Research Progress on the Association between Schizophrenia and Toxoplasma gondii Infection

Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii or Tg),is an obligatory intracellular parasite with humans as its intermediate hosts.In recent years,significant correlations between T.gondii infection and schizophrenia have been reported,including the possible mediating mechanisms.Currently,mechanisms and hypotheses focus on central neurotransmitters,immunity,neuroinflammation,and epigenetics;however,the exact underlying mechanisms remain unclear.In this article,we review the studies related to T.gondii infection and schizophrenia,particularly the latest research progress.Research on dopamine(DA)and other neurotransmitters,the blood-brain barrier,inflammatory factors,disease heterogeneity,and other confounders is also discussed.In addition,we also summarized the results of some new epidemiological investigations.

Association of Host Interferon-γ Gene Polymorphism with Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pregnant Women of Bangladesh

Human toxoplasmosis is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Although T. gondii infection is generally asymptomatic for most of the immunocompetent adults, severe complications may occur particularly in pregnant women and immunocompromised individual. Host cell immunity plays a critical role in parasite differentiation and persistence in the host. Therefore, genetic polymorphism in the host immune genes, for instance interferon-γ gene could be linked with possibility of T. gondii infection. The objective of the study was to verify the link between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IFN-γ gene of pregnant women and T. gondii infection through correlating with anthropometric and sociodemographic parameters. In this study, ninety-two (N = 92) pregnant women (16 - 40 years) and healthy controls (N = 95) with similar age ranges were included. Among them, 25% (n = 23) pregnant women were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies by Rapid Test Assay. Allelic and genotypic frequencies of IFN-γ +874T/A (rs2430561) SNPs were evaluated by using ARMS-PCR. The distribution of the A and T alleles in the specific position of the IFN-γ gene in the T. gondii-infected pregnant women and the control groups did not differ significantly, according to the data. However, we found a higher frequency (13.04%) of A/A genotype in T. gondii infected pregnant women as compared to non-infected individuals (8.70%), demonstrating that T. gondii infection susceptibility may be increased by homozygosity for the A allele. Further studies are to be needed to find out the link between host gene polymorphism and T. gondii infection in Bangladesh.

弓形虫(Toxoplasma gondii)的PCR检测方法在笼养猕猴群中的应用

目的建立快速、灵敏、特异及检测结果易判断的PCR方法,并应用于大规模猕猴种群的弓形虫常规检测中。同时比较巢式PCR和单一PCR的一致性。方法根据弓形虫保守基因p30(SAG1)设计了内、外两对进行巢式PCR扩增以及B1基因设计一对引物进行单一PCR扩增,将DNA样本进行10倍倍比稀释,以检测巢式PCR反应的灵敏度;并对医学生物学研究所自繁猕猴共150只进行了弓形虫检测。结果巢式PCR检测法检测限度可达10-3ng/uL,而且方法特异。两种PCR法检测结果基本一致,其中巢式PCR检测阳性率(10%)稍高于单一PCR检测阳性率(8.67%)。结论巢式PCR和一次PCR方法都可应用于猕猴弓形虫的常规检测中,并提示巢式PCR比单一PCR更敏感、检出率更高。

弓形虫组蛋白乙酰转移酶MYST-A对虫体蛋白质翻译后修饰的影响

为了探究弓形虫组蛋白乙酰转移酶MYST-A对弓形虫蛋白质翻译后修饰的影响,在弓形虫ToxoDB数据库获取基因全长序列,构建表达载体,大量纯化His标签重组蛋白质,免疫实验动物,制备多克隆抗体并纯化。利用间接免疫荧光实验对其进行亚细胞定位分析,用不同浓度的抗体作用于弓形虫并提取全虫蛋白,进行Western-blot验证,分析其是否对虫体蛋白质翻译后修饰产生影响。ALP2a蛋白质是组成组蛋白乙酰转移酶复合物的重要组成部分,MYST-A与ALP2a可能形成组蛋白乙酰转移酶复合物共同参与组蛋白的翻译后修饰,拟通过分子互作实验验证两者是否发生相互作用。结果表明:成功构建重组表达载体并纯化重组蛋白质His-MYST-A。His-MYST-A免疫小鼠以及兔子,并获得了特异性多克隆抗体。IFA分析结果表明:在细胞内的虫体中和游离速殖子中,弓形虫MYST-A均在虫体细胞质内广泛分布。MYST-A对弓形虫蛋白质翻译后修饰影响结果表明,随着抗体浓度的增加,泛素化、单甲基/二甲基化、丙二酰化、琥珀酰化的修饰水平均增强(尤其是55 kDa处),说明该蛋白质起负调控作用。分子互作实验验证MYST-A与ALP2a两者发生相互作用。研究进一步揭示了弓形虫组蛋白乙酰转移酶MYST-A对蛋白质翻译后修饰的重要调控作用,为深入研究其生物学功能奠定了基础。蛋白质翻译后修饰的研究对了解弓形虫的致病机制及其与宿主的相互作用、致病机制有重要意义,同时也为新型弓形虫疫苗研制及药物靶标的筛选提供一定的参考价值和理论依据。

刚地弓形虫(Toxoplasma gondii)不同地理株对钴^(60)丙线敏感性的比较研究

对中国NT株弓形虫和美国的ME—49株及TS—2株弓形虫的包囊进行了抗丙线耐受性的比较，试验采用上述三株弓形虫包囊为材料，分设0．4、0．5、0．6、0．7、1．OKGy丙线剂量组和不经照射处理的对照组。通过感染小鼠和幼猫的生物学检测，求得使包囊丧失感染性的丙线剂量，得出不同株包囊对丙线的敏感性。结果表明：丙线控制中国NT株的最小有效剂量为0．55KGy，控制ME—49株和TS—2株的感染性的最小有效剂量为0．60KGy。两者接近，提示这三个地理株的弓形虫包囊对钴60丙线的敏感性虽略有差异，但其差异并不明显。

Challenging loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP) technique for molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii

Objective:To compare analytical sensitivity and specificity of a newly described DNA amplification technique.LAMP and nested PCR assay targeting the RE and Bl genes for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii) DNA.Methods:The analytical sensitivity of LAMP and ncstcd-PCR was obtained against 10-fold serial dilutions of T.gondii DNA ranging from 1 ng to 0.01 fg.DNA samples of other parasites and human chromosomal DNA were used to determine the specificity of molecular assays.Results:After testing LAMP and nesled-PCR in duplicate,the detection limit of RE-LAMP.B1-LAMP,RE-nested PCR and B1-nested PCR assays was one fg.100 fg,1 pg and 10 pg of T.gondii DNA respectively.All the LAMP assays and nested PCRs were 100% specific.The RE-LAMP assay revealed the most sensitivity for the detection of T.gondii DNA.Conclusions:The obtained results demonstrate that the LAMP technique has a greater sensitivity for detection of T.gondii.Furthermore,these findings indicate that primers based on the RE are more suitable than those based on the B1 gene.However,the B1-LAMP assay has potential as a diagnostic tool for detection of T.gondii.

Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women using automated chemiluminescence and quantitative real time PCR

Objective: To identify serodiagnosis and quantification of Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) infection among pregnant women in Salmas, northwest of Iran. Methods: In this crosssectional study, 276 blood samples were collected from pregnant women referred to the health care centers in Salmas city. The demographic variables were also recorded. Titers of antiToxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies(Ab) were determined using the chemiluminescence immunoassay. Quantitative real-time PCR targeting the T. gondii repeated element gene was also performed on the blood sample. Results: Out of all, 19.92%(55/276) and 2.17%(6/276) patients were seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM Ab, respectively. Moreover, the presence of T. gondii DNA was observed in 12.31%(34/276) blood samples. A significant relationship was observed between the IgG Ab seropositivity and contact with the cat as a risk factor(P=0.022). Conclusions: The seroprevalence rate of T. gondii infection in pregnant women is relatively low. Consequently, the seronegative pregnant women are at risk, and a considerable rate of positive blood samples for the presence of parasite's DNA should not be ignored. Besides, quantitative real-time PCR could be considered as an accurate method for diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis especially when the precise results are of the most importance in pregnancy. Limiting contact with cats is also suggested for pregnant women.

Tissue tropism and parasite burden of Toxoplasma gondii RH strain in experimentally infected mice

Objective:To evaluate parasite distribution and tissue tropism of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in experimentally infected mice using real time QPCR.Methods:In this survey 16 Balb/c mice were inoculated with 1×10~4 alive tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii RH strain.After 1,2,3 days post infection and the last day(before death),different tissues of mice including blood,brain,eye,liver,spleen,kidney,heart and muscle were harvested.Following tissues DNA extraction,the parasite burden was quantified using real time QPCR targeting the B1 gene(451 bp).Results:It showed that Toxoplasma after intraperitoneal injection was able to movement to various tissues in24 hours.Parasite burden was high in all tissues but the most number of parasites were observed in kidney,heart and liver,respectively.Conclusions:These data provide significant baseline information about Toxoplasma pathogenesis,vaccine monitoring and drug efficiency.

Investigation on the co-infections of Toxoplasma gondii with PRRSV, CSFV or PCV-2 in swine in part of China

The objective of the present investigation was to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV), classical swine fever virus(CSFV) and porcine circovirus type 2(PCV-2) in pigs in China. A total of 372 tissues or serum samples collected from pigs distributed in 9 provinces/municipalities of China during the period from February 2011 to November 2012 were assayed for T. gondii antigens and antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) technique, while the PCR was designed for the detection of the PRRSV, CSFV and PCV-2, respectively. The total positive rate of T. gondii, PRSSV, CSFV and PCV-2 was 9.14%(34/372), 50.00%(186/372), 37.10%(138/372) and 3.23%(12/372), respectively. Among the 34 T. gondii positive samples, 26 samples were simultaneously infected with T. gondii and viruses, while the remaining eight samples were infected with T. gondii alone. In addition, the co-infection rate of T. gondii with PRSSV, T. gondii with PRSSV and CSFV, T. gondii with PRSSV and PCV-2, T. gondii with CSFV and PCV-2, T. gondii with PRSSV, CSFV and PCV-2 was 1.61%(6/372), 4.03%(15/372), 0.27%(1/372), 0.27%(1/372) and 0.81%(3/372), respectively. The results of the present survey revealed that PRRSV and CSFV were the common pathogens co-existing with porcine toxoplasmosis in China, and both of them could increase the chances of T. gondii infection in pig. This is the first report of T. gondii co-infections with viruses in pigs. It is very important to understand the interactions of parasite and virus, and can be used as reference data for the control and prevention of co-infections of T. gondii and viruses in pigs.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Chickens in China

One strain of Toxoplasma gondii was successfully isolated from chickens in China by bioassay in mice. Antibodies and circulating antigens of T. gondii were assayed by the ELISA kits in 100 free range chickens from a rural area surrounding Funing, China. Fifty-three chickens were antibody-positive and 21 chickens were antigen positive. Hearts, brains, spleens, lungs, livers, and kidneys of 21 antibody or antigen-positive chickens were bioassayed in mice. One strain of T. gondii was isolated from 1 of 21 （4.76%） chickens. The isolated T. gondii killed all of the inoculated mice. Genotyping of this isolate using polymorphisms at the loci 5′-SAG2, 3′-SAG2, SAG3, cB21-4, L358, BTUB, and GRA6 revealed that it was Type I. These indicated that it was virulent for mice. This is the first report of isolation of T. gondii from chickens in China.

Toxoplasma gondii infection among chronic hepatitis C patients:A casecontrol study

Objective:To determine the detection rate of anti-Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii) IgG and IgM in chronic HCV patients attending the Department of Tropical Medicine Mansoura University hospital in Egypt.Methods:This study included 120 adult chronic HCV patients.81 decompensate cirrhosis(late-stage)and 39 chronic HCV non cirrhotic patients(early-stage) and40 healthy blood donors as controls.Serum samples uere examined for anti-Toxoplasma IgM and anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies by ELISA.Real-time RT-polymerase chain reaction assay was done for quantitation of hepatitis C virus.Results:Anti-T.gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 75(92.6%) of 81 late-stage cirrhotic patients.30(76.9%) of the 39 chronic HCV non cirrhotic patients(early-Stage) and in 6(15ft) of 40 controls with statistically significant difference(P<0.001).Anti-T.gondii IgM antibodies were found in 11(13.6%) in late stage patients,5(12.8%)in early stage and in 3(7.5%) of controls with no statistical significant difference(P=0.610).There was no correlation between stage of fibrosis and IgM or IgG antibodies positivity in our studied groups(P=0.526).High IgG levels significantly correlated with high viral load(P=0.026).Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the serious opportunistic T.gondii infection represent a potential significant risk for chronic HCV patients.So.toxoplasmosis should be considered in their investigations and follow-up.

Biological role of surface Toxoplasma gondii antigen in development of vaccine

瞄准：在疫苗的开发分析鼠弓形体(T gondii ) 的表面抗原的生物角色。方法：T gondii (SAG1 ) 的表面抗原是表示在试管内。到抗原的主人的有免疫力的反应被对 cytokines 的 SAG1 和生产的特定的抗体反应的察觉调查。老鼠与 recombinant SAG1 被使免疫并且与 T gondii RH 的致命的紧张质问了。到 r-SAG1 的单音的同种细胞的抗体被准备并且过去常在电镀物品显微镜下面在 T gondii tachyzoites 上学习 SAG1 的效果。结果：与 recombinant SAG1 使免疫的老鼠与控制组相比为 60 h 推迟了死亡。recombinant SAG1 在老鼠象 IFN-gamma， IL-2 和 IL-4 cytokines 一样导致了 IgG 和 IgM 抗体的特定的高效价。相反， IL-12， IL-6 和 TNF-alpha 是无法发现的。当 T gondii tachyzoites 与单音的同种细胞的抗体被对待到 r-SAG1 时，寄生虫一起被聚集，破坏，使变形，肿，并且在表面上形成的洞和差距。结论：SAG1 可以是对 T gondii 的一个优秀疫苗的候选人。SAG1 对 T gondii 导致的有免疫力的保护可以被调停荷尔蒙、调停房间的有免疫力的反应调整。

THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII TACHYZOITES AND THE EFFECT OF USNIC ACID ON IT

The normal fine structures of toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite and the erfect of usnic acid on the ultrastructure of the tachyzoites were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM).The studies indicate that the pathological changes or the ultrastructure of the parasite took place under the effect of the 10 mg/L usnic acid for 30 min.These changes can be illustrated as folio'vs; 1)The posterior portion of the rhopties were destroyed.2)The membrane of the daughter cell fractured. 3)The membranate organellae or the organisms were demaged.

Infection of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>in Humans and Livestock Animals: An Emerging Silent Threat for Bangladesh

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular, zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. It can potentially infect almost all mammalian and avian hosts including one-third of the human population world-wide. The major target group of the parasite includes immunocompromised patients (e.g. AIDS, cancer, organ transplantation) and fetus bearing pregnant women where it develops toxoplasmic encephalitis, myocarditis, chorioretinitis and abnormal fetal brain development or stillbirths respectively. In this review, we have presented the current status of T. gondii infection in livestock animals and human population in Bangladesh to assess the country-wide relative risk. Although exact prevalence is difficult to predict due to the scarcity of data, nevertheless existing literature suggests that 16% - 39% humans and 8% - 70% domestic animals are infected with T. gondii, which implies Bangladeshi population is at high risk of toxoplasmosis. Furthermore, we have proposed a potential area of research to decipher the genetic diversity and transmission routes of T. gondii infection into Bangladeshi population.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs and cats in Zhenjiang City,Eastern China

Objective:To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii) infection in dogs and cats in Zhenjiang City,Jiangsu Province.Eastern China,and to evaluate the main associated risk factors relating to exposure to 71 gondii in this region.Methods:Sera from 160 clogs and 116 cats from Zhenjiang City were tested for anti-T.gondii antibodies using EUSA.The seropositivity by area of activity,sex and age was analyzed.Results:Overall.21 dogs(13.l%) and 24 cats(20.7%) had antibodies to T.gondii.The infection rate in stray dogs(38.7%) and cats(28.6%! was significantly higher(P<0.05) than in household dogs(6.9%) and cats(18.2%).The seroprevalence in male clogs(14.8%) and cats(21.05%) were slighlly higher than their female counterparts(11.4%in dogs and 20.0%in cats),but were not significantly differenent(P>0.05).A high proportion of dogs at 3 to 6 years of age were positive to T.gondii(20.0%)while cats with relatively high seropositivity rates were at 0 to 1 year of age(33.3%).Conclusions:The prevalence of T.gondii infection in dogs and cats in Zhenjiang City was high,which is probably the main source of T.gondii infection in this area.

Influence of Toxoplasma gondii on in vitro proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma H7402 cell

Objective:To discuss the influence of tachyzoite of Toxoplasma gondii（T.gondii） RH strain on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma（HCC） H7402 cell.Methods:The HCC H7402 cell in logarithmic phase and tachyzoite of T.gondii RH strain in different concentrations（1×107/mL,2×107/mL.4×107/mL,8×107mL and 16×107/mL） were co-cultured.CCK-8was utilized to determine the inhibition rate of T.gondii tachyzoite on H7402 cell growth.Flow cytometry was used to detect the change of cell cycle.RT-PCR method was used to detect the expression of cyclinB1 and cdc2-two genes related to cell cycle.Western blot method was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3 and Bcl-2.Results:The tachyzoite of T.gondii RH strain can inhibit the proliferation of HCC H7402 cells.The inhibition rate of tumor cell growth increased with the increase of concentration of T.gondii tachyzoite.With the increase of concentration of T.gondii tachyzoite,the proportion of G0/G1 phase of H7402 cell increased,the proportion of S phase decreased,and PI value decreased accordingly.The expression of cyclinB1 and cdc2 genes decreased with the increase of the concentration of T.gondii tachyzoite.With the increase of the concentration of tachyzoite of T.gondii RH strain,the expression quantity of Caspase-3 in H7402 cell increased,but the expression quantity of Bcl-2protein decreased.Conclusions:T.gondii can inhibit the in vitro proliferation of HCC H7402 cell,and induce its apoptosis.This effect shows a trend of concentration-dependent increase.Moreover,it is related to the down-regulation of cyclinB1 and cdc2（cell cycle-related genes）,the increase of apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3.and the decreasc of Bcl-2 expression.

The level of chemerin and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in Toxoplasma gondii seropositive obese individuals

Objective: To know the difference between chemerin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein(AFABP) levels in obese individuals with positive Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii)immunoglobulin G(IgG) compared with negative T. gondii IgG.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study by using consecutive sampling methods conducted from January to April 2013. The subjects were 57 obese individuals who were divided into obese group of positive and negative T. gondii IgG. The level of chemerin,AFABP and T. gondii IgG was done by ELISA. The data were analyzed by independent t test.Results: The results showed that the level of chemerin of positive T. gondii IgG group was significantly higher than the negative T. gondii IgG group [(70.0 ± 16.5) vs.(64.4 ± 16.1) pg/mL; P = 0.003], but there was not significant AFABP difference between seropositive and negative IgG groups [(83.6 ± 41.9) vs.(74.2 ± 36.7) pg/mL; P = 0.598].Conclusions: It can be concluded that the level of chemerin of seropositive T. gondii IgG was higher than that in the negative T. gondii IgG group.

CD4 T-Lymphocytes Count in HIV-<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>Co-Infected Pregnant Women Undergoing a Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasite responsible of toxoplasmosis, a disease often asymptomatic but with serious consequences in pregnant women and immunocompromised subjects. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of T. gondii infection on CD4+ T lymphocytes count in HIV-infected pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of pregnant women co-infected by HIV and T. gondii. The study was conducted from January to July 2016 at the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) sites in the Health District of Lacs in Togo. Diagnosis of HIV was performed by immuno-chromatographic methods with Determine TM HIV-1/2 and immuno-filtration with Tri-Dot HIV-1 and 2 kits. Presence of anti-toxoplasmic IgG and IgM antibodies was established via enzyme immunoassay using ELISA-BIOREX&reg;kit. Flow cytometry was used to count CD4+ T lymphocytes. Results: Our study found that of the 4599 pregnant women, 111 (2.41%) were HIV-positive. Among them, 109 (98.20%) were infected by HIV-1 and 2 (1.98%) by HIV-2. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 5.36% (IgM), 25% (IgG) and 3.57% (both IgM and IgG) of HIV 56 infected women. There was no significant difference between CD4 cell count in HIV (+)/T. gondii IgM (-)/IgG (-) infected pregnant women (378.8 ± 222.8 cell//μl) compared to HIV (+)/T. gondii/IgM (+) (457.3 ± 183.3 cell//μl), HIV (+)/T. gondii IgG (+) (419.4 ± 287.3 cell//μl) and HIV (+)/T. gondii IgM/IgG (+) (480.5 ± 252.4 cell/μl). Conclusion: This study showed that intracellular parasite T. gondii did not alter CD4+ T lymphocytes count in HIV/T. gondii co-infected pregnant women.

Toxoplasma gondii infection can induce retinal DNA damage: an experimental study

AIM:To detect whether Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii)infection of mice can induce retinal DNA damage.METHODS:A total of 20 laboratory-bred male Swiss albino mice were used and divided into four groups:control group(non-infected animals);T.gondii infected group;immunosuppressed infected group;and infected group treated with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine.Mice eyes were collected 6wk post infection and retinas were obtained.Each retina was immediately processed for comet assay and the frequency of tailed nuclei(DNA damage)was calculated.In addition,retinal DNA damage was revealed by various comet assay parameters that were provided by the image analysis software including tail length,percentage of DNA in the tail,percentage of tailed cells and tail moment.RESULTS:The obtained results showed that T.gondii infection induced a statistically significant increase in the frequency of tailed nuclei,tail length,percentage of DNA in the tail,and tail moment in mice retinal cells compared to the control group(which showed some degree of DNA damage).In immunosuppressed infected group,retinal DNA damage was severing and there was significant increase in various comet assay parameters compared to both control and infected groups.After treatment with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine,retinal DNA damage decreased and all comet assay parameters showed a statistical significant decrease compared to infected groups.CONCLUSION:T.gondii infection can induce DNA damage in mice retinal cells.

CD2 deficiency partially prevents small bowel inflammation and improves parasite control in murine Toxoplasma gondii infection

AIM: To investigate whether bowel inflammation and/or parasite control is altered in the absence of the T cell adhesion molecule CD2. METHODS: Wildtype (WT) and CD2 deficient (CD2-/-) mice were infected with 100 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) (ME49) by gavage. On d 7 after infection mice were killed. Necrosis and the number of parasites/cm il-eum were determined. Cytokine levels of stimulated cells as well as sera were evaluated. Secondly, survival of WT vs CD2-/-mice was analysed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: CD2-/-mice survived longer than WT mice (mean: 23.5 vs 7.1 d, P = 0.001). Further, CD2-/-mice showed less weight loss and less ileal inflammation than WT mice at d 7 post infection. In addition, the number of parasites in the ileum was signif icantly lower in CD2-/-mice than in WT mice (88 ± 12 vs 349 ± 58 cm, P < 0.01). This was paralleled by lower production of IFN-γ and IL-6 from TLA-stimulated mLN cells and increased IFN-γ pro-duction by splenocytes. CONCLUSION: CD2 defi cient mice are more resistant to T. gondii infection than WT mice. In contrast to most current immunosuppressive or biological therapies CD2 deficiency reduces intestinal inflammation and at the same time helps to control infection.