Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered domestic ruminants in Northwest Ethiopia: occurrence, bioassay and virulence assessment

Purpose This study investigated the seropositivity, isolation and virulence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered domestic ruminants in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods Three hundred thirty-five blood samples (135 sheep, 50 goats and 150 cattle) were collected from slaughterhouses. Antibodies against T. gondii were assayed using a commercial Toxo-Latex agglutination test. Tissue digestion was also conducted on 39 heart muscles of seropositive animals using the pepsin enzyme, and isolation of viable T. gondii, from seropositive ruminants, was also performed in white albino mice. Results The overall occurrence of T. gondii infection was 55.8%. The occurrence of T. gondii antibodies in cattle, goats and sheep was 59.3%, 58%, and 51.1%, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies prevalence was significantly higher in females (χ2 = 4.55, p < 0.033) and adults of sheep (χ2 = 7.57, p < 0.006). Similarly, in cattle, old groups (χ2 = 7.81, p < 0.005) and cross-breeds (χ2 = 6.30, p < 0.012) have presented association with presence of T. gondii antibodies. However, in goats, no association was observed either with sex or age groups. In bioassayed mice, the overall viable T. gondii isolates were 38.5% and the parasites were isolated from samples of sheep (8/16), cattle (3/14) and goats (4/9), and most of these isolates (87.2%) were avirulent. Conclusion The high occurrence of T. gondii antibodies and a high proportion of viable T. gondii observed in this study indicated the prevalent nature of the parasite and its zoonotic importance in the study areas, where slaughtered domestic ruminants serve as an important human protein source. Education of the public about routes of T. gondii transmission and control methods is imperative to prevent T. gondii transmission.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered domestic ruminants in Northwest Ethiopia: seropositivity, bioassay and virulence assessment

This study investigated the seropositivity, isolation and virulence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered domestic ruminants in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. Three hundred thirty-five blood samples (135 sheep, 50 goats and 150 cattle) were collected from slaughterhouses. Antibodies against T. gondii were assayed using a commercial Toxo-Latex agglutination test. Tissue digestion was also conducted on 39 heart muscles of seropositive animals using the pepsin enzyme. The isolation of viable T. gondii from seropositive ruminants was also performed in white albino mice. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was found to be 55.8%. The species-wise prevalence of T. gondii seropositivity in cattle, goats and sheep was 59.3%, 58%, and 51.1%, respectively. From observed risk factors, sex (p < 0.033) and age of the sheep (p < 0.006) showed a significant association with T. gondii seropositivity. Similarly, in cattle, age (p < 0.005) and breed (p < 0.012) showed a statistically significant association with seropositivity of anti-T. gondii antibodies. In bioassayed mice, the overall viable T. gondii isolates were 38.5% and most of these isolates (87.18%) were avirulent. In conclusion, the high prevalence of T. gondii antibody and a high proportion of viable T. gondii observed in this study indicated the prevalent nature of the parasite and its zoonotic importance in the study areas where slaughtered domestic ruminants serve as an important human protein source. Education of the public about routes of T. gondii transmission and control methods is imperative to prevent T. gondii transmission.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughtered domestic ruminants in Northwest Ethiopia: seropositivity, bioassay and virulence assessment

This study investigated the seropositivity, isolation and virulence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered domestic ruminants in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. Three hundred thirty-five blood samples (135 sheep, 50 goats and 150 cattle) were collected from slaughterhouses. Antibodies against T. gondii were assayed using a commercial Toxo-Latex agglutination test. Tissue digestion was also conducted on 39 heart muscles of seropositive animals using the pepsin enzyme. The isolation of viable T. gondii from seropositive ruminants was also performed in white albino mice. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was found to be 55.8%. The species-wise prevalence of T. gondii seropositivity in cattle, goats and sheep was 59.3%, 58%, and 51.1%, respectively. From observed risk factors, sex (p < 0.033) and age of the sheep (p < 0.006) showed a significant association with T. gondii seropositivity. Similarly, in cattle, age (p < 0.005) and breed (p < 0.012) showed a statistically significant association with seropositivity of anti-T. gondii antibodies. In bioassayed mice, the overall viable T. gondii isolates were 38.5% and most of these isolates (87.18%) were avirulent. In conclusion, the high prevalence of T. gondii antibody and a high proportion of viable T. gondii observed in this study indicated the prevalent nature of the parasite and its zoonotic importance in the study areas where slaughtered domestic ruminants serve as an important human protein source. Education of the public about routes of T. gondii transmission and control methods is imperative to prevent T. gondii transmission.

Effect of storage and preconditioning of healing rat Achilles tendon on structural and mechanical properties

Tendon tissue storage and preconditioning are often used in biomechanical experiments and whether this generates alterations in tissue properties is essential to know. The effect of storage and preconditioning on dense connective tissues, like tendons, is fairly understood. However, healing tendons are unlike and contain a loose connective tissue. Therefore, we investigated if storage of healing tendons in the fridge or freezer changed the mechanical properties compared to fresh tendons, using a pull-to-failure or a creep test. Tissue morphology and cell viability were also evaluated. Additionally, two preconditioning levels were tested. Rats underwent Achilles tendon transection and were euthanized 12 days postoperatively. Statistical analyzes were done with one-way ANOVA or Student’s t-test. Tissue force and stress were unaltered by storage and preconditioning compared to fresh samples, while high preconditioning increased the stiffness and modulus (p ≤ 0.007). Furthermore, both storage conditions did not modify the viscoelastic properties of the healing tendon, but altered transverse area, gap length, and water content. Cell viability was reduced after freezing. In conclusion, preconditioning on healing tissues can introduce mechanical data bias when having extensive tissue strength diversity. Storage can be used before biomechanical testing if structural properties are measured on the day of testing.

KASUS KROMOBLASTOMIKOSIS PADA SEORANG PEREMPUAN

Chromoblatomycosis is a chronic fungal infection in the skin and subcutaneus tissue caused by pigmented fungi. It occurs most in males in tropical and subtropical countries. The causal fungi were found isolated in woods, decomposed plants, and soil. Early lesions manifest as papules that become hypertrophy plaques, and in years they develop to become hyperkeratotic masses. Chromoblastomycosis is difficult to treat. We reported a female of 37 years with lesions on the right foot for 20 years in the forms of plaques, papulonodules, multiple verrucous lesions. Lesions had hard consistency and were associated with erosion, crustae, and minimal pus. Several supporting tests were carried out. KOH 20% test resulted in sclerotic bodies; fungal culture revealed Fonsecaea pedrosoi; and histopathological examination showed chronic granulomatous inflamation. The patient was treated with itraconazole 2 x 200 mg daily, which was planned for 8-12 months. After 2 months of treatment, the lesions improved. Conclusion: Based on anamnesis, physical examination, KOH test, tissue culture, and histopathology examination, this case was diagnosed as chromoblatomycosis. Fonsecaea pedrosoi was found as the causative agent. Oral antimycotic itrakonazole 2 x 200 mg/day showed lesion improvement after 2 months of treatment. The patient will be evaluated until full treatment has been achieved. Keywords: chromoblastomycosis, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, itrakonazole Abstrak: Kromoblastomikosis merupakan infeksi jamur kronis pada kulit dan jaringan subkutan, disebabkan jamur berpigmen, umumnya pada laki-laki, banyak ditemukan di daerah tropis/subtropis, terisolasi di lingkungan dari kayu, sisa tanaman, dan tanah. Lesi awal berupa papul yang membesar membentuk plak hipertrofi dalam beberapa tahun menjadi massa hiperkeratotik. Kromoblastomikosis sukar disembuhkan. Kami melaporkan seorang perempuan 37 tahun dengan lesi pada kaki kanan sejak 20 tahun lalu berupa plak, papulonodul, verukous multipel, konsistensi keras, disertai erosi, krusta, pus yang minimal. Pada pemeriksaan KOH 20% didapatkan badan sklerotik, pemeriksaan kultur jamur ditemukan Fonsecaea pedrosoi, histopatologis menunjukkan radang kronik granulomatik. Terapi itrakonazole 2x200 mg/hari akan diberikan selama 8–12 bulan. Setelah 2 bulan pengobatan terdapat perbaikan. Simpulan: Pada kasus ini, diagnosis kromoblastomikosis ditegakkan berdasarkan anamnesis, pemeriksaan fisik, dan pemeriksaan penunjang berupa KOH, kultur jaringan, dan histopatologi. Hasil kultur menunjukkan Fonsecaea pedrosoi sebagai penyebab kromoblastomikosis. Pemberian antimikotik oral itrakonazole 2 x 200 mg/hari menunjukkan perbaikan setelah 2 bulan pengobatan. Evaluasi akan terus dilanjutkan sampai pengobatan selesai. Kata kunci: kromoblastomikosis, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, itrakonazole

LEUKOCYTE BETA-GALACTOSIDASE ACTIVITY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF GENERALIZED GM, GANGLIOSIDOSIS

GM1 generalized gangliosidosis is an autosomal recessive inherited disease, characterized by the storage of GM1 ganglioside in brain and visceral tissues secondary to a deficiency of the enzyme β-galactosidase. The enzyme deficiency found in brain, liver, and cultured flbroblasts is also present in the leukocyte. Using leukocytes as the test tissue two GM1 gangliosidosis putients were clearly identified from patients with clinically similar storage diseases. The enzyme activity in obligate heterozygotes showed intermediate levels between their affected children and normal controls, suggesting that heterozygotes may be identified using the leukocyte as the test tissue.