Articles tagged with Toxoplasmosis
A new study calls for formal recognition of toxoplasmosis as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. The disease, which can cause permanent vision loss, affects one third of the world's population and has significant impacts on global health.
A recent study assessed long-term trends in TORCH infections in a region of India with reliable data lacking. The researchers found that exposure to CMV remained constant, while immunity to rubella was consistently high. However, susceptibility to toxoplasmosis and other congenital infections persisted despite vaccination initiatives.
A team from The University of Osaka has identified the MIC11 gene as essential for parasite egress, disrupting the parasite life cycle. This finding could guide the development of novel treatments for parasite-borne diseases.
A study by UC Riverside scientists reveals that the cysts of Toxoplasma gondii contain multiple distinct subtypes of parasites, each with different biological roles. This discovery offers new insights into how the parasite causes disease and why it has been difficult to treat.
New research reveals that the immune system has a potent weapon against the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii: an enzyme called caspase-8. This discovery offers new insights into how our bodies control the parasite and may lead to better treatments for patients with compromised immune systems.
Researchers at LMU uncovered two crucial proteins controlling the assembly of Toxoplasma gondii's invasion machinery. The discovery provides a promising avenue for developing targeted therapies against toxoplasmosis.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding malaria parasite proteins that could lead to targeted therapies. Two key proteins, PfRAP03 and PfRAP08, regulate gene expression in the apicoplast, a unique organelle found in P. falciparum. The loss of either protein led to parasite death, confirming their essential roles.
A UC Riverside study found that Toxoplasma gondii can significantly disrupt brain function by interfering with communication between brain cells. Infected neurons release fewer extracellular vesicles, which can lead to seizures, neural damage, or altered brain connectivity.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has made a groundbreaking discovery about the immune system's response to the latent stage of Toxoplasma gondii. The study found that certain T cells can target neurons containing cysts, promoting parasite control. However, this process also poses a...
Researchers found that Toxoplasma gondii parasites lacking the protein MYR1 can survive and proliferate when co-infected with normal parasites, thanks to supportive secreted proteins. This study highlights a limitation of pooled CRISPR screens in studying parasite biology in live hosts.
A study by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers reveals that Toxoplasma gondii parasites use cap-independent translation to make proteins for dormant stages, evading drug treatment. This unconventional method has been found in both the parasite and human cells, making it a potential target for new treatments.
Researchers used optical metabolic imaging to study the effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on host cells. They found that infected cells became more oxidized and had changes in glucose and lactate levels, highlighting the parasite's impact on metabolism.
Researchers at the University of Toronto discovered a new RNA virus, Apocryptovirus odysseus, associated with severe inflammation in humans infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The virus is found in two hypervirulent strains of the parasite, exacerbating toxoplasmosis disease and triggering an immune response.
A new, inexpensive test detects Toxoplasma gondii infections within 30 minutes and identifies false positives in commercial diagnostic tests. The test provides rapid results for pregnant women, facilitating timely interventions to protect fetuses against toxoplasmosis.
Researchers propose a novel augmentation regimen, IPIAD, combining five generic non-oncology drugs with standard chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The IPIAD regimen uses repurposed drugs like irbesartan and azithromycin to potentially slow disease growth and improve outcomes.
Researchers at Nagoya University identified the link between iron and blindness caused by ocular toxoplasmosis, a parasite affecting one-third of the world's population. Controlling iron levels has shown promise as a potential cure.
Researchers identified a 'guard mechanism' controlling protein GPB1 to attack microbes and cancer cells. The study found that disrupting this mechanism can kill pathogens like Toxoplasma and potentially treat cancer.
Brazilian researchers screened 160 existing drugs and identified six compounds effective against Toxoplasma gondii. Almitrine, a COPD treatment, showed significant reduction in brain parasite load. Further studies are needed to repurpose these drugs for toxoplasmosis treatment.
A new study found that wild and feral cats in high-human population density areas release more Toxoplasma gondii parasites. Temperature fluctuations also played a role in parasite shedding from domestic and wild cats. The findings suggest managing feral cat populations could reduce toxoplasmosis transmission risk.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a highly reproducible genetic screen to investigate Toxoplasma's survival within hosts. The study identified IFN-γ-dependent and -independent virulence factors that promote parasite fitness, providing potential targets for treatment and prevention of toxoplasmosis.
A new study by Flinders University research team led by Professor Justine Smith has found that women are more likely to experience recurrent cases of toxoplasmosis eye disease. The study also revealed significant differences in the type and characteristics of the disease between men and women.
A rare strain of Toxoplasma has been found in California sea otters, killing them with severe inflammation and potentially threatening other marine life. The COUG strain was first detected in Canadian mountain lions, and its impact on humans and other animals is unknown.
A recent study has identified a rare strain of Toxoplasma gondii, COUG, in sea otters that caused fatal steatitis and toxoplasmosis. The strain is virulent and can rapidly kill healthy adult otters, posing a health threat to other marine wildlife and humans.
Researchers found Toxoplasma gondii infection causing abortions and neonatal deaths in bighorn sheep. The parasite is believed to be spread by domestic and wild cats, raising concerns for conservation efforts.
Researchers from Clemson University have discovered a promising therapy for toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the microscopic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii. The team has enlisted an unlikely ally - the herbicide oxadiazon - in the fight against the single-celled parasite.
A novel genetic screening technique identified two genes crucial for Toxoplasma gondii cell egress, leading to the death of parasites within host cells. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of new drugs that could block parasite propagation.
Researchers discover that common herbicides can kill the Toxoplasma gondii parasite without harming human cells. The compounds work by inhibiting heme biosynthesis, a promising approach for treating toxoplasmosis.
Researchers have discovered how dormant Toxoplasma parasites in the brain manipulate host cells to survive. The parasites release proteins called Inhibitor of STAT1 transcription (IST) to suppress immune signals, allowing them to evade detection and cause disease.
Researchers have identified the structure and functions of RON13, a kinase essential for the invasive mechanism of Toxoplasma gondii in humans. The parasite's ability to infect cells is hindered without RON13, providing a potential target for new therapies.
The University of Chicago research team has created a novel self-assembling nano-vaccine called ToxAll to protect humans from toxoplasmosis. The vaccine uses immunosense technology to boost each component of the immune system and deliver components of the parasite to relevant target cells.
A new tetrahydroquinolone compound, JAG21, has been discovered to eliminate both active and dormant forms of Toxoplasma gondii and P. falciparum parasites. The compound shows promise in treating toxoplasmosis and malaria, with the potential to prevent and cure all life-cycle stages of malaria.
Researchers aim to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis by studying the molecular mechanisms of transmission and placenta development. The team will investigate how Toxoplasma gondii infection affects fetal development and explore potential treatments.
A new low-cost whole blood test for toxoplasmosis has been developed with high sensitivity and specificity, making it suitable for diagnosing the infection during pregnancy. The test was found to be effective even in individuals with lower levels of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies.
Researchers at U-M Medical School discovered that a molecule called cathepsin protease L is crucial to the parasite's ability to survive the cyst phase and cause disease. Interfering with this protein can stop the parasite, offering new hope for treatments. The study suggests that targeting the 'stomach' of the parasite may be key to p...
Scientists from Granada and Valencia universities developed a new molecular method to detect Toxoplasma gondii in ham, finding the parasite's prevalence varied between 0% and 32.35%, with some samples being infective. The study suggests freezing ham before curing can eliminate the parasite faster.
Researchers at George Washington University discovered a connection between CD4 T-cell exhaustion and CD8 T-cell exhaustion in chronic toxoplasmosis. Regulating CD4 T-cells with Blimp-1 protein expression can reverse CD8 T-cell dysfunction, leading to improved pathogen control.
A new study has identified a significant link between intermittent explosive disorder and exposure to the common toxoplasma gondii parasite. Individuals with IED were found to be twice as likely to have been exposed to toxoplasmosis, which is typically carried by undercooked meat or cat feces.
UK researchers find tissue cysts of Toxoplasma gondii are active, contradicting long-held notion of dormancy. This discovery has significant implications for understanding chronic toxoplasmosis in the brain and its connection to neurological diseases.
A new study finds that muskrats and minks in central Illinois have high rates of toxoplasmosis, a parasite spread by cats. The researchers suspect tile drainage systems and lack of natural wetlands in the area are contributing to the disease's spread.
Scientists find that malaria and toxoplasmosis parasites can survive without AMA1 protein, but still attach to host cells. This discovery challenges current therapeutic strategies and suggests alternative approaches for improving treatments.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered how the Toxoplasma parasite enters the brain and manipulates host behavior by hijacking neurotransmitters. The study found that infected dendritic cells secrete GABA, a substance linked to anxiety and depression.
Researchers identified the most strongly associated strains with premature birth and severe birth defects, using a new blood test developed by NIAID. The study suggests that widespread screening and treatment of pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii could prevent infants from suffering eye and brain damage.
A new study from Stanford University reveals that North American babies infected with toxoplasmosis in the womb are more likely to suffer severe complications, including brain calcifications, hydrocephalus, and eye disease. The study suggests that a lack of prenatal screening and treatment may be contributing to these outcomes.
An observational study found that prenatal treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis with antibiotics significantly reduced the proportion of infected fetuses developing serious neurological sequelae. The study estimated that treating three fetuses could prevent one case of brain damage, suggesting a potential preventive strategy.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have created novel mouse models that accurately reflect the immune system's response to pathogens. The models use somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create mice from single T cells primed for toxoplasmosis, allowing for a more precise study of the immune system.
A recent study reveals Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent among Iberian Lynx, with 81 of 129 sampled felids testing positive for antibodies. The parasite was also found in captive breeding centers, highlighting the need for prevention measures.
Scientists at the University of Leeds have discovered a link between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia, suggesting that the parasite affects dopamine production in the brain. The study provides new insights into the development of schizophrenia and its potential connections to other neurological disorders.
A recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found Brazilian children are five times more likely to develop eye lesions by four years old, with vision compromised in 87% of cases. The researchers believe infection with virulent genotypes prevalent in Brazil contribute to the severity of clinical symptoms.
A new drug, JPC-2056, is 10 times more effective than the current gold-standard treatment for toxoplasmosis and has no toxicity. It inhibits the action of an enzyme produced by the parasite, making it a promising treatment option.
Researchers have determined the atomic structure of a key protein that helps toxoplasmosis parasites invade human cells. The protein binds to specific sugars on host cell surfaces, allowing the parasite to stick and enter cells.
Recent studies published in major scientific journals reveal the molecular mechanisms behind Toxoplasma gondii's severity and its link to AIDS patients' dementia. The research provides a model for studying toxoplasmosis and related diseases, with potential applications for developing more effective treatments.
Research by S. Kankova and colleagues found that Toxoplasma positive mothers give birth to more boys than negative women, with a probability of up to 72 boys in every 100 children born. The increased survival of male embryos may be attributed to the parasite's modulating effects on the immune system.
A year-long treatment improved neurologic outcomes for infants and children with toxoplasmosis. Seventy-two percent of those with moderate or severe disease had normal long-term cognitive outcomes. Comprehensive screening for pregnant women and newborns is recommended to prevent this acute parasitic infection.
Toxoplasmosis, a parasite carried by domestic cats, is linked to mental health issues like schizophrenia and reduced average intelligence. Indoor cats and stopping stray feeding are recommended to prevent transmission.
A study by Columbia University found a potential link between maternal toxoplasmosis gondii infection and an increased risk of schizophrenia in adult offspring, particularly those with high antibody titers. The researchers suggest that inflammation may be the underlying mechanism behind this association.
Current clinical practice identifies only half of infected mothers, highlighting the need for systematic screening. Screening can detect infection early, preventing severe eye and brain damage in infants.
A study found that people with latent toxoplasmosis are 2.65 times more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident, regardless of age. The research suggests that this parasitic disease is not harmless and poses a serious risk to public health.
Researchers at Dartmouth have discovered a mutant strain of the T. gondi parasite that can provide protection against the normal parasite, while also being harmless to infected individuals. The mutant strain was created by inactivating a key enzyme in its biochemical pathway, rendering it unable to cause disease.