Toxoplasma gondii: from animals to humans

Summary: The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii was discovered a little over 100 years ago, but knowledge of its biological life cycle and its medical importance has grown in the last 40 years. This obligate intracellular parasite was identified early as a pathogen responsible for congenital infection, but its clinical expression and the importance of reactivations of infections in immunocompromised patients were recognized later, in the era of organ transplantation and HIV infection. Recent knowledge of host cell-parasite interactions and of parasite virulence has brought new insights into the comprehension of the pathophysiology of infection. In this review, we focus on epidemiological and diagnostic aspects, putting them in perspective with current knowledge of parasite genotypes. In particular, we provide critical information on diagnostic methods according to the patient's background and discuss the implementation of screening tools for congenital toxoplasmosis according to health policies.

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00696903/document

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

Rodents are the most abundant and diversified order of living mammals in the world. Already since the Middle Ages we know that they can contribute to human disease, as black rats were associated with distribution of plague. However, also in modern times rodents form a threat for public health. In this review article a large number of pathogens that are directly or indirectly transmitted by rodents are described. Moreover, a simplified rodent disease model is discussed.

Rodent-borne diseases and their risks for public health

Mast cells are immune cells of the myeloid lineage and are present in connective tissues throughout the body. The activation and degranulation of mast cells significantly modulates many aspects of physiological and pathological conditions in various settings. With respect to normal physiological functions, mast cells are known to regulate vasodilation, vascular homeostasis, innate and adaptive immune responses, angiogenesis, and venom detoxification. On the other hand, mast cells have also been implicated in the pathophysiology of many diseases, including allergy, asthma, anaphylaxis, gastrointestinal disorders, many types of malignancies, and cardiovascular diseases. This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of mast cells in many pathophysiological conditions.

/pdf/mast-cell-a-multi-functional-master-cell-2dnwcfhd81.pdf

Mast Cell: A Multi-Functional Master Cell.

Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian parasite which utilizes felids as definitive hosts, and which has an unusually wide intermediate host range The parasite was initially described by Nicolle and Manceaux in 1908 from the rodent, Ctenodactylus gundi Infection with T gondii is one of the most common parasitic infections of man and other warm-blooded animals It has been found worldwide from Alaska to Australia Nearly one-third of humanity has been exposed to this parasite; serologic surveys indicate that T gondii infections are common in wild carnivores, including pigs, bears, felids, fox, raccoons, and skunks Clinical and subclinical toxoplasmosis has been reported from wild cervids, ungulates, marsupials, monkeys, and marine mammals Southern sea otter populations have been severely impacted by Toxoplasma infections

Biology and epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in man and animals

The production of thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) and prostacyclin (prostaglandin I(2), PGI(2)) is known to be increased in patients with atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the influence of gender on TXA(2) and PGI(2) production, and their association with the progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-null (ApoE(-/-)) mice maintained on a high fat diet for 3 months. En face analyses of aortas showed marked increases in plaque formation in female ApoE(-/-) mice. Quantification of the hematoxylin/eosin (H&E) stained cross sections of the aortic arch revealed 3 to 4-fold higher plaque thickness in female ApoE(-/-) mice. Analyses of 24-hours urine samples for 11-dehydro TXB(2) and 2, 3-dinor-6-keto PGF(1a) indicated that female ApoE(-/-) mice produce up to 15-fold more TXA(2) and 50% less PGI(2) than the age matched males. Interestingly, the serum cholesterol levels in ApoE(-/-) females were 20% lower than males on the high fat regimen. No gender-associated changes in the number of T lymphocytes, mast cells and macrophages were evident in the lesion areas of ApoE(-/-) mice. The results suggest that the markedly elevated TXA(2) production and reduced PGI(2) production are gender-related proatherogenic risk factors in female ApoE(-/-) mice.

/pdf/increased-aortic-atherosclerotic-plaque-development-in-1zdm61tfbw.pdf

Increased aortic atherosclerotic plaque development in female apolipoprotein E-null mice is associated with elevated thromboxane A2 and decreased prostacyclin production

Mast cells are important cells of the immune system and are recognized as participants in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the role of mast cells on the progression ...

Mast cell deficiency attenuates progression of atherosclerosis and hepatic steatosis in apolipoprotein E-null mice.

Proinflammatory cytokines enhance human synoviocyte expression of functional intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).

A culture plate apparatus having circular culture wells arranged in a cluster includes a moat surrounding the cluster with a cover for enclosing the wells and the moat with a head space therebetween. When the moat is filled with water or buffer solution, the moat maintains temperature uniformity among the wells and maintains uniform humidity in the head space thereby preventing nonuniform evaporation from the wells while reducing evaporation overall.

Moated tissue culture plate

. Opossums (Didelphis marsupialis), act as intermediate hosts for Besnoitia darlingi and could be infected orally with sporozoites (oocysts) and bradyzoites (tissue cysts), or intraperitoneally (i.p.) with tachyzoites. Infections could presumably be transmitted through cannibalism. Cats (Felis catus), the definitive host, could be infected only with bradyzoites but not sporozoites. Oocysts shed by cats measure about 12 × 12 μm, resemble similarly sized oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii and Hammondia hammondi, and must be differentiated by the appearance of tissue cysts after experimental infection of intermediate hosts. Cats did not form tissue cysts of B. darlingi. Tachyzoites from the related B. jellisoni could be used in the Sabin-Feldman dye test to determine the development of antibody to B. darlingi in opossums after infection.

Besnoitia darlingi (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae, Toxoplasmatinae): Transmission between Opossums and Cats†

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