Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Bintao Zhai, Shichen Xie, Junjie Peng, Yanhua Qiu, Yang Liu, Xingquan Zhu, Junjun He, Jiyu Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the glycosylation alterations in the small intestine of cats infected with Toxoplasma gondii and identified important glycosylated peptides and proteins related to the infection. The findings may provide a new target for Toxoplasma gondii detection and prevention.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Webster Leonardo Guimaraes da Costa, Isa Marianny Ferreira Nascimento Barbosa, Debora Pereira Gomes do Prado, Natalia Domann, Hanstter Hallison Alves Rezende
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review to understand the genetic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens, revealing 190 genotypes. The most frequent genotypes were ToxoDB #59 and #2 in America, #1 in Africa, and three atypical isolates from genotype ToxoDB #9 in Asia. The study highlights the necessity of further research in Continents such as Europe, Asia, and Oceania due to the lack of data in these regions.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yang Zou, Jin-Xin Meng, Xin-Yu Wei, Xiao-Yi Gu, Chao Chen, Hong-Li Geng, Li-Hua Yang, Xiao-Xuan Zhang, Hong-Wei Cao
Summary: This study investigated the changes in circRNA and miRNA expression in the livers of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The results showed significant alterations in circRNA and miRNA expression during acute and chronic infection stages. Functional annotation revealed the involvement of immune-related genes and liver disease metabolism pathways in the pathogenesis of hepatic toxoplasmosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meiqi Li, Xiaoyu Sang, Xiaohan Zhang, Xiang Li, Ying Feng, Na Yang, Tiantian Jiang
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii affects a significant portion of the human population and is detrimental to livestock and wildlife. Traditional drugs for treating T. gondii infection are inadequate, and novel drugs are not available. Lumefantrine, an antimalarial drug, has shown effectiveness against T. gondii but its mechanism of action is unknown.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Qian-qian Hua, Xue-jing Lin, Shi-peng Xiang, Li-ya Jiang, Jin-hao Cai, Jian-min Sun, Feng Tan, Ya-ni Mou
Summary: Two compounds, CGI-1746 and JH-II-127, showed inhibitory effects on Toxoplasma gondii. CGI-1746 inhibited the invasion, egress, and gliding abilities of the parasites, while JH-II-127 damaged the morphology of mitochondria. These findings lay the groundwork for future therapeutic strategies against T. gondii.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Kehui Zhu, Kun Liu, Junsi Huang, Xueqiong Weng, Qiaoyun Chen, Tianyu Gao, Kebing Chen, Chunxia Jing, Jing Wang, Guang Yang
Summary: This study found that Toxoplasma gondii infection is a risk factor for osteoporosis, especially compound osteoporosis. Further diagnosis and treatment of T. gondii infection, especially in women, are necessary for patients with osteoporosis.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel, Sergio Estrada-Martinez, Alma Rosa Perez-Alamos, Agar Ramos-Nevarez, Karina Botello-Calderon, Angel Osvaldo Alvarado-Felix, Raquel Vaquera-Enriquez, Gustavo Alexis Alvarado-Felix, Antonio Sifuentes-Alvarez, Carlos Alberto Guido-Arreola, Elizabeth Rabago-Sanchez, Leandro Saenz-Soto
Summary: This study determined the association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and insomnia. The results showed that individuals with insomnia had a higher prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies compared to those without insomnia. Men and individuals over the age of 50 were more susceptible to T. gondii infection-related insomnia.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guoping Li, Aidan C. Manning, Alex Bagi, Xinyu Yang, Priyanka Gokulnath, Michail Spanos, Jonathan Howard, Patricia P. Chan, Thadryan Sweeney, Robert Kitchen, Haobo Li, Brice D. Laurent, Sary F. Aranki, Maria Kontaridis, Louise C. Laurent, Kendall Van Keuren-Jensen, Jochen Muehlschlegel, Todd M. Lowe, Saumya Das
Summary: The study highlights the crucial role of transfer RNA-derived small RNAs in different stress responses and introduces a new sequencing technique for generating a comprehensive abundance landscape of cellular and extracellular tDRs. It also reveals that extracellular tDRs have distinct fragmentation signatures which are better indicators of different stress responses than miRNAs.
Article
Parasitology
Bintao Zhai, Jun-Jun He, Shi-Chen Xie, Yanhua Qiu, Zengqiang Miao, Yang Liu, Xing-Quan Zhu, Jiyu Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the changes in metabolites during early oocyst formation in the small intestine of cats infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Using untargeted metabolomics technology, potential metabolic biomarkers were identified for future diagnostic applications. The study provided new insights into oocyst development and identified metabolic pathways and markers associated with T. gondii infection.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hui Sun, Jin Li, Longjiang Wang, Kun Yin, Chao Xu, Gongzhen Liu, Ting Xiao, Bingcheng Huang, Qingkuan Wei, Maoqing Gong, Jianping Cao
Summary: The study used tandem mass tag analysis to investigate global proteomic changes in host cells and T. gondii during intracellular infection. It revealed that T. gondii invasion relies on the secretion of numerous secretory proteins, while in infected host cells, many known secretory proteins were significantly downregulated.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert D. Murphy, Tiantian Chen, Jianping Lin, Rongjun He, Li Wu, Caden R. Pearson, Savita Sharma, Carl D. Vander Kooi, Anthony P. Sinai, Zhong-Yin Zhang, Craig W. Vander Kooi, Matthew S. Gentry
Summary: This study provides insights into the functional aspects of T. gondii glucan phosphatase TgLaforin, revealing its unique structure and activity. The discovery of a small molecule inhibitor of TgLaforin catalytic activity opens up a new avenue for targeting T. gondii bradyzoite biology as a therapeutic strategy.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
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
Veterinary Sciences
Nadia Maria Lopez-Urena, Rafael Calero-Bernal, Angela Vazquez-Calvo, Roberto Sanchez-Sanchez, Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora, Gema Alvarez-Garcia
Summary: This study developed and validated two in-house tests for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii, and compared them with four commercial ELISA kits. The results showed that all the techniques were accurate enough, except for one commercial kit which showed lower specificity. The diagnostic performance of the tests improved with cutoff readjustment, and cross-reactivity with antibodies to Neospora caninum was observed in all tests.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
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
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hong You, Catherine A. Gordon, Skye R. MacGregor, Pengfei Cai, Donald P. McManus
Summary: CRISPR-Cas technology has accelerated the development of fast, accurate, and portable diagnostic tools, as demonstrated by its recent applications in COVID-19 diagnosis. The current diagnostic tests for worm infection are not sensitive enough and not suitable for use in low-endemic or resource-poor settings. Therefore, there is an urgent need for rapid, specific, sensitive, cost-effective, user-friendly diagnostic tools that do not require specialized equipment and expertise for the mapping and monitoring of helminthic diseases.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zahra Alizadeh, Mahmoud Mahami-Oskouei, Adel Spotin, Ehsan Ahmadpour, Pengfei Cai, Siamak Sandoghchian Shotorbani, Fariba Pashazadeh, Fereshteh Ansari, Hamed Mohammadi
Summary: In this systematic review, the presence of miRNAs in helminth parasites has been comprehensively summarized, and their potential applications in diagnosing and controlling parasitic infections have been discussed. Functional studies on miRNAs derived from helminth parasites have also been presented.
CURRENT MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bo Yang, Dongqiang Wang, Mingxiao Liu, Xiaodong Wu, Jigang Yin, Guan Zhu
Summary: The study aimed to generate host cells with resistance to specific anti-cryptosporidial drugs by transiently overexpressing the MDR1 gene. Results showed increased drug tolerance in host cells for certain compounds with varying effects on the anti-parasitic efficacy, highlighting the importance of understanding drug targets in parasite vs. host cells.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Pengfei Cai, Yi Mu, Donald P. McManus
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jiawen Nie, Jigang Yin, Dongqiang Wang, Chenchen Wang, Guan Zhu
Summary: Phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) catalyzes the conversion between glucose-1-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate in the glycolysis/glucogenesis pathway. The protozoan Cryptosporidium parasites possess two tandemly duplicated PGM1 genes, with one isoform expressed at different locations and playing a different biological role.
Article
Parasitology
Xiaohui Li, Jigang Yin, Dongqiang Wang, Xin Gao, Ying Zhang, Mingbo Wu, Guan Zhu
Summary: The study found that the GP900 protein is present in sporozoites and intracellular meronts, but absent in sexual stages. It is stored in the micronemes of sporozoites but enters the secretory pathway during excystation and invasion. GP900 is cleaved in the secretory pathway before reaching the extracellular space, implying its main role as a lubricant.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shun Li, Bikash R. Giri, Jingyi Liu, Xiaobing He, Pengfei Cai, Zhizhong Jing, Guofeng Cheng
Summary: The study investigated the microRNA profiles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from host plasma at different stages of Schistosoma japonicum infection, revealing a correlation between the abundance of miRNA cargo in host plasma EVs and the stages of infection. These miRNAs may play a role in the pathogenesis and immune regulation of schistosomiasis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yi Mu, Catherine A. Gordon, Remigio M. Olveda, Allen G. Ross, David U. Olveda, Jessica M. Marsh, Donald P. McManus, Pengfei Cai
Summary: This study identified a linear B-cell epitope on SjSAP4, a recognized immunodiagnostic biomarker for schistosomiasis japonica, and validated its potential as a component of a multi-epitope assay for the serological diagnosis of schistosomiasis. The findings showed that the multi-epitope assay had high sensitivity and specificity, providing a new method for the serological diagnosis of schistosomiasis.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Hong You, Malcolm K. Jones, Catherine A. Gordon, Alexa E. Arganda, Pengfei Cai, Harry Al-Wassiti, Colin W. Pouton, Donald P. McManus
Summary: Despite long-term efforts, developing effective vaccines against parasitic infections has been challenging due to the complexity of parasite life cycles and their interactions with hosts. Traditional vaccine platforms have proven unsuitable for many parasitic diseases. A new wave of research using mRNA vaccines is anticipated to advance the prevention of parasitic infections.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yueyang Yan, Xin Bao, Bohua Chen, Ying Li, Jigang Yin, Guan Zhu, Qiushi Li
Summary: This study analyzes the oral microbiome data to reveal microbial features associated with oral diseases. It demonstrates the feasibility of preventing oral diseases through lifestyle interventions and provides a reference method for individualized medicine.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yi Mu, Kosala G. Weerakoon, Remigio M. Olveda, Allen G. Ross, Donald P. McManus, Pengfei Cai
Summary: The current study developed a urine-based ELISA assay for the screening of Schistosoma japonicum infection and compared its diagnostic performance with other commonly used methods. The urine ELISA assay showed moderate sensitivity and specificity for the detection of S. japonicum infection, but its diagnostic performance was less robust compared to other methods.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yi Mu, Donald P. McManus, Catherine A. Gordon, Hong You, Allen G. Ross, Remigio M. Olveda, Pengfei Cai
Summary: A novel gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) was developed for the detection of Schistosoma japonicum infection and showed high sensitivity and specificity. It can serve as a rapid, easy-to-use, and field-friendly diagnostic tool for on-site surveillance/screening of S. japonicum infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oyime P. Aula, Donald P. McManus, Malcolm K. Jones, Hong You, Pengfei Cai, Catherine A. Gordon
Summary: The DNA dipstick combined with LAMP has the potential for cost-effective, simple and accurate detection of schistosomiasis infection, contributing to control and eventual elimination of the disease.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Skye R. MacGregor, Donald P. McManus, Haran Sivakumaran, Thomas G. Egwang, Moses Adriko, Pengfei Cai, Catherine A. Gordon, Mary G. Duke, Juliet D. French, Natasha Collinson, Remigio M. Olveda, Gunter Hartel, Carlos Graeff-Teixeira, Malcolm K. Jones, Hong You
Summary: The study developed a CRISPR-based diagnostic platform called SHERLOCK for the detection of Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni. This platform has the characteristics of high sensitivity, specificity, cost-effectiveness, and portability. By testing animal and human samples, it demonstrated the potential of this platform for rapid and accurate diagnosis and surveillance of parasitic neglected tropical diseases.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yi Mu, Jonas Rivera, Donald P. Mcmanus, Kosala G. Weerakoon, Allen G. Ross, Remigio M. Olveda, Catherine A. Gordon, Hong You, Malcolm K. Jones, Pengfei Cai
Summary: This study validates the diagnostic performance of a newly developed gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) for detecting S. japonicum infection in a rural endemic area of the Philippines. The GICA showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting positive individuals compared to other diagnostic tools. The study suggests that GICA can be a valuable tool for surveying low-intensity schistosomiasis and identifying high-priority endemic areas for targeted interventions.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
