Sexual Transmission of Cyst-Forming Coccidian Parasites with Complex Life Cycles

Abdulai-Saiku, Samira; Tong, Wen Han; Vyas, Ajai

doi:10.1007/s11930-017-0133-2

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Although to date the vertical transmission of Besnoitia has not been conclusively demonstrated ( Abdulai-Saiku et al, 2017 ), other aspects of parasitosis by Besnoitia including the cyst morphology observed here allow targeting it as the parasite responsible for the tissue cysts in infected L. maximus . Typically, Besnoitia tissue cysts develop on serosal surfaces of viscera or are wrapped in a layer of connective tissue in different organs of the intermediate host, and they can have a diameter of 200–600 μm ( Olias et al, 2011 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Moreover, the cyst's location in the striatum suggests that compact myelinated bodies do not constitute a barrier for this parasite. Such anatomical location is distinctive of intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum ( Dubey et al, 2017 ; Abdulai-Saiku et al, 2017 ) and of Sarcocystis spp., whose detection in the brain and myocardium of periurban micromammals was described recently by Fernández-Escobar et al (2020) . Toxoplasma is known for its ability to easily overcome the restrictiveness of the blood-brain barrier using the microglia as “Trojan horses” for the parasitic spreading in the parenchyma ( Dellacasa-Lindberg et al, 2011 ; Schlüter and Barragan, 2019 ) where it produces brain cysts that are often spheroidal and rarely reach a diameter of 70 μm ( Weiss and Dubey, 2009 ; Dubey et al, 1998 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First record of an infection by tissue cyst-forming coccidia in wild vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus, Rodentia) of Argentina

Cwirenbaum

Schmidt

Cortasa

et al. 2021

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Endoparasites of the Sarcocystidae family share the ability to form tissue cysts in their intermediate hosts, ultimately leading to pathogenesis in the definitive hosts that include various mammals, reptiles and birds. In our research on the endocrinology of the female vizcachas ( Lagostomus maximus ), we have found abnormal cystic structures in the ovaries of some individuals. So far, no cases of infection by tissue cyst-forming parasites have been reported in this species. To evaluate whether this autochthonous wild rodent is an intermediate host of an undescribed endoparasite, histological sections from various organs were examined. Pinhead-sized tissue cysts were found in the ovaries, mammary glands, uterus, pituitary, brain, adrenals and spleen, of both pregnant and non-pregnant females. The presence of cysts in the adult brain and embryonic tissue is indicative of the ability of the parasite to cross both the blood-brain and placental barriers. The infected brains exhibited a lower cyst density than that seen in other organs. Regardless of their location in superficial or deep tissue, the cysts were surrounded by a layer of connective tissue. Histologically, the cyst wall consisted of an outer layer of fibroblasts and collagen fibers, and an inner, granular-looking layer composed of host nucleated cells surrounding thousands of spindle-shaped bradyzoites. Outside the cysts, the host cellular structures showed normal appearance. The remarkable morphological similarities between the cysts studied here with those reported in naturally infected rabbits from an area neighboring the one inhabited by the vizcachas point to Besnoitia sp. as a plausible candidate. More studies will be necessary to confirm the identity of the parasite. Nevertheless, this is the first report of L. maximus as an intermediate host for a tissue cyst-forming coccidia.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First record of an infection by tissue cyst-forming coccidia in wild vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus, Rodentia) of Argentina

Cwirenbaum

Schmidt

Cortasa

et al. 2021

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…Interestingly, there is growing evidence to non-human hosts that Toxoplasma can also be sexually transmissible. For example, Toxoplasma breaches the blood-testes barrier in rats and encysts within epididymis during latent infection (16,17). Toxoplasma in this host species transfers to the females through ejaculate and establishes chronic infection in both females and resultant offspring.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Presence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in human semen

Tong

Hlaváčová

Abdulai-Saiku

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent protozoan parasite in human populations. This parasite is thought to be primarily transmitted through undercooked meat and contamination by cat feces. Here, we demonstrate that Toxoplasma gondii cysts can be found within human semen, thus suggesting a potential for sexual transmission. We visualized Toxoplasma gondii cysts in ejaculates of immune-competent and latently infected human volunteers. We confirmed the encystment by probing transcription of a bradyzoite-specific gene in these structures. These observations extend previous observations of the parasite in semen of several non-human host species, including rats, dogs, and sheep. Toxoplasma gondii infection is a clinically significant infection, in view of its high prevalence, its purported role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, as well as in the more serious form of congenital toxoplasmosis. Our demonstration of intact Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the ejaculate supports the possibility of sexual transmission of the parasite and provides an impetus for further investigations.ImportanceToxoplasma gondii is recognized as one of the five infections that can harm fetal health. There is also emerging evidence that toxoplasmosis is related to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. In this context, the current report includes visual evidence of Toxoplasma gondii cyst presence in the semen of human males. It is thus plausible that this clinically significant infection can be sexually transmitted. The existence of sexual transmission in a population, and its relative importance vis-à-vis other transmission routes, remains undetermined. These possibilities are of acute relevance to human health in the context of sexual health and pregnancy management.

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

Tong

Hlaváčová

Abdulai-Saiku

et al. 2023

Journal of Infection

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Sexual Transmission of Cyst-Forming Coccidian Parasites with Complex Life Cycles

Cited by 3 publications

References 53 publications

First record of an infection by tissue cyst-forming coccidia in wild vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus, Rodentia) of Argentina

First record of an infection by tissue cyst-forming coccidia in wild vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus, Rodentia) of Argentina

Presence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in human semen

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

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