Article
Veterinary Sciences
Qiu-Yan Lv, He-Liang Zheng, Wen-He Yang, Guo-Hua Liu
Summary: The study investigated the genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in domestic ducks in Hunan province, China. Results showed low infection rates and highlighted the importance of a One Health approach to managing toxoplasmosis.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Luca Villa, Emanuele Lubian, Sara Ressegotti, Guido Grilli, Stefano Raimondi, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Maria Teresa Manfredi
Summary: The prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in wild birds of prey in Northern Italy was determined through an epidemiological survey, confirming the spread of both pathogens. This study also highlighted the role of Wildlife Recovery Centres in monitoring the epidemiology of wildlife infections.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yosra Amdouni, Mohamed Ridha Rjeibi, Sofia Awadi, Mohamed Gharbi
Summary: The study aimed to estimate the molecular prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and co-infection by both parasites in uterus tissues of cows. The overall co-infection prevalence of the two parasites was 2.85%, with age being a significant factor affecting the molecular prevalence of the parasites in cows' uterus. This is the first molecular evidence of N. caninum and T. gondii co-infection in naturally infected cows in North Africa, which is crucial for designing control programmes in the livestock industry.
TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ragab M. Fereig, Hanan H. Abdelbaky, Amira M. Mazeed, El-Sayed El-Alfy, Somaya Saleh, Mosaab A. Omar, Abdullah F. Alsayeqh, Caroline F. Frey
Summary: The prevalence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in raw milk samples from different ruminants and Egyptian governorates was estimated. The study found a seroprevalence of 15.4% for both N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies in bulk milk samples, and 25.7% and 14% for individual milk samples, respectively. The presence of DNA was also detected for both parasites. Pearson correlation analysis showed a strong correlation between bulk and individual samples for T. gondii and a moderately strong correlation for N. caninum.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Helga Waap, Andrea Baerwald, Telmo Nunes, Gereon Schares
Summary: This study evaluated the seroprevalence and risk factors for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in naturally exposed cattle in Portugal. The results showed a low but widespread seroprevalence of T. gondii, while N. caninum had a seroprevalence similar to other Mediterranean countries. Climate factors and management practices were significant predictors of infection for both parasites. The study highlights the importance of considering neosporosis in the differential diagnosis of cattle reproductive disorders and informing source attribution models for human toxoplasmosis.
Article
Parasitology
Marcus Truong, Jan Slapeta
Summary: Researchers optimized single-plex probe-based qPCR assays into a multiplexed qPCR panel to detect cyst-forming coccidia, specifically T. gondii and N. caninum. The multiplexed qPCR assay showed a high level of analytical sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 100 copies of target sequence synthetic DNA. This assay can be used for effective detection of parasite DNA in animal tissue for diagnostic purposes.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luisa Berna, Pablo Marquez, Andres Cabrera, Gonzalo Greif, Maria E. Francia, Carlos Robello
Summary: The study reveals errors in the assembly of the Neospora caninum genome and significant chromosomal rearrangements between Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, leading to a reduction in their karyotype. Additionally, more than 500 new genes were identified through reannotation of the Neospora caninum genome.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lei Ma, Shuai Li, Yongbin Zhang, Ziru Wen
Summary: The study revealed a higher seroprevalence of N. caninum in dairy cows in Hebei province, China, compared to previous data, and it is the first to detect T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies in the vast areas of Hebei province.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Bartova, Jirina Markova, Jana Sedlackova, Hana Band'ouchova, Karol Racka
Summary: In this study, wild bats were tested for the presence of selected parasites. The results showed that Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 1% of bats, while Neospora caninum was not found in any of the bats. Encephalitozoon spp. was detected in 25% of bats, including three different species. This is the first study to report a relatively high positivity of Encephalitozoon spp. in vespertilionid bats from Central Europe and worldwide.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jamal Gharekhani, Mohammad Yakhchali, Asghar Afshari, Maryam Adabi
Summary: The study conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Neospora, Toxoplasma, and Brucella infections in milk samples from dairy farms in Hamedan province, Iran for the first time. Results showed that milk quality was affected by infections. Control measures such as regulating animal age, herd size, and animal species, as well as health education and milk pasteurization, can help reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Article
Parasitology
Muhammad Tayyub, Shahzad Ali, Arshad Javid, Muhammad Imran
Summary: The study provides insights into the epidemiological pattern of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infection in rock pigeons in different regions of Punjab, Pakistan.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Ragab M. Fereig, Mosaab A. Omar, Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
Summary: Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are important protozoan diseases worldwide, and controlling these diseases is currently challenging. Understanding host-parasite interactions and host strategies to combat infections can aid in developing effective control measures, including vaccines. Macrophages and the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) play a crucial role in successful vaccine candidates. However, identifying potential vaccine candidates is a time-consuming process.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Stefhano Luis Candido, Maria Julia de Oliveira Rosa Fonseca, Richard de Campos Pacheco, Camila Goncalves de Campos, Thais Oliveira Morgado, Edson Moleta Colodel, Luciano Nakazato, Valeria Dutra
Summary: The study revealed a high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in neotropical primates, with instances of coinfection observed. These infections pose a threat to the survival of the animals and have implications for the conservation of endangered species.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ragab M. Fereig, Gamal Wareth, Hanan H. Abdelbaky, Amira M. Mazeed, Mohamed El-Diasty, Adel Abdelkhalek, Hassan Y. A. H. Mahmoud, Alsagher O. Ali, Abdelrahman El-tayeb, Abdullah F. Alsayeqh, Caroline F. Frey
Summary: Toxoplasmosis, neosporosis, and brucellosis are common diseases causing infectious abortion and economic losses in farm animals. The study in Egypt found the highest seroprevalence rate for T. gondii in sheep and goats, with only antibodies to Brucella spp. associated with recent abortion. These findings could guide the development of more efficient control measures.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jinfang Yang, Jingkai Ai, Tongsheng Qi, Xiaomin Ni, Zichun Xu, Liangting Guo, Yali Sun, Ying Li, Ming Kang, Jixu Li
Summary: This study establishes a record of the seroprevalence and molecular epidemiology of T. gondii and N. caninum infection in stray cats and dogs in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area. The results demonstrate the presence of both parasites in the tested animals and highlight the importance of stray cats and dogs in the transmission and prevalence of these infections.
Article
Parasitology
Jerzy M. Behnke, Michael T. Rogan, Philip S. Craig, Joseph A. Jackson, Geoff Hide
Summary: Helminth infections in wood mice trapped over a 26-year period in the woods surrounding Malham Tarn in North Yorkshire were analyzed, revealing a relatively depauperate helminth community in this population. The dominant species, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, showed significant declines in prevalence and abundance over the study period. Age effects were significant for various parameters, reflecting the accumulation of helminths with increasing host age.
Article
Parasitology
Jiang-Mei Gao, Si-Qi Yi, Guo-Qing Geng, Zhi-Shen Xu, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: This study investigated how co-infection with trypanosomes can influence Toxoplasma gondii infection in laboratory models. The results showed that rats or mice infected with trypanosomes exhibited varying levels of susceptibility to T. gondii infection, potentially modulating host immune responses to affect the outcome of the infection.
Article
Parasitology
Xiao-Li Cai, Weisi Wang, De-Hua Lai, Xuan Zhang, Junmin Yao, Yingfang Yu, Shizhu Li, Geoff Hide, Hongjin Bai, Liping Duan, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: The study evaluated the antitrypanosomal potential of a batch of carbazole aminoalcohol derivatives, with H1402 identified as the most effective compound. H1402 demonstrated potent trypanocidal efficacy against T. b. brucei, low cytotoxicity against mammalian cell lines, and complete clearance of T. b. brucei in a murine model of acute infection. Furthermore, H1402 showed promising results in eliminating T. evansi and T. equiperdum, suggesting it as a potential lead compound for new chemotherapeutics for animal trypanosomiasis.
Article
Parasitology
Bi-Xiu Su, Ju-Feng Wang, Ting-Bao Yang, Geoff Hide, De-Hua Lai, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: This study reports a new species of trypanosomes, named Trypanosoma bubalisi, isolated from the freshwater leech in Guangdong province, China. These trypanosomes show significant genetic differences from typical trypanosome strains and are identified as likely being mammalian trypanosomes. Blood composition analysis indicates that the blood meal source for these leeches is water buffalo. These findings suggest that freshwater leeches may serve as potential vectors for this new mammalian trypanosome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yun-Fu Chen, Li-Fu Liao, Na Wu, Jiang-Mei Gao, Peng Zhang, Yan-Zi Wen, Geoff Hide, De-Hua Lai, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: The study conducted an eleven-year survey in Xinjiang on Leishmania species, finding that Tarim hares may be the reservoir animal for desert type zoonotic VL (DT-ZVL).
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yun-Fu Chen, Si-Fei Yu, Chang-You Wu, Na Wu, Jia Shen, Juan Shen, Jiang-Mei Gao, Yan-Zi Wen, Geoff Hide, De-Hua Lai, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: Leishmania infection in humans can lead to varied clinical symptoms, with outcomes influenced by both host and parasite factors. While inbred mouse strains show resistance to Leishmania major but susceptibility to Leishmania amazonensis, rats are highly resistant to L. amazonensis. The Nos2 gene appears to play a crucial role in mediating this resistance, highlighting the importance of distinct macrophage properties in innate immunity to Leishmania infections.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xiao-Li Cai, Su-Jin Li, Peng Zhang, Ziyin Li, Geoff Hide, De-Hua Lai, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: This study generated a series of monomorphic trypanosome stocks by artificially syringe-passage in mice and compared them with naturally monomorphic trypanosomes. The results showed that laboratory-adapted monomorphic trypanosomes could still differentiate, while naturally monomorphic strains completely failed to differentiate. These findings provide new insights into the origin of naturally monomorphic strains and suggest potential risks associated with the malignant evolution of trypanosomes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ke Chen, Peng Zhang, Ting-Bao Yang, Yan-Zi Wen, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: Trypanosomes, a type of haemoflagellates found in vertebrates, can cause severe diseases and even death in infected hosts. The lack of effective treatment for fish trypanosomiasis is largely due to the limited understanding of these parasites. The Nile tilapia has been identified as a viable model for studying both marine and freshwater fish trypanosomes, providing valuable insights for potential vaccines and treatments.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jia Shen, Si-fei O. Yu, Mei Peng, De-Hua O. Lai, Geoff Hide, Zhong-Dao O. Wu, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: This study investigates the role of iNOS-derived nitric oxide in the immune system and immunopathological responses to Schistosoma japonicum infection in rats. The results demonstrate that iNOS deficiency weakens the immune response against the infection, leading to impaired T cell responses, altered cytokine patterns, and exacerbated fibrosis.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jiang-Mei Gao, Jun-Hua Rao, Zhi-Yuan Wei, Shou-Yue Xia, Li Huang, Ming-Tian Tang, Geoff Hide, Ting-Ting Zheng, Jia-Huan Li, Guo-An Zhao, Yun-Xiao Sun, Jian-Huan Chen
Summary: Metagenomic analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Megasphaera significantly increased in cynomolgus monkeys with tolerance to a high-fat diet, and transplantation of Megasphaera reduced blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemia rats.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ju-Feng Wang, Ruo-Hong Lin, Xuan Zhang, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: In this study, the complete assembly of the T. musculi maxicircle genome revealed high sequence identity with other trypanosomes, as well as novel gene insertions and deletions which question the role of Complex I in T. musculi. The detailed analysis of DRII suggests it could be a valuable marker for distinguishing T. musculi and T. lewisi.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Samir Djemai, Ouarda Ayadi, Daoudi Khelifi, Ines Bellil, Geoff Hide
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and species composition of Eimeria infection in chickens in northeastern Algeria. The results revealed a widespread presence of Eimeria infection in broiler farms, with multiple infections being common.
TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yan-Zi Wen, Hao-Tian Tang, Xiao-Li Cai, Na Wu, Jia-Zhen Xu, Bi-Xiu Su, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: In this study, PAG3 was identified as a key nuclear gene involved in the slender to stumpy differentiation pathway of Trypanosoma brucei in the mammalian host. The loss of this gene might explain the inability of T. evansi and some T. equiperdum to differentiate and the adaptation to transmission cycles that bypass the tsetse vector or mechanical contact.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenyan Wan, Hui Dong, De-Hua Lai, Jiong Yang, Kai He, Xiaoyan Tang, Qun Liu, Geoff Hide, Xing-Quan Zhu, L. David Sibley, Zhao-Rong Lun, Shaojun Long
Summary: The micropore is an essential organelle for the endocytosis of nutrients from the host cell cytosol and Golgi in Toxoplasma gondii. It requires the ceramide de novo synthesis pathway in the parasite for optimal activity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jia Shen, Siyu Zhao, Mei Peng, Yanguo Li, Lichao Zhang, Xiaoping Li, Yunyi Hu, Mingrou Wu, Suoyu Xiang, Xiaoying Wu, Jiahua Liu, Beibei Zhang, Zebin Chen, Datao Lin, Huanyao Liu, Wenyan Tang, Jun Chen, Xi Sun, Qi Liao, Geoff Hide, Zhijun Zhou, Zhao-Rong Lun, Zhongdao Wu
Summary: Schistosoma parasites exhibit host specificity in infection, and this study reveals that macrophages in Microtus fortis can attach to and kill schistosomula, providing insights into the host-parasite interactions and potential strategies for schistosomiasis control.
