Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from Clinical Samples

Ivović, Vladimir; Vujanić, Marija; Živković, Tamara; Klun, Ivana; Djurković–Djaković, Olgica

doi:10.5772/50830

Cited by 21 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Limited experience with T. gondii genotypes circulating in southeastern Europe indicates the presence of only clonal types, with the predominance of type II (23,24,25). However, the infecting strain in the reported patient was genetically divergent from strains commonly isolated in Europe.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Atypical Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Causing Fatal Reactivation after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantion in a Patient with an Underlying Immunological Deficiency

et al. 2013

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T oxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite distributed worldwide and infecting one-third of the global population. Infection is acquired by ingestion of parasites via consumption of undercooked meat containing tissue cysts or of water, fruits, or vegetables contaminated with oocysts. In immunocompetent individuals, primary infection results in the formation of tissue cysts and in serological evidence of infection. However, in immunocompromized patients, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, toxoplasmosis is often a life-threatening opportunistic infection arising either from transmission of the parasites via a graft from a seropositive donor to a seronegative recipient or, far more frequently, from reactivation of a preexisting latent infection in a seropositive recipient, regardless of the donor's serological status (1). After allogeneic HSCT, studies have shown an incidence of invasive toxoplasmosis among seropositive recipients of 4% to 6%, with an estimated mortality rate of 60% to 90% (2, 3).Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) is a rare, autosome-recessive DNA repair disorder characterized by microcephaly with normal intelligence, facial dysmorphia (bird-like facial features), primary immunodeficiency, and a predisposition to lymphoid malignancies at a young age (4, 5). Treatment of NBS-related malignancies is challenging due to the chromosomal instability and immunodeficiency which make the patients more susceptible to the toxic effects of standard chemotherapy and radiation. Although lymphoid malignancies occurring in NBS patients can be successfully brought into remission using standard chemotherapy regimens with minor dose modifications (6, 7), a high rate of treatment failure and relapse has been observed (8). An alternative treatment option for malignancies in NBS is HSCT from HLAidentical donors, which has been shown not only to correct humoral and cellular immunodeficiency but also to lower the secondary malignancy rate (9).We here present a case of an early and fulminant post-HSCT reactivation of toxoplasmosis caused by an atypical T. gondii strain in a young patient with NBS that contributed to a subsequent fatal outcome within 40 days after transplantation. This case is the first report of increased clinical severity of toxoplasmosis caused by an atypical strain in the setting of immunosuppression. It also stresses the value and necessity of the use of quantitative molecular methods to monitor T. gondii reactivation in cases of reactivation risk.(The results of this study have been presented in part at the 11th European Multicolloquium of Parasitology [EMOP XI],

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Atypical Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Causing Fatal Reactivation after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantion in a Patient with an Underlying Immunological Deficiency

et al. 2013

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“…[21] However, the sensitivity of PCR may be limited by the random distribution of the parasite and varying parasite densities in affected tissue. [22] Currently there is no consensus on test protocols and sensitivity for clinical diagnosis of toxoplasmosis by PCR using various samples, [23] and it has therefore been suggested that there is a need to develop more acceptable reference guides for the performance and result validation of PCR techniques. [24] The cost of PCR is high and its application under field conditions is limited by the need for a thermocycler.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of the nested polymerase chain reaction for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughterhouse workers in Thika District, Kenya

Thiongo¹,

Ichagichu

Ngotho

et al. 2016

S Afr Med J

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Background. The widely used methods of diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii are serological. Current reports indicate a high seroprevalence of T. gondii in humans in Kenya. There is a need for more sensitive diagnostic tests, especially when the specific antibody titres are below detectable threshold levels. Use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the repetitive 529 base pair loci has been reported to be sensitive and specific. Objective. To detect T. gondii in a high-risk group of public health workers in Thika District, Kenya. Methods. In total, 87 human blood samples were collected from male slaughterhouse workers between 1 March 2013 and 25 June 2013. The DNA extracted was amplified by the nested PCR. Results. T. gondii was detected in 39.1% (34/87) of the workers. In the cow-sheep-goat slaughterhouses the prevalence ranged between 20% and 60%, while all the chicken slaughterhouse workers (6/6, 100%) tested positive. The difference in T. gondii positivity between the workers in the chicken slaughterhouse and those in the cattle-sheep-goat slaughterhouses was statistically significant (p=0.003). Conclusion. This study shows the presence of T. gondii in an asymptomatic high-risk group in Thika District, indicating the need for enhancement of public health awareness.

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“…Small mammals and rodents in particular are reservoirs or intermediate hosts of various human pathogens. It has been proven that different species of rodents play a significant role in the transmission of certain contagious diseases to other animals and humans [15]. Previous field and laboratory studies have shown that wild rats are one of the most important intermediate hosts for T. gondii [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been proven that different species of rodents play a significant role in the transmission of certain contagious diseases to other animals and humans [15]. Previous field and laboratory studies have shown that wild rats are one of the most important intermediate hosts for T. gondii [15]. Hence, rodent monitoring as well as control are key ways to reduce its prevalence in the wild [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence and genotype identification of Toxoplasma gondii in suburban rodents collected at waste disposal sites

2019

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To assess the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in native and commensal rodents as indicators of environmental pollution, we analyzed brain tissue from small mammals collected on legal and illegal waste sites in the Slovenian and Croatian parts of Istria. A total of 136 animals and five species of the family Muridae were analyzed: black rat (Rattus rattus), domestic mouse (Mus musculus), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), and yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). Using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), T. gondii DNA was detected in four homogenized brain tissue samples (2.94%), from all of the analyzed species, except black rat. Out of these, two samples, domestic mouse (Mus musculus) and wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) had sufficient DNA for genotyping of T. gondii isolates in which we demonstrated the presence of clonal type II using RFLP PCR with four markers (SAG1, SAG2, GRA6 and GRA7). Three of four infected animals (75%) were collected on dumpsites.

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Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii from Clinical Samples

Cited by 21 publications

References 77 publications

Atypical Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Causing Fatal Reactivation after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantion in a Patient with an Underlying Immunological Deficiency

Atypical Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Causing Fatal Reactivation after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantion in a Patient with an Underlying Immunological Deficiency

Use of the nested polymerase chain reaction for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughterhouse workers in Thika District, Kenya

Prevalence and genotype identification of Toxoplasma gondii in suburban rodents collected at waste disposal sites

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