Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were isolated from an ocular patient in the Republic of Korea and maintained in the laboratory (designated KI-1). In the present study, its genotype was determined by analyzing dense granule antigen 6 (GRA6) gene and surface antigen 2 (SAG2) gene as typing markers. Digestion of the amplification products of GRA6 and of the 5' and 3' ends of SAG2, respectively, with Mse I, Sau3A I, and Hha I, revealed that KI-1 is included in the genotype I, which includes the worldwide virulent RH strain. In addition, when the whole sequences of the coding regions of SAG1, rhoptry antigen 1 (ROP1), and GRA8 genes of KI-1 were compared with those of RH, minor nucleotide polymorphisms and amino acid substitutions were identified. These results show that KI-1 is a new geographical strain of T. gondii that can be included in the genotype I.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics ; Base Sequence ; Genes, Protozoan ; Genotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; RNA, Protozoan ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Toxoplasma/*genetics

The vir genes are antigenic genes and are considered to be possible vaccine targets. Since India is highly endemic to Plasmodium vivax, we sequenced 5 different vir genes and investigated DNA sequence variations in 93 single-clonal P. vivax isolates. High variability was observed in all the 5 vir genes; the vir 1/9 gene was highly diverged across Indian populations. The patterns of genetic diversity do not follow geographical locations, as geographically distant populations were found to be genetically similar. The results in general present complex genetic diversity patterns in India, requiring further in-depth population genetic and functional studies.
Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics ; Humans ; India/epidemiology ; Malaria, Vivax/epidemiology/parasitology ; Phylogeny ; Plasmodium vivax/*genetics ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics/*metabolism

The dense granule of Toxoplasma gondii is a secretory vesicular organelle of which the proteins participate in the modification of the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and PV membrane for the maintenance of intracellular parasitism in almost all nucleated host cells. In this review, the archives on the research of GRA proteins are reviewed on the foci of finding GRA proteins, characterizing molecular aspects, usefulness in diagnostic antigen, and vaccine trials in addition to some functions in host-parasite interactions.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/*metabolism ; Cytoplasmic Granules/metabolism ; *Host-Parasite Interactions ; Humans ; Protozoan Proteins/*metabolism ; Toxoplasma/*metabolism ; Toxoplasmosis/*parasitology ; Vacuoles/*metabolism

Plasmodium falciparum liver stage antigen-1 (PfLSA-1) is one of the few antigens expressed exclusively in liver stage parasites. In this study, we evaluated the antibody responses against recombinant PfLSA-1 in naturally infected individuals in Myanmar. High levels of antibody responses (70.7%) were detected in 82 serum samples from 116 infected individuals, and IgG responses to PfLSA-1 principally composed of responses of IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses. These results show that PfLSA-1 elicits effective antibody responses in individuals infected with P. falciparum, and thus it could be not only an attractive candidate protein for vaccine development, but also a useful antigen for serodiagnosis of the infection.
Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood/immunology ; Antigens, Protozoan/*immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Malaria, Falciparum/blood/epidemiology/*immunology ; Myanmar/epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo characterize the immune response induced by SAG1 encoding plasmid combined with IL-2 gene adjuvant in mice and to assess the protective effect of this vaccination against toxoplasmosis.

METHODSMice were co-injected intramuscularly with plasmid encoding Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 plus murine IL-2 expression vector at a dose of 100 microg. Booster immunizations were employed 2 more times at 3-week interval. As controls, mice were inoculated with PBS or empty plasmid pcDNA3. Humoral and cellular responses were assayed using ELISA for the determination of Ab, Ab isotype and IFN-gamma, as well as IL-4. To detect the integration and dissemination of DNA in the injected mice, PCR and in situ hybridization were performed. All mice were then infected with highly virulent RH tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii intraperitoneally.

RESULTSSignificant increases in specific IgG levels were observed in mice after immunization three times with SAG1 expression plasmid. With respect to the IgG isotype, co-inoculation of IL-2 expression plasmid enhanced the level of IgG2a and the production of IFN-gamma. Challenging mice by vaccinating with combined plasmids with RH tachyzoites resulted in prolonged survival.

CONCLUSIONHumoral and cytokine responses elicited by SAG1 DNA immunization can be modulated by co-inoculation with IL-2 expression plasmid. The use of DNA vaccine in combination with an appropriate cytokine gene to prevent T. gondii infection warrants further investigation.

Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan ; blood ; Antigens, Protozoan ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; classification ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; Mice ; Protozoan Proteins ; genetics ; Protozoan Vaccines ; immunology ; Toxoplasma ; immunology ; Toxoplasmosis, Animal ; prevention & control ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

Merozoite surface proteins (MSPs) of malaria parasites play critical roles during the erythrocyte invasion and so are potential candidates for malaria vaccine development. However, because MSPs are often under strong immune selection, they can exhibit extensive genetic diversity. The gene encoding the merozoite surface protein-3 (MSP-3) of Plasmodium falciparum displays 2 allelic types, K1 and 3D7. In Thailand, the allelic frequency of the P. falciparum msp-3 gene was evaluated in a single P. falciparum population in Tak at the Thailand and Myanmar border. However, no study has yet looked at the extent of genetic diversity of the msp-3 gene in P. falciparum populations in other localities. Here, we genotyped the msp-3 alleles of 63 P. falciparum samples collected from 5 geographical populations along the borders of Thailand with 3 neighboring countries (Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia). Our study indicated that the K1 and 3D7 alleles coexisted, but at different proportions in different Thai P. falciparum populations. K1 was more prevalent in populations at the Thailand-Myanmar and Thailand-Cambodia borders, whilst 3D7 was more prevalent at the Thailand-Laos border. Global analysis of the msp-3 allele frequencies revealed that proportions of K1 and 3D7 alleles of msp-3 also varied in different continents, suggesting the divergence of malaria parasite populations. In conclusion, the variation in the msp-3 allelic patterns of P. falciparum in Thailand provides fundamental knowledge for inferring the P. falciparum population structure and for the best design of msp-3 based malaria vaccines.
Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics ; *Gene Frequency ; *Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Plasmodium falciparum/classification/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Protozoan Proteins/*genetics ; Thailand/epidemiology

Field rodents involved in ecological food chains and which are the prey of carnivores in the natural environment may serve as reservoir hosts for Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans, however, no data has been published to date in Korea. A total of 1,008 Apodemus agrarius, a dominant species of field rodents in Korea, were trapped at various locations around the country, and their serum antibody (IgG) levels to T. gondii were examined by ELISA. The mean absorbance was 0.11, and fifteen samples (1.49%) showed positive titers from 0.18 to 0.59. The seropositive samples were analyzed by immunoblot. Five of them showed reactive bands to T. gondii water soluble antigens of 30, 35, and 43 kDa. This immunoblot analysis showed very similar patterns to that obtained using sera of experimentally infected mice with T. gondii. The present study presents indirect evidence of the existence of T. gondii in field rodents in Korea.
Animal ; Antibodies, Protozoan/blood* ; Antigens, Protozoan/immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoblotting ; Molecular Weight ; Muridae/parasitology* ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma/isolation & purification* ; Toxoplasma/immunology

Excretory/secretory proteins (ESP) from Toxoplasma gondii were analyzed to define the function in the penetration process into host cells. Whole ESP obtained at 37 degrees C were composed of 15 bands with molecular mass of 110, 97, 86, 80, 70, 60, 54, 42, 40, 36, 30, 28, 26, 22, and 19 kDa. Five ESP of 86, 80, 42, 36, and 28 kDa were reacted with monoclonal antibodies (mAb), named as Tg386 (microneme), Tg485 (surface membrane), Tg786 (rhoptry), Tg378, and Tg556 (both dense granules), respectively. The ESP was released by a temperature-dependent/-independent manner and all at once whenever ready to pour out except Tg786. Each ESP was not exhausted within the parasite but the amount was limited. Tg786 was released continuously with increment, whereas Tg378 and Tg556 were ceased to release after 3 and 4 hr. Dense granular Tg378 and Tg556 were released spontaneously and constitutively before the entry into host cells also. The entry of T. gondii was inhibited by all the mAbs differentially. And the parasite deprived of ESP was inhibited to enter exponentially up to 90.1%. It is suggested that ESP play an essential function to provide appropriate environment for the entry of the parasite into host cells.
Animals ; *Antibodies, Monoclonal ; *Antibodies, Protozoan ; Antigens, Protozoan/*analysis/physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Temperature ; Toxoplasma/*chemistry/pathogenicity

Piroplasms are tick-transmitted, intracellular, hemoprotozoan parasites that cause anorexia, fever, anemia, and icterus. Theileriosis is caused by Theileria sergenti and causes major economic losses in grazing cattle in Japan and Korea. In May 2003, we examined the antigenic diversity of the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene in 35 healthy Jeju black cattle that were born and raised at the National Institute of Subtropical Agriculture. On microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears, 9 of 35 cattle had intra-erythrocytic piroplasms. Hematological data were within normal range for all 35 cattle. Amplification of DNA from all blood samples using universal MPSP gene primers showed mixed infections with C, I, and B type Theileria spp. Type C was identified in 20 of 35 blood samples, and type B was identified in 17 samples. Allelic variation was seen in type B.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cattle ; DNA Primers/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Korea ; Molecular Sequence Data ; *Phylogeny ; Protozoan Proteins/*genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Theileria/*genetics ; Theileriasis/*parasitology

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease due to infection with Trichomonas vaginalis, and it can cause serious consequences for women's health. To study the virulence factors of this pathogen, T. vaginalis surface proteins were investigated using polyclonal antibodies specific to the membrane fractions of T. vaginalis. The T. vaginalis expression library was constructed by cloning the cDNA derived from mRNA of T. vaginalis into a phage lambda Uni-ZAP XR vector, and then used for immunoscreening with the anti-membrane proteins of T. vaginalis antibodies. The immunoreactive proteins identified included adhesion protein AP65-1, alpha-actinin, kinesin-associated protein, teneurin, and 2 independent hypothetical proteins. Immunofluorescence assays showed that AP65-1, one of the identified immunogenic clones, is prevalent in the whole body of T. vaginalis. This study led us to identify T. vaginalis proteins which may stimulate immune responses by human cells.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/genetics/*immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics/*immunology ; Rats ; Trichomonas Infections/parasitology ; Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics/*immunology