-
Current Issues in Molecular Biology Nov 2023is a trichomonad protozoan that infects the cecum and colon of humans and other mammals. It is a zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea in both animals and humans. As...
is a trichomonad protozoan that infects the cecum and colon of humans and other mammals. It is a zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea in both animals and humans. As companion animals, dogs infected with pose a risk of transmitting it to humans. Current methods, such as direct smears and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), used for detection have limitations, including low detection rates and the need for specialized equipment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop rapid, sensitive, and simple detection methods for clinical application. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) has emerged as a technology for rapid pathogen detection. In this study, we developed a lateral flow dipstick (LFD)-RPA method based on the highly conserved gene for detecting infection by optimizing the primers, probes, and reaction conditions, and evaluating cross-reactivity with genomes of and other parasites. The LFD-RPA method was then used to test 128 dog fecal samples collected from Changchun. The results confirmed the high specificity of the method with no cross-reactivity with the five other parasites. The lowest detection limit of the method was 10 copies/µL, and its sensitivity was 10 times higher than that of the conventional PCR method. Consistent with the positivity rate observed using nested PCR, 12 samples (out of 128) tested positive using this method (positivity rate, 9.38%). In conclusion, the LFD-RPA method developed in this study represents a simple and sensitive assay that allows for the rapid detection of infection in dogs, especially in this field.
PubMed: 37998756
DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110579 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2024Pentatrichomonas hominis, a flagellated parasitic protozoan, predominantly infects the mammalian digestive tract, often causing symptoms such as abdominal pain and...
Pentatrichomonas hominis, a flagellated parasitic protozoan, predominantly infects the mammalian digestive tract, often causing symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, studies investigating its pathogenicity are limited, and the mechanisms underlying P. hominis-induced diarrhea remain unclear. Establishing an in vitro cell model for P. hominis infection is imperative. This study investigated the interaction between P. hominis and IPEC-J2 cells and its impact on parasite growth, adhesion, morphology, and cell viability. Co-cultivation of P. hominis with IPEC-J2 cells resulted in exponential growth of the parasite, with peak densities reaching approximately 4.8 × 10 cells/mL and 1.2 × 10 cells/mL at 48 h for initial inoculation concentrations of 10 cells/mL and 10 cells/mL, respectively. The adhesion rate of P. hominis to IPEC-J2 cells reached a maximum of 93.82% and 86.57% at 24 h for initial inoculation concentrations of 10 cells/mL and 10 cells/mL, respectively. Morphological changes in IPEC-J2 cells co-cultivated with P. hominis were observed, manifesting as elongated and irregular shapes. The viability of IPEC-J2 cells exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing P. hominis concentration and co-cultivation time. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were upregulated, whereas those of CAT and CuZn-SOD were downregulated. These findings provide quantitative evidence that P. hominis can promote its growth by adhering to IPEC-J2 cells, inducing morphological changes, reducing cell viability, and triggering inflammatory responses. Further in vivo studies are warranted to confirm these results and enhance our understanding of P. hominis infection.
Topics: Animals; Trichomonas; Cell Proliferation; Abdominal Pain; Diarrhea; Gene Expression; Mammals
PubMed: 38530211
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024014 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2024Trichomonads are protozoan symbionts with the capacity to infect vertebrates including humans and non-human primates (NHPs), sometimes with pathogenic effects. However,...
Trichomonads are protozoan symbionts with the capacity to infect vertebrates including humans and non-human primates (NHPs), sometimes with pathogenic effects. However, their diversity and prevalence in NHPs in China are poorly understood. A total of 533 fecal samples were collected from captive NHPs in Yunnan Province, China, of which 461 samples from Macaca fascicularis and 72 from Macaca mulatta. Trichomonadidae species were identified using PCR amplification of the ITS-1/5.8S/ITS-2 sequences. The overall prevalence of trichomonads in NHPs was determined to be 11.4% (61/533), with gender, diarrhea, and region identified as potential risk factors for the infections. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis identified three species of trichomonads, i.e., Trichomitopsis minor (n = 45), Pentatrichomonas hominis (n = 11), and Tetratrichomonas sp. (n = 5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report Trichomitopsis minor infection in NHPs in China. Of note, Pentatrichomonas hominis is generally recognized as a parasitic organism affecting humans. Collectively, our results suggest that NHPs are potential sources of zoonotic trichomonad infections, highlighting the importance of surveillance and control measures to protect human and animal populations.
Topics: Animals; China; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Primates; Intestines; Trichomonas; Zoonoses
PubMed: 38530212
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024018 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2024Intestinal protozoa, which can be asymptomatic or cause diarrhea, dysentery and even death, are among the main agents that affect nonhuman primates (NHPs) kept under...
Intestinal protozoa, which can be asymptomatic or cause diarrhea, dysentery and even death, are among the main agents that affect nonhuman primates (NHPs) kept under human care. Nevertheless, information on the molecular and morphometric profiles of parabasilids in the Neotropics is still scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to isolate the Parabasalia protozoa detected in the feces of NHPs and their keepers in Pavlova and TYSGM9 media and to characterize the isolates by molecular biology and morphometry. Fecal samples from NHPs from five Brazilian institutions were analyzed. Direct examination was performed immediately after obtaining the samples. A total of 511 fecal samples from NHPs were collected, and 10.6% contained parabasilids. Regarding the handlers, of the 74 samples analyzed, three were positive. In vitro-generated parabasilid isolates were successfully obtained from all positive samples, as identified via microscopy. Isolates of the parasite were obtained both from New World NHPs, including the genera , , , , , , and and from the Old World primate . Forty-nine NHP isolates were molecularly identified: (16), (14), (13) and (6). The human isolates were identified as sp. (2) and (1). Visualization and morphometric analysis revealed trophozoites with piriform or rounded shapes that presented variable measurements. The isolates previously characterized as had up to five free flagella, while and sp. had up to four free flagella, and had a maximum of three free flagella. These morphometric characteristics corroborated the molecular identification. In general, a variety of parabasilids were observed to infect NHPs, and was isolated from biological samples from both NHPs and their keepers, a finding that reinforces the susceptibility of these hosts to infections by parabasilids in Brazil.
PubMed: 38827824
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100946 -
Veterinary Sciences May 2024Several trichomonad species have already been identified in pigs, and their pathogenic potential may not be ruled out. To date, however, no information is available...
Several trichomonad species have already been identified in pigs, and their pathogenic potential may not be ruled out. To date, however, no information is available regarding the prevalence of trichomonads in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. In the present study, a total of 362 fecal samples collected from pigs in three representative counties (Qi, Jishan, and Shanyin) in this province were examined for , , and using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall prevalence of was 49.72%, and region and age were found to be significantly associated with infection, respectively. Only one pig fecal sample from Qi County was found to be positive for , and all samples were negative for . Molecular evolutionary analysis revealed that some isolates showed complete genetic identity with those reported previously, and some isolates and one isolate showed minor allelic variations compared with those reported previously. This is the report of the molecular epidemiology of and in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. These findings not only enrich the knowledge on the distribution of these trichomonad species in pigs in China but also provide baseline information for planning future research and control strategies.
PubMed: 38787175
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11050203 -
Microorganisms May 2024Multiple microbial detections in stool samples of indigenous individuals suffering from chronic gastroenteric disorder of a likely infectious origin, characterized by...
Collider Bias Assessment in Colombian Indigenous Wiwa and Kogui Populations with Chronic Gastroenteric Disorder of Likely Infectious Etiology Suggests Complex Microbial Interactions Rather Than Clear Assignments of Etiological Relevance.
Multiple microbial detections in stool samples of indigenous individuals suffering from chronic gastroenteric disorder of a likely infectious origin, characterized by recurring diarrhea of variable intensity, in the rural north-east of Colombia are common findings, making the assignment of etiological relevance to individual pathogens challenging. In a population of 773 indigenous people from either the tribe Wiwa or Kogui, collider bias analysis was conducted comprising 32 assessed microorganisms including 10 bacteria ( spp., spp., enteroaggregative (EAEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), spp., Shiga toxin-producing (STEC), spp./enteroinvasive (EIEC), and spp.), 11 protozoa ( spp., spp., spp., , , /// complex, , , , and ), 8 helminths ( spp., , spp., , spp., spp., spp. and spp.), microsporidia ( spp.) and fungal elements (microscopically observed conidia and pseudoconidia). The main results indicated that negative associations potentially pointing towards collider bias were infrequent events (n = 14), while positive associations indicating increased likelihood of co-occurrence of microorganisms quantitatively dominated (n = 88). Microorganisms showing the most frequent negative associations were EPEC (n = 6) and spp. (n = 3), while positive associations were most common for spp. (n = 16), (n = 15), spp./EIEC (n = 12), spp. (n = 11) and spp. (n = 10). Of note, positive associations quantitively dominated for spp. In conclusion, collider bias assessment did not allow clear-cut assignment of etiological relevance for detected enteric microorganisms within the assessed Colombian indigenous population. Instead, the results suggested complex microbial interactions with potential summative effects. Future studies applying alternative biostatistical approaches should be considered to further delineate respective interactions.
PubMed: 38792799
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050970