Changes to the gut microbiota in mice induced by infection with Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a common parasite worldwide, which can cause encephalitis, enteritis and miscarriage in abortion women. This study examined the cecal microbiome of mice infected with T. gondii through analysis of 16S rRNA genes determined by Illumina sequencing. BALB/c mice were orally infected with sporulated T. gondii oocysts. Mice were killed after 13-days- and 21-days- post infection, respectively, then their cecal contents were extracted and examined to determine the composition of gut microflora by illumina sequencing of the V3 +V4 region of the 16S rRNA genes. Our results showed the alterations in the gut microbes of BALB/c mice infected with T. gondii infection, where we observed a significant shift in the relative abundance of cecal bacteria. In mice at 13 days post-infection, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased, along with that of harmful bacteria, such as Bilopha and Desulfovibrio. However, the abundance of Lactobacillus decreased. At 21 days post-infection, the abundance of Lactobacillus was more than that observed for the uninfected control, with harmful bacteria, such as Bilopha and Desulfovibrio being reduced. The mice at 21-days post-infection had more beneficial intestinal bacteria than the control group. Our results suggested that the gut microbiota play an important role in disease progression from acute infection to chronic infection.

Serological tools for detection of Trichinella infection in animals and humans.

Trichinellosis is a serious foodborne zoonotic disease. It is an important threat to public health in both developing and developed countries. Human infections are strongly associated with consuming undercooked meat containing infective Trichinella larvae. The development of serological tools has enabled seroepidemiological studies and contributed to our knowledge on the importance of this parasite. Serological tests can also help the diagnosis of parasite infections in humans and the surveillance of animals. Generally speaking, serological techniques include detection methods for specific antibodies and for circulating parasite antigens in the serum or tissue fluids. Here, we present a comprehensive review of various methods used in the detection of antibodies against Trichinella and circulating parasite antigens in animals and humans.