he protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii heads out of its host cell when Ca 2 ϩ levels peak in its cytoplasm. Now, Arrizabalaga et al. (page 653) find that proper regulation of these Ca 2 ϩ levels, and thus of Toxoplasma exit, requires a Na ϩ /H ϩ exchanger (NHE), suggesting a link between proton and Ca 2 ϩ regulation. The increase in Ca 2 ϩ levels, which can be induced artificially with an iono...

Toxoplasma is an obligate intracellular parasite that replicates in mammalian cells within a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) that does not fuse with any host organelles. One mechanism developed by the parasite for nutrient acquisition is the attraction of host organelles to the PV. Here, we examined the exploitation of host lipid droplets (LD), ubiquitous fat storage organelles, by Toxoplasma. We ...

Problem statement: In situations of immunodeficiency, Toxoplasma gondii emerges as a life-threatening infection. Toxoplasma gondii is transmitted parenterally, flourish in immunocompromised subjects and, most toxoplasma infections are asymptomatic. Studies have shown that there is a immunodeficiency in renal failure patient such as hemodialysis patients and these patients have a high risk for m...

Intramuscular administration of Toxoplasma gondii lysate antigens to mice produced titers of T. gondii-specific antibody (measured by Sabin-Feldman dye test) greater than or equal to 1:1,024 in their sera. Intravenous administration of heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes to mice produced peritoneal macrophages with enhanced microbicidal capacity against T. gondii. Mice with high antibody titers...

Disseminated toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening infection in transplant recipients, which results either from reactivation of latent infection or from organ-transmitted primary infection. Preventive measures and diagnostic screening methods differ between countries and are related to the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma spp. in the general population. Here we report a case of disseminated toxoplas...

Toxoplasma is a highly successful parasite that establishes a life-long chronic infection. To do this, it must carefully regulate immune activation and host cell effector mechanisms. Here we review the latest developments in our understanding of how Toxoplasma counteracts the immune response of the host, and in some cases provokes it, through the use of specific parasite effector proteins. An e...

Zymogram analysis using isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels was performed to characterize and distinguish two Toxoplasma gondii isolates ("strains" BK and RH). The activity of the following 14 enzymes in the cell lysates was investigated: IDH, MDH, ME, 6PG, G6P, LDH, IPO, HEX, PGM, EST, ALP, ACP, LAP, and PGI. Nine enzymes (IDH, G6P, LDH, HEX, PGM, EST, ALP, ACP, and PGI) showed distinc...

he protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii heads out of its host cell when Ca 2 ϩ levels peak in its cytoplasm. Now, Arrizabalaga et al. (page 653) find that proper regulation of these Ca 2 ϩ levels, and thus of Toxoplasma exit, requires a Na ϩ /H ϩ exchanger (NHE), suggesting a link between proton and Ca 2 ϩ regulation. The increase in Ca 2 ϩ levels, which can be induced artificially with an iono...

he protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii heads out of its host cell when Ca 2 ϩ levels peak in its cytoplasm. Now, Arrizabalaga et al. (page 653) find that proper regulation of these Ca 2 ϩ levels, and thus of Toxoplasma exit, requires a Na ϩ /H ϩ exchanger (NHE), suggesting a link between proton and Ca 2 ϩ regulation. The increase in Ca 2 ϩ levels, which can be induced artificially with an iono...

toxoplasma gondii has arisen as an important opportunistic agent especially in the central nervous system and in advanced hiv disease can cause significant morbidity and mortality. this study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among hiv-positive patients in iran. blood samples were collected from 201 hiv-positive patients and anti-toxoplasma antibodies were detecte...