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Biomedicines Apr 2024Tropomyosin (TM) is a pan-allergen with cross-reactivity to arthropods, insects, and nematodes in tropical regions. While IgE epitopes of TM contribute to sensitization,...
Tropomyosin (TM) is a pan-allergen with cross-reactivity to arthropods, insects, and nematodes in tropical regions. While IgE epitopes of TM contribute to sensitization, T-cell (MHC-II) epitopes polarize the Th2 immune response. This study aimed to identify linear B and T consensus epitopes among house dust mites, cockroaches, , shrimp, and mosquitoes, exploring the molecular basis of cross-reactivity in allergic diseases. Amino acid sequences of Der p 10, Der f 10, Blo t 10, Lit v 1, Pen a 1, Pen m 1, rAsc l 3, Per a 7, Bla g 7, and Aed a 10 were collected from Allergen Nomenclature and UniProt. B epitopes were predicted using AlgPred 2.0 and BepiPred 3.0. T epitopes were predicted with NetMHCIIpan 4.1 against 10 HLA-II alleles. Consensus epitopes were obtained through analysis and Epitope Cluster Analysis in the Immune Epitope Database. We found 7 B-cell epitopes and 28 linear T-cell epitopes binding to MHC II. A unique peptide (residues 160-174) exhibited overlap between linear B-cell and T-cell epitopes, highly conserved across tropomyosin sequences. These findings shed light on IgE cross-reactivity among the tested species. The described immuno-informatics pipeline and epitopes can inform in vitro research and guide synthetic multi-epitope proteins' design for potential allergology immunotherapies. Further in silico studies are warranted to confirm epitope accuracy and guide future experimental protocols.
PubMed: 38672238
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040884 -
Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine 2024The simultaneous occurrence of intestinal ascariasis and appendicitis presents a challenge in diagnosing pediatric abdominal emergencies due to overlapping symptoms. We...
The simultaneous occurrence of intestinal ascariasis and appendicitis presents a challenge in diagnosing pediatric abdominal emergencies due to overlapping symptoms. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy who experienced acute abdominal pain, characterized by a severe cramp in the mid and lower right abdomen, with pain rated 7 out of 10, a mild fever, and continuous nausea. The initial evaluation suggested appendicitis, supported by an Alvarado score of 9. However, ultrasonography did not conclusively confirm appendicitis but revealed an Ascaris worm in the ileum. This finding highlights the importance of careful diagnostic processes that combine clinical assessment with imaging techniques, while being mindful of their limitations. Surgical exploration confirmed retrocecal appendicitis coexisting with an Ascaris lumbricoides infection. The treatment involved surgical removal of the affected appendix and pharmacological expulsion of the parasitic worm using albendazole, which proved effective. This report emphasizes the consideration of ascariasis in diagnosing appendicitis, particularly in areas where intestinal parasites are common. It also demonstrated the improved diagnostic accuracy achieved through clinical scoring and imaging, thus reducing the risk of missing dual pathologies in young patients with acute abdominal pain.
PubMed: 38162385
DOI: 10.22037/aaem.v12i1.2187 -
PloS One 2024Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, the National School Based Deworming Program (NSBDP) was launched...
INTRODUCTION
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, the National School Based Deworming Program (NSBDP) was launched in 2012 with a goal of reducing STH prevalence in school-aged children (SAC) to <1%, however monitoring and evaluation results have consistently showed > 20% prevalence in Narok County. We conducted a study to investigate factors associated with STH infections among SAC in Narok County.
METHODOLOGY
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 514 SAC from five schools in Trans Mara West sub-county, Narok County. The sub-county was selected because it had participating schools within the NSBDP with a high prevalence of STH infection. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Stool samples collected from participants were examined for STH eggs using Kato-Katz technique. An open data kit questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographics, household, and STH knowledge information from 139 of the 514 SAC. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data, prevalence and mean intensity of infections were calculated, and logistic regression used to determine factors associated with STH infections.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of any STH infection was 24.6% (95%CI: 21.1-28.6). Trichuris trichiura 14.4% (95%CI: 11.7-17.8), Ascaris lumbricoides 12.5% (95%CI: 9.9-15.7) and hookworm 0%. From multivariable analysis the only factors significantly associated with increased risk of STH infection were, children attending Karda and Nkarano schools with aOR = 5.29 (95%CI: 1.45-19.24); p = 0.011 and aOR = 4.53 (95%CI: 1.29-15.97); p = 0.019 respectively. For A. lumbricoides, children attending Nkarano School were associated with a significant risk of infection with aOR = 7.81 (95%CI: 1.81-33.63); p = 0.006.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the ongoing work of NSBDP, the STH prevalence is still ≥ 20% in Trans Mara West sub-county Narok County, among SAC. This underscores the need for continued annual MDA. Additionally, if possible, drug combinations may effectively manage T. trichiura, the region's most common helminth. The study found a correlation between children attending specific schools and STH infection risk, suggesting the importance of health education and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices holistically both in schools and associated catchment areas that can act as STH reservoirs to alleviate the burden of STH.
Topics: Humans; Kenya; Cross-Sectional Studies; Child; Male; Soil; Female; Helminthiasis; Prevalence; Animals; Adolescent; Feces; Ascaris lumbricoides; Trichuris; Schools; Trichuriasis; Ascariasis
PubMed: 38781162
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304266 -
Radiology Case Reports Apr 2024Ascaris-induced intestinal obstruction is a rare complication primarily seen in children in areas with a high prevalence of worm infestations. It can occur through 2...
Ascaris-induced intestinal obstruction is a rare complication primarily seen in children in areas with a high prevalence of worm infestations. It can occur through 2 mechanisms: immune-mediated reactions releasing neurotoxins that cause contractions and inflammation in the small intestine (aperistalsis), or mechanical obstruction by adult worms, commonly at the ileocecal valve. Partial obstructions are managed conservatively, while complete obstructions often require surgical intervention. In a recent case, a 19-year-old male presented with persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, and inability to pass stools, and gas. Imaging revealed partial obstruction, and conservative management with fluids, a nasogastric tube, and antibiotics led to the spontaneous passage of worms, relieving symptoms. The patient was discharged with anthelmintics and advised on follow-up and sanitary measures. This case is notable for the uncommon occurrence of Ascaris-induced intestinal obstruction in adults and the successful conservative management resulting in early worm expulsion.
PubMed: 38317701
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.12.063 -
Transactions of the Royal Society of... May 2024The mainstay of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control is repeated mass drug administration (MDA) of anthelmintics to endemic populations. Individual longitudinal...
Patterns of individual compliance with anthelmintic treatment for soil-transmitted helminth infections in southern Ethiopia over six rounds of community-wide mass drug administration.
BACKGROUND
The mainstay of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control is repeated mass drug administration (MDA) of anthelmintics to endemic populations. Individual longitudinal compliance treatment patterns are important for identifying pockets of infected individuals who remain untreated and serve as infection reservoirs.
METHODS
The Geshiyaro Project censused the study population in Wolaita, Ethiopia at baseline in 2018. Individual longitudinal compliance was recorded for six rounds of community-wide MDA (cMDA). The probability distribution of treatment frequency was analysed by age and gender stratifications. Probabilities of transmission interruption for different compliance patterns were calculated using an individual-based stochastic model of Ascaris lumbricoides transmission.
RESULTS
The never-treated (0.42%) population was smaller than expected from a random positive binomial distribution. The observed compliance frequency was well described by the beta-binomial distribution. Preschool-age children (odds ratio [OR] 10.1 [95% confidence interval {CI} 6.63 to 15.4]) had the highest never-treated proportion of the age groups. Conversely, school-age children (SAC) and adults (OR 1.03 [95% CI 0.98 to 1.09]) had the highest always-treated proportion of the age groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The study reports the largest dataset of individual longitudinal compliance to cMDA for STH control. Clear pattens are shown in the age-dependent distribution of individual compliance behaviour. The impact of compliance on the probability of elimination is significant, highlighting the importance of recording the full frequency distribution, not just the never-treated proportion.
Topics: Humans; Ethiopia; Mass Drug Administration; Anthelmintics; Female; Male; Child, Preschool; Child; Adult; Soil; Adolescent; Helminthiasis; Young Adult; Animals; Middle Aged; Infant; Medication Adherence; Ascaris lumbricoides; Longitudinal Studies
PubMed: 37965994
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad079 -
Environmental Health Insights 2024Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common infections that affect the poorest and most deprived communities. In most developing countries,...
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common infections that affect the poorest and most deprived communities. In most developing countries, children aged 5 to 15 years are at risk for chronic helminth infection and associated morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of STH infections and associated risk factors among three government elementary schools in Dembecha town, Ethiopia. We conducted a school-based cross-sectional study involving 316 participants between November 2019 and March 2020. A systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants from the study schools. Data related to the sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants and risk factors for STH infections were collected using a pretested questionnaire survey. Parasitological examinations of stool samples were performed using the formal-ether concentration method. Study participants aged 5 to 15 years were enrolled in this study. The overall prevalence of STH infection was 21.5% (68/316). ranked highest, with a prevalence of 11.4%, followed by hookworms 7.3%, 1.9%, and 0.9%. Age groups of 10-15 years (AOR =3.109; 95% CI: 1.033, 9.350), residence in Kebele 2 (AOR =2.990; 95% CI: 1.082, 8.264), illiterate mothers (AOR =4.689; 95% CI: 1.410, 15.59), and a family size of 4-6 (AOR =3.286; 95% CI: 1.299, 8.313) were significantly associated with STH infections. The prevalence of STH infections remains an important health issue for study participants. Therefore, school deworming programs twice a year are crucially needed until the prevalence falls below the level of public health importance.
PubMed: 38628466
DOI: 10.1177/11786302241245851 -
International Journal of Paleopathology Mar 2024Cribra orbitalia is believed to be a skeletal indicator of chronic anaemia, scurvy, rickets or related metabolic diseases. It has been suggested that it may be used as a...
OBJECTIVE
Cribra orbitalia is believed to be a skeletal indicator of chronic anaemia, scurvy, rickets or related metabolic diseases. It has been suggested that it may be used as a proxy indicator for intestinal parasite infection, as parasites often cause anaemia today. Our aim is to investigate this association in the medieval population of Cambridge, UK.
MATERIALS
Individuals excavated from the cemeteries of the Augustinian friary and All Saints by the Castle parish church, and aged from 7 to adulthood.
METHODS
We undertook parasite analysis of the pelvic sediment and control samples of 46 burials with intact orbital roofs.
RESULTS
Human roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) and/or whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) were identified in the pelvic sediment of 22 individuals, and cribra orbitalia noted in 11 individuals. Barnards test showed no association between parasite infection and cribra orbitalia (p = .882).
CONCLUSION
We found no association between infection and cribra orbitalia infection in this medieval adult population, calling into question this hypothesis, at least for adults.
SIGNIFICANCE
High or low cribra orbitalia prevalence in adults should not be used to infer rates of intestinal parasite infection.
LIMITATIONS
The individuals in the study were over the age of 7, with no younger children. It is possible that only parasites which cause marked anaemia (such as hookworm, schistosomiasis or malaria) may cause cribra orbitalia, while less marked anaemia from roundworm and whipworm may not do so.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
Repeating this study in younger children, when most cribra orbitalia appears to form.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Orbit; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Rickets; Anemia; United Kingdom
PubMed: 38039702
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2023.11.001 -
Cureus Apr 2024Ascariasis is a common helminthic infection, especially in India. Though it is known to inhabit the jejunum of the small intestine, it may invade the hepato-biliary and...
Ascariasis is a common helminthic infection, especially in India. Though it is known to inhabit the jejunum of the small intestine, it may invade the hepato-biliary and pancreatic ducts, causing a spectrum of clinical manifestations. We present a case of idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis in a 61-year-old female patient who was later diagnosed with pancreatic ascariasis using endoscopic ultrasound. This emphasizes the possibility of ascariasis as one of the causes of acute pancreatitis and the use of endoscopic ultrasound as an initial diagnostic tool for the evaluation of idiopathic acute pancreatitis.
PubMed: 38716023
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57758 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Mar 2024Zoonotic human infections with Ancylostoma ceylanicum have recently been reported in the Americas. We used archived human stool samples to study the geographic...
Geographic Distribution of Human Infections with Zoonotic Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Anthropophilic Hookworms in Ecuador: A Retrospective Analysis of Archived Stool Samples.
Zoonotic human infections with Ancylostoma ceylanicum have recently been reported in the Americas. We used archived human stool samples to study the geographic distribution of human infections with A. ceylanicum and anthropophilic hookworms in different geoclimatic regions (coastal, Andean, and Amazon) of Ecuador. We analyzed retrospectively archived human stool samples from five studies previously screened for hookworm infection by microscopy, of which four included hookworm-positive samples only and one involved hookworm-negative samples to increase geographic distribution of sampling. Stools were analyzed using multi-parallel quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays to detect Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, A. ceylanicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Strongyloides stercoralis. Sequencing was done for the A. ceylanicum cox1 gene. A total of 132 samples were analyzed, of which 69 (52.3%) were from hookworm-positive and 63 (47.7%) from hookworm-negative individuals by microscopy. Overall, 82.6% of microscopy-positive samples and 33.3% of microscopy-negative samples were positive for hookworm by qPCR. Of microscopy-positive samples, 36.2% were A. ceylanicum, 37.7% A. duodenale, and 33.3% N. americanus, whereas equivalent proportions for microscopy-negative samples were 1.6%, 31.7%, and 1.6%, respectively. Ancylostoma duodenale was the most widely dispersed geographically, followed by N. americanus. Ancylostoma ceylanicum was least dispersed but was detected in coastal and Amazon regions. In conclusion, human infections with A. ceylanicum, A. duodenale, and N. americanus were detected in different geoclimatic regions of Ecuador. Additional studies are required to further define the epidemiology of human A. ceylanicum infections, but the potentially widespread presence of this helminth in human populations in Ecuador has implications for hookworm control strategies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Ancylostomiasis; Retrospective Studies; Ecuador; Hookworm Infections; Zoonoses; Feces
PubMed: 38266286
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0469 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024Hepatobiliary ascariasis is caused by the entry of the nematode from the duodenum into the biliary duct. We report a case of an -induced extrahepatic biliary tract... (Review)
Review
Hepatobiliary ascariasis is caused by the entry of the nematode from the duodenum into the biliary duct. We report a case of an -induced extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction in a pediatric patient admitted to the hospital due to a wide spectrum of symptoms of biliary disease, which included abdominal pain in the upper abdominal quadrants, vomiting, and jaundice. Imaging tests-including ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-were performed to confirm the diagnosis of biliary ascariasis. The tests did, in fact, demonstrate signs of this disease. Nevertheless, during the ERCP, only the remains of parasites in the form of tissue fragments were extracted. We also aim to discuss the prevalence of ascariasis in children, the causes of migration of parasites into the bile ducts, together with its clinical manifestations, as well as the diagnostic and treatment methods of this disease.
Topics: Humans; Ascariasis; Lithuania; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Child; Animals; Male; Ascaris lumbricoides; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; Female
PubMed: 38929533
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060916