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Parasite (Paris, France) 2024Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis, an emerging and often neglected zoonosis in South America, particularly Brazil. Felines, the only...
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis, an emerging and often neglected zoonosis in South America, particularly Brazil. Felines, the only definitive hosts, excrete oocysts in their feces, potentially infecting all homeotherms. Domestic cats are primarily responsible for contaminating human environments with these oocysts. Monitoring their populations is therefore essential to ensure proper toxoplasmosis prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of T. gondii and exposure factors in a population of owner cats in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. A total of 267 blood samples were collected from domestic cats aged between 1 and 15 years and tested with an immunofluorescence antibody test. The seroprevalence of antibodies against T. gondii was only 17.22% (46/267 individuals). This result therefore suggests a low contribution of domestic cats to T. gondii contamination of the urban environment. The cats' age and living environment were identified as risk factors for cat exposure to T. gondii.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Toxoplasmosis, Animal; Brazil; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Cat Diseases; Toxoplasma; Female; Antibodies, Protozoan; Male; Risk Factors; Humans; Age Factors
PubMed: 38759155
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024017 -
Seroprevalence of sp. and Infections in Rural and Urban Inhabitants of Jolfa County, Northwest Iran.Journal of Parasitology Research 2024Fascioliasis and toxoplasmosis are the two important zoonotic diseases that are endemic in Iran and share some common transmission routes. The present study is aimed at...
Fascioliasis and toxoplasmosis are the two important zoonotic diseases that are endemic in Iran and share some common transmission routes. The present study is aimed at determining the seroprevalence of human fascioliasis and toxoplasmosis in rural and urban areas of Jolfa County, Northwest Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 600 human sera were collected randomly from humans living in Jolfa County including three cities and 13 villages from 2017 to 2018. Anti- IgG and anti- sp. IgG tests have been performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Four (0.7%) out of 600 human sera showed positive levels of anti- IgG. Three out of four seropositive humans were from an urban area, and one (25%) was from rural inhabitants. Considering infection, 45% of studied human sera were seropositive for anti- IgG. In conclusion, this is the first study reporting seropositivity in the area. Based on the findings, human fascioliasis is present in the studied area, Northwest Iran, granted in low prevalence. Considering seropositivity, the prevalence is high, yet close to the reports from other regions in the province.
PubMed: 38746538
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5690707 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that affects mainly young people. It is believed that the autoimmune process...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that affects mainly young people. It is believed that the autoimmune process observed in the pathogenesis of MS is influenced by a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors, including infectious agents. The results of this study suggest the protective role of Toxoplasma gondii infections in MS. Interestingly, high Toxoplasma IgM seropositivity in MS patients receiving immunomodulatory drugs (IMDs) was identified. On the other hand, Borrelia infections seem to be positively associated with MS. Although the interpretation of our results is limited by the retrospective nature of the studies, the results strongly indicate that further experimental and clinical studies are needed to explain the role of infectious agents in the development and pathophysiological mechanisms of MS.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Toxoplasmosis; Poland; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Female; Toxoplasma; Male; Adult; Lyme Disease; Borrelia burgdorferi; Middle Aged; Immunoglobulin M; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 38744898
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61714-y -
BMC Infectious Diseases May 2024Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is capable of infecting nearly all warm-blooded animals and approximately 30% of the global population. Though most infections are...
BACKGROUND
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is capable of infecting nearly all warm-blooded animals and approximately 30% of the global population. Though most infections are subclinical in immunocompetent individuals, congenital contraction can lead to severe consequences such as spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, and a range of cranio-cerebral and/or ocular abnormalities. Previous studies reported that T. gondii-infected pregnancy mice unveiled a deficit in both the amount and suppressive functions of regulatory T (Treg) cells, accompanied with reduced levels of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3). Recently, accumulative studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are, to some extent, relevant to T. gondii infection. However, the link between alterations in miRNAs and downregulation of Foxp3 triggered by T. gondii has been only sporadically studied.
METHODS
Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), protein blotting and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate the impact of T. gondii infection and antigens on miRNA transcription and Foxp3 expression. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to examine the fluorescence activity in EL4 cells, which were transfected with recombinant plasmids containing full-length/truncated/mutant microRNA-142a-3p (miR-142a) promoter sequence or wild type/mutant of Foxp3 3' untranslated region (3' UTR).
RESULTS
We found a pronounced increase in miR-142a transcription, concurrent with a decrease in Foxp3 expression in T. gondii-infected mouse placental tissue. Similarly, comparable findings have been experimentally confirmed through the treatment of EL4 cells with T. gondii antigens (TgAg) in vitro. Simultaneously, miR-142a mimics attenuated Foxp3 expression, whereas its inhibitors markedly augmented Foxp3 expression. miR-142a promoter activity was elevated upon the stimulation of T. gondii antigens, which mitigated co-transfection of mutant miR-142a promoter lacking P53 target sites. miR-142a mimics deceased the fluorescence activity of Foxp3 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), but it did not affect the fluorescence activity upon the co-transfection of mutant Foxp3 3' UTR lacking miR-142a target site.
CONCLUSION
In both in vivo and in vitro studies, a negative correlation was discovered between Foxp3 expression and miR-142a transcription. TgAg enhanced miR-142a promoter activity to facilitate miR-142a transcription through a P53-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, miR-142a directly targeted Foxp3 3' UTR, resulting in the downregulation of Foxp3 expression. Therefore, harnessing miR-142a may be a possible therapeutic approach for adverse pregnancy caused by immune imbalances, particularly those induced by T. gondii infection.
Topics: MicroRNAs; Female; Animals; Pregnancy; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Mice; Down-Regulation; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis; Pregnancy Outcome; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Mice, Inbred C57BL; 3' Untranslated Regions
PubMed: 38741041
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09375-0 -
Jornal Brasileiro de Nefrologia 2024
Topics: Humans; Sulfadiazine; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral; Male; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Crystallization; Renal Insufficiency; Adult; Crystalluria
PubMed: 38739000
DOI: 10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2023-0151en -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Mar 2024Neurological manifestations are one of the major concerns for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The secondary spectrum includes space-occupying lesions...
BACKGROUND
Neurological manifestations are one of the major concerns for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The secondary spectrum includes space-occupying lesions (SOL), including tuberculoma, cryptococcosis, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis, primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
AIM
To assess the neurological manifestations, disease outcome, and their associations with cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) counts in patients with HIV.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This single-center, prospective, observational study was performed in the Department of General Medicine of a tertiary care institute, over a period of 2 years (January 2017 to December 2018). The study included 150 known or newly diagnosed HIV patients with CNS SOL. The physical examination, laboratory investigations, and imaging were conducted on every patient, and the findings were noted.
RESULTS
The patients mainly presented with hemiparesis (52%), had involvement of the frontal region (38.7%), and were diagnosed with tuberculoma (29.3%). Other diagnoses were toxoplasmosis (22.7%), PML (17.3%), PCNSL (15.3%), brain abscess (10%), and neurocysticercosis (5.3%). Of 150 patients, 136 (90.7%) were survivors, while 14 (9.3%) were non-survivors. The mean CD4 count was significantly less in patients with toxoplasmosis ( < 0.0001) and PCNSL ( = 0.02), and significantly higher in patients with tuberculoma ( < 0.0001) and brain abscess ( = 0.0009) relative to other causes of SOL. Moreover, the mean CD4 count was not significantly associated with survivors and non-survivors ( = 0.28).
CONCLUSION
In patients with HIV, CD4 count was significantly low in toxoplasmosis and PCNSL, and high in tuberculoma and brain abscess.
PubMed: 38736804
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1180_23 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Apr 2024The highly virulent RH strain is maintained through successive passages in mice, but there is still a lack of studies that refine these procedures from a 3Rs...
The highly virulent RH strain is maintained through successive passages in mice, but there is still a lack of studies that refine these procedures from a 3Rs perspective, where humanitarian ideals aim to minimize the stress, pain, or suffering of the animals used in the research without the loss of results. The aim of this study was to establish humane endpoints in Swiss Webster mice inoculated with the RH strain. A total of 52 mice were infected with 5 × 10 tachyzoites/mL and monitored for periods of up to 5 days. The parameters body weight; hair condition; higher than normal body temperature; hypothermia; respiratory function; pain; soft stools or diarrhea; bloody diarrhea; tense, nervous, or in distress during handling; and ascites were recorded daily in score tables. The results showed that prominent piloerection, respiratory function, pain parameters, and ascites are important clinical signs to be used as a cut-off point for implementing euthanasia. The application of this refinement method helped to avoid animal suffering and pain without compromising the number of parasites recovered. We therefore suggest adopting these parameters in research protocols that require the maintenance of the RH strain in murine models to avoid and reduce animal suffering.
PubMed: 38731332
DOI: 10.3390/ani14091326 -
Parasites & Vectors May 2024Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in early pregnancy. Previous studies have illustrated...
BACKGROUND
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in early pregnancy. Previous studies have illustrated the landscape of decidual immune cells. However, the landscape of decidual immune cells in the maternal-fetal microenvironment during T. gondii infection remains unknown.
METHODS
In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the changes in human decidual immune cells following T. gondii infection. The results of scRNA-seq were further validated with flow cytometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunofluorescence staining.
RESULTS
Our results showed that the proportion of 17 decidual immune cell clusters and the expression levels of 21 genes were changed after T. gondii infection. Differential gene analysis demonstrated that T. gondii infection induced the differential expression of 279, 312, and 380 genes in decidual NK cells (dNK), decidual macrophages (dMφ), and decidual T cells (dT), respectively. Our results revealed for the first time that several previously unknown molecules in decidual immune cells changed following infection. This result revealed that the function of maternal-fetal immune tolerance declined, whereas the killing ability of decidual immune cells enhanced, eventually contributing to the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides valuable resource for uncovering several novel molecules that play an important role in the occurrence of abnormal pregnancy outcomes induced by T. gondii infection.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Decidua; Toxoplasmosis; Single-Cell Analysis; Toxoplasma; Pregnancy Outcome; Gene Expression Profiling; Killer Cells, Natural; Macrophages; Transcriptome; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 38730500
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06266-w -
Food Science & Nutrition May 2024is a highly prevalent pathogen, reported from almost all geographical regions of the world. Current anti- drugs are not effective enough in immunocompromised patients,...
is a highly prevalent pathogen, reported from almost all geographical regions of the world. Current anti- drugs are not effective enough in immunocompromised patients, encephalitis, chorioretinitis, and congenital toxoplasmosis. Therefore, the prescription of these drugs has been limited. Rose hip oil (RhO) is a natural plant compound, which shows antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the current study, the anti- and cell toxicity effects of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded by RhO (RhO-SLNs) were evaluated. Emulsification sonicated-homogenization method was used to prepare SLNs. RhO-SLNs were characterized, and their anti- and cell toxicity effects were evaluated using in vitro analyses. The particle size and the zeta potential of the nanoparticles were 152.09 nm and -15.3 mV nm, respectively. The entrapment efficiency percentage was 79.1%. In the present study, the inhibitory concentration (IC) against was >1 μg/mL (-value <.0001). The cell toxicity assay showed cytotoxicity concentration (CC) >10 mg/mL (-value = .017). In addition, at least 75% of -infected Vero cells remained alive at concentrations >10 mg/mL. The concentration of 1 mg/mL showed highest anti- activity and lowest cell toxicity against the Vero cell. Our findings suggest that carrying natural plant compounds with SLNs could be considered an effective option for treatment strategies against infections.
PubMed: 38726453
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4043 -
Clinical Case Reports May 2024Here we present a case of a 4-year-old girl who suffered from vulvovaginitis caused by . All members of her family were also infected by this helminth. Treatment with...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
Here we present a case of a 4-year-old girl who suffered from vulvovaginitis caused by . All members of her family were also infected by this helminth. Treatment with mebendazole was administered to all family members and it was found that the entire family had been cured.
ABSTRACT
Vulvovaginitis, an inflammation of the vulvovaginal mucous membranes, is a common reason for pediatric gynecology consultations. One of the causes of this condition is a parasitic worm known as (). In girls, adult worms can infiltrate the vagina and release eggs, leading to the development of vulvovaginitis. Furthermore, these worms have the ability to invade the endometrial cavity too. Here we present a case of a 4-year-old girl who suffered from vulvovaginitis caused by . All members of her family were also infected by this parasitic helminth. In the vaginal sample, apart from the eggs, the female adult worm was observed under the microscope. Treatment with mebendazole was administered to all family members, and their progress was followed for a period of 3 weeks, during which it was found that the entire family had been cured. This patient experienced significant improvement in symptoms related to severe anxiety, nervousness, vaginal inflammation, itching, and vulvovaginitis caused by . To prevent infection by , it is crucial to disinfect underwear and bed sheets. In kindergartens, the spread of this parasite should not be underestimated, and asymptomatic individuals who have been exposed to infected persons should receive treatment to prevent an epidemic. Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, especially after using the toilet, is of the most importance, particularly for girls who are more susceptible to infection. Additionally, it is essential for all family members to be aware of the transmission routes of this parasite.
PubMed: 38725928
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8902