PURPOSE: A new high-resolution next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based method was established to type closely related European type II Toxoplasma gondii strains. METHODS: T. gondii field isolates were collected from different parts of Europe and assessed by whole genome sequencing (WGS). In comparison to ME49 (a type II reference strain), highly polymorphic regions (HPRs) were identified, showing a considerable number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). After confirmation by Sanger sequencing, 18 HPRs were used to design a primer panel for multiplex PCR to establish a multilocus Ion AmpliSeq typing method. Toxoplasma gondii isolates and T. gondii present in clinical samples were typed with the new method. The sensitivity of the method was tested with serially diluted reference DNA samples. RESULTS: Among type II specimens, the method could differentiate the same number of haplotypes as the reference standard, microsatellite (MS) typing. Passages of the same isolates and specimens originating from abortion outbreaks were identified as identical. In addition, seven different genotypes, two atypical and two recombinant specimens were clearly distinguished from each other by the method. Furthermore, almost all SNPs detected by the Ion AmpliSeq method corresponded to those expected based on WGS. By testing serially diluted DNA samples, the method exhibited a similar analytical sensitivity as MS typing. CONCLUSION: The new method can distinguish different T. gondii genotypes and detect intra-genotype variability among European type II T. gondii strains. Furthermore, with WGS data additional target regions can be added to the method to potentially increase typing resolution.
- MeSH
- genetická variace MeSH
- genotyp MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- multiplexová polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
- polymorfismus délky restrikčních fragmentů MeSH
- protozoální DNA genetika MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- Toxoplasma * genetika MeSH
- vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- těhotenství MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Equine neosporosis is an intracellular protozoan disease with a global distribution, affecting a diverse range of warm-blooded animals. Neospora caninum Dubey, Carpenter, Speer, Topper et Uggla, 1988 is associated with foetal loss, neurological disease and abortion in equids. No information was available regarding equine N. caninum infection among equids in Iraq. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of N. caninum in equines by using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). A total of 329 blood samples randomly selected from equines, comprising 268 horses and 61 donkeys were examined. The seroprevalence rate of N. caninum was determined as 46% (28/61) for donkeys and 24% (64/268) for horses. The prevalence of N. caninum indicated a significantly higher risk of infection in donkeys compared to horses (P < 0.001). However, the odds of N. caninum infection in draught equids were 8.2 times greater than other equids with a significant difference (P < 0.001). The current study revealed no significant differences in the prevalence of N. caninum across various genders, breeds, clinical statuses, disease histories and among equids that had contact with dogs. While outdoor feeding and mixed (grazing), showed a significant difference (P = 0.003) and (P = 0.75), respectively, in the presence of antibodies against N. caninum compared to indoor feeding (stable). Moreover, the odds of infection in equids with a history of late abortion were 4.8 times higher than those without such a history of abortion (2.20-10.56) with statistical significance (P < 0.001).
- MeSH
- ELISA * veterinární MeSH
- Equidae * parazitologie MeSH
- kokcidióza * veterinární epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- koně MeSH
- nemoci koní * epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- Neospora * izolace a purifikace MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- protilátky protozoální krev MeSH
- séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Irák MeSH
In this review, I take the first-person perspective of a neuroscientist interested in Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908). I reflect on the value of behavioural manipulation as a perturbation tool to understand the organisation of behaviour within the brain. Toxoplasma gondii infection reduces the aversion of rats to the olfactory cues of cat presence. This change in behaviour is one of the often-discussed exemplars of host-parasite coevolution, culminating in the manipulation of the host behaviour for the benefit of the parasite. Such coevolution also means that we can use host-parasite systems as tools to derive fundamental insights about the host brain itself.
- MeSH
- chování zvířat * fyziologie MeSH
- interakce hostitele a parazita * MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Toxoplasma * fyziologie MeSH
- toxoplazmóza zvířat parazitologie MeSH
- toxoplazmóza parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908), a coccidian protist (Apicomplexa). It has a strong predilection for infecting the central nervous system. Researchers have therefore investigated its association with several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, cerebral palsy, depression, Guillain-Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis, obsessive compulsive disorder, Parkinson's disease, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. Among these disorders the strongest evidence for a role of T. gondii exists for psychosis in general and schizophrenia in particular. This paper reviews the origins of this association, briefly summarises the current evidence in support, and discusses future research strategies.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- schizofrenie * MeSH
- Toxoplasma fyziologie MeSH
- toxoplazmóza * komplikace MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Coccidiosis is a protozoan intestinal disease that reduces the production of the sheep industry and causes large economic losses for sheep. Although chemically synthesised drugs are routinely employed to treat coccidiosis in sheep, the anticoccidial drug resistance and drug residues in edible meat have prompted an urgent search for alternatives. Herein, the anticoccidial properties of diclazuril, a conventional anticoccidial drug, and Allium sativum, Houttuynia cordata and Portulaca oleracea were assessed. Forty 45-day-old lambs naturally infected with Eimeria spp. were selected and randomly divided into five groups. The results showed that the sheep treated for coccidiosis had considerably decreased average daily gain (ADG) during both administration and withdrawal of the drug compared to the control group. Furthermore, at days 14, 21, 28 and 35, respectively, the three herbs and diclazuril had similar anticoccidial effects, with lower oocysts per gram (OPG) than the control group. On day 78, OPG in the three herbal groups was significantly lower than in the diclazuril group. In addition, the abundance and composition of the gut microbiota were changed in sheep treated with the three herbs and diclazuril compared to the untreated sheep. Moreover, some intestinal microorganisms have a correlation with OPG and ADG when using Spearman correlation analysis. In summary, our results suggest that all three herbs produce anticoccidial effects similar to diclazuril and modulate the balance of gut microbiota in growing lambs.
- MeSH
- Eimeria účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- kokcidiostatika farmakologie aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- kokcidióza * veterinární farmakoterapie parazitologie MeSH
- léky rostlinné čínské farmakologie aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- nemoci ovcí * parazitologie farmakoterapie MeSH
- oocysty účinky léků MeSH
- ovce MeSH
- střevní mikroflóra * účinky léků MeSH
- triaziny farmakologie aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články 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.
Bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. and even more the protist Toxoplasma gondii Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908, are known to affect the behaviour and mental health of their animal and human hosts. Both pathogens infect a significant fraction of human population, both are neurotropic and survive in the host's body for a long time. While latent infections were thought to be clinically asymptomatic, recent studies suggest otherwise, revealing adverse effects on human health. It was hypothesised that the specific behavioural effects of these pathogens may be side effects of general health impairments in infected individuals. This hypothesis was tested using about one hour-long survey consisting of questionnaires and performance tests on a cohort of 7,762 members of the internet population. Results showed that individuals infected with T. gondii reported worse physical and mental health, and those infected with Borrelia spp. reported worse physical health than uninfected controls. Furthermore, infected and noninfected individuals differed in several personality traits, including conscientiousness, pathogen disgust, injury disgust, Machiavellianism, narcissism, tribalism, anti-authoritarianism, intelligence, reaction time, and precision. While the majority of behavioural effects associated with Borrelia infection were similar to those associated with Toxoplasma infection, some differences were observed, such as performance in the Stroop test. Path analyses and nonparametric partial Kendall correlation tests showed that these effects were not mediated by impaired health in infected individuals, contradicting the side effects hypothesis.
- MeSH
- Borrelia * MeSH
- infekce bakteriemi rodu Borrelia * komplikace MeSH
- kognice MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- osobnost MeSH
- Toxoplasma * MeSH
- toxoplazmóza * komplikace MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent protozoan parasite in human populations. This parasite is thought to be primarily transmitted through undercooked meat and contamination by cat feces. Here, we seek to determine if Toxoplasma gondii cysts can be found within human semen. METHODS: We used a mixture of histological and immunofluorescence stains to visualize Toxoplasma gondii cysts in thin smears of human semen. Further, we probed for presence of bradyzoite-specific mRNA transcription using in-situ hybridization. RESULTS: We visualized Toxoplasma gondii cysts in ejaculates of immune-competent and latently infected human volunteers. We confirmed the encystment by probing transcription of a bradyzoite-specific gene in these structures. These observations extend previous observations of the parasite in semen of several non-human host species, including rats, dogs, and sheep. CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma gondii infection is a clinically significant infection, in view of its high prevalence, its purported role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, as well as in the more serious form of congenital toxoplasmosis. Our demonstration of intact Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the ejaculate supports the possibility of sexual transmission of the parasite and provides an impetus for further investigations.
- MeSH
- feces MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ovce MeSH
- psi MeSH
- sexuální chování MeSH
- sperma parazitologie MeSH
- Toxoplasma * genetika MeSH
- toxoplazmóza * parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- psi MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Kokcidióza patří mezi nejčastější onemocnění králíků v době odstavu a je jedním z limitujících faktorů odchovu králíků. Mezi patogenní kokcidie řadíme u králíků druhy parazitující ve střevech (E. magna, E. irresidua, E. intestinalis, E. flavescens, E. piriformis, a E. media) a jaterní kokcidie (E. stiedae). Stupeň infekce je závislý na druhu Eimerie, množství pozřených oocyst, věku a imunitním stavu hostitele. Diagnostika je založena na flotačním vyšetření, případně na přesném určení druhu pomocí molekulárněbiologických metod. Terapie spočívá v aplikaci antikokcidik (sulfonamidů, toltrazurilu) ve vodě nebo podaných přímo do dutiny ústní. Prevence onemocnění spočívá v dobrých zoohygienických podmínkách, správně provedeném odstavu, krmné dávce a jejím složení (v obsahu vlákniny, škrobů a bílkovin), snížení stresových faktorů a v případě velkochovů nebo malochovů v podání peletovaného krmiva s obsahem kokcidiostatik.
Coccidiosis is one of the most common diseases of rabbits at the time of weaning and is one of the limiting factors in rabbit breeding. Pathogenic coccidia in rabbits includes species parasitizing in the intestines (E. magna, E. irresidua, E. intestinalis, E. flavescens, E. piriformis, and E. media) and liver (E. stiedae). The severity of infection depends on the species of Eimeria, the number of ingested oocysts, age, and immune status of the host. Diagnostics is based on a flotation examination, or the exact determination of the species using molecular biological methods. Therapy consists of the oral administration of anticoccidials (sulphonamides, toltrazuril) in water or directly into the oral cavity. Disease prevention consists of optimal zoohygiene, properly performed weaning, feed ration and its composition (fiber, starch, and protein content), reduction of stress factors, and, in the case of large-scale or small-scale farms, in the form of pelleted diets containing coccidiostatics.
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
