• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1151-1160
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• 1999

This study was conducted to detect the toxoplasma-specific DNA in peripheral blood collected from cats experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii (RH strain) and from domiciled cats by B1 gene-base polymerise chain reaction(PCR). The sensitivity of oligonucleotide primer, T-1 & T-2, designed from toxoplasma B1 gene amplification method was compared with parasite detection by mouse inoculation(MI). And also, latex agglutination test(LAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test(IFAT) were conducted to detect the fluctuation of serum antibodies compared with the detection of toxoplasma by PCR and MI. Toxoplasma B1 gene PCR was shown consistently high sensitivity and the results obtained by PCR agreed completely with those from MI. All blood samples collected before infection with T gondii gave negative results by PCR and MI. Also, toxoplasma Bl gene PCR was not cross reaction with Neospora caninum DNA and normal cat leucocyte as controls. The toxoplasma-specific DNA was detected by PCR in blood of 5 cats experimentally infected with T gondii 6 days after infection and the detection of this specific-DNA was long lasted in blood for 64 days after infection. The detection of toxoplasma-specific DNA by PCR could be identified as few as 10 tachyzoites and the isolation of T gondii by MI could be isolated as few as 1 tachyzoite from tenfold serial dilution of T gondii with normal cat blood, respectively. In healthy domiciled cats, the toxoplasma-specific DNA and the parasite were detected and isolated in blood from 3 of 56(5.3%) cats by both PCR and MI, respectively. In the results of antibody test from the total 56 heads of healthy domiciled cats, the positive rates are 15(26.7%) by LAT and 19(33.9%) by IFAT. These results suggest that PCR detection of toxoplasma can be applied as a sensitive and specific diagnostic and research tool.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.583-593
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• 1995

The present study was conducted to develop a toxoplasma latex agglutination test antigen(Test-MT) and evaluate the toxoplasma latex agglutination(LA) test using a newly-made "Test-MT kit" by comparing with the Toxo-MT kit(Eiken chemical co, Tokyo). Also, the specifity and sensitivity test were made by comparing with IFA test and IgG-ELISA. Tachyzoite suspensions of Toxoplasma gondii(RH strain) were ultracentrifuged for 30min at $60,000{\times}g(4^{\circ}C)$ and the supernatant was used as a water-lysate antigen. Polystyrene latex particles of $1.0{\mu}m$ in diameter(Polyscience co) were used for the preparation of sensitized latex-antigen supension(Test-MT). The frequency distribution of LA titers in Test-MT showed two peaks at <1:32 and 1:128. The borderline titer for positive test in Test-MT was determined to be 1:64. But the frequency distribution of LA tites in Toxo-MT showed two peaks at <1:16 and 1:64. The positive borderline was determined to be 1:32. Agreement of reactions between Test-MT and Toxo-MT kit by LA test was shown 92.5% in bovine sera and 97.0% in swine sera, respectively. From the results obtained here it was determined that the sensitized latex-antigen, Test-MT kit, for the microtiter agglutination test prepared as same as by the procedure described in the previous paper(Suh and Lee, 1993) was useful as a highly specific, sensitive and stable immunotiteration reagent for serodiagnosis of toxoplasma infection in animal sera.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2013

IL-23 and IL-12 are structurally similar and critical for the generation of efficient cellular immune responses. Toxoplasma gondii induces a strong cell-mediated immune response. However, little is known about IL-23 secretion profiles in T. gondii-infected immune cells in connection with IL-12. We compared the patterns of IL-23 and IL-12 production by THP-1 human monocytic cells in response to stimulation with live or heat-killed T. gondii tachyzoites, or with equivalent quantities of either T. gondii excretory/secretory proteins (ESP) or soluble tachyzoite antigen (STAg). IL-23 and IL-12 were significantly increased from 6 hr after stimulation with T. gondii antigens, and their secretions were increased with parasite dose-dependent manner. IL-23 concentrations were significantly higher than those of IL-12 at the same multiplicity of infection. IL-23 secretion induced by live parasites was significantly higher than that by heat-killed parasites, ESP, or STAg, whereas IL-12 secretion by live parasite was similar to those of ESP or STAg. However, the lowest levels of both cytokines were at stimulation with heat-killed parasites. These data indicate that IL-23 secretion patterns by stimulation with various kinds of T. gondii antigens at THP-1 monocytic cells are similar to those of IL-12, even though the levels of IL-23 induction were significantly higher than those of IL-12. The detailed kinetics induced by each T. gondii antigen were different from each other.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.573-583
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• 2021

Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects one-third of the world's population, has been reported to hijack host cell apoptotic machinery and promote either an anti- or proapoptotic program depending on the parasite virulence and load and the host cell type. However, little is known about the regulation of human FHs 74 small intestinal epithelial cell viability in response to T. gondii infection. Here we show that T. gondii RH strain tachyzoite infection or ESP treatment of FHs 74 Int cells induced apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress in host cells. Pretreatment with 4-PBA inhibited the expression or activation of key molecules involved in ER stress. In addition, both T. gondii and ESP challenge-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death were dramatically suppressed in 4-PBA pretreated cells. Our study indicates that T. gondii infection induced ER stress in FHs 74 Int cells, which induced mitochondrial dysfunction followed by apoptosis. This may constitute a potential molecular mechanism responsible for the foodborne parasitic disease caused by T. gondii.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 1995

Two hybridoma cell lines against Cwptosporinium possum oocysts nFRl-CN911 were produced. The isotype of these 2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was IgG2b (lE7.2) and and IgM (C6). Enzyme immuno-transfer blotting analysis showed that 157.2 reacted specifically to 36 kDa protein and C6 reacted to 67 and 70 kDa proteins. C. pcnlum was bound specifically to the surface region of oocysts by these mobs. No cross-reactivity was observed with tachyzoites of ToxopLosma gonnii and oocysts of Eimeria zuernii,5. bouis and E. canadensis of bovine origin. The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF) using mAb C6 was successful with counterstain. With the IIF using mob C6, oocysts appeared as 3 to $5{\mu}m$ spherical objects fluorescing bright apple green against a reddish dark background. The IIF using mAb C6 was agreed in specificity and sensitivity with those of a commercial diagnostic kit. These results demonstrated that the produced mAbs were specific to C. parvum and that the mAb C6 could be used for diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 1994

The role of macrophages was observed In intranasally infected CSH/HeJ mice with trophozoites (3 ×105) of Acnnthomoeba culbertsoni which was a kind of free-living amoebae inducing meningoencephalitis in human and experimental animals. The mortality was 60% in the group of intraperitoneally injected mice with silica (0.5 mg/0.5 ml). It was much higher than that of 10% in the group of amoeba infected mice without silica administration. The phagocytic index of peritoneal macrophages co-cultured with Toxoplasma gondii was estimated daily. In contrast to the control and amoeba infected group which didn't show significant fluctuation of the phagocytic indices, the silica administrated group revealed under 3% until day 3, and gradual increase up to 24.7% in day 5 which was same level of amoeba infected group without silica administration. The level of interleukin- lb (IL- lb) measured by ELISA was the highest in the amoeba infected group without silica injection and the lowest in the amoeba infected group with silica administration. In the test of the amoebicidal activity of mice peritoneal macrcphages Dl uitro, silica administration revealed reducing effect on amoebicidal activity of macrophages. In conclusion, macrophages were proven to play a significant role in defense mechanism against the development of experimentally induced Acnnthamoebo menigoencephalitis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.379-385
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• 1988

For the comparison of surface fine structures in the proliferative forms of two major protoroan parasites, Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis species in mammalian hosts, isolated from the artificially infected mice and from the naturally infected cattle, respectively, an SEM(Hitachi S-570) was applied to the fixed, dried and coated with gold ion on the microslide glasses. The tachyzoites of T gondii from the peritoneal cavity of the mouse showed the crescent-like feature and measured as $5.57{\mu}m$ in length and $2.33{\mu}m$ in width, while the bradyzoites of Sarcocystis species from the heart muscle of slaughtered cattle was banana-shaped and measured as $14.18{\mu}m$ in length and $2.85{\mu}m$ in width. On the surface of Sarcocystis species bradyzoite, a distinct elliptical micropore was identified in the high magnification observation of 60,000X, and it measured as $0.35{\mu}m$ in length and $0.18{\mu}m$ in width.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 1997

The molecular weight 30 kDa membrane protein of Toxoplusma Sondii (Toxoplasma 30 kDa) apparently conserved in most strains of T. gondii and sera of infected hosts. The present study aimed to elucidate Toxoplasmc 30 kDa as a useful diagnotic antigen for serodiagnisis of toxoplasmosis by ELISA and for induction of protective immunity. Murine spleen cells immunized with the membrane antigen of T. gondii were fused with mouse Sp2/0-Ag 14 myeloma cells. Out of 8 clones selected, five were IgG2b, the others belonged to IgG 1 and IgG2a. The 30 kDa antigen was distributed mainly on the surface membrane of tachyzoites by indirect fluorescence method. Murine peritoneal macrophages which were activated by 30 kDa antigen produced more amounts of NO2 compared with crude antigen-treated group, however there were no significant differences in toxoplamacidal activity between the two groups. Higher specificity of Toxoplosma 30 kDa antigen was recognized for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis than the crude antigen. From these results, ToxopLasmo 30 kDa antigen enhances the cytotoxic effect of macrophages as well as a more reliable means for the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis by ELISA. Key words: Toxoplosma gondii, 30 kDa antigen (p30), mouse, serodiagnosis, macrophage, cytotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.623-632
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• 1993

This study was conducted to develop a sensitized latex-antigen for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in animals. Tachyzoites of T gondii(RH-strain) harvested from mouse peritoneal cavity were purified through the filtraton of polycarbonate membrane(pore size, $3.0{{\mu}m}$, Costar Co.) and disrupted by ultrasonicator. The tachyzoite suspension was ultracentrifuged for 30 min at $60,000{\times}g(4{^{\circ}C})$ and the supernatant was used as a water-lysate antigen. Polystyrene latex particles of $0.8{{\mu}m}$ in diameter(Sigma) were used for the preparation of sensitized latex-antigen suspension. The several parameters including the preparation conditions, incubation buffer. serum dilution buffer and stability of agglutination reactions were evaluated and the results obtained were summarized as follows : 1. The antigen consisting of a water-lysate of T gondii tachyzoites was adsorbed onto polystyrene latex particles of $0.8{{\mu}m}$ in diameter by adding a latex suspension to an equal volume of diluted antigen solution and by incubating the mixture at $37{^{\circ}C}$ under different conditions. 2. The optimum incubation buffer used for the antigen sensitization was 0.1M Tris-HCl buffer(pH 8.0). 3. The optimum serum dilution buffer used for the latex agglutination test was 0.1M Tris-HCl-NaCl buffer(pH 7.4) containing 300 mM NaCl. But 0.1M Tris-HCl-NaCl buffer(pH 7.4) containing 300-600 mM NaCl, 0.5% BSA and 0.01% Tween-20 improved the agglutination pattems and cleared the background of microplate well without the effects on L.A titer. 4. The time required for antigen sensitization was 40 and 60 min in incubation buffer(pH 8.0) at $37{^{\circ}C}$. But the optimun time for antigen sensitization was min at $37{^{\circ}C}$. 5. The optimun quantity of antigen absorbed on latex particles for proper agglutination was the range of 20 to $32{\mu}g$ of latex particles. 6. The optimun concentration of the latex-antigen suspension for the proper agglutination reaction was determined as 0.2%(w/v). 7. The specificity, rapidity and simplicity of the latex-particle agglutination test suggested that it might be adaptable to large scale serum screening.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 1993

This study was performed to evaluate the prophylactic effects of trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) In mice experimentally infected with virulent RH strain and avirulent Beverley strain of T dognii. The mice infected with $1{\times}10^5$ tachyzoltes were used In the measurement of mean survival days, and the mice infected with 10 cysts were used In the tltratlons of specific antibodies and enumeration of brawn cysts. Mean survival days of mice were significantly increased In mice treated with TMP-SMZ as compared with splramycln-treated and untreated control group. Mean survival days and survival rates of mice were Increased according to the Increment of dosages, and TMP-SMZ protected 100% of mice after fifteen daily dose of 24 mg/mouse or more admlnlsted orally. Toxoplasma-specific serum IgG and IgM antibody titers were slgnlflcantly lower in mice treated with TMP-SMZ than those of splramycln-treated and untreated control group. Toxoplosma cysts were not found In mice treated with TMP-SMZ at a dose of 24 mg/mouse or more per day but the group of splramycin treatment and untreated controls were found in the brain from 20 days after Infection. The present results revealed that TMP-SMZ can be used as a prophylactic agent against murine toxoplasmosls after Intraperitoneally challenges with the virulent or avlrulent strain of T. gondii.