Article
Microbiology
Mercedes Fernandez-Escobar, Federica Giorda, Virgina Mattioda, Tania Audino, Fabio Di Nocera, Giuseppe Lucifora, Katia Varello, Carla Grattarola, Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora, Cristina Casalone, Rafael Calero-Bernal
Summary: This study investigated the genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii strains in stranded dolphins found in the Mediterranean coastlines of Italy. The results showed that dolphins were mainly infected with ToxoDB#3 and #2 genotypes.
Article
Parasitology
Riam Sadooni, Hassan Rezanezhad, Kavos Solhjoo, Mohsen Kalantari, Behrad Pourmohammadi, Saiedeh Erfanian, Belal Armand, Masoud Esmi Jahromi
Summary: This study aimed to genotype Toxoplasma gondii strains from slaughtered goats in Jahrom, showing the presence of different genotypes including three major and mixed genotypes. The diaphragm was found to be the most disposed organ to infection, with type I being the most frequent genotype. These results can be useful for the control and prevention of toxoplasmosis.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2022)
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
Fisheries
Nelmarie Landrau-Giovannetti, Thomas B. Waltzek, Natalia Lopez-Orozco, Chunlei Su, David Rotstein, Gregg Levine, Thais C. S. Rodrigues, Ilse Silva-Krott, Conner Humann, Kristi West
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii poses a significant threat to endangered Hawaiian wildlife, including birds and marine mammals. This study investigated the prevalence of T. gondii in stranded cetaceans in Hawai'i and identified a novel genotype. The findings highlight the potential risk of mortality from this parasite in nearshore species like spinner dolphins, with potential transmission through sewage systems, storm water drainage, and freshwater runoff.
DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Eman A. A. Hassanen, Dennis N. Makau, Mohamed Afifi, Omar A. Al-Jabr, Mohammed Abdulrahman Alshahrani, Ahmed Saif, Reham G. A. Anter, Wafaa M. El-Neshwy, Doaa Ibrahim, Rasha M. M. Abou Elez
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of hygienic and cat management practices on the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats and their owners in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate T. gondii infection in 80 pregnant women and 29 domestic cats. Drinking raw milk and contacting stray and pet cats were significantly associated with higher odds of T. gondii infection. Not washing hands after contact with cats increased the likelihood of T. gondii infection by 6 times.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Charalampos Attipa, Christos Yiapanis, Severine Tasker, Anastasia Diakou
Summary: The study found that 32.3% of cats in Cyprus were infected with T. gondii, with factors such as feline immunodeficiency virus and lack of vaccination history being associated with seropositivity. This research highlights the importance of raising public awareness to prevent infection in animals and humans.
Article
Parasitology
Anamaria Ioana Pastiu, Viorica Mircean, Aurelien Mercier, Karine Passebosc-Faure, Nicolas Plault, Marie-Laure Darde, Radu Blaga, Isabelle Villena, Dana Liana Pusta, Anamaria Cozma-Petrut, Adriana Gyoerke
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep in Romania and successfully isolated the infective strains. The results showed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and lambs, highlighting the significant risk of human infection through consuming raw or undercooked sheep/lamb meat.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ningbo Xia, Nuo Ji, Longjiao Li, Yuan Huang, Congshan Yang, Xuefang Guo, Qinghong Guo, Bang Shen, Lihua Xiao, Yaoyu Feng
Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in cats across China. The study found higher infection rates in Sichuan, Chongqing, and Hunan, and reported the seroprevalence in Qinghai, Anhui, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia for the first time. Age and lifestyle (stray or pet) of cats were identified as risk factors for T. gondii infection.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Claudia Patricia Rico-Torres, Luis Fernando Valenzuela-Moreno, Hector Luna-Pasten, Carlos Cedillo-Pelaez, Dolores Correa, Elizabeth Morales-Salinas, Jose Juan Martinez-Maya, Bruna Farias Alves, Hilda Fatima Jesus Pena, Heriberto Caballero-Ortega
Summary: Genotyping and virulence studies of Toxoplasma gondii strains from different animal species in Mexico revealed six different genotypes, seven microsatellite genotypes, and three different allele combinations of virulence markers. The study also highlighted the high genetic diversity of T. gondii in Mexico and predicted high virulence in some isolates in mice.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Niuping Zhu, Liulu Yang, Shilin Xin, Wei Huang, Yibao Jiang, Yurong Yang
Summary: This study evaluated T. gondii infections in dogs from central China, finding that 4.40% of dogs were seropositive for T. gondii and 4.10% of dog feces contained T. gondii DNA. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in dogs significantly declined from 2020 to 2021 compared to previous years. Dogs from Zhoukou City or from pet shops showed significantly higher prevalence for T. gondii compared to other sources.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Luciana Regina Meireles, Elizama Carneiro Machado Bezerra, Joelma Queiroz Andrade, Larissa Aparecida Cassiano, Hilda Fatima Jesus Pena, Bruna Farias Alves, Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco, Heitor Franco de Andrade Jr
Summary: In this study, two T. gondii strains were isolated and characterized from severe cases of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil. The study identified a new non-archetypal virulent genotype, as well as the association of a known genotype with acute toxoplasmosis in humans. These findings highlight the importance of non-archetypal genotypes in the severity of human congenital toxoplasmosis and contribute to the understanding of T. gondii diversity in Brazil.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Bintao Zhai, Yu-Meng Meng, Shi-Chen Xie, Jun-Jie Peng, Yang Liu, Yanhua Qiu, Lu Wang, Jiyu Zhang, Jun-Jun He
Summary: This study investigates the impact of Toxoplasma gondii infection on protein phosphorylation in cat intestinal epithelial cells. The results show extensive changes in phosphorylation levels and highlight the involvement of phosphorylated proteins in cellular processes such as actin cytoskeleton reorganization, cell necroptosis, and MHC immune processes.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Tahereh Mikaeili Galeh, Shahabeddin Sarvi, Seyed Abdollah Hosseini, Ahmad Daryani
Summary: Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a common food-borne infection in humans. In rodent populations, atypical genotypes are dominant, while clonal strains circulate with low genetic diversity in this mammal species.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Afsaneh Amouei, Shahabeddin Sarvi, Azadeh Mizani, Mohammad Bagher Hashemi-Soteh, Saeid Salehi, Javad Javidnia, Seyed Abdollah Hosseini, Fateme Amuei, Ahad Alizadeh, Shafigheh Shabanzade, Sara Gholami, Ahmad Daryani
Summary: This study investigated the genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in intermediate host animals in Mazandaran Province, Iran. The results revealed the presence of different genotypes and a high prevalence of T. gondii in ruminants and birds, suggesting their potential role in transmitting the parasite to humans through meat consumption. The identification of genotypes also indicates a higher genetic diversity and local environmental contamination. These findings have important implications for public health strategies in preventing and controlling infection.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Linding Xie, Yien Xing, Jun Yang, Min Liu, Yihong Cai
Summary: This study observed the changes in cardiac functions after T. gondii infection and assessed the damage caused by reactivation. The results showed that cardiac functions were impaired in acute and reactivation groups, with myocardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction occurring in the chronic stage. Reactivation infection exacerbated cardiac damage and was associated with macrophage activation, myocardial fibrosis, and impaired antioxidant capacity.
Article
Parasitology
Gunita Deksne, Maira Mateusa, Svetlana Cvetkova, Alina Derbakova, Dace Keida, Karin Troell, Gereon Schares
Summary: The epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in Latvia was investigated by testing fecal samples from 926 animals. The study found the presence of various Cryptosporidium species and subtypes, with higher prevalence in young calves and lower prevalence in older animals. Prolonged period of milk feeding significantly reduced the probability of diarrhea associated with Cryptosporidium infection in cattle.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Mercedes Fernandez-Escobar, Gereon Schares, Pavlo Maksimov, Maike Joeres, Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora, Rafael Calero-Bernal
Summary: This study aims to summarize the distribution of genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in Europe and emphasizes the need for standardized, high-end typing tools and integrative strategies to fill the existing knowledge gaps.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
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
Microbiology
Claude Saegerman, Julien Evrard, Jean-Yves Houtain, Jean-Pierre Alzieu, Juana Bianchini, Serge Eugene Mpouam, Gereon Schares, Emmanuel Lienard, Philippe Jacquiet, Luca Villa, Gema Alvarez-Garcia, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Arcangelo Gentile, Laurent Delooz
Summary: This study aims to identify the drivers of emergence of BB in cattle in Europe and develop a scoring system for ranking them. Through expert elicitation and analysis, the top seven most important drivers have been determined, providing important insights for future research and policy-making.
Article
Virology
Jacqueline King, Christoph Staubach, Christiane Lueder, Susanne Koethe, Anne Guenther, Lina Stacker, Dennis Rubbenstroth, Klaas Dietze, Christian Grund, Franz J. Conraths, Timm Harder, Martin Beer, Anne Pohlmann
Summary: During autumn/winter in 2016-2017 and 2020-2021, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses caused severe outbreaks in Germany and Europe. Through whole-genome sequencing and epidemiological outbreak investigations, the researchers identified potential entry sources and interconnections between outbreaks in poultry holdings and wild birds. The study highlights the importance of poultry holdings as a source of new genetic variants and reassortants and recommends the use of whole-genome sequencing as a standard tool for molecular epidemiology analysis of avian influenza outbreaks.
Article
Parasitology
Johanna Kauter, Filip Damek, Gereon Schares, Radu Blaga, Franziska Schott, Peter Deplazes, Xaver Sidler, Walter Basso
Summary: This study assessed the feasibility of diagnosing T. gondii infections in pigs using an indirect ELISA kit adapted for oral fluid (OF) samples (OF-ELISA). The results showed that OF-ELISA exhibited high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity in detecting T. gondii antibodies in pigs. Therefore, OF-ELISA may serve as a noninvasive screening tool for detecting pig groups with high exposure to T. gondii at the farm level.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Michael Richter, Katja Schulz, Tobias Elflein, Jens Achterberg, Edvins Olsevskis, Martins Serzants, Kristine Lamberga, Franz Josef Conraths, Carola Sauter-Louis
Summary: African swine fever (ASF) first emerged in Latvia in 2014 and then in Saxony, Germany in 2020. The virus was most likely introduced by infected wild boar from neighboring countries. The control measures for ASF differed between the two regions due to the lack of a developed strategy in Latvia. Comparing the ASF epidemic in Saxony and Latvia, it was found that Saxony had a lower prevalence of ASF virus-positive wild boar, indicating better preparation and control strategies.
Review
Microbiology
Filip Damek, Arno Swart, Helga Waap, Pikka Jokelainen, Delphine Le Roux, Gunita Deksne, Huifang Deng, Gereon Schares, Anna Lunden, Gema Alvarez-Garcia, Martha Betson, Rebecca K. Davidson, Adriana Gyorke, Daniela Antolova, Zuzana Hurnikova, Henk J. Wisselink, Jacek Sroka, Joke W. B. van der Giessen, Radu Blaga, Marieke Opsteegh
Summary: This study estimated the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in various animal host species and found that infected animal meat is a major source of infections in Europe. Prevalence estimates varied based on species, regions, rearing conditions, and detection methods used. The highest seroprevalence was observed in Eastern Europe, while the lowest was in Northern Europe. These findings can be used to extrapolate data to areas with limited information and provide valuable inputs for future studies on the sources of T. gondii human infection.
Article
Microbiology
Radu Blaga, Virginie Fabres, Vincent Leynaud, Jean-Jacques Fontaine, Edouard Reyes-Gomez, Amaury Briand, Odile Crosaz, Isabelle Lagrange, Amandine Blaizot, Delphine Le Roux, Veronica Risco Castillo, Pavlo Maksimov, Jacques Guillot, Jens Peter Teifke, Gereon Schares
Summary: Dogs and cats under long-term immunosuppressive therapy may suffer from various diseases, mainly immune mediated, and require immunosuppressive drugs. However, these treatments can cause adverse effects due to drug toxicity or immune suppression and associated opportunistic infections. This article presents an unknown association of Toxoplasma gondii and Alternaria fungus within cutaneous lesions in a dog undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Diagnosis of such infections is challenging, as clinical signs are not specific, and further laboratory confirmation is needed. Therefore, it is recommended that dogs and cats undergo serologic testing for toxoplasmosis or neosporosis before immunosuppressive therapy and receive regular dermatological evaluations during the treatment.
Article
Infectious Diseases
M. Joeres, G. Cardron, K. Passebosc-Faure, N. Plault, M. Fernandez-Escobar, C. M. Hamilton, L. O'Brien-Anderson, R. Calero-Bernal, L. Galal, C. Luttermann, P. Maksimov, F. J. Conraths, M. L. Darde, L. M. Ortega-Mora, P. Jokelainen, A. Mercier, G. Schares
Summary: A ring trial was conducted among five European laboratories to ensure consistency in microsatellite (MS) typing of Toxoplasma gondii. The trial compared typing results, focusing on effects of DNA concentration and polymorphic fingerprinting markers. Methodological variations and differences in fragment length determination were identified, highlighting the need for harmonization in MS typing. The study provides guidelines for optimizing this technique in interlaboratory comparisons.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Janine Rietz, Suzanne T. S. van Beeck Calkoen, Nicolas Ferry, Jens Schlueter, Helena Wehner, Karl-Heinz Schindlatz, Tomas Lackner, Christian von Hoermann, Franz J. Conraths, Jorg Mueller, Marco Heurich
Summary: Because animal carcasses often serve as reservoirs for pathogens, their location and removal are crucial in controlling the spread of diseases. Recent studies have shown that infrared sensors can be used to locate animal carcasses, but little is known about the factors influencing detection success. In this study, we investigated the potential of infrared technology to locate wild boar carcasses, as they play an important role in the spread of African swine fever. Our results showed that the thermal camera accurately measured carcass temperature and that the probability of finding carcasses was influenced by environmental and carcass conditions such as habitat type, air temperature, canopy openness, and decomposition stage.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Anna Michelitsch, Valerie Allendorf, Franz Josef Conraths, Joern Gethmann, Jana Schulz, Kerstin Wernike, Nicolai Denzin
Summary: On a global scale, SARS-CoV-2 poses a serious threat to human health and can also infect companion animals. A study in Germany found that 42.5% of cats and 56.8% of dogs from households with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases tested positive for antibodies. Risk factors for cats included the number of infected humans in the household and high contact intensity, while contact with humans outside the household was protective. For dogs, contact outside the household was a risk factor, but reduced contact after human infection was known provided significant protection. There was no significant association between clinical signs in animals and antibody status, and no spatial clustering of positive test results was found.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elodie Wielgus, Alisa Klamm, Franz J. Conraths, Carsten F. Dormann, Maik Henrich, Franz Kronthaler, Marco Heurich
Summary: This study proposes a new method based on animal movement to assess the optimal size of restricted zones for controlling infectious diseases in wildlife after an outbreak. The researchers use first-passage time analysis and Cox proportional hazard models to calculate and compare the risk of animal movement in different-sized areas. The results show that the risk of leaving an area decreases exponentially with increasing radius size and the probability of leaving increases exponentially with time, with different effects of season and sex on the risk.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Lisa Rogoll, Ann-Kathrin Guettner, Katja Schulz, Hannes Bergmann, Christoph Staubach, Franz J. Conraths, Carola Sauter-Louis
Summary: African swine fever (ASF) has shown seasonal patterns in both domestic pigs and wild boar in affected European countries, with domestic pigs experiencing a peak in summer and wild boar showing peaks in both winter and summer, influenced by wild boar population dynamics and seasonality in pig farming.
Article
Parasitology
Walter Basso, Fabienne Holenweger, Gereon Schares, Norbert Mueller, Lucia M. Campero, Flurin Ardueser, Gaia Moore-Jones, Caroline F. Frey, Patrik Zanolari
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in Switzerland and found a high prevalence of T. gondii and a relatively low prevalence of N. caninum infections in sheep and goats. Furthermore, it suggests that consumption of undercooked meat from T. gondii infected sheep and goats may pose a risk to public health.
FOOD AND WATERBORNE PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
