Open AccessToxoplasma gondii : Laboratory Maintenance and Growth
Author(s) -
Khan Asis,
Grigg Michael E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
current protocols in microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1934-8533
pISSN - 1934-8525
DOI - 10.1002/cpmc.26
Subject(s) - toxoplasma gondii , biology , immune system , pathogen , toxoplasmosis , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , immunity , host (biology) , protozoa , population , virology , antibody , ecology , demography , sociology
Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful apicomplexan protozoan capable of infecting any warm‐blooded animal worldwide. In humans, Toxoplasma infections are life‐long, with approximately one‐third of the world's population chronically infected. Although normally controlled by the host immune system, T. gondii infection can lead to a variety of clinical outcomes in individuals with immature or suppressed immune systems. After penetrating the intestine, parasites rapidly disseminate throughout the body and stimulate production of the cytokines interleukin (IL)‐12, IL‐18, and interferon (IFN)‐γ by immune cells. These cytokines play a key role in host resistance to T. gondii by promoting a strong Th1 response. Recent reports show that gut commensal bacteria can act as molecular adjuvants during T. gondii infection. Thus, T. gondii is an excellent model system to study host‐pathogen interactions. This unit outlines the protocols for in vitro and in vivo maintenance and growth of T. gondii . © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.