A Toxoplasma gondii strain isolated in Okinawa, Japan shows high virulence in Microminipigs

• Published in: Parasitology international Vol. 72; p. 101935
• Main Authors: Taniguchi, Yuji, Yanagihara, Itaru, Nakura, Yukiko, Ichikawa, Chihiro, Saito, Taizo, Appiah-Kwarteng, Cornelia, Matsuzaki, Motomichi, Fukumoto, Junpei, Nagamune, Kisaburo, Kyan, Hisako, Takasu, Masaki, Kitoh, Katsuya, Takashima, Yasuhiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.10.2019
• Subjects: Japan; Microminipig; Toxoplasma gondii; Toxoplasmosis; Virulence; Microminipig; Toxoplasma gondii; Toxoplasmosis; Japan; Virulence
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.101935

Toxoplasma gondii strains have been isolated all over the world and their virulence has been examined mainly using laboratory mice. However, T. gondii differs in virulence depending on the host animal species. Therefore, to evaluate the virulence of each strain in domestic animals, it is necessary to examine using not only mice but also the concerned animals. We have shown that TgCatJpOk4, a T. gondii strain recently isolated in Okinawa, Japan, has a high virulence against laboratory mice, comparable to highest virulent RH strain in mice; however, the virulence to domestic animals remains unknown. In this study, we examined the virulence using the Microminipig. After infection, four out of five infected pigs showed severe clinical symptoms: inappetence, hypoactivity and tachypnea. Eventually, three out of the five infected pigs succumbed before the end of the observation. Among the three dead pigs, histological analysis revealed that interstitial pneumonia and spotty necrosis in the liver indicating that the TgCatJpOk4 strain has a high virulence not only in laboratory mice, but in pigs as well. [Display omitted] •T. gondii TgCatJpOk4 strain was isolated in Okinawa, Japan.•It has been reported that TgCatJpOk4 strain showed high virulence in mice.•TgCatJpOk4 strain also showed high virulence in Micromipigs.•Severe tissue damage and inflammation were observed in the lung of infected pigs.