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Bradyzoite-Specific Genes

  • Chapter
Toxoplasma gondii

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 219))

Abstract

Stage conversion between tachyzoites and bradyzoites is a central event for pathogenicity and persistence of Toxoplasma gondii. The acute form of the infection, which is associated with tachyzoites, is normally overcome by the onset of the specific immune response. However, the parasite is able to persist by forming intracellularily located tissue cysts which contain metabolically and replicatively dormant bradyzoites. These cysts are found predominantly in the brain of its host. The differentiation process is reversible; reactivation of brain cysts from chronically infected patients is thought to be the major cause of toxoplasmic encephalitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients (Luft et al. 1984; Wong et al. 1984). Since to date no drug is available that is able to cure patients from a chronic infection by killing bradyzoites, the tissue cyst stage represents a lifelong risk for reactivation in immunocompromised patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany

    W. Bohne & U. Gross

  2. Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Research Institute, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 860 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA

    S. F. Parmley & S. Yang

Authors
  1. W. Bohne
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  2. S. F. Parmley
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  3. S. Yang
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  4. U. Gross
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany

    Uwe Gross

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© 1996 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Bohne, W., Parmley, S.F., Yang, S., Gross, U. (1996). Bradyzoite-Specific Genes. In: Gross, U. (eds) Toxoplasma gondii. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 219. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-51014-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-51014-4_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-51016-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-51014-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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