-
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jun 2023During chronic schistosome infections, a complex regulatory network is induced to regulate the host immune system, in which IL-10-producing regulatory B (Breg) cells...
During chronic schistosome infections, a complex regulatory network is induced to regulate the host immune system, in which IL-10-producing regulatory B (Breg) cells play a significant role. Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens (SEA) are bound and internalized by B cells and induce both human and mouse IL-10 producing Breg cells. To identify Breg-inducing proteins in SEA, we fractionated SEA by size exclusion chromatography and found 6 fractions able to induce IL-10 production by B cells (out of 18) in the high, medium and low molecular weight (MW) range. The high MW fractions were rich in heavily glycosylated molecules, including multi-fucosylated proteins. Using SEA glycoproteins purified by affinity chromatography and synthetic glycans coupled to gold nanoparticles, we investigated the role of these glycan structures in inducing IL-10 production by B cells. Then, we performed proteomics analysis on active low MW fractions and identified a number of proteins with putative immunomodulatory properties, notably thioredoxin (SmTrx1) and the fatty acid binding protein Sm14. Subsequent splenic murine B cell stimulations and hock immunizations with recombinant SmTrx1 and Sm14 showed their ability to dose-dependently induce IL-10 production by B cells both in vitro and in vivo. Identification of unique Breg cells-inducing molecules may pave the way to innovative therapeutic strategies for inflammatory and auto-immune diseases.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Interleukin-10; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Gold; Metal Nanoparticles; Immunologic Factors; Thioredoxins; Antigens, Helminth
PubMed: 37363916
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011344 -
PeerJ 2023Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is an anionic surfactant, which is widely used in various fields in human life. However, SDS discharged into the water environment has a...
Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is an anionic surfactant, which is widely used in various fields in human life. However, SDS discharged into the water environment has a certain impact on aquatic organisms. In this study, planarian () was used to identify the toxic effects of SDS. A series of SDS solutions with different concentrations were used to treat planarians for the acute toxicity test , and the results showed that the semi-lethal concentration (LC) of SDS to at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h were 4.29 mg/L, 3.76 mg/L, 3.45 mg/L, and 3.20 mg/L respectively. After the planarians were exposed to 0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L SDS solutions for 1, 3, and 5 days, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured to detect the oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in planarians. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed to detect the genotoxicity caused by SDS to planarians. The results showed that the activities of SOD, CAT, and MDA content increased after the treatment, indicating that SDS induced oxidative stress in planarians. RAPD analysis showed that the genomic template stability (GTS) values of planarians treated by 0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L SDS for 1, 3, and 5 days were 67.86%, 64.29%, 58.93%, and 64.29%, 60.71%, 48.21%, respectively. GTS values decreased with the increasing of SDS concentration and exposure time, indicating that SDS had genotoxicity to planarians in a time and dose-related manner. Fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to investigate the effects of SDS on gene expression of planarians. After the planarians were exposed to 1.0 mg/L SDS solution for 1, 3, and 5 days, the expression of was upregulated, and that of , , , , and were downregulated. These results suggested that SDS might induce apoptosis, affect cell proliferation, differentiation, and DNA repair ability of planarian cells and cause toxic effects on planarian .
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Planarians; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Superoxide Dismutase
PubMed: 37456884
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15660 -
PLoS Genetics Sep 2023Adult regeneration restores patterning of orthogonal body axes after damage in a post-embryonic context. Planarians regenerate using distinct body-wide signals primarily...
Adult regeneration restores patterning of orthogonal body axes after damage in a post-embryonic context. Planarians regenerate using distinct body-wide signals primarily regulating each axis dimension: anteroposterior Wnts, dorsoventral BMP, and mediolateral Wnt5 and Slit determinants. How regeneration can coordinate perpendicular tissue axes without symmetry-breaking embryonic events is not fully understood. Here, we report that the planarian dorsoventral regulator bmp4 suppresses the posterior determinant wnt1 to provide patterning input to the anteroposterior axis. Double-FISH identified distinct anteroposterior domains within dorsal midline muscle that express either bmp4 or wnt1. Homeostatic inhibition bmp4 and smad1 expanded the wnt1 expression anteriorly, while elevation of BMP signaling through nog1;nog2 RNAi reduced the wnt1 expression domain and elevated bmp4 expression. Homeostatic BMP signal perturbation broadly affected anteroposterior identity as measured by expression of posterior Wnt pathway factors, and caused mislocalization of AP-regionalized pharynx progenitors, without strongly affecting expression domains of anterior regulators. Additionally, wnt1 inhibition elevated bmp4 expression in the tip of the tail. Therefore, dorsal BMP signals and posterior wnt1 mutually antagonize for patterning the tail. Furthermore, homeostatic bmp4 RNAi caused medial expansion of the lateral determinant wnt5 and reduced expression of the medial regulator slit. By contrast, nog1;nog2 RNAi restricted wnt5 expression. Double RNAi of bmp4 and wnt5 resulted in lateral ectopic eye phenotypes, suggesting bmp4 acts upstream of wnt5 to pattern the mediolateral axis. These results indicate bmp4 controls dorsoventral information and also, through suppression of Wnt signals, influences anteroposterior and mediolateral identity. Based on related functions across vertebrates and Cnidarians, Wnt and BMP cross-regulation could form an ancient mechanism for coordinating orthogonal axis patterning.
Topics: Animals; Planarians; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Signal Transduction; Vertebrates; RNA Interference; Wnt Proteins; Body Patterning
PubMed: 37729232
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010608 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Dec 2023Pulmonary paragonimiasis, a food-borne zoonotic helminthiasis, is a parasitic disease of the lung caused by infection with trematodes species of the genus Paragonimus....
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary paragonimiasis, a food-borne zoonotic helminthiasis, is a parasitic disease of the lung caused by infection with trematodes species of the genus Paragonimus. Although pneumothorax has been reported as occuring with paragonimiasis, to date no study has been performed concerning the clinical features and predictive risk factors for this condition.
METHODS
This retrospective study, which aims to fill this gap, was conducted at Jeonbuk National University Hospital. All patients (aged ≥19 years) were diagnosed with paragonimiasis between May 2011 and December 2021. Medical records were reviewed and information concerning age, sex, vital signs, underlying diseases, clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, radiologic findings, treatment, and clinical outcomes was collected. An odds ratio (OR) for the risk factors associated with pneumothorax was calculated using the binary logistic regression model.
RESULTS
Among 179 consecutive patients diagnosed with pulmonary paragonimiasis, the postive rate of pneumothorax was 10.6% (19/179). Pneumothorax occurred mostly in the right lung (78.9%, 15/19), and intrapulmonary parenchymal lesions showed an ipsilateral relationship with pneumothorax (94.7%, 18/19). Fifteen patients (78.9%, 15/19) of pneumothorax associated with pulmonary paragonimiasis are accompanied by pleural effusion. Most of patients with pneumothorax (89.5%, 17/19) underwent chest tube insertion as a first treatment. Three patients (15.8%) showed relapses but in no case was a death recorded. Asthma (odds ratio [OR] 8.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-45.91), chest pain (OR 8.15, 95% CI 2.70-24.58), and intrapulmonary lesions (OR 8.94, 95% CI 1.12-71.36) were independent risk factors for pulmonary paragonimiasis-associated pneumothorax.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that clinicians should keep in mind the possibility of pneumothorax when approached by patients with pulmonary paragonimiasis complaining of chest pain, accompanied by intrapulmonary lesions or with asthma as an underlying disease.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Paragonimiasis; Pneumothorax; Retrospective Studies; Paragonimus; Risk Factors; Asthma; Chest Pain
PubMed: 38100524
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011828 -
BioMed Research International 2023Schistosomiasis is causing high morbidity and significant mortality in endemic areas. Kato-Katz stool examination and urine filtration techniques are the conventional... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Schistosomiasis is causing high morbidity and significant mortality in endemic areas. Kato-Katz stool examination and urine filtration techniques are the conventional methods for the detection of intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis. The most appropriate diagnostic tools for the detection of schistosomiasis especially in low-prevalence settings should be used. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the diagnostic accuracy of and diagnostic tools in sub-Saharan Africa.
METHODS
Electronic databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central/Medline, HINARI, Scopus, EMBASE, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library were reviewed. The pooled estimates and heterogeneity were determined using Midas in Stata 14.0. The diagnostic accuracy of index tests was compared using the hierarchical summary of the receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve in Stata 14.0.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies consisting of 12,370 individuals were tested to evaluate the accuracy of antigen, antibody, and molecular test methods for the detection of and . The pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity of CCA was 88% (95% CI: 83-92) and 72 (95% CI: 62-80), respectively, when it is compared with parasitological stool examination for detection. On the other hand, ELISA showed a pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity of 95% (95% CI: 93-96) and 35% (95% CI: 21-52), respectively, for the examination of using stool examination as a reference test. With regard to , the pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction was 97% (95% CI: 78-100) and 94% (95% CI: 74-99), respectively. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of urine CCA vary between 41-80% and 55-91%, respectively, compared to urine microscopy.
CONCLUSION
The effort of schistosomiasis elimination requires accurate case identification especially in low-intensity infections. This study showed that CCA had the highest sensitivity and moderate specificity for the diagnosis of . Similarly, the sensitivity of ELISA was excellent, but its specificity was low. The diagnostic accuracy of PCR for the detection of was excellent compared to urine microscopic examination.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Microscopy; Schistosoma mansoni; Urinalysis; Africa South of the Sahara; Diagnostic Tests, Routine
PubMed: 37621699
DOI: 10.1155/2023/3769931 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2023There is a lack of epidemiological data on fascioliasis in Egypt regarding disease characteristics and treatment outcomes across different governorates. We aimed to...
There is a lack of epidemiological data on fascioliasis in Egypt regarding disease characteristics and treatment outcomes across different governorates. We aimed to identify the demographic, epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with fascioliasis in Egypt. Data on human fascioliasis were collected retrospectively from patients' medical records in the period between January 2018 and January 2020. The study included 261 patients. More than 40% of enrolled patients were in the age group of 21-40 years old. Geographically, 247 (94.6%) were from Assiut Governorate with 69.3% were from rural areas. The most frequent symptoms were right upper quadrant pain (96.9%), and fever (80.1%). Eosinophilia was found in 250 cases (95.8%). Hepatic focal lesions were detected in 131 (50.2%); out of them 64/131 (48.9%) had a single lesion. All patients received a single dose of 10 mg/kg of triclabendazole, 79.7% responded well to a single dose, while in 20.3% a second ± a third dose of treatment was requested. After therapy, there was a reduction in leucocytes, Fasciola antibodies titer, eosinophilic count, bilirubin, and liver enzymes with an increase in hemoglobin level. According to our findings, a high index of suspicion should be raised in cases with fever, right upper abdominal pain, and peripheral eosinophilia, and further imaging workup is mandated to detect hepatic focal lesions. Prompt treatment by triclabendazole can serve as a standard-of-care regimen even for suspected cases.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Fascioliasis; Triclabendazole; Retrospective Studies; Egypt; Abdominal Pain; Eosinophilia; Fasciola hepatica
PubMed: 37758788
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42957-7 -
Parasites & Vectors Oct 2023Schistosoma infection is a significant public health issue, affecting over 200 million individuals and threatening 700 million people worldwide. The species prevalent in...
BACKGROUND
Schistosoma infection is a significant public health issue, affecting over 200 million individuals and threatening 700 million people worldwide. The species prevalent in China is Schistosoma japonicum. Recent studies showed that both gut microbiota and metabolome are closely related to schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum, but clinical study is limited and the underlying mechanism is largely unclear. This study aimed to explore alterations as well as function of gut microbiota and metabolite profile in the patients with S. japonicum infection.
METHODS
This study included 20 patients diagnosed with chronic schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum, eight patients with advanced schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum and 13 healthy volunteers. The fresh feces of these participators, clinical examination results and basic information were collected. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to investigate gut microbiota, while ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was applied to explore the metabolome of patients in different stages of schistosomiasis.
RESULTS
The study found that gut microbiota and metabolites were altered in patients with different stages of S. japonicum infection. Compared with healthy control group, the gut microbial diversity in patients with chronic S. japonicum infection was decreased significantly. However, the diversity of gut microbiota in patients with chronic schistosomiasis was similar to that in patients with advanced schistosomiasis. Compared with uninfected people, patients with schistosomiasis showed decreased Firmicutes and increased Proteobacteria. As disease progressed, Firmicutes was further reduced in patients with advanced S. japonicum infection, while Proteobacteria was further increased. In addition, the most altered metabolites in patients with S. japonicum infection were lipids and lipid-like molecules as well as organo-heterocyclic compounds, correlated with the clinical manifestations and disease progress of schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggested that the gut microbiota and metabolome altered in patients in different stages of schistosomiasis, which was correlated with progression of schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum. This inter-omics analysis may shed light on a better understanding of the mechanisms of the progression of S. japonicum infection and contribute to identifying new potential targets for the diagnosis and prognosis of S. japonicum infection. However, a large sample size of validation in clinic is needed, and further study is required to investigate the underlying mechanism.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Schistosomiasis japonica; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis; China
PubMed: 37798771
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05970-3 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Jun 2024Digenetic trematodes, including blood flukes, intestinal flukes, liver flukes, lung flukes, and pancreatic flukes, are highly diverse and distributed widely. They affect... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Digenetic trematodes, including blood flukes, intestinal flukes, liver flukes, lung flukes, and pancreatic flukes, are highly diverse and distributed widely. They affect at least 200 million people worldwide, so better understanding of their global distribution and prevalence are crucial for controlling and preventing human trematodiosis. Hence, this scoping review aims to conduct a comprehensive investigation on the spatio-temporal distribution and epidemiology of some important zoonotic digenetic trematodes.
METHODS
We conducted a scoping review by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases for articles, reviews, and case reports of zoonotic digenetic trematodes, without any restrictions on the year of publication. We followed the inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify relevant studies. And relevant information of the identified studies were collected and summarized.
RESULTS
We identified a total of 470 articles that met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review finally. Our analysis revealed the prevalence and global distribution of species in Schistosoma, Echinostoma, Isthmiophora, Echinochasmus, Paragonimus, Opisthorchiidae, Fasciolidae, Heterophyidae, and Eurytrema. Although some flukes are distributed worldwide, developing countries in Asia and Africa are still the most prevalent areas. Furthermore, there were some overlaps between the distribution of zoonotic digenetic trematodes from the same genus, and the prevalence of some zoonotic digenetic trematodes was not entirely consistent with their global distribution. The temporal disparities in zoonotic digenetic trematodes may attribute to the environmental changes. The gaps in our knowledge of the epidemiology and control of zoonotic digenetic trematodes indicate the need for large cohort studies in most countries.
CONCLUSIONS
This review provides important insights into the prevalence and global distribution of some zoonotic digenetic trematodes, firstly reveals spatio-temporal disparities in these digenetic trematodes. Countries with higher prevalence rate could be potential sources of transmitting diseases to other areas and are threat for possible outbreaks in the future. Therefore, continued global efforts to control and prevent human trematodiosis, and more international collaborations are necessary in the future.
Topics: Animals; Zoonoses; Trematode Infections; Humans; Trematoda; Prevalence; Global Health
PubMed: 38877531
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01208-1 -
Hepatocyte integrity depends on c-Jun-controlled proliferation in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice.Scientific Reports Nov 2023Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease affecting more than 250 million people worldwide. The transcription factor c-Jun, which is induced in S. mansoni...
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease affecting more than 250 million people worldwide. The transcription factor c-Jun, which is induced in S. mansoni infection-associated liver disease, can promote hepatocyte survival but can also trigger hepatocellular carcinogenesis. We aimed to analyze the hepatic role of c-Jun following S. mansoni infection. We adopted a hepatocyte-specific c-Jun knockout mouse model (Alb-Cre/c-Jun loxP) and analyzed liver tissue and serum samples by quantitative real-time PCR array, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, hydroxyproline quantification, and functional analyses. Hepatocyte-specific c-Jun knockout (c-Jun) was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Infection with S. mansoni induced elevated aminotransferase-serum levels in c-Jun mice. Of note, hepatic Cyclin D1 expression was induced in infected c-Jun control mice but to a lower extent in c-Jun mice. S. mansoni soluble egg antigen-induced proliferation in a human hepatoma cell line was diminished by inhibition of c-Jun signaling. Markers for apoptosis, oxidative stress, ER stress, inflammation, autophagy, DNA-damage, and fibrosis were not altered in S. mansoni infected c-Jun mice compared to infected c-Jun controls. Enhanced liver damage in c-Jun mice suggested a protective role of c-Jun. A reduced Cyclin D1 expression and reduced hepatic regeneration could be the reason. In addition, it seems likely that the trends in pathological changes in c-Jun mice cumulatively led to a loss of the protective potential being responsible for the increased hepatocyte damage and loss of regenerative ability.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Schistosoma mansoni; Cyclin D1; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Liver; Hepatocytes; Cell Proliferation
PubMed: 37990129
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47646-z -
Malaria Journal Sep 2023Malaria and schistosomiasis persist as major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. These infections have independently and also in polyparasitic infection been...
BACKGROUND
Malaria and schistosomiasis persist as major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. These infections have independently and also in polyparasitic infection been implicated in anaemia and nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed at assessing asymptomatic malaria, intestinal Schistosoma infections and the risk of anaemia among school children in the Tono irrigation area in the Kassena Nankana East Municipal (KNEM) in the Upper East Region of Northern Ghana.
METHODS
A cross sectional survey of 326 school children was conducted in the KNEM. Kato Katz technique was used to detect Schistosoma eggs in stool. Finger-prick capillary blood sample was used for the estimation of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and blood smear for malaria parasite detection by microscopy.
RESULTS
The average age and Hb concentration were 10.9 years (standard deviation, SD: ± 2.29) and 11.2 g/dl (SD: ± 1.39) respectively with 58.9% (n = 192) being females. The overall prevalence of infection with any of the parasites (single or coinfection) was 49.4% (n = 161, 95% confidence interval, CI [44.0-54.8]). The prevalence of malaria parasite species or Schistosoma mansoni was 32.0% (n = 104) and 25.2% (n = 82), respectively with 7.7% (n = 25) coinfection. The prevalence of anaemia in the cohort was 40.5% (95%CI [35.3-45.9]), of which 44.4% harboured at least one of the parasites. The prevalence of anaemia in malaria parasite spp or S. mansoni mono-infections was 41.8% and 38.6%, respectively and 64.0% in coinfections. There was no statistically significant difference in the odds of being anaemic in mono-infection with malaria (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.71-2.11, p = 0.47) or S. mansoni (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.58-1.99, p = 0.83) compared to those with no infection. However, the odds of being anaemic and coinfected with malaria parasite species and S. mansoni was 3.03 times higher compared to those with no infection (OR = 3.03, 95% CI 1.26-7.28, p = 0.013). Conclusion The data show a high burden of malaria, S. mansoni infection and anaemia among school children in the irrigation communities. The risk of anaemia was exacerbated by coinfections with malaria parasite(s) and S. mansoni. Targeted integrated interventions are recommended in this focal area of KNEM.
Topics: Child; Female; Animals; Humans; Male; Schistosoma mansoni; Coinfection; Plasmodium falciparum; Cross-Sectional Studies; Anemia
PubMed: 37710279
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04709-w