ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the splenocytes immune response elicited by different concentrations of recombinant Toxo?plasma gondii profilin(rTgPRF)through the nasal route,and determine the optimal dose. Methods Fifty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. The immunized groups were intranasally administered with 10,20,30μg or 40μg of rTgPRF that was separately dissolved in 20μl of phosphate?buffered saline(PBS)on days 0,14,and 21 respectively,while the control mice were given PBS solution instead. Two weeks after the last immunization,all mice were killed. Under asceptic conditions,the spleens from the immunized mice were dissected,and then the splenocyte proliferative responses in vitro were tested by CCK?8 kit. The levels of IFN?γ,IL?2,IL?4 and IL?10 of splenocyte culture supernatant were detected by ELISA. Re?sults Compared to the control group,the splenocytes from the 30μg and 40μg groups exhibited a significantly higher prolifer?ative response to rTgPRF(P<0.05),and SI from the 30μg rTgPRF group was higher than that from the 40μg group(P<0.05). The levels of IFN?γin all the immunized groups(P<0.05)and IL?2 in the 20,30μg and 40μg groups were significant?ly stronger than those in the control(P<0.05),and the 30μg group presented the highest concentrations of IFN?γ(P<0.01) and IL?2(P<0.01). There were no statistical differencesa mong the groups in the levels of IL?4 and IL?10. Conclusions The intranasal immunization with rTgPRF can induce the splenocyteproliferation and Th1?type mediated immunity. The best immu?nized dose is confirmed as 30μg.
ABSTRACT
Objective To isolate Toxoplasma gondii T. gondii strains from stray cats and explore their prevalence in Xu?zhou City. Methods The sera of 41 stray cats were collected to detect the antibodies of T. gondii by using a commercial enzyme?linked immunosorbent ELISA kit. The tissues including the heart brain and tongue from these cats were digested by acid pep?sin solution and inoculated to Kunming mice. These suspicious isolates were subsequently identified by a specific PCR method. Results A total of 11 strains were isolated from 41 stray cats which were confirmed by the PCR results. Moreover 17 cats 41.5% were found to be positive with the antibodies of T. gondii. Conclusion A high prevalence of T. gondii infection was found in Xuzhou City which indicates that the stray cats infected with T. gondii would be an important infection source that may infect humans and other animals in this area.