86 results on '"Si Yang"'
Search Results
2. A recombinant Fasciola gigantica 14-3-3 epsilon protein (rFg14-3-3e) modulates various functions of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells
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Tian, Ai-Ling, Lu, MingMin, Calderón-Mantilla, Guillermo, Petsalaki, Evangelia, Dottorini, Tania, Tian, XiaoWei, Wang, YuJian, Huang, Si-Yang, Hou, Jun-Ling, Li, XiangRui, Elsheikha, Hany M., and Zhu, Xing-Quan
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- 2018
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3. DNA double-strand breaks in the Toxoplasma gondii-infected cells by the action of reactive oxygen species
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Xueqiu Chen, Yi Yang, Aifang Du, Lingtao Pan, Si-Yang Huang, Haohan Zhuang, Yimin Yang, Xianfeng Zhao, and Chaoqun Yao
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0301 basic medicine ,DNA damage ,Cell ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Apoptosis ,Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ,DNA damage response ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,Multiplicity of infection ,Western blot ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Humans ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded ,Phosphorylation ,Checkpoint Kinase 2 ,biology ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Research ,biology.organism_classification ,Molecular biology ,030104 developmental biology ,Infectious Diseases ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,HEK293 Cells ,chemistry ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Parasitology ,Reactive Oxygen Species ,Toxoplasma ,DNA ,Toxoplasmosis ,HeLa Cells - Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate parasite of all warm-blooded animals around the globe. Once infecting a cell, it manipulates the host’s DNA damage response that is yet to be elucidated. The objectives of the present study were three-fold: (i) to assess DNA damages in T. gondii-infected cells in vitro; (ii) to ascertain causes of DNA damage in T. gondii-infected cells; and (iii) to investigate activation of DNA damage responses during T. gondii infection. Methods HeLa, Vero and HEK293 cells were infected with T. gondii at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10:1. Infected cells were analyzed for a biomarker of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) γH2AX at 10 h, 20 h or 30 h post-infection using both western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), and ROS-induced DNA damage was inhibited by a ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Lastly, DNA damage responses were evaluated by detecting the active form of ataxia telangiectasia mutated/checkpoint kinase 2 (ATM/CHK2) by western blot. Results γH2AX levels in the infected HeLa cells were significantly increased over time during T. gondii infection compared to uninfected cells. NAC treatment greatly reduced ROS and concomitantly diminished γH2AX in host cells. The phosphorylated ATM/CHK2 were elevated in T. gondii-infected cells. Conclusions Toxoplasma gondii infection triggered DNA DSBs with ROS as a major player in host cells in vitro. It also activated DNA damage response pathway ATM/CHK2. Toxoplasma gondii manages to keep a balance between survival and apoptosis of its host cells for the benefit of its own survival.
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- 2020
4. A recombinant Fasciola gigantica 14-3-3 epsilon protein (rFg14-3-3e) modulates various functions of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells
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Evangelia Petsalaki, Tania Dottorini, Yujian Wang, Xiaowei Tian, Mingmin Lu, Jun-Ling Hou, Hany M. Elsheikha, Xiangrui Li, Si-Yang Huang, Ai-Ling Tian, Guillermo Calderón-Mantilla, and Xing-Quan Zhu
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0301 basic medicine ,Fascioliasis ,Fasciola gigantica ,Blotting, Western ,14-3-3 epsilon protein isoform ,Sequence Homology ,Immunofluorescence ,Pichia ,Pichia pastoris ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,03 medical and health sciences ,Western blot ,medicine ,Animals ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,Cloning, Molecular ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,biology ,Goats ,Research ,Lymphocyte differentiation ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,Transforming growth factor beta ,Fasciola hepatica ,biology.organism_classification ,Molecular biology ,Recombinant Proteins ,030104 developmental biology ,Infectious Diseases ,14-3-3 Proteins ,Peripheral blood mononuclear cells ,Leukocytes, Mononuclear ,biology.protein ,Goat ,Cytokines ,Parasitology ,Cytokine secretion ,Homology modelling ,Antibody - Abstract
Background The molecular structure of Fasciola gigantica 14-3-3 protein has been characterized. However, the involvement of this protein in parasite pathogenesis remains elusive and its effect on the functions of innate immune cells is unknown. We report on the cloning and expression of a recombinant F. gigantica 14-3-3 epsilon protein (rFg14-3-3e), and testing its effects on specific functions of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods rFg14-3-3e protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were used to examine the reactivity of rFg14-3-3e protein to anti-F. gigantica and anti-rFg14-3-3e antibodies, respectively. Various assays were used to investigate the stimulatory effects of the purified rFg14-3-3e protein on specific functions of goat PBMCs, including cytokine secretion, proliferation, migration, nitric oxide (NO) production, phagocytosis, and apoptotic capabilities. Potential protein interactors of rFg14-3-3e were identified by querying the databases Intact, String, BioPlex and BioGrid. A Total Energy analysis of each of the identified interaction was performed. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was conducted using Funcassociate 3.0. Results Sequence analysis revealed that rFg14-3-3e protein had 100% identity to 14-3-3 protein from Fasciola hepatica. Western blot analysis showed that rFg14-3-3e protein is recognized by sera from goats experimentally infected with F. gigantica and immunofluorescence staining using rat anti-rFg14-3-3e antibodies demonstrated the specific binding of rFg14-3-3e protein to the surface of goat PBMCs. rFg14-3-3e protein stimulated goat PBMCs to produce interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), corresponding with low levels of IL-4 and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Also, this recombinant protein promoted the release of NO and cell apoptosis, and inhibited the proliferation and migration of goat PBMCs and suppressed monocyte phagocytosis. Homology modelling revealed 65% identity between rFg14-3-3e and human 14-3-3 protein YWHAE. GO enrichment analysis of the interacting proteins identified terms related to apoptosis, protein binding, locomotion, hippo signalling and leukocyte and lymphocyte differentiation, supporting the experimental findings. Conclusions Our data suggest that rFg14-3-3e protein can influence various cellular and immunological functions of goat PBMCs in vitro and may be involved in mediating F. gigantica pathogenesis. Because of its involvement in F. gigantica recognition by innate immune cells, rFg14-3-3e protein may have applications for development of diagnostics and therapeutic interventions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2745-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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- 2018
5. Genome-wide expression patterns of calcium-dependent protein kinases in Toxoplasma gondii
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Xing-Quan Zhu, Jin-Lei Wang, Si-Yang Huang, Nian-Zhang Zhang, and Jia Chen
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Protozoan Proteins ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Expression patterns ,Stress, Physiological ,parasitic diseases ,Animals ,Gene ,Genome wide expression ,Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ,biology ,Kinase ,Research ,Gene Expression Profiling ,biology.organism_classification ,Calcium dependent ,Cell biology ,Gene expression profiling ,Cold Temperature ,Infectious Diseases ,Secretory protein ,Parasitology ,Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) ,Protein Kinases ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Background Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are found in plants and some Apicomplexan parasites but not in animals or fungi. CDPKs have been shown to play important roles in various calcium-signaling pathways such as host cell invasion, egress and protein secretion in Toxoplasma gondii. The objectives of the present study were to examine the T. gondii CDPK genes expression patterns during different development stages and stress responses. Methods We carried out a comprehensive expression analysis of CDPK genes based on previously published microarray datasets, and we also used real time quantitative RT-PCR to study ten T. gondii CDPK genes expression patterns under acid, alkali, high temperature and low temperature conditions. Results Microarrays analysis indicated that some TgCDPK genes exhibited different expression levels in IFN-γ stimuli conditions or at different developmental stages, suggesting that CDPK genes may play different roles in these processes. Expression profiles under low temperature, high temperature, acid and alkaline indicated that most CDPK may be involved in regulating high temperature, acid and alkaline signaling pathways. Conclusions We present a genome-wide expression analysis of CDPK genes in T. gondii for the first time, and the mRNA levels change with abiotic and biotic stresses, suggesting their functional roles in these processes. These results will provide a solid basis for future functional studies of the CDPK gene family in T. gondii. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0917-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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- 2015
6. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and typing of Toxoplasma gondii
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Quan Liu, Xing-Quan Zhu, Si-Yang Huang, and Zedong Wang
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Serotype ,Genotyping ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Review ,law.invention ,law ,Diagnosis ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Typing ,Serotyping ,Polymerase chain reaction ,biology ,Diagnostic Tests, Routine ,Zoonosis ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Virology ,Toxoplasmosis ,Infectious Diseases ,Parasitology ,Genetic characterization ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is an important zoonosis with medical and veterinary importance worldwide. The disease is mainly contracted by ingesting undercooked or raw meat containing viable tissue cysts, or by ingesting food or water contaminated with oocysts. The diagnosis and genetic characterization of T. gondii infection is crucial for the surveillance, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis. Traditional approaches for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis include etiological, immunological and imaging techniques. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis has been improved by the emergence of molecular technologies to amplify parasite nucleic acids. Among these, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular techniques have been useful for the genetic characterization of T. gondii. Serotyping methods based on polymorphic polypeptides have the potential to become the choice for typing T. gondii in humans and animals. In this review, we summarize conventional non-DNA-based diagnostic methods, and the DNA-based molecular techniques for the diagnosis and genetic characterization of T. gondii. These techniques have provided foundations for further development of more effective and accurate detection of T. gondii infection. These advances will contribute to an improved understanding of the epidemiology, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis.
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- 2015
7. Molecular detection and genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii infection in bats in four provinces of China
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Wei Cong, Ye Liu, Si-Yang Huang, Fu-Kai Zhang, Nan Li, Zedong Wang, Si-Yuan Qin, Quan Liu, and Xing-Quan Zhu
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China ,Veterinary medicine ,Genotype ,Genotyping Techniques ,Protozoan Proteins ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Biology ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Chiroptera ,Bats ,parasitic diseases ,Prevalence ,Animals ,Myotis chinensis ,Murina leucogaster ,Genetic diversity ,Research ,DNA, Protozoan ,biology.organism_classification ,Virology ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Infectious Diseases ,Liver ,Parasitology ,Genetic marker ,Topography, Medical ,Genetic characterization ,Toxoplasma ,Nested polymerase chain reaction ,Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length - Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects a wide variety of warm-blooded hosts, including humans. Limited information about T. gondii infection in bats is available in China. The objective of the present study was to determine prevalence and genetic characterization of T. gondii infection in bats in Jilin, Liaoning, Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces, China. During May 2005 to August 2013, bats were sampled from Jilin, Liaoning, Jiangxi, and Guangdong provinces, China, and liver tissues were collected for the detection of T. gondii by a nested PCR targeting the B1 gene. The positive samples were genotyped at 11 genetic markers (SAG1, 5′-and 3′-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8, c29-2, and Apico) using multilocus polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A total of 626 bats representing 10 species were examined for T. gondii infection, 38 (6.1%) were tested positive with by PCR, 8 positive DNA samples were completely genotyped, of which 3 samples (2 from Cynopterus sphinx, and 1 from Murina leucogaster) represented ToxoDB#10, and 5 samples (2 from Murina leucogaster, 2 from Myotis chinensis, and 1 from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) belonged to ToxoDB#9 ( http://toxodb.org/toxo/ ). The present study revealed an overall T. gondii prevalence of 6.1% in bats from Jilin, Liaoning, Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces in China, and reported two T. gondii genotypes (ToxoDB#9 and #10) having a wide geographical distribution in China. These results provide new genetic information about T. gondii infection in bats, and have implications for better understanding of the genetic diversity of T. gondii in China and elsewhere.
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- 2014
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8. Transcriptomic analysis of mouse liver reveals a potential hepato-enteric pathogenic mechanism in acute Toxoplasma gondii infection
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He, Jun-Jun, primary, Ma, Jun, additional, Elsheikha, Hany M., additional, Song, Hui-Qun, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2016
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9. Characterization of mouse brain microRNAs after infection with cyst-forming Toxoplasma gondii
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Alasdair J. Nisbet, Yi-Fan Fan, Min-Jun Xu, Dong-Hui Zhou, Xing-Quan Zhu, and Si-Yang Huang
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Mouse ,Central nervous system ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Host-Parasite Interactions ,Mice ,parasitic diseases ,microRNA ,medicine ,Animals ,Regulation of gene expression ,biology ,Research ,Intracellular parasite ,Brain ,Computational Biology ,High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Toxoplasmosis ,Cell biology ,MicroRNAs ,Chronic infection ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Infectious Diseases ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Gene Expression Regulation ,Immunology ,Female ,Host regulation ,Parasitology ,MicroRNA (miRNA) ,Signal transduction ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Background The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii can interfere with host cell signaling pathways, alter host defense systems and cell cycle control, and establish a chronic infection in the central nervous system. T. gondii infection may alter the expression profile of host microRNAs (miRNAs) which have key regulatory functions at the post-transcriptional level. Methods Using high-throughput sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR technology, we compared the miRNA expression profiles of uninfected mouse brains with brains from mice at 14 days and 21 days after infection with cyst-forming T. gondii (Type II). Results A total of 51.30 million raw reads were obtained from all samples and 495 (14d infected mouse sample), 511 (14d sham-infected control), 504 (21d infected mouse sample) and 514 (21d sham-infected control) miRNA candidates identified. Among these, 414 miRNAs were consistent across all the studied groups, 17 were specific to the 14d infected group and 32 were specific to the 21d infected group. In addition, 9 miRNAs were common to both the 14d- and 21d-infected groups. Enrichment analysis for the targets of these miRNAs showed a high percentage of “protein tag” functions. Immune related targets including chemokines, cytokines, growth factors and interleukins were also found. Conclusions These results not only showed that the miRNA expression of the host can be changed by the invasion of cyst-forming T. gondii, but also indicated that the host attempts to respond using two tactics: marking proteins with “protein tags” and adaptation of immune related systems.
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- 2013
10. Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the pancreatic fluke Eurytrema pancreaticum
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Dong Hui Zhou, Si Yang Huang, Xing Quan Zhu, Chun Ren Wang, Min Jun Xu, Jing Hua Fu, Xu Zheng, and Qiao Cheng Chang
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Eurytrema pancreaticum ,Helminth genetics ,Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Dicrocoeliidae ,microRNA ,Animals ,Expressed Sequence Tags ,Genetics ,Regulation of gene expression ,biology ,Gene Expression Profiling ,Research ,High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ,biology.organism_classification ,MicroRNAs ,Pancreatic fluke ,Infectious Diseases ,Profile ,Parasitology ,Identification (biology) ,MicroRNA (miRNA) ,Trematoda ,RNA, Helminth - Abstract
Background Eurytrema pancreaticum is one of the most common flukes, which mainly infects ruminants globally and infects human beings accidentally; causing eurytremiasis that has high veterinary and economic importance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs and are now considered as a key mechanism of gene regulation at the post-transcription level. Methods We investigated the global miRNA expression profile of E. pancreaticum adults using next-generation sequencing technology combined with real-time quantitative PCR. Results By using the genome of the closely-related species Schistosoma japonicum as reference, we obtained 27 miRNA candidates out of 16.45 million raw sequencing reads, with 13 of them found as known miRNAs in S. japonicum and/or S. mansoni, and the remaining 14 miRNAs were considered as novel. Five out of the 13 known miRNAs coming from one family named as sja-miR-2, including family members from miR-2a to miR-2e. Targets of 19 miRNAs were successfully predicated out of the 17401 mRNA and EST non-redundant sequences of S. japonicum. It was found that a significant high number of targets were related to “chch domain-containing protein mitochondrial precursor” (n = 29), “small subunit ribosomal protein s30e” (n = 21), and “insulin-induced gene 1 protein” (n = 9). Besides, “egg protein cp3842” (n = 2), “fumarate hydratase” (n = 2), “ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme” (n = 2), and “sperm-associated antigen 6” (n = 1) were also found as targets of the miRNAs of E. pancreaticum. Conclusions The present study represents the first global characterization of E. pancreaticum miRNAs, which provides novel resources for a better understanding of the parasite, which, in turn, has implications for the effective control of the disease it causes.
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- 2013
11. First report of Toxoplasma gondii infection in market-sold adult chickens, ducks and pigeons in northwest China
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Min-Jun Xu, Hui-Qun Song, Si-Yang Huang, Chao Yan, Dong-Hui Zhou, Quan Zhao, Xing-Quan Zhu, Wei Cong, and Song-Ming Wu
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China ,Veterinary medicine ,Antibodies, Protozoan ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Animals ,Seroprevalence ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,Columbidae ,Poultry Diseases ,biology ,Transmission (medicine) ,Research ,Commerce ,Toxoplasma gondii ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Toxoplasmosis ,Ducks ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Infectious Diseases ,Parasitology ,Chickens ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii infection is a global concern, affecting a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide, including poultry. Domestic and companion birds are considered to play an important role in the transmission of T. gondii to humans and other animals. However, little information on T. gondii infection in domestic birds in Lanzhou, northwest China was available. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in domestic birds in Lanzhou, northwest China. Methods In the present study, the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies in 413 (305 caged and 108 free-range) adult chickens, 334 (111 caged and 223 free-range) adult ducks and 312 adult pigeons in Lanzhou, northwest China, were examined using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Results 30 (7.26%) chickens, 38 (11.38%) ducks and 37 (11.86%) pigeons were found to be positive for T. gondii antibodies at the cut-off of 1:5. The prevalences in caged and free-range chickens were 6.23% and 10.19% respectively, however, statistical analysis showed that the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The seroprevalences in caged and free-range ducks were 6.31% and 13.90% respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions The results of the present survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in adult chickens, ducks and pigeons sold for meat in poultry markets in Lanzhou, northwest China, which poses a potential risk for T. gondii infection in humans and other animals in this region. This is the first seroprevalence study of T. gondii infection in domestic birds in this region.
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- 2012
12. First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in peafowls in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China
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Xing-Quan Zhu, Zu-Hong Deng, Jian-Fa Yang, Dong-Hui Zhou, Yi-Ming Tian, Feng-Cai Zou, Gang Duan, Si-Yang Huang, Ya-Biao Weng, and Dai Feiyan
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Veterinary medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,China ,Antibodies, Protozoan ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,Direct agglutination test ,Agglutination Tests ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Seroprevalence ,Animals ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,Galliformes ,biology ,Bird Diseases ,Research ,Significant difference ,Toxoplasma gondii ,biology.organism_classification ,Protozoan parasite ,Infectious Diseases ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Parasitology ,Tropical medicine ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite infecting almost all warm-blooded animals, including birds, with a worldwide distribution. Surveys of T. gondii infection in wild birds have been reported extensively in the world, but little is known of T. gondii infection in peafowls worldwide. This study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in peafowls in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Methods Sera from 277 peafowls, including 272 blue peafowls (Pavo cristatus) and 5 green peafowls (Pavo muticus) originated from two geographic areas in Yunnan Province were assayed for T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Results Specific T. gondii antibodies were detected in 35 of 277 (12.64%) peafowls (MAT titer ≥ 1:5). Seropositive birds were found in both species, 33 in 272 blue peafowls and 2 in 5 green peafowls. There was no significant difference in T. gondii seroprevalence between the adolescent birds (6.74%) and the adult birds (6.67%) (P > 0.05). The geographical origins of peafowls was found to be highly associated with T. gondii infection in the present study, a statistically significant difference in T. gondii seropositivity was observed between peafowls from Kunming (31.08%) and those from Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (5.91%) (OR = 10.956, 95% CI = 1.632-73.545, P = 0.014). Statistical analyses showed that there were no significant interactions between ages and geographical origins of peafowls (P > 0.05). Conclusions The results of the present survey indicated that infection of peafowls with T. gondii is widespread in Yunnan Province, which has significant public health concerns and implications for prevention and control of toxoplamosis in this province. To our knowledge, this is the first seroprevalence report of T. gondii infection in China’s southwestern Yunnan Province.
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- 2012
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13. Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in dogs and cats in subtropical southern China
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Dong-Hui Zhou, Mu-Xin Chen, Si-Yang Huang, Xiao-Nong Zhou, Xing-Quan Zhu, Han Zhang, Jian-Dong Tang, Rui-Qing Lin, Jia-Xu Chen, and Hui-Qun Song
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China ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Veterinary medicine ,Subtropics ,Biology ,Cat Diseases ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,Dogs ,Prevalence ,medicine ,Animals ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,Dog Diseases ,Clonorchis sinensis ,CATS ,Research ,Intermediate host ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Infectious Diseases ,Southern china ,Parasitology ,Tropical medicine ,Cats ,Clonorchiasis - Abstract
Background Clonorchiasis, caused by Clonorchis sinensis, is one of the major parasitic zoonoses in China, particularly in China's southern Guangdong province where the prevalence of C. sinensis infection in humans is high. However, little is known of the prevalence of C. sinensis infection in its reservoir hosts dogs and cats. Hence, the prevalence of C. sinensis infection in dogs and cats was investigated in Guangdong province, China between October 2006 and March 2008. Results A total of 503 dogs and 194 cats from 13 administrative regions in Guangdong province were examined by post-mortem examination. The worms were examined, counted, and identified to species according to existing keys and descriptions. The average prevalences of C. sinensis infection in dogs and cats were 20.5% and 41.8%, respectively. The infection intensities in dogs were usually light, but in cats the infection intensities were more serious. The prevalences were higher in some of the cities located in the Pearl River Delta region which is the most important endemic area in Guangdong province, but the prevalences were relatively lower in seaside cities. Conclusions The present investigation revealed a high prevalence of C. sinensis infection in its reservoir hosts dogs and cats in China's subtropical Guangdong province, which provides relevant "base-line" data for conducting control strategies and measures against clonorchiasis in this region.
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- 2011
14. Genome-wide expression patterns of calcium-dependent protein kinases in Toxoplasma gondii
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Wang, Jin-Lei, primary, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Zhang, Nian-Zhang, additional, Chen, Jia, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2015
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15. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and typing of Toxoplasma gondii
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Liu, Quan, primary, Wang, Ze-Dong, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2015
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16. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Yunnan black goats (Capra hircus) in southwest China by PCR-RFLP
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Miao, Qiang, primary, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Qin, Si-Yuan, additional, Yu, Xin, additional, Yang, Yan, additional, Yang, Jian-Fa, additional, Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional, and Zou, Feng-Cai, additional
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- 2015
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17. Molecular detection and genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii infection in bats in four provinces of China
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Qin, Si-Yuan, primary, Cong, Wei, additional, Liu, Ye, additional, Li, Nan, additional, Wang, Ze-Dong, additional, Zhang, Fu-Kai, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional, and Liu, Quan, additional
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- 2014
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18. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from cats in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China
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Tian, Yi-Ming, primary, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Miao, Qiang, additional, Jiang, Hai-Hai, additional, Yang, Jian-Fa, additional, Su, Chunlei, additional, Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional, and Zou, Feng-Cai, additional
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- 2014
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19. Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in three species of pet birds in China
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Cong, Wei, primary, Meng, Qing-Feng, additional, Song, Hui-Qun, additional, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Qian, Ai-Dong, additional, Su, Chunlei, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2014
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20. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Qinghai vole, Plateau pika and Tibetan ground-tit on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
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Zhang, Xiao-Xuan, primary, Lou, Zhong-Zi, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Jia, Wan-Zhong, additional, Su, Chunlei, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2013
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21. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Qinghai vole, Plateau pika and Tibetan ground-tit on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
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Chunlei Su, Wan-Zhong Jia, Xiao-Xuan Zhang, Zhong-Zi Lou, Xing-Quan Zhu, Dong-Hui Zhou, and Si-Yang Huang
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Veterinary medicine ,China ,Genotype ,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ,Wildlife ,Zoology ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Birds ,PCR-RFLP ,parasitic diseases ,Animals ,Pika ,Genetic typing ,Genetic diversity ,geography ,Plateau ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,biology ,Arvicolinae ,Research ,Genetic Variation ,Lagomorpha ,DNA, Protozoan ,biology.organism_classification ,Ground tit ,Infectious Diseases ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Vole ,Parasitology ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Background The distribution of genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in wildlife is of interest to understand the transmission of this parasite in the environment. Limited information on T. gondii genotypes has been reported in wildlife in China. The objective of this study was to carry out the genetic characterization of T. gondii isolates from wild animals on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Methods Using PCR and multilocous polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology, we detected genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from Qinghai vole, Plateau pika and Tibetan ground-tit in these regions. Results In total, 183 brain tissues of different wild animals, including 48 Qinghai vole (Microtus fuscus), 101 Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) and 34 Tibetan ground-tit (Pseudopodoces humilis), were tested for T. gondii infection. 11 of these were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. These positive DNA samples were typed at 10 genetic markers, including 9 nuclear loci (SAG1, 5’-and 3’-SAG2, alternative SAG2, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8, c29-2), and an apicoplast locus Apico. Six were successfully genotyped at eight or more genetic loci, and were grouped to three distinct genotypes. Four samples belonged to ToxoDB Genotype #10 and the other two samples were identified as two new genotypes (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetic typing of T. gondii isolates in wildlife on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The results show that there is a potential risk for the transmission of this parasite through the wildlife in this region.
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- 2013
22. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from pigs from different localities in China by PCR-RFLP
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Jiang, Hai-Hai, primary, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Zhang, Xiao-Xuan, additional, Su, Chunlei, additional, Deng, Shun-Zhou, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2013
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23. Characterization of mouse brain microRNAs after infection with cyst-forming Toxoplasma gondii
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Xu, Min-Jun, primary, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Nisbet, Alasdair J, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Fan, Yi-Fan, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2013
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24. Changes in the proteomic profiles of mouse brain after infection with cyst-forming Toxoplasma gondii
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Zhou, Dong-Hui, primary, Zhao, Fu-Rong, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Xu, Min-Jun, additional, Song, Hui-Qun, additional, Su, Chunlei, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2013
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25. Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the pancreatic fluke Eurytrema pancreaticum
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Xu, Min-Jun, primary, Wang, Chun-Ren, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Fu, Jing-Hua, additional, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Chang, Qiao-Cheng, additional, Zheng, Xu, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2013
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26. Transcriptomic analysis of mouse liver reveals a potential hepato-enteric pathogenic mechanism in acute Toxoplasma gondii infection.
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Jun-Jun He, Jun Ma, Elsheikha, Hany M., Hui-Qun Song, Si-Yang Huang, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Subjects
TOXOPLASMA gondii ,TRANSMISSION of pathogenic microorganisms ,DIAGNOSIS of brain diseases ,XENOBIOTICS ,RNA sequencing ,LABORATORY mice ,DIAGNOSIS - Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide spread pathogen which can infect all tissues of its host. The transcriptomic responses of infected brain and spleen have been reported. However, our knowledge of the global transcriptomic change in infected liver is limited. Additionally, T. gondii infection represents a highly dynamic process involving complex biological responses of the host at many levels. Herein, we describe such processes at a global level by discovering gene expression changes in mouse livers after acute infection with T. gondii ToxoDB#9 strain. Results: Global transcriptomic analysis identified 2,758 differentially expressed transcripts in infected liver, of which 1,356 were significantly downregulated and 1,402 upregulated. GO and KEGG database analyses showed that host immune responses were upregulated, while the metabolic-related processes/pathways were downregulated, especially xenobiotic metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and bile biosynthesis and secretion. The metabolism of more than 800 chemical compounds including anti-Toxoplasma prescribed medicines were predicted to bemodulated during acute T. gondii infection due to the downregulation of enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first global transcriptomic analysis of mouse liver infected by T. gondii. The present data indicate that during the early stage of liver infection, T. gondii can induce changes in liver xenobiotic metabolism, upregulating inflammatory response and downregulating hepatocellular PPAR signaling pathway, altering host bile biosynthesis and secretion pathway; these changes could enhance host intestinal dysbacteriosis and thus contribute to the pathological changes of both liver and intestine of infected mice. These findings describe the biological changes in infected liver, providing a potential mechanistic pathway that links hepatic and intestinal pathologies to T. gondii infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2016
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27. First report of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in peafowls in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China
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Tian, Yi-Ming, primary, Dai, Fei-Yan, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Deng, Zu-Hong, additional, Duan, Gang, additional, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Yang, Jian-Fa, additional, Weng, Ya-Biao, additional, Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional, and Zou, Feng-Cai, additional
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- 2012
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28. First report of Toxoplasma gondii infection in market-sold adult chickens, ducks and pigeons in northwest China
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Cong, Wei, primary, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Xu, Min-Jun, additional, Wu, Song-Ming, additional, Yan, Chao, additional, Zhao, Quan, additional, Song, Hui-Qun, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2012
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29. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dairy cattle in southern China
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Zhou, Dong-Hui, primary, Zhao, Fu-Rong, additional, Lu, Ping, additional, Xia, Hui-Yan, additional, Xu, Min-Jun, additional, Yuan, Li-Guo, additional, Yan, Chao, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Li, Shou-Jun, additional, and Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional
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- 2012
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30. Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in dogs and cats in subtropical southern China
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Lin, Rui-Qing, primary, Tang, Jian-Dong, additional, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Song, Hui-Qun, additional, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Chen, Jia-Xu, additional, Chen, Mu-Xin, additional, Zhang, Han, additional, Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional, and Zhou, Xiao-Nong, additional
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- 2011
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31. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pet dogs in Lanzhou, Northwest China
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Wu, Song-Ming, primary, Huang, Si-Yang, additional, Fu, Bao-Quan, additional, Liu, Guang-Yuan, additional, Chen, Jia-Xu, additional, Chen, Mu-Xin, additional, Yuan, Zi-Guo, additional, Zhou, Dong-Hui, additional, Weng, Ya-Biao, additional, Zhu, Xing-Quan, additional, and Ye, De-He, additional
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- 2011
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32. Genome-wide expression patterns of calcium-dependent protein kinases in Toxoplasma gondii.
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Jin-Lei Wang, Si-Yang Huang, Nian-Zhang Zhang, Jia Chen, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Subjects
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TOXOPLASMA gondii , *CALCIUM-dependent protein kinase , *APICOMPLEXA , *PARASITES , *GENE expression - Abstract
Background: Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are found in plants and some Apicomplexan parasites but not in animals or fungi. CDPKs have been shown to play important roles in various calcium-signaling pathways such as host cell invasion, egress and protein secretion in Toxoplasma gondii. The objectives of the present study were to examine the T. gondii CDPK genes expression patterns during different development stages and stress responses. Methods: We carried out a comprehensive expression analysis of CDPK genes based on previously published microarray datasets, and we also used real time quantitative RT-PCR to study ten T. gondii CDPK genes expression patterns under acid, alkali, high temperature and low temperature conditions. Results: Microarrays analysis indicated that some TgCDPK genes exhibited different expression levels in IFN-γ stimuli conditions or at different developmental stages, suggesting that CDPK genes may play different roles in these processes. Expression profiles under low temperature, high temperature, acid and alkaline indicated that most CDPK may be involved in regulating high temperature, acid and alkaline signaling pathways. Conclusions: We present a genome-wide expression analysis of CDPK genes in T. gondii for the first time, and the mRNA levels change with abiotic and biotic stresses, suggesting their functional roles in these processes. These results will provide a solid basis for future functional studies of the CDPK gene family in T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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33. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Yunnan black goats (Capra hircus) in southwest China by PCR-RFLP.
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Qiang Miao, Si-Yang Huang, Si-Yuan Qin, Xin Yu, Yan Yang, Jian-Fa Yang, Xing-Quan Zhu, and Feng-Cai Zou
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- *
TOXOPLASMA gondii , *WARM-blooded animals , *GOAT diseases , *DNA analysis , *POLYMERASE chain reaction , *GENETIC markers , *CATTLE - Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals and human beings. Goats are one of the susceptible animals to T. gondii. However, little is known of genetic diversity of T. gondii in Yunnan black goats in China. The objective of this present study was to determine the genotypes of T. gondii isolates from black goats in Yunnan province, southwest China. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from liver (n = 403), lung (n = 403) and lymph nodes (n = 250) of Yunnan black goats and assayed for T. gondii infection by semi-nested PCR of B1 gene. Then, the positive DNA samples were typed at 10 genetic markers using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology. These markers include 9 nuclear loci, namely, SAG1, SAG2 (5'-SAG2 and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and an apicoplast locus Apico. Results: Out of 403 tested samples, 20 (4.96%) DNA samples were T. gondii positive by amplification of B1 gene. Among them, 2 isolates were genotyped at all loci, and 6 isolates were genotyped for 8 or more loci. In total, seven samples belong to ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype#10 (Type I), and one belongs to genotype ToxoDB #9. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of ToxoDB#9 and ToxoDB#10 T. gondii in Yunnan black goats in China. These results revealed a wide distribution of these T. gondii in Yunnan black goats in China, which has important implications for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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34. Molecular detection and genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii infection in bats in four provinces of China.
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Si-Yuan Qin, Wei Cong, Ye Liu, Nan Li, Ze-Dong Wang, Fu-Kai Zhang, Si-Yang Huang, Xing-Quan Zhu, and Quan Liu
- Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects a wide variety of warm-blooded hosts, including humans. Limited information about T. gondii infection in bats is available in China. The objective of the present study was to determine prevalence and genetic characterization of T. gondii infection in bats in Jilin, Liaoning, Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces, China. Methods: During May 2005 to August 2013, bats were sampled from Jilin, Liaoning, Jiangxi, and Guangdong provinces, China, and liver tissues were collected for the detection of T. gondii by a nested PCR targeting the B1 gene. The positive samples were genotyped at 11 genetic markers (SAG1, 5′-and 3′-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8, c29-2, and Apico) using multilocus polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: A total of 626 bats representing 10 species were examined for T. gondii infection, 38 (6.1%) were tested positive with by PCR, 8 positive DNA samples were completely genotyped, of which 3 samples (2 from Cynopterus sphinx, and 1 from Murina leucogaster) represented ToxoDB#10, and 5 samples (2 from Murina leucogaster, 2 from Myotis chinensis, and 1 from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) belonged to ToxoDB#9 (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). Conclusions: The present study revealed an overall T. gondii prevalence of 6.1% in bats from Jilin, Liaoning, Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces in China, and reported two T. gondii genotypes (ToxoDB#9 and #10) having a wide geographical distribution in China. These results provide new genetic information about T. gondii infection in bats, and have implications for better understanding of the genetic diversity of T. gondii in China and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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35. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from cats in Yunnan Provinces, Southwestern China.
- Author
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Yi-Ming Tian, Si-Yang Huang, Qiang Miao, Hai-Hai Jiang, Jian-Fa Yang, Chunlei Su, Xing-Quan Zhu, and Feng-Cai Zou
- Subjects
- *
HEALTH of cats , *TOXOPLASMA gondii , *PUBLIC health , *GENETIC markers - Abstract
Background Cats are the definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii. The distribution of genetic diversity of T. gondii in cats is of importance to understand the transmission of this parasite. The objective of this study was to genetically characterize T. gondii isolates from cats in Yunnan province, southwestern China. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from 5-10 g cat tissue samples (brain, tongue, heart, and liver). Using multilocous polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology, we determined genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from cats in Yunnan province. Result In total, 175 stray cats were tested for T. gondii DNA, respectively, 44 (25.14%) of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. The positive DNA samples were typed at 11 genetic markers, including 10 nuclear markers, namely, SAG1, 5′- 3′SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, L358, PK1, BTUB, c22-8, c29-2 and an apicoplast locus Apico. Of these, 16 isolates from cats were genotyped with data for more than 9 loci, revealed 5 genotypes in total, of which 11 of 16 samples were identified as ToxoDB#9, two samples may belong to genotye #225, one was Type II, one was ToxoDB#3, and one was ToxoDB#20 (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). Conclusions The results of the present study indicated a wide distribution of T. gondii infection in cats in Yunnan province, which may pose significant public health concerns. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report of T. gondii prevalence and genotypes in cats in southwestern China, and the first report of Type II T. gondii from cats in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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36. Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in three species of pet birds in China.
- Author
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Wei Cong, Qing-Feng Meng, Hui-Qun Song, Dong-Hui Zhou, Si-Yang Huang, Ai-Dong Qian, Chunlei Su, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most common zoonosis worldwide, affecting a wide range of warm-blooded mammals and birds worldwide. However, no information on T. gondii infection in pet birds in China is available. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in pet birds in Gansu province, China. Methods: A total of 687 blood samples were collected from pet birds (Carduelis spinus, Alauda gulgula, Cocothraustes migratorlus) in three representative administrative regions in Gansu province, northwest China between August 2011 and September 2012 T. gondii antibodies were determined using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Genomic DNA was extracted from the brain tissues of seropositive pet birds and T. gondii B1 gene was amplified using a semi-nested PCR.DNA samples giving positive B1 amplification were then genetically characterized using multi-locus PCR-RFLP. Results: The overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 11.21% (77/687). C. spinus had the highest T. gondii seroprevalence (11.65%), followed by A. arvensis (11.39%) and C. migratorlus (5.26%), these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Of 77 DNA samples, 8 were positive for the T. gondii B1 gene, four showed complete genotyping results. Only one genotype (the Type II variant: ToxoDB genotype #3) was identified. Conclusions: The results of the present survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in pet birds in Gansu province, China. These data provide base-line information for the execution of control strategies against T. gondii infection in pet birds. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the occurrence of T. gondii prevalence and genotype in pet birds in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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37. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Qinghai vole, Plateau pika and Tibetan ground-tit on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.
- Author
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Xiao-Xuan Zhang, Zhong-Zi Lou, Si-Yang Huang, Dong-Hui Zhou, Wan-Zhong Jia, Chunlei Su, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Subjects
TOXOPLASMA gondii ,GENETICS ,PARASITES ,PLATEAU pika ,POLYMERASE chain reaction ,GENETIC polymorphisms - Abstract
Background The distribution of genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in wildlife is of interest to understand the transmission of this parasite in the environment. Limited information on T. gondii genotypes has been reported in wildlife in China. The objective of this study was to carry out the genetic characterization of T. gondii isolates from wild animals on the Qinghai- Tibet Plateau. Methods Using PCR and multilocous polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology, we detected genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from Qinghai vole, Plateau pika and Tibetan ground-tit in these regions. Results In total, 183 brain tissues of different wild animals, including 48 Qinghai vole (Microtus fuscus), 101 Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) and 34 Tibetan ground-tit (Pseudopodoces humilis), were tested for T. gondii infection. 11 of these were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. These positive DNA samples were typed at 10 genetic markers, including 9 nuclear loci (SAG1, 5'-and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8, c29-2), and an apicoplast locus Apico. Six were successfully genotyped at eight or more genetic loci, and were grouped to three distinct genotypes. Four samples belonged to ToxoDB Genotype #10 and the other two samples were identified as two new genotypes (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetic typing of T. gondii isolates in wildlife on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The results show that there is a potential risk for the transmission of this parasite through the wildlife in this region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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38. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from pigs from different localities in China by PCR-RFLP.
- Author
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Hai-Hai Jiang, Si-Yang Huang, Dong-Hui Zhou, Xiao-Xuan Zhang, Chunlei Su, Shun-Zhou Deng, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Subjects
- *
TOXOPLASMA gondii , *SWINE diseases , *POLYMERASE chain reaction , *RESTRICTION fragment length polymorphisms - Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent protozoan parasite that causes serious toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. The present study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from pigs in Jiangxi, Sichuan, Guangdong Provinces and Chongqing Municipality in China using multilocous polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology. Methods: A total of 38 DNA samples were extracted from hilar lymph nodes of pigs with suspected toxoplasmosis, and were detected for the presence of T. gondii by semi-nested PCR of B1 gene. The positive DNA samples were typed at 11 genetic markers, including 10 nuclear loci, namely, SAG1, 5′-SAG2 and 3′-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and an apicoplast locus Apico. Results: Twenty-five of the 38 DNA samples were T. gondii B1 gene positive. Complete genotyping data for all loci could be obtained for 17 of the 25 samples. Two genotypes were revealed (ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotypes #9 and #3). Sixteen samples belong to genotype #9 which is the major lineage in mainland China and one sample belongs to genotype #3 which is Type II variant. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetic typing of T. gondii isolates from pigs in Jiangxi, Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality, and the first report of ToxoDB #3 T. gondii from pigs in China. These results have implications for the prevention and control of foodborne toxoplasmosis in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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39. Characterization of mouse brain microRNAs after infection with cyst-forming Toxoplasma gondii.
- Author
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Min-Jun Xu, Dong-Hui Zhou, Nisbet, Alasdair J., Si-Yang Huang, Yi-Fan Fan, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Subjects
LABORATORY mice ,MICRORNA ,TOXOPLASMA gondii ,CELL cycle ,CELLULAR immunity ,CYTOKINES - Abstract
Background: The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii can interfere with host cell signaling pathways, alter host defense systems and cell cycle control, and establish a chronic infection in the central nervous system. T. gondii infection may alter the expression profile of host microRNAs (miRNAs) which have key regulatory functions at the post-transcriptional level. Methods: Using high-throughput sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR technology, we compared the miRNA expression profiles of uninfected mouse brains with brains from mice at 14 days and 21 days after infection with cyst-forming T. gondii (Type II). Results: A total of 51.30 million raw reads were obtained from all samples and 495 (14d infected mouse sample), 511 (14d sham-infected control), 504 (21d infected mouse sample) and 514 (21d sham-infected control) miRNA candidates identified. Among these, 414 miRNAs were consistent across all the studied groups, 17 were specific to the 14d infected group and 32 were specific to the 21d infected group. In addition, 9 miRNAs were common to both the 14d- and 21d-infected groups. Enrichment analysis for the targets of these miRNAs showed a high percentage of "protein tag" functions. Immune related targets including chemokines, cytokines, growth factors and interleukins were also found. Conclusions: These results not only showed that the miRNA expression of the host can be changed by the invasion of cyst-forming T. gondii, but also indicated that the host attempts to respond using two tactics: marking proteins with "protein tags" and adaptation of immune related systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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40. Changes in the proteomic profiles of mouse brain after infection with cyst-forming Toxoplasma gondii.
- Author
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Dong-Hui Zhou, Fu-Rong Zhao, Si-Yang Huang, Min-Jun Xu, Hui-Qun Song, Chunlei Su, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Subjects
TOXOPLASMA gondii ,GEL electrophoresis ,LABORATORY mice ,BRAIN tumors ,PROTOZOA ,CENTRAL nervous system ,AIDS ,AIDS patients - Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogenic protozoan parasite, which infects approximately one third of the human population worldwide, causing opportunistic zoonotic toxoplasmosis. The predilection of T. gondii for the central nervous system (CNS) causes behavioral disorders and fatal necrotizing encephalitis and thus constitutes a major threat especially to AIDS patients. Methods: In the present study, we explored the proteomic profiles of brain tissues of the specific pathogen-free (SPF) Kunming mice at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after infection with cysts of the Toxoplasma gondii Prugniaud (PRU) strain (Genotype II), by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Results: A total of 60 differentially expressed protein spots were selected. Fifty-six spots were successfully identified, which corresponded to 45 proteins of the mouse. Functional analysis using a Gene Ontology database showed that these proteins were mainly involved in metabolism, cell structure, signal transduction and immune responses, and will be beneficial for the understanding of molecular mechanisms of T. gondii pathogenesis. Conclusions: This study identified some mouse brain proteins involved in the response with cyst-forming T. gondii PRU strain. These results provided an insight into the responsive relationship between T. gondii and the host brain tissues, which will shed light on our understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis in toxoplasmic encephalitis, and facilitate the discovery of new methods of diagnosis, prevention, control and treatment of toxoplasmic encephalopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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41. Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the pancreatic fluke Eurytrema pancreaticum.
- Author
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Min-Jun Xu, Chun-Ren Wang, Si-Yang Huang, Jing-Hua Fu, Dong-Hui Zhou, Qiao-Cheng Chang, Xu Zheng, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Subjects
GENETIC regulation ,SCHISTOSOMA japonicum ,SCHISTOSOMA mansoni ,NUCLEOTIDE sequence ,BISOPROLOL ,INSULIN research - Abstract
Background: Eurytrema pancreaticum is one of the most common flukes, which mainly infects ruminants globally and infects human beings accidentally; causing eurytremiasis that has high veterinary and economic importance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs and are now considered as a key mechanism of gene regulation at the post-transcription level. Methods: We investigated the global miRNA expression profile of E. pancreaticum adults using next-generation sequencing technology combined with real-time quantitative PCR. Results: By using the genome of the closely-related species Schistosoma japonicum as reference, we obtained 27 miRNA candidates out of 16.45 million raw sequencing reads, with 13 of them found as known miRNAs in S. japonicum and/or S. mansoni, and the remaining 14 miRNAs were considered as novel. Five out of the 13 known miRNAs coming from one family named as sja-miR-2, including family members from miR-2a to miR-2e. Targets of 19 miRNAs were successfully predicated out of the 17401 mRNA and EST non-redundant sequences of S. japonicum. It was found that a significant high number of targets were related to "chch domain-containing protein mitochondrial precursor" (n = 29), "small subunit ribosomal protein s30e" (n = 21), and "insulin-induced gene 1 protein" (n = 9). Besides, "egg protein cp3842" (n = 2), "fumarate hydratase" (n = 2), "ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme" (n = 2), and "sperm-associated antigen 6" (n = 1) were also found as targets of the miRNAs of E. pancreaticum. Conclusions: The present study represents the first global characterization of E. pancreaticum miRNAs, which provides novel resources for a better understanding of the parasite, which, in turn, has implications for the effective control of the disease it causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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42. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pet dogs in Lanzhou, Northwest China.
- Author
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Song-Ming Wu, Si-Yang Huang, Bao-Quan Fu, Guang-Yuan Liu, Jia-Xu Chen, Mu-Xin Chen, Zi-Guo Yuan, Dong-Hui Zhou, Ya-Biao Weng, Xing-Quan Zhu, and De-He Ye
- Subjects
- *
SEROPREVALENCE , *TOXOPLASMA gondii , *SURVEYS - Abstract
Background: In recent years, surveys of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs have been reported worldwide, including China. However, little is known about the prevalence of T. gondii in pet dogs in Northwest China. In the present study, the prevalence of T. gondii in pet dogs in Lanzhou, China was investigated using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Results: In this survey, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 28 of 259 (10.81%) pet dogs, with MAT titers of 1:20 in 14 dogs, 1:40 in nine, 1:80 in four, and 1:160 or higher in one dog. The prevalence ranged from 6.67% to 16.67% among dogs of different ages, with low rates in young pet dogs, and high rates in older pet dogs. The seroprevalence in dogs >3 years old was higher than that in dogs ≤1 years old, but the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). The seroprevalence in male dogs was 12.50% (17 of 136), and in female dogs it was 8.94% (11 of 123), but the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). Conclusions: A high prevalence of T. gondii infection was found in pet dogs in Lanzhou, Northwest China, which has implications for public health in this region. In order to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii, further measures and essential control strategies should be carried out rationally in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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43. Transcriptomic analysis of mouse liver reveals a potential hepato-enteric pathogenic mechanism in acute Toxoplasma gondii infection
- Author
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Hui-Qun Song, Si-Yang Huang, Jun-Jun He, Hany M. Elsheikha, Jun Ma, and Xing-Quan Zhu
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Liver Diseases, Parasitic ,Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Down-Regulation ,Liver function ,Host-Parasite Interactions ,Transcriptome ,03 medical and health sciences ,Mice ,0302 clinical medicine ,Immune system ,Downregulation and upregulation ,parasitic diseases ,Animals ,Mouse liver ,Liver infection ,biology ,Sequence Analysis, RNA ,Research ,Gene Expression Profiling ,Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ,biology.organism_classification ,Up-Regulation ,Gene expression profiling ,030104 developmental biology ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Infectious Diseases ,Liver ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Immunology ,Parasitology ,RNA-seq ,Toxoplasma ,Drug metabolism ,Metabolic Networks and Pathways ,Toxoplasma gondii, Mouse liver, Transcriptome, RNA-seq, Liver function ,Signal Transduction - Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide spread pathogen which can infect all tissues of its host. The transcriptomic responses of infected brain and spleen have been reported. However, our knowledge of the global transcriptomic change in infected liver is limited. Additionally, T. gondii infection represents a highly dynamic process involving complex biological responses of the host at many levels. Herein, we describe such processes at a global level by discovering gene expression changes in mouse livers after acute infection with T. gondii ToxoDB#9 strain. Results Global transcriptomic analysis identified 2,758 differentially expressed transcripts in infected liver, of which 1,356 were significantly downregulated and 1,402 upregulated. GO and KEGG database analyses showed that host immune responses were upregulated, while the metabolic-related processes/pathways were downregulated, especially xenobiotic metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and bile biosynthesis and secretion. The metabolism of more than 800 chemical compounds including anti-Toxoplasma prescribed medicines were predicted to be modulated during acute T. gondii infection due to the downregulation of enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first global transcriptomic analysis of mouse liver infected by T. gondii. The present data indicate that during the early stage of liver infection, T. gondii can induce changes in liver xenobiotic metabolism, upregulating inflammatory response and downregulating hepatocellular PPAR signaling pathway, altering host bile biosynthesis and secretion pathway; these changes could enhance host intestinal dysbacteriosis and thus contribute to the pathological changes of both liver and intestine of infected mice. These findings describe the biological changes in infected liver, providing a potential mechanistic pathway that links hepatic and intestinal pathologies to T. gondii infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1716-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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44. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dairy cattle in southern China
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Li-Guo Yuan, Hui-Yan Xia, Fu-Rong Zhao, Si-Yang Huang, Xing-Quan Zhu, Min-Jun Xu, Shoujun Li, Chao Yan, Ping Lu, and Dong-Hui Zhou
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China ,Veterinary medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Antibodies, Protozoan ,Cattle Diseases ,Biology ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,Animal science ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Animals ,Seroprevalence ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,Risk factor ,Dairy cattle ,Research ,Toxoplasma gondii ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Toxoplasmosis ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Infectious Diseases ,Parasitology ,Tropical medicine ,Cattle ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Background As an obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans and almost all warm-blooded animals. The consumption of raw or undercooked beef and milk is considered a risk for T. gondii infection in humans. However, little is known of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in metropolitan Guangzhou, southern China. This study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, southern China. Findings Serum samples were collected from 350 dairy cattle on five farms in Guangzhou, China from 2009 to 2010, and all of the 350 serum samples were examined for specific antibodies to T. gondii by indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA). The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in dairy cattle was 5.7% (20/350). Among these examined dairy cattle, dairy cattle which were < 6 year old or ≥ 5 year old had the highest seroprevalence of 12.5% followed by those dairy cattle which were < 5 year old or ≥ 4 year old (8%); dairy cattle with 3 pregnancies had the highest seroprevalence (11.5%), among the examined dairy cattle, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions The results of the present survey indicate that T. gondii infection is prevalent in dairy cattle of all age ranges in Guangzhou, southern China, which may be a risk factor for human infection with T. gondii in this region. Dong-Hui Zhou and Fu-Rong Zhao contributed equally.
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45. Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in three species of pet birds in China
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Xing-Quan Zhu, Ai-Dong Qian, Chunlei Su, Dong-Hui Zhou, Si-Yang Huang, Hui-Qun Song, Qing-Feng Meng, and Wei Cong
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Veterinary medicine ,China ,Genotype ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Seroprevalence ,Biology ,Serology ,Birds ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Animals ,Serologic Tests ,Bird Diseases ,Pet birds ,Research ,Zoonosis ,Genetic Variation ,DNA, Protozoan ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Toxoplasmosis ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Infectious Diseases ,Parasitology ,Genetic characterization ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most common zoonosis worldwide, affecting a wide range of warm-blooded mammals and birds worldwide. However, no information on T. gondii infection in pet birds in China is available. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in pet birds in Gansu province, China. Methods A total of 687 blood samples were collected from pet birds (Carduelis spinus, Alauda gulgula, Cocothraustes migratorlus) in three representative administrative regions in Gansu province, northwest China between August 2011 and September 2012 T. gondii antibodies were determined using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Genomic DNA was extracted from the brain tissues of seropositive pet birds and T. gondii B1 gene was amplified using a semi-nested PCR.DNA samples giving positive B1 amplification were then genetically characterized using multi-locus PCR-RFLP. Results The overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 11.21% (77/687). C. spinus had the highest T. gondii seroprevalence (11.65%), followed by A. arvensis (11.39%) and C. migratorlus (5.26%), these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Of 77 DNA samples, 8 were positive for the T. gondii B1 gene, four showed complete genotyping results. Only one genotype (the Type II variant: ToxoDB genotype #3) was identified. Conclusions The results of the present survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in pet birds in Gansu province, China. These data provide base-line information for the execution of control strategies against T. gondii infection in pet birds. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the occurrence of T. gondii prevalence and genotype in pet birds in China.
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46. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from cats in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China
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Xing-Quan Zhu, Jian-Fa Yang, Si-Yang Huang, Yi-Ming Tian, Chunlei Su, Hai-Hai Jiang, Qiang Miao, and Feng-Cai Zou
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Veterinary medicine ,China ,Genotype ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Cat Diseases ,law.invention ,law ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Prevalence ,Animals ,Polymerase chain reaction ,Genetic diversity ,CATS ,biology ,Research ,Multilocus PCR-RFLP ,Yunnan ,DNA, Protozoan ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Virology ,Toxoplasmosis ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Infectious Diseases ,Parasitology ,Genetic marker ,Cats ,Genetic characterization ,Toxoplasma - Abstract
Cats are the definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii. The distribution of genetic diversity of T. gondii in cats is of importance to understand the transmission of this parasite. The objective of this study was to genetically characterize T. gondii isolates from cats in Yunnan province, southwestern China. Genomic DNA was extracted from 5–10 g cat tissue samples (brain, tongue, heart, and liver). Using multilocous polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology, we determined genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from cats in Yunnan province. In total, 175 stray cats were tested for T. gondii DNA, respectively, 44 (25.14%) of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. The positive DNA samples were typed at 11 genetic markers, including 10 nuclear markers, namely, SAG1, 5'-3' SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, L358, PK1, BTUB, c22-8, c29-2 and an apicoplast locus Apico. Of these, 16 isolates from cats were genotyped with data for more than 9 loci, revealed 5 genotypes in total, of which 11 of 16 samples were identified as ToxoDB#9, two samples may belong to genotye #225, one was Type II, one was ToxoDB#3, and one was ToxoDB#20 ( http://toxodb.org/toxo/ ). The results of the present study indicated a wide distribution of T. gondii infection in cats in Yunnan province, which may pose significant public health concerns. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report of T. gondii prevalence and genotypes in cats in southwestern China, and the first report of Type II T. gondii from cats in China.
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47. Changes in the proteomic profiles of mouse brain after infection with cyst-forming Toxoplasma gondii
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Min-Jun Xu, Hui-Qun Song, Fu-Rong Zhao, Chunlei Su, Xing-Quan Zhu, Dong-Hui Zhou, and Si-Yang Huang
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Proteome ,Population ,Toxoplasma gondii ,Pathogenesis ,Mice ,Immune system ,Tandem Mass Spectrometry ,Genotype ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Animals ,Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ,education ,Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) ,Brain Chemistry ,education.field_of_study ,biology ,Research ,Brain ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Virology ,Toxoplasmosis ,Mass spectrometry (MS) ,Toxoplasmosis, Animal ,Cyst ,Infectious Diseases ,Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ,Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral ,Host-Pathogen Interactions ,Female ,Parasitology ,Toxoplasma ,Encephalitis - Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogenic protozoan parasite, which infects approximately one third of the human population worldwide, causing opportunistic zoonotic toxoplasmosis. The predilection of T. gondii for the central nervous system (CNS) causes behavioral disorders and fatal necrotizing encephalitis and thus constitutes a major threat especially to AIDS patients. Methods In the present study, we explored the proteomic profiles of brain tissues of the specific pathogen-free (SPF) Kunming mice at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after infection with cysts of the Toxoplasma gondii Prugniaud (PRU) strain (Genotype II), by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Results A total of 60 differentially expressed protein spots were selected. Fifty-six spots were successfully identified, which corresponded to 45 proteins of the mouse. Functional analysis using a Gene Ontology database showed that these proteins were mainly involved in metabolism, cell structure, signal transduction and immune responses, and will be beneficial for the understanding of molecular mechanisms of T. gondii pathogenesis. Conclusions This study identified some mouse brain proteins involved in the response with cyst-forming T. gondii PRU strain. These results provided an insight into the responsive relationship between T. gondii and the host brain tissues, which will shed light on our understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis in toxoplasmic encephalitis, and facilitate the discovery of new methods of diagnosis, prevention, control and treatment of toxoplasmic encephalopathy.
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48. The pervasive effects of recombinant Fasciola gigantica Ras-related protein Rab10 on the functions of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells
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Ai-Ling Tian, MingMin Lu, Fu-Kai Zhang, Guillermo Calderón-Mantilla, Evangelia Petsalaki, XiaoWei Tian, WenJuan Wang, Si-Yang Huang, XiangRui Li, Hany M. Elsheikha, and Xing-Quan Zhu
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Fasciola gigantica ,Ras-related protein Rab10 ,Recombinant proteins ,Peripheral blood mononuclear cells ,Immunomodulation ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background Fasciola gigantica-induced immunomodulation is a major hurdle faced by the host for controlling infection. Here, we elucidated the role of F. gigantica Ras-related protein Rab10 (FgRab10) in the modulation of key functions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of goats. Methods We cloned and expressed recombinant FgRab10 (rFgRab10) protein and examined its effects on several functions of goat PBMCs. Protein interactors of rFgRab10 were predicted in silico by querying the databases Intact, String, BioPlex and BioGrid. In addition, a total energy analysis of each of the identified interactions was also conducted. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was carried out using FuncAssociate 3.0. Results The FgRab10 gene (618 bp), encodes 205-amino-acid residues with a molecular mass of ~23 kDa, had complete nucleotide sequence homology with F. hepatica Ras family protein gene (PIS87503.1). The rFgRab10 protein specifically cross-reacted with anti-Fasciola antibodies as shown by Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. This protein exhibited multiple effects on goat PBMCs, including increased production of cytokines [interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ)] and total nitric oxide (NO), enhancing apoptosis and migration of PBMCs, and promoting the phagocytic ability of monocytes. However, it significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Homology modelling revealed 63% identity between rFgRab10 and human Rab10 protein (Uniprot ID: P61026). Protein interaction network analysis revealed more stabilizing interactions between Rab proteins geranylgeranyltransferase component A 1 (CHM) and Rab proteins geranylgeranyltransferase component A 2 (CHML) and rFgRab10 protein. Gene Ontology analysis identified RabGTPase mediated signaling as the most represented pathway. Conclusions rFgRab10 protein exerts profound influences on various functions of goat PBMCs. This finding may help explain why F. gigantica is capable of provoking recognition by host immune cells, less capable of destroying this successful parasite.
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- 2018
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49. A recombinant Fasciola gigantica 14-3-3 epsilon protein (rFg14-3-3e) modulates various functions of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells
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Ai-Ling Tian, MingMin Lu, Guillermo Calderón-Mantilla, Evangelia Petsalaki, Tania Dottorini, XiaoWei Tian, YuJian Wang, Si-Yang Huang, Jun-Ling Hou, XiangRui Li, Hany M. Elsheikha, and Xing-Quan Zhu
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Fasciola gigantica ,14-3-3 epsilon protein isoform ,Homology modelling ,Goat ,Peripheral blood mononuclear cells ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background The molecular structure of Fasciola gigantica 14-3-3 protein has been characterized. However, the involvement of this protein in parasite pathogenesis remains elusive and its effect on the functions of innate immune cells is unknown. We report on the cloning and expression of a recombinant F. gigantica 14-3-3 epsilon protein (rFg14-3-3e), and testing its effects on specific functions of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods rFg14-3-3e protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were used to examine the reactivity of rFg14-3-3e protein to anti-F. gigantica and anti-rFg14-3-3e antibodies, respectively. Various assays were used to investigate the stimulatory effects of the purified rFg14-3-3e protein on specific functions of goat PBMCs, including cytokine secretion, proliferation, migration, nitric oxide (NO) production, phagocytosis, and apoptotic capabilities. Potential protein interactors of rFg14-3-3e were identified by querying the databases Intact, String, BioPlex and BioGrid. A Total Energy analysis of each of the identified interaction was performed. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was conducted using Funcassociate 3.0. Results Sequence analysis revealed that rFg14-3-3e protein had 100% identity to 14-3-3 protein from Fasciola hepatica. Western blot analysis showed that rFg14-3-3e protein is recognized by sera from goats experimentally infected with F. gigantica and immunofluorescence staining using rat anti-rFg14-3-3e antibodies demonstrated the specific binding of rFg14-3-3e protein to the surface of goat PBMCs. rFg14-3-3e protein stimulated goat PBMCs to produce interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), corresponding with low levels of IL-4 and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Also, this recombinant protein promoted the release of NO and cell apoptosis, and inhibited the proliferation and migration of goat PBMCs and suppressed monocyte phagocytosis. Homology modelling revealed 65% identity between rFg14-3-3e and human 14-3-3 protein YWHAE. GO enrichment analysis of the interacting proteins identified terms related to apoptosis, protein binding, locomotion, hippo signalling and leukocyte and lymphocyte differentiation, supporting the experimental findings. Conclusions Our data suggest that rFg14-3-3e protein can influence various cellular and immunological functions of goat PBMCs in vitro and may be involved in mediating F. gigantica pathogenesis. Because of its involvement in F. gigantica recognition by innate immune cells, rFg14-3-3e protein may have applications for development of diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.
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- 2018
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50. Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in dogs and cats in subtropical southern China
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Chen Mu-Xin, Chen Jia-Xu, Huang Si-Yang, Song Hui-Qun, Zhou Dong-Hui, Tang Jian-Dong, Lin Rui-Qing, Zhang Han, Zhu Xing-Quan, and Zhou Xiao-Nong
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Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background Clonorchiasis, caused by Clonorchis sinensis, is one of the major parasitic zoonoses in China, particularly in China's southern Guangdong province where the prevalence of C. sinensis infection in humans is high. However, little is known of the prevalence of C. sinensis infection in its reservoir hosts dogs and cats. Hence, the prevalence of C. sinensis infection in dogs and cats was investigated in Guangdong province, China between October 2006 and March 2008. Results A total of 503 dogs and 194 cats from 13 administrative regions in Guangdong province were examined by post-mortem examination. The worms were examined, counted, and identified to species according to existing keys and descriptions. The average prevalences of C. sinensis infection in dogs and cats were 20.5% and 41.8%, respectively. The infection intensities in dogs were usually light, but in cats the infection intensities were more serious. The prevalences were higher in some of the cities located in the Pearl River Delta region which is the most important endemic area in Guangdong province, but the prevalences were relatively lower in seaside cities. Conclusions The present investigation revealed a high prevalence of C. sinensis infection in its reservoir hosts dogs and cats in China's subtropical Guangdong province, which provides relevant "base-line" data for conducting control strategies and measures against clonorchiasis in this region.
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- 2011
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