Experimental parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Development of an in vitro assay using abscisic acid to study Toxoplasma gondii infectivity","authors":"Tina Wagner ,&nbsp;Ildiko Rita Dunay ,&nbsp;Arwid Daugschies ,&nbsp;Stefanie Wiedmer ,&nbsp;Berit Bangoura","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The common parasite <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Although most infections in humans remain asymptomatic, clinical toxoplasmosis can develop into a fatal disease. Infections are usually contracted by oral ingestion of tissue cysts or oocysts contained in cat feces.</div><div>Currently, the mouse bioassay is applied as a final experiment to evaluate meat infectivity. This study aims to establish an alternative cell culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based <em>in vitro</em> infectivity assay for tissue cysts. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is applied to increase parasite multiplication.</div><div>A human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) host cell culture was infected with bradyzoites from mouse tissue. Treatment groups included uninfected controls, infected untreated controls, and infected ABA treated groups. The applied ABA concentrations used ranged from 0.2 ng/μl to 20 ng/μl, and ABA incubation times ranged from 2 h to 18 h before ABA removal. At 48 h after infection, <em>T. gondii</em> deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the cell cultures was quantified by qPCR. The results indicate that parasite DNA copy numbers are markedly increased when using ABA at 2 ng/μl for 4–6 h or at 20 ng/μl for 2 h incubation. Our results indicate that this newly established <em>in vitro</em> assay is suitable to determine <em>T. gondii</em> cyst infectivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 109011"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145008116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sublethal exposure of emamectin benzoate and thiamethoxam alters the biological parameters and genes expression in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)","authors":"Khalid Mehmood ,&nbsp;Muhammad Nadir Naqqash ,&nbsp;Nimra Batool ,&nbsp;Bander Albogami ,&nbsp;Hadeer Darwish ,&nbsp;Ahmed Noureldeen ,&nbsp;Fatemah E. Alajmi","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Excessive use of agrochemicals results in contamination of water due to runoff or leaching. Insecticide induced-hormesis, a phenomenon characterized by low dose stimulation following exposure to insecticide, is crucial to insect pest resurgence. In this study, the effects of low or sublethal concentrations of emamectin benzoate and thiamethoxam on biological traits and genes expression were investigated for yellow fever mosquito, <em>Aedes aegypti</em> following 48 h exposures. Bioassay was conducted to compute LC₁₀ and LC₂₀ values for both test insecticides. The low lethal (LC₁₀) and sublethal (LC₂₀) concentrations of emamectin benzoate and thiamethoxam significantly reduced longevity and fecundity of the exposed mosquitoes. However, population parameters showed a negative change in the F₁ progeny of emamectin exposed <em>A. aegypti</em> mosquitoes. While, stimulatory effects on pre-adult stage, longevity, and fertility were observed in the progeny generation (F₁) of <em>A. aegypti</em>, when parental generation (F₀) were exposed to LC₁₀ and LC₂₀ of thiamethoxam. However, at F₂ generation the population parameters in all the treatments were statistically similar to the control except in the LC₂₀ treatment of emamectin benzoate. The LC₁₀ and LC₂₀ of thiamethoxam significantly increased the expression level of vitellogenin in progeny generation, while inhibitory effects were observed for both treatments of emamectin benzoate. Additionally, the expression levels of P450 genes including CYP6P15, CYP6BB2, and CYP9J26 were up-regulated in the exposed insects. Taken together, our results show the hormetic effects in thiamethoxam on F₁ and F₂ individuals, which might be due to the intermittent changes in expression of genes involved in fertility, growth and insecticide detoxification in <em>A. aegypti</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 109021"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145014174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Laparoscopic surgical treatment of liver echinococcosis in Uzbekistan: Outcomes and implementation challenges of minimally invasive surgery","authors":"Sapaev Duschan Shukhratovich ,&nbsp;Yakubov Farkhod Radjabovich ,&nbsp;Ruzibaev Rashid Yusupovich ,&nbsp;Babajanov Kudratbek Bakhtiyarovich ,&nbsp;Ruzmetov Navruzbek Alisherovich ,&nbsp;Rakhimov Dadakhon Djalaladinovich ,&nbsp;Matkurbonov Navruz Odilbek ogli ,&nbsp;Khayitboeva Komila Khujayazovna ,&nbsp;Sharipova Aziza Umarovna","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Liver echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, remains a significant public health concern in Uzbekistan, particularly in rural agricultural communities. While open surgery has traditionally been the primary treatment, it is associated with prolonged recovery and higher complication rates. This study aims to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery in managing liver echinococcosis in Uzbekistan. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 120 patients who underwent either laparoscopic (n = 60) or open surgery (n = 60) between 2020 and 2024 at three tertiary medical centers. Key parameters included operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain (VAS), hospital stay, complication rates, and recurrence. The laparoscopic group demonstrated significantly shorter operative time (95 vs. 130 min; p &lt; 0.001), reduced blood loss (80 vs. 180 mL; p &lt; 0.001), lower pain scores (3.2 vs. 6.7; p &lt; 0.001), and shorter hospital stays (4.1 vs. 10.3 days; p &lt; 0.001). Complication rates were also significantly lower in the laparoscopic group (6.7 % vs. 18.3 %; p = 0.045), while recurrence rates showed no significant difference after one year (3.3 % vs. 5.0 %; p = 0.65). These findings suggest that laparoscopic surgery offers substantial advantages over open surgery in terms of safety, recovery, and resource utilization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 109005"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144925880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the diagnostic utility of recombinant low molecular weight cystic fluid proteins, Ag2 and Ag2V1, for serosurveillance of porcine cysticercosis","authors":"Pinaki Prasad Sengupta,&nbsp;Siju Susan Jacob,&nbsp;Samer Shamshad,&nbsp;S. Sudhagar,&nbsp;A.G.S. Chandu,&nbsp;S.S. Patil,&nbsp;S Madhaba Maharana","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Porcine cysticercosis caused by the metacestode stage of <em>Taenia solium</em> is an economically challenging disease having public health importance. Being one of the neglected tropical diseases, surveillance of porcine cysticercosis is essentially warranted in endemic countries to detect the transmission foci of infection to humans. Keeping this as background, in the present study, the genes encoding for two cystic fluid antigens (Ag2 and Ag2V1) of metacestode of <em>T.solium</em> were amplified, ligated into cloning vector, transformed into <em>E.coli</em> Top 10 cells and sequenced. After analysis and confirmation of nucleotide sequence of Ag2 and Ag2V1 genes, the purified and restriction enzyme digested PCR products were cloned. The confirmed positive clones were induced for expression of recombinant proteins and the proteins were purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The hyperimmune sera raised against native antigens of metacestode of <em>T.solium</em> were employed to characterize the purified recombinant proteins by Western blotting. After confirming the recombinant proteins, indirect enzyme linked immuno sorbent assays (iELISA) using recombinant Ag2 and Ag2V1 antigens were standardized. The iELISA employing recombinant Ag2 and Ag2V1 antigens revealed sensitivity of 98.1 % and 93.4 % and specificity of 91.2 % and 97.5 %, respectively. The weighted Cohen's kappa was calculated as 0.89 (95 % CI 0.804 to 0.975) for Ag2 and 0.857 (95 % CI 0.755 to 0.959) for Ag2V1. The assays developed in the present study can be employed for the surveillance of porcine cysticercosis to help in clean pork production. However, further studies involving larger sample sizes, particularly from scavenging pigs, are warranted to validate these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 109027"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145085251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Niosomes as a vehicle for excretory/secretory antigens enhance immunization efficacy of Toxoplasma gondii vaccine","authors":"Salwa S. Younis ,&nbsp;Ghada A. Gamea ,&nbsp;Gamal M. El Maghraby ,&nbsp;Mona F. Arafa ,&nbsp;Rana A. Khalifa ,&nbsp;Sara M. Shoeib ,&nbsp;Rehab M. El-Gohary ,&nbsp;Basma M. Elmansory","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Till now, there is no well-established vaccine for toxoplasmosis in humans. This study evaluated the efficacy of niosomes to enhance the immunogenicity of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> excretory/secretory antigens (ESAs) vaccine in mice. The mice were divided into the following groups: group I (naïve), group II (naïve challenged), group III (alum), group IV (niosomes), group V (ESAs), group VI (ESAs and alum) and group VII (ESAs-loaded niosomes). All immunized mice received three doses of vaccine intraperitoneally two weeks apart. Two weeks later, mice were challenged with intraperitoneal injection of 10³ viable tachyzoites of virulent RH strain. Parasitological, histopathological, and immunological studies were done<strong>.</strong> ESAs-loaded niosomes offered the best protection as they significantly decreased the mean parasitic count in liver and spleen with reduction rates of 85 and 90 %, respectively. Also, it reduced efficiently the inflammation and parenchymal injury in liver with intense iNOS immunostaining expression. In addition, it was effective in stimulation of humoral and cellular immune responses evidenced by the high significant anti-<em>Toxoplasma</em> IgG, increasing of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ percentages by flowcytometry and serum IFN-γ levels. Therefore, niosomes were proved to be promising vaccine candidates due to enhancing the antigenicity of ESA and their long acting antiparasitic effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 109024"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145039477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A dual In vitro and In silico approach to evaluate 1,4-naphthoquinone-1,2,3-triazole hybrids against atovaquone-resistant malaria","authors":"Priyanka Agarwal ,&nbsp;David D. N’Da ,&nbsp;C. Johan van der Westhuizen ,&nbsp;Robyn L. van Zyl","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108991","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.108991","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Malaria continues to pose a major global health burden affecting millions annually. Despite advancements in treatment, the emergence of drug-resistant <em>Plasmodium</em> strains has undermined current treatment strategies, including atovaquone. Atovaquone is a key mitochondrial inhibitor targeting the cytochrome <em>bc</em>₁ (cyt <em>bc</em>₁) complex, with resistance primarily driven by mutation in the cytochrome <em>b</em> gene. Moreover, atovaquone's reliance on a single target site and its pharmacokinetic limitations further underscore the urgent need for alternative drugs. To address these challenges, this dual <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in silico</em> study evaluated ten 1,4-naphthoquinone-1,2,3-triazole hybrids targeting atovaquone-resistant (FCR3) <em>P. falciparum</em>. Molecular modelling studies were performed on <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em> (PDB ID <span><span>3CX5</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>), involving the building of a mutant model to simulate the Y279S mutation (equivalent to Y268S mutation in <em>P. falciparum</em>), in order to rationalise the observed results. Additionally, pharmacokinetic properties and drug-likeness of these hybrids were predicted <em>in silico</em>. Hybrids <strong>D12</strong> and <strong>D13</strong> exhibited strong antiplasmodial activities, 61- and 52-fold, respectively, more than atovaquone. Molecular modelling studies indicated a strong correlation between <em>in silico</em> and <em>in vitro</em> activities by displaying binding interactions between the ligand and the mutant model. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) analysis identified key structural features essential for favourable binding interactions with target binding site residues. Furthermore, <em>in silico</em> evaluations of these hybrids suggested good oral bioavailability and high gastrointestinal absorption, with no significant risk of severe toxicity. Hybrids <strong>D12</strong> and <strong>D13</strong> exhibit potential as lead candidates, with their strong <em>in vitro</em> efficacy well-supported by <em>in silico</em> data, warranting further optimisation and development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 108991"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144768560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preliminary evaluation of the recombinant Sj14-3-3 protein as an immunodiagnostic antigen for schistosomiasis","authors":"Kevin Austin L. Ona ,&nbsp;Jose Ma M. Angeles ,&nbsp;Elena A. Villacorte ,&nbsp;Katrina Theresa M. Balboa ,&nbsp;Atcharaphan Wanlop ,&nbsp;Adrian Miki C. Macalanda ,&nbsp;Pilarita T. Rivera ,&nbsp;Shin-ichiro Kawazu","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109000","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109000","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exploring molecular targets for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis has been a key priority in <em>Schistosoma japonicum</em> research. In this study, the antigenicity of recombinant Sj14-3-3 protein (rSj14-3-3) was evaluated using sera from schistosome-infected subjects. rSj14-3-3 was expressed and subsequently analyzed <em>via</em> SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Its antigenicity was then tested with sera from schistosome-infected mice and humans through ELISA. Results showed that rSj14-3-3 had significant antigenicity when tested with infected mice sera (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and human sera (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) compared to negative controls. These findings suggest that rSj14-3-3 could serve as an alternative diagnostic antigen for schistosomiasis. Nevertheless, further research is needed to fully evaluate its immunodiagnostic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 109000"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144810476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of three Schistosoma mansoni strains: Infection, morphometry and susceptibility to treatment","authors":"Marilia Bergamini Valentini,&nbsp;Tiago Manuel Fernandes Mendes,&nbsp;Silmara Marques Allegretti","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Different <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> strains exhibit distinct phenotypes, influencing parasite distribution, control strategies, and therapeutic alternatives for schistosomiasis. This study compared three Brazilian strains: Belo Horizonte/MG (SmBH), Ilha das Flores/SE (SmSE), and São José dos Campos/SP (SmSJ). To understand differences in infection, morphometry and response to praziquantel (PZQ) treatment, BALB/c mice were infected with each strain and treated 45 days post-infection (dpi) with praziquantel (PZQ) in different dosages. Egg elimination was monitored weekly from 30 dpi and euthanasia was performed 60 dpi. Untreated groups showed SmBH with the highest infection rates, with a larger number of recovered worms and a greater number of eggs. Morphometric analysis showed that SmSE females were significantly longer, while SmBH eggs were larger. Granuloma size was similar in SmBH- and SmSJ-infected mice, but SmSE-induced granulomas were smaller. SmBH infection resulted in a greater number of granulomas, suggesting higher pathogenicity. PZQ treatment at 150 or 300 mg/kg significantly reduced parasite burden, fecal egg count, and hepatic/intestinal granulomas in SmBH- and SmSJ-infected mice. SmBH infection also showed fewer immature and mature eggs and more dead eggs after treatment. However, SmSE-infected mice exhibited no significant differences between treated and untreated groups, suggesting higher resistance/tolerance to PZQ. These findings highlight phenotypic differences among <em>S</em>. <em>mansoni</em> strains: SmBH produced and retained more eggs, aggravating pathology; SmSJ had the lowest egg production; SmSE showed the highest resistance to PZQ. Understanding strain variability is crucial for improving schistosomiasis control and advancing drug development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 109001"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144821002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A low-cost house eave screening technique complements insecticide-treated nets in reducing indoor human exposure to the bites of anopheles mosquitoes in a malaria endemic area of south forested Cameroon: results from a pilot study","authors":"Rosine Danale Metitsi Tesongang ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Elanga-Ndille ,&nbsp;Glwadys Cheteug Nguetsa ,&nbsp;Herman Parfait Awono-Ambene ,&nbsp;Abraham Fomena ,&nbsp;Raymond Tabue ,&nbsp;Cyrille Ndo","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Currents insecticide-based vector control strategies are struggling to reduce malaria transmission. This pilot study investigated the potential of a low-cost eave screening technique to reduce human exposure to malaria vectors in a forested area of Cameroon. The pre-intervention phase consisted of collecting baseline data on malaria epidemiology including the human malaria prevalence, vector biology and the bio-efficacy of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). During the intervention phase, selected houses were improved by screening open eaves with wire insect mesh stapled to wood lathe strips that were attached to the exterior walls. Neighbouring unscreened houses were used as the control. In the post-intervention phase, entomological parameters of malaria transmission were assessed again and compared between improved and unimproved houses. In addition, the cost, community perceptions and the durability of the intervention were evaluated. Prior to the intervention, the prevalence of malaria in human was 38.85 %, while the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) was 73 infected bites per person per year (ib/p/y). <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> s.l. was the major local vector and was full susceptible to pirimiphos-methyl but resistant to bendiocarb and pyrethroids insecticides. The possession and use ITNs were 89.62 % and 79 %, respectively. Only the pyrethroid + PBO ITNs were effective against the local <em>An. gambiae</em> s.l. population. The intervention led to a 5.5-fold reduction in the EIR in improved houses (from 37.70 to 6.90 ib/p/y), was cost-effective ($23.6 spent per modified house) and was highly appreciated by community beneficiaries since it improved their wellbeing. This pilot study employed a low-cost house improvement technique that can be integrated with other vector control strategies in malaria endemic areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 109006"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144894879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unmasking the intestinal impact: Acute Toxoplasma gondii infection induces severe morphological and immunological changes in female C57BL/6 mice","authors":"Paulo Watanabe ,&nbsp;Vivian Fuguhara de Lima ,&nbsp;Amanda Gubert Alves dos Santos ,&nbsp;Lucas Casagrande ,&nbsp;Vinicius Franca Scanavaca ,&nbsp;Priscila Laet Santana ,&nbsp;Roberto Kenji Nakamura Cuman ,&nbsp;Debora de Mello Gonçales Sant Ana ,&nbsp;Gessilda de Alcantara Nogueira-Melo","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> (<em>T. gondi</em>i), is a common zoonotic disease with a seropositivity rate of up to 60 % in adults. While often asymptomatic, it can cause severe complications in immunocompromised individuals. Oral transmission is the primary route of infection, leading to intestinal inflammation. This study evaluated morphoquantitative changes in the colons of female C57BL/6 mice acutely infected with <em>T. gondii</em>. Mice were divided into control and infected groups and euthanized five days post-infection for colon collection. Histological analyses quantified intraepithelial lymphocytes, goblet cells, mast cells, and collagen fibres, while immunostaining assessed neurons and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) expression. Infected mice exhibited increased intraepithelial lymphocytes and myeloperoxidase activity, alongside a significant reduction in AB-1.0-positive goblet cells, indicating impaired mucus secretion. Notably, the longitudinal muscle layer showed increased thickness, whereas the submucosal layer and crypt depth were reduced. Histopathological evaluation revealed epithelial hyperplasia, mucosal ulceration, and abscess formation. A decrease in myenteric neurons was also observed, although VIP expression remained unchanged. These findings demonstrate that acute T. gondii infection induces substantial alterations in intestinal structure, including immune cell infiltration, goblet cell depletion, and muscle layer remodelling. The reduction in myenteric neurons, despite stable VIP expression, suggests specific neuroimmune interactions in the infected gut. Collectively, this study highlights the profound impact of <em>T. gondii</em> on colonic morphology and function, underscoring the complexity of host–parasite interactions during acute infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 109007"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144920262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}