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Jornal de Pediatria Mar 2024Complications of ascariasis are a significant cause of abdominal pain in pediatric emergencies, especially where it is endemic. A literature review was conducted with... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Complications of ascariasis are a significant cause of abdominal pain in pediatric emergencies, especially where it is endemic. A literature review was conducted with the aim of improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these patients.
DATA SOURCES
A PubMed search was conducted using the key terms "ascariasis complications" and "hepatobiliary ascariasis". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, case reports, and reviews published up to December 2023.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Obstruction of the small bowel is the most common complication. Others that are, rarer and more difficult to properly identify and treat, such as biliary, hepatic, and pancreatic complications, acute appendicitis, Meckel's diverticulitis, or peritoneal granulomas. Hepatic and pancreatic complications are rarer and more serious in children than in adults. While plain radiography is usually the only option in cases of intestinal obstruction, ultrasonography is the examination of choice in cases of hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and appendicular ascariasis complications in childhood. The treatment is clinical and conservative in most patients. Surgical treatment is indicated if conservative therapy fails, or if there are signs of complications. Laparoscopy has been used as an excellent technical alternative in adults with hepatobiliary complications of ascariasis, but further studies on its use in children are still needed.
CONCLUSION
The creation of protocols and greater debate on this subject should be encouraged for a better understanding of the disease and to establish an early diagnosis and adequate treatment for children with complications resulting from massive infestation by Ascaris lumbricoides.
PubMed: 38522478
DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2024.02.001 -
Endoscopy Dec 2024
Topics: Humans; Ascariasis; Biliary Tract Diseases; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
PubMed: 38388953
DOI: 10.1055/a-2258-8436 -
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Nov 2023Ascariasis and intestinal parasitic nematodes are the leading cause of mass mortality infecting many people across the globe. In light of the various deleterious side... (Review)
Review
Ascariasis and intestinal parasitic nematodes are the leading cause of mass mortality infecting many people across the globe. In light of the various deleterious side effects of modern chemical-based allopathic drugs, our preferences have currently shifted towards the use of traditional plant-based drugs or botanicals for treating diseases. The defensive propensities in the botanicals against parasites have probably evolved during their co-habitation with parasites, humans and plants in nature and hence their combative interference in one another's defensive mechanisms has occurred naturally ultimately being very effective in treating diseases. This article broadly outlines the utility of plant-based compounds or botanicals prepared from various medicinal herbs that have the potential to be developed as effective therapies against the important parasites causing ascariasis and intestinal hookworm infections leading to ascariasis & infections and thereby human mortality, wherein allopathic treatments are less effective and causes enormous side-effects.
PubMed: 37841664
DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103814 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Dec 2023The objectives of this study are to assess the coronavirus disease (Covid) pre-pandemic and pandemic period table of 2019 with relation to the change in the frequency of...
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study are to assess the coronavirus disease (Covid) pre-pandemic and pandemic period table of 2019 with relation to the change in the frequency of ascariasis and to contribute to the epidemiological data in our nation.
METHODS
Data for this study were obtained from the Adana Provincial Directorate of Health, Department of Public Health Services between January 2017 and May 2022. Percentages of the number of cases were compared with the total numbers for the pre- and pandemic periods and for each specified period. Results were analyzed statistically.
RESULTS
When the number of scabies cases by year was analyzed, it was determined that the highest incidence rate was 37.8% in 2021 and the lowest incidence rate was 3.7% in 2017. During the pandemic period, it was determined that the rate of scabies in men was higher than that in women. Likewise, it was determined that the rate of scabies in women was higher than that in men before the pandemic. During the pandemic period, the rate of scabies in those aged 0, 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 65 years and over was higher than that before the pandemic.
CONCLUSION
According to our findings, the prevalence of scabies has increased throughout the Covid-2019 pandemic.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Scabies; COVID-19; Pandemics; Incidence; Prevalence
PubMed: 38149445
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2023.44154 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Nov 2023Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect most impoverished communities in developing countries, like Myanmar in Southeast Asia. NTDs have been understudied and...
BACKGROUND
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect most impoverished communities in developing countries, like Myanmar in Southeast Asia. NTDs have been understudied and underreported in Myanmar.
METHODS
A systematic review of published and grey literature (1900-2023) on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar was conducted. The literature search included five international databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Global Health, and Web of Science Core Collection and one national database: the Myanmar Central Biomedical Library (locally published papers and grey literature). The selection criteria included articles with all types of study designs of current or previous infections conducted in humans, that reported NTDs, recognised by WHO, US CDC, and listed in PLoS NTDs. We included melioidosis and rickettsioses which we consider also meet the definition of an NTD.
RESULTS
A total of 5941 records were retrieved and screened, of which, 672 (11%) met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Of the included articles, 449 (65%) were published after 2000 and 369 (55%) were from two regions (Yangon and Mandalay) of Myanmar. Of the included articles, 238 (35%) reported bacterial NTDs, 212 (32%) viral NTDs, 153 (23%) helminth NTDs, 25 (4%) protozoal NTDs and 39 (6%) reported more than one aetiology. Based on reported frequency in descending order, the bacterial NTDs were leprosy, Escherichia coli enteritis, salmonellosis, cholera, shigellosis, melioidosis, leptospirosis and rickettsioses; the viral NTDs were dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection; the protozoal NTDs were amoebiasis, giardiasis and leishmaniasis, and the helminth NTDs were ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm disease, filariasis and strongyloidiasis.
CONCLUSION
This review summarises NTDs reported in Myanmar over the past 100 years. The findings suggest that most NTDs are likely to be under reported, especially from the majority of the country which is far from academic centres. Research capacity building together with strengthening of laboratory systems would lead to better understanding of the true burden of NTDs in Myanmar.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42018092627.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Myanmar; Melioidosis; Ascariasis; Helminths; Neglected Diseases; Tropical Medicine; Encephalitis, Japanese; Rickettsia Infections
PubMed: 37910592
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011706 -
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Jul 2023Helminth infections modify the natural history of allergic diseases, by either decreasing or increasing their symptoms. Several helminth components are involved in the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Helminth infections modify the natural history of allergic diseases, by either decreasing or increasing their symptoms. Several helminth components are involved in the increasing of the allergic response and symptoms, overcoming the concomitant immunosuppression of helminthiases. However, the role of individual IgE-binding molecules in this process remains to be defined.
RECENT FINDINGS
We updated the list of helminth allergens and IgE-binding molecules, their effects on asthma presentation, and their impact on allergy diagnosis. Data from genetic and epigenetic studies of ascariasis are analyzed. A new species-specific A. lumbricoides allergen has been discovered, with potential use in molecular diagnosis. Most helminth IgE-binding components are not officially classified as allergens in the WHO/IUIS database, although there is evidence of their influence increasing allergic manifestations. Further immunological characterization of these components is needed to better understand their mechanisms of action and evaluate the ways in which they can influence the diagnosis of allergy.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Allergens; Parasites; Immunoglobulin E; Hypersensitivity; Asthma
PubMed: 37269427
DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01089-8 -
Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Sep 2023Ascaridia galli is the largest gut-dwelling helminth of chickens, which confers adverse effects on meat and egg production; thus, on the animal protein supply and the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ascaridia galli is the largest gut-dwelling helminth of chickens, which confers adverse effects on meat and egg production; thus, on the animal protein supply and the economy. Both adult and immature parasites affect gut health, but larval stages play a major role in pathology.
AIMS
Here, we present immunology and pathology of A. galli in chickens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Literatures were surveyed through online platforms such as PubMed, Google Scholar and Researchgate.
RESULTS
The larvae cause excessive mucus production, damage to the intestinal gland, hemorrhage, anemia, diarrhea, and malnutrition. The adult worms can cause death by intestinal obstruction and intussusception. Although both cellular and humoral immunity are involved in fighting against ascariasis, the role of naturally acquired immunity is poorly defined. In cellular immunity, Th-2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13), goblet cells (mucin), gut-associated lymphoid tissues, CD8α+ intraepithelial cells, TCRγδ + T cells, and TGF-β4 form a protective band. Type 2 immunity provides protection by forming a network of endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns, chitin, and parasitic antigens. Among antibodies, IgY is the most prominent in chickens and provides temporary humoral protection. During parasitic infection, infiltration of various immune cells is evident, especially in the intestinal epithelium, lamina propria, and crypts of the duodenum and jejunum. In chickens older than 12 weeks, gradual reduction of worm burden is more successful than the younger birds. Female chickens exert a short-lived but higher level of protection by passing IgY to chicks in the form of egg yolk antibodies. In laying conditions, immunity differs between breeds. This review provides an overview of the silent but inevitable pathological changes induced by A. galli and the interaction of host immunity with the parasite.
Topics: Animals; Female; Ascaridia; Ascaridiasis; Chickens; Cytokines; Intestinal Mucosa; Antibodies
PubMed: 37773698
DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1001 -
Acta Parasitologica Mar 2024Ascariasis caused by the helminth Ascaris suum is the most common parasitosis of swine worldwide and it may involve all age categories of pigs. The present study reports...
PURPOSE
Ascariasis caused by the helminth Ascaris suum is the most common parasitosis of swine worldwide and it may involve all age categories of pigs. The present study reports an unusual localization of A. suum worms in the biliary system of a piglet slaughtered for human consumption.
METHODS
The liver was subjected to ultrasound scan and pathological examination. The isolated worms were morphologically examined and the DNA was extracted for the molecular identification of the species involved.
RESULTS
A total of 43 preadult nematodes were found within the gallbladder and the bile ducts. Parasites were morphologically identified as belonging to the genus Ascaris and molecularly as A. suum. At gross examination, the liver was moderately enlarged, with the bile ducts severely dilated. A chronic inflammatory infiltrate was noted, often centered around ectatic bile ducts (up to 5 mm in diameter), lined by hyperplastic epithelium and filled with sections of nematodes. The worm sections showed smooth cuticle, coelomyarian musculature, and an intestinal tract lined by columnar, uninucleated cells within a pseudocoelom. The ex vivo ultrasonographic examination of the liver allowed the visualization of several nematodes in the bile duct lumen and could be suggested for in vivo diagnosis. Unfortunately, the absence of the intestine did not allow to define the pathogenesis of the infection.
CONCLUSION
Although, given the unusual nature of this finding, it is difficult to identify predisposing factors for this A. suum localization, it suggests that ascariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pigs with hepatobiliary disease.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Swine; Swine Diseases; Ascaris suum; Liver; Ultrasonography; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Gallbladder; Bile Ducts
PubMed: 38424402
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00813-2