Open AccessMinireview: Applications of NMR‐based metabolomics for the detection and characterisation of toxoplasmosis in felids
Author(s) -
Hunter Elena,
Wilson Philippe B.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
analytical science advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2628-5452
DOI - 10.1002/ansa.202000117
Subject(s) - toxoplasma gondii , toxoplasmosis , metabolomics , parasite hosting , biology , intracellular parasite , nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , intracellular , chemistry , virology , biochemistry , immunology , bioinformatics , organic chemistry , world wide web , computer science , antibody
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the intercellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii . The parasite has the three‐stage life cycle: oocysts, tachyzoites, and bradyzoites. Felids are the only known hosts for the sexual reproduction of T. gondii and, therefore, play a crucial role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis. A single cat could spread the parasite to many hosts. Due to the intercellular nature of the parasite, T. gondii strongly depends on a host's metabolism in order to leverage carbon and nutrient sources. Therefore, the parasite could be detected in body fluids via observation and analysis of metabolic alterations. A range of analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography, and Raman spectroscopy could be applied for the analysis of body fluids of infected animals. However, NMR consists of highly specific analytical techniques due to high reproducibility, availability of a variety of databases, and the ability to obtain the structures of unknown compounds. We present the current extent of NMR‐based metabolomics on felid toxoplasmosis and suggest future considerations.