Occurrence of antibodies and epidemiological significance of Toxoplasma Gondii and Neospora caninum infections in canine populations of Laguna, State of Santa Catarina.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are two species of protozoa that belong to the Apicomplexa phylum and are distributed worldwide. T. gondii is one of the most extensively studied parasites due to its significant health implications. In this study, an investigation on the occurrence of T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies in dogs from a municipality on the southern coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and its associated risk factors were conducted. Blood samples were collected from 238 dogs, and a questionnaire was used to gather relevant information about the dogs, including their age, gender, breed, housing and habits. The serum samples were then subjected to indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using a cutoff of 1:64 and 1:50 to detect antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. The study's findings revealed that the frequency of T. gondii was 23.1% (55/238), and no factors associated with infection in these animals were identified. However, the frequency of N. caninum was 4.2% (10/238), and the study identified the type of housing and environment in which the dogs lived as the factors that were associated with the infection. Stray animals and those that lived exclusively outdoors had a greater frequency of N. caninum. These results indicate that dogs from Laguna, Santa Catarina, Brazil, are exposed to T. gondii and N. caninum. As such, further studies are necessary to enhance the understanding of the nature of these protozoan infections in the municipality.

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and risk factors in cats in Rio de Janeiro.

Seroprevalence studies on cats are essential for monitoring the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii infection. The present research investigated anti-T. gondii antibodies, risk factors, clinical signs, hematology and serum biochemistry in cats from different regions of Rio de Janeiro. An overall 18.7% (17/91) of the cats were seroreactive, and age was associated with increased chances of seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Clinical signs, hematology and serum biochemistry parameters did not help achieve an antemortem diagnosis of cat toxoplasmosis. The parasite circulates in cats from three major regions of Rio de Janeiro, and the present data set will contribute to future epidemiological studies in this endemic state of Brazil.

Toxoplasmosis in the outer retina.

Objective: To present a case of ocular toxoplasmosis. Materials and methods: A sixteen-year-old female patient presented to our clinic with complaints regarding decreased vision in her right eye (BCVA 0.5), starting five days before the exam. Her anamnestic data revealed a previous history of ocular toxoplasmosis in her left eye. OCT scans of the inner retina identified a huge cystic space, located posterior to the inner line, off the outer plexiform layer, with a small amount of hyperreflective foci. Other features of OCT included membranous-like structures on inner borders and elongation and splitting of the inner segment/outer segment junction. In later stages, beginning signs of retinitis and scaring could be observed. Results: The patient was treated with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and prednisolone. After two weeks, total regression occurred and visual acuity and OCT remained stable for 6 months (BCVA 1.0). Discussion: Ocular toxoplasmosis can cause significant vision loss due to retinitis and scarring. Following treatment with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and prednisolone, the patient's condition improved significantly and her visual acuity remained stable. Conclusion: On clinical examination and using OCT, rare morphological cystoid spaces (CS) can be identified as huge outer retina cysts (HORC), which are pathognomonic for posterior uveitis. Abbreviations: HORC = huge outer retinal cyst, OCT = optical coherence tomography, BCVA = best corrected visual acuity, CS = cyst space, OPL = outer plexiform layer, HRF = hyper reflective foci, RPE = retinal pigment epithelium, IS = inner segment, OS = outer segment, ERM = epiretinal membrane, PORT = punctate outer retinal toxoplasmosis, ELM = external limiting membrane.

CCR2-dependent placental migration of inflammatory monocytes suppresses abnormal pregnancies caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gongii) is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes congenital toxoplasmosis, including fetal death, abortion, stillbirth, morphological abnormalities, and premature birth. Primary T. gondii infection in pregnant women results in congenital toxoplasmosis. C-C chemokine receptor (CCR) 2 is reportedly a critical host defense factor against T. gondii infection. However, details of the role of CCR2 in the host immune response to T. gondii in congenital toxoplasmosis remain unclear. Here, we infected pregnant CCR2-deficient mice with T. gondii, resulting in stillbirth, embryonic resorption, fetal morphological abnormalities, and preterm delivery at significantly higher rates than those in pregnant wild-type mice. Consistent with the severity of abnormal pregnancy, a large area of placental hemorrhage and a large number of T. gondii infections around the hemorrhagic area were observed in the placentas of CCR2-deficient mice. In addition, the accumulation of inflammatory monocytes in the placenta was reduced in CCR2-deficient mice during infection. We further confirmed that the adoptive transfer of inflammatory monocytes collected from wild-type mice into T. gondii-infected pregnant CCR2-deficient mice effectively suppressed placental damage and abnormal pregnancy. Collectively, CCR2 contributes to pregnancy maintenance by regulating the migration of inflammatory monocytes into the placenta of T. gondii-infected pregnant mice.

Development of a LAMP method with lateral flow DNA chromatography to diagnose toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients.

BACKGROUND: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is critical, particularly for immunocompromised patients. Several molecular methods could have value for toxoplasmosis diagnosis, but often require sophisticated and expensive equipment, and as such are impractical for use in resource-limited countries. Our study aimed to develop a new rapid diagnostic test for toxoplasmosis that can be used in developed countries as well as low- or middle-income countries. METHODS: Common primers for conventional loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and the new LAMP DNA chromatography method were designed based on a 529-bp repeat present in Toxoplasma gondii genomic DNA. A total of 91 clinical samples from 44 patients suspected of having toxoplasmosis who were treated at several hospitals across Japan were tested using the new LAMP DNA chromatography method, conventional LAMP, and nested PCR and the sensitivity and specificity of the methods was compared. RESULTS: The LAMP DNA chromatography method showed better sensitivity and specificity (68.2% and 100%, respectively) compared with the nested PCR (45.4% and 100%, respectively) and conventional LAMP (63.6% and 100%, respectively) methods for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients. LAMP DNA chromatography also has better sensitivity and specificity (75% and 100%, respectively) than nested PCR (50.0% and 93.5%, respectively) and conventional LAMP (62.5% and 100%, respectively) to diagnose toxoplasma encephalitis using CSF samples. CONCLUSION: We developed a LAMP DNA chromatography method to detect T. gondii DNA in clinical samples. This method also successfully detected T. gondii DNA in CSF from patients with toxoplasma encephalitis. This newly developed method can be a valuable rapid diagnostic test for toxoplasmosis in a range of settings, including resource-limited areas like those in low- or middle-income countries.

Toxoplasma gondii Exposure and Dietary Habits of Two Sympatric Carnivores in the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest, Southern Chile.

ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic protozoan, may infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans and carnivores. Our study focused on alien-invasive American minks (Neogale vison) and domestic cats (Felis catus) in the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest, Chile. The main goal was to investigate the relationship between their dietary habits and T. gondii exposure in the Valdivia River watershed. To detect T. gondii exposure, blood serum samples from 49 domestic cats and 40 American minks were analyzed using an ELISA, and stable isotope analysis of δ15N and δ13C from vibrissae was performed to determine the dietary habits of both species. Relationships between T. gondii exposure and dietary habits were explored using generalized linear mixed-effects models. American minks that were T. gondii seropositive exhibited a broader prey range compared to seropositive domestic cats, with minimal dietary overlap between the two groups. Exposure of domestic cats to T. gondii had no significant association with any isotope value or prey item in their diet. In American minks, we found a positive and significant association between the proportion of Domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the diet and high δ15N values with T. gondii exposure. This suggests that domestic species prey related to anthropogenic areas, and the consumption of high-trophic-level prey, may contribute to T. gondii exposure in American minks. Conversely, contrary to previous hypotheses, consumption of rodents showed no significant association with T. gondii exposure in either species. Our findings emphasize the importance of further research to investigate trophic interactions in the transmission dynamics of T. gondii in the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest.

A Rare Case of Primary CNS Lymphoma in an HIV-Positive Patient Mimicking CNS Tuberculosis.

Primary cerebral lymphoma in immunocompromised patients is rare and challenging to diagnose. Its presentation can have similarities with other opportunistic diseases like cerebral toxoplasmosis and tuberculoma, to name a few, which may affect the subsequent management. Here, we report a case of a gentleman with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who presented with clinical features of fever, confusion, and generalized lethargy. His imaging features mimicked those of central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis (TB), and he was treated for one. Unfortunately, the patient failed to respond to the anti-tuberculosis treatment and continued to deteriorate eventually succumbing to his illness. Brain histopathology biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We aim to illustrate the importance of a high index of suspicion with timely action taken whenever the anticipated finding or response to treatment is not observed. Multiple imaging modalities coupled with biochemistry and histopathological investigations should be considered in discriminating competing diagnoses.

[Preliminary observation on the development and dynamic changes of chronic toxoplasmosis in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the development and dynamic changes of cysts in the brain of mice following infection with different forms of Toxoplasma gondii, so as to provide insights into for toxoplasmosis prevention and control. METHODS: ICR mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks, each weighing 20 to 25 g, were intraperitoneally injected with tachyzoites of the T. gondii PRU strain at a dose of 1 × 105 tachyzoites per mouse, orally administered with cysts at a dose of 20 oocysts per mouse or oocysts at a dose of 200 oocysts per mouse for modeling chronic T. gondii infection in mice, and the clinical symptoms and survival of mice were observed post-infection. Mice were orally infected with T. gondii cysts at doses of 10 (low-dose group), 20 (medium-dose group), 40 cysts per mouse (high-dose group), and the effect of different doses of T. gondii infections on the number of cysts was examined in the mouse brain. Mice were orally administered with T. gondii cysts at a dose of 20 cysts per mouse, and grouped according to gender (female and male) and time points of infections (20, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 days post-infection), and the effects of gender and time points of infections on the number of cysts was examined in the mouse brain. In addition, mice were divided into the tachyzoite group (Group T), the first-generation cyst group (Group C1), the second-generation cyst group (Group C2), the third-generation cyst (Group C3) and the fourth-generation cyst group (Group C4). Mice in the Group T were intraperitoneally injected with T. gondii tachyzoites at a dose of 1 × 105 tachyzoites per mouse, and the cysts were collected from the mouse brain tissues 30 days post-infection, while mice in the Group C1 were orally infected with the collected cysts at a dose of 30 cysts per mouse. Continuous passage was performed by oral administration with cysts produced by the previous generation in mice, and the effect of continuous passage on the number of cysts was examined in the mouse brain. RESULTS: Following infection with T. gondii tachyzoites, cysts and oocysts in mice, obvious clinical symptoms were observed on days 6 to 13 and mice frequently died on days 7 to 12. The survival rates of mice were 67.0%, 87.0% and 53.0%, and the mean numbers of cysts were (516.0 ± 257.2), (1 203.0 ± 502.0) and (581.0 ± 183.1) in the mouse brain (F = 11.94, P < 0.01) on day 30 post-infection with T. gondii tachyzoites, cysts and oocysts, respectively, and the numbers of cysts in the brain tissues were significantly lower in mice infected with T. gondii tachyzoites and oocysts than in those infected with cysts (all P values < 0.01). The survival rates of mice were 87.0%, 87.0% and 60.0%, and the mean numbers of cysts were (953.0 ± 355.5), (1 084.0 ± 474.3) and (1 113.0 ± 546.0) in the mouse brain in the low-, medium- and high-dose groups on day 30 post-infection, respectively (F = 0.42, P > 0.05). The survival rates of male and female mice were 73.0% and 80.0%, and the mean numbers of cysts were (946.4 ± 411.4) and (932.1 ± 322.4) in the brain tissues of male and female mice, respectively (F = 1.63, P > 0.05). Following continuous passage, the mean numbers of cysts were (516.0 ± 257.2), (1 203.0 ± 502.0), (896.8 ± 332.3), (782.5 ± 423.9) and (829.2 ± 306.0) in the brain tissues of mice in the T, C1, C2, C3 and C4 groups, respectively (F = 4.82, P < 0.01), and the number of cysts was higher in the mouse brain in Group 1 than in Group T (P < 0.01). Following oral administration of 20 T. gondii cysts in mice, cysts were found in the moues brain for the first time on day 20 post-infection, and the number of cysts gradually increased over time, peaked on days 30 and 90 post-infection and then gradually decreased; however, the cysts were still found in the mouse brain on day 180 post-infection. CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher possibility of developing chronic T. gondii infection in mice following infection with cysts than with oocysts or tachyzoites and the most severe chronic infection is seen following infection with cysts. The number of cysts does not correlate with the severity of chronic T. gondii infection, and the number of cysts peaks in the mouse brain on days 30 and 90 post-infection.

High Throughput Repurposing Screen Reveals Compounds with Activity Against Toxoplasma gondii Bradyzoites.

Toxoplasma gondii causes widespread chronic infections that are not cured by current treatments due to inability to affect semi-dormant bradyzoite stages within tissue cysts. To identify compounds to eliminate chronic infection, we developed a HTS using a recently characterized strain of T. gondii that undergoes efficient conversion to bradyzoites in intro. Stage-specific expression of luciferase was used to selectively monitor growth inhibition of bradyzoites by the Library of Pharmacological Active Compounds, consisting of 1280 drug-like compounds. We identified 44 compounds with >50% inhibitory effects against bradyzoites, including several new highly potent compounds several of which have precedent for antimicrobial activity. Subsequent characterization of the compound Sanguinarine sulfate revealed potent and rapid killing against in vitro produced bradyzoites and bradyzoites harvested from chronically infected mice. These findings provide a platform for expanded screening and identify promising compounds for further preclinical development against T. gondii bradyzoites responsible for chronic infection.

The Toxoplasma Effector GRA4 Hijacks Host TBK1 to Oppositely Regulate Anti-T. Gondii Immunity and Tumor Immunotherapy.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii)-associated polymorphic effector proteins are crucial in parasite development and regulating host anti-T. gondii immune responses. However, the mechanism remains obscure. Here, it is shown that Toxoplasma effector dense granules 4 (GRA4) restricts host IFN-I activation. Infection with Δgra4 mutant T. gondii strain induces stronger IFN-I responses and poses a severe threat to host health. Mechanistically, GRA4 binds to phosphorylated TBK1 to promote TRIM27-catalyzed K48-ubiquitination at Lys251/Lys372 residues, which enhances its recognition by autophagy receptor p62, ultimately leading to TBK1 autophagic degradation. Furthermore, an avirulent Δgra4 strain (ME49Δompdc/gra4) is constructed for tumor immunotherapy due to its ability to enhance IFN-I production. Earlier vaccination with ME49Δompdc/gra4 confers complete host resistance to the tumor compared with the classical ME49Δompdc treatment. Notably, ME49Δompdc/gra4 vaccination induces a specific CD64+MAR-1+CD11b+ dendritic cell subset, thereby enhancing T cell anti-tumor responses. Overall, these findings identify the negative role of T. gondii GRA4 in modulating host IFN-I signaling and suggest that GRA4 can be a potential target for the development of T. gondii vaccines and tumor immunotherapy.

Not Always Toxoplasmosis: Active Retinochoroiditis Presumably Secondary to Herpes in Eyes with Hyperpigmented Retinochoroidal Previous Scars.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that the presence of active retinochoroiditis in eyes with previous hyperpigmented old retinochoroidal lesions is not exclusive of ocular toxoplasmosis. METHODS: A case series was constructed by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: Four Brazilian patients presenting active posterior uveitis in eyes with previous hyperpigmented old retinochoroidal lesions were identified. Ocular toxoplasmosis was ruled out in all cases. One case had viral etiology confirmed through vitreous PCR (HSV-2 was positive), and the other 3 cases had a presumed diagnosis of herpetic posterior uveitis. CONCLUSION: Focus active retinitis adjacent to an old cicatricial lesion should not be considered pathognomonic of toxoplasmosis and viral etiology must be considered.

The role of Nrf2 signaling in parasitic diseases and its therapeutic potential.

In response to invading parasites, one of the principal arms of innate immunity is oxidative stress, caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, oxidative stresses play dual functions in the disease, whereby free radicals promote pathogen removal, but they can also trigger inflammation, resulting in tissue injuries. A growing body of evidence has strongly supported the notion that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF) signaling is one of the main antioxidant pathways to combat this oxidative burst against parasites. Given the important role of NRF2 in oxidative stress, in this review, we investigate the activation mechanism of the NRF2 antioxidant pathway in different parasitic diseases, such as malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, schistosomiasis, entamoebiasis, and trichinosis.

Interleukins IL33/ST2 and IL1-ß in Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Seropositivity of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is the causal agent of toxoplasmosis. It may produce severe damage in immunocompromised individuals, as well as congenital infection and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Previous reports have associated interleukin IL-33 with miscarriage, fetal damage, and premature delivery due to infections with various microorganisms. However, IL-33 has not been associated with congenital toxoplasmosis. The sST2 receptor has been reported in patients who have had recurrent miscarriages. On the other hand, IL-1ß was not found in acute Toxoplasma infection. Our aim was to analyze the associations between the serum levels of IL-33 and IL-1ß in IUGR and toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. Eighty-four serum samples from pregnant women who had undergone 26 weeks of gestation were grouped as follows: with anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, without anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, IUGR, and the control group. IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies, as well as IL-33, ST2, and IL-1ß, were determined using an ELISA assay. Statistical analyses were performed using the Pearson and Chi-square correlation coefficients, as well as the risk factors and Odds Ratios (ORs), with a confidence interval of 95% (CI 95). The results showed that 15/84 (17.8%) of cases were positive for IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies and 2/84 (2.38%) of cases were positive for IgM. A statistically significant difference was found between IUGR and IL-33 (p < 0.001), as well as between ST2 and IUGR (p < 0.001). In conclusion, IUGR was significantly associated with IL-33 and ST2 positivity based on the overall IUGR grade. No significant association was found between IUGR and the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. There was no association between IL-1ß and IUGR. More research is needed to strengthen the utility of IL-33 and ST2 as biomarkers of IUGR.

The effect of the HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway in patients with idiopathic epilepsy and its relationship with toxoplasmosis.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between toxoplasmosis and this pathway, which may be effective in the formation of epilepsy by acting through the HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway in patients with idiopathic epilepsy. In the study, four different experimental groups were formed by selecting Toxoplasma gondii IgG positive and negative patients with idiopathic epilepsy and healthy controls. Experimental groups were as follows: Group 1: Epilepsy+/Toxo- (E+, T-) (n = 10), Group 2: Epilepsy-/Toxo- (E-, T-) (n = 10), Group 3: Epilepsy-/Toxo+ (E-, T+) (n = 10), Group 4: Epilepsy+/Toxo+ (E+, T+) (n = 10). HMGB1, RAGE, TLR4, TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, IRAK1, IRAK2, IKBKB, IKBKG, BCL3, IL1ß, IL10, 1 L8 and TNFα mRNA expression levels in the HMGB/RAGE/TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway were determined by quantitative simultaneous PCR (qRT-PCR) after collecting blood samples from all patients in the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post-hoc tests, and p < 0.05 was considered to denote statistical significance. The gene expression levels of HMGB1, TLR4, IL10, IL1B, IL8, and TLR2 were significantly higher in the G1 group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the G3 group, RAGE and BCL3 gene expression levels were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the G4 group, however, IRAK2, IKBKB, and IKBKG gene expression levels were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). HMGB1, TLR4, IRAK2, IKBKB, IL10, IL1B, IL1B, and IL8 in this signalling pathway are highly expressed in epilepsy patients in G1 and seizures occur with the stimulation of excitatory mechanisms by acting through this pathway. The signalling pathway in epilepsy may be activated by HMGB1, TLR4, and TLR2, which are considered to increase the level of proinflammatory cytokines. In T. gondii, this pathway is activated by RAGE and BCL3.

Spiramycin-loaded maltodextrin nanoparticles as a promising treatment of toxoplasmosis on murine model.

Despite being the initial choice for treating toxoplasmosis, sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine have limited effectiveness in eliminating the infection and were linked to a variety of adverse effects. Therefore, the search for new effective therapeutic strategies against toxoplasmosis is still required. The current work is the first research to assess the efficacy of spiramycin-loaded maltodextrin nanoparticles (SPM-loaded MNPs) as a novel alternative drug therapy against toxoplasmosis in a murine model. Fifty laboratory-bred Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups: normal control group (GI, n = 10), positive control group (GII, n = 10), orally treated with spiramycin (SPM) alone (GIII, n = 10), intranasal treated with SPM-loaded MNPs (GIV, n = 10), and orally treated with SPM-loaded MNPs (GV, n = 10). Cysts of Toxoplasma gondii ME-49 strain were used to infect the mice. Tested drugs were administered 2 months after the infection. Drug efficacy was assessed by counting brain cysts, histopathological examination, and measures of serum CD19 by flow cytometer. The orally treated group with SPM-loaded MNPs (GV) showed a marked reduction of brain cyst count (88.7%), histopathological improvement changes, and an increasing mean level of CD19 (80.2%) with significant differences. SPM-loaded MNPs showed potent therapeutic effects against chronic toxoplasmosis. Further research should be conducted to assess it in the treatment of human toxoplasmosis, especially during pregnancy.

Tandem repeats in the genome of Toxoplasma gondii display compositional bias that impacts in protein structure.

Repetitive elements in DNA sequences are a hallmark of Apicomplexan protozoa. A genome-wide screening for Tandem Repeats was conducted in Toxoplasma gondii and related Coccidian parasites with a novel strategy to assess compositional bias. A conserved pattern of GC skew and purine-pyrimidine bias was observed. Compositional bias was also present at the protein level. Glutamic acid was the most abundant amino acid in the purine (GA) rich cluster, while Serine prevailed in pyrimidine (CT) rich cluster. Purine rich repeats, and consequently glutamic acid abundance, correlated with high scores for intrinsically disordered protein regions/domains. Finally, variability was established for repetitive regions within a well-known rhoptry antigen (ROP1) and an uncharacterized hypothetical protein with similar features. The approach we present could be useful to identify potential antigens bearing repetitive elements.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis among the butchers of Tabriz city, the northwest of Iran: a case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Occupation plays an important role in the spread of infectious diseases in humans. Toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis are world-wide diseases with different routes of transmission. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis and risk factors associated with these diseases among the butchers of Tabriz City, the northwest of Iran. METHODS: In this case-control study conducted in Tabriz city in 2023, 250 serum samples were collected from butchers (n = 125) and outpatients referred to Imam Reza Hospital (n = 125) and. The ELISA test was used to identify IgG and IgM antibodies against toxoplasmosis and IgG antibodies against hydatidosis. The results were analyzed by statistics tests using SPSS v. 16 software. Risk factors' association was tested using Chi square or logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The results indicated that 66/125 (52.8%) cases and 40/125 controls (32%) were positive for toxoplasmosis IgG antibody. Also, 5/125 (4%) and 1/125 (0.8%) were positive for toxoplasmosis IgM antibody in the case and control groups, respectively. In addition, 10/125 people (8%) were positive for anti-hydatidosis IgG antibody in the case group, while no positive cases were found in the control group. The main risk factors for toxoplasmosis were age (OR: 1.014), education level (OR: 0.638), and work experience(OR: 1.695), these factors for hydatidosis included age and education level (OR: 1.765 and 0.271) respectivily. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis and in butchers of Tabriz, which required special attention and basic measures. Moreover, the prevalence of hydatidosis IgG antibodies also requires more attention to be focused on breaking the transmission and reducing the infection.

A Review of Immunological and Neuropsychobehavioral Effects of Latent Toxoplasmosis on Humans.

Toxoplasmosis as a zoonotic disease has a worldwide distribution and can infect a wide range of animal hosts, as well as at least one third of the world's human population. The disease is usually mild or asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, but dormant tissue cysts survive especially in the brain for the host lifespan, known as latent toxoplasmosis (LT). Recent studies suggest that LT can have certain neurological, immunological psychological and behavioural effects on human including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, depression, suicide anxiety and sleeping disorders. LT effects are controversial, and their exact mechanisms of action is not yet fully understood. This review aims to provide an overview of the potential effects, their basic mechanisms including alteration of neurotransmitter levels, immune activation in the central nervous system and induction of oxidative stress. Additionally, beneficial effects of LT, and an explanation of the effects within the framework of manipulation hypothesis, and finally, the challenges and limitations of the current research are discussed.

Seropositivity of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a food- and water-borne zoonotic protozoan parasite that is able to infect almost all warm-blooded vertebrates. It has a major effect on public health, particularly in underdeveloped nations. Immune-competent individuals typically exhibit no symptoms or experience a mild influenza-like sickness, while there is a possibility of severe manifestation and fatal or high-risk for life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised people like pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients and lead to severe pathological effects on the fetus. METHOD: We conducted a systematic search of databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, EMBASE, and Scopus) using the PRISMA criteria. We used specific keywords such as Toxoplasma gondii, Toxoplasmosis, pregnant women, prevalence, HIV/AIDS, and worldwide studies published from 2018 to 2022. We use Stata (version 14) software to estimate the pooled prevalence and heterogeneity of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and HIV-infected people using a random-effects model and the Cochran's Q-test, respectively. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Instrument and Egger's regression asymmetry test were used to assess study quality and publication bias, respectively, while the single study omission analysis was used to test the robustness of a pooled estimate. RESULTS: We included and analyzed a total of 12,887 individuals in this review. The pooled prevalence of T. gondii in this review was 40% (95% CI = 0.31-0.50). The sub-group analysis revealed that the evaluation included 11,967 pregnant women. In pregnant women, the pooled sero-prevalence was 40% (95% CI = 0.31-0.50). In pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients, 920 individuals were evaluated, and the pooled sero-prevalence was 41% (95% CI = 0.20-0.61). CONCLUSION: This review identified an overall sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma infection of 40% among pregnant women and HIV/AIDS. The expansion of prevention and control strategies, with a primary focus on enhancing educational initiatives, is necessary to avoid reactivation and stop the spread of infection, so investigative sero-prevalence is important work among pregnant women and HIV patients. In order to achieve a comprehensive explanation of the disease condition and reach this goal, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in Worldwide for future use.