Genetic approaches to studying virulence and pathogenesis inToxoplasma gondii

• DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2001.1017
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T23:57:35Z
• Authors: L. David Sibley; Dana G. Mordue; Chunlei Su; Paul M. Robben; Dan K. Howe
• Keywords: Pathogenesis

Toxoplasma gondii is a common protozoan parasite that causes disease in immunocompromised humans. Equipped with wide array of experimental tools, T. has rapidly developed as model for genetic studies. The population structure highly clonal, consisting three distinct lineages differ dramatically virulence. Acute virulence probably mediated by the differences distinguish strain types. We have utilized combination approaches to investigate acute toxoplasmosis using mouse model. These studies reveal surprising finding pathogenicity due over–stimulation normally protective immune responses. Classical linkage mapping indicate genes mediate are linked chromosome VII parasite. To increase resolution studies, single–nucleotide polymorphisms being based on an extensive database expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from . Separately, DNA microarray used examine expression and host during infection. Collectively, these should improve current understanding toxoplasmosis.