Search results for "Toxoplasma"
showing 10 items of 38 documents
Strategies for improving production and purification of a recombinant protein: rP30 of Toxoplasma gondii expressed in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces p…
2007
Abstract Many problems concerned with the production and the purification of recombinant proteins must be addressed prior to launching an industrial production process. Among these problems, attention is focused on low-level expression that complicates the purification step and can jeopardise the process. The expression of a membrane protein, rP30, of Toxoplasma gondii in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe led to a secretion of only 0.5 μg ml−1. In order to obtain a sufficient quantity for biochemical characterization and evaluation in vitro diagnostic test development, strategies for both production and purification had to be optimized. First, the influence of four nitrogen sources (three…
Evidence for Conformational Mechanism on the Binding of TgMIC4 with β-Galactose-Containing Carbohydrate Ligand
2015
A deeper understanding of the role of sialic/desialylated groups during TgMIC4-glycoproteins interactions has importance to better clarify the odd process of host cell invasion by members of the apicomplexan phylum. Within this context, we evaluated the interaction established by recombinant TgMIC4 (the whole molecule) with sialylated (bovine fetuin) and desialylated (asialofetuin) glycoproteins by using functionalized quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). A suitable receptive surface containing recombinant TgMIC4 for monitoring β-galactose-containing carbohydrate ligand (limit of quantification ∼ 40 μM) was designed and used as biomolecular recognition platform t…
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild dolphins from the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
2004
Although Toxoplasma gondii infection has been found occasionally in cetaceans, little is known of the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii in wild dolphins. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in serum samples from 58 dolphins stranded in the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Modified agglutination test was used to determine T. gondii antibodies, and a titer of 1:25 was considered indicative of T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 4 of 36 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), in 2 of 4 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), in 4 of 7 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and in 1 harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Antibodies were not found in 9 Risso's dolphin…
Toxoplasma gondii down-regulates MHC class II gene expression and antigen presentation by murine macrophages via interference with nuclear translocat…
2001
The obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is able to establish persistent infections within human and animal hosts. We have shown recently that T. gondii down-regulates IFN-γ-induced MHC class II expression in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMΦ). As shown in this study, the capacity of IFN-γ-activated murine BMMΦ to present ovalbumin to CD4+ T cell hybridomas was dose-dependently inhibited by T. gondii. IFN-γ-induced up-regulation of H2-Aa, H2-Ab, H2-Eb, H2-Ma, H2-Mb, H2-Oa and invariant chain transcripts was prominently down-regulated by T. gondii. Furthermore, mRNA levels of class II transactivator and interferon-regulatory factor-1 were significantly dimin…
Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence varies by cat breed.
2017
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread zoonotic parasite that is relevant for veterinary and public health. The domestic cat, the definitive host species with the largest worldwide population, has become evolutionarily and epidemiologically the most important host of T. gondii. The outcome of T. gondii infection is influenced by congenital and acquired host characteristics. We detected differences in T. gondii seroprevalence by cat breed in our previous studies. The aims of this study were to estimate T. gondii seroprevalence in selected domestic cat breeds, and to evaluate whether being of a certain breed is associated with T. gondii seropositivity, when the age and lifestyle of the cat are tak…
Epidemiology of Toxoplasma and CMV serology and of GBS colonization in pregnancy and neonatal outcome in a Sicilian population
2013
Background: Aim of our study is to analyze the immunological status in pregnancy for two main TORCH agents, Toxoplasma and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and the results of group B streptococcus (GBS) screening, assessing the risk for congenital infection in a population from Palermo, Italy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all inborn live newborns who were born in our division during 2012, gathering information about the mother, the pregnancy and neonatal hospitalization at birth. Whenever data were available, we categorized the serologic status of the mothers for Toxoplasma and CMV. We also considered the results of rectal and vaginal swabs for GBS. We compared the resu…
A new alternative in vitro method for quantification of Toxoplasma gondii infectivity.
2011
An in vitro method to determine the infectious potency of an unknown suspension of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii based on kinetics of host cells lysis was developed. Mic1-3KO a mutant strain of T. gondii RH tachyzoites was inoculated in 25-cm² flasks containing a 90% confluent monolayer of human foreskin fibroblasts. Lysis kinetics was monitored for infection ratios ranging from 1∶10⁶ to 1∶10; we defined 10⁶ tachyzoites/ml⁻¹ as the threshold value for parasite egress. Results allowed us to build a calibration curve relating the initial infection ratios to the time needed to reach 10⁶ tachyzoites/ml⁻¹. Finally, we validated the method using a known mixture of dead and live parasit…
Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in extensively farmed wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Denmark
2019
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of worldwide importance. In this study, we estimated T. gondii seroprevalence in extensively farmed wild boars in Denmark, where little is known about T. gondii in animal hosts. Our study focused on wild boars because they are considered good indicator species for the presence of T. gondii, and wild boar meat is used for human consumption. Serum samples from 101 wild boars collected in 2016-2018 from five different locations from the continental part of Denmark, Jutland, were screened for anti-T. gondii antibodies. The samples were analysed using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples from 28 (27.7%) of the 101 wild …
Vienšūnas parazīta Toxoplasma gondii ekstensitāte meža caunas (Martes martes) un akmeņu caunas (Martes foina) populācijās Latvijas un Lietuvas terito…
2015
Vienšūnas parazītam Toxoplasma gondii par starpsaimnieku var kļūt jebkuras siltasiņu dzīvnieku sugas pārstāvis - arī meža un akmeņu caunas. Laikā no 2011.gada līdz 2014.gadam Latvijas un Lietuvas teritorijā tika ievākti 186 meža un akmeņu caunu muskulatūras paraugi, lai noteiktu T. gondii izplatību, sastopamību un to ietekmējošos faktorus. Kopējā konstatētā T. gondii invāzijas ekstensitāte caunās ir 65,1%. Būtiski augstāka T. gondii ekstensitāte konstatēta meža caunās (67,8%), salīdzinot ar akmeņu caunās konstatēto (52,9%). Būtiskākais T. gondii ekstensitāti ietekmējošais faktors ir dzīvnieka svars. Meža caunām būtiski augstāka T. gondii invāzijas ekstensitāte (69,8%) tika novērota skujkoku…
Sometimes Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) Cannot Find Their Way Back to the High Seas: A Multidisciplinary Study on a Mass Stranding
2011
BackgroundMass strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) remain peculiar and rather unexplained events, which rarely occur in the Mediterranean Sea. Solar cycles and related changes in the geomagnetic field, variations in water temperature and weather conditions, coast geographical features and human activities have been proposed as possible causes. In December 2009, a pod of seven male sperm whales stranded along the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy. This is the sixth instance from 1555 in this basin.Methodology/principal findingsComplete necropsies were performed on three whales whose bodies were in good condition, carrying out on sampled tissues histopathology, virology, bacter…