Neshatpour Esfahani Mohammad, Gholami-Ahangaran Majid, Sullivan William J
Graduated of Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
Acta Parasitol. 2025 Jan 24;70(1):40. doi: 10.1007/s11686-024-00983-z.
This study seeks to close this divide by assessing the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the brain tissues of pet birds displaying neurological symptoms, utilizing Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) methods. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate and contrast the sensitivity and specificity of different diagnostic procedures. Seventy bird samples, consisting of 50 sick and 20 asymptomatic samples, were assessed using various methods. Brain tissue DNA was isolated and then analyzed using nested PCR and LAMP assays targeting the T. gondii B1 gene and RE gene. Sensitivity and specificity assessments were conducted, and statistical evaluations were made using SPSS software.
Our findings revealed that no T. gondii cysts were detected in the smear preparations. However, T. gondii DNA was found in 6% of the sick birds using nested PCR, and LAMP identified T. gondii DNA in 8% of these individuals. Both techniques demonstrated a high level of specificity, with LAMP showing higher sensitivity and faster processing times than nested PCR. These results significantly contribute to our understanding of toxoplasmosis and highlight the reliability and potential for the widespread use of these diagnostic techniques, providing reassurance and confidence in their effectiveness.
The study underscores the importance of molecular diagnostics in promptly identifying and treating toxoplasmosis in birds. This enhances our understanding and control of the disease and underscores the significant impact of this research. The potential for further studies using more extensive and diverse bird populations to enhance surveillance and prevention strategies against T. gondii infections is promising. It should be actively pursued, giving us hope for a better future in avian health.
本研究旨在通过利用巢式聚合酶链反应（PCR）和环介导等温扩增（LAMP）方法，评估出现神经症状的宠物鸟脑组织中弓形虫的感染情况，以弥合这一差距。此外，本研究旨在评估和对比不同诊断程序的敏感性和特异性。使用多种方法对70份鸟类样本进行了评估，其中包括50份患病样本和20份无症状样本。分离脑组织DNA，然后使用针对弓形虫B1基因和RE基因的巢式PCR和LAMP检测进行分析。进行了敏感性和特异性评估，并使用SPSS软件进行统计分析。
我们的研究结果显示，在涂片制备中未检测到弓形虫囊肿。然而，使用巢式PCR在6%的患病鸟类中发现了弓形虫DNA，而LAMP在8%的这些个体中鉴定出了弓形虫DNA。两种技术均显示出高度的特异性，与巢式PCR相比，LAMP显示出更高的敏感性和更快的处理时间。这些结果极大地增进了我们对弓形虫病的理解，并突出了这些诊断技术广泛应用的可靠性和潜力，为其有效性提供了保障和信心。
该研究强调了分子诊断在及时识别和治疗鸟类弓形虫病方面的重要性。这增强了我们对该疾病的理解和控制，并突出了这项研究的重大影响。使用更广泛和多样的鸟类种群进行进一步研究以加强对弓形虫感染的监测和预防策略的潜力很大。应该积极开展这项研究，为鸟类健康的美好未来带来希望。
