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Microorganisms Jul 2023Parasites are a significant component of biodiversity. They negatively affect fish appearance, growth, and reproduction. In this study, the prevalence of infection,...
Parasites are a significant component of biodiversity. They negatively affect fish appearance, growth, and reproduction. In this study, the prevalence of infection, diversity, and mean intensity of parasites were examined in 9 freshwater fish species (45 samples per fish species). Ecto-parasites were examined on the skin, gills, and fins with a hand lens. Wet mounts were prepared using mucosal scrapings from all the external and internal organs of the sampled fish. Microscopy, muscle compression, and the pepsin-HCL artificial digestion technique were also performed. In this study, 26 species of parasites were identified including three taxa belonging to 9 species of protozoan parasites, 11 treamtodes, and 6 monogenean parasites. The identified protozoan parasites were , sp., sp., sp., sp., , , sp., and . The identified trematode parasites were , , , , , , sp., sp., , , and The identified monogenean parasites were , , , , and . The diversity of parasites was maximum at the Okara site. The host's organs that were targeted for parasitic infection included the intestine, liver, gills, fins, skin, and kidneys. The majority of the parasites were identified in followed by , , , , and . Two species appeared to be resistant species because none of the parasites were observed in or . This study also concluded that the prevalence of parasites increased with increasing length, size, and age of fish.
PubMed: 37630500
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081940 -
BMC Genomics Apr 2024Congenital infection caused by vertical transmission of microsporidia N. bombycis can result in severe economic losses in the silkworm-rearing industry....
Congenital infection caused by vertical transmission of microsporidia N. bombycis can result in severe economic losses in the silkworm-rearing industry. Whole-transcriptome analyses have revealed non-coding RNAs and their regulatory networks in N. bombycis infected embryos and larvae. However, transcriptomic changes in the microsporidia proliferation and host responses in congenitally infected embryos and larvae remains unclear. Here, we simultaneously compared the transcriptomes of N. bombycis and its host B. mori embryos of 5-day and larvae of 1-, 5- and 10-day during congenital infection. For the transcriptome of N. bombycis, a comparison of parasite expression patterns between congenital-infected embryos and larva showed most genes related to parasite central carbon metabolism were down-regulated in larvae during infection, whereas the majority of genes involved in parasite proliferation and growth were up-regulated. Interestingly, a large number of distinct or shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were revealed by the Venn diagram and heat map, many of them were connected to infection related factors such as Ricin B lectin, spore wall protein, polar tube protein, and polysaccharide deacetylase. For the transcriptome of B. mori infected with N. bombycis, beyond numerous DEGs related to DNA replication and repair, mRNA surveillance pathway, RNA transport, protein biosynthesis, and proteolysis, with the progression of infection, a large number of DEGs related to immune and infection pathways, including phagocytosis, apoptosis, TNF, Toll-like receptor, NF-kappa B, Fc epsilon RI, and some diseases, were successively identified. In contrast, most genes associated with the insulin signaling pathway, 2-oxacarboxylic acid metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and lipid metabolisms were up-regulated in larvae compared to those in embryos. Furthermore, dozens of distinct and three shared DEGs that were involved in the epigenetic regulations, such as polycomb, histone-lysine-specific demethylases, and histone-lysine-N-methyltransferases, were identified via the Venn diagram and heat maps. Notably, many DEGs of host and parasite associated with lipid-related metabolisms were verified by RT-qPCR. Taken together, simultaneous transcriptomic analyses of both host and parasite genes lead to a better understanding of changes in the microsporidia proliferation and host responses in embryos and larvae in N. bombycis congenital infection.
Topics: Animals; Transcriptome; Larva; Histones; Lysine; Nosema; Gene Expression Profiling; Cell Proliferation; Lipids; Bombyx
PubMed: 38556880
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10236-y -
Cornea Nov 2023The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and management of uveitis associated with microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis (MKC).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and management of uveitis associated with microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis (MKC).
METHODS
The medical records of clinically diagnosed or microbiologically proven patients with MKC between July 2016 and August 2021 were reviewed. Patients with documented evidence of keratic precipitates (KPs) or anterior chamber cells were analyzed for their demography, clinical features, and treatment. Patients with microsporidial stromal keratitis and herpes simplex virus keratouveitis were excluded from the study.
RESULTS
Of the 2212 patients reviewed within the study period 171 of 172 eyes (7.7%) had documented evidence of KPs and/or anterior chamber cells. The patients' mean age was 43.8 ± 13.8 years, and there were more men (n = 120). The mean duration of appearance of KPs was 6.9 ± 5.5 days, and 28% (n = 48 of 171) appeared on the day of presentation. Superficial punctate keratitis was central and diffuse in 48 and 49 patients, respectively. The treatment was either lubricant alone (45.3%; 78 eyes) or combined with topical steroids (54.7%; 94 eyes). The mean duration of the resolution was longer in the "corticosteroid" than "no corticosteroid" group: KPs: 15.3 ± 6.5 days versus 12.3 ± 5.8 days ( P = 0.007) and superficial punctate keratitises: 15.4 ± 9.4 days versus 11.7 ± 6.2 days ( P = 0.01). The presenting visual acuity with a pinhole was 0.26 ± 0.26 (logMAR) and it improved to 0.03 ± 0.07 on resolution ( P < 0.0001, paired t test).
CONCLUSIONS
Uveitis after MKC is a self-limiting entity that often resolves without corticosteroid. One must exercise caution in using steroids in the presence of active corneal lesions.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Microsporidia; Microsporidiosis; Eye Infections, Fungal; Keratoconjunctivitis; Keratitis, Herpetic; Uveitis, Anterior; Uveitis; Steroids
PubMed: 36727968
DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000003230 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Microsporidia are a large group of mysterious obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites. The microsporidian spore can survive in the absence of nutrients for years... (Review)
Review
Microsporidia are a large group of mysterious obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites. The microsporidian spore can survive in the absence of nutrients for years under harsh conditions and germinate within seconds under the stimulation of environmental changes like pH and ions. During germination, microsporidia experience an increase in intrasporal osmotic pressure, which leads to an influx of water into the spore, followed by swelling of the polaroplasts and posterior vacuole, which eventually fires the polar filament (PF). Infectious sporoplasm was transported through the extruded polar tube (PT) and delivered into the host cell. Despite much that has been learned about the germination of microsporidia, there are still several major questions that remain unanswered, including: (i) There is still a lack of knowledge about the signaling pathways involved in spore germination. (ii) The germination of spores is not well understood in terms of its specific energetics. (iii) Limited understanding of how spores germinate and how the nucleus and membranes are rearranged during germination. (iv) Only a few proteins in the invasion organelles have been identified; many more are likely undiscovered. This review summarizes the major resolved and unresolved issues concerning the process of microsporidian spore germination.
PubMed: 37504762
DOI: 10.3390/jof9070774 -
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology May 2024The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an invaluable host model for studying infections caused by various pathogens, including microsporidia. Microsporidia represent the... (Review)
Review
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an invaluable host model for studying infections caused by various pathogens, including microsporidia. Microsporidia represent the first natural pathogens identified in C. elegans, revealing the previously unknown Nematocida genus of microsporidia. Following this discovery, the utilization of nematodes as a model host has rapidly expanded our understanding of microsporidia biology and has provided key insights into the cell and molecular mechanisms of antimicrosporidia defenses. Here, we first review the isolation history, morphological characteristics, life cycles, tissue tropism, genetics, and host immune responses for the four most well-characterized Nematocida species that infect C. elegans. We then highlight additional examples of microsporidia that infect related terrestrial and aquatic nematodes, including parasitic nematodes. To conclude, we assess exciting potential applications of the nematode-microsporidia system while addressing the technical advances necessary to facilitate future growth in this field.
PubMed: 38702921
DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13027 -
BMC Genomics Jul 2023The interaction networks between coding and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), covalently closed circular RNA (circRNA) and miRNA are...
BACKGROUND
The interaction networks between coding and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), covalently closed circular RNA (circRNA) and miRNA are significant to elucidate molecular processes of biological activities and interactions between host and pathogen. Congenital infection caused by vertical transmission of microsporidia N. bombycis can result in severe economic losses in the silkworm-feeding industry. However, little is known about ncRNAs that take place in the microsporidia congenital infection. Here we conducted whole-transcriptome RNA-Seq analyses to identify ncRNAs and regulatory networks for both N. bombycis and host including silkworm embryos and larvae during the microsporidia congenital infection.
RESULTS
A total of 4,171 mRNAs, 403 lncRNA, 62 circRNAs, and 284 miRNAs encoded by N. bombycis were identified, among which some differentially expressed genes formed cross-talk and are involved in N. bombycis proliferation and infection. For instance, a lncRNA/circRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network including 18 lncRNAs, one circRNA, and 20 miRNAs was constructed to describe 14 key parasites genes regulation, such as polar tube protein 3 (PTP3), ricin-B-lectin, spore wall protein 4 (SWP4), and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Regarding host silkworm upon N. bombycis congenital infection, a total of 14,889 mRNAs, 3,038 lncRNAs, 19,039 circRNAs, and 3,413 miRNAs were predicted based on silkworm genome with many differentially expressed coding and non-coding genes during distinct developmental stages. Different species of RNAs form interacting network to modulate silkworm biological processes, such as growth, metamorphosis and immune responses. Furthermore, a lncRNA/circRNA ceRNA network consisting of 140 lncRNAs, five circRNA, and seven miRNAs are constructed hypothetically to describe eight key host genes regulation, such as Toll-6, Serpin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Caspase-8. Notably, cross-species analyses indicate that parasite and host miRNAs play a vital role in pathogen-host interaction in the microsporidia congenital infection.
CONCLUSION
This is the first comprehensive pan-transcriptome study inclusive of both N. bombycis and its host silkworm with a specific focus on the microsporidia congenital infection, and show that ncRNA-mediated regulation plays a vital role in the microsporidia congenital infection, which provides a new insight into understanding the basic biology of microsporidia and pathogen-host interaction.
Topics: RNA, Long Noncoding; RNA, Circular; Nosema; Microsporidiosis; Host-Pathogen Interactions; MicroRNAs; RNA, Messenger; Gene Regulatory Networks
PubMed: 37495972
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09490-3 -
Journal of Water and Health Jul 2023Water and food sources play a major role in the distribution and transfer of microsporidia infection to animals and humans. So, this systematic review and meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Water and food sources play a major role in the distribution and transfer of microsporidia infection to animals and humans. So, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the status and genetic diversity of microsporidia infection in water, vegetables, fruits, milk, cheese, and meat. The standard protocol of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was followed. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from 1 January 2000 and 1 February 2023. The point estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Of the 1,308 retrieved studies, 35 articles were included in the final meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of microsporidia infection in mixed water, mixed fruits, mixed vegetables, and milk was 43.3% (95% CI, 33-54.2%; I, 94.86%), 35.8% (95% CI, 5.3-84.8%; I, 0), 12% (95% CI, 4.9-26.6%; I, 96.43%), and 5.8% (95% CI, 2.7-12%; I, 83.72%), respectively. Considering the genotypes, microsporidia with genotype D in water sources and genotype CD6 in vegetables/fruits were the highest reported genotypes. Given the relatively high prevalence of microsporidiosis (especially in water sources), designing strategies for control, and prevention of microsporidia infection in these sources should be recommended.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Microsporidia; Prevalence; Microsporidiosis; Vegetables; Genotype; Water
PubMed: 37515561
DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.042 -
Nature Microbiology Oct 2023Translational control is an essential process for the cell to adapt to varying physiological or environmental conditions. To survive adverse conditions such as low...
Translational control is an essential process for the cell to adapt to varying physiological or environmental conditions. To survive adverse conditions such as low nutrient levels, translation can be shut down almost entirely by inhibiting ribosomal function. Here we investigated eukaryotic hibernating ribosomes from the microsporidian parasite Spraguea lophii in situ by a combination of electron cryo-tomography and single-particle electron cryo-microscopy. We show that microsporidian spores contain hibernating ribosomes that are locked in a dimeric (100S) state, which is formed by a unique dimerization mechanism involving the beak region. The ribosomes within the dimer are fully assembled, suggesting that they are ready to be activated once the host cell is invaded. This study provides structural evidence for dimerization acting as a mechanism for ribosomal hibernation in microsporidia, and therefore demonstrates that eukaryotes utilize this mechanism in translational control.
Topics: Animals; Microsporidia; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Spores; Dimerization; Eukaryota; Ribosomes
PubMed: 37709902
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01469-w -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023
PubMed: 37485513
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1248661 -
MBio Jan 2024is a symbiont with a strong malaria transmission-blocking phenotype in . It spreads in mosquito populations through mother-to-offspring and sexual transmission. The...
is a symbiont with a strong malaria transmission-blocking phenotype in . It spreads in mosquito populations through mother-to-offspring and sexual transmission. The ability of to block transmission, together with its ability to spread within populations and its avirulence to the host, makes it a very attractive candidate for developing a key strategy to stop malaria transmissions. Here, we report tissue tropism and localization patterns of , which are relevant to its transmission. We find that accumulates in tissues, linked to its sexual and vertical transmission. Its prevalence and intensity in the tissues over the mosquito life cycle suggest adaptation to maximize transmission and avirulence in . These findings provide the foundation for understanding the factors that may affect transmission efficiency. This will contribute to the development of strategies to maximize transmission to establish and sustain a high prevalence of the symbiont in mosquito populations for malaria transmission blocking.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Anopheles; Microsporidia; Malaria; Germ Cells; Tropism
PubMed: 38063396
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02192-23