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Tołkacz ◽  
Anna Rodo ◽  
Agnieszka Wdowiarska ◽  
Anna Bajer ◽  
Małgorzata Bednarska
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Acquisition Time ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Pcr Targeting

AbstractGenus Babesia groups tick-transmitted protozoa causing babesiosis, a malaria-like disease. Vertical transmission of Babesia spp. was reported in mammals, however, the exact timing and mechanisms involved in this mode of transmission are not currently known. In this experimental study we evaluated: 1) the reproductive success, and success of vertical transmission of Babesia microti in mice mated in acute and chronic phases of the infection and in pregnant mice infected during early and advanced pregnancy; 2) possible influence of the pregnancy on the course of parasite infection (parasitaemia) in females; and 3) pathological changes in females and their embryos induced by infection. Blood smears and PCR targeting the 550 bp 18S rRNA gene fragment were used for the detection of B. microti. Histopathological examination was performed on collected tissues.Successful development of pregnancy was recorded only in females in the chronic phase of infection. The success of vertical transmission of B. microti in this group was 63% (71/112). In females mated in the acute phase of infection or on the 4th day of pregnancy, no evidence for pregnancy development were observed. In the group infected on the 12th day of pregnancy, numerous complications including pregnancy loss and stillbirth were recorded. During the acute phase of infection, parasitaemia was lower in pregnant females in comparison to infected, non-pregnant control females.Acute B. microti infection prevents pregnancy initiation and development of pregnancy at a very early stage, and causes severe complication in BALB/c mice in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Chronic B. microti infection has no negative impact on the initiation and development of pregnancy, but resulted with congenital infections. Further study is required to determine to what extent maternal antibabesial immune responses and potential placental accumulation of parasites contribute to compromised pregnancy in the murine model of congenital Babesia infection.Author summaryThe mouse is the most common mammalian model for studying human parasitic diseases, including malaria, toxoplasmosis, Chagas disease, and babesiosis. Babesiosis is an emerging intraerythrocytic infection caused by protozoal parasites, mostly Babesia microti. Our previous work in murine model proved that vertical transmission of Babesia microti, is a third way - after tick-bite and blood/organ transfusion - to acquire babesiosis. In this study we focused on investigating how the infection influences the course of pregnancy. We were interested in how variations in infection acquisition time and infection phase influence the reproductive success of mice and vertical transmission of parasites. We expected that the infection causes severe pathological changes in the organs of infected females and their offspring. Results obtained in this study have shown that vertical transmission of B. microti was only possible in chronically infected mice, in which health status and reproductive success were not compromised by the infection. Acute infection made successful reproduction impossible, however, the infection had no significant effect on the histopathological condition of tissues. We hope that these insights into B. microti vertical transmission will lead to the better understanding of congenital babesiosis.

scholarly journals Impact of Babesia microti infection on the initiation and course of pregnancy in BALB/c mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Tołkacz ◽  
Anna Rodo ◽  
Agnieszka Wdowiarska ◽  
Anna Bajer ◽  
Małgorzata Bednarska
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Abstract Background Protozoa in the genus Babesia are transmitted to humans through tick bites and cause babesiosis, a malaria-like illness. Vertical transmission of Babesia spp. has been reported in mammals; however, the exact timing and mechanisms involved are not currently known. The aims of this study were to evaluate the success of vertical transmission of B. microti in female mice infected before pregnancy (mated during the acute or chronic phases of Babesia infection) and that of pregnant mice infected during early and advanced pregnancy; to evaluate the possible influence of pregnancy on the course of parasite infections (parasitaemia); and to assess pathological changes induced by parasitic infection. Methods The first set of experiments involved two groups of female mice infected with B. microti before mating, and inseminated on the 7th day and after the 40th day post infection. A second set of experiments involved female mice infected with B. microti during pregnancy, on the 4th and 12th days of pregnancy. Blood smears and PCR targeting the 559 bp 18S rRNA gene fragment were used for the detection of B. microti. Pathology was assessed histologically. Results Successful development of pregnancy was recorded only in females mated during the chronic phase of infection. The success of vertical transmission of B. microti in this group was 63%. No evidence of pregnancy was found in females mated during the acute phase of infection or on the 4th day of pregnancy. In the group infected on the 12th day of pregnancy, numerous complications including loss of pregnancy and stillbirths were recorded. During the acute phase of infection, parasitaemia was lower in pregnant females in comparison to infected, non-pregnant control females. Conclusions Acute B. microti infection prevents the initiation of pregnancy and embryonic development if it occurs during the first trimester, and causes severe complications in foetal BALB/c mice in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Chronic B. microti infection has no detrimental impact on the initiation and development of pregnancy, but results in congenital infection of the offspring. Further study is required to determine the extent to which maternal anti-babesial immune responses contribute to compromise pregnancy in the murine model of congenital Babesia infection.

scholarly journals Exacerbation of AMD Phenotype in Lasered CNV Murine Model by Dysbiotic Oral Pathogens

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 309
Author(s):  
Pachiappan Arjunan ◽  
Radhika Swaminathan ◽  
Jessie Yuan ◽  
Mohamed Elashiry ◽  
Amany Tawfik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Murine Model ◽  
Retinal Thickness ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Periodontal Pathogen ◽  
Fundus Photography ◽  
Mouse Retina ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Periodontal Infection

Emerging evidence underscores an association between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and periodontal disease (PD), yet the biological basis of this linkage and the specific role of oral dysbiosis caused by PD in AMD pathophysiology remains unclear. Furthermore, a simple reproducible model that emulates characteristics of both AMD and PD has been lacking. Hence, we established a novel AMD+PD murine model to decipher the potential role of oral infection (ligature-enhanced) with the keystone periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, in the progression of neovasculogenesis in a laser-induced choroidal-neovascularization (Li-CNV) mouse retina. By a combination of fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography, we documented inflammatory drusen-like lesions, reduced retinal thickness, and increased vascular leakage in AMD+PD mice retinae. H&E further confirmed a significant reduction of retinal thickness and subretinal drusen-like deposits. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed significant induction of choroidal/retinal vasculogenesis in AMD+PD mice. qPCR identified increased expression of oxidative-stress, angiogenesis, pro-inflammatory mediators, whereas antioxidants and anti-inflammatory genes in AMD+PD mice retinae were notably decreased. Through qPCR, we detected Pg and its fimbrial 16s-RrNA gene expression in the AMD+PD mice retinae. To sum-up, this is the first in vivo study signifying a role of periodontal infection in augmentation of AMD phenotype, with the aid of a pioneering AMD+PD murine model established in our laboratory.

Detection of Kobe-typeBabesia microtiassociated with Japanese human babesiosis in field rodents in central Taiwan and southeastern mainland China

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (6) ◽  
pp. 691-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. SAITO-ITO ◽  
N. TAKADA ◽  
F. ISHIGURO ◽  
H. FUJITA ◽  
Y. YANO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mainland China ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Microscopical Examination ◽  
Small Subunit Rrna ◽  
Central Taiwan ◽  
Field Rodents ◽  
Human Babesiosis

SUMMARYField rodent surveys forBabesiainfection were performed from 2002 to 2005 in the vicinities of human babesiosis occurrences in Taiwan and mainland China.Babesia microtiwas identified by microscopical examination and/or PCR in 1Rattus coxingaand 1Crocidura horsfieldiiin central Taiwan and in 13Niviventer confucianusand 1Apodemus agrariusin Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces of southeastern China. Of 15B. microtisamples detected by PCR, all except 1 were shown to be the Kobe-type, the aetiological small subunit rRNA gene-type of the first Japanese patient; the exception was also a Kobe-related type. The Kobe-type had been found in rodents only in a few places including the human infection occurrence place in Japan. The internal transcribed spacer 1 to 2 sequences of the Taiwanese and Chinese Kobe-types were very similar to each other but considerably different (approx. 94% pairwise identities) from that of the Japanese Kobe-type. A Taiwanese Kobe-type strain was serologically differentiated from the Kobe strain originating from the Japanese first patient. The distribution of the Kobe-type in the vicinities of human babesiosis occurrences in Taiwan and China as well as in Japan is suggestive of involvement of the Kobe-type in Asian human babesiosis.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Th2 and Th17 Immunity-Related Factors as Indicators of Brucellosis

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Gheitasi ◽  
Fariba Keramat ◽  
Sara Khosravi ◽  
Mehrdad Hajilooi ◽  
Mathias W. Pletz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Infection ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Acute Group ◽  
Relapse Group ◽  
Gene Expression Levels

ObjectiveBrucellosis is a common bacterial zoonotic infection, and greater than half a million new cases are diagnosed annually. This study investigates the expression of Th2 and Th17 immunity-related factors (Th2-LCR lncRNA, IL-25, TRAF3IP2, and IL-17RB) in different stages of Brucella infections.Material and MethodsIn total, 99 brucellosis patients were divided into three groups (acute = first infection before treatment, relapse = before treatment, and treated = after treatment for 6–8 weeks with doxycycline and rifampin). Thirty-three healthy volunteers represented the control group. Gene expression levels were assessed by quantitative amplification in reference to the 18S rRNA gene and statistically evaluated.ResultsNo significant differences in the expression of these genes were observed between the control group and patients after completion of antibiotic treatment. Compared to these two groups, only Th2-LCR lncRNA and TRAF3IP2 were significantly more highly expressed in the acute group. Th2-LCR lncRNA was also significantly elevated in the relapse group. TRAF3IP2 expression was additionally significantly increased in the acute group compared to the relapse group.ConclusionIL-25 and IL-17RB failed to differentiate between the infected and noninfected groups. TRAF3IP2 and Th2-LCR lncRNA might be good indicators of brucellosis during the acute phase, but the expression levels varied strongly among patients. To verify the suitability of these factors as an indicator for brucellosis, acute infection or relapse should be investigated in further studies on larger cohorts with well-defined inclusion criteria.

scholarly journals Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium ryanae, and Cryptosporidium bovis in samples from calves in Austria

2020 ◽  
Vol 119 (12) ◽  
pp. 4291-4295
Author(s):  
Katharina Lichtmannsperger ◽  
Josef Harl ◽  
Katharina Freudenthaler ◽  
Barbara Hinney ◽  
Thomas Wittek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Gene Sequencing ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Phase Contrast Microscopy ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
Contrast Microscopy ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Diarrheic Calves ◽  
Pcr Targeting

AbstractFecal samples of 177 calves of up to 180 days of age with diarrhea from 70 farms in Austria were examined to obtain information on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium species. Initially, all samples were examined by phase-contrast microscopy. Cryptosporidium-positive samples (55.4%; n = 98) were screened by gp60 PCR, resulting in 68.4% (n = 67) C. parvum–positive samples. The remaining 31 gp60-PCR-negative and the phase-contrast microscopy negative samples (n = 79) were screened by PCR targeting a 700 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Sequencing of the PCR products revealed the presence of C. parvum (n = 69), C. ryanae (n = 11), and C. bovis (n = 7). The latter two species have never been described in Austria. C. parvum–positive samples were genotyped at the gp60 gene locus, featuring four subtypes (IIaA15G2R1, IIaA21G2R1, IIaA19G2R1, IIaA14G1R1). The most frequently detected subtype IIaA15G2R1 (n = 52) was present in calves from 30 different farms. IIaA14G1R1 (n = 5) occurred on a single farm, subtype IIaA21G2R1 (n = 4) on two farms, and subtype IIaA19G2R1 (n = 4) on three farms. The results confirm the widespread occurrence of zoonotic C. parvum in diarrheic calves.

scholarly journals Prevalence and diversity of piroplasms and ticks in young raccoons and an association of Babesia sensu stricto infections with splenomegaly

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayla Buck Garrett ◽  
Renee Schott ◽  
Lea Peshock ◽  
Michael J. Yabsley
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Alternative Route ◽  
The Usa ◽  
History Of

AbstractPiroplasms are intraerythrocytic parasites that are often transmitted by ixodid ticks, but vertical transmission is an alternative route for some species. In the USA, raccoons (Procyon lotor) are hosts for two known species, a Babesia microti-like sp. and Babesia lotori (in Babesia sensu stricto group). To better understand the natural history of Babesia in raccoons, we tested young raccoons from Minnesota and Colorado for Babesia spp., examined them for ticks, and assessing for splenomegaly as a sign of clinical disease. Raccoons from both states were infected with B. microti-like sp. and Babesia sensu stricto spp. Infections of B. microti-like were common, even in 1-week-old raccoons, suggesting vertical transmission. Babesia sensu stricto infections were more common in older raccoons. Raccoons infected with Babesia sensu stricto had significantly higher spleen:body weight ratios compared with uninfected or B. microti-like sp.-infected raccoons. Ticks were only found on raccoons from Minnesota. The most common and abundant tick was Ixodes texanus but Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis were also found on raccoons. We report piroplasm infections and infestations with several tick species in very young raccoons. Young raccoons infected with Babesia sensu stricto spp. had higher spleen:body weight ratios, suggesting a disease risk.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canisstrains from naturally infected dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Fernandes Ferreira ◽  
Aloysio de Mello Figueiredo Cerqueira ◽  
Tatiana Xavier de Castro ◽  
Eliane de Oliveira Ferreira ◽  
Felipe Piedade Gonçalves Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Complete Sequence ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Hybrid Strain ◽  
The Us ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Hematological Manifestations ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
The 16S Rrna Gene

The aim of this study was to characterize Ehrlichia canis strains from naturally infected dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition, all the clinical and hematological findings observed in these dogs were reported. PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene was used for diagnostic purposes, and the TRP19 and TRP36 genes were sequenced to evaluate the genetic diversity. Fifteen samples were positive for E. canis. The polymerase chain reaction for the TRP19 gene resulted in 11 amplicons (11/15), which were cloned into the pGEM-T easy vector for sequencing. The complete sequence of TRP19 gene was compared to those in the GenBank, revealing high identicalness. Phylogenetic analysis on the TRP36 gene sequences demonstrated two distinct strains from two dogs, named 56C and 70C. The 56C strain was grouped with the strain Cuiaba 16, which is a hybrid strain formed by Brazilian and US genogroups; and the 70C strain was grouped with other strains of the US genogroup, thus suggesting that there are at least two genogroups of E. canis in Rio de Janeiro (US and Brazilian). Those animals, in which the 70C and 56C strains were isolated, showed distinct clinical and hematological manifestations of 1the disease. The appearance of different genotypes may express new phenotypes, thus resulting in different forms of presentation of the disease and making its diagnosis more complex.

scholarly journals Effects of betamethasone on the course of experimentai. Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi

1986 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederico G.C. Abath ◽  
Yara M. Gomes ◽  
Eridan M. Coutinho ◽  
Silvia M.L. Montenegro ◽  
Maria E.B. Melo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cumulative Mortality ◽  
Histopathological Findings ◽  
Experimental Group

In this experiment, the effect of betamethasone administered in the early post- acute infection of mice by Trypanosoma cruzi was studied. This drug was administered during 30 days after the 42nd day of infection in a dose of 0.15 mg/day. The betamethasone treatment did not cause fresh outbreaks of parasitemia and the histopathological findings in the chronic phase were not different from those in the control group. The higher cumulative mortality after treatment in the experimental group was due to superimposed bacterial infections. Outbred albino mice infected with low numbers ofY strain Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes were not suitable models for Chagas' disease, since after 7 months of observation only mild histological lesions developed in all the animais. Prolonged betamethasone treatment of mice infected with low numbers o/Trypanosoma cruzi of the Y strain, during the post-acute phase did not aggravate the course of infection.

The molecular evidence of Babesia microti infection in small mammals collected in Slovenia

Parasitology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. DUH ◽  
M. PETROVEC ◽  
T. TRILAR ◽  
T. AVSIC-ZUPANC
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Clethrionomys Glareolus ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Small Subunit Rrna ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Small Subunit Rrna Gene ◽  
Yellow Necked Mouse

In Europe, the zoonotic cycle of Babesia microti has not been determined so far. Recently, B. microti was detected in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Slovenia by using molecular methods. In order to investigate the mammalian hosts of B. microti in Slovenia we collected 261 small mammals representing 11 species. They were tested for the presence of babesial parasites with a PCR assay based on the nuclear small subunit rRNA gene (nss-rDNA). The bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) and yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) were infected with B. microti. The prevalence rate was 15·9% for C. glareolus and 11·8% for A. flavicollis. Nucleotide sequences of amplified portions of B. microti nss-rDNA from C. glareolus and A. flavicollis were indistinguishable from each other and identical with those previously described in I. ricinus ticks collected in Slovenia. The results of this study represent molecular evidence of B. microti in small mammals in Europe.

scholarly journals Anodes Stimulate Anaerobic Toluene Degradation via Sulfur Cycling in Marine Sediments

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 297-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Daghio ◽  
Eleni Vaiopoulou ◽  
Sunil A. Patil ◽  
Ana Suárez-Suárez ◽  
Ian M. Head ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Transfer ◽  
Marine Sediments ◽  
Sulfur Metabolism ◽  
Direct Electron Transfer ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Toluene Degradation ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Mediated Electron Transfer ◽  
Benzylsuccinate Synthase ◽  
Pcr Targeting

ABSTRACTHydrocarbons released during oil spills are persistent in marine sediments due to the absence of suitable electron acceptors below the oxic zone. Here, we investigated an alternative bioremediation strategy to remove toluene, a model monoaromatic hydrocarbon, using a bioanode. Bioelectrochemical reactors were inoculated with sediment collected from a hydrocarbon-contaminated marine site, and anodes were polarized at 0 mV and +300 mV (versus an Ag/AgCl [3 M KCl] reference electrode). The degradation of toluene was directly linked to current generation of up to 301 mA m−2and 431 mA m−2for the bioanodes polarized at 0 mV and +300 mV, respectively. Peak currents decreased over time even after periodic spiking with toluene. The monitoring of sulfate concentrations during bioelectrochemical experiments suggested that sulfur metabolism was involved in toluene degradation at bioanodes. 16S rRNA gene-based Illumina sequencing of the bulk anolyte and anode samples revealed enrichment with electrocatalytically active microorganisms, toluene degraders, and sulfate-reducing microorganisms. Quantitative PCR targeting the α-subunit of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase (encoded bydsrA) and the α-subunit of the benzylsuccinate synthase (encoded bybssA) confirmed these findings. In particular, members of the familyDesulfobulbaceaewere enriched concomitantly with current production and toluene degradation. Based on these observations, we propose two mechanisms for bioelectrochemical toluene degradation: (i) direct electron transfer to the anode and/or (ii) sulfide-mediated electron transfer.

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