A5102919804- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Coccidia and coccidiosis research
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Helminth infection and control
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Brucella: diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
University of Kentucky
2016-2025
Louisiana State University
2021
The Ohio State University
2005-2015
Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital
2015
Carnegie Mellon University
2014
Cambridge University Press
2014
Oregon State University
2009
Biocom
2009
United States Department of Agriculture
2001-2005
Agricultural Research Service
2001-2005
The population genetic structure of Toxoplasma gondii was determined by multilocus restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis at 6 loci in 106 independent isolates from humans and animals. Phylogenetic statistical analyses indicated a highly unusual consisting 3 widespread clonal lineages. Extensively mixed genotypes were only apparent 4 strains, which that, while not separate species, sexual recombination between the lineages is exceedingly rare natural populations. T. major cause...
To determine the genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii strains associated with human toxoplasmosis, we developed a sensitive approach for typing parasites grown from clinical samples by short-term in vitro culture. A newly described nested PCR assay was capable amplifying genomic DNA as few five presence host tissues. Typing based on polymorphisms at SAG2 locus, encoding tachyzoite surface antigen p22. Restriction fragment length PCR-amplified products were used to classify into one three major...
Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is among the most prevalent parasites worldwide, infecting many wild and domestic animals causing zoonotic infections in humans. T. differs substantially its broad distribution from closely related that typically have narrow, specialized host ranges. To elucidate genetic basis for these differences, we compared genomes of 62 globally distributed isolates to several coccidian parasites. Our findings reveal tandem amplification diversification secretory pathogenesis...
To estimate the effect of playing Pokémon GO on number steps taken daily up to six weeks after installation game. Cohort study using online survey data. Survey participants Amazon Mechanical Turk (n=1182) residing in United States, aged 18 35 years and iPhone 6 series smartphones. Number each four before GO, automatically recorded "Health" application smartphones reported by participants. A difference regression model was used change players compared with non-players. 560 (47.4%) walked...
Strains of Toxoplasma gondii can be grouped into three predominant clonal lineages with members the type I group being uniformly lethal in mice. To elucidate basis this extreme virulence, a genetic cross was performed between highly virulent strain (GT-1) and less-virulent III (CTG), phenotypes resulting progeny were analyzed by linkage mapping. Analysis independent recombinant identified several quantitative trait loci that contributed to acute virulence. A major locus located on chromosome...
ABSTRACT Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite that closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and has been found be associated with neurological disorders in dogs congenital infections abortions cattle. We have identified two surface proteins of 29 35 kDa (designated Ncp29 Ncp35, respectively) from N. tachyzoites are the predominant antigens recognized by antisera -infected animals. Monoclonal antibodies against Ncp35 were used analyze several independent diverse isolates; both all...
Large-scale EST sequencing projects for several important parasites within the phylum Apicomplexa were undertaken purpose of gene discovery. Included medical importance ( Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii ) and others veterinary Eimeria tenella, Sarcocystis neurona , Neospora caninum ). A total 55,192 ESTs, deposited into dbEST/GenBank, included in analyses. The resulting sequences have been clustered nonredundant assemblies a relational database that supports variety sequence text...
Toxoplasma gondii has an unusual population structure consisting of three widely distributed clonal lineages. Acute virulence in mice is strictly observed type I strains, indicating that a genetic determinant(s) unique to this lineage controls acute pathogenesis. We have analyzed several naturally occurring recombinant strains T. carry allele 1 at the SAG1 locus; characteristic and was previously found be 100% correlated with phenotype. Recombinant G622-M ROD both had predominantly III...
Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from brain or heart tissue 15 southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) in cell cultures. These strains were used to infect mice that developed antibodies T. as detected the modified direct agglutination test and had cysts their brains at necropsy. Mouse containing 4 of fed cats. Two cats excreted oocysts feces infectious for mice. Molecular analyses 13 indicated they all type II strains, but genetically distinct one another.
ABSTRACT Sarcocystis neurona is a member of the coccidia, clade single-celled parasites medical and veterinary importance including Eimeria , Neospora Toxoplasma. Unlike single-host enteric pathogen, Toxoplasma are two-host that infect produce infectious tissue cysts in wide range intermediate hosts. As genus, one most successful protozoan parasites; all vertebrates, birds, reptiles, fish, mammals hosts to at least species. Here we sequenced causal agent fatal equine protozoal...
Cellular reproduction defines life, yet our textbook-level understanding of cell division is limited to a small number model organisms centered around humans. The horizon on variants expanded here by advancing insights the fascinating modes found in Apicomplexa, key group protozoan parasites. Apicomplexa display remarkable variation offspring number, whether karyokinesis follows each S/M-phase or not, and daughter cells bud cytoplasm from cortex. We find that terminology used describe...
The inner membrane complex (IMC) of apicomplexan parasites contains a network intermediate filament-like proteins. 14 alveolin domain-containing IMC proteins in Toxoplasma gondii fall into different groups defined by their distinct spatiotemporal dynamics during the internal budding process tachyzoites. Here, we analyzed representatives protein across all stages life cycle and Sarcocystis neurona asexual development. We found that asexually dividing stages, IMC7 is present exclusively...
To determine the prevalence of 3 primary clonal lineages Toxoplasma gondii (strain types I, II, and III) in a potential food source infection for humans, we analyzed 43 isolates T. that had been collected from pigs at an abattoir Iowa. Parasites were harvested as vitro-grown tachyzoites, their genotypes determined SAG1 SAG2 loci. On basis allele identified locus, grouped into 1 lineages. Type II strains by far most prevalent, accounting 83.7% isolates. The type III genotype was only 16.3%...
ABSTRACT Following invasion into the host cell, protozoan Toxoplasma gondii secretes a variety of proteins that modify parasitophorous vacuole. Within vacuole, 28-kDa dense granule protein known as GRA2 is specifically targeted to tubulovesicular network which forms connections with vacuolar membrane. To investigate importance GRA2, we derived from strain RH mutant T. line in was disrupted by replacement marker Ble (selecting for phleomycin resistance). The Δ gra2 invaded and grew normally...
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...
ABSTRACT. We have adapted the polymerase chain reaction to identify strains of Acanthamoeba . Using computer‐assisted analysis, primers were designed from an anonymous repetitive sequence and published sequences 18S 5S ribosomal RNA genes A. castellanii Amplification a short DNA target (272 base pairs) at restrictive annealing conditions (>50° C) resulted in single band that was unique for genus distinguished Naegleria This assay functioned with fresh formalin‐fixed cells as starting...
Heterologous transinfection with the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia has been shown previously to induce pathogen interference phenotypes in mosquito hosts. Here we examine an artificially infected strain of Aedes polynesiensis, primary vector Wuchereria bancrofti, which is causative agent Lymphatic filariasis (LF) throughout much South Pacific. Embryonic microinjection was used transfer wAlbB infection from albopictus into aposymbiotic Ae. polynesiensis. The resulting (designated "MTB")...
Strongyle parasites are ubiquitous in grazing horses. Strongylus vulgaris, the most pathogenic of large strongyles, is known for its extensive migration mesenteric arterial system. The lifecycle S. vulgaris characterised by a long prepatent period where migrating larvae virtually undetectable as there currently no test available diagnosing infection. Presence system causes endarteritis and thrombosis with risk non-strangulating intestinal infarctions. Emergence anthelmintic resistance among...
Although the majority of gene histories found in a clade organisms are expected to be generated by common process (e.g. coalescent process), it is well known that numerous other coexisting processes horizontal transfers, duplication and subsequent neofunctionalization) will cause some genes exhibit history distinct from those genes. Such 'outlying' trees considered biologically interesting, identifying these has become an important problem phylogenetics.