Immunological responses in the mouse host to a cloned antigen of Taeniacrassiceps

Adult female Swiss-Webster mice were immunized either intraperitoneally (IP) or subcutaneously (SQ) with cyst fluid or a genetically engineered fusion protein, Taenia carassiceps antigen 2-maltose binding protein (TCA2-MBP) from Taenia crassiceps metacestodes, or with live, non-budding cysts SQ, and then challenged IP with T. crassiceps metacestodes and necropsied 9 weeks later. Numbers of peripheral blood eosinophils were increased after IP immunization, but were not increased after SQ immunization or with SQ cysts given before the challenge infection. Eosinophil numbers gradually decreased over the course of the experiment, and were not found in increased numbers in the blood or peritoneal cavity at necropsy. Antigen-specific antibody responses were seen at day 14 or 28 in IP and SQ immunized groups; IgG3 and IgG3 isotypes continued to increase over the course of the experiment. A significant protective response was induced by immunization with the cyst fluid (15 + 4, X + SE recovered larvae) or the TCA2-MBP (22+12) given IP, but not SQ (122+36l ; 207+53, respectively) as measured by the numbers of larvae recovered at necropsy. Live cysts given SQ resulted in reduced numbers of cysts in the peritoneal cavity (188+66), but was not as effective as cyst fluid or TCA2-MBP given IP. Locally (IP) induced immune responses may be involved in the development of the protective response to a challenge infection with T. crassiceps metacestodes

Immunological responses in the mouse host to a cloned antigen of Taeniacrassiceps

Adult female Swiss-Webster mice were immunized either intraperitoneally (IP) or subcutaneously (SQ) with cyst fluid or a genetically engineered fusion protein, Taenia carassiceps antigen 2-maltose binding protein (TCA2-MBP) from Taenia crassiceps metacestodes, or with live, non-budding cysts SQ, and then challenged IP with T. crassiceps metacestodes and necropsied 9 weeks later. Numbers of peripheral blood eosinophils were increased after IP immunization, but were not increased after SQ immunization or with SQ cysts given before the challenge infection. Eosinophil numbers gradually decreased over the course of the experiment, and were not found in increased numbers in the blood or peritoneal cavity at necropsy. Antigen-specific antibody responses were seen at day 14 or 28 in IP and SQ immunized groups; IgG3 and IgG3 isotypes continued to increase over the course of the experiment. A significant protective response was induced by immunization with the cyst fluid (15 + 4, X + SE recovered larvae) or the TCA2-MBP (22+12) given IP, but not SQ (122+36l ; 207+53, respectively) as measured by the numbers of larvae recovered at necropsy. Live cysts given SQ resulted in reduced numbers of cysts in the peritoneal cavity (188+66), but was not as effective as cyst fluid or TCA2-MBP given IP. Locally (IP) induced immune responses may be involved in the development of the protective response to a challenge infection with T. crassiceps metacestodes

Toxoplasma gondii Oocyst–specific Antibodies and Source of Infection

Infection source can determine cost-effective public health interventions. To quantify risk of acquiring Toxoplasma gondii from environmental sources versus from meat, we examined serum from pregnant women in Chile. Because 43% had oocyst-specific antibodies, we conclude that contaminated meat remains the primary source of infection but that environmental sources also pose substantial risk

Make Art Real

The Make Art Real project aims to introduce new audiences to the arts. It supports Theme II of VCU’s Quest for Distinction by promoting and fostering creative expression through innovative collaborations. The project involves displaying existing connections between art and non-art disciplines, as well as making new connections. These unusual pairings are then placed on exhibition through a lunch-time lecture series named “Unexpected_Connections,” which allow faculty, staff, and students to lead and participate in discussions about the reality of art. The lecture series is the first sustainable and reoccurring program to be held in the Depot building, a multidisciplinary facility which is intended to foster interdisciplinary collaborations. The targeted audience includes faculty, staff, students, and members of the greater VCU community

Identification and Characterisation of a cDNA Sequence Encoding a Glutamic Acid-Rich Protein Specifically Transcribed in \u3ci\u3eTrichinella spiralis\u3c/i\u3e Newborn Larvae and Recognised by Infected Swine Serum

Presently, little is known of the mechanism by which Trichinella penetrates and modulates reprogramming of muscle cells. In light of evidence demonstrating strong protective characteristics of antigens derived from this stage, understanding this process may shed light on potential targets for effective abatement of infection. To this end, a PCR-derived cDNA expression library was constructed using 0.5 mg of total RNA from Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae. The library consisted of \u3e125,000 insert-containing clones. Approximately 40-50 × 103 clones were screened immunologically using sera from pigs experimentally infected with 7,000 Trichinella L1. Multiple clones reacting positively with the swine infection serum and encoding portions of a glutamic acid-rich protein were identified. Northern and Southern blots indicated at least two distinct genes that encoded the glutamic acid-rich proteins and that these genes were transcribed specifically in the newborn larvae stage. cDNA sequence data predicted open reading frames of 1,497 and 1,716 bp generating proteins of 498 amino acids and 571 amino acids, respectively. Both sequences consisted of approximately 39% glutamic acid and 16% serine residues, and differed by the presence of a 219 bp fragment present in the 1,716 bp sequence that was absent from the 1,497 bp sequence. PCR data indicated that additional isoforms exist within this gene family that are different in length from those described above. In addition, it was found that more than one isoform can exist within a single worm and that this pattern can vary between individual worms within a population. Mouse antibodies to recombinant antigen localised the glutamic acid-rich proteins to the periphery of the developing stichocyte cells within the newborn larvae consistent with the hypothesis that the newborn larval antigens are secreted

Reviews

Reviews of Business and New Zealand Society, Women in Trade Unions: Organizing the Unorganized, Labour Law and Industrial Relations in Asia, International and Comparative Industrial Relations: A Study of Industrialised Market Economies, The Challenge of Human Resource Management Directions and Debates in New Zealand, Visions of the Future of Social Justice: Essays on the Occasion of the ILO's 75th Aniversary, Coal, Class and Community: The United Mineworkers of New Zealand, 1880-1960, Higher Productivity and a Better Place to Work - Practical Ideas (or Owners and Managers of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, OECD Societies in Transition." The Future of Wo.rk and Leisure

The One Health Approach to Toxoplasmosis: Epidemiology, Control, and Prevention Strategies

One Health is a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort that seeks optimal health for people, animals, plants, and the environment. Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is an intracellular protozoan infection distributed worldwide, with a heteroxenous life cycle that practically affects all homeotherms and in which felines act as definitive reservoirs. Herein, we review the natural history of T. gondii, its transmission and impacts in humans, domestic animals, wildlife both terrestrial and aquatic, and ecosystems. The epidemiology, prevention, and control strategies are reviewed, with the objective of facilitating awareness of this disease and promoting transdisciplinary collaborations, integrative research, and capacity building among universities, government agencies, NGOs, policy makers, practicing physicians, veterinarians, and the general public