scholarly journals SEROPREVALENCE OF INFECTION WITH TOXOPLASMA GONDII AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTH BACKA DISTRICT, SERBIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
Ivana Hrnjaković Cvjetković ◽  
Vesna Milošević ◽  
Tamaš Petrović ◽  
Dušan Petrić ◽  
Jelena Radovanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Automatic Device ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Elisa Test ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Avidity Test ◽  
Life Threatening

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous coccidian protozoan that can infect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. For immunocompetent humans it is a well-adapted parasite that usually causes asymptomatic infection. However, in congenitally infected infants and immunocompromised patients it can cause a serious life threatening disease. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of anti-toxoplasma antibodies among residents of the South Backa District, Serbia. During the period from January 2014 to December 2018, sera from 11,288 persons from South Backa District were tested on the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, using ELISA test (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany). The testing was performed on the automatic device Euroimmun Analyzer I-2P. The avidity of IgG WNV antibodies was determined for IgG positive sera using commercial avidity test (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany). In total, out of 11,288 patients who were tested for toxoplasma antibodies, the results were positive for 2,513 (22.26%). In 2014 seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii was 25.78% (464/1800), in 2015 it was 23.30% (400/1717), in 2016 it amounted 20.99% (474/2258), in 2017 it was 21.47% (529/2464) and in 2018 seropositivity was 20.96% (639/3049). Seropositivity of 26.53% (390/1470) was found in males and it amounted 21.62% (2123/9818) in females. Possible recent infection within the last 12 months was found in 1.70% (192/11288) patients. Possible acute infection or false - positive IgM result was detected in 1.31% (148/11288) patients. Past infection was found in 2173/11288 (19.25%) patients. Equivocal results were found in 1.48% of samples (167/11288). The lowest frequency of anti-toxoplasma antibodies was detected in pre-school children 13.07% (97/742) and the highest in persons older than 65 years 60.18% (65/108). Comparing the results of the research done from 2014 to 2018 with the data from 1989, a significant decline of seroprevalence in general population and women of generative age was found.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG avidity assay: Role and implication in the confirmatory diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis in seropositive pregnant women

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Chowdhury Rafia Naheen ◽  
Shirin Tarafder ◽  
Humayun Sattar ◽  
Shafinaz Khan
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Congenital Transmission ◽  
Avidity Assay ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test ◽  
Specific Igg

<p>This study was undertaken to apply<em> Toxoplasma gondii</em> specific IgG avidity test in seropositive pregnant women to differentiate acute and past infection. <em>T. gondii</em> specific IgG avidity test was conducted in 39 seropositive pregnant women and their pregnancy outcomes were observed later on. Out of 39 <em>T. gondii</em> seropositive pregnant women 33 (84%) were only IgG positive and 6 (15.4%) were both IgG-IgM positive. All the IgG positive cases (100%) and 2(33.3%) IgG-IgM positive cases had high avidity antibodies and they gave birth to healthy babies. Rest of the 4 (66.7%) IgG-IgM positive women had low avidity and 50% of them had abortion and 50% gave birth to unhealthy babies. This reveals that the seropositive mothers having high IgG avidity had past infection and no risk of congenital transmission. Seropositive mothers having low IgG avidity had acute infection and so congenital transmission occurred. Presence of<em> T. gondii</em> specific IgG and IgM antibody does not indicate acute infection always. IgG-IgM positive pregnant women should be further evaluated by IgG avidity assay to confirm acute infection.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Could metabolomics drive the fate of COVID-19 pandemic? A narrative review on lights and shadows

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Mussap ◽  
Vassilios Fanos
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Host Metabolism

Abstract Human Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection activates a complex interaction host/virus, leading to the reprogramming of the host metabolism aimed at the energy supply for viral replication. Alterations of the host metabolic homeostasis strongly influence the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, forming the basis of a wide range of outcomes, from the asymptomatic infection to the onset of COVID-19 and up to life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome, vascular dysfunction, multiple organ failure, and death. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms associated with the individual susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection calls for a system biology approach; this strategy can address multiple goals, including which patients will respond effectively to the therapeutic treatment. The power of metabolomics lies in the ability to recognize endogenous and exogenous metabolites within a biological sample, measuring their concentration, and identifying perturbations of biochemical pathways associated with qualitative and quantitative metabolic changes. Over the last year, a limited number of metabolomics- and lipidomics-based clinical studies in COVID-19 patients have been published and are discussed in this review. Remarkable alterations in the lipid and amino acid metabolism depict the molecular phenotype of subjects infected by SARS-CoV-2; notably, structural and functional data on the lipids-virus interaction may open new perspectives on targeted therapeutic interventions. Several limitations affect most metabolomics-based studies, slowing the routine application of metabolomics. However, moving metabolomics from bench to bedside cannot imply the mere determination of a given metabolite panel; rather, slotting metabolomics into clinical practice requires the conversion of metabolic patient-specific data into actionable clinical applications.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the TGS TA system for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Arpino ◽  
Annalisa Cianflone ◽  
Maria Teresa Manco ◽  
Alessia Paganini ◽  
Massimo De Paschale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Avidity ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

<em>Background and aims.</em> The aim of the present study was to evaluate the new chemiluminescence TGS TA system of Technogenetics (Milan, Italy) for detecting anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies and IgG avidity. The TGS TA system was compared with our chemiluminescence routinely used system, LIAISON XL, supplied by Diasorin (Saluggia, Italy), for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies. Only in positive IgM samples (retrospective study) and for the IgG avidity (if existent), TGS TA system was compared to an Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) test (VIDAS, BioMérieux, Marcy-l’Étoile, France). <br /><em>Materials and methods</em>. Three hundred and one sera samples, from women who came to our centre for the routine follow up pregnancy, were examined with the TGS TA system and divided in 3 groups according to IgG and IgM screening LIAISON XL tests: 106 were non-immune women (Group 1), 100 were pregnant with past infection (Group 2) and 95 were pregnant with positive or equivocal IgM (82 with positive IgG and 13 with negative IgG) (Group 3). <br /><em>Results</em>. The overall concordance of the IgG results between LIAISON XL and TGS TA was 99.3%: 100% in Group 1, 98% in Group 2 and 100% in Group 3. The overall concordance of the IgM results between LIAISON XL and TGS TA was 93.9%: 100% in Group 1, 94% in Group 2 and 82.8% in Group 3. In Group 3, the concordance between the results of the IgG avidity with the ELFA and TGS TA tests was 81.7%. Comparing the clinical diagnosis obtained with our protocol and that of the TGS TA system, the overall concordance was 92.7%: 100% in Group 1, 92.0% in Group 2 and 78.9% in Group 3. <br /><em>Conclusions</em>. The overall concordance of IgG antibodies is excellent for both protocols while for IgM antibodies is very high in the first group and lower in the third group, due to the presence of non-specific IgM subjects in this group. The TGS TA avidity test seems to predict ealier the maturation of the IgG compared to the ELFA test since many samples with low avidity with the ELFA were seen with moderate avidity with TGS TA and all those with borderline avidity with the ELFA were seen with high avidity with TGS TA. This system shows to be a valuable tool with overall good clinical correlation and able to clearly identify nonspecific subjects, those with a non-recent infection.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the TGS TA system for the detection of anti-rubella antibodies

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Arpino ◽  
Annalisa Cianflone ◽  
Maria Teresa Manco ◽  
Alessia Paganini ◽  
Massimo De Paschale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elisa Test ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Sera Samples ◽  
Group 1

<p><em>Background and aims:</em> The aim of the present study was to evaluate the new Technogenetics TGS TA system for detecting antirubella IgG and IgM antibodies and IgG avidity. TGS TA system was compared with our routinely used system, LIAISON XL, for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies. Only in positive IgM samples (retrospective study), TGS TA system was compared to an ELFA IgM test and with an ELISA test for the IgG avidity (if existent).<br /><em>Materials and methods:</em> Two hundred and seventy six sera samples from women were examined with TGS TA system and divided in 3 groups according to IgG and IgM screening LIAISON XL tests: 112 were of childbearing age and non-immune women (Group 1), 106 were pregnant with past infection or vaccinated (Group 2) and 49 were pregnant with positive or equivocal IgM (Group 3). <br /><em>Results</em>: The overall concordance of the IgG results between LIAISON XL and TGS TA was 93.3%: 86.6% in Group 1, 97.2% in Group 2 and 100% in Group 3. The overall concordance of the IgM results between LIAISON XL and TGS TA was 89.0%: 100% in Group 1, 100% in Group 2 and 35.6% in Group 3. In Group 3, the concordance between the results of the IgG avidity with the ELISA and TGS TA tests was 85.7%. Comparing the clinical diagnosis obtained with our protocol and that of the TGS TA system, the overall concordance was 97.4%: 86.6% in Group 1, 97.2% in Group 2 and 85.7% in Group 3. <br /><em>Conclusions</em>: TGA TS system shows to be a valuable tool with overall good clinical correlation and able to clearly identify nonspecific subjects, those with a non-recent infection or those who are vaccinated. The TGS TA test also seems to be especially sensitive in indicating vaccinated subjects with low IgG levels as immune.</p>

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

1998 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
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.

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

mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among pregnant women in Rabat, Morocco

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majda Laboudi ◽  
Zoubida Taghy ◽  
Oussama Duieb ◽  
François Peyron ◽  
Abderrahim Sadak
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Seroprevalence Rate ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test

Abstract Background Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite named Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii). Pregnant women are considered one of the risk groups. The objective of this retrospective study is to provide an updated estimate of the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies among a group of Moroccan pregnant women monitored at the Parasitology Laboratory of the National Institute of Hygiene in Rabat in Morocco. Methods Serum samples were tested for the presence of specific anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-Toxoplasma IgM- and IgG-positive cases were also evaluated with the anti-Toxoplasma IgG avidity test. All cases were evaluated according to the age, parity, and historical of abortion. Results Among 677 pregnant women, 94.1% (637/677) were serologically screened for the first time and therefore had no knowledge of their serological status, and only 5.9% (40/677) were screened for the second or third time. The overall anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM seropositivity among the 637 pregnant women included in the study analysis was 43% (274/637) and 3.9% (25/637), respectively. The use of the IgG avidity test allowed excluding recent infection among 83% of cases with IgG and IgM positive sera. The mean age was 29.4 ± 6.3 years. The result of the bivariate analysis revealed that the age influenced significantly the seroprevalence rate, while the parity and the existence of previous spontaneous abortion did not have any significant statistical correlation with seropositivity to T. gondii. Conclusion This study shows that 43% of pregnant women were positive and 57% of them had no antibody against the T. gondii infection. However, the pregnancy follow-up and the counseling of pregnant women remain essential for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kigali, Rwanda

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esperance Murebwayire ◽  
Kariuki Njanaake ◽  
Jean Claude S. Ngabonziza ◽  
Walter Jaoko ◽  
Kato J. Njunwa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Human Immune Deficiency Virus ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Congenital Deformities ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnancy, if left untreated, is associated with spontaneous abortions, low birth weight babies, congenital deformities and intrauterine deaths. The infection is also associated with human immune deficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). In Rwanda, the burden and risk factors of T. gondii infection among pregnant women and among HIV infected pregnant women is largely unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed at determining the seroprevalence of T. gondii infections and their risk factors among pregnant women in Kigali, Rwanda.Methods: Pregnant women aged 18 years and above who were attending antenatal care at four clinics in Kigali City, between April and August 2014 were screened for IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii using ELISA technique. Information on their HIV status and CD4+ cell count was obtained from their medical records. Participants were also interviewed on selected behaviours that predispose individuals to T. gondii infection.Results: A total of 384 pregnant women were involved in the study. The overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 12.2%. Of the 384 pregnant women studied, 37 (9.6%) were positive for anti-T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies, indicating past infection and 15 (3.9%) had positive IgM results indicating recent infection. Drinking untreated water and eating undercooked meat were identified as important risk factors for T. gondii infection respectively at 22.4% and 22.3% [OR=3.95, CI:2.09-7.49; p<0.001 and OR=3.27, 95% CI: 1.75-6.09; p<0.001].Conclusion: Although the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies is relatively low, institution of interventional measures is desirable.

scholarly journals Detection of acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in early pregnancy by IgG avidity and PCR analysis

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1495-1499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamshaid Iqbal ◽  
Nabila Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Therapeutic Intervention ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test

Acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in early pregnancy carries the risk of transmitting the infection to the fetus with serious sequelae. However, serological testing for IgG/IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies may fail to differentiate between a recent and past infection. Two hundred and twenty-four Kuwaiti women in their first trimester were screened for IgG/IgM antibodies by the Vitek Immuno Diagnostic Assay System (VIDAS) and VIDAS IgG-avidity tests. On serological screening, 119 (53.1 %) women were positive for IgG antibodies and 31 (13.8 %) for IgM antibodies. Nine of the IgM-positive and 7 IgM-negative women had low-avidity antibodies. However, the IgG-avidity test detected low-avidity antibodies only in 9 (29 %) of the 31 IgM-positive women, suggesting a recent infection; 19 (61.3 %) women had high-avidity antibodies, indicating that the infection was acquired in the distant past. Based on IgM serology alone, at least 31 IgM-positive women may have been wrongly labelled as having acute Toxoplasma infection thus warranting appropriate therapeutic intervention. All the 19 IgM-positive women with high-avidity antibodies were confirmed negative for Toxoplasma DNA on PCR analysis. Compared with PCR analysis, the VIDAS avidity test was a helpful tool for the diagnosis of recent Toxoplasma infection in IgM-negative women with low-avidity antibodies and IgM-positive women with high-avidity antibodies; the specificity was >85 –100 %. It is concluded that the VIDAS avidity test when used in combination with VIDAS IgG/IgM tests is a valuable assay for the exclusion of ongoing or recently acquired T. gondii infection in pregnant women in their first trimester and that it decreases significantly the necessity for follow-up testing and unnecessary therapeutic intervention.

scholarly journals The role of immune mediators in pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus infection

Biomedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 752-755
Author(s):  
Hana Abdul-Qader Khuder
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Elisa Test ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Healthy Control

Introduction and Aim: Viral hepatitis, is considered a major cause of cirrhosis and liver transplantation, both of which are life-threatening conditions. In comparison to Hepatitis C virus infection, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has a lower rate of chronicity. The purpose of this study is to assess the immunological particles CD2 and CD4, as well as the cytokines IL-10, in HBV-infected patients. Materials and Methods: Between April and June 2021, a case-control study was conducted on 180 female subjects with a mean age of 35 years who visited a private clinic in Mosul city. A (10 ml) sample of blood was collected from each subject by routine venipuncture technique, and the blood sample was centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes to separate the plasma, which was used for further investigations. The ELISA test was used to determine the sizes of cytokines in the serum (R&D Systems). A microplate reader was used to limit absorbance in copies (Beckman Coulter). The last concentration was measured in pg/ml.   Results: The findings of this study revealed that (15%) of cases had clinical symptoms of HBV, while (70%) of cases were asymptomatic, and (5%) of cases progressed to chronic liver disease. In compared to healthy control groups, HBV patients had highly significant variations in mean CD 2 and CD 4 expression (p<0.0001). Conclusion: During the acute phase of hepatitis, the immune system successfully fights off the infection; however, differences in immune responses to different viruses may explain the tendency for acute infection to resolve rather than develop to chronic infection. Hepatitis viruses employ a variety of tactics to evade human immunity. To fully comprehend the complicated interplay between immunological mediators and HBV infection, more research is needed.

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