Pathologic and immunohistochemical findings in an outbreak of systemic toxoplasmosis in a mob of red kangaroos

2021 ◽  
pp. 104063872110018
Author(s):  
Mariano Carossino ◽  
Rudy Bauer ◽  
Mark A. Mitchell ◽  
Charles O. Cummings ◽  
Anke C. Stöhr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Sudden Death ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Severe Condition ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Macropus Rufus ◽  
Pulmonary Parenchyma ◽  
Protozoan Pathogen ◽  
Clinical Conditions

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan pathogen that infects many endothermic vertebrates, including humans; the domestic cat and other felids serve as the definitive host. Macropodids are considered highly susceptible to toxoplasmosis. Here, we describe the clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical findings of an outbreak of systemic toxoplasmosis in a mob of 11 red kangaroos ( Macropus rufus), with high morbidity (73%) and mortality (100%) rates. Affected animals had either severe and rapidly deteriorating clinical conditions or sudden death, which was correlated with widespread necrotizing lesions in multiple organs and intralesional T. gondii organisms identified via MIC3-specific immunohistochemistry and confirmed by REP529-specific rtPCR. Quantification of parasites demonstrated the highest parasite density in pulmonary parenchyma compared with other tissues. Our study highlights the continued importance of this severe condition in Australian marsupials.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Toxoplasma gondii in Feral Cats on St. Kitts, West Indies

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Xinyu Chi ◽  
Kexin Fang ◽  
Liza Koster ◽  
Jevan Christie ◽  
Chaoqun Yao
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
One Year

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded species including humans. The definitive hosts of T. gondii are felid vertebrates including the domestic cat. Domestic cats shed oocysts for approximately two weeks in their feces after the primary infection. It has been shown that feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive cats have a higher prevalence of and a higher titer of antibodies to T. gondii than those of FIV-negative cats. The main purposes of this study were to determine FIV prevalence and to investigate the oocysts shedding in FIV-positive and FIV-negative feral cats on St. Kitts. Fecal samples were collected from feral cats while their FIV statues were determined using a commercial SNAP kit. Total fecal DNA of each cat was tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) consistently detecting one genome equivalent. A FIV-positive status was detected in 18 of 105 (17.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.9%−24.3%) feral cats sampled. Furthermore, males were three times more likely to be FIV positive than females (p = 0.017) with an odds ratio of 3.93 (95% CI: 1.20–12.89). Adults were found to have at least twice the prevalence of FIV compared to cats younger than one year of age (p = 0.056) with an odds ratio of 3.07 (95% CI: 0.94–10.00). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was not detected in the feces of any of the 18 FIV-positive (95% CI: 0%−0.18%) and 87 FIV-negative cats (95% CI: 0%−0.04%). A follow-up study with a much bigger sample size is needed to prove or disprove the hypothesis that FIV-positive cats have a higher prevalence of shedding T. gondii oocysts than FIV-negative cats.

scholarly journals Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease in Children: A Look from Pediatric and Pediatric Surgeon Viewpoints

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3270
Author(s):  
Gloria Pelizzo ◽  
Serena Silvestro ◽  
Maria Antonietta Avanzini ◽  
Gianvincenzo Zuccotti ◽  
Emanuela Mazzon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Severe Toxicity ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Pulmonary Parenchyma

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been proposed as a potential therapy to treat congenital and acquired lung diseases. Due to their tissue-regenerative, anti-fibrotic, and immunomodulatory properties, MSCs combined with other therapy or alone could be considered as a new approach for repair and regeneration of the lung during disease progression and/or after post- surgical injury. Children interstitial lung disease (chILD) represent highly heterogeneous rare respiratory diseases, with a wild range of age of onset and disease expression. The chILD is characterized by inflammatory and fibrotic changes of the pulmonary parenchyma, leading to gas exchange impairment and chronic respiratory failure associated with high morbidity and mortality. The therapeutic strategy is mainly based on the use of corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and supportive care; however, the efficacy is variable, and their long-term use is associated with severe toxicity. The role of MSCs as treatment has been proposed in clinical and pre-clinical studies. In this narrative review, we report on the currently available on MSCs treatment as therapeutical strategy in chILD. The progress into the therapy of respiratory disease in children is mandatory to ameliorate the prognosis and to prevent the progression in adult age. Cell therapy may be a future therapy from both a pediatric and pediatric surgeon’s point of view.

Toxoplasmosis and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in Macropus rufus and Macropus giganteus in Argentina

2010 ◽  
Vol 169 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 57-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Moré ◽  
L. Pardini ◽  
W. Basso ◽  
M. Machuca ◽  
D. Bacigalupe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Macropus Rufus

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii GRA28 is required for specific induction of the regulatory chemokine CCL22 in human and mouse cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth N. Rudzki ◽  
Stephanie E. Ander ◽  
Rachel S. Coombs ◽  
Hisham I. Alrubaye ◽  
Leah F. Cabo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Immune Tolerance ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Placental Cells ◽  
Host Signaling ◽  
Mouse Cells ◽  
Protozoan Pathogen ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTToxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan pathogen of humans that causes severe disease in immunocompromised patients and in the developing fetus. T. gondii specifically alters production of the immunomodulatory chemokine CCL22 in human placental cells during infection. Using a combination of bioinformatics and molecular genetics, we have now identified T. gondii GRA28 as the gene product required for CCL22 induction. GRA28 is strongly co-regulated at the transcriptional level along with other known secreted effectors and their chaperones. GRA28 is secreted into the host cell where it localizes to the nucleus, and deletion of this gene results in reduced CCL22 secretion from human monocytes and second trimester placental explants. The impact of GRA28 on CCL22 is also conserved in mouse immune and placental cells and the deletion of GRA28 results in increased inflammatory responses and reduced CNS burden during mouse infectionsAUTHOR SUMMARYToxoplasma gondii is a globally ubiquitous pathogen that can cause severe disease in HIV/AIDS patients and can also cross the placenta and infect the developing fetus. We have found that placental and immune cells infected with T. gondii secrete signfiicant amounts of a chemokine (called “CCL22”) that is critical for immune tolerance during pregnancy. In order to better understand whether this is a response by the host or a process that is driven by the parasite, we have identified a T. gondii gene that is absolutely required to induce CCL22 production in human cells, indicating that CCL22 production is a process driven almost entirely by the parasite rather than the host. Consistent with its role in immune tolerance, we also found that T. gondii parasites lacking this gene are less able to proliferate and disseminate throughout the host. Taken together these data illustrate a direct relationship between CCL22 levels in the infected host and a key parasite effector, and provide an interesting example of how T. gondii can directly modulate host signaling pathways in order to facilitate its growth and dissemination.

scholarly journals Complicated Boerhaave’s Syndrome Managed by Conservative Treatment

2020 ◽  
pp. 61-65
Author(s):  
S. D. Peter ◽  
A. H. Shitta ◽  
J. M. Njem ◽  
E. O. Igoh ◽  
A. F. Ale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Conservative Treatment ◽  
Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Tube Thoracostomy ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Full Thickness ◽  
Boerhaave’S Syndrome ◽  
Severe Condition ◽  
Boerhaave's Syndrome

Boerhaave’s syndrome is a full-thickness perforation of oesophagus associated with vomiting and/or severe straining. It is a severe condition with high morbidity and mortality; the outcome is dependent on early recognition, prompt and effective intervention. It commonly presents early with mediastinitis or pleural effusion. Though uncommon, it can present late with severe chest complications which are usually managed aggressively. The present study reports a 41-year old Nigerian man with Boerhaave’s syndrome who presented with left pneumohydrothorax who was successfully managed with chest tube thoracostomy drainage and parenteral nutrition.

scholarly journals SEROPREVALENCE OF Toxoplasma gondii (Nicole & Manceaux, 1909) AND RETROVIRAL STATUS OF CLIENT-OWNED PET CATS (Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethânia Ferreira Bastos ◽  
Beatriz Brener ◽  
Liza Gershony ◽  
Liliane Willi ◽  
Norma Labarthe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Retroviral Infection ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Mixed Breed ◽  
Indirect Hemagglutination ◽  
Indirect Hemagglutination Test ◽  
Retroviral Infections

Cats, as definitive host, play an important role in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. This study aimed to establish the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulins G and M, and determine the frequency of oocysts in the feces of the domestic cat population in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We also aimed to study the association between T. gondii infection and age, sex, breed, lifestyle, diet and retroviral infection. A total of 108 cats were included in the study and fecal samples of 54 of those cats were obtained. Only 5.6% of the cats were seropositive for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulins using the indirect hemagglutination test. None of the 54 cats presented oocysts in their fecal samples. Although not statistically significant, males, mixed-breed, free-roaming and cats aged two years and older were found to be more exposed. Age, lifestyle and the use of litter boxes were found to play an important role as risk factors. Anemia and retroviral infections were independent of T. gondii infection. No antibodies were detected in the majority of cats (94.4%), indicating that those cats had never been exposed to the parasite and, therefore, once infected, they could present the risk of shedding large numbers of oocysts into the environment.

scholarly journals Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of early and late-chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection shows novel and stage specific transcripts

BMC Genomics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Garfoot ◽  
Gary M. Wilson ◽  
Joshua J. Coon ◽  
Laura J. Knoll
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Protozoan Pathogen ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
High Level ◽  
Protein Rich ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Unique Ability

Abstract Background The protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii has the unique ability to develop a chronic infection in the brain of its host by transitioning from the fast growing tachyzoite morphology to latent bradyzoite morphology. A hallmark of the bradyzoite is the development of neuronal cysts that are resilient against host immune response and current therapeutics. The bradyzoite parasites within the cyst have a carbohydrate and protein-rich wall and a slow-replication cycle, allowing them to remain hidden from the host. The intracellular, encysted lifestyle of T. gondii has made them recalcitrant to molecular analysis in vivo. Results Here, we detail the results from transcriptional and proteomic analyses of bradyzoite-enriched fractions isolated from mouse brains infected with T. gondii over a time course of 21 to 150 days. The enrichment procedure afforded consistent identification of over 2000 parasitic peptides from the mixed-organism sample, representing 366 T. gondii proteins at 28, 90, and 120 day timepoints. Deep sequencing of transcripts expressed during these three timepoints revealed that a subpopulation of genes that are transcriptionally expressed at a high level. Approximately one-third of these transcripts are more enriched during bradyzoite conditions compared to tachyzoites and approximately half are expressed at similar levels during each phase. The T. gondii transcript which increased the most over the course of chronic infection, sporoAMA1, shows stage specific isoform expression of the gene. Conclusions We have expanded the transcriptional profile of in vivo bradyzoites to 120 days post-infection and provided the first in vivo proteomic profile of T. gondii bradyzoites. The RNA sequencing depth of in vivo bradyzoite T. gondii was over 250-fold greater than previous reports and allowed us to identify low level transcripts and a novel bradyzoite-specific isoform of sporoAMA1.

scholarly journals Detection and genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in feces of domestic cats in Colombia

Parasite ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Zamora-Vélez ◽  
Jessica Triviño ◽  
Sebastián Cuadrado-Ríos ◽  
Fabiana Lora-Suarez ◽  
Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Optical Microscopy ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
High Density ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The City

The high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the human population in Colombia has been linked to the existence of a high density of urban stray cats, exposing the whole population to a high density of oocysts. The goal of this study was to determine the DNA prevalence of T. gondii by conventional PCR and to phylogenetically analyze ROP18 sequences from positive samples in domestic cat (Felis catus) fecal samples in the city of Armenia, Quindío. Fecal samples from 140 cats were collected from 10 districts around the city. Samples were concentrated using Ritchie’s method and analyzed through optical microscopy. Concentrates were used for DNA extraction followed by nested PCR amplification for T. gondii gene B1. PCR for ROP18 was performed on all B1 positive samples; the ROP18 sequences obtained were related to the Archetype I Brazilian and Chinese strains. No oocysts were detected by optical microscopy; however, 17.8% (25/140) B1 and 24% (6/25) ROP18 PCR-positive samples were detected. Phylogenetic analyses showed that isolates clustered into a single group. We assessed whether associations existed between T. gondii positive fecal samples and survey variables such as cat healthcare and socioeconomic characteristics of owners, but no statistically significant associations were found. The presence of T. gondii in cat feces is an important factor contributing to the high prevalence in the human population of this city.

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