Cryptosporidium mortiferum, a parasite transmitted by squirrels, is beginning to spread in Europe. C. mortiferum was detected in a symptomatic human. A 44-year-old man from the Czech Republic suffered from gastroenteritis characterized by abdominal pain, nausea, and loose stools. Molecular analyses confirmed the XIVaA20G2T1 subtype in the patient's stool. At the same time, the same subtype of C. mortiferum was detected in three red squirrels and two ground squirrels in the area where the patient lived. The intensity of the infection was significantly higher in the red squirrels that died, while the ground squirrels showed no symptoms. The results of the study indicate that red squirrels and ground squirrels are the reservoirs for the infection.
- MeSH
- Cryptosporidium * izolace a purifikace genetika klasifikace MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- feces * parazitologie MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- gastroenteritida parazitologie veterinární MeSH
- kryptosporidióza * parazitologie epidemiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Sciuridae * parazitologie MeSH
- zdroje nemoci parazitologie MeSH
- zoonózy * parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated in vitro antigiardial activity in four Indonesian plants (Archidendron fagifolium, Diospyros sumatrana, Piper betle and Shorea sumatrana) extracted in methanol, methanol-tetrahydrofuran, and water. These plants exhibiting promising anti-parasitic activity were selected on the basis of collected behavioral data and their ability to decrease parasite load in Sumatran orangutans. Extracts of Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant routinely used as a laboratory model in research, were used as a negative control. METHODS: Plant extracts of different concentrations (400, 100, 25 and 6.25 μg/ml) and metronidazole (100 μg/ml), a standard giardicidal drug, were incubated with 25,000 trophozoites per milliliter of growth medium in 12-well tissue culture plates under anaerobic conditions for 72 h. Cultures were counted in a hemocytometer using a light microscope and then statistically evaluated. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was determined by the MTT Cell Viability Assay. RESULTS: We recorded a statistically-significant decrease in giardia trophozoites in two extracts: the methanolic extract of A. fagifolium (Kruskal-Wallis: p = 0.013) and the aqueous extract of P. betle (Kruskal-Wallis: p = 0.002). Effective concentrations of 400 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml, respectively, were revealed. Cytotoxicity was not demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that extracts of A. fagifolium and P. betle have potential as an alternative treatment of G. intestinalis infection. This is the first scientific proof of the biological activity of A. fagifolium, confirming the assumption that orangutans use this plant (as well as P. betle) for self-medication.
- MeSH
- antiprotozoální látky farmakologie MeSH
- Giardia lamblia * účinky léků MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty * farmakologie MeSH
- trofozoiti účinky léků MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Indonésie MeSH
We retrospectively analyzed of 211 frozen cerebrospinal fluid samples from immunocompetent persons in the Czech Republic and detected 6 Encephalitozoon cuniculi-positive samples. Microsporidiosis is generally underestimated and patients are not usually tested for microsporidia, but latent infection in immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients can cause serious complications if not detected and treated.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi * izolace a purifikace genetika MeSH
- encephalitozoonóza * mozkomíšní mok mikrobiologie epidemiologie MeSH
- imunokompetence MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Total joint arthroplasty is a commonly used surgical procedure in orthopedics. Revision surgeries are required in >10% of patients mainly because of prosthetic joint infection caused by bacteria or aseptic implant loosening caused by chronic inflammation. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidium, an obligate intracellular parasite, capable of exploiting migrating proinflammatory immune cells for dissemination within the host. We used molecular detection methods to evaluate the incidence of E. cuniculi among patients who had total hip or knee arthroplasty revision. Out of 49 patients, E. cuniculi genotypes I, II, or III were confirmed in joint samples from 3 men and 2 women who had implant loosening. Understanding the risks associated with the presence of microsporidia in periprosthetic joint infections is essential for proper management of arthroplasty. Furthermore, E. cuniculi should be considered a potential contributing cause of joint inflammation and arthrosis.
- MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi * genetika MeSH
- encephalitozoonóza * epidemiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Microsporidia * genetika MeSH
- zánět MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal-related deaths in children, especially in resource-poor settings. It also targets the immunocompromised, chronically infecting people living with HIV and primary immunodeficiencies. There is no vaccine or effective treatment. Although it is known from human cases and animal models that CD4+ T cells play a role in curbing Cryptosporidium, the role of CD8+ T cells remains to be defined. Using a Cryptosporidium tyzzeri mouse model, we show that gut-resident CD8+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) confer resistance to parasite growth. CD8+ IELs express and depend on the ligand-dependent transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). AHR deficiency reduces CD8+ IELs, decreases their cytotoxicity, and worsens infection. Transfer of CD8+ IELs rescues severely immunodeficient mice from death following Cryptosporidium challenge. Finally, dietary supplementation of the AHR pro-ligand indole-3-carbinol in newborn mice promotes resistance to infection. Therefore, common dietary metabolites augment the host immune response to cryptosporidiosis, protecting against disease.
Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1910 is one of the most common protistan parasites of vertebrates. The results of this study provide the first data on Cryptosporidium diversity in the European ground squirrel Spermophilus citellus (Linnaeus). A total of 128 faecal samples of European ground squirrels from 39 localities in the Czech Republic were analysed for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. by microscopy and PCR/sequence analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU) and the actin gene. While the microscopical examination did not reveal the presence of any Cryptosporidium oocysts, eight samples from six localities were PCR-positive. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of five different Cryptosporidium spp. isolates. Four isolates, designated as Cryptosporidium sp. isolate Sc01-04, detected in wild populations and never recorded before, clustered closely to Cryptosporidium genotypes that have previously been found in North American ground squirrels' species. Cryptosporidium sciurinum Prediger, Ježková, Holubová, Sak, Konečný, Rost, McEvoy, Rajský et Kváč, 2021 was found in an animal sanctuary. Because C. sciurinum had previously been detected in Eurasian red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus at the same facility, it can be concluded that this Cryptosporidium was transmitted from tree squirrels to ground squirrels within the animal sanctuary. The results indicate that populations of European and North American ground squirrels are parasitised by different Cryptosporidium spp. At the same time, this is the first description of the occurrence of C. sciurinum in ground squirrels.
- MeSH
- Cryptosporidium * MeSH
- feces parazitologie MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- kryptosporidióza * epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- Sciuridae parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Severní Amerika MeSH
A total of 1,724 beef and 2,941 dairy cattle older than one year from 66 beef and 67 dairy farms in the Czech Republic were examined for the presence of rumen and liver fluke eggs in 2019-2022. Out of 227 positive animals, all were positive for paramphistome and five for fasciolid eggs. Molecular analysis of the ITS2 rDNA revealed the presence of Calicophoron daubneyi (Dinnik, 1962) and Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758. Faecal egg count (FEC) showed low infection intensity (12 EPG) in animals infected with F. hepatica and high variability in C. daubneyi infections (2-589 EPG). Efficacy of oxyclozanide, albendazole, ivermectin, and closantel against C. daubneyi infection was evaluated at eight beef cattle herds. Faecal samples were collected from all positive animals at 0 and 21days post-treatment. Based on FEC, albendazole, ivermectin and closantel reduced the number of C. daubneyi eggs shed by 0-9.9%, with no effect on the number of infected animals. The use of oxyclozanide on two beef farms showed 100% efficacy against C. daubneyi and F. hepatica. Follow-up examination 5-6 months after drug application showed reinfection of most animals with C. daubneyi, but the FEC was significantly lower. The finding of four dairy cows infected with C. daubneyi housed in a stable without pasture suggests the possibility of the infection being introduced through roughage.
- MeSH
- albendazol MeSH
- Fasciola hepatica * genetika MeSH
- feces MeSH
- infekce červy třídy Trematoda * epidemiologie veterinární MeSH
- ivermektin terapeutické užití MeSH
- oxyklozanid MeSH
- Paramphistomatidae * genetika MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- skot MeSH
- Trematoda * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- skot MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Microsporidia are pathogenic organism related to fungi. They cause infections in a wide variety of mammals as well as in avian, amphibian, and reptilian hosts. Many microsporidia species play an important role in the development of serious diseases that have significant implications in human and veterinary medicine. While microsporidia were originally considered to be opportunistic pathogens in humans, it is now understood that infections also occur in immune competent humans. Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are primarily mammalian pathogens. However, many other species of microsporidia that have some other primary host that is not a mammal have been reported to cause sporadic mammalian infections. Experimental models and observations in natural infections have demonstrated that microsporidia can cause a latent infection in mammalian hosts. This chapter reviews the published studies on mammalian microsporidiosis and the data on chronic infections due to these enigmatic pathogens.
- MeSH
- Enterocytozoon * MeSH
- feces mikrobiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Microsporidia * genetika MeSH
- perzistentní infekce MeSH
- savci MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Background: Microsporidia of the genus Encephalitozoon are usually associated with severe infections in immunodeficient hosts while, in immunocompetent ones, microsporidiosis produces minimal clinically apparent disease. Despite their microscopic size, microsporidia are capable of causing systemic infection within a few days. However, the mechanisms by which microsporidia reach target tissues during acute infection remain unclear. Out of four genotypes of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, only three are available for experimental studies, with E. cuniculi genotype II being the best characterized. Methods: In the present study, we tested the association between inflammation induction in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice and the presence of spores of E. cuniculi genotypes I and III in selected organs using molecular methods and compared the results with previously published data on E. cuniculi genotype II. Results: We reported the positive connection between inflammation induction and the significant increase of E. cuniculi genotypes I and III occurrence in inflammatory foci in both immunocompetent BALB/c and immunodeficient severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice in the acute phase of infection. The induction of inflammation resulted in increased concentration of E. cuniculi of both genotypes in the site of inflammation, as previously reported for E. cuniculi genotype II. Moreover, our study extended the spectrum of differences among E. cuniculi genotypes by the variations in dispersal rate within host bodies after experimentally induced inflammation. Conclusion: The results imply possible involvement of immune cells serving as vehicles transporting E. cuniculi towards inflammation foci. The elucidation of possible connection with pro-inflammatory immune responses represents an important challenge with implications for human health and the development of therapeutic strategies.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Studies on the pathogenesis and immune responses of Cryptosporidium infection and development of drugs and vaccines use mostly immunocompromised mouse models. In this study, we establish an immunocompetent mouse model of cryptosporidiosis with high intensity and long duration of infection. METHODS: We have obtained a Cryptosporidium tyzzeri isolate from laboratory mice, and infect adult C57BL/6 J mice experimentally with the isolate for determinations of infectivity, infection patterns, pathological changes, and transcriptomic responses. RESULTS: The isolate has an ID50 of 5.2 oocysts, with oocyst shedding lasting at high levels for >2 months. The oocyst shedding is boosted by immunosuppression of animals and suppressed by paromomycin treatment. The isolate induces strong inflammatory and acquired immune responses, but down-regulates the expression of α-defensins in epithelium. Comparative genomics analysis has revealed significant sequence differences from other isolates in subtelomeric genes. The down-regulation of the expression of α-defensins may be responsible for the high-intensity and long-lasting infection in this animal model. CONCLUSIONS: The immunocompetent mouse model of cryptosporidiosis developed has the advantages of high oocyst shedding intensity and long oocyst shedding duration. It provides an effective mechanism for the propagation of Cryptosporidium, evaluations of potential therapeutics, and studies of pathogen biology and immune responses.
- MeSH
- alfa-defensiny * MeSH
- Cryptosporidium parvum * MeSH
- Cryptosporidium * fyziologie MeSH
- feces MeSH
- kryptosporidióza * patologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
- myši MeSH
- oocysty MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
