scholarly journals Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Aborted Fetuses of Sheep Using PCR: A Study in North Khorasan Province, Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Mitra Salehi ◽  
Hosein Nezami ◽  
Hamid Reza Niazkar
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Abortion Rate ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals as well as humans worldwide. The purpose of this study was to delineate the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in aborted fetuses of sheep in North Khorasan province, Iran. Three hundred and ninety-nine samples of the liver (133 samples), placenta (133 samples), and brain (133 samples) from 133 aborted fetuses of sheep were collected from 2015 to 2017. The ages of aborted fetuses were higher than 120 days’ gestational age in this study. According to the samples, sixteen out of 133 aborted fetuses of sheep were infected with T. gondii. Toxoplasma DNA was found in the placenta (68.75%) and liver (31.25%) samples of infected fetuses using the PCR method. The highest and lowest rates of Toxoplasma infection were observed during 2016 and 2017, respectively. Shirvan and Faruj provinces were recognized as the two most infected districts among others. There was a significant difference between the year and abortion rate in sheep due to infection by the Toxoplasma parasite (P<0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference between the prevalence of T. gondii infection and aborted fetuses was seen (P>0.05) in different areas. According to the present study, T. gondii infection can be one of the causes of fetus abortion of sheep in North Khorasan province, Iran.

Seroprevalance of Canine Brucellosis and Toxoplasmosis in Female and Male Dogs and Relationship to Various Factors as Parity, Abortion and Pyometra

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osman Ergene ◽  
Bekir Celebi ◽  
Ibrahim Kucukaslan
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
North Cyprus ◽  
Brucella Canis ◽  
Late Abortion ◽  
Canine Brucellosis ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalance of canine brucellosis and toxoplasmosis in female and male dogs and also determine the realtionship to various factors as parity, abortion and pyometra. Brucella canis is a disease of the reproductive tract that may cause late abortion, infertility and fail of conception with optimum insemination time in females and infection of the sexual organs in males. Toxoplasma gondii is an important obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which can affect all warm-blooded mammals and humans which may cause fatal diseases with severe problems, such as abortion. As a result, in this study B. canis was determined in low seroprevalence in some cases on the island (North Cyprus), T. gondii was determined as an important contagious parasite. Also reproductive parameters like parity, spaying, cyclicity could be important too and it was presented that extended evaluation of these factors is needed with further studies.

ROLES OF IFN-γ ON STAGE CONVERSION OF AN OBLIGATE INTRACELLULAR PROTOZOAN PARASITE, Toxoplasma Gondii

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 405-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
AKIHIKO YANO ◽  
HYE-SEONG MUN ◽  
MEI CHIN ◽  
KAZUMI NOROSE ◽  
KAZUYUKI HATA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Stage Conversion ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

scholarly journals Initial phospholipid-dependent Irgb6 targeting to Toxoplasma gondii vacuoles mediates host defense

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e201900549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngae Lee ◽  
Hiroshi Yamada ◽  
Ariel Pradipta ◽  
Ji Su Ma ◽  
Masaaki Okamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Interferon Response ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite capable of infecting warm-blooded animals by ingestion. The organism enters host cells and resides in the cytoplasm in a membrane-bound parasitophorous vacuole (PV). Inducing an interferon response enables IFN-γ–inducible immunity-related GTPase (IRG protein) to accumulate on the PV and to restrict parasite growth. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which IRG proteins recognize and destroy T. gondii PV. We characterized the role of IRG protein Irgb6 in the cell-autonomous response against T. gondii, which involves vacuole ubiquitination and breakdown. We show that Irgb6 is capable of binding a specific phospholipid on the PV membrane. Furthermore, the absence of Irgb6 causes reduced targeting of other effector IRG proteins to the PV. This suggests that Irgb6 has a role as a pioneer in the process by which multiple IRG proteins access the PV. Irgb6-deficient mice are highly susceptible to infection by a strain of T. gondii avirulent in wild-type mice.

scholarly journals Potential linkage between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and physical education scores of College Students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijin Sheng ◽  
Yu Jin ◽  
Yinan Du ◽  
Xinlei Yan ◽  
Yong Yao
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Anhui Province ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
School Students ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

ABSTRACTObjectiveToxoplasma gondii is a worldwide protozoan parasite that could infect virtually all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in college students at Anhui province, China. Moreover, growing studies demonstrated the association between T. gondii infection and host behavioral changes. We also studied the linkage between T. gondii and scores of college students.Methods2704 serum samples of medical school students attending physical education lessons were collected from September 2017 to September 2019 and evaluated for T. gondii IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also analysed PE scores of T. gondii infected students and T. gondii uninfected students.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 11.5%. The main risk factors related to T. gondii infections were cat in the household and gardening or agriculture activity. Furthermore, in basketball group and football group, scores of T. gondii seropositive students were significantly higher than that of seronegative students, while in other sports there is no difference between scores of T. gondii infected students and T. gondii uninfected students.ConclusionThis is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in college students in Anhui province, China.

scholarly journals Complete Protection against Lethal Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Mice Immunized with a Plasmid Encoding theSAG1 Gene

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 6358-6363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Vedel Nielsen ◽  
Sanne Lise Lauemøller ◽  
Lone Christiansen ◽  
Søren Buus ◽  
Anders Fomsgaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Complete Protection ◽  
Effective Protection ◽  
Partial Protection ◽  
Empty Plasmid ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Best Fit

ABSTRACT Infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondiiis transmitted to humans from infected animals by tissue cysts and oocysts excreted by cats. Immunization with inactivated parasites or recombinant proteins has at best shown partial protection. We constructed a plasmid expressing the SAG1 surface antigen of T. gondii, p1tPASAG1, and showed that animals immunized with the plasmid produce anti-SAG1 antibodies which recognize the native SAG1. Mice immunized with p1tPASAG1 showed 80 to 100% protection against challenge with the non-cyst-producing, virulent RH isolate, compared to an 80% mortality in mice immunized with empty plasmid, which is the greatest efficacy of any vaccine against T. gondii produced so far. The SAG1 molecule was analyzed for potential cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, and four peptides with the best fit were synthesized. The ability of the peptides to stimulate gamma interferon production by CD8+ T cells from p1tPASAG1-immunized mice was tested in an ELISPOT assay, and one new CTL epitope was identified. Adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells from p1tPASAG1-immunized to naı̈ve mice showed partial protection. In conclusion, DNA vaccination with p1tPASAG1 gave effective protection in mice againstT. gondii infection and the protection could be adoptively transferred by purified CD8+ T cells.

scholarly journals A selector of transcription initiation in the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Soldati ◽  
J C Boothroyd
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Intracellular Parasite ◽  
Transcription Start ◽  
Transcription Start Sites ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Obligate Intracellular Parasite ◽  
Sag1 Gene

The recent development of an efficient transfection system for the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii allows a comprehensive dissection of the elements involved in gene transcription in this obligate intracellular parasite. We demonstrate here that for the SAG1 gene, a stretch of six repeated sequences in the region 35 to 190 bp upstream of the first of two transcription start sites is essential for efficient and accurate transcription initiation. This repeat element shows characteristics of a selector in determining the position of the transcription start sites.

scholarly journals The antifungal Aureobasidin A and an analogue are active against the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii but do not inhibit sphingolipid biosynthesis

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Q. I. ALQAISI ◽  
A. J. MBEKEANI ◽  
M. BASSAS LLORENS ◽  
A. P. ELHAMMER ◽  
P. W. DENNY
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Cyclic Depsipeptide ◽  
Aureobasidin A ◽  
Therapeutic Compounds ◽  
Sphingolipid Biosynthesis ◽  
Important Disease ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

SUMMARYToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, and toxoplasmosis is an important disease of both humans and economically important animals. With a limited array of drugs available there is a need to identify new therapeutic compounds. Aureobasidin A (AbA) is an antifungal that targets the essential inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC, sphingolipid) synthase in pathogenic fungi. This natural cyclic depsipeptide also inhibits Toxoplasma proliforation, with the protozoan IPC synthase orthologue proposed as the target. The data presented here show that neither AbA nor an analogue (Compound 20), target the protozoan IPC synthase orthologue or total parasite sphingolipid synthesis. However, further analyses confirm that AbA exhibits significant activity against the proliferative tachyzoite form of Toxoplasma, and Compound 20, whilst effective, has reduced efficacy. This difference was more evident on analyses of the direct effect of these compounds against isolated Toxoplasma, indicating that AbA is rapidly microbicidal. Importantly, the possibility of targeting the encysted, bradyzoite, form of the parasite with AbA and Compound 20 was demonstrated, indicating that this class of compounds may provide the basis for the first effective treatment for chronic toxoplasmosis.

Seroprevalence and correlates of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dairy cattle in northwest China

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi-Dong Tan ◽  
Xiao-Yu Yang ◽  
Ming-Yang Yin ◽  
Ling-Ying Hu ◽  
Si-Yuan Qin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Gansu Province ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

AbstractPrevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and risk factors with infection were assessed in dairy cattle from Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NXHAR), northwest China. In total, 1657 serum samples were collected and assayed by the modified agglutination test. The overall seroprevalence was 4.83% at a 1:100 cut-off, with titers of 1:100 in 72, 1:200 in 4, 1:400 in 4. Among the risk factors examined, no statistically significant difference was observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and regions or age of dairy cattle in the logistic regression analysis (P>0.05) and left out of the final model. However, numbers of pregnancies of dairy cattle was considered as main risk factor associated with T. gondii infection. Dairy cattle in nulliparity group (8.89%) had 6 times (OR=6.31, 95% CI, 2.69-14.83, P<0.001) higher risk of being seropositive compared to dairy cattle in 3 or above 3 pregnancies group (1.52%), followed by 1 pregnancy group (4.27%) had nearly 3 times (OR=2.89, 95% CI, 1.11-7.52, P = 0.03) higher risk of being seropositive compared to dairy cattle in 3 or above 3 pregnancies group, although no statistical difference was found between 2 pregnancies group and 3 or above 3 pregnancies group (P = 0.70). The results of this survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in Gansu Province and NXHAR, which enriches the epidemiological data of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in China, and is helpful to strengthen prevention and control of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in these two regions.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant mother in Makassar, Indonesia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0245572
Author(s):  
Nurul Fadilah Ali Polanunu ◽  
Sitti Wahyuni ◽  
Firdaus Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antibody Positivity ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Pregnant Mothers

The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii is estimated to infect one-third of the world’s population. Infection in pregnant women can cause severe conditions for their babies. Until now, there is no data regarding Toxoplasma infection from Makassar pregnant mothers. This study aims to obtain information on Toxoplasma specific antibodies and to measure the risk factor associate with parasite infection. This cross-sectional study conducted in 9 of 47 primary health centres (Puskesmas) in Makassar. Blood samples and questionnaires were collected from 184 pregnant women aged 15–42 years old from September to October 2020. ELISA technique was used to examine the IgG and IgM antibodies. Univariable and multivariable analyses were carried out to measure factors that independently associate with Toxoplasma antibody positivity. Our result showed the range of Toxoplasma IgM and IgG are 0.06–1.01 and 0.09–3.01, respectively. While no one of our participants has an acute Toxoplasma gondii infection (IgM positive), we found 32,6% pregnant mothers are exposed to parasite (positive IgG). Contact with cats [OR(95%CI): 10.45(3.77–28.99)], consume chicken satay [OR(95%CI): 9.72(3.71–25.48)] and consume un-boiled water/ filtered water [OR(95%CI): 5.98(1.77–20.23)] are independently associate with positive Toxoplasma IgG antibody. Based on the result, we conclude that pregnant women in Makassar are exposed to T. gondii and the oocyst and tissue cyst of parasite contaminates food and water in Makassar.

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