Presence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in human semen: Toxoplasmosis as a potential sexually transmissible infection

Tong, Wen Han; Hlaváčová, Jana; Abdulai-Saiku, Samira; Kaňková, Šárka; Flegr, Jaroslav; Vyas, Ajai

doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2022.10.034

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…gondii in humans. In this regard, a recent study by Tong et al [ 4 ] confirmed the presence of T . gondii tissue cysts in human semen by immunofluorescence staining and molecular methods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

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Toxoplasma gondii infection and testosterone alteration: A systematic review and meta-analyses

Abdoli,

Ghaffarifar,

Sharifi

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Background Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a worldwide distributed protozoan parasite which has infected a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans. The most common form of T. gondii infection is asymptomatic (latent); nevertheless, latent toxoplasmosis can induce various alterations of sex hormones, especially testosterone, in infected humans and animals. On the other hand, testosterone is involved in behavioral traits and reproductive functions in both sexes. Hence, the purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the available evidence regarding the association between T. gondii infection and testosterone alteration. Methods In the setting of a systematic review, an electronic search (any date to 10 January 2023) without language restrictions was performed using Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Following the initial search, a total of 12,306 titles and abstracts were screened initially; 12,281 were excluded due to the lack of eligibility criteria or duplication. Finally, 24 articles met the included criteria. A mean±standard deviation (SD) was calculated to assess the difference of testosterone between T. gondii positive and T. gondii negative humans. The possibility of publication bias was assessed using Egger’s regression. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results This systematic review identified 24 articles (18 studies in humans and six studies in animals). Most human studies (13 out of 19) reported an increased level of testosterone following latent toxoplasmosis in males, while three studies reported decreased levels and two studies reported an insignificant change. Eleven articles (seven datasets in males and seven datasets in females) were eligible to be included in the data synthesis. Based on the random-effects model, the pooled mean± SD of testosterone in T. gondii positive than T. gondii negative was increased by 0.73 and 0.55 units in males and females, respectively. The Egger’s regression did not detect a statistically significant publication bias in males and females (p = value = 0.95 and 0.71), respectively. Three studies in male animals (rats, mice, and spotted hyenas) and two studies in female animals (mice and spotted hyenas) reported a decline in testosterone in infected compared with non-infected animals. While, one study in female rats reported no significant changes of testosterone in infected than non-infected animals. Moreover, two studies in male rats reported an increased level of testosterone in infected than non-infected animals. Conclusions This study provides new insights about the association between T. gondii infection and testosterone alteration and identifies relevant data gaps that can inform and encourage further studies. The consequence of increased testosterone levels following T. gondii infection could partly be associated with increased sexual behavior and sexual transmission of the parasite. On the other hand, declining testosterone levels following T. gondii infection may be associated with male reproductive impairments, which were observed in T. gondii-infected humans and animals. Furthermore, these findings suggest the great need for more epidemiological and experimental investigations in depth to understand the relationship between T. gondii infection and testosterone alteration alongside with future consequences of testosterone alteration.

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“…gondii in humans. In this regard, a recent study by Tong et al [ 4 ] confirmed the presence of T . gondii tissue cysts in human semen by immunofluorescence staining and molecular methods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Other routes of transmission include organ transplantation and blood transfusion from infected to uninfected individuals, as well as congenital transmission from infected mothers to their fetus [ 1 , 3 ]. Recent studies also suggested that the parasite could transmit via sexual intercourse in humans [ 4 ] and rats [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxoplasma gondii infection and testosterone alteration: A systematic review and meta-analyses

Abdoli,

Ghaffarifar,

Sharifi

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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“…56 Accumulating evidence suggests that co-infections have more severe sequels than the single infections. 35 New evidence revealed that T. gondii can be sexually transmitted from male to female in humans [63][64][65] as well as in animal models (e.g., Rats, 66 dogs, 67 sheep, 68 and goats 69 ). This is an important point because sexual transmission is one of the main routes of HIV, HBV, and HCV transmission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxoplasma gondii, HBV, and HCV co‐infection and their correlation with CD4 cells among Iranian HIV‐positive patients

Bazmjoo

Bagherzadeh

Raoofi

et al. 2023

Immunity Inflam & Disease

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Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) infected patients have a higher risk of opportunistic infections (OIs) depending on their immunological status, especially CD4 + cell count. Toxoplasma gondii, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are important OIs among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients. However, little is known about co‐infection of these pathogens among HIV‐infected individuals and their correlation with the patient's CD4 + cell count. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the serological and molecular status of T. gondii infection among HIV‐infected individuals who had co‐infection with HBV and HCV infections. Methods A total of 100 HIV/AIDS patients in two cities in the southwest of Iran was tested for T. gondii Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies as well as DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the RE gene. HBV and HCV were detected by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test, hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab) test, and Real‐Time PCR. The number of CD4 + cell counts was determined by Flow cytometry. Results Anti‐T. gondii IgG was positive in 22% of the patients, but anti‐T. gondii IgM and PCR were negative in all samples. HBV and HCV were positive in 8% and 33% of the patients, respectively. Co‐infections were as followed: HIV + HCV (16%), HIV + HCV + T. gondii (11%), HIV + T. gondii (5%), HIV + HBV (1%), HIV + HBV + T. gondii (1%), HIV + HBV + HCV (1%), and HIV + HBV + HCV + T. gondii (5%). A significant decline in CD4 + cell counts was found in such co‐infection groups (HIV + T. gondii, HIV + HCV + T. gondii, and HIV + HBV + HCV + T. gondii) compared with the HIV mono‐infection group. Conclusions Our study showed that co‐infections of T. gondii, HCV, and HBV were common among HIV‐infected patients and co‐infections had a negative correlation with CD4 + cell counts of the patients.

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“…It seems that contact with cats can no longer be considered a significant risk factor for Toxoplasma gondii infection in urban areas [ 9 ]. Recent papers suggest that there is also a possible sexual transmission of toxoplasmosis [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Tong et al [ 11 ] demonstrated the presence of T. gondii cysts in the ejaculate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent papers suggest that there is also a possible sexual transmission of toxoplasmosis [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Tong et al [ 11 ] demonstrated the presence of T. gondii cysts in the ejaculate. Moreover, Kaňková et al [ 12 ] hypothesized that transmission of the parasite is possible by oral sex, particularly when infected sperm is swallowed by an uninfected person.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and Challenges in Diagnostics of Toxoplasmosis in HIV-Infected Patients

et al. 2023

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Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide distributed protozoan parasite. This apicomplexan parasite infects one-third of the population worldwide, causing toxoplasmosis, considered one of the neglected parasitic infections. In healthy humans, most infections are asymptomatic. However, in immunocompromised patients, the course of the disease can be life-threatening. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients have a very high burden of Toxoplasma gondii co-infection. Thus, it is essential to use modern, sensitive, and specific methods to properly monitor the course of toxoplasmosis in immunodeficient patients.

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Presence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in human semen: Toxoplasmosis as a potential sexually transmissible infection

Cited by 7 publications

References 39 publications

Toxoplasma gondii infection and testosterone alteration: A systematic review and meta-analyses

Toxoplasma gondii infection and testosterone alteration: A systematic review and meta-analyses

Toxoplasma gondii, HBV, and HCV co‐infection and their correlation with CD4 cells among Iranian HIV‐positive patients

Advances and Challenges in Diagnostics of Toxoplasmosis in HIV-Infected Patients

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