Hypertrophy of NADH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons in rat jejunum after acute infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii

Introduction Toxoplasmosis is an acute infectious anthropozoonotic disease with mild asymptomatic clinical manifestations in immunocompetent persons and more severe in immunocompromised patients. Acute infection in pregnancy can result in severe congenital toxoplasmosis with severe sequels. Objective Aims of study were to detect Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in general population of Vojvodina, Serbia, differences between genders and determination of seroprevalence in women of reproductive age and pregnant women. Methods Our retrospective study was conducted from 2006 to 2008 including 625 immunocompetent patients, hospitalized or observed as outpatients at the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad. We performed commercial ELISA kits SERION - ELISA classic test by VIRION for the presence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies. According to seroepidemiological aim of the study, our results were presented only in qualitative values. Results We observed 173 male and 452 female patients. Seroprevalence in general population of Vojvodina was 38.1%. In male population seroprevalence was 45.7%, and in female population it was 35.2%, the difference which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Seroprevalence increased with age and seroconversion was detected to occur in persons aged about 20 years. In all female patients, 353 (78.1%) were in reproductive age with seroprevalence of 30%. In 161 pregnant women seroprevalence was 31.7%. Conclusion In this study we screened actual seroepidemiological situation to Toxoplasma gondii in Vojvodina, thus giving a contribution to the continuous epidemiological screening done in this region and in the country. According to our results, almost 70% of women in reproductive age were sensitive to primary acute infection during further pregnancies, which is highly important for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis. Although not routinely conducted in many countries, routine serological testing to Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and their education about preventive measures against this infection could be an effective measure in the future.

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Toxoplasma gondii Induces Death of Gastric Myenteric Neurons in Rats

International Journal of Morphology ◽

10.4067/s0717-95022011000100048 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 293-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marcelo Sardeto Alves ◽

Aristeu Vieira da Silva ◽

Larissa Renata de Oliveira Bianchi ◽

Eduardo José de Almeida Araújo ◽

Débora de Mello Gonçales Sant'Ana

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Myenteric Neurons

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Transcriptome Analysis of Testes and Uterus: Reproductive Dysfunction Induced by Toxoplasma gondii in Mice

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8081136 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 1136

Author(s):

Junjie Wang ◽

Tanghui Liu ◽

Yasser S. Mahmmod ◽

Zipeng Yang ◽

Jiexing Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Ontology ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Acute Infection ◽

The Other ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Mice Model ◽

Reproductive Disorders ◽

Kegg Database ◽

Disease Pathogenesis ◽

Differently Expressed Genes

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in female mammals during pregnancy can result in poor pregnancy. Similarly, it can result in male reproductive disorders in male mammals. Although the testes and uterus have very different biological makeup, they are still both attacked by T. gondii resulting in reproductive dysfunctions. We hypothesized that there are significant common genes in the testes and uterus that interact with T. gondii. Finding out and studying these genes is vital to understand the infection mechanism of T. gondii and the induced disease pathogenesis. To achieve this goal, we built a mice model of acute infection with T. gondii and the testes and uterus of the mice were sequenced by RNA-Seq. A total of 291 and 679 significantly differently expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from the testes and the uterus, respectively. In the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, part of the DEGs in the testes and uterus were related to 35 GO functions. When compared with the KEGG database, seven pathways affecting both the testes and uterus during the course of T. gondii infection were identified. In addition, Toxoplasmosis can significantly affect the expression of Nlrp5 and Insc leading to negative outcomes in the host. On the other hand, the host regulates Gbp7, Gbp2b, and Ifit3 to defend against T. gondii infection.

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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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