The clinical consequences of toxoplasmosis are greatly dependent on the Toxoplasma gondii strain causing the infection. To better understand its epidemiology and design appropriate control strategies, it is important to determine the strain present in infected animals. Serotyping methods are based on the detection of antibodies that react against segments of antigenic proteins presenting strain-specific polymorphic variations, offering a cost-effective, sensitive, and non-invasive alternative to genotyping techniques. Herein, we evaluated the applicability of a panel of peptides previously characterized in mice and humans to serotype sheep and pigs. To this end, we used 51 serum samples from experimentally infected ewes (32 type II and 19 type III), 20 sheep samples from naturally infected sheep where the causative strain was genotyped (18 type II and 2 type III), and 40 serum samples from experimentally infected pigs (22 type II and 18 type III). Our ELISA test results showed that a combination of GRA peptide homologous pairs can discriminate infections caused by type II and III strains of T. gondii in sheep and pigs. Namely, the GRA3-I/III-43 vs. GRA3-II-43, GRA6-I/III-213 vs. GRA6-II-214 and GRA6-III-44 vs. GRA6-II-44 ratios showed a statistically significant predominance of the respective strain-type peptide in sheep, while in pigs, in addition to these three peptide pairs, GRA7-II-224 vs. GRA7-III-224 also showed promising results. Notably, the GRA6-44 pair, which was previously deemed inefficient in mice and humans, showed a high prediction capacity, especially in sheep. By contrast, GRA5-38 peptides failed to correctly predict the strain type in most sheep and pig samples, underpinning the notion that individual standardization is needed for each animal species. Finally, we recommend analyzing for each animal at least 2 samples taken at different time points to confirm the obtained results.
- MeSH
- antigeny protozoální * genetika imunologie MeSH
- ELISA metody MeSH
- genotyp MeSH
- nemoci ovcí * parazitologie diagnóza MeSH
- nemoci prasat * parazitologie diagnóza MeSH
- ovce MeSH
- peptidy imunologie MeSH
- prasata MeSH
- protilátky protozoální krev MeSH
- sérotypizace * metody MeSH
- toxoplazmóza zvířat * diagnóza parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem 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.
Babesióza patří mezi méně běžné, ale významné infekční onemocnění přenášené klíšťaty. Během posledních 50 let byl zaznamenán zvyšující se počet případů po celém světě, zvláště v USA. Severní část USA je endemickou oblastí, kde počet případů za poslední dekádu stoupl na 2 000 ročně. Původcem většiny těchto nákaz je v tomto regionu Babesia microti, parazit drobných hlodavců. V Evropě bylo od roku 1957 zaznamenáno 56 autochtonních případů lidské babesiózy. Většina těchto onemocnění byla způsobena druhem Babesia divergens, parazitem hovězího dobytka. Od roku 1992 bylo 13 případů nákazy B. microti importováno ze Severní Ameriky do Evropy. Onemocnění je závažné zejména pro splenektomované a imunokomprimované pacienty. Ačkoli nejvýznamnějším přenašečem infekce babesií v Evropě je klíště Ixodes ricinus, byl přenos infekce u řady pacientů způsoben krevní transfuzí, která pro oslabené jedince může končit fatálně. Diagnóza babesiózy se opírá o identifikaci intraerytrocytárních parazitů v krevním roztěru, detekcí DNA babesie testy PCR a stanovením protilátek sérologickými metodami a imunofluorescencí. Onemocnění se léčí antibiotiky (azithromycin, při těžkém průběhu clindamycin) a chininem. Zvýšený nárůst humánní babesiózy je dán nejen změnami klimatu a aktivity klíšťat, pobytem lidí v přírodě a zvýšenou migrací lidí, ale významnou úlohu zde hraje i rozvoj molekulárních metod a rostoucí povědomí o tomto onemocnění.
Babesiosis is a less common but important tick-borne infectious disease. Over the last 50 years, an increasing number of cases have been reported worldwide, especially in the USA. The northern part of the US is an endemic area where the incidence has risen to 2,000 cases per year in the last decade. Babesia microti, a parasite of small rodents, is the cause of most of these infections in that region. In Europe, 56 autochthonous cases of human babesiosis have been reported since 1957. Most of them were caused by the species Babesia divergens, a parasite of cattle. Since 1992, 13 cases of B. microti infection have been imported from North America into Europe. The disease is serious especially for splenectomised and immunocompromised patients. Although the most important vector of babesiosis in Europe is the tick Ixodes ricinus, infection was transmitted through blood transfusion in number of patients, which can be fatal for immunosuppressed patients. The diagnosis of babesiosis is based on the identification of intraerythrocytic parasites in a blood smear, PCR detection of Babesia DNA, and determination of antibodies by serology and immunofluorescence assays. The disease is treated with antibiotics (azithromycin or clindamycin in a severe course of the disease) and quinine. The increase in human babesiosis is not only due to climate change and tick activity, outdoor leisure activities, and increased human migration, but an important role is also played by improved molecular methods and growing awareness of the disease.
- MeSH
- Babesia microti mikrobiologie patogenita MeSH
- Babesia klasifikace mikrobiologie patogenita MeSH
- babezióza * diagnóza epidemiologie farmakoterapie mikrobiologie přenos MeSH
- incidence MeSH
- infekce přenášené vektorem MeSH
- klíště mikrobiologie parazitologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Spojené státy americké MeSH
Piroplasmids of the genera Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon are tick-transmitted parasites with a high impact on animals and humans. They have complex life cycles in their definitive arthropod and intermediate vertebrate hosts involving numerous processes, including invasion of, and egress from, host cells, parasite growth, transformation, and migration. Like other parasitic protozoa, piroplasmids are equipped with different types of protease to fulfill many of such essential processes. Blockade of some key proteases, using inhibitors or antibodies, hinders piroplasmid growth, highlighting their potential usefulness in drug therapies and vaccine development. A better understanding of the functional significance of these enzymes will contribute to the development of improved control measures for the devastating animal and human diseases caused by these pathogens.
- MeSH
- Babesia * genetika MeSH
- babezióza * parazitologie MeSH
- klíšťata * parazitologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Piroplasmida * MeSH
- proteasy MeSH
- Theileria * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Buffaloes represent an important economic resource for several regions of the world including Romania. In the present study, we examined 104 faecal samples collected from 38 buffalo calves (2-11 weeks old) from household rearing systems in Romania for gastrointestinal parasites. All samples were tested using the saturated salt flotation, McMaster and modified Ziehl-Nielsen staining methods. PCR coupled with sequencing isolates were used to identify assemblages of Giardia lamblia (Kunstler, 1882) and species of Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1907. Overall, 33 out of 38 examined buffalo calves were infected with different gastrointestinal parasites: 16 had single infections and 17 had mixed infections with two or three parasites. Species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (32/38; 84%) were the most prevalent parasites; eight species were identified according to the oocyst morphology, including the pathogenic E. bareillyi (Gill, Chhabra et Lall, 1963) which was detected for the first time in buffaloes from Romania. The nematodes Toxocara vitulorum (Goeze, 1782) (11/38; 37%) and Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856) (6/38; 16%) were also detected. Cryptosporidium spp. were found in four (11%) buffalo calves; two of them were molecularly identified as C. ryanae Fayer, Santin et Trout, 2008, and another one clustered in the same clade with C. ryanae, C. bovis Fayer, Santin et Xiao, 2005, and C. xiaoi Fayer et Santin, 2009. Giardia duodenalis assemblage E was also molecularly detected in a single (2.6%) buffalo calf. The presence of other buffaloes in the same barn was identified as a risk factor for infection with T. vitulorum. Our results indicate extensive parasitic infections in buffalo calves from northwestern Romania and underline the necessity of prophylactic treatments for T. vitulorum and E. bareillyi.
- MeSH
- buvoli parazitologie MeSH
- Cryptosporidium * MeSH
- Eimeria * MeSH
- feces parazitologie MeSH
- Giardia lamblia * genetika MeSH
- kryptosporidióza * epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- paraziti * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Rumunsko MeSH
Klíšťata jsou vektorem a často současně rezervoárem virových i bakteriálních onemocnění. Člověk se obvykle nakazí po přisátí infikovaného klíštěte nebo jeho vývojového stadia jako náhodný článek jeho životního cyklu. Tato onemocnění mají vzhledem ke geografickým podmínkám v České republice značný epidemiologický význam a dopad na morbiditu. Předmětem sdělení je popis infekcí v našich podmínkách, jejich epidemiologie, klinický obraz a diagnostika se zaměřením na specifika dětského věku. Lymeská borrelióza, jako nejčastější z těchto onemocnění, je tématem samostatného sdělení.
Ticks are a vector and often a reservoir of viral and bacterial diseases. A person usually gets infected after the infestation of an infected tick or its developmental stage as a random link in its life cycle. Due to the geographical conditions in the Czech Republic, these diseases have a epidemiological significance and impact on morbidity. The communication subject describes infections, their epidemiology, clinical picture, and diagnostics, focusing on the specifics of childhood in our conditions. The subject of a separate communication is Lyme borreliosis, the most common of these presented diseases.
- MeSH
- babezióza * diagnóza terapie MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- ehrlichióza * diagnóza terapie MeSH
- infestace klíšťaty komplikace MeSH
- klíšťová encefalitida * diagnóza terapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- tularemie * diagnóza terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
BACKGROUND: The range of the ornate dog tick Dermacentor reticulatus is rapidly expanding in Europe. This tick species is the vector of canine babesiosis, caused by Babesia canis, and also plays a role in the transmission of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in equids. METHODS: The geographic range of D. reticulatus in the Czech Republic was re-assessed, and an up-to-date distribution map is presented based on material and data obtained during a nationwide citizen science campaign. Received and flagged individuals of D. reticulatus were also analysed for the presence of B. canis DNA. RESULTS: In striking contrast to historical records, D. reticulatus was found in all regions of the Czech Republic, with most reports coming from the southeast and northwest of the country. Between February 2018 and June 2021, the project team received 558 photo reports of ticks and 250 packages containing ticks. Of the former, 71.1% were identified as Dermacentor sp. with the remainder identified as Ixodes sp., Haemaphysalis sp., Argas sp. or Hyalomma sp. The majority of specimens in the subset of ticks that were received (N = 610) were D. reticulatus (N = 568, 93.7%), followed by Ixodes ricinus and Hyalomma spp. A total of 783 adult D. reticulatus, either received (568) or collected by flagging (215), were tested for the presence of B. canis DNA using species-specific nested PCR targeting part of the 18S rRNA gene; B. canis DNA was demonstrated in 22 samples (2.81%). CONCLUSIONS: The continuous spread of D. reticulatus in the Czech Republic was documented in this study. In addition, DNA of B. canis was also detected in a number of ticks, suggesting the establishment of B. canis in the Czech Republic. These results suggest that veterinarians need to consider the possibility of canine babesiosis even in dogs without a history of travel.
- MeSH
- Babesia * genetika MeSH
- babezióza * epidemiologie MeSH
- Dermacentor * MeSH
- infestace klíšťaty * epidemiologie veterinární MeSH
- Ixodidae * MeSH
- klíště * MeSH
- nemoci psů * epidemiologie MeSH
- občanská věda * MeSH
- psi MeSH
- Rhipicephalus sanguineus * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- psi MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Toxoplasmosis is one of the world's most prevalent zoonoses. The causative agent, Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) is a facultative heteroxenic, polyxenic apicomplexan protist. There are several potential pathways of transmission within and between host species. Most infections with T. gondii result from close contact with pets/cats, ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat of infected animals, and oocysts from food or water contaminated by feline faeces. Recently, epidemiological studies have shown that T. gondii infection plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of several psychiatric disorders. This report reviews the association between T. gondii infection and patients with psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia, depressive disorders and bipolar disorders.
- MeSH
- duševní poruchy * komplikace MeSH
- kočky MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- oocysty MeSH
- Toxoplasma * MeSH
- toxoplazmóza zvířat * komplikace epidemiologie MeSH
- zoonózy MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- kočky MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Cryptosporidium parvum infects enterocytes in diverse vertebrates, including humans, and causes diarrheal illness. However, no effective drugs are available for this protozoan infection. The P23 protein of C. parvum is a protective antigen, considered a potential candidate for developing an effective vaccine against cryptosporidiosis. In this study, the complementary DNA (cDNA) of the p23 gene was subcloned to Escherichia coli DH5α, with one nucleotide difference. The constructed plasmid pNZ8149-P23 was transferred by electroporation to Lactococcus lactis NZ3900, and the recombinant L. lactis NZ3900/pNZ8149-P23 strain was screened in Elliker-medium by adding bromocresolpurple indicator. A 23-kDa protein was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) after nisin induction in LM17 broth medium, suggesting that P23 protein was in the form of glycosylation. Simultaneously, an optimal induction time of 9 h was determined, and the density of OD600 = 2.7 was tested. Through western blot and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) analysis, the immunocompetence of expressed P23 antigen was identified, and its location of release to the cell interior of recombinant L. lactis was manifested. The first report of a food-grade genetically engineered L. lactis strain expressing a P23 antigen of C. parvum is herein presented. This result provides a novel and safe utilization method of P23 against C. parvum infection.
- MeSH
- Cryptosporidium parvum * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- Cryptosporidium * metabolismus MeSH
- kryptosporidióza * prevence a kontrola MeSH
- Lactococcus lactis * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pyridinolkarbamát MeSH
- rekombinantní proteiny genetika metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- 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
