Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 125 in total

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  1. Ching XT, Fong MY, Lau YL
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2017 Jun;96(6):1441-1447.
    PMID: 28719288 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0548
    AbstractToxoplasma gondii infects a broad range of warm-blooded hosts, including humans. Important clinical manifestations include encephalitis in immunocompromised patients as well as miscarriage and fetal damage during early pregnancy. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule antigen 2 and 5 (GRA2 and GRA5) are essential for parasitophorous vacuole development of the parasite. To evaluate the potential of GRA2 and GRA5 as recombinant DNA vaccine candidates, these antigens were cloned into eukaryotic expression vector (pcDNA 3.1C) and evaluated in vaccination experiments. Recombinant DNA vaccines constructed with genes encoding GRAs were validated in Chinese hamster ovary cells before evaluation using lethal challenge of the virulent T. gondii RH strain in BALB/c mice. The DNA vaccines of pcGRA2 and pcGRA5 elicited cellular-mediated immune response with significantly higher levels of interferon-gamma, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-10 (P < 0.05) compared with controls. A mixed T-helper cell 1 (Th1)/Th2 response was associated with slightly prolonged survival. These findings provide evidence that DNA vaccination with GRA2 and GRA5 is associated with Th1-like cell-mediated immune responses. It will be worthwhile to construct recombinant multiantigen combining full-length GRA2 or/and GRA5 with various antigenic proteins such as the surface antigens and rhoptry antigens to improve vaccination efficacy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  2. Patrick S, Hui-Tze C, Wan-Hazabbah WH, Zunaina E, Azhany Y, Liza-Sharmini AT
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2018 Oct;13(5):483-487.
    PMID: 31435366 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2018.03.005
    Management of inflammation after surgery for recalcitrant anterior uveitis is challenging. Herein, we report successful treatment using intracameral injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) in two patients with recalcitrant anterior uveitis, due to infective uveitis and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, respectively. A 40-year-old woman presented with bilateral redness and vision reduction that had persisted 2 weeks. She also had bilateral anterior uveitis, vasculitis, retinitis, and optic disc swelling. Serology was positive for Bartonella henselae and Toxoplasma gondii. She was treated using long-term systemic corticosteroids and appropriate antibiotics. Our second case; a healthy 30-year-old man with bilateral eye redness and reduced vision without pain, and associated with headache and tinnitus for 1 weeks. He showed bilateral granulomatous inflammation with vitritis, choroiditis, retinitis, and hyperemic optic disc. The patient was diagnosed with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease and treated with systemic corticosteroids. Both patients developed secondary cataracts and glaucoma that necessitated surgical intervention. Persistent chronic inflammation led to the formation of a thick fibrin membrane anterior to the intraocular lens (IOL) after phacoemulsification surgery with IOL implantation. This membrane was removed surgically, and intracameral injection of rtPA (25 μg) was carried out. The persistent inflammation had resolved and visual acuity had significantly improved within 1 week of intracameral rtPA injection. There were no reported ocular or systemic side effects. Intracameral rtPA is beneficial in patients with recalcitrant anterior uveitis who have undergone intraocular surgery. In most cases, surgical intervention improves the patients' vision. Intracameral rtPA should be considered in cases of persistent inflammation of varying etiology.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  3. Visuvanathan VV, Somawera N, Koh KC
    Malays Fam Physician, 2013;8(3):46-48.
    PMID: 25893060 MyJurnal
    A 19-year-old Chinese man presented with progressive ascending weakness of his left lower limb for 1 week. There was no loss of sensation. His other limbs were unaffected. He also complained of progressive, painless blurring of vision in his left eye for the past 1 month. He has an affinity for wild boar meat from local Chinese restaurants, which he has been consuming on a daily basis for the last 2 years. He denied any fever, headache, high risk behaviour for acquisition of human
    immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or recent travels. He had bronchial asthma in childhood, but the symptoms are minimal now and there was no recent acute exacerbations. Physical examination was unremarkable except for the left lower limb power of 3/5 and bilateral papilloedema on direct ophthalmoscopy. A Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the brain (Image 1) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain (Images 2 and 3) were performed. The
    total leucocyte count was 9.2x109/L, C-reactive protein was 1.2 and erythrocyte sedimentation
    rate was 6 mm/h. Human immunodeficiency virus screening was negative, anti-toxoplasma antibodies were not detected and serological testing for anti-cysticercal antibodies via enzymelinked
    immunosorbent assay (ELISA) did not produce a positive yield. He was treated with oral albendazole for 28 days and corticosteroids, which led to rapid and total resolution of his neurological deficits and CT findings within 6 weeks.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  4. Qamer S, Rizvi SSR, Raoof S, Kamal SM, Khan S
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):186-193.
    PMID: 33612729
    Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic infection that may be transmitted to human beings either by consumption of raw or uncooked meat or by ingesting oocysts. Toxoplasma organisms can cross blood placenta barrier and may result in congenital toxoplasmosis. About 80% of immunocompetent individuals do not show any clinical manifestations and are silent carriers of this disease. Pregnant women especially in highly prevalent areas are recommended to be screened for this disease in order to prevent the potential vertical transmission. To our knowledge no such study has been conducted in this region of Saudi Arabia. This study attempted to carry out two objectives: first, to find out the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in pregnant women attending prenatal care services in our hospital; second, to find out risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence in our patients. It was carried out in Teaching Hospital in Al-Kharj over a period of one year. All 306 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic were involved in the study. A pretested selfexplanatory questionnaire was filled out by the patients and their sera were collected to be tested for IgG and/or IgM against T. gondii. The results were then statistically analyzed using SPSS software and p-value was calculated using Pearson Chi Square test. Out of the 306 blood samples tested, 99 (32.4%) were seropositive for specific anti T. gondii IgG antibodies and 3(1%) were seropositive for IgM. This show that seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was high among pregnant women and the prevalence showed a significant association with age. The study recommends conducting educational programs to raise awareness among women about risk factors and precautions to be taken.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  5. Ali S, Amjad Z, Khan TM, Maalik A, Iftikhar A, Khan I, et al.
    Parasitology, 2020 Sep;147(10):1133-1139.
    PMID: 32517832 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182020000967
    Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma (T.) gondii. Limited data are available on the occurrence of T. gondii in women especially pregnant women in Pakistan. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence and risk factors associated with T. gondii in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Punjab Province, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 593 samples were collected from pregnant (n = 293) and non-pregnant (n = 300) women of District Headquarter Hospitals of Chiniot, Faisalabad, Jhang and Okara, Pakistan. Data related to demographic parameters and risk factors were collected using a pretested questionnaire on blood sampling day. Serum samples were screened for antibodies (IgG) against T. gondii using ELISA. A univariant and binomial logistic regression was applied to estimate the association between seropositive and explanatory variables considering the 95% confidence interval. P value ⩽0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analysis. Out of 593, 44 (7.42%) women were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. Occupation, age, sampling location, socioeconomic status, contact with cat, pregnancy status and trimester of pregnancy were significantly associated with seropositivity for T. gondii antibodies. Location and trimester of pregnancy were identified as potential risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity based on binomial logistic regression. Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Therefore, now a necessitated awareness is required to instruct the individuals about these infectious diseases (toxoplasmosis) and their control strategies to maintain the health of human population. Moreover, health awareness among public can help the minimization of T. gondii infection during pregnancy and subsequent risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  6. Hoe LN, Wan KL, Nathan S
    Parasitology, 2005 Dec;131(Pt 6):759-68.
    PMID: 16336729
    The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii produces a family of microneme proteins that are thought to play diverse roles in aiding the parasite's intracellular existence. Among these, TgMIC2 has a putative function in parasite adhesion to the host cell to initiate the invasion process. The invasion process may be localized and inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against the protein(s) involved. Here we report on the construction of a phage-displayed single-chain variable fragment (scFv) library from mice immunized with whole T. gondii parasites. The library was subsequently panned against recombinant TgMIC2 (rpTgMIC2) and 2 different groups of antibody clones were obtained, based on fingerprinting and sequencing data. The expressed recombinant scFv antibody was able to recognize rpTgMIC2 in a Western blot detection experiment. These results show that the phage display technology allows quick and effective production of monoclonal antibodies against parasite antigens. By panning the scFv-displayed library, we should be able to obtain a plethora of multi-functional scFv antibodies towards T. gondii proteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma/immunology*
  7. Sonaimuthu P, Ching XT, Fong MY, Kalyanasundaram R, Lau YL
    Front Microbiol, 2016;7:808.
    PMID: 27303390 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00808
    Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent for toxoplasmosis. The rhoptry protein 1 (ROP1) is secreted by rhoptry, an apical secretory organelle of the parasite. ROP1 plays an important role in host cell invasion. In this study, the efficacy of ROP1 as a vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis was evaluated through intramuscular or subcutaneous injection of BALB/c mice followed by immunological characterization (humoral- and cellular-mediated) and lethal challenge against virulent T. gondii RH strain in BALB/c mice. Briefly, a recombinant DNA plasmid (pVAX1-GFP-ROP1) was expressed in CHO cells while expression of recombinant ROP1 protein (rROP1) was carried out in Escherichia coli expression system. Immunization study involved injection of the recombinant pVAX1-ROP1 and purified rROP1 into different group of mice. Empty vector and PBS served as two different types of negative controls. Results obtained demonstrated that ROP1 is an immunogenic antigen that induced humoral immune response whereby detection of a protein band with expected size of 43 kDa was observed against vaccinated mice sera through western blot analysis. ROP1 antigen was shown to elicit cellular-mediated immunity as well whereby stimulated splenocytes with total lysate antigen (TLA) and rROP1 from pVAX1-ROP1 and rROP1-immunized mice, respectively, readily proliferated and secreted large amount of IFN-γ (712 ± 28.1 pg/ml and 1457 ± 31.19 pg/ml, respectively) and relatively low IL-4 level (94 ± 14.5 pg/ml and 186 ± 14.17 pg/ml, respectively). These phenomena suggested that Th1-favored immunity was being induced. Vaccination with ROP1 antigen was able to provide partial protection in the vaccinated mice against lethal challenge with virulent RH strain of tachyzoites. These findings proposed that the ROP1 antigen is a potential candidate for the development of vaccine against toxoplasmosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  8. Andiappan H, Nissapatorn V, Sawangjaroen N, Khaing SL, Salibay CC, Cheung MM, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2014;5:291.
    PMID: 24966855 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00291
    Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the infectious agents of congenital TORCH infections, causes severe clinical outcomes in fetus and newborns. Nevertheless this life-threatening parasitic disease is preventable by simple preventive measures related to lifestyle during pregnancy. We aim to study on the knowledge about toxoplasmosis and practices that prevents this infection among the pregnant women. Total of 2598 pregnant women from Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand were randomly surveyed to determine the knowledge and their practices on Toxoplasma infection. The questionnaire covered respondents' general information and knowledge on plausible risks factors, symptoms, timing of infection, prevention knowledge, and preventive behavior regarding Toxoplasma infection. Majority of these pregnant women were in their age group of 20-29 years (50.9%), completed secondary level of education (51.7%), in their second trimester of pregnancies (38.1%), non-parous (36.6%), and had no history of abortion (90.4%). Based on this survey, only 11% of these pregnant women had read, heard, or seen information regarding toxoplasmosis and 3.5% of them were aware of being tested for the infection. A small percentage of these pregnant women knew that T. gondii were shed in the feces of infected cats (19.4%) and sometimes found in the raw or undercooked meat (11.0%). There was 16.1% of responding women knew that toxoplasmosis is caused by an infection. Demographic profiles such as age group, level of education, pregnancy term, and number of children of the pregnant women showed significant association with their responses toward prevention knowledge and preventive behavior related questions (P < 0.05). Thus, it is suggested that health education on toxoplasmosis and primary behavioral practices should be consistently offered to reproductive age women in general and pregnant women in particular. This information could help to reduce vertical transmission of Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  9. Ching XT, Fong MY, Lau YL
    Front Microbiol, 2016;7:609.
    PMID: 27199938 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00609
    Toxoplasmosis is a foodborne disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite. Severe symptoms occur in the immunocompromised patients and pregnant women leading to fatality and abortions respectively. Vaccination development is essential to control the disease. The T. gondii dense granule antigen 2 and 5 (GRA2 and GRA5) have been targeted in this study because these proteins are essential to the development of parasitophorous vacuole (PV), a specialized compartment formed within the infected host cell. PV is resistance to host cell endosomes and lysosomes thereby protecting the invaded parasite. Recombinant dense granular proteins, GRA2 (rGRA2) and GRA5 (rGRA5) were cloned, expressed, and purified in Escherichia coli, BL21 (DE3) pLysS. The potential of these purified antigens as subunit vaccine candidates against toxoplasmosis were evaluated through subcutaneous injection of BALB/c mice followed by immunological characterization (humoral- and cellular-mediated) and lethal challenge against virulent T. gondii RH strain in BALB/c mice. Results obtained demonstrated that rGRA2 and rGRA5 elicited humoral and cellular-mediated immunity in the mice. High level of IgG antibody was produced with the isotype IgG2a/IgG1 ratio of ≈0.87 (p < 0.001). Significant increase (p < 0.05) in the level of four cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) was obtained. The antibody and cytokine results suggest that a mix mode of Th1/Th2-immunity was elicited with predominant Th1-immune response inducing partial protection against T. gondii acute infection in BALB/c mice. Our findings indicated that both GRA2 and GRA5 are potential candidates for vaccine development against T. gondii acute infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  10. Brandon-Mong GJ, Che Mat Seri NA, Sharma RS, Andiappan H, Tan TC, Lim YA, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2015;6:143.
    PMID: 25972863 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00143
    A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection and its risk association among people having close contact with animals. A total of 312 blood samples were collected from veterinary personnel (veterinarian, technicians, and students) and pet owners from veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. About 4 cc of blood samples drawn from agreed participants were processed for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies as well as avidity test of Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA I, II, and III kits. Meanwhile, the demographic profiles and possible risk factors of these participants were also recorded in the standardized data collection sheets. Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was observed in 62 (19.9%) participants being 7 (18.4%) in veterinarians, 15 (33.3%) in veterinary technicians, 29 (14.9%) in veterinary students, and 11 (31.4%) in pet owners. Of 19.9% Toxoplasma seropositive samples, 18.3% was positive for IgG antibody, 1.0% for IgM antibody, and 0.6% for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Of three different IgG avidity ELISA kits, ELISA III showed high avidity in all five seropositive samples (IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies) indicating chronic Toxoplasma infection which is consistent with no evidence of clinical toxoplasmosis diagnosed during the time of this study. Univariate analysis showed that age group, gender, study population, gardening, task performance, and working duration were significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Further analysis by multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that age group of ≥30 years old (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.18-0.63, p = 0.001) and working or study duration of >10 years having close contact with animals (OR = 5.07, 95% CI = 1.80-14.24, p = 0.002) were identified as significant risks for Toxoplasma infection. Based on the results obtained, a comprehensive Toxoplasma screening and health surveillance program on toxoplasmosis should be implemented among people having close contact with animals in general and confirmed Toxoplasma seronegative individuals in particular to prevent seroconversion.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  11. Ghani Siti-Ilyana, Koh, Yi-Ni, Embong Zunaina
    MyJurnal
    Toxoplasmic optic neuropathy is rare and usually occurs monoocularly. This case report demonstrates a rare presentation of bilateral
    juxtapapillary retinochoroiditis (Jensen disease) due to toxoplasma infection in
    a young healthy patient. A 20-year-old lady presented with bilateral painless
    blurring of central vision for 5 days duration. It was preceded by fever, upper
    respiratory tract symptoms and headache. There was no history of contact or
    being scratched by a cat. Visual acuity was counting fingers for the right eye
    and 6/45 for the left eye. There was presence of relative afferent pupillary
    defect in the right eye. Optic nerve functions were impaired bilaterally which
    was severe in the right eye. Both eyes showed the presence of mild anterior
    segment inflammation and vitritis. Fundus examination revealed juxtapapillary
    retinochoroiditis bilaterally with swollen optic disc. Optical coherence
    tomography (OCT) showed presence of intra-retinal and sub-retinal fluid at
    macular area bilaterally. Serology for anti-toxoplasma Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
    was positive with titre of 1450 IU/ml. Computed tomography scan (CT scan) of
    brain and orbit was normal. A diagnosis of bilateral juxtapapillary
    retinochoroiditis or Jensen disease was made. Oral azithromycin 500 mg daily
    and guttae prednisolone 4 hourly for 6 weeks was commenced. Oral
    prednisolone 50 mg daily (1 mg/kg/day) was added after completion of 1 week
    of antibiotic and was tapered down within 5 weeks. There was improvement of
    vision as early as 3 weeks post initiation of the treatment. Upon 6 weeks
    completing the treatment, her vision has improved to 6/7.5 on both eyes with
    resolution of optic disc swelling and sub-retinal fluid. Early recognition and
    initiation of treatment in toxoplasma infection associated with juxtapapillary
    retinochoroiditis usually result in good visual prognosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  12. Syaziah, I., Azura, S.S., Tzar, M.N.
    Medicine & Health, 2018;13(2):103-113.
    MyJurnal
    The AIDS epidemic in Southeast Asia has led to a marked rise in the incidence of talaromycosis (penicilliosis) marneffei. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the clinico-epidemiological features and outcome predictors of talaromycosis in Malaysia. We identified Talaromycosis marneffei cases from cultures of sterile specimens from 191 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected patients. Talaromycosis increased from 20-25 (2010-2011) to 45-50 cases per year (2012-2014). Talaromycosis was the HIV-presenting illness in 117 (61.3%) patients. The incidence of talaromycosis as HIV-presenting illness showed an increasing trend from 10.7 (2010) to 26.4 (2014) cases per 1000 new HIV patients. The patients were between 19 and 74 of age (mean 37.2+9.4 years) and the male to female ratio was 7.7:1. Malay (73, 38.2%) and Chinese (70, 36.3%) were the most prevalent ethnic groups. Common clinical manifestations included loss of weight (85.9%), fever (84.8%) and cough (67%), while skin lesions were only present in 42.9% cases. Common concurrent infections were oral candidiasis (79.6%), tuberculosis (36.1%) and hepatitis C infection (20.9%). Most patients (93.7%) were anaemic with mean haemoglobin level of 9.9+2.3 g/dL, 39% had impaired liver function, and 18.8% were neutropaenic. Median CD4 cell count was 16 cells/L. Most patients (70.4%) received intravenous amphotericin B followed by itraconazole. At 8-month follow up, 148 (81.8%) patients were alive while 33 (18.2%) had died. Intravenous drug abuse, concurrent toxoplasma encephalitis and concurrent Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia independently predicted death outcome in both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  13. Nasiru Wana M, Mohd Moklas MA, Watanabe M, Zasmy Unyah N, Alhassan Abdullahi S, Ahmad Issa Alapid A, et al.
    Pathogens, 2020 Jul 16;9(7).
    PMID: 32708648 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070576
    The major route for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is through the ingestion of foods contaminated with oocyst from cat faeces. The microscopic detection of T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces is challenging, which contributes to the failure of detecting or differentiating it from other related coccidian parasites. This study aims to detect T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces using two multicopy-target PCR assays and to evaluate their genetic diversity. Cat faecal (200) samples were collected from pet cats (PCs; 100) and free-roaming cats (FRCs; 100) within Klang Valley, Malaysia, and screened for coccidian oocysts by microscopy using Sheather's sucrose floatation. PCR assays were performed on each faecal sample, targeting a B1 gene and a repetitive element (REP) gene to confirm T. gondii oocysts. Additionally, the PCR amplicons from the REP gene were sequenced to further confirm T. gondii-positive samples for phylogenetic analysis. Microscopy detected 7/200 (3.5%) T. gondii-like oocysts, while both the B1 gene and the REP gene detected 17/200 (8.5%) samples positive for T. gondii. All samples that were microscopically positive for T. gondii-like oocysts were also shown to be positive by both B1 and REP genes. The BLAST results sequenced for 16/200 (8.0%) PCR-positive T. gondii samples revealed homology and genetic heterogeneity with T. gondii strains in the GenBank, except for only one positive sample that did not show a result. There was almost perfect agreement (k = 0.145) between the two PCR assays targeting the B1 gene and the REP gene. This is the first report on microscopic, molecular detection and genetic diversity of T. gondii from cat faecal samples in Malaysia. In addition, the sensitivities of either the B1 gene or REP gene multicopy-target PCR assays are suitable for the accurate detection of T. gondii from cat faeces.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  14. Aisha Khodijah Kholib Jati, Suharni Mohamad, Zeehaida Mohamed, Wan Haslindawani Wan Mahmood, Wan Muhamad Amir W Ahmad, Wan Suriana Wan Ab Rahman1
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: This preliminary cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among blood donors in Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods: A total of 56 blood donors were screened by an enzyme-linked immu- nosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-T. gondii Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Positive
    T. gondii IgG and IgM were further tested for IgG avidity ELISA. All extracted deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) from whole blood samples were analyzed for the presence of the Toxoplasma B1 gene and the ITS1 region by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The socio-demographic data of donors was assessed using a data collection form. Results: Out of 56 blood donors, 24 (42.86%) donors were IgG+/IgM-, and 2 (3.57%) donors were IgG+/IgM+ with one of them having a high avidity index indicating as past infection for more than 20 weeks and the other with a low avidity index indicating as recent infection within 20 weeks. None of the samples tested positive for the presence of the Toxoplasma B1 gene and the ITS1 region. A univariate analysis showed that only employment status was significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among blood donors in Kelantan, Malaysia, was 46.43%. Nevertheless, direct detection by PCR showed that this parasite was absent in the blood. These results highlight that the blood donors in this study had previously been exposed to T. gondii infection. The parasite may still remain in certain tissues but does not freely circulate in the blood.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  15. Ullah MZ, Awais MM, Akhtar M, Anwar MI, Navid MT, Khan I, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2018 Dec 01;35(4):1028-1040.
    PMID: 33601850
    Toxoplasmosis is a protozoal infection of zoonotic potential with worldwide geographical distribution which affects nearly all warm-blooded animals including mammals and birds. Keeping in view, this study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis along with associated risk factors and its haematological impacts in small ruminants of district Multan, Pakistan. In this study, a total of 250 sera samples collected from sheep (n=125) and goats (n=125) from three tehsils of Multan were examined using commercially available Latex agglutination test kit for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies. The haematological profiles of Toxoplasma seropositive and seronegative animals were determined by using automated haematology analyser. Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in small ruminants was 42.80% with a higher prevalence rate (44.80%) in sheep as compared to goats (40.80%). Sex, existence of co-morbid conditions, feeding pattern and presence of pet cats and dogs were identified as significant (P<0.05) risk factors associated with the presence of antibodies against toxoplasmosis. The breed was found to be a significant (P=0.026) risk factor for the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in goats but not in sheep. Haematological analysis revealed significantly altered leukocytic counts (P<0.05) in seropositive sheep and goats as compared to seronegative ones. Our findings showed that small ruminants of the Multan District in Pakistan are toxoplasma seropositive and may pose a serious threat of public health concern in the region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  16. Kalantari N, Sheikhansari MR, Ghaffari S, Alipour J, Gorgani-Firouzjaee T, Tamadoni A, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2018 Dec 01;35(4):1017-1027.
    PMID: 33601849
    T. gondii is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients which may be transmitted through blood transfusion. The present study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and molecular detection of T. gondii infection and the associated risk factors among young healthy blood donors in the central part of Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Blood samples were taken from 500 participants and the serum was separated. All serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG) and then all positive samples were evaluated for IgM antibodies using commercial ELISA kits. All IgM positive samples and 66 randomly selected IgG positive samples were further tested by PCR of the REP-529 gene. Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG) avidity test was performed for 142 IgG positive samples which were randomly selected. In the current study, anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG) and (IgM) were found in 316 (63.2%) and 3 (0.95 %) participants, respectively. Seropositivity rate of Toxoplasma was higher among blood donors living in rural areas (P=0.000) and those with a history of soil and animal contact (P<0.05). PCR of the REP-529 gene showed T. gondii DNA in 21 out of 66 samples. The REP-529 gene was not detected in IgM positive samples. Low avidity antibodies (IgG) was found in 23.2% of the IgG positive samples. In conclusions, this study found that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among young healthy blood donors in north of Iran was high. To reduce the risk of parasite transmission, leukofilteration method are recommended for donated blood used for immunosuppressed patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  17. Sabri AR, Hassan L, Sharma RSK, Noordin MM
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):604-609.
    PMID: 33597482
    Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii which affects human and animals. Village chickens (Gallus domesticus) most commonly known as Ayam Kampung or free-range chickens, have been suggested to play a role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study determines the presence of T. gondii in the village chicken populations in two states of Malaysia. A total of 50 serum samples from the chickens from Selangor (n=20) and Melaka (n=30) were collected and analysed using commercial serological kits. T. gondii antigen was detected in 20% (Selangor 30%; Melaka 13%) samples using ELISA test and anti-T. gondii antibody was detected in all positive ELISA samples using the indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT). Histopathological examination revealed tissue changes such as inflammation and degeneration in brain and liver of seropositive chickens. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in the village chickens in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  18. Baha Latif
    Medical Health Reviews, 2009;2009(2):27-46.
    MyJurnal
    This review places emphasis on the food and water borne protozoal diseases like, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, cyclosporiasis, and toxoplasmosis which are endemic in many parts of the world. The article addresses cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, cyclosporiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are widespread in the environment and major outbreaks have occurred as a result of contaminated drinking water. Cyclospora has significance in the preparation and consumption of fresh food that have not received heat treatment. Toxoplasma gondii, transmission occur through contaminated water, unpasteurised milk and also the consumption of raw meat, which has been regarded as a major route of transmission to humans .These parasitic protozoa do not multiply in foods, but they may survive in or on moist foods for months especially in cool and damp environment. Their ecology makes control of these parasites difficult. Transmission, clinical manifestations, outbreaks, public health surveillance and control measures that are used for those diseases will be reviewed in this article.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  19. Harun MSR, Taylor M, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM
    Microorganisms, 2020 Jun 04;8(6).
    PMID: 32512820 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060842
    Central to the progression of cerebral toxoplasmosis is the interaction of Toxoplasma gondii with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells. In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of Wnt pathway signalling by the monovalent ionophore monensin reduces the growth of T. gondii infecting human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) or microglial cells. The anti-parasitic effect of monensin (a Wnt signalling inhibitor) on the in vitro growth of T. gondii tachyzoites was investigated using two methods (Sulforhodamine B staining and microscopic parasite counting). The monensin inhibited T. gondii growth (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 0.61 μM) with a selective index = 8.48 when tested against hBMECs (50% cytotoxic concentration [CC50] = 5.17 μM). However, IC50 of monensin was 4.13 μM with a SI = 13.82 when tested against microglia cells (CC50 = 57.08 μM), suggesting less sensitivity of microglia cells to monensin treatment. The effect of T. gondii on the integrity of the BBB was assessed by the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay using an in vitro human BBB model. The results showed that T. gondii infection significantly decreased hBMECs' TEER resistance, which was rescued when cells were treated with 0.1 µM monensin, probably due to the anti-parasitic activity of monensin. We also investigated the host-targeted effects of 0.1 µM monensin on global gene expression in hBMECs with or without T. gondii infection. Treatment of hBMECs with monensin did not significantly influence the expression of genes involved in the Wnt signalling pathway, suggesting that although inhibition of the Wnt signalling pathway did not play a significant role in T. gondii infection of hBMECs, monensin was still effective in limiting the growth of T. gondii. On the contrary, monensin treatment downregulated pathways related to steroids, cholesterol and protein biosynthesis and their transport between endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and deregulated pathways related to cell cycle and DNA synthesis and repair mechanisms. These results provide new insight into the host-modulatory effect of monensin during T. gondii infection, which merits further investigation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
  20. Ngui R, Hassan NA, Chang LY, Teh SJC, Chua KH, Kee BP, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):155-164.
    PMID: 33612726
    Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans. To date, little is known about T. gondii infection among the indigenous community, particularly in East Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the status of T. gondii infection and to investigate associated risk factors among the indigenous community of Sarawak, East Malaysia. The sociodemographic data was obtained using a pretested questionnaire. A serological test was done to detect the presence of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against T. gondii in serum samples. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine acute infection among seropositive individuals. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 50% (95% CI = 43.3 - 56.7). From this subset, 40.1%, 5.7%, and 4.2% were positive for anti-T. Gondii IgG antibodies, IgM, and both IgG and IgM, respectively. Four seropositive samples were amplified through PCR. None of the pregnant women tested positive for T. gondii infection based on the serological and PCR assays. A significant association was found between age, low monthly household income, unemployment, usage of untreated water and close contact with T. gondii seropositive cats. These results provide basic information on T. gondii infection and may be useful for policymakers to initiate prevention and control programs, especially amongst pregnant women and women of childbearing age in the indigenous community.
    Matched MeSH terms: Toxoplasma
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