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Frontiers in Immunology 2021Neuroinflammation is one of the most frequently studied topics of neurosciences as it is a common feature in almost all neurological disorders. Although the primary... (Review)
Review
Neuroinflammation is one of the most frequently studied topics of neurosciences as it is a common feature in almost all neurological disorders. Although the primary function of neuroinflammation is to protect the nervous system from an insult, the complex and sequential response of activated glial cells can lead to neurological damage. Depending on the type of insults and the time post-insult, the inflammatory response can be neuroprotective, neurotoxic, or, depending on the glial cell types, both. There are multiple pathways activated and many bioactive intermediates are released during neuroinflammation. One of the most common one is the kynurenine pathway, catabolizing tryptophan, which is involved in immune regulation, neuroprotection, and neurotoxicity. Different models have been used to study the kynurenine pathway metabolites to understand their involvements in the development and maintenance of the inflammatory processes triggered by infections. Among them, the parasitic infection could be used as a relevant model to study the role of the kynurenine pathway in the neuroinflammatory response and the subset of cells involved.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Inflammation; Kynurenine; Neospora; Nervous System Diseases; Parasitic Diseases; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35154065
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.714248 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Mar 2023Despite intensive long-term efforts, with very few exceptions, the development of effective vaccines against parasitic infections has presented considerable challenges,... (Review)
Review
Despite intensive long-term efforts, with very few exceptions, the development of effective vaccines against parasitic infections has presented considerable challenges, given the complexity of parasite life cycles, the interplay between parasites and their hosts, and their capacity to escape the host immune system and to regulate host immune responses. For many parasitic diseases, conventional vaccine platforms have generally proven ill suited, considering the complex manufacturing processes involved and the costs they incur, the inability to posttranslationally modify cloned target antigens, and the absence of long-lasting protective immunity induced by these antigens. An effective antiparasite vaccine platform is required to assess the effectiveness of novel vaccine candidates at high throughput. By exploiting the approach that has recently been used successfully to produce highly protective COVID mRNA vaccines, we anticipate a new wave of research to advance the use of mRNA vaccines to prevent parasitic infections in the near future. This article considers the characteristics that are required to develop a potent antiparasite vaccine and provides a conceptual foundation to promote the development of parasite mRNA-based vaccines. We review the recent advances and challenges encountered in developing antiparasite vaccines and evaluate the potential of developing mRNA vaccines against parasites, including those causing diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis, against which vaccines are currently suboptimal or not yet available.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Parasitic Diseases; Malaria
PubMed: 36625671
DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00241-21 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023
Topics: Animals; Humans; Systems Biology; Parasitic Diseases; Parasites
PubMed: 37124048
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1192732 -
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 -
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease Feb 2020To strengthen the burden estimates for chronic sequelae of foodborne illness, we conducted a scoping review of the current literature for common foodborne pathogens and... (Review)
Review
To strengthen the burden estimates for chronic sequelae of foodborne illness, we conducted a scoping review of the current literature for common foodborne pathogens and their associated sequelae. We aim to describe the current literature and gaps in knowledge of chronic sequelae associated with common foodborne illnesses. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles published January 1, 2000 to April 1, 2018. Articles available in English, of any epidemiological study design, for 10 common foodborne pathogens (, , , , , , , , , and norovirus) and their associated gastrointestinal (GI)- and joint-related sequelae were included. Of the 6348 titles screened for inclusion, 380 articles underwent full-text review; of those 380, 129 were included for data extraction. Of the bacterial pathogens included in the search terms, the most commonly reported were ( = 104) and ( = 99); ( = 55), ( = 49), ( = 49), and ( = 15) all had fewer results. Norovirus was the only virus included in our search, with 28 article that reported mostly GI-related sequelae and reactive arthritis (ReA) reported once. For parasitic diseases, ( = 26) and ( = 18) had the most articles, and no results were found for . The most commonly reported GI outcomes were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS; = 119) and inflammatory bowel disease ( = 29), and ReA ( = 122) or "joint pain" ( = 19) for joint-related sequelae. and were most often associated with a variety of outcomes, with ReA ( = 34 and = 27) and IBS ( = 17 and = 20) reported most often. This scoping review shows there are still a relatively small number of studies being conducted to understand specific pathogen/outcome relationships. It also shows where important gaps in the impact of chronic sequelae from common foodborne illnesses still exist and where more focused research would best be implemented.
Topics: Bacterial Infections; Chronic Disease; Food Microbiology; Food Parasitology; Foodborne Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Joint Diseases; Parasitic Diseases; Prohibitins; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 31589475
DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2019.2692 -
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Dec 2023Parasitic diseases still pose a serious threat to human and animal health, particularly for millions of people and their livelihoods in low-income countries. Therefore,... (Review)
Review
Parasitic diseases still pose a serious threat to human and animal health, particularly for millions of people and their livelihoods in low-income countries. Therefore, research into the development of effective antiparasitic drugs remains a priority. Ivermectin, a sixteen-membered macrocyclic lactone, exhibits a broad spectrum of antiparasitic activities, which, combined with its low toxicity, has allowed the drug to be widely used in the treatment of parasitic diseases affecting humans and animals. In addition to its licensed use against river blindness and strongyloidiasis in humans, and against roundworm and arthropod infestations in animals, ivermectin is also used "off-label" to treat many other worm-related parasitic diseases, particularly in domestic animals. In addition, several experimental studies indicate that ivermectin displays also potent activity against viruses, bacteria, protozoans, trematodes, and insects. This review article summarizes the last 40 years of research on the antiparasitic effects of ivermectin, and the use of the drug in the treatment of parasitic diseases in humans and animals.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Antiparasitic Agents; Ivermectin; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 37793327
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115838 -
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 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Jun 2024Human parasitic infections caused by Adenophorean nematodes encompass a range of diseases, including dioctophymiasis, trichuriasis, capillariasis, trichinellosis, and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Human parasitic infections caused by Adenophorean nematodes encompass a range of diseases, including dioctophymiasis, trichuriasis, capillariasis, trichinellosis, and myositis. These infection can result in adverse impacts on human health and cause societal and economic concerns in tropical and subtropical regions.
METHODS
This review conducted searches in PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar for relevant studies that published in established databases up to April 26, 2024. Studies that focused on the common morphology, life cycle, disease distribution, clinical manifestations, and prevention and control strategies for Adenophorean parasitic diseases in humans were included.
RESULTS
Adenophorean nematodes exhibit shared morphological characteristics with a four-layered cuticle; uninucleate epidermal cells; pseudocoelom with six or more coelomocytes; generally three caudal glands; five esophageal glands; two testes in males with median-ventral supplementary glands in a single row; tail in males rarely possessing caudal alae; amphids always postlabial; presence of cephalic sensory organs; absence of phasmids; and a secretory-excretory system consisting of a single ventral gland cell, usually with a non-cuticularized terminal duct. Humans play two important roles in the life cycle of the nematode class, Adenophorea: 1) as a definitive host infected by ingesting undercooked paratenic hosts, embryonated eggs, infective larvae in fish tissue and meat contaminated with encysted or non-encysted larvae, and 2) as an accidental host infected by ingesting parasitic eggs in undercooked meat. Many organs are targeted by the Adenophorean nematode in humans such as the intestines, lungs, liver, kidneys, lymphatic circulation and blood vessels, resulting in gastrointestinal problems, excessive immunological responses, cell disruption, and even death. Most of these infections have significant incidence rates in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America; however, some parasitic diseases have restricted dissemination in outbreaks. To prevent these diseases, interventions together with education, sanitation, hygiene and animal control measures have been introduced in order to reduce and control parasite populations.
CONCLUSIONS
The common morphology, life cycle, global epidemiology and pathology of human Adenophorean nematode-borne parasitic diseases were highlighted, as well as their prevention and control. The findings of this review will contribute to improvement of monitoring and predicting human-parasitic infections, understanding the relationship between animals, humans and parasites, and preventing and controlling parasitic diseases.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Global Health; Life Cycle Stages; Nematoda; Nematode Infections
PubMed: 38902844
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01216-1 -
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 -
Biomolecules Mar 2023Trypanosomiases are a group of tropical diseases that have devastating health and socio-economic effects worldwide. In humans, these diseases are caused by the... (Review)
Review
Trypanosomiases are a group of tropical diseases that have devastating health and socio-economic effects worldwide. In humans, these diseases are caused by the pathogenic kinetoplastids , causing African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, and , causing American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease. Currently, these diseases lack effective treatment. This is attributed to the high toxicity and limited trypanocidal activity of registered drugs, as well as resistance development and difficulties in their administration. All this has prompted the search for new compounds that can serve as the basis for the development of treatment of these diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides synthesized by both prokaryotes and (unicellular and multicellular) eukaryotes, where they fulfill functions related to competition strategy with other organisms and immune defense. These AMPs can bind and induce perturbation in cell membranes, leading to permeation of molecules, alteration of morphology, disruption of cellular homeostasis, and activation of cell death. These peptides have activity against various pathogenic microorganisms, including parasitic protists. Therefore, they are being considered for new therapeutic strategies to treat some parasitic diseases. In this review, we analyze AMPs as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of trypanosomiases, emphasizing their possible application as possible candidates for the development of future natural anti-trypanosome drugs.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Trypanocidal Agents; Antimicrobial Peptides; Trypanosomiasis; Trypanosomiasis, African; Chagas Disease; Peptides
PubMed: 37189347
DOI: 10.3390/biom13040599