Review
Food Science & Technology
Pablo-Jesus Marin-Garcia, Nuria Planas, Lola Llobat
Summary: This article reviews the detection methods, prevalence, and control measures of Toxoplasma gondii in the food industry. T. gondii is a common parasite that causes infection through food contamination, but standardized detection methods are currently lacking in the industry. The main detection methods include bioassays, cell culture, molecular and microscopic techniques, and serological methods. Due to the high prevalence of T. gondii in many food products, standardized detection methods and control measures are necessary.
Review
Microbiology
Gema Alvarez Garcia, Rebecca Davidson, Pikka Jokelainen, Siv Klevar, Furio Spano, Frank Seeber
Summary: The role of oocysts in infections is not well studied despite its relevance. Only few diagnostic antigens can differentiate parasite stages. The paper provides an extensive overview of antigens and serological assays for detecting oocyst-driven infections in humans and animals.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iti Saraav, Luisa Cervantes-Barragan, Philipp Olias, Yong Fu, Qiuling Wang, Leran Wang, Yi Wang, Matthias Mack, Megan T. Baldridge, Thaddeus Stappenbeck, Marco Colonna, L. David Sibley
Summary: Oral infection with Toxoplasma gondii exacerbates damage to the colon caused by chemical irritant and impairs wound healing by suppressing stem cell regeneration. Enhanced tissue damage is due to inflammatory monocytes releasing inflammatory mediators.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biology
Celine Dard, Christopher Swale, Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart, Dayana C. Farhat, Valeria Bellini, Marie Gladys Robert, Dominique Cannella, Herve Pelloux, Isabelle Tardieux, Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
Summary: Discovery of the protein BCLA/MAG2 as a specific marker for bradyzoite and cyst envelope in T. gondii has been achieved through genetically engineered parasites. By using lab mice as models, researchers have confirmed that BCLA/MAG2 can stimulate antibody production recognizing bradyzoite and cyst structure. An ELISA assay based on a bacterially produced BCLA recombinant polypeptide has been designed and validated using sera from mice and human patients with toxoplasmosis, showing promising results for detection of persistent T. gondii infection.
Article
Immunology
Mohammad Mahdi Jafari, Zahra Azimzadeh Tabrizi, Mohammad Saaid Dayer, Nazanin Atieh Kazemi-Sefat, Mahshid Mohtashamifard, Rahimeh Mohseni, Atefeh Bagheri, Saeed Bahadory, Amir Karimipour-Saryazdi, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with immune response, which can be used as prognosis markers. Immunotherapy has become a new approach for toxoplasmosis treatment.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Iva Slana, Nadja Bier, Barbora Bartosova, Gianluca Marucci, Alessia Possenti, Anne Mayer-Scholl, Pikka Jokelainen, Marco Lalle
Summary: This study reviewed methods for detecting T. gondii oocyst contamination in fresh produce, finding that procedures typically involved washing, centrifugation, and DNA extraction. qPCR targeting the B1 gene or the 529 bp repetitive element was identified as the most suitable detection method.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lucyna Holec-Gasior, Karolina Solowinska
Summary: Toxoplasmosis is an important veterinary parasitic disease that has implications for public health. Small ruminants can experience abortion or congenital diseases due to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Consumption of infected meat or unpasteurized milk can facilitate zoonotic transmission. Serological testing is the most practical method for diagnosing toxoplasmosis, and recombinant antigens and DNA amplification techniques have been developed as alternative diagnostic methods.
Article
Parasitology
Jiaofeng Huang, Jiaolong Zheng, Bang Liu, Lingling Lu, Haicong Wu, Su Lin, Dongliang Li
Summary: This study found that Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with higher mortality in the general population, and this association is related to age and sex. This suggests that Toxoplasma gondii infection may be an important public health issue.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Syrian G. Sanchez, Emilie Bassot, Aude Cerutti, Hoa Mai Nguyen, Amel Aida, Nicolas Blanchard, Sebastien Besteiro
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is responsible for toxoplasmosis, a disease that can be serious when contracted during pregnancy, but can also be a threat for immunocompromised individuals. The study finds that targeting the apicoplast in bradyzoites, the latent form of the parasite, leads to a loss of long-term viability, suggesting the apicoplast as a potential therapeutic target.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Hira Mohyuddin, Blanca Laffon, Joao P. Teixeira, Solange Costa, Armanda Teixeira-Gomes, Eduardo Pasaro, Niel Constantine, Aline Dagdag, Heidi K. Ortmeyer, Boris Tizenberg, Liubov Afram, Poyu Yen, Christopher Marano, Christopher A. Lowry, Andrew J. Hoisington, Jill A. Rachbeisel, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Carlota Lema-Arranz, Natalia Fernandez-Bertolez, Ana Maseda, Jose C. Millan-Calenti, Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Johanna M. Gostner, Dietmar Fuchs, Lisa A. Brenner, Laura Lorenzo-Lopez, Teodor T. Postolache
Summary: This study revealed an association between Toxoplasma gondii and frailty, but further research is needed for validation. Certain biomarkers related to inflammaging were associated with both Toxoplasma gondii and frailty, but they did not fully mediate the association between the two.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Amy C. Schumacher, Lina Elbadawi, Traci DeSalvo, Anne Straily, Daniel Ajzenberg, David Letzer, Ellen Moldenhauer, Tammy L. Handly, Dolores Hill, Marie-Laure Darde, Christelle Pomares, Karine Passebosc-Faure, Kristine Bisgard, Carlos A. Gomez, Cindy Press, Stephanie Smiley, Jose G. Montoya, James J. Kazmierczak
Summary: In 2017, an outbreak of toxoplasmosis was linked to undercooked venison served at a retreat in Wisconsin. Most of the attendees experienced illness, with laboratory results showing atypical features for toxoplasmosis. The strain of T. gondii found in the venison was a unique genotype, highlighting the potential risks of consuming undercooked game meat in North America.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Thais Cabral Monica, Fernanda Evers, Beatriz Souza Lima Nino, Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira, Jose Wander Bregano, Mariana Ragassi Urbano, Guita Rubinsky-Elefant, Roberta Lemos Freire, Italmar Teodorico Navarro, Regina Mitsuka-Bregano
Summary: The study examined the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in schoolchildren in Jataizinho, Parana, revealing associations with factors such as the mother's education level, age, presence of cats in the household, income, and presence of dogs. There was also an association between the two zoonoses, highlighting the importance of implementing control measures to reduce the incidence and risks of sequelae in children.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ragab M. Fereig, Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Summary: In this study, the cyto-nuclear and mitochondrial localization of TgPrx1 and TgPrx3 proteins in Toxoplasma gondii were revealed. Knocking out TgPrx1 and TgPrx3 genes in T. gondii resulted in decreased survival rate in mice infected with TgPrx3KO strain compared to TgPrx1KO and control strains. Additionally, TgPrx1KO and TgPrx3KO induced high levels of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and increased IL-6 and IL-12p40 production in infected mice and murine macrophages. These findings suggest that TgPrx3 may be a potential sub-unit vaccine candidate for controlling toxoplasmosis in susceptible humans and animals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lokman Galal, Frederic Ariey, Meriadeg Ar Gouilh, Marie-Laure Darde, Azra Hamidovic, Franck Letourneur, Franck Prugnolle, Aurelien Mercier
Summary: This study analyzes 156 genomes of Toxoplasma gondii and provides estimates of the parasite's mutation rate and generation time. It reveals that a specific haplotype is associated with the spread of the parasite through cats, indicating its role in sexual reproduction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rajib Acharjee, Keith K. Talaam, Endah D. Hartuti, Yuichi Matsuo, Takaya Sakura, Bundutidi M. Gloria, Shinya Hidano, Yasutoshi Kido, Mihoko Mori, Kazuro Shiomi, Masakazu Sekijima, Tomoyoshi Nozaki, Kousuke Umeda, Yoshifumi Nishikawa, Shinjiro Hamano, Kiyoshi Kita, Daniel K. Inaoka
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects a large portion of the global human population. A new potential drug target, TgMQO, has been identified in this study, and a novel expression system was developed to study its characteristics. Ferulenol, an MQO inhibitor, showed promising inhibitory effects on TgMQO, with distinct binding sites from other known inhibitors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Maes, Walton Luiz Del Tedesco Junior, Marcell Alysson Batisti Lozovoy, Mayara Tiemi Enokida Mori, Tiago Danellii, Elaine Regina Delicato de Almeida, Alexandre Mestre Tejo, Zuleica Naomi Tano, Edna Maria Vissoci Reiche, Andrea Name Colado Simao
Summary: The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 patients. Acute infections are accompanied by a sickness symptom complex (SSC) that plays a protective role against COVID-19. Increased SSC can protect against severe COVID-19, while factors such as age, gender, and specific gene variants can attenuate this protection.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Arlan Araujo Rodrigues, Sara Silva Reis, Elinalva da Silva Moraes, Edson Matheus Alves do Nascimento Araujo, Anderson de Moura Zanine, Thiago Vinicius Costa Nascimento, Joao Luis Garcia, Ivo Alexandre Leme da Cunha
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in goats worldwide and identify the main risk factors associated with the infection from 2000 to 2020. The meta-analysis included data from 55,317 goats in 75 reports published in major global electronic databases. The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in goats was found to be 27.49%, with the lowest prevalence in Asia and the highest in Central America and Europe. Various risk factors, such as the presence of cats, goat age, gender, and the rearing system, were associated with the seroprevalence. The study highlights the heterogeneity in seroprevalence across different regions and the influence of risk factors.
Article
Immunology
Raquel Arruda da Silva Sanfelice, Taylon Felipe Silva, Fernanda Tomiotto-Pellissier, Bruna Taciane da Silva Bortoleti, Danielle Lazarin-Bidoia, Sara Scandorieiro, Gerson Nakazato, Luiz Daniel de Barros, Joao Luis Garcia, Waldiceu Aparecido Verri, Ivete Conchon-Costa, Wander Rogerio Pavanelli, Idessania Nazareth Costa
Summary: This study evaluated the activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNp-Bio) in infected macrophages and found that AgNp-Bio reduced infection and parasite load while inducing pro-inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that AgNp-Bio may be a potential alternative treatment for toxoplasmosis.
MICROBES AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Paula Suellen Guimaraes Gois, Priscila Silva Franco, Samuel Cota Teixeira, Deivid William da Fonseca Batistao, Fernanda Chaves de Oliveira, Gabriela Licia Santos Ferreira, Angelica de Oliveira Gomes, Silvio Favoreto, Jose Roberto Mineo, Bellisa de Freitas Bar- Bosa, Eloisa Amalia Vieira Ferro
Summary: This study found that the atypical T. gondii strain TgChBrUD2 and clonal strain ME49 can induce an immune response in human macrophages, leading to polarization towards the M1 subtype and control of parasite infection. In contrast, the clonal strain RH promotes macrophage polarization towards the M2 subtype, resulting in a high parasite burden.
FOLIA PARASITOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Alessandra Monteiro Rosini, Samuel Cota Teixeira, Iliana Claudia Balga Milian, Rafaela Jose Silva, Guilherme de Souza, Luana Carvalho Luz, Angelica Oliveira Gomes, Jose Roberto Mineo, Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo, Eloisa Amalia Vieira Ferro, Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
Summary: This study investigated the influence of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 pathways on Toxoplasma gondii infection in different cells and tissues. The results showed that the TLR4 pathway is important for controlling the infection and its regulation is dependent on TRIF, MyD88, NF-kappa B, and cytokines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natasha Marques Cassani, Igor Andrade Santos, Victoria Riquena Grosche, Giulia Magalhaes Ferreira, Marco Guevara-Vega, Rafael Borges Rosa, Lindomar Jose Pena, Nilson Nicolau-Junior, Adelia Cristina Oliveira Cintra, Tiago Patriarca Mineo, Robinson Sabino -Silva, Suely Vilela Sampaio, Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
Summary: This study demonstrates that two phospholipases A2 (PLA2) isolated from snake venom can inhibit the activity of Zika virus, with a strong effect on the entry of the virus into host cells. These findings suggest that these PLA2s could serve as potential templates for the development of antiviral drugs against Zika virus in the future.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria Caroline Martins de Araujo, Daniela Frizon Alfieri, Ana Lucia Cruz Furstenberger Lehmann, Tamires Flauzino Luz, Emmanuelle Roberto Trevisani, Maisa Rocha Nagao, Leonardo Bodner de Freitas, Andrea Name Colado Simao, Edna Maria Vissoci Reiche
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) and acute ischemic stroke (IS), as well as to identify biomarkers for predicting short-term mortality after IS. The results showed that a combination of baseline IS severity and soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) levels could early predict the prognosis of IS patients. Additionally, this study suggests that VCAM-1 might be a potential target for therapeutic strategies in IS.
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Uriel Enrique Aquino Ruiz, Igor Andrade Santos, Victoria Riquena Grosche, Rafaela Sachetto Fernandes, Andre Schutzer de Godoy, Jhoan David Aguillon Torres, Marjorie Caroline Liberato Cavalcanti Freire, Nathalya Cristina de Moraes Roso Mesquita, Marco Guevara-Vega, Nilson Nicolau-Junior, Robinson Sabino-Silva, Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo, Glaucius Oliva, Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
Summary: The compound RO8191, an IFN-alpha agonist, has been found to inhibit CHIKV replication and protect cells against CHIKV infection.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
A. M. Andrade Junior, W. D. Z. Lopes, G. Felippelli, B. C. Cruz, W. G. Maciel, V. E. Soares, L. L. Ferreira, J. L. Garcia, B. S. L. Nino, A. Minutti, G. A. M. Rossi, V. S. Jayme, D. B. Martins, E. Arnhold, W. F. P. Teixeir
Summary: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in slaughtered cattle in Rondonia, Brazil, and identify the associated risk factors. The results showed a seropositivity rate of 5.06% for N. caninum antibodies, with abortion in the last 12 months being an important risk factor.
ARQUIVO BRASILEIRO DE MEDICINA VETERINARIA E ZOOTECNIA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Paula Tatiane Mutao Ferreira, Ana Carolina Morais Oliveira-Scussel, Roberto Augusto Pereira Sousa, Beatriz Quaresemin Gomes, Jhennifer Estevao Felix, Rafaela Jose Silva, Iliana Balga Millian, Thais Soares Farnesi Assuncao, Samuel Cota Teixeira, Marcos de Lucca Moreira Gomes, Marcos Vinicius Silva, Bellisa Freitas Barbosa, Virmondes Rodrigues Junior, Jose Roberto Mineo, Carlo Jose Freire Oliveira, Eloisa Amalia Vieria Ferro, Angelica Oliveira Gomes
Summary: Cytokines are small molecules secreted by cells, and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a cytokine that inhibits macrophage migration. This study aimed to investigate MIF's role in macrophages during T. gondii infection. The results showed that T. gondii infection increased MIF production, along with the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, TNF, IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-17. Mif1-/-macrophaes had higher IL-10 levels but lower TNF, IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-17 levels compared to WT macrophages, and exhibited enhanced phagocytic activity and T. gondii proliferation rates.
Article
Parasitology
Marco Miguel de Oliveira, Claire Pauline Ropke Ferrando, Cesar Gomez-Hernandez, Karine Rezende de Oliveira, Iasmin Aparecida Cunha Araujo, Paulo Vitor Alves Ribeiro, Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo, Natalia Oliveira Leiner, Jose Roberto Mineo, Sydnei Magno da Silva
Summary: This study aimed to verify the prevalence of Trypanosoma spp. in non-volant small mammals from the Brazilian Cerrado and tested the effects of T. lainsoni on the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (N/L) and body condition in rodent and marsupial populations. The results showed a high infection rate of Trypanosoma spp., with T. lainsoni being the most prevalent, and some samples also tested positive for T. cruzi TcI infection. Additionally, the study identified the infection of T. lainsoni in Hylaeamys megacephalus. Overall, the study expands the host list of T. lainsoni and demonstrates the infection of small mammals by T. cruzi TcI in peri-urban areas.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristhianne Molinero Ratkevicius Andrade, Aline Caroline de Lima Marques, Rodolfo Pessato Timoteo, Ana Carolina de Morais Oliveira-Scussel, Fernanda Bernadelli De Vito, Marcos Vinicius da Silva, Jose Roberto Mineo, Reginaldo Botelho Teodoro, Denise Bertulucci Rocha Rodrigues, Virmondes Rodrigues Junior
Summary: This study found that the use of TNF-a blockers does not increase the risk of toxoplasmosis reactivation.
Article
Agronomy
Silvana Marques Caramalac, Simone Marques Caramalac, Bets-Saba Naate Naumann Cerqueira Leite, Pablo Menegon Castilho, Ana Flavia Minutti, Thais Agostinho Martins, Joao Luis Garcia, Luiz Daniel de Barros, Felipe Gazza Romto, Mariana Isa Poci Palumbo
Summary: This study investigated the association between neurological signs, risk factors, and the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in dogs in Campo Grande, Brazil. The dogs were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of neurological signs. Serological diagnosis was performed using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Results showed exposure to T. gondii and N. caninum in dogs regardless of the presence of neurological signs. The study emphasized the need for serological investigation of T. gondii in dogs with peripheral nervous system disturbances and avoidance of raw meat to prevent N. caninum infection.