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This research was supported by CIBER -Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red- (CB), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and Unión Europea - NextGenerationEU. D. Jiménez-Martín holds a PhD. contract granted by Own Research Plan of the University of Cordoba. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Córdoba/CBUA. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is a worldwide parasitic zoonosis. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the exposure to T. gondii in equids in Europe. Serum samples from 1399 equids (1085 horses, 238 donkeys, and 76 mules/hinnies) bred in four European countries (Italy, Spain, United Kingdom [UK], and Ireland) were collected during the period of 2013-2021. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 18.9% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 16.9-21.0) by using the modified agglutination test (MAT) at a cut-off of 1:25. Seropositivity by country was 27.1% in Italy, 16.6% in Spain, 12.0% in UK and 7.0% in Ireland. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 12.8% of the horses, 43.7% of the donkeys, and in 28.9% of the mules/hinnies. A Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis was carried out to study the associations between seropositivity and explanatory variables related to individuals, herds, and management measures on these herds, selected based on the bivariate analysis. The risk for being seropositive for T. gondii was 5.3 and 2.7 times higher in donkeys and mules/hinnies than in horses, respectively. In addition, significantly higher seropositivity was observed in horses from herds that used disinfectants less than once a week (13.9%; p = 0.038, odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.03-2.62) compared with those from herds that performed weekly disinfection of the facilities (9.4%). This is the first large-scale seroepidemiological study on T. gondii comprising horses, donkeys, and mules/hinnies in Europe and the first report of T. gondii exposure in horses from Ireland and UK. We found a widespread distribution of T. gondii among equid populations in different European countries. The seroprevalence found in these species, especially in donkeys and mules/hinnies, highlights the potential risk of human infection through the consumption of their raw/undercooked milk or meat.

Background Some researchers have reported that Toxoplasma gondii can cause serious reproductive impairment in male animals. Specifically, T. gondii destroy the quality of sperm in the epididymis, which affects their sexual ability. However, among such studies, none have investigated the male reproductive transcriptome. Therefore, to investigate the relationship between T. gondii and sperm maturation, we infected mice with T. gondii prugniaud (PRU) strain and performed transcriptome sequencing of the epididymis. Results Compared with the control group, 431 upregulated and 229 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found (P-value Tnfsf10 and spata18 can damage the mitochondria in sperm, which decreases sperm motility and morphology. Conclusions We sequenced the reproductive system of male mice chronically infected with T. gondii, which provides a new direction for research into male sterility caused by Toxoplasma infection. This work provides valuable information and a comprehensive database for future studies of the interaction between T. gondii infection and the male reproductive system.

Submental mass secondary to toxoplasmosis is a rare condition and physicians rarely consider its diagnosis. The presented case reports a 43-year-old woman referred with a constant, painless, edema located in the submental area for 2 weeks. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was established by the positive serological finding after an accurate medical history of the infectious disease specialist (the patient had eaten raw meat). The patient underwent antimicrobial therapy with resolution of lymphadenopathy. According to review of literature, the article aims to remind clinicians, maxillofacial surgeons, and otolaryngologists that a neck mass can be related to the infectious cause with involving of lymph node like as toxoplasmosis. Therefore, a serological diagnosis should be considered before moving to needle biopsy or excisional biopsy of neck mass.

El Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) es un agente parasitario que causa la toxoplasmosis, enfermedad que afecta a un gran número de hospedadores vertebrados incluido el humano y presenta una amplia distribución mundial. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue detectar material genómico de T. gondii en carne y leche de caprinos del Norte de México. Se colectaron 326 muestras de carne de cabritos provenientes de 4 estados del norte de la república, en un rastro Tipo Inspección Federal (TIF) ubicado en el estado de Nuevo León; y 120 muestras de leche de cabra colectadas en los predios de los productores de las mismas entidades federativas. Para la detección de Ácido Desoxirribonucleico (ADN) de este parásito se desarrolló la técnica de Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR) y PCR anidada (nPCR), para amplificar una región del gen multicopia específico de T. gondii B1 utilizando los cebadores N1 C1 para la primer PCR, amplificando un fragmento de 193pb, y para la nPCR los cebadores N2 C2 amplificando un fragmento de 97pb. Del total de las muestras de carne colectadas se obtuvieron positivas 10 (3.06%) a la primer PCR, las mismas que amplificaron en la nPCR, todas ellas provenientes del estado de Chihuahua. Se obtuvieron las secuencias consenso de las muestras positivas de carne, estas secuencias fueron analizadas y alineadas mediante el Método de Clustal W del programa MegAlign/DNAStar versión 13 en busca de homología con secuencias previamente reportadas en el GenBank (Nucleotide), estableciéndose un 100% de homología entre todas las secuencias y con la secuencia reportada en el GenBank con el número de acceso AF179871.1 (Secuencia parcial del Gen B1 de T. gondii). Los resultados en las muestras de leche fueron todos negativos. El presente trabajo de investigación es evidencia de la presencia de T. gondii en cabritos sacrificados en el Estado de Nuevo León procedentes de distintos estados del norte de México, sugiriendo, que el consumo de carne de caprino mal procesada y mal cocida podría representar un importante riesgo en salud pública. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasitic agent that causes toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects a large number of vertebrate hosts including humans and has a wide global distribution. The objective of the present work was to detect genomic material of T. gondii in meat and milk of goats of the North of Mexico. We collected 326 samples of meat from kids from 4 states of the north of the republic, on a Federal Inspection Type Trail (TIF) located in the state of Nuevo León; and 120 samples of goat's milk collected in the farms of the producers of the same states. For the detection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of this parasite the technique of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (nPCR) was developed to amplify a region of the multicopy gene specific for T. gondii B1 using for the first PCR primers N1 C1, amplifying a fragment of 193 bp, and for nPCR primers N2 C2, amplifying a fragment of 97 bp. From the total of the samples of meat collected positive 10 (3.06%) were obtained at the first PCR, which were amplified in the nPCR, all of them from the state of Chihuahua. The consensus sequences of the positive samples of meat were obtained, these sequences were analyzed and aligned by Clustal Method W of the program MegAlign / DNAStar version 13 in search of homology with previously reported sequences in the GenBank (Nucleotide), establishing a 100% of homology between all sequences and with the sequence reported in GenBank with accession number AF179871.1 (Sequence partial of Gene B1 of T. gondii). The results in the milk samples were all negative. This research work is evidence of the presence of T. gondii in kids slaughtered in the State of Nuevo Leon from different states of northern Mexico, suggesting that the consumption of badly processed and poorly cooked goat meat could represent an important public health risk.

Voce biografica sul medico Alfonso Splendore (1871-1953)

To compare the effectiviness of spiramycin/cotrimoxazole (Sp/C) versus pyrimethamine/sulfonamide (Pyr/Sul) and spiramycin alone (Spy) on mother-to-child transmission of toxoplasmosis infection in pregnancy.Retrospective study of pregnant women evaluated for suspected toxoplasmosis between 1992 and 2011.A total of 120 mothers and their 123 newborns were included. Prenatal treatment consisted of spiramycin in 43 mothers (35%), spiramycin/cotrimoxazole in 70 (56.9%) and pyrimethamine/sulfonamide in 10 (8.1%). A trend toward reduction in toxoplasmosis transmission was found when Sp/C was compared with Pyr/Sul and particularly with Spy alone (P=0.014). In particular, Spy increased the risk of congenital infection when compared with Sp/C (odds ratio (OR) 4.368; 95% CI: 1.253 to 15.219), but there was no significant reduction when Sp/C was compared with Pyr/Sul (OR 1.83; 95% CI: 0.184 to 18.274).The treatment based on Sp/C has significant efficacy in reducing maternal-fetal transmission of Toxoplasma gondii when compared with Pyr/Sul and particularly to Spy. Randomized controlled trials would be required.

Toksoplazmoza je zoonoza raširena u cijelom svijetu koju uzrokuje Toxoplasma gondii. Njezina prevalencija u našoj zemlji nije do kraja istražena. Serološko utvrđivanje protutijela odnosno specifičnih imunoglobulina IgM i IgG te indeks aviditeta IgG obavljeno je u Zavodu za javno zdravstvo Zadar kao prvom našem akreditiranom medicinskom mikrobiolološkom laboratoriju. U razdoblju od 2009. do 2015. godine na području Zadarske županije pretraženo je 2156 uzoraka seruma ljudi pri čemu je utvrđeno 23,83 % pozitivnih nalaza na T. gondii. Unatoč tome, što su dobiveni rezultati ispod prosjeka naše zemlje, pa čak i višestruko manji u odnosu na neka druga područja, oni ukazuju da toksoplazmoza predstavlja oboljenje vrijedno pažnje te je valja rješavati na razini javnog zdravstva., Toxoplasmosis is a zoonoses caused by Toxoplasma gondii which occurred throughout the world. The prevalence in our country is not sufficiently determined. Serologic examination by detecting Toxoplasma-specific antibodies IgM and IgG including IgG avidity index are performed in Institute of Public Health Zadar which is our first accredited clinical microbiological laboratory. In Zadar county from 2009 to 2015 were examined 2.156 human serum specimens and there were 23,83% positive results on T. gondii. Although, obtained results are lower than the average in our country, nevertheless multiple lower than some other areas, they indicate that toxoplasmosis is very significant disease which needs to be solved on the level of public health., Die Toxoplasmose ist eine weltweit verbreitete Zoonose, verursacht durch die Infektion mit Toxoplasma gondii. Ihre Prävalenz ist in unserem Land immer noch nicht umfassend untersucht worden. Die serologische Bestimmung der Antikörper bzw. der spezifischen Immunglobuline IgM und IgG und des Aviditätsindex IgG wurde im Institut für öffentliche Gesundheit Zadar, dem ersten kroatischen akkreditierten mikrobiologischen Labor durchgeführt. Im Zeitraum von 2009 bis 2015 wurden auf dem Gebiet der Gespanschaft Zadar 2156 menschliche Serumproben untersucht, wovon 23,83 % positiv auf T. gondii waren. Trotz der Tatsache, dass die gewonnenen Ergebnisse unter dem Durchschnitt unseres Landes liegen, im Vergleich zu anderen Gebieten sogar mehrfach geringer sind, weisen die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass die Toxoplasmose eine bedeutende Krankheit darstellt und sie als ein Problem der öffentlichen Gesundheit bekämpft werden sollte., Toxoplasmosis es un tipo de zoonosis extendida por todo el mundo, causada por Toxoplasma gondii. Su prevalencia en nuestro país no está explorada a fondo. La determinación serológica de los anticuerpos, más bien de las inmunoglobulinas IgM e IgG y del índice de avidez fueron hechos en el Instituto de Salud Pública en Zadar, donde se encuentra nuestro primer laboratorio médico microbiológico acreditado. En el período de 2009 a 2015 en el Condado de Zadar fueron examinadas 2156 muestras del suero de gente, donde fueron encontrados 23,83 % resultados positivos de T. gondii. A pesar de que los resultados obtenidos fueron por debajo del promedio de nuestro país y varias veces menos que en otras regiones, muestran que toxoplasmosis es una enfermedad que debe tomarse en cuenta y resolver a nivel de la Salúd Pública., La toxoplasmosi è una zoonosi diffusa in tutto il mondo ed è causata dal Toxoplasma gondii. La sua prevalenza nel nostro Paese non è stata studiata in maniera approfondita. Il nostro primo laboratorio microbiologico accreditato ad aver effettuato l’accertamento sierologico degli anticorpi, ossia delle immunoglobuline specifiche IgM e IgG e dell’indice di avidità IgG, è stato l’Istituto per la salute pubblica di Zara (Zavod za javno zdravstvo Zadar). Su 2.156 campioni di siero umano analizzati, dal 2009 al 2015, nel territorio della Contea Zaratina (Zadarska županija), il 23,83% è risultato positivo al T. gondii. Sebbene i risultati ottenuti siano stati inferiori alla media nazionale, e addirittura più volte inferiori rispetto a altre aree, essi comunque indicano che la toxoplasmosi rappresenta una malattia degna d’attenzione la cui profilassi deve interessare la salute pubblica nazionale.

In this study we assess the presence of antibodies against infectious agents as well as for a variety of autoantibodies in an attempt to establish associations between various vasculitides and infections in order to shed light on the etiopathogenesis of these diseases and perhaps implicate a potential cure. Sera from patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), polyarteritis nodosa, microscopic polyangiitis, Churg Strauss, and giant cell arteritis were compared to healthy control sera. Serum samples were assessed, using the Bio-Rad BioPlex 2200, for the presence of Toxoplama gondii, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Treponema pallidum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies were assessed by ELISA. In addition, sera were tested for a panel of antibodies associated with thrombophilia as well as various autoantibodies. The prevalence of antibodies toward HCV and H. pylori was significantly higher among patients with WG. IgG antibodies toward T. gondii and IgM antibodies toward CMV were significantly more common among WG patients than among controls. WG patients exhibited more antibodies toward EBV viral capsid antigen IgG and EBV early antigen IgG compared to sera from healthy controls. In WG, positive associations were disclosed between CMV IgG antibodies and the presence of gastrointestinal manifestations and renal involvement, and there was a higher Birmingham vasculitis activity score in association with elevated titers of EBV viral capsid antigen IgG antibodies. Otorhinolaryngeal manifestations were more common in those with positive IgG antibodies for EBV early antigen. Our results unveil novel associations between WG and various infectious agents, including HCV, H. pylori, T. gondii, CMV, and EBV. In addition to putative roles in initiation and exacerbation of the vasculitic process, it seems that these infectious agents also modulate the clinical phenotype of the disease. © 2009 New York Academy of Sciences.

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a population of pregnant women living in the Romagna area of the Emilia-Romagna region. From 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014, 36 876 pregnant women were tested to evaluate the IgG- and IgM-specific anti-T. gondii response. The average incidence was 0.192%, underlining the need for an appropriate and active screening for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy.

Introducción: La toxoplasmosis ocular es la causa más frecuente de uveítis posterior en nuestro medio, y puede conllevar a la pérdida irreversible de la agudeza visual. En la actualidad, se desconocen cuáles son los factores predictores de severidad de la enfermedad ocular. Hipótesis: El origen étnico-geográfico, la edad de infección, el perfil de citoquinas plasmáticas y el genotipo del parásito son predictores pronósticos en pacientes afectos de toxoplasmosis ocular. Objetivos: Caracterizar la uveítis asociada a toxoplasmosis ocular de nuestra población e identificar factores demográficos, clínicos y analíticos predictores de pronóstico visual pobre y complicaciones oculares. Diseño: Estudio de pacientes afectos de toxoplasmosis ocular activa diagnosticados en la Unidad de Uveítis del Hospital Clínic de Barcelona desde enero del 2005 a junio del 2012 con un seguimiento de 12 meses. Se realizó una anamnesis y exploración oftalmológica completa. Asimismo, se realizó la extracción de muestras de sangre periférica de 51 pacientes para determinar el perfil de 9 citoquinas mediante ELISA multiplex en la plataforma Luminex y para detectar el Toxoplasma gondii mediante PCR semi-anidada del gen B1 del parásito. Sujetos de estudio: Se incluyeron en el estudio 113 pacientes inmunocompetentes con diagnóstico clínico y serológico de toxoplasmosis ocular activa. Resultados: -Los pacientes inmigrantes, edad ≥50 años, y la presencia de foco activo periférico se asociaron con una mayor tasa de inflamación intraocular severa. La agudeza visual inicial ≤ 0,1, edad ≥50 años o foco activo macular fueron factores predictores de pronóstico visual pobre. La agudeza visual inicial ≤ 0,1 y la vitreítis ≥2+ fueron predictores de necesidad de cirugía ocular. -No se pudo detectar T. gondii en sangre periférica de los pacientes con toxoplasmosis ocular activa o inactiva, sugiriendo que, o bien nuestra técnica no es suficientemente sensible, o bien el parásito se encuentra fundamentalmente en el ojo durante el episodio de toxoplasmosis ocular. -Los pacientes con toxoplasmosis ocular activa presentaron unos niveles plasmáticos de MCP-1/CCL2 inferiores a los de los pacientes controles o con toxoplasmosis ocular inactiva. Por otro lado, se observaron niveles significativamente elevados de TNF-a y G-CSF en el grupo de los pacientes con toxoplasmosis con pronóstico visual pobre. Conclusión: En conclusión, mediante los resultados obtenidos de este estudio se pretende establecer unos perfiles de riesgo para la severidad de la afectación ocular. Por otra parte, la identificación de determinados perfiles específicos de citoquinas en respuesta a la retinocoroiditis toxoplásmica nos podría proporcionar una guía muy útil para la investigación de futuras dianas terapéuticas., Introduction: Ocular toxoplasmosis is a common cause of infectious retinochoroiditis worldwide, and can lead to visual impairment. Purpose: To identify the clinical and biological prognostic factors in ocular toxoplasmosis. Methods: The medical records of 113 consecutive patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis admitted from a single referral center for uveitis in Barcelona (Spain) were analyzed between January 2005 and June 2012 with a 12th-month follow-up.Predictions for whether patients would achieve a final BCVA ≤ 20/200, develop ocular complications or require ocular surgery were made. In addition, blood was collected in 51 patients with active or inactive ocular toxoplasmosis and in 25 patients with an age-matched and sex-matched healthy control group. Using a multiplex assay, the serum concentration of 9 cytokines was determined.Cytokine profiles were also correlated with disease activity, severity and visual outcome.Hemi-nested PCR in order to detect the B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii was performed. Results: -A South American origin, aged ≥ 50 years, and peripheral active lesions were associated with intraocular inflammation severity. Active macular lesions, initial BCVA≤20/200 and advanced age were predictors for final BCVA≤20/200, whereas female gender and initial BCVA≤20/200 were predictors for ocular complications. Moreover, a BCVA≤20/200 and a vitreous cell score of ≥2+ were predictors of an eventual need for ocular surgery. -Using the hemi-nested PCR, the B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii was not detected in blood samples. -Levels of CCL2 were significantly reduced in patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis compared to the control group. Moreover, CCL2 levels were significantly lower during active ocular toxoplasmosis compared to inactive disease. GCSF and TNFα were elevated in patients with toxoplasmosis with poor visual outcome. No significant correlations were found with specific cytokine profiles and disease severity. Conclusion: The determination of disease characteristics that can serve as predictors for poor visual prognosis, ocular complications and the need for intraocular surgery will allow physicians to consider a close follow-up of these patients for the early detection and treatment of complications secondary to toxoplasmosis. Moreover, serum cytokine profiling may contribute to the understanding of the physiopathology processes underlying retinal damage in ocular toxoplasmosis and provide tools for new treatment targets.

Most in-fected children show no symptoms at birth but are at greatrisk of developing late sequelae during the first years of lifeor in early adulthood. In fact Congenital Toxoplasmosis isoften undiagnosed, thereby predisposing the infant to unto-wardsequelaefromtheinfection,includingdecreasedvisionor blindness, decreased hearing or deafness, and mental andpsychomotor retardation. Therefore, it is important to rec-ognize as soon as possible the newborns at risk of infection,in order to begin therapy to prevent or reduce the numberand severity of the clinical manifestations of the congenitaldisease. Due to the absence of specific signs of infection atbirth the serological tests are often the only method for di-agnosis. Serological diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosisin the newborn depends on the detection of IgM and/or IgAanti

EN CASTELLANO:La toxoplasmosis es una de las más importantes zoonosis del ser humano. Esta ocasionada por Toxoplasma gondii un parásito coccidio apicomplejo de distribución cosmopolita.En este estudio se pretende determinar y analizar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos, frente a este parásito, de tipo G y de tipo M en mujeres gestantes del Principado de Andorra y los anticuerpos de tipo G en los habitantes de las principales poblaciones de la comarca del Alt Urgell (Lleida), Bellver de Cerdanya y Martinet (Girona). En el estudio realizado en Andorra se han analizado un total de 1936 muestras de sangre, mediante la técnica de inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI), de mujeres gestantes residentes en las siete parroquias que forman el principado obteniéndose las siguientes tasas de seroprevalencia de anticuerpos G: Andorra la Vella 43,9 %, Canillo 45 %, Encamp 47,4 %, Escaldes 52 %, La Massana 45,6%, Ordino 45 % y Sant Julià 42,9 %. La prevalencia global del principado se situó en el 45,9 %. La prevalencia global de anticuerpos M fue del 0,6 %. Agrupando la población analizada en grupos de edad se observa un significativo (pPara realizar el estudio de la comarca del Alt Urgell se obtuvieron un total de 2603 muestras de pacientes atendidos en la Fundació Sant Hospital de la Seu d'Urgell, residentes en alguna de las seis principales poblaciones de la zona, de ambos sexos y de todas la edades. En este caso se analizaron exclusivamente los anticuerpos de tipo G, mediante la técnica de enzimoinmunoanálisis de micropartículas (MEIA). Las tasas de seroprevalencia fueron las siguientes: Bellver de Cerdanya 55,5 %, Coll de Nargó 44,4 %, Martinet 53,8 %, Oliana 53,9 %, Organya 48,6 % y la Seu d'Urgell 50,6 %. La prevalencia global de la comarca se situó en el 51,1 %. Se obtuvo una significativa mayor seroprevalencia del sexo masculino (pLas características geográficas u ocupacionales de los habitantes de las localidades analizadas no fueron factores determinantes del grado de infección por Toxoplasma gondii. Al mismo tiempo, el ambiente rural o urbano no fue en ningún caso un condicionante de la tasa de seroprevalencia.Tanto en el Principado de Andorra como en el Alt Urgell y las poblaciones de Bellver de Cerdanya y Martinet, se observa una desprotección frente a Toxoplasma gondii, de la población femenina en edad fértil, cercana o superior al 50 %. En el segmento de edad más joven (menos de 16 años) esta desprotección puede llegar al 70 %. Por lo tanto, los análisis de control y las medidas preventivas son indispensables durante el embarazo, sobre todo en las gestantes seronegativas.

We report on a case of disseminated toxoplasmosis that occurred 39 days after unrelated bone marrow transplantation in a patient in good clinical and hematologic condition. The clinical course was characterized by presentation of septic shock and the evolution of sudden and rapidly overwhelming respiratory failure which was unresponsive to emergency and anti-shock therapy. Disseminated toxoplasmosis was diagnosed at autopsy

Toxoplasma gondii is composed of a complex antigenic mosaic and some antigenic fractions are of major diagnostic interest. We studied an antigenic fraction with molecular weight17 kda, identified by SDS-PAGE 15% and immunoblotting. This fraction could be easily extracted from the whole antigen with phenol/CH-Cl3 and its analysis showed a mainly carbohydrate composition. With immunoblotting this fraction showed strong reactivity with specific IgM and IgG in early-acute infection; IgM reactivity disappears or is much less marked in chronic acquired infection. Extraction with phenol/CHCl3 allows this fraction to be used as an antigen in other diagnostic methods.