Protein expression of the tear film of domestic cats before and after inoculation with Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract Background Tear film (TF) helps maintain and protect ocular function against damage to the ocular surface. Proteins are one of its main constituents, whose expression pattern can be used as a biomarker of ocular changes and systemic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins in the TF of domestic cats before and after infection with Toxoplasma gondii, in the phases of acute infection and chronicity. Twelve healthy cats received orally homogenized brain matter obtained from mice inoculated with T. gondii oocysts, strain ME49. Cat feces were collected daily from the third day after infection to assess the release of oocysts. TF samples were obtained from cats, by Schirmer’s Tear Test 1, on day 0 (before infection), day 5 after infection (acute phase of infection, with maximum peak release of oocysts in feces) and on day 21 after infection (start of chronic phase, 7 days after total absence of oocyst release in feces). Tear samples were also submitted to proteomic analysis in a Q-Tof-Premier mass spectrometer. Results A total of 37 proteins with scores equal to or greater than 100 were identified on D0, followed by 36 on D5 and 42 on D21. Of these, 27 were common to D0 and D5, 33 to D0 and D21, 27 to D5 and D21, and 26 were common to the three groups, totaling 54 proteins. The most abundant proteins were lipocalin allergen Fel d, serum albumin, aldehyde dehydrogenase, lactoperoxidase and lactotransferrin. There was no significant difference in the abundance of proteins found on D0 and D5, but there was a statistical difference between D0 and D21 for ACT1_AEDAE, CERU_HUMAN and GELS_HUMAN. Regarding D5 and D21, there were significant differences for KV1_CANLF, LAC_PIG, TRFL_PIG, ACT1_AEDAE, CERU_HUMAN, GELS_HUMAN and OVOS2_HUMAN. Conclusions The main proteins identified in the TF of domestic cats are similar to those found in humans and other animal species. Most are part of the ocular surface defense system against injuries. The most expressed proteins in animals in the chronic phase of T. gondii infection are associated with the immune response to the parasite.

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The Influence of Overnight Orthokeratology on Ocular Surface and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Teenagers with Myopia

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2019/5142628 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Xiu Wang ◽

Jing Li ◽

Rui Zhang ◽

Na Li ◽

Yi Pang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ocular Surface ◽

Tear Film ◽

Meibomian Gland ◽

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction ◽

Ocular Surface Disease Index ◽

Time Points ◽

Meniscus Height ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of overnight orthokeratology (OOK) on ocular surface and meibomian gland dysfunction in teenagers with myopia. Methods. A total of 59 subjects were recruited in this prospective study. The following tests were performed before and after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of OOK lens wear, including ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, slit-lamp examination, and Keratograph 5M. Results. No infectious keratitis occurred during the study. OSDI scores increased gradually and reached the maximum at 6 months of OOK wear (P<0.001). The meniscus height was significantly increased at 1 and 3 months after the initiation of OOK (P=0.006, P=0.035). The corneal fluorescein staining at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after wearing OOK were all increased than the prewearing level with significant difference (P=0.014, P=0.036, P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.008, respectively). The first and the average tear film NIKBUT were all higher than the prewearing level, but there was no significant difference between every follow-up time points (P>0.05). The lid margin abnormalities were significantly increased (P=0.003, P=0.038, and P=0.015) at 6, 12, and 24 months after the initiation of OOK. There was no significant difference in the meibomian gland orifice scores at each follow-up time points compared to the prewearing level (P>0.05). The meibomian gland lipid secretion scores after wearing OOK were higher than those of the prewearing level, however, without statistically significant difference (P>0.05). No significant differences of the degree of difficulty of lipid excretions were detected after the initiation of OOK (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in meibomian gland dropout scores between all follow-up time points and the prewearing level (P=1.000). Conclusion. OOK increased the symptoms of dry eye and decreased the function of tear film by affecting the meniscus height and BUT. OOK did not affect the function of meibomian glands.Clinical Study registration number: ChiCTR18000185708.

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Evolution of IgG antibody response against Toxoplasma gondii tissue cyst in acute and chronic human infections

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46651998000200003 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 77-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Margarita VILLAVEDRA ◽

Hernán CAROL ◽

Alberto NIETO

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Acute Infection ◽

Chronic Phase ◽

Tissue Cyst ◽

Specific Response ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Wide Range ◽

Toxoplasmic Infection ◽

Human Infections

The recognition profile of the tissue cysts antigens by IgG antibodies was studied during acute and chronic human toxoplasmic infection. Thus the IgG response against Toxoplasma gondii was investigated by immunoblotting in two patients accidentally infected with the RH strain as well as in group of naturally infected patients at acute and chronic phase. There was an overall coincidence of molecular mass among antigens of tachyzoites and tissue cysts recognized by these sera, however, they appear not to be the same molecules. The response against tissue cysts starts early during acute infection, and the reactivity of antibodies is strong against a wide range of antigens. Six bands (between 82 and 151 kDa) were exclusively recognized by chronic phase sera but only the 132 kDa band was positive in more than 50% of the sera analysed. A mixture of these antigens could be used to discriminate between the two infection phases. The most important antigens recognized by the acute and the chronic phase sera were 4 clusters in the ranges 20-24 kDa, 34-39 kDa, 58-80 kDa and 105-130 kDa as well as two additional antigens of 18 and 29 kDa. Both accidentally infected patients and some of the naturally infected patients showed a weak specific response against tissue cyst antigens.

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Effect of artificial tears on aqueous deficient dry eye, a dynamic optical study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-21773/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhenyu Wei ◽

Yuandong Su ◽

Guanyu Su ◽

Christophe Baudouin ◽

Antoine Labbé ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dry Eye ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Tear Film ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Optical Quality ◽

Artificial Tears ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Objective Scatter Index

Abstract Background: To investigate the change of dynamic optical quality in aqueous deficient dry eye (ADDE) patients after the use of artificial tears.Methods: Fifty-nine patients with ADDE and 31 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in this prospective case-control study. Clinical evaluation of the ocular surface included Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TBUT), lipid layer thickness (LLT), and Schirmer I testing. ADDE patients were divided into two groups, mild (31 patients) and severe (28 patients). The optical quality of the tear film was measured with the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS) using the mean objective scatter index (mean OSI), standard deviation of objective scatter index (SD-OSI) and modulation transfer function cut-off (MTF cut-off). After baseline examinations, one drop of artificial tears (ATs, carboxymethylcellulose ophthalmic solution, 0.5%) was instilled in both eyes, and optical quality parameters were measured again at 5- and 30-minutes following application of ATs.Results: At baseline, the mean OSI was higher in the ADDE group (0.95 ± 0.54) than in controls (0.54 ± 0.23, P<0.001). The SD-OSI was also significantly increased in ADDE patients (0.44 ± 0.71) compared to control subjects (0.12 ± 0.06, P=0.003). Five minutes after ATs instillation, mean OSI and SD-OSI decreased significantly in severe ADDE patients (P=0.044; P=0.018), was unchanged in mild ADDE patients, and increased in the control group (P=0.019; P<0.001). Thirty minutes after ATs instillation, no significant difference in optical quality parameters was observed for the three groups.Conclusion: The effect of ATs on optical quality in patients with ADDE may differ according to the severity of the disease. Measurement of optical quality might be a promising tool to evaluate the effects of various ATs and possibly individualize treatment in ADDE patients.

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Reduction in Ocular Hypotensive Eyedrops by Ab Interno Trabeculotomy Improves Not Only Ocular Surface Condition But Also Quality of Vision

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2018/8165476 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kenji Kashiwagi ◽

Mio Matsubara

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Surface Condition ◽

Tear Film ◽

Film Stability ◽

Corneal Epithelial ◽

Surface Conditions ◽

Trabectome Surgery ◽

Before And After ◽

Ab Interno

Purpose. To investigate the effect of ab interno trabeculotomy using the Trabectome surgical system on tear film stability and functional visual acuity (FVA). Patients and Methods. Adult glaucoma patients who underwent Trabectome surgery alone or Trabectome surgery combined with phacoemulsification with intraocular lens insertion were included in this study. Corneal epithelial defects, tear film breakup time (TBUT), tear meniscus height, tear film spreading grade, tear interferometry grade, and FVA were assessed before and after surgery in addition to routine ophthalmic examinations. Changes in ocular surface conditions and visual acuity as a result of the Trabectome surgery were investigated. Results. Thirty eyes of 22 patients with a mean age of 72.2 ± 7.9 years, including 8 males and 14 females, were enrolled. The Trabectome surgery significantly reduced the intraocular pressure (IOP) from 20.3 ± 5.2 to 15.0 ± 3.3 mmHg (P<0.001) and the number of different types of ocular hypotensive eyedrops used from 3.2 ± 0.7 to 1.1 ± 0.7 types (P<0.001). The surgery significantly improved corneal epithelial defects, the tear spreading grade, the tear interferometry grade, and FVA. The surgery also improved the visual maintenance ratio among all enrolled patients, including those who underwent Trabectome surgery only. Conclusion. Trabectome surgery may be beneficial not only for IOP reduction but also for improving ocular surface conditions and FVA.

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Impact of Engineered Expression of Mitochondrial Association Factor 1b on Toxoplasma gondii Infection and the Host Response in a Mouse Model

mSphere ◽

10.1128/msphere.00471-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elizabeth D. English ◽

Jon P. Boyle

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Chronic Infection ◽

Acute Infection ◽

Chronic Phase ◽

Parasite Burden ◽

Cytokine Signaling ◽

Parasite Protein ◽

Content Type ◽

Life Threatening ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT The opportunistic intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes a lifelong chronic infection capable of reactivating in immunocompromised individuals, which can lead to life-threatening complications. Following invasion of the host cell, host mitochondria associate with the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. This phenotype is T. gondii strain specific and is mediated by expression of a host mitochondrial association-competent (HMA+) paralog of the parasite protein mitochondrial association factor 1 (MAF1b). Previous work demonstrated that expression of MAF1b in strains that do not normally associate with host mitochondria increases their fitness during acute infection in vivo. However, the impact of MAF1b expression during chronic T. gondii infection is unclear. In this study, we assess the impact of MAF1b expression on cyst formation and cytokine production in mice. Despite generally low numbers of cysts generated by the in vitro culture-adapted strains used in this study, we find that parasites expressing MAF1b have higher numbers of cysts in the brains of chronically infected mice and that MAF1b+ cyst burden significantly increases during the course of chronic infection. Consistent with this, mice infected with MAF1b+ parasites have higher levels of the serum cytokines RANTES and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) at day 57 postinfection, although this could be due to higher parasite burden at this time point rather than direct manipulation of these cytokines by MAF1b. Overall these data indicate that MAF1b expression may also be important in determining infection outcome during the chronic phase, either by directly altering the cytokine/signaling environment or by increasing proliferation during the acute and/or chronic phase. IMPORTANCE The parasite Toxoplasma gondii currently infects approximately one-third of the world’s population and causes life-threatening toxoplasmosis in individuals with undeveloped or weakened immune systems. Current treatments are unable to cure T. gondii infection, leaving infected individuals with slow-growing tissue cysts for the remainder of their lives. Previous work has shown that expression of the parasite protein mitochondrial association factor 1 (MAF1b) is responsible for the association of T. gondii parasites with host mitochondria and provides a selective advantage during acute infection. Here we examine the impact of MAF1b expression during chronic T. gondii infection. We find that mice infected with MAF1b-expressing parasites have higher cyst burden and cytokine levels than their wild-type counterparts. A better understanding of the genes involved in establishing and maintaining chronic infection will aid in discovering effective therapeutics for chronically infected individuals.

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Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Antigens Recognized by Human Sera Obtained Before and After Acute Infection

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/infdis/154.4.650 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 154 (4) ◽

pp. 650-657 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

I. Potasman ◽

F. G. Araujo ◽

G. Desmonts ◽

J. S. Remington

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Acute Infection ◽

Before And After ◽

Human Sera

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Ocular Surface Epithelial Thickness Evaluation in Dry Eye Patients: Clinical Correlations

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2016/1628469 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Qingfeng Liang ◽

Hong Liang ◽

Hanruo Liu ◽

Zhiqiang Pan ◽

Christophe Baudouin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dry Eye ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Tear Film ◽

Conjunctival Epithelium ◽

Ocular Surface Disease Index ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Epithelium Thickness ◽

Oxford Score ◽

Schirmer I Test

Purpose.To evaluate the relationship between corneal and conjunctival epithelium thickness and ocular surface clinical tests in dry eye disease (DED) patients.Patients and Methods.Fifty-four patients with DED and 32 control subjects were included. Each patient underwent an ocular surface evaluation using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival staining, tear film lipid layer analysis, and Schirmer test. The central corneal (CET), limbal (LET), and bulbar conjunctival epithelium thickness (BET) were acquired using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Results.Compared to control subjects, mean BET was significantly thicker and mean LET was significantly lower in the DED group. There was no significant difference in mean CET between the two groups. The mean LET was correlated with OSDI and TBUT. The inferior LET was correlated with OSDI, Schirmer I test, TBUT, Oxford score, and corneal sensitivity. Mean BET was correlated with OSDI and TBUT, but not with Schirmer I test and Oxford score.Conclusions.In dry eye patients, a thinner limbal epithelium and a thicker bulbar conjunctival epithelium were observed. These changes were correlated to the severity of dry eye symptoms and tear film alterations.

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Tear Film Break-Up Time and Dry Eye Disease Severity in a Large Norwegian Cohort

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10040884 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 884

Author(s):

Mazyar Yazdani ◽

Jørgen Fiskådal ◽

Xiangjun Chen ◽

Øygunn A. Utheim ◽

Sten Ræder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dry Eye ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Tear Film ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Meibomian Gland ◽

Discriminative Power ◽

Ocular Surface Disease Index ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Break Up

This study evaluated to what extent tear film break-up time (TFBUT) could discriminate pathological scores for other clinical tests and explore the associations between them. Dry eye patients (n = 2094) were examined for ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film osmolarity (Osm), TFBUT, blink interval, ocular protection index (OPI), ocular surface staining (OSS), Schirmer I test, meibomian expressibility, meibomian quality, and meibomian gland dysfunction. The results were grouped into eight levels of break-up time (≤2, ≥3, ≤5, ≥6, ≤10, ≥11, ≤15, and ≥16) with or without sex stratification. Receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to study TFBUT’s discriminative power and the associations among the tests, respectively. Above and below each TFBUT’s cut-off, all of the parameters indicated significant difference between groups, except OSDI (cut-off 15 s) and Osm (cut-offs 5 s–15 s). At TFBUT cut-off of 2 s, sex difference could be detected for OSDI, Osm, and OSS. OPI presented the strongest discriminative power and association with TFBUT in sharp contrast to Osm, holding the poorest discriminative power with no significant correlation. The remaining parameters were within the poor to very poor categories, both with regard to discrimination and correlation. In conclusion, patients with lower TFBUT presented with more severe DED parameters at all four defined cut-off values.

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Tear Film Osmolarity of the Eye after Cataract Surgery. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

10.25143/prom-rsu_2021-17_dts ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Ēriks Elksnis ◽

Keyword(s):

Cataract Surgery ◽

Postoperative Period ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Tear Film ◽

Visual Outcome ◽

Early Postoperative Period ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Significant Difference

Almost every cataract surgeon has encountered a situation during the postoperative period when, even though, the primary goal – improvement of visual acuity – has been achieved, yet the patient felt frustrated because of subjective discomfort in the operated eye. Sometimes this issue is more disturbing for the patient than the hope for a perfect visual outcome. Although it has been established that the ocular surface is affected during the postoperative period, there is still no generally accepted opinion about the changes in tear osmolarity after cataract surgery despite several studies dedicated to evaluation of these changes. The present study was designed to elucidate the effect of cataract surgery on the characteristic feature of ocular surface homeostasis – tear film osmolarity in the early postoperative period. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in tear film osmolarity after a cataract surgery in a healthy ocular surface. Methods. For this purpose two examination groups were formed. The study group included voluntary patients undergoing cataract surgery not having any complaints about subjective symptoms typical of dry eye disease. In order to correspond to the criteria of healthy ocular surface, the study group excludes the following types of patients and conditions: contact lens wearers, patients with diabetes, pseudoexfoliation, pterygia and eye drop users. The eye that has not undergone the surgery was classified as the control group. This single–center, prospective study was held at Ophthalmology department of Pauls Stradins Clinical university hospital. All cataract surgeries were done by the same surgeon. The tear osmolarity tests were evaluated with TearLab Osmolarity System (TearLab Corporation, San Diego, CA, the USA) before surgery, in the next morning, one week and one month after the surgery. Results. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups before operation when comparing the mean tear osmolarity – in the study group it was 296.87 mOsm/L, and in the control group it was 297.27 mOsm/L (p = 0.84). The tear osmolarity results changed significantly during early postoperative period in the study group (p < 0.001), while in non–operated eye no significant tear film osmolarity changes were observed (p = 0.86). Significant changes were recognized on the next day after the surgery – the tears became hypoosmolar (< 275 mOsm/L). One week later the tear osmolarity increased significantly, and the tears became hyperosmolar (312.64 mOsm/L). Over the course of one month, the test values for the study and control groups equalized (297.87 in the study group and 298.93 in the control group (p = 0.66)), when compared to preoperative tear osmolarity results. Conclusion. The results achieved lead towards a more detailed understanding of the changes in the ocular surface homeostasis after a cataract surgery. The obtained data indicate that tear osmolarity changes considerably during the first postoperative month after a cataract surgery. Also, there is a huge difference in measurements between operated and non–operated eye on the next day and one week after the surgery. One month after the surgery tear osmolarity returns to preoperative test results, and there is no difference determined between the eyes.

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Prevalence of Ocular Demodicosis and Ocular Surface Conditions in Patients Selected for Cataract Surgery

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9103069 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 3069

Author(s):

Katarzyna Nowomiejska ◽

Piotr Lukasik ◽

Agnieszka Brzozowska ◽

Mario Damiano Toro ◽

Aleksandra Sedzikowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cataract Surgery ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Anterior Segment ◽

Tear Film ◽

Test Results ◽

Conjunctival Hyperemia ◽

Surface Conditions ◽

Demodex Folliculorum ◽

Before And After ◽

Demodex Mites

The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of ocular demodicosis and ocular surface conditions in patients selected for cataract surgery. Eyelashes from 73 patients selected for cataract surgery were evaluated at ×40 and ×100 magnification using light microscopy. The anterior segment was assessed with the slit lamp. Additionally, Schirmer I and break up time (BUT) tests were carried out before surgery and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. A specially designed questionnaire containing e.g., information about chronic skin and eye diseases, previous ophthalmic surgeries, and patient’s hygiene habits was used to assess the demographic variables. A majority of patients were at the age of 70–79 years, and there were more females (83%) in the study group. Demodex folliculorum was found in 48% of the patients. There was a correlation between the number of parasites and the presence of blepharitis, discharge at eyelid margins, and conjunctival hyperemia. Schirmer I and BUT test results were lower in patients with Demodex infestation before and after cataract surgery. The higher number of mites was correlated with lower Schirmer I test results postoperatively. The presence of Demodex mites influences the conjunctiva and lid margins leading to inflammation. The higher number of Demodex mites disturbs the tear film over time after cataract surgery.

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