Molecular detection and genotypic characterization of toxoplasma gondii in paraffin-embedded fetoplacental tissues of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion

Background: Congenital toxoplasmosis is an important cause of spontaneous abortion worldwide. However, there is limited information on detection and genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii [T. gondii] in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion [RSA]. The aim of this study is the molecular detection and genotypic characterization of T. gondii in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded fetoplacental tissues [FFPTs] of women with RSA that have referred to the Avicenna Research Institute in Tehran, Iran

Materials and Methods: This experimental research was undertaken on 210 FFPTs of women with RSA. The information of the patients was collected from the archives of Avicenna Research Institute in Tehran, Iran. After DNA extraction, the presence of T. gondii was examined by nested polymerase chain reaction targeting the GRA6 gene. Genotyping was performed on positive samples using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] that targeted the GRA6 and SAG3 genes. Sequencing was conducted on two GRA6 positive samples

Results: T. gondii DNA was detected in 3.8% [8/210] of the samples. Genotyping showed that all positive samples belonged to type III of the T. gondii genotype. Sequencing two genomic DNAs of the GRA6 gene revealed 99% similarity with each other and 99-100% similarity with T. gondii sequences deposited in GenBank. There were six patients with histories of more than three abortions; one patient had a healthy girl and another patient had two previous abortions. Abortions occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy in seven patients and in the second trimester of pregnancy in one patient

Conclusion: The results of this study have indicated that genotype III is the predominant type of T. gondii in women with RSA in Tehran, Iran. Also, our findings suggest that toxoplasmosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of RSA. However, further studies are needed to elucidate a clear relationship between T. gondii infection and RSA

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Kashan city, Iran [2012-2013]

Trichomonas vaginalis infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in humans. T.vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan with a predilection for human urogenital tract and causative agent for vaginitis, cervicitis and urethritis in females. T.vaginalis infection is associated with risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infectivity and pregnancy complication. In this study, the prevalence of T.vaginalis in individuals who referred to public health units in Kashan city, Iran was investigated. This study was conducted on 970 women and 235 men who referred to 5 government health centers in Kashan, Iran during October 2012 to August 2013. Demographic information was collected as per the study protocol. Vaginal discharges and urine samples were obtained and examined by Trypticase-Yeast Extract Maltose [TYM] culture medium and wet-mount methods. The prevalence of T. vaginalis was determined using culture based method and wet-mount examinations. The overall prevalence of trichomonal infection was 2% [95% CI, 2 +/- 0.08]. The age of infected individual was 33.7 +/- 9.4 years. All of those infected, were married housewives and 58.3% of them had primary school education. No statistical correlation was observed between clinical manifestations and parasitological results [p=0.8]. This study showed a relatively low prevalence of T.vaginalis infection in the study population. Since the clinical signs of trichomoniasis are the same of other Sexually Transmitted Diseases [STDs], confirmatory laboratory tests are necessary. Due to adverse outcomes of disease, there is a great need for public education regarding implementation of personal hygienic measures and prevention of inappropriate sexual contacts

[Effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on spermatogenesis of male rats]

Evaluation of the effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on spermatogenesis in male rats. The RH strain of T. gondii tachyzoites were injected interaperitoneally in an infected group of 35 rats, while 21 rats were used as controls. Each ten days from 10-70 days of postinfection [PI], 5 rats from infected group and 3 rats from control group were scarified. The percentage of body weight to testis weight ratio [BTR] as well as sperm parameters and fructose levels in seminal vesicles and coagulating glands [SVCG] were investigated. An IgG ELISA kit was designed for serologic diagnosis of infection in the rats. All rats injected with T. gondii tachyzoites were infected from 10-70 PI. Sperm motility from 10-70 PI, sperm viability from 10-60 PI and sperm concentration from 20-60 PI were significantly decreased in the infected group [P<0.05] ; sperm abnormality was significantly increased in the infected group on days 30, 40 and 50 PI [P<0.05]. BTR in the infected group was not significantly changed compared to control group [P>0.05]. Fructose level in SVCG in the infected group was significantly decreased on days 10-50 PI [P<0.05] compared to control. According to the results, toxoplasmosis can cause impermanent impairment on the spermatogenesis in the male rats