Effect of <i>Trypanosoma lewisi</i> (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) on the infection of white rats with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> (Eucoccidia: Sarcocystidae) oocysts

Abstract

White rats were inoculated with 10 6 trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma lewisi, simultaneously or two days before and after inoculation with 10 5 oocysts of T. gondií. A greater number of cysts was found in the brain of the animals having concomitant inoculations, as compared with rats inoculated with either one of the two parasites. An apparent immunosuppressive effec! is Iikely. Since both orgartisms can be found in rats, ít is possible that infections with T. lewisi, could make this rodent another intermediate host for Toxoplasma infections

Fleas as Useful Tools for Science

“…Infection by Trypanosoma lewisi does not have any direct pathogenic effect on X. cheopis (Table 1); however, this trypanosomiasis may indirectly cause some harm to rodents. Under experimental conditions, T. lewisi was found to increase the multiplication of Toxoplasma gondii in white rats [12,13]. This finding deserves greater attention, since (a) rats infected with T. gondii are considered important in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis because they can serve as reservoirs of infection for pigs, dogs, and cats; and (b) T. gondii infection may enhance the likelihood of infected rats being predated by cats.…”

Infection withTrypanosoma lewisiorTrypanosoma musculimay promote the spread ofToxoplasma gondii

“…Parasitism in wild animals is common and rodents in the wild are highly likely to be infected with multiple pathogens. Thus, understanding the immune responses in relation to co-infection of T. gondii with other pathogens has great potential to be both interesting and relevant in nature (Catarinella et al ., 1998; Onah and Wakelin, 1999).…”

“…Trypanosoma lewisi can have prevalences of up to 56% rats (Liu and Liu, 1990; Desquesnes et al ., 2002; Dobigny et al ., 2019) and has also been considered as pathogenic to humans (Lun et al ., 2009; 2015; Truc et al ., 2013; Lin et al ., 2015). Many previous studies have suggested that T. lewisi infection could induce an immunosuppressive effect on its hosts, resulting in a greater susceptibility to infection by other pathogens, including Salmonella typhimurium, Cryptococcus neoformans and Toxoplasma gondii (Nielsen et al ., 1978; Catarinella et al ., 1998; Gross et al ., 2006; Carrera et al ., 2009). Trypanosoma musculi has similar biological characteristics to T. lewisi but restricted to mice and can also induce an effect on experimental infection of mice with Toxoplasma (Albright and Albright, 1980; Piccolo-Johanning et al ., 2013).…”

“…Trypanosoma lewisi can have prevalences of up to 56% rats [12][13][14] and has also been considered as pathogenic to humans [15][16][17][18]. Many previous studies have suggested that T. lewisi infection could induce an immunosuppressive effect on its hosts, resulting in a greater susceptibility to infection by other pathogens, including Salmonella typhimurium, Cryptococcus neoformans and Toxoplasma gondii [10,[19][20][21]. Trypanosoma musculi has similar biological characteristics to T. lewisi but restricted to mice and can also induce an effect on experimental infection of mice with Toxoplasma [22,23].…”