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Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi May 2022Cancer is a life-threatening disease that occurs as a result of the uncontrolled proliferation of cells in any organ or tissue of the body. Parasites are dangerous...
Cancer is a life-threatening disease that occurs as a result of the uncontrolled proliferation of cells in any organ or tissue of the body. Parasites are dangerous organisms that can cause death in some cases. Parasite and cancer cells are similar in their capacity to survive and proliferate independently of exogenous growth factors, to be resistant to apoptosis, and to evade host immune mechanisms. Therefore, it is difficult for the body to completely get rid of cancer cells and parasitic agents. studies or experimental animal studies examining the parasite-cancer relationship have shown that besides parasites that can cause cancer directly, there are also parasites that can indirectly stimulate cancer development through various mechanisms. On the other hand, it is known that the immune response against some parasites can show antitumoral activity in the body. Parasitic agents can have both tumoral and antitumoral effects through regulation of immune response, prevention of metastasis and angiogenesis, inhibition of proliferative signals, and regulation of inflammatory responses that induce cancer development.
Topics: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions; Neoplasms; Parasites
PubMed: 35604195
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.30974 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Dec 2019Parasitic infections are responsible for a significant burden of disease worldwide as a result of international travel and immigration. More accurate diagnostic tools... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Parasitic infections are responsible for a significant burden of disease worldwide as a result of international travel and immigration. More accurate diagnostic tools are necessary in support to parasite control and elimination programmes in endemic regions as well as for rapid case detection in non-endemic areas. Digital PCR (dPCR) is a powerful technology with recent applications in parasitology.
AIMS
This review provides for the first time an overview of dPCR as a novel technology applied to detection of parasitic infections, and highlights the most relevant potential benefits of this assay.
SOURCES
Peer-reviewed literature pertinent to this review based on PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases as well as laboratory experience of authors.
CONTENT
Among the 86 studies retrieved, 17 used the dPCR applied to parasites belonging to protozoa (8), helminths (8) and arthropods (1) of clinical human interest. dPCR was adopted in four studies, respectively, for Plasmodium and Schistosoma japonicum. dPCR led to clear advantages over quantitative real-time PCR in P. falciparum and spp., and in S. japonicum showing higher sensitivity; and in Cryptosporidium with higher stability to inhibitors from stool. For all parasites, dPCR allows absolute quantitation without the need of a standard curve. Various dPCR platforms were used. A few critical factors need consideration: DNA load, choice of platform and reaction optimization.
IMPLICATIONS
Owing to its sensitivity and quantitative characteristics, dPCR is a potential candidate to become an appealing new method among the molecular technologies for parasite detection and quantitative analysis in the future. In general, it has more applications than genomic DNA detection only, such as quantitation in mixed infections, gene expression and mutation analysis. dPCR should be considered in malaria screening and diagnosis as a complement to routine assays and in schistosomiasis elimination programmes. Standardized strategies and further studies are needed for the integration of dPCR in routine clinical laboratory.
Topics: Animals; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Mass Screening; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Parasitology; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 31226445
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.06.009 -
Parasites & Vectors Jul 2020Diarrheal diseases caused by intestinal protozoan parasites are a major food-borne public health problem across the world. Vegetables and fruits provide important... (Review)
Review
Diarrheal diseases caused by intestinal protozoan parasites are a major food-borne public health problem across the world. Vegetables and fruits provide important nutrients and minerals, but are also common sources of some food-borne human pathogenic microorganisms. The contamination of raw vegetables and fruits with human pathogenic parasites are now a global public health threat, despite the health benefits of these foods in non-pharmacological prophylaxes against diseases. A large number of reports have documented the contamination of vegetables or fruits with human pathogenic microorganisms. In this paper, we reviewed the contamination and detection methods of human pathogenic intestinal protozoans that are frequently recovered from raw vegetables and fruits. The protozoan parasites include Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Entamoeba spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Balantioides coli, Blastocystis sp., Cystoisospora belli and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. The risk factors involved in the contamination of vegetables and fruits with parasites are also assessed.
Topics: Animals; Blastocystis; Cryptosporidium; Cyclospora; Entamoeba; Enterocytozoon; Food Parasitology; Fruit; Giardia lamblia; Global Health; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Parasites; Risk Factors; Toxoplasma; Vegetables
PubMed: 32727529
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04255-3 -
Parasite Immunology Mar 2022The special edition of Parasite Immunology 'Parasites-The importance of time' embraces the intersection between three established research disciplines-parasitology,... (Review)
Review
The special edition of Parasite Immunology 'Parasites-The importance of time' embraces the intersection between three established research disciplines-parasitology, immunology, and circadian biology. Each of these research areas has a longstanding history littered with landmark discoveries with the intersect between the three bringing exciting findings and new questions and perhaps even a greater sense of awe in terms of how parasites have evolved to interact and live with their hosts.
Topics: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions; Parasites
PubMed: 35092020
DOI: 10.1111/pim.12906 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Nov 2023Gastropoda, the largest class within the phylum Mollusca, houses diverse gut microbiota, and some gastropods serve as intermediate hosts for parasites. Studies have... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gastropoda, the largest class within the phylum Mollusca, houses diverse gut microbiota, and some gastropods serve as intermediate hosts for parasites. Studies have revealed that gut bacteria in gastropods are associated with various biological aspects, such as growth, immunity and host-parasite interactions. Here, we summarize our current knowledge of gastropod gut microbiomes and highlight future research priorities and perspectives.
METHODS
A literature search was undertaken using PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI for the articles on the gut microbiota of gastropods until December 31, 2022. We retrieved a total of 166 articles and identified 73 eligible articles for inclusion in this review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Our analysis encompassed freshwater, seawater and land snails, with a specific focus on parasite-transmitting gastropods. We found that most studies on gastropod gut microbiota have primarily utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze microbial composition, rather than employing metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, or metabolomic approaches. This comprehensive review provided an overview of the parasites carried by snail species in the context of gut microbiota studies. We presented the gut microbial trends, a comprehensive summary of the diversity and composition, influencing factors, and potential functions of gastropod gut microbiota. Additionally, we discussed the potential applications, research gaps and future perspectives of gut microbiomes in parasite-transmitting gastropods. Furthermore, several strategies for enhancing our comprehension of gut microbiomes in snails were also discussed.
CONCLUSIONS
This review comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge on the composition, potential function, influencing factors, potential applications, limitations, and challenges of gut microbiomes in gastropods, with a specific emphasis on parasite-transmitting gastropods. These findings provide important insights for future studies aiming to understand the potential role of gastropod gut microbiota in controlling snail populations and snail-borne diseases.
Topics: Animals; Parasites; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Snails; Host-Parasite Interactions
PubMed: 38001502
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01159-z -
Cells Nov 2021Trogocytosis is a mode of internalization of a part of a live cell by nibbling and is mechanistically distinct from phagocytosis, which implies internalization of a... (Review)
Review
Trogocytosis is a mode of internalization of a part of a live cell by nibbling and is mechanistically distinct from phagocytosis, which implies internalization of a whole cell or a particle. Trogocytosis has been demonstrated in a broad range of cell types in multicellular organisms and is also known to be involved in a plethora of functions. In immune cells, trogocytosis is involved in the "cross-dressing" between antigen presenting cells and T cells, and is thus considered to mediate intercellular communication. On the other hand, trogocytosis has also been reported in a variety of unicellular organisms including the protistan (protozoan) parasite . ingests human T cell line by trogocytosis and acquires complement resistance and cross-dresses major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I on the cell surface. Furthermore, trogocytosis and trogocytosis-like phenomena (nibbling of a live cell, not previously described as trogocytosis) have also been reported in other parasitic protists such as , , , and free-living amoebae. Thus, trogocytosis is conserved in diverse eukaryotic supergroups as a means of intercellular communication. It is depicting the universality of trogocytosis among eukaryotes. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of trogocytosis in unicellular organisms, including the history of its discovery, taxonomical distribution, roles, and molecular mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Entamoeba histolytica; Eukaryota; Models, Biological; Parasites; Phagosomes; Trogocytosis
PubMed: 34831198
DOI: 10.3390/cells10112975 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Jun 2020MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as epigenetic regulators, are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression in eukaryotes at the post-transcriptional level to control biological... (Review)
Review
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as epigenetic regulators, are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression in eukaryotes at the post-transcriptional level to control biological functions. MicroRNAs play a role in development, physiology, infection, immunity and the complex life cycles of parasites. Also, parasite infection can alter host miRNA expression that might result in either parasite clearance or infection. Over the past 20 years, thousands of miRNAs have been identified in the nematode and other parasites. Thus, miRNA pathways are potential targets for the diagnostic and therapeutic control of parasitic diseases. Here, we review the current status and potential functions of miRNAs related to protozoans, helminths, and arthropods.
Topics: Animals; Arthropods; Caenorhabditis elegans; Helminths; Humans; MicroRNAs; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; RNA, Protozoan
PubMed: 32482043
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2020.6776 -
Trends in Parasitology May 2021Protozoan parasites acquire essential ions, nutrients, and other solutes from their insect and vertebrate hosts by transmembrane uptake. For intracellular stages, these... (Review)
Review
Protozoan parasites acquire essential ions, nutrients, and other solutes from their insect and vertebrate hosts by transmembrane uptake. For intracellular stages, these solutes must cross additional membranous barriers. At each step, ion channels and transporters mediate not only this uptake but also the removal of waste products. These transport proteins are best isolated and studied with patch-clamp, but these methods remain accessible to only a few parasitologists due to specialized instrumentation and the required training in both theory and practice. Here, we provide an overview of patch-clamp, describing the advantages and limitations of the technology and highlighting issues that may lead to incorrect conclusions. We aim to help non-experts understand and critically assess patch-clamp data in basic research studies.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Cell Membrane; Eukaryota; Parasites; Parasitology; Patch-Clamp Techniques
PubMed: 33640269
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.02.002 -
Trends in Parasitology Sep 2021Despite considerable genetic variation within hosts, most parasite genome sequencing studies focus on bulk samples composed of millions of cells. Analysis of bulk... (Review)
Review
Despite considerable genetic variation within hosts, most parasite genome sequencing studies focus on bulk samples composed of millions of cells. Analysis of bulk samples is biased toward the dominant genotype, concealing cell-to-cell variation and rare variants. To tackle this, single-cell sequencing approaches have been developed and tailored to specific host-parasite systems. These are allowing the genetic diversity and kinship in complex parasite populations to be deciphered and for de novo genetic variation to be captured. Here, we outline the methodologies being used for single-cell sequencing of parasitic protozoans, such as Plasmodium and Leishmania spp., and how these tools are being applied to understand parasite biology.
Topics: Eukaryota; Genetic Variation; Genome, Protozoan; Parasitology; Single-Cell Analysis
PubMed: 34172399
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.05.013 -
Open Biology Jun 2022MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs present in a wide diversity of organisms. MiRNAs regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level through... (Review)
Review
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs present in a wide diversity of organisms. MiRNAs regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level through their interaction with the 3' untranslated regions of target mRNAs, inducing translational inhibition or mRNA destabilization and degradation. Thus, miRNAs regulate key biological processes, such as cell death, signal transduction, development, cellular proliferation and differentiation. The dysregulation of miRNAs biogenesis and function is related to the pathogenesis of diseases, including parasite infection. Moreover, during host-parasite interactions, parasites and host miRNAs determine the probability of infection and progression of the disease. The present review is focused on the possible role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of diseases of clinical interest caused by parasitic protists. In addition, the potential role of miRNAs as targets for the design of drugs and diagnostic and prognostic markers of parasitic diseases is also discussed.
Topics: 3' Untranslated Regions; Animals; Gene Expression Regulation; Host-Parasite Interactions; MicroRNAs; Parasites
PubMed: 35702995
DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210395