Protein profile of purified plasma- and aqueous humor-derived extracellular vesicles from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis

ABSTRACT Purpose: To characterize the extracellular vesicle protein cargo in the aqueous humor and plasma of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis. Methods: Aqueous humor and plasma were collected from six patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis and six patients with cataract. Extracellular vesicles were isolated, and western blotting and mass spectrometry were performed for protein analysis. Results: All plasma samples from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract were positive for the tetraspanins CD63 and TSG101. However, the aqueous humor from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis was positive only for CD63. Sixty-seven new unreported proteins were identified in the aqueous humor and plasma of patients with the ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract. Of the 67 proteins, 10 and 7 were found only in the cataract and ocular toxoplasmosis groups, respectively. In general, these proteins were involved in immune system activation and retina homeostasis and were related to infections and retina-associated diseases. Conclusion: The distinct protein signatures between ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis. However, more studies are needed to better understand the role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis.

Zingiber officinale Ameliorates Acute Toxoplasmosis-Induced Pathology in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infects one third of the world's population with significant illness, mainly among immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. Treatment options for toxoplasmosis are limited which signifies the need for novel, potent, and safe therapeutic options. The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale) in treating mice infected with the RH T. gondii strain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify components of ethanolic extract of Z. officinale. A total of 80 mice were randomly allocated into four experimental groups that contained 20 mice each. The first group was left uninfected (uninfected control), while three groups were infected with T. gondii RH virulent strain tachyzoites at 2500 tachyzoites/mouse. One infected group was left untreated (infected, untreated), whereas the other two groups were treated orally with either spiramycin (positive control) or Z. officinale ethanolic extract at doses of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively for 5 days, starting the day of infection. Ten mice from each group were used to assess mice survival in different groups, whereas the other ten mice in each group were sacrificed on the 5th day post-infectin (dpi) to estimate the treatment efficacy by quantifying liver parasite load, liver function, nitric oxide (NO) production, and levels of antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, histopathological studies were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Z. officinale treatment on toxoplasmosis-induced pathological alterations in liver, brain, and spleen. RESULTS: Treatment with Z. officinale ethanolic extract extended the survival of mice till 9th dpi compared to 7th dpi in infected untreated mice. Higher percentage of mice survived in Z. officinale-treated group compared to spiramycin-treatment group at different time points. Liver parasite loads were significantly lower in Z. officinale extract-treated mice and spiramycin-treated mice compared to infected untreated mice which correlated with significantly lower levels of serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and nitric oxide (NO), as well as significantly higher catalase (CAT) antioxidant enzyme activity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of tachyzoites from the peritoneal fluid revealed marked damage in tachyzoites from Z. officinale-treated group compared to that from infected untreated mice. Moreover, treatment with Z. officinale ethanolic extract alleviated infection-induced pathological alterations and restored normal tissue morphology of liver, brain, and spleen. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that Z. officinale treatment reduced parasite burden and reversed histopathological and biochemical alterations in acute murine toxoplasmosis. These findings support the potential utility of Z. officinale as a future effective natural therapeutic for toxoplasmosis. Further studies are needed to determine the effective active ingredient in Z. officinale extract that can be further optimized for treatment of toxoplasmosis.

The quality and characteristics of bovine sperm are compromised by Toxoplasma gondii antigens, impacting in in vitro bull fertility.

Studies in various species have demonstrated different results on the effects of T. gondii infection on sperm quality. It has also been demonstrated that in some stages of the disease, there is elimination of cellular debris or even the intact parasite in the semen. The present work aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of the presence of soluble T. gondii antigens in bovine semen on sperm integrity. The spermatozoa were treated with T. gondii antigens in double serial dilutions classified as high, medium and low doses (8, 4, 2 µg/ml) in "TALP-Sperm" and "TALP-Fert" media. The results showed that T. gondii antigens affect sperm motility and mitochondrial activity, and cause changes in sperm chromatin integrity, as well as damage to the sperm membrane and acrosome. Finally, spermatozoa treated with T. gondii antigens were evaluated in the in vitro production of embryos (IVEP). The use of semen contaminated with antigens in IVEP routines did not lead to a decrease in the fertilization of oocytes, as sperm undergo selection before in vitro fertilization, which eliminates the most altered sperm. However, early embryonic development was affected, probably by structural changes that were not eliminated in the selection process. The results demonstrated that the presence of soluble T. gondii antigens in bovine semen alters sperm integrity and vital characteristics for the fertilization process and embryonic development and therefore causes fertility problems in males.

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii effects of XYP1-derived peptides and regulatory mechanisms of XYP1.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii , poses serious health issues for humans and animals. Individuals with impaired immune systems are more susceptible to severe toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women infected by T. gondii can face the possibility of birth defects and miscarriages. While pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine are commonly used drugs in clinical practice, concerns over their side effects and resistance are on the rise. A spider peptide XYP1 isolated from Lycosa coelestis had potent anti-T. gondii effects, but it had a high synthesis cost and strong cytotoxicity. METHODS: This study intended to modify XYP1 for producing derived peptides via amino acid truncation and substitution. The anti-T. gondii effect was evaluated by trypan blue staining assay and killing experiment of RH strain tachyzoites. The CCK8 and hemolysis assays were used to compare their safeties. The morphological changes of T. gondii were observed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. In addition, the mechanism of XYP1 against T. gondii through RNA-sequencing was further explored. RESULTS: In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that XYP1-18 and XYP1-18-1 had excellent anti-T. gondii activity with lower cytotoxicity and hemolysis activity than XYP1. XYP1, XYP1-18, and XYP1-18-1 were able to disrupt the surface membrane integrity of T. gondii tachyzoites, forming pores and causing the disruption of organelles. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing analysis indicated that XYP1 could stimulate the host immune response to effectively eliminate T. gondii and lessen the host's inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSIONS: XYP1-18 had lower cytotoxicity and hemolysis activity than XYP1, as well as significantly extending the survival time of the mice. XYP1 played a role in host inflammation and immune responses, revealing its potential mechanism. Our research provided valuable insights into the development and application of peptide-based drugs, offering novel strategies and directions for treating toxoplasmosis.

Detection of Congenital Toxoplasmosis and Cytomegalovirus Infections Using Paired Sample Serodiagnosis from Suspected Cases at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Malaysia.

Background: Congenital toxoplasmosis and congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infections are noteworthy in Malaysia and can cause serious health problems in neonates. The prompt and effective detection and treatment related to both illnesses may mitigate the possibility of adverse consequences from both infections. Methods: A total of 219 neonates with suspected clinical indications of congenital toxoplasmosis and/or cCMV infections from January 2022 to December 2022 were enrolled. The first samples for IgM and IgG antibodies were screened by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. For positive results indicative of congenital toxoplasmosis and cCMV infections, second serum samples were requested and tested within a period of 2-4 weeks after testing the first sample. Results: From the 219 first serum samples, the overall seroprevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis antibodies in suspected cases was 53%; meanwhile, the overall seroprevalence of cCMV in the suspected cases was 98.6%. The results of the paired serum sample collected for investigating congenital toxoplasmosis cases revealed that 47% of the cases presented no serological evidence of exposure while the remaining 53% of cases might have acquired passive immunity from the mother. For cCMV, the number of cases with no serological evidence of exposure was 1.4%, whereas acute infection was 1.8% and possible passive immunity from the mother represented 96.8%. Conclusion: This study found a high seroprevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis and cCMV infections, probably because they are suspected cases. This study also indicates that using paired sample analysis in the categorisation of cases can aid in accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment.

Toxoplasma gondii IgG serointensity and cognitive function in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Alongside affective episodes, cognitive dysfunction is a core symptom of bipolar disorder. The intracellular parasite T. gondii has been positively associated with both, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and poorer cognitive performance, across diagnostic boundaries. This study aims to investigate the association between T. gondii seropositivity, serointensity, and cognitive function in an euthymic sample of bipolar disorder. METHODS: A total of 76 participants with bipolar disorder in remission were tested for T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies and for cognitive performance using neuropsychological test battery. Cognitive parameters were categorized into three cognitive domains (attention and processing speed, verbal memory, and executive function). Statistical analysis of associations between continuous indicators of cognitive function as dependent variables in relationship to T. gondii, included multivariate analyses of co-variance for seropositivity, and partial correlations with IgG serointensity in IgG seropositives. All analyses were controlled for age and premorbid IQ. RESULTS: In seropositives (n = 27), verbal memory showed significant inverse partial correlations with IgG antibody levels (short delay free recall (r=-0.539, p = 0.005), long delay free recall (r=-0.423, p = 0.035), and immediate recall sum trial 1-5 (r=-0.399, p = 0.048)). Cognitive function did not differ between IgG seropositive and seronegative individuals in any of the cognitive domains (F (3,70) = 0.327, p = 0.806, n = 76). IgM positives (n = 7) were too few to be analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation is the first to show an association between T. gondii IgG serointensity and memory function in a well-diagnosed bipolar disorder sample. It adds to the existing literature on associations between latent T. gondii infection and cognition in bipolar disorder, while further research is needed to confirm and expand our findings, eliminate potential sources of bias, and establish cause-effect relationships.

Impact of education on knowledge, attitudes, and practices for gestational toxoplasmosis.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is potentially avoidable, treatable, and curable by simple and direct preventive measures. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) assessments concerning gestational toxoplasmosis were evaluated in a cohort of pregnant women from Armenia-Quindío (Colombia, South America). METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive KAP-type study was performed with informed consent between October 2021 and March 2022. The intervention involved a ten-minute talk administered by prenatal clinic nurses to pregnant women. This took place in the public health clinic RedSalud and the private clinic Happy Maternity with a post-KAP survey after pregnancy. RESULTS: The findings of the initial KAP survey revealed that approximately 42.8 % of the 250 mothers surveyed had IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies present. A strong correlation was observed between a lower frequency of antibodies and a higher level of education. Following an educational intervention, 73 seronegative women demonstrated a significant improvement in their knowledge and behavior. Among the 111 mothers who received the intervention, 42 (37 %) were followed until delivery. Unfortunately, their level of compliance with prenatal serological follow-up was lower compared to previous historical records of cohort of mothers in the same health center during pre-pandemic periods. No seroconversion occurred, although the small number of cases makes the outcome inconclusive with respect to statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Education plays a crucial role in imparting valuable knowledge and fostering effective practices. It holds significant potential to prevent toxoplasmosis in pregnant seronegative mothers. Prenatal check-ups have proven to be a critical determinant in leveraging the benefits of education for seronegative mothers. Reporting and observed behaviors differed, identifying areas for improvement.

Molecular detection of toxoplasmosis in wild rats using loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay.

Background and Aim: Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are the only known hosts that excrete resistant oocysts. Wild rats serve as crucial reservoirs and intermediate hosts for T. gondii's survival and dissemination. Consuming soil and water containing oocysts can lead to illness. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in wild rats through molecular detection as an indicator of environmental contamination in Surabaya. Materials and Methods: One hundred rats were collected from the three areas (housing, dense settlements, and traditional markets) and distributed into the five zones: West, East, Central, North, and South of Surabaya. Brain tissue samples were extracted using a Geneaid™ (New Taipei City, Taiwan) DNA isolation kit and analyzed through the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method. Results: The study analyzed brain tissue from 100 wild rats, consisting of 77 Rattus tanezumi and 33 Rattus norvegicus, displaying 30% LAMP positivity. The study revealed that 30% (30/100) of wild rats tested were infected with T. gondii. The molecular prevalence rate in male rats was 32.35% (22/68), compared to females with 25% (8/32). 41.9% of the housing population, 33.3% of traditional markets, and 22.6% of dense settlements had the highest molecular prevalence. The high positive molecular rate at the trapping site can be attributed to cats and dense populations. Conclusion: Thirty percentage wild rats were tested positive for toxoplasmosis in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia using LAMP method. Implementing strict control and monitoring is crucial in preventing the transmission of diseases from wild rats to humans. It is necessary to carry out further research related to genetic analysis of T. gondii to determine the type of T. gondii that infects animals and humans in Surabaya through bioassay and molecular test.

Potential of extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy for parasitic diseases.

Parasitic diseases have a significant impact on human and animal health, representing a major hazard to the public and causing economic and health damage worldwide. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have long been recognized as diagnostic and therapeutic tools but are now also known to be implicated in the natural history of parasitic diseases and host immune response modulation. Studies have shown that EVs play a role in parasitic disease development by interacting with parasites and communicating with other types of cells. This review highlights the most recent research on EVs and their role in several aspects of parasite-host interactions in five key parasitic diseases: Chagas disease, malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis and helminthiases. We also discuss the potential use of EVs as diagnostic tools or treatment options for these infectious diseases.

Serological evidence of exposition to Toxoplasma gondii in Saimiri spp. kept in a research institution as biomodels in Rio de Janeiro.

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were investigated in 125 Saimiri spp. kept at a research institute. A total of 12% of primates tested positive, all of which were Saimiri sciureus. These results highlight the need to minimize the possibility of this protozoan's circulation, which can lead to fulminant infection in these animals.

Sulfonamide allergy label and the risk of opportunistic infections in solid organ transplant recipients - A retrospective matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: While a penicillin allergy label has been linked to various negative clinical outcomes, limited studies have specifically characterized the implication of sulfonamide allergy labels (SAL) on clinical outcomes. We examined the impact of SAL on clinical outcomes of solid organ transplant recipients. METHODS: In this retrospective matched cohort study, we utilized the TriNetX US collaborative Network, a multicenter de-identified US database, and identified solid organ transplant recipients with and without SAL. The 1-year probability of developing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), toxoplasmosis, and nocardiosis was estimated and contrasted between the two study groups. The hazard ratio (HR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) quantified the strength and direction of the association between SAL and these outcomes. RESULTS: When comparing 1571 solid organ transplant recipients with SAL to an equal number of matched controls, patients with SAL had a higher probability of developing nocardiosis (HR 3.85; 95% CI, 1.44-10.30; p = .004; corrected p = .04), and toxoplasmosis (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.10-3.17; p = .019; corrected p = .19), but no difference in the risk of developing PJP (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.68-3.95; p = .27). There was no mortality difference (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.99-1.75; p = .061; corrected p = .6). SAL influenced antibiotic prescription with overutilization of dapsone, atovaquone, and pentamidine and underutilization of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSION: SAL is associated with an increased risk of opportunistic infections following solid organ transplantation. Measures to evaluate and de-label sulfonamide allergy prior to transplantation or desensitizing shortly after transplantation are advisable.

Human Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Romania: History, Epidemiology, and Public Health: A Narrative Review.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), presents a significant global health concern, particularly for immunocompromised individuals and congenitally infected newborns. Despite its widespread prevalence, there are limited data on T. gondii seroprevalence and ocular toxoplasmosis in Romania. This review aims to summarize the research accomplished on the prevalence and epidemiology of human ocular toxoplasmosis in Romania. Ocular toxoplasmosis, a leading cause of infectious posterior uveitis worldwide, involves complex interactions between host immune responses and parasite factors. Clinically, it presents as focal necrotizing retinitis, characterized by active focal retinal lesions with adjacent chorioretinal scarring, often accompanied by vitreous inflammation and anterior chamber reactions. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination supported by fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and serological assays. The authors followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards, conducting a literature review on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Our focus was on ocular toxoplasmosis in Romania, and we used keywords and specific MeSH terms. Finally, 17 articles met all the criteria, as summarized in the PRISMA diagram. This study underscores the need for improved diagnostic methods, increased research efforts, and comprehensive public health education to mitigate the burden of toxoplasmosis and ocular toxoplasmosis in Romania.

Single Cell Expression Systems for the Production of Recombinant Proteins for Immunodiagnosis and Immunoprophylaxis of Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis represents a significant public health and veterinary concern due to its widespread distribution, zoonotic transmission, and potential for severe health impacts in susceptible individuals and animal populations. The ability to design and produce recombinant proteins with precise antigenic properties is fundamental, as they serve as tools for accurate disease detection and effective immunization strategies, contributing to improved healthcare outcomes and disease control. Most commonly, a prokaryotic expression system is employed for the production of both single antigens and multi-epitope chimeric proteins; however, the cloning strategies, bacterial strain, vector, and expression conditions vary. Moreover, literature reports show the use of alternative microbial systems such as yeast or Leishmania tarentolae. This review provides an overview of the methods and strategies employed for the production of recombinant Toxoplasma gondii antigenic proteins for the serological detection of T. gondii infection and vaccine development.

The effect of infection with Toxoplasma gondii in inducing interferon-gamma in breast cancer patients.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases in the world. Human infection rates range from 10% to 80% in many countries. Female cancer patients receiving chemotherapy are more susceptible to developing acute forms of toxoplasmosis, which can cause brain defects, neurological damage, and encephalitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on the induction of interferon-gamma in breast cancer patients from Iraq. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on women had breast cancer in Al-Haboubi Teaching Hospital in Nasiriya City-Thi-Qar Province (Iraq) during the period from January to September 2022. Approximately three ml of blood was drawn from all participants and sera were collected. The Sera were then tested for Toxoplasma IgM, IgG, and IFN-γ (Nova Tec Immunodiagnostica GmbH, Germany) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits according to the protocols of the manufacturer. Before blood collection, participants completed a printed questionnaire with some demographic information, such as age and place of residence. The total number of positive T. gondii infections from breast cancer patients in the current study was 60 (85.7%). The results of sample analysis by ELISA assay showed that 85.7% and 74.2% of patients were positive for IgG and IgM, respectively. The mean IFN-γ levels in breast cancer patients with toxoplasmosis, without toxoplasmosis, and in the control group were 47.66, 0.00, and 0.57 pg/ ml, respectively. Higher IgG and interferon gamma levels were detected in the group of breast cancer patients with toxoplasmosis than in the group without toxoplasmosis. According to the ELISA findings, T. gondii was the most common parasite in female cancer patients.

Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Dogs in Greece.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is a zoonotic disease that affects various animal species, including dogs, that can serve as sentinels for indirectly estimating the environmental contamination. The current study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in dogs across different regions of Greece and assess their living area as a potential risk factor. In total, 1282 blood samples were collected from dogs in urban and rural areas of Greece, including Attica and Thessaloniki. Serum samples were tested for T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. A chi-square test was performed to assess the association between seropositivity for T. gondii and geographical location (urban/rural). The overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 47.6%, while the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies was 34.3% and 22.2%, respectively. Dogs from rural areas exhibited a significantly higher seroprevalence (53.8%) than those from urban areas (43.9%) (p < 0.001), with the estimated odds ratio being equal to 1.49 (95% CI, 1.18 to 1.65) and the relative risk increased by 22.4%. Dogs in Greece are highly exposed to T. gondii, particularly in rural areas. Measures to prevent canine infections are necessary, and basic hygiene practices, such as hand washing after petting dogs, are required to reduce human infection risk and safeguard public health.

Mastocytosis and intraepithelial lymphocytosis in the ileum and colon characterize chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice.

Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a common zoonotic disease affecting vertebrates with high global incidence. For the parasite to disseminate throughout the body, it crosses the intestinal barrier, triggering inflammatory reactions. This study aimed to assess the tissue response in the ileum and colon of mice following chronic infection with T. gondii. Fourteen mice were divided into two groups: the infected group received 1000 T. gondii oocysts via gavage, and after 60 days, the mice were euthanized. The ileum and colon were collected and processed for histological analysis, inflammatory marker measurement and myenteric neuron analysis. Chronic infection resulted in a significant increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes and mast cells, as well as morphometric changes such as increased total intestinal wall thickness of the ileum, crypt depth, collagen fiber area, and a decrease in myeloperoxidase activity, without altering nitric oxide levels. While the number of myenteric neurons remained unchanged, there was an increase in vasoactive intestinal peptide expression. These results suggest persistence intestinal inflammatory stimuli in chronic T. gondii infection.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Behavior Regarding Toxoplasmosis among Females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Toxoplasmosis, a prevalent parasitic zoonotic disease, is influenced by various factors such as the climate, dietary habits, and hygiene practices. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding toxoplasmosis among females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Utilizing a bilingual Google form, a cross-sectional online survey was distributed in both Arabic and English, and it was conducted between 11 January 2024 and 4 March 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 27, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 indicating significant qualitative data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. A total of 533 participants were included in the study. Participants aged 18-25 years old constituted the largest group (70.4%), with those aged 26-40 years old accounting for 14.4% and ages 41-60 years old comprising 15.2%. Among the participants, 76.4% were unmarried, and 21.4% were pregnant. Notably, 79.2% of participants reported being unaware of toxoplasmosis, with only 9.0% gaining awareness from doctors and a mere 3.6% from awareness campaigns. Any understanding of the disease's severity and causative factors was limited to 15.9%. Despite a generally positive attitude towards preventive measures, significant correlations were found between toxoplasmosis and age (p-value 0.093), as well as the consumption of medium-cooked meat (p-value 0.008). Other variables, such as social status, cat ownership, handwashing before meals, and washing fruits and vegetables did not show significant correlations. Diet and hygiene practices notably impact toxoplasmosis transmission. In Riyadh, 79% of participants did not own cats, and 67.7% avoided undercooked meat. However, 6.7% used unfiltered water, and 8.4% did not wash their hands after handling raw meat and vegetables. The study concludes that there is insufficient knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis among females in Riyadh. Despite low knowledge, there is a neutral to slightly positive attitude and a willingness to learn and adopt preventive measures when informed. With better education, attitudes towards toxoplasmosis could improve due to a desire to learn and act. While general hygiene practices were favorable, specific preventive behaviors for toxoplasmosis need enhancement to reduce infection risks.

Evaluation of the efficacy of Chitosan nanoparticles based on Rosuvastatin in the treatment of acute toxoplasmosis: An In vitro and In vivo study.

Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan that infects warm-blooded animals and has a global distribution. Acute toxoplasmosis is commonly reported in patients with acquired/congenital toxoplasmosis and immune deficiency. New methods are needed to prevent the sideffects of classical treatment. In this study, Rosuvastatin loaded chitosan nanoparticle (CH-NP-ROS) were synthesized and zeta potential and size were determined, and an MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cell toxicity on Macrophage cells (MQ) and anti-Toxoplasma activity using Trypan-blue staining by different concentrations of Rosuvastatin (ROS), and Rosuvastatin loaded chitosan nanoparticle (CH-NP-ROS). The cell viability assay demonstrated that CH-NP-ROS had lower cell toxicity (<15 %) compared to ROS (<30 %). Statistical analysis showed that CH-NP-ROS significantly killed 98.950 ± 1.344; P < 0.05) of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. In vivo results of perituneal fluid showed that CH-NP significantly reduced the parasite load in the CH-NP-ROS group, compared to that in negative control group (P < 0.001). Growth inhibition rates of tachyzoites in mice receiving free ROS and CH-NP-ROS (injection and oral form) were found to be 166.125 + 4.066, 118.750 + 4.596 and 124.875 + 2.652, respectively, compared to mice in Sulfadiazine/Pyrimethamine treated group (positive control). In the infected untreated mice (control +), the mean tachyzoite counts per oil immersion field in the spleen was 8.25 respectively. The mean survival time in all the groups treated with ROS and CH-NP-ROS was longer than that in the negative control group Therefore, nanoformulation is a promising approach for the delivery and is safe for using therapeutic effects in acute toxoplasmosis.

Assessment of nebivolol efficacy in experimental models of toxoplasmosis: insights into parasite burden reduction and neuronal protection.

This study investigates the efficacy of nebivolol (NBV) in experimental models of toxoplasmosis, focusing on parasite burden reduction and neuronal protection. In the acute model of experimental toxoplasmosis, Swiss mice infected with RH strain tachyzoites received oral NBV chlorhydrate doses of 2 mg/kg/day and 4 mg/kg/day for 8 days. Treatment with NBV significantly reduced parasite burden compared to vehicle and standard drug (PYR) groups. In the chronic model of experimental toxoplasmosis, C57/BL6 mice infected with the ME49 strain received NBV chlorhydrate 41 days post-infection and were evaluated after 10 days of treatment. NBV chlorhydrate effectively reduced cyst number and area, as well as bradyzoite burden compared to controls. Histological analysis demonstrated that NBV chlorhydrate preserved neuronal count, with the 4 mg/kg/day dose yielding counts similar to non-infected mice. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences compared to control groups. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a significant reduction in iNOS labeling in the brains of mice treated with NBV chlorhydrate, indicating a decrease in nitric oxide production compared to control groups. These findings suggest NBV's potential as a promising candidate for toxoplasmosis treatment, highlighting its ability to reduce parasite burden and protect neuronal integrity. Further research is warranted to elucidate NBV's mechanisms of action and its clinical application in managing toxoplasmosis.