Pathologic and immunohistochemical findings in an outbreak of systemic toxoplasmosis in a mob of red kangaroos

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan pathogen that infects many endothermic vertebrates, including humans; the domestic cat and other felids serve as the definitive host. Macropodids are considered highly susceptible to toxoplasmosis. Here, we describe the clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical findings of an outbreak of systemic toxoplasmosis in a mob of 11 red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), with high morbidity (73%) and mortality (100%) rates. Affected animals had either severe and rapidly deteriorating clinical conditions or sudden death, which was correlated with widespread necrotizing lesions in multiple organs and intralesional T. gondii organisms identified via MIC3-specific immunohistochemistry and confirmed by REP529-specific rtPCR. Quantification of parasites demonstrated the highest parasite density in pulmonary parenchyma compared with other tissues. Our study highlights the continued importance of this severe condition in Australian marsupials.     

Advances in diagnosis of protozoan diseases

Microscopy still remains the gold standard procedure for the diagnosis of many protozoan infections in animals, but the specific identification requires skilled and experienced personnel. Immunoassays, detecting antibodies or specific protozoan antigens, have been developed but often lack sensitivity and specificity due to close relationship between many protozoa. Recent research has focussed almost exclusively on molecular based techniques for the identification and quantification of parasite DNA in samples. Opinion differ on most appropriate targets to use and there are very few diagnostic kits available making comparison between laboratories difficult. Future research needs to focus on robust, cheap field diagnostic assays.     

顶复门原虫入侵相关因子的研究进展

顶复门原虫是一类专一性的细胞内寄生原虫,包括弓形虫(Toxoplasma gondii)、隐孢子虫(Cryptosporidium spp.)、疟原虫(Plasmodium spp.)、巴贝斯虫(Babesia spp.)及艾美耳球虫(Eimeria spp.)等,是人和动物的重要病原.这类原虫具有相似的亚细胞结构和保守的入侵机制.研究结果表明,入侵过程是由大量的入侵相关蛋白分子所介导的,包括微线、棒状体及致密颗粒所分泌的相关蛋白等.随着生物信息学及分子生物学的发展,顶复门原虫入侵相关蛋白分子的研究资料也日益增多.笔者结合最近几年本课题组的研究成果,综述了顶复门原虫入侵相关蛋白因子的最新进展.     

Looks can deceive: Molecular identity of an intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasite in Australian gliders

Two yellow-bellied gliders (Petaurus australis) had an intraerythrocytic parasite closely related to the cyst-forming coccidia (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae). The parasitaemia persisted for 3 months or more but was observed to clear within 3 years in captivity. The parasite appears not to significantly debilitate its infected host. Traditionally, using morphological identification, the intraerythrocytic parasite would have been classified within the Hepatozoon species typically found in red blood cells. However, molecular diagnostic techniques targeting the parasite's SSU rDNA and LSU rDNA demonstrated the unusual identity of this blood parasite and disputed its identity as a haemogregarine parasite of the genus Hepatozoon. The sequence was compared with available sequences from diverse mammalian and non-mammalian blood parasites (malaria, piroplasms, hemosporidia and sarcosporidia). The intraerythrocytic blood parasite was found to be most closely related to the cyst-forming coccidia including Besnoitia spp., Cystoisospora spp., Hammondia spp., Hyaloklossia lieberkuehni, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. The life cycle of this intraerythrocytic parasite remains unknown. The presented DNA identification demonstrates its suitability for an improved identification of blood parasites.     

顶复门原虫棒状体蛋白疫苗候选分子的研究进展

顶复门原虫是一类专一性的胞内寄生性原虫,其种类丰富、分布广泛,包括艾美耳球虫、巴贝斯虫、隐孢子虫、疟原虫和弓形虫等。此类原虫具有保守的棒状体、致密颗粒以及微线等顶端复合器结构,这些细胞器可分泌大量的入侵相关蛋白分子介导虫体入侵宿主细胞。而棒状体蛋白是这类原虫在入侵过程中由棒状体分泌的一类蛋白,其在虫体入侵宿主细胞、纳虫空泡形成及胞内虫体的增殖调控等方面发挥着至关重要作用,是最具潜力的疫苗候选抗原。本文对棒状体蛋白的发现、组成、功能及定位进行概述,以目前研究最深入的弓形虫棒状体蛋白为主,归纳总结近年来关于棒状体蛋白作为顶复门原虫疫苗候选分子的研究进展,以期为新型抗原虫分子疫苗的研制提供理论依据。     

疟原虫入侵人类红细胞机制研究进展

疟原虫作为一种侵入红细胞的顶复门原虫代表虫种,目前对疟原虫入侵宿主红细胞的机制知之甚少。尽管疟原虫中蛋白质的基本或非基本性质越来越明确,但其功能和蛋白质之间如何相互作用,以及如何有效的抑制疟原虫入侵的机制了解不多。论文讨论裂殖子入侵红细胞的机制,介绍裂殖子入侵宿主红细胞的早期阶段及疟原虫入侵期间与宿主红细胞的平衡和相互作用,阐明当裂殖子入侵红细胞时,由肌动蛋白-肌球蛋白收缩系统提供动力,为研究疟原虫等顶复门原虫的入侵机制奠定了基础,对研究疟原虫具有重要的意义。     

顶复门原虫类异戊二烯生物合成途径及其关键酶的研究进展

顶复门原虫包括疟原虫(Plasmodium spp.)、刚地弓形虫(Toxoplasma gondii)、艾美耳球虫(Eimeria spp.)、锥虫(Trypanosoma spp.)、泰勒虫(Theileria spp.)及巴贝斯虫(Babesia spp.)等一大类引起严重人畜疾病的寄生性原虫。顶复门原虫利用2C-甲基-D-赤藓糖醇-4-磷酸(MEP)途径合成类异戊二烯前体物质,这些化合物对于维持顶复门原虫的生存具有十分重要的作用。1-脱氧-D-木酮糖-5-磷酸(DOXP)还原异构酶是MEP途径的关键酶,对其作用机理及抑制剂的筛选研究已取得重要进展。论文对顶复门原虫类异戊二烯的MEP途径,DOXP还原异构酶的作用机理及靶标研究进展进行综述。     

顶复门原虫3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶功能及其应用研究进展

糖酵解途径广泛存在于各类生物中,是顶复门原虫的主要供能方式。3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶是糖酵解途径的重要酶,与顶复门原虫的生存密切相关,可以作为抗寄生虫药物研发的重要靶标。文章主要从顶复门原虫糖酵解途径、3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶的基因分析、作用机理及应用等方面进行综述。