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Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has three distinct clonal lineages: high, medium and low virulent strains, type I, II and III, respectively. T. gondii avoids the immune response by transforming from fast multiplying tachyzoite to slow multiplying bradyzoite, and establishing a chronic infection. In the present study, we isolated a new strain of T. gondii from cat feces in the Tokachi subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan and named it as TgCatJpObi1 (Obi1) strain. Genotyping analysis of 12 loci revealed atypical characters close to type II, genotype 4 according to ToxoDB classification. Phenotypically, Obi1 strain shows slow growth rate and the ability of spontaneous cyst formation in both human foreskin fibroblast (HFFs) and mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro without bradyzoite induction. Parasite virulence was assessed by means of mouse survival upon infection with either Obi1 or ME49 strains. Obi1 strain displayed no mortalities in comparison to type II clonal lineage, ME49 at LD 50 to LD 100 range (1 × 10 3 -10 6 tachyzoites). Although virulence of Obi1 strain is significantly lower than that of ME49, nucleotide sequences analyses revealed that genes of virulence factors such as Gra15, Rop5, 16, 17, and 18 in Obi1 strain were 100% identical to those in the type II strain. Thus, characterization of a newly isolated strain, Obi1, is crucial to clarify the development of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study investigated the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and other intestinal parasites in cats in the Tokachi subprefecture in Japan. A total of 365 household cats were included in the study, and 353 serum and 351 fecal samples were collected and analyzed. T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in the sera of 16.14% of cats based on Latex agglutination test and ELISA. For ELISA, T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites lysate and T. gondii SAG2 recombinant protein were used as antigens. Low seropositivity was detected in cats younger than one year and older than 11 years; outdoor and hunter cats showed significantly high seropositivities. Neutering either in male or female cats, but not gender, had a considerable effect on seroprevalence. Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were detected in one fecal sample. The overall parasitic infestation in cats was 12.5%. Other detected parasites included Toxocara species, which showed the highest prevalence of 7.7%, followed by Isospora spp. (2%), Taenia spp. (1.7%), and Ancylostoma spp. (0.9%). Spirometra spp. was detected in only one sample. Outdoor cats comprised 50% of all 44 parasite-infested cats. Although T. gondii oocysts were detected in only one sample, the relatively high seroprevalence of T. gondii indicated that it can pose significant risks to the environment. Our findings highlighted the potential of outdoor cats as a source of T. gondii and other parasites.

Gastrointestinal zoonotic helminths of dogs and cats have a public health concern worldwide. We investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of zoonotic significance in dogs and cats in lower Northern Thailand and utilized molecular tools for species identification of hookworms and Opisthorchis viverrini. Fecal samples of 197 dogs and 180 cats were collected. Overall prevalence of infection using microscopy was 40.1% in dogs and 33.9% in cats. Helminth infection found in both dogs and cats included hookworms, Spirometra spp., Taenia spp., Toxocara spp., O. viverrini, Strongyloides spp. and Trichuris spp. Hookworms were the most common helminth in dogs, while Spirometra spp. were the most prevalent in cats. Among hookworm infection in dogs and cats, Ancylostoma ceylanicum was the most prevalent hookworm, being 82.1% in hookworm infected dogs and 95.8% in hookworm infected cats. Mixed-infection due to hookworms and Spirometra spp. was the most dominant in both dogs and cats. Our finding showed that zoonotic helminth infection is highly prevalent in dogs and cats in the lower Northern area of Thailand.

Cats are the only definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii and constitute an essential source of infection to all warm blooded animals and humans. Diagnosis of T. gondii infection in cats is fundamental for proper management and control of infection in humans and animals. In the current study, we have evaluated the diagnostic performance of tachyzoite lysate antigen (TLA) and different T. gondii recombinant antigens including surface antigen 2 (SAG2), dense granule proteins 2, 6, 7, 15 (GRA2, GRA6, GRA7, GRA15) and microneme 10 protein (MIC10) in immunoglobulin G enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (IgG ELISA) using cat serum samples, with reference to latex agglutination test (LAT). Remarkably, TLA showed better performance than other recombinant antigens in IgG ELISAs as compared to LAT, with concordance and Kappa values of 94.27% and 0.93, respectively. Furthermore, to improve the reactivity of the recombinant antigens, we have developed IgG ELISAs using different combinations with these recombinant antigens. Strikingly, a combination of SAG2 and GRAs has relatively similar performance as TLA evidenced by concordance and Kappa values of 94.27% and 0.81, respectively. The developed ELISA with a combination of recombinant antigens can be used as a promising diagnostic tool for routine testing of T. gondii infection and mass screening in cats. The major advantages of this assay are the high sensitivity and specificity, lower cost, safer production and easiness of standardization in various laboratories worldwide., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Goat farming is important for the livelihood of millions of rural people because it contributes to food security and creation of assets. However, infection of goats with Toxoplasma gondii could be a source of parasite transmission to humans. The information on T. gondii infection of goat was not reported yet in Myanmar. A total of 119 goat serum samples were collected from three cities in the central region of Myanmar for T. gondii antibody survey. With the occurrence value obtained in this first study, a second one, more complete, with larger number (162) of animals and properties, was carried out and the risk factors and prevalence were determined. In both studies the samples were analyzed by the LAT. Of these, 32 (11.4%) samples were showed to be positive. The infection was associated with the presence of cats at the farm (odds ratio [OR] = 4.66, 95% confidential interval [CI] = 1.03–21.06), farming with different animal species (sheep, cattle, and pigs) (OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 1.57–11.94), and farming without good management practices (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.06–0.83). This is the first T. gondii prevalence study in goats in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]