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Scientists find potential toxoplasmosis drug target
Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted through soil, undercooked meat or from contact with cat faeces.
Study reveals enzyme that is crucial for the parasite’s survival

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have found a potential weakness in the Toxoplasma parasite that may eventually lead to a new drug target.

Writing in Plos Pathogens, scientists describe how they have found a key enzyme in the toxoplasmosis-causing parasite (thioredoxin) which is essential for its survival. The team are now working with industry partners to create new drugs that would target this enzyme and kill the parasite.

“More and more studies highlight the parasite’s sensitivity to redox imbalance – a key function of the enzyme we have studied,” said Dr Sheiner, from the University’s Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology.

“Targeting the thioredoxin enzyme may make them vulnerable at stages of their life that are important for infection and dissemination. Finding enzymes in the parasite that we can target, and that don’t influence the human host, unravels this potentially deadly parasite’s Achilles’ heel.”

Toxoplasmosis is a common infection that is caused by the Toxoplasma parasite. It can be transmitted through soil, undercooked meat or from contact with cat faeces.

While most people who become infected with toxoplasmosis are not aware of it, the disease can be dangerous to unborn children and people with compromised immune systems.

Because the toxoplasmosis parasite is also used to learn about the biology of malaria-causing parasites, the team hope that their work will also lead to new drug targets for malaria.

Dr Sheiner said: “Our original interest in this research was not in drug discovery, rather we are excited to learn about how parasites work and how evolution provided them with special tools to serve their parasitic lifestyle. But, as in this case, we are obviously very happy if we stumble across promising targets for new drugs.”

Michael Chew, from Wellcome’s Infection and Immunobiology team, added: “Around a third of the UK population are thought to carry the Toxoplasma parasite. Normally a dormant parasite, it can lead to serious neurological harm when “awakened” in people with compromised immunity, like HIV patients, or those with an immature immune system, like infants and unborn children.

“This research is a great example of how basic, discovery science can lead to new drug targets for dangerous diseases.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.