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Clinical Microbiology Reviews Mar 2023Despite intensive long-term efforts, with very few exceptions, the development of effective vaccines against parasitic infections has presented considerable challenges,... (Review)
Review
Despite intensive long-term efforts, with very few exceptions, the development of effective vaccines against parasitic infections has presented considerable challenges, given the complexity of parasite life cycles, the interplay between parasites and their hosts, and their capacity to escape the host immune system and to regulate host immune responses. For many parasitic diseases, conventional vaccine platforms have generally proven ill suited, considering the complex manufacturing processes involved and the costs they incur, the inability to posttranslationally modify cloned target antigens, and the absence of long-lasting protective immunity induced by these antigens. An effective antiparasite vaccine platform is required to assess the effectiveness of novel vaccine candidates at high throughput. By exploiting the approach that has recently been used successfully to produce highly protective COVID mRNA vaccines, we anticipate a new wave of research to advance the use of mRNA vaccines to prevent parasitic infections in the near future. This article considers the characteristics that are required to develop a potent antiparasite vaccine and provides a conceptual foundation to promote the development of parasite mRNA-based vaccines. We review the recent advances and challenges encountered in developing antiparasite vaccines and evaluate the potential of developing mRNA vaccines against parasites, including those causing diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis, against which vaccines are currently suboptimal or not yet available.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Parasitic Diseases; Malaria
PubMed: 36625671
DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00241-21 -
Annals of Parasitology 2021Generally the most common blood parasites identified in cattle are protozoa in the genera Trypanosoma, Theileria, Babesia, and rickettsia in the genus Anaplasma. These... (Review)
Review
Generally the most common blood parasites identified in cattle are protozoa in the genera Trypanosoma, Theileria, Babesia, and rickettsia in the genus Anaplasma. These parasites can cause clinical symptoms and productivity loss which will therefore consequently in economic loss. At present, blood parasite infection in cattle often has poor treatment outcomes and there is an increase of reports which indicating that drug resistance may occur in treating infections. Trypanosoma vivax, T. congolense, and T. brucei have been reported for resistance to isometamidium chloride and diminazene aceturate drug. Babesia bovis is resistant to diminazene aceturate drug, and Anaplasma marginale and A. centrale are resistant to oxytetracycline drug. The most common methods for diagnosing drug resistance are block treatment, in vivo standardized drug sensitivity tests, and molecular tools. Drug-resistant causes a decrease in treatment performance, therefore, new methods have been developed for choosing appropriate treatment of blood parasitic infection including using a primary drug combined with other substance, using herbal extracts, or developing a new effective drug.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Drug Resistance; Parasitic Diseases; Trypanocidal Agents; Trypanosoma congolense; Trypanosomiasis, African
PubMed: 35247238
DOI: 10.17420/ap6704.374 -
Future Microbiology 2015The growth in international commerce, travel and migration contribute to the global emergence of certain parasitic infections. Importation of vectors and food products... (Review)
Review
The growth in international commerce, travel and migration contribute to the global emergence of certain parasitic infections. Importation of vectors and food products may contribute to the emergence of protozoan infections in nonendemic countries. Infections such as malaria are potentially fatal, especially in nonimmune patients, and outcome depends largely on timely diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis/management of imported parasitic infections may be complex especially as some patients may have underlying immunosuppressive conditions such as HIV infection. Major challenges concern the development of improved diagnostic techniques, safer/more effective drug therapies and identification of biological markers of progression and response to treatment. Imported parasitic diseases which may be transmitted vertically or through blood transfusion/organ donation could become a public health priority in the near future. Climate change may affect arthropod distribution and facilitate the spread of protozoan vector-borne diseases. The first part of this review focuses on protozoan infections in travelers and immigrants.
Topics: Climate Change; Emigrants and Immigrants; Humans; Protozoan Infections; Public Health; Travel
PubMed: 25598338
DOI: 10.2217/fmb.14.105 -
ACS Chemical Neuroscience Dec 2017The reason why some parasites specifically target the brain remains a mystery. Often, it is seen that the primary site of infection is quite remote from the brain, but... (Review)
Review
The reason why some parasites specifically target the brain remains a mystery. Often, it is seen that the primary site of infection is quite remote from the brain, but an eventual involvement of the cerebral tissue is seen to occur that becomes the cause of death of the majority of the patients. In the absence of a clear preferential reason for targeting the brain, chemicals produced by the nervous system, which have miniature concentrations in the blood, appear to set up a chemical attraction that eventually causes them to migrate to the neural tissue. We studied the possible chemicals of neural origin that can lure the parasite toward the brain, enabling them to cause meningoencephalitis. The identification of these chemicals could be of enormous prophylactic significance as blocking the chemotaxis of neurotropic parasite by antagonist drugs and chemicals can prevent cerebral infection and provide ample time to eradicate the parasites at the primary site of infection.
Topics: Acetylcholine; Brain; Cell Survival; Encephalitis; Humans; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 28985043
DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00370 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Sep 2020Some recent studies suggest ongoing transmission of parasitic diseases in the American South; however, surveys in Mississippi children are lacking. We enrolled 166...
Some recent studies suggest ongoing transmission of parasitic diseases in the American South; however, surveys in Mississippi children are lacking. We enrolled 166 children (median age 8 years, range 4-13 years) from the Mississippi Delta region and carried out multi-parallel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for , , and on their stool samples. Dried blood spots were obtained for multiplex serology antibody detection. Of 166 children, all reported having flushable toilets, 11% had soil exposure, and 34% had a pet dog or cat. None had prior diagnosis or treatment of parasitic disease. Multi-parallel real-time PCRs were negative on the 89 stool DNA extracts available for testing. Dried blood spot testing of all 166 children determined the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to spp (3.6%), (2.4%), , , and (all 0%). In conclusion, parasitic infections and exposure were scarce in this population. Larger studies of at-risk populations are needed.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Cats; Child; Child, Preschool; Dogs; Epidemiological Monitoring; Female; Humans; Male; Mississippi; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Pilot Projects; Seroepidemiologic Studies
PubMed: 32588796
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0026 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2019Parasites have evolved various mechanisms to favor infection of their hosts and enhance the success of the infection. In this respect, time-of-day effects were found... (Review)
Review
Parasites have evolved various mechanisms to favor infection of their hosts and enhance the success of the infection. In this respect, time-of-day effects were found during the course of parasitic infections, which can be caused or controlled by circadian rhythms in the physiology of their vertebrate hosts. These include circadian clock-controlled rhythms in metabolism and in immune responses. Conversely, parasites can also modulate their hosts' behavioral and cellular rhythms. Lastly, parasites themselves were in some cases shown to possess their own circadian clock mechanisms, which can influence their capacity to infect their hosts. A better knowledge of the circadian regulation of host-parasite interactions will help in designing new preventive and therapeutic strategies for parasitic diseases.
Topics: Animals; Botrytis; Cell Physiological Phenomena; Circadian Clocks; Circadian Rhythm; Helminths; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Leishmania; Mice; Parasitic Diseases; Plasmodium; Trypanosoma
PubMed: 31921702
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00425 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Feb 2018Cysticercosis refers to a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of pork tapeworm . It is a parasitic zoonosis and listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one... (Review)
Review
Cysticercosis refers to a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of pork tapeworm . It is a parasitic zoonosis and listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the neglected tropical diseases. Cysticercosis is spreading all over the world through globalization and it mainly epidemic in developing countries. In the southwest and minority nationality areas of China, as a result of the low level of medical and health care, and the unchangeable diet custom, there are still many cases of cysticercosis, which is manifested as a local high prevalence. Neuroimaging is the preferred method for cysticercosis diagnosis, and by using CT and MRI scans it is possible to visualise the infecting cysticerci and assess their number and location within the central nervous system (CNS) . The immunological assay is also required in the diagnosis. At present, the prevention and control of cysticercosis is still relatively weak. In this paper, the current status and research progress of cysticercosis are reviewed, and further suggestions on the prevention and control of cysticercosis are put forward.
Topics: Animals; China; Cysticercosis; Cysticercus; Humans; Taenia solium; Taeniasis
PubMed: 29536721
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2018023 -
Acta Parasitologica Mar 2024Multi-factorial reasons are an induction to cause cancer. Different infections and infestations with viruses, bacteria, and parasites have been detected for many years... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Multi-factorial reasons are an induction to cause cancer. Different infections and infestations with viruses, bacteria, and parasites have been detected for many years to be related to human carcinogenesis.
PURPOSE
The study aimed to review all ideas of tumor carcinogenesis and its associations with parasitic infections and infestations.
METHODS
We reviewed several articles (published and imprinted) by selecting, extracting, and synthesizing data about the relationship between cancers and parasites.
RESULTS
Several helminths infections as schistosomiasis, are highly carcinogenic agents for bladder cancer, whereas trypanosomiasis has a bi-model role in cancer development. Leishmaniasis may be a cause of hepatocarcinoma, skin cancer, and lymphomas. In addition, malaria appears to be causative in the carcinogenesis of some cancers; as Burkitt lymphoma. Also, data from previous studies suggested that Strongyloides stercoralis may be a relevant co-factor in lymphomas.
CONCLUSION
There are different mechanisms of parasitic infection to be enhancing in carcinogenesis of cancer in human.
Topics: Humans; Carcinogenesis; Animals; Neoplasms; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 38489011
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00832-z -
Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy Feb 2020: Recent increases in population movements have created novel health challenges in many areas of the World, and health policies have been adapted accordingly in several... (Review)
Review
: Recent increases in population movements have created novel health challenges in many areas of the World, and health policies have been adapted accordingly in several countries. However, screening guidelines for infectious diseases are not standardized and generally do not include comprehensive screening for parasitic infections.: Malaria, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, amebiasis, filariases, strongyloidiasis, and schistosomiasis are reviewed, focusing on the challenges posed for their diagnosis and management in vulnerable populations such as migrants. The methodology included literature searches in public databases such as PubMed.gov and Google Scholar and search of the US National Library of Medicine online database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies () until November 2019.: Parasitic infections which may remain asymptomatic for prolonged periods, leading to chronic infection and complications, and/or may be transmitted in non-endemic areas are ideal candidates for screening. Proposed strategies to improve diagnosis in vulnerable groups such as migrants include facilitating access to healthcare in a multi-dimensional manner considering location, individual characteristics, and timing. Limitations and availability of specific diagnostic techniques should be addressed and focus on drug and vaccine development for these neglected infections should be prioritized through collaborative initiatives with public disclosure of results.
Topics: Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Health Policy; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Mass Screening; Parasitic Diseases; Transients and Migrants; Vulnerable Populations
PubMed: 31914335
DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1713099 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Nov 2017Vaccinology is one of the most important cornerstones in modern medicine, providing better quality of life. The human immune system is composed of innate and adaptive... (Review)
Review
Vaccinology is one of the most important cornerstones in modern medicine, providing better quality of life. The human immune system is composed of innate and adaptive immune processes that interplay when infection occurs. Innate immunity relies on pathogen-associated molecular patterns which are recognized by pathogen recognition receptors localized in antigen presenting cells. After antigen processing and presentation, CD4 T cell polarization occurs, further leading to B cell and CD8 activation and humoral and cell-mediated adaptive immune responses. Liposomes are being employed as vaccine technologies and their design is of importance to ensure proper immune responses. Physicochemical parameters like liposome size, charge, lamellarity and bilayer fluidity must be completely understood to ensure optimal vaccine stability and efficacy. Liposomal vaccines can be developed to target specific immune cell types for the induction of certain immune responses. In this review, we will present promising liposomal vaccine approaches for the treatment of important viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections (including tuberculosis, TB). Cationic liposomes are the most studied liposome types due to their enhanced interaction with the negatively charged immune cells. Thus, a special section on the cationic lipid dimethyldioctadecylammonium and TB is also presented.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Bacterial Infections; Drug Design; Humans; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Liposomes; Mycoses; Parasitic Diseases; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Vaccination; Vaccines; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 29149896
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-017-0319-9