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Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases Oct 2021There is unprecedented movement of people across international borders and parasitic infections, previously restricted to endemic regions, are now encountered in... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
There is unprecedented movement of people across international borders and parasitic infections, previously restricted to endemic regions, are now encountered in nonendemic areas of the world.
RECENT FINDINGS
Migrants may import parasitic infections acquired in their countries of origin. Increasingly, clinicians in nonendemic regions are faced with patients with neglected diseases such as Chagas disease, malaria and strongyloidiasis. There are gaps in knowledge among physicians in nonendemic regions, which lead to missed opportunities for preventive strategies and early treatment. Both primary care and infectious disease physicians should have a broad knowledge of common parasitic infections to improve health outcomes and decrease healthcare disparities through early identification and treatment of disease encountered in migrants.
SUMMARY
Migrant health is still a young field in medicine; clinicians should be aware of diseases seen in migrants, and access both educational and clinical resources, including experts in tropical medicine, in order to reduce health disparities among migrants. Collaboration between primary care and infectious disease/tropical medicine experts should be strengthened.
Topics: Chagas Disease; Humans; Neglected Diseases; Parasitic Diseases; Transients and Migrants; Tropical Medicine
PubMed: 34267044
DOI: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000773 -
Gastroenterology Clinics of North... Jun 2021Parasites have coevolved with humans. Several of them colonize the human body and establish a symbiotic relationship. Other parasites cause severe and lethal diseases.... (Review)
Review
Parasites have coevolved with humans. Several of them colonize the human body and establish a symbiotic relationship. Other parasites cause severe and lethal diseases. Prevalence of parasitic infections is decreased in highly industrialized countries, largely due to enforced hygienic practices. In contrast, parasites cause significant morbidity and mortality in parts of the world with barriers to effective public hygiene. Some parasites have emerged as potent pathogens in specific patient populations, such as immune suppressed individuals, regardless of sanitation. This article reviews common parasites encountered in clinical practice and, in the setting of host-parasite symbiosis, discusses their immune regulatory role.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hygiene; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Liver; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Prevalence
PubMed: 34024446
DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.011 -
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology Aug 2020Histone modifying enzymes have vital roles in the growth and survival of both parasites and humans. Targeting the epigenome can be a new strategy for the treatment of... (Review)
Review
Histone modifying enzymes have vital roles in the growth and survival of both parasites and humans. Targeting the epigenome can be a new strategy for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Compounds modulating histone acetylation/deacetylation have recently been reported hampering Plasmodium, Schistosoma, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma infections. Beside new histone deacetylase inhibitors, PfGCN5 and bromodomain inhibitors have been recently described to inhibit Plasmodium proliferation. Sm histone deacetylase 8 and SmSIRT2, as well as Leishmania and Trypanosoma sirtuins (SIR2rps), seem to be the most reliable targets to effectively fight the related protozoan infections. The selectivity toward parasite over mammalian cells is still an open question, and significant optimization efforts of epidrugs are still required to improve potency/selectivity and decrease toxicity. Recent reports on the alteration of cellular signaling pathways provoked by parasite infection through changes in the host acetylation/deacetylation status at gene promoters may suggest novel therapeutic strategies to treat these diseases.
Topics: Acetylation; Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Drug Discovery; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Histones; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 32615359
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.05.008 -
International Journal of Dermatology Mar 2023The clinical manifestations of parasitic diseases are well-covered in the infectious disease literature; however, cutaneous manifestations often receive limited... (Review)
Review
The clinical manifestations of parasitic diseases are well-covered in the infectious disease literature; however, cutaneous manifestations often receive limited attention. There is a need to update existing knowledge and improve reporting of disease characteristics. Given continued increases in travel and transportation, more individuals are acquiring cutaneous infections while traveling abroad. Schistosomiasis is the second most important tropical disease among returning travelers and affects more than 200 million individuals worldwide. The literature classically describes three forms of skin disease in those infected with Schistosoma: the immediate pruritic eruption of cercarial dermatitis, the urticarial response of Katayama syndrome, and the granulomatous lesions of late cutaneous schistosomiasis. Over the last two decades, more atypical presentations have been described. Travelers returning from Africa, South America, and Asia are at highest risk given these are the continents in which the parasite is endemic. This review highlights the cutaneous manifestations of schistosomiasis, with a focus on international travelers with atypical presentations. Additionally, genital schistosomiasis will be reviewed given its significant morbidity. The aim of this review is to update the current body of literature. Dermatologists and other physicians evaluating the skin should be aware of the following principles regarding schistosomal infections: (i) the importance of an early skin biopsy in making the diagnosis; (ii) the necessity of adding schistosomiasis to the differential diagnosis for zosteriform lesions; (iii) the resemblance of chronic cutaneous schistosomiasis of the genitals to sexually transmitted infections; and (iv) the need to revise definitions for early and late infection, specifically for cutaneous disease.
Topics: Humans; Schistosomiasis; Africa; Dermatitis; Skin Diseases; Skin; Skin Diseases, Parasitic; Travel
PubMed: 36096120
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16389 -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Oct 2022Human demodex mites are parasites that live in the pilosebaceous unit and can result in the disease demodicosis. While demodicosis may occur as a primary skin disease;...
BACKGROUND
Human demodex mites are parasites that live in the pilosebaceous unit and can result in the disease demodicosis. While demodicosis may occur as a primary skin disease; immunosuppression, and topical or systemic immunosuppressive treatments can cause secondary demodicosis. It is known that thyroid hormones may cause skin changes, such as xerosis, and thereby may also modulate immune responses in the skin.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not that the changes occurring in the skin of patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) predispose to demodex infestation.
METHODS
Seventy-eight patients being followed for a diagnosis of HT at Kocaeli University Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic, between January 2019 and March 2020, constituted the patient group. The control group consisted of 41 patients who did not have any chronic systemic or dermatological disease and were shown to have no thyroid disease by laboratory tests. Demodex intensity in the malar regions of the patient and control groups was determined using the standardized skin surface biopsy (SSSB) method and compared with each other.
RESULTS
HT patients were significantly more likely to have increased demodex density and suggestive SSSB results than the controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, respectively). A significant correlation was found between demodex intensity and the findings of xerosis (p = 0.010, p = 0.011) and spiny follicular papules (p = 0.008, p = 0.008) in the patient or control groups, respectively. However, a significant correlation was identified between the demodex density and the symptoms of burning-stinging (p = 0.028), and feelings of dryness (p = 0.018) roughness (p = 0.028) only in the control group.
CONCLUSION
Xerotic skin and/or impaired immune responses as a result of autoimmune changes in patients with HT may lead to secondary demodicosis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mite Infestations; Mites; Skin; Biopsy; Thyroiditis
PubMed: 35486704
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15005 -
Khirurgiia 2022Echinococcosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases. Most often, echinococcosis affects the liver and lungs. Difficult diagnosis of hydatid disease is determined...
Echinococcosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases. Most often, echinococcosis affects the liver and lungs. Difficult diagnosis of hydatid disease is determined by scanty symptoms. Additional difficulties arise in echinococcosis of rare localizations. Cardiac echinococcosis occurs in less than 2% of cases. However, incidence of complications and mortality are much higher in these patients. The authors report successful surgical treatment of cardiac hydatid cyst..
Topics: Echinococcosis; Heart Diseases; Humans; Liver; Lung
PubMed: 35477209
DOI: 10.17116/hirurgia2022041101 -
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases... Jan 2020This article describes the situation analysis of endemic and emerging zoonoses, and includes prevention and control of zoonoses in Oman. It also suggests possible... (Review)
Review
This article describes the situation analysis of endemic and emerging zoonoses, and includes prevention and control of zoonoses in Oman. It also suggests possible recommendations toward elimination and risk reduction of emerging zoonoses. Epidemiologic information has been drawn from official to assess the situation. There has been significant progress in reducing the risk of brucellosis, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Rabies, West Nile fever, Q fever, and cystic hydatid disease have been confined to wildlife or livestock. There is an increasing threat of emerging and re-emerging zoonoses in Oman due to globalization of travel and trade, development activities, and impact of climate change and vector bionomics. Prevention, control, and subsequent elimination of zoonoses on a sustainable basis shall not be possible without intersectoral collaboration between the human and animal health sectors. There are challenges for establishing such strong collaboration and coordination mechanisms in Oman. Institutional and cultural barriers, data and resource sharing, and national capability for rapid and effective investigation of zoonotic infections and emerging zoonoses in humans and animal reservoirs are among others. In the light of achievements made on the prevention and control of zoonoses in Oman during the past decades, priority zoonoses should be identified for elimination, and continuous efforts should be made to further strengthen a holistic multidisciplinary and multisectorial approach for controlling zoonoses at source. Pivotal interventions would include urgent adoption of "One Health" strategic approach as well as establishment of a robust, integrated surveillance system with a strong laboratory investigation capacity to eliminate priority zoonoses and minimize the risk of entry, establishment, and spread of emerging zoonoses in Oman.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Humans; Oman; Parasitic Diseases; Virus Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31486732
DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2458 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Helminths, including nematodes, cestodes and trematodes, are complex parasitic organisms that infect at least one billion people globally living in extreme poverty.... (Review)
Review
Helminths, including nematodes, cestodes and trematodes, are complex parasitic organisms that infect at least one billion people globally living in extreme poverty. Helminthic infections are associated with severe morbidity particularly in young children who often harbor the highest burden of disease. While each helminth species completes a distinct life cycle within the host, several helminths incite significant lung disease. This impact on the lungs occurs either directly from larval migration and host immune activation or indirectly from a systemic inflammatory immune response. The impact of helminths on the pulmonary immune response involves a sophisticated orchestration and activation of the host innate and adaptive immune cells. The consequences of activating pulmonary host immune responses are variable with several helminthic infections leading to severe, pulmonary compromise while others providing immune tolerance and protection against the development of pulmonary diseases. Further delineation of the convoluted interface between helminth infection and the pulmonary host immune responses is critical to the development of novel therapeutics that are critically needed to prevent the significant global morbidity caused by these parasites.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Animals; Biomarkers; Disease Susceptibility; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Immunity; Immunity, Innate; Immunomodulation; Life Cycle Stages; Lung Diseases, Parasitic; Organ Specificity
PubMed: 33193446
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594520 -
Tropical Doctor Oct 2021Leishmaniasis, an endemic disease in several parts of India, is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa and transmitted by the sandfly. Although cutaneous and visceral...
Leishmaniasis, an endemic disease in several parts of India, is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa and transmitted by the sandfly. Although cutaneous and visceral varieties are common, isolated lymph nodal involvement is extremely rare, and the diagnosis is often delayed owing to its uncommon presentation and lack of awareness of this possibility. We present a 72-year-old woman with asymptomatic right facial lymphadenopathy which on biopsy revealed leishmaniasis and responded well to drug therapy.
Topics: Aged; Endemic Diseases; Female; Humans; India; Leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Lymph Nodes; Lymphadenopathy
PubMed: 34080445
DOI: 10.1177/00494755211022502 -
Archives of Toxicology Jul 2021Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that affects about a quarter of the world population. MAFLD encompasses different disease... (Review)
Review
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that affects about a quarter of the world population. MAFLD encompasses different disease stadia ranging from isolated liver steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although MAFLD is considered as the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, multiple concomitant disease-potentiating factors can accelerate disease progression. Among these risk factors are diet, lifestyle, genetic traits, intake of steatogenic drugs, male gender and particular infections. Although infections often outweigh the development of fatty liver disease, pre-existing MAFLD could be triggered to progress towards more severe disease stadia. These combined disease cases might be underreported because of the high prevalence of both MAFLD and infectious diseases that can promote or exacerbate fatty liver disease development. In this review, we portray the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the most relevant viral, bacterial and parasitic infections influence the progression of fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis. We focus in particular on how infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease-19, hepatitis C, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, peptic ulcer and periodontitis, exacerbate MAFLD. We specifically underscore the synergistic effects of these infections with other MAFLD-promoting factors.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Bacterial Infections; COVID-19; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Humans; Liver; Metabolic Syndrome; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Parasitic Diseases; Peptic Ulcer; Periodontitis; Risk Factors; Symptom Flare Up; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 34027561
DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03069-1