AUTHOR=Yan Xinlei , Sun Yufei , Zhang Guangzhi , Han Wenying , Gao Jialu , Yu Xiuli , Jin Xindong 

TITLE=Study on the antagonistic effects of koumiss on Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1014344

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2022.1014344

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Toxoplasma gondii</italic> is an important food-borne zoonotic parasite, and approximately one-third of people worldwide are positive for <italic>T. gondii</italic> antibodies. To date, there are no specific drugs or vaccines against <italic>T. gondii</italic>. Therefore, developing a new safe and effective method has become a new trend in treating toxoplasmosis. Koumiss is rich in probiotics and many components that can alleviate the clinical symptoms of many diseases <italic>via</italic> the functional characteristics of koumiss and its regulation of intestinal flora. To investigate the antagonistic effect of koumiss on <italic>T. gondii</italic> infection, the model of acute and chronic <italic>T. gondii</italic> infection was established in this study. The survival rate, SHIRPA score, serum cytokine levels, brain cyst counts, β-amyloid deposition and intestinal flora changes were measured after koumiss feeding. The results showed that the clinical symptoms of mice were improved at 6 dpi and that the SHIRPA score decreased after koumiss feeding (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). At the same time, the levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α decreased (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01). There was no significant difference of survival rate between koumiss treatment and the other groups. Surprisingly, the results of chronic infection models showed that koumiss could significantly reduce the number of brain cysts in mice (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), improve β-amyloid deposition in the hippocampus (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01) and decrease the levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). Moreover, koumiss could influence the gut microbiota function in resisting <italic>T. gondii</italic> infection. In conclusion, koumiss had a significant effect on chronic <italic>T. gondii</italic> infection in mice and could improve the relevant indicators of acute <italic>T. gondii</italic> infection in mice. The research provides new evidence for the development of safe and effective anti-<italic>T. gondii</italic> methods, as well as a theoretical basis and data support for the use of probiotics against <italic>T. gondii</italic> infection and broadened thoughts for the development and utilization of koumiss.</p>