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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2019Parasitic diseases have serious health, social, and economic impacts, especially in the tropical regions of the world. Diseases caused by protozoan parasites are... (Review)
Review
Parasitic diseases have serious health, social, and economic impacts, especially in the tropical regions of the world. Diseases caused by protozoan parasites are responsible for considerable mortality and morbidity, affecting more than 500 million people worldwide. Globally, the burden of protozoan diseases is increasing and is been exacerbated because of a lack of effective medication due to the drug resistance and toxicity of current antiprotozoal agents. These limitations have prompted many researchers to search for new drugs against protozoan parasites. In this review, we have compiled the latest information (2012-2017) on the structures and pharmacological activities of newly developed organic compounds against five major protozoan diseases, giardiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, trichomoniasis, and trypanosomiasis, with the aim of showing recent advances in the discovery of new antiprotozoal drugs.
Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Drug Resistance; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 31661934
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24213886 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Jun 2023Laboratory workers are exposed to the risk of acquiring infections due to the manipulation of infectious materials. The biological hazard for researchers is seven times... (Review)
Review
Laboratory workers are exposed to the risk of acquiring infections due to the manipulation of infectious materials. The biological hazard for researchers is seven times higher when compared with hospital and public health laboratory workers. Despite the implementation of standardized practices to control infections, multiple cases of Laboratory Associated Infections (LAIs) usually go unreported. There has been a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data regarding the situation of LAIs for parasitic zoonosis and besides, the available sources are not completely updated. Since most accounts of laboratory infections are organism-specific, this study has focused on common pathogenic/zoonotic species handled at parasitological laboratories and summarising the standard biosecurity protocols for the infectious agents. The main characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba spp, Giardia duodenalis, Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania spp., Echinococcus spp., Schistosoma spp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Strongyloides stercoralis are considered in this review in order to assess the potential risk of developing occupational infections in the workplace along with stating prevention and prophylactic measures for each species. It was concluded that the LAIs from these agents can be prevented by using personal protective measures and good laboratory practices. However, further studies are necessary to better understand the environmental resistance of cysts, oocysts and eggs, with a view to select the most suitable disinfection methods. Furthermore, it is fundamental to constantly update epidemiological data of infection acquired by laboratory workers, to develop accurate risk indicators.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Cryptosporidiosis; Biosecurity; Laboratories; Cryptosporidium; Parasites; Zoonoses; Parasitic Diseases; Feces; Giardiasis
PubMed: 37406067
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.9428 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jan 2022Babesiosis is a globally distributed zoonotic parasitic disease in a broad range of vertebrates with great importance in the veterinary field. The standard diagnostic...
Babesiosis is a globally distributed zoonotic parasitic disease in a broad range of vertebrates with great importance in the veterinary field. The standard diagnostic test for Babesiosis in animals is microscopic identification of the parasite in a venous blood smear stained with Giemsa combined with assessment of clinical manifestations throughout the acute phase of the disease. The present study was planned to determine the presence of Babesia species in camels from the southeastern regions of Iran. A total of 140 blood samples of camels were randomly collected in four selected cities including Qaen, Nehbandan, Iranshahr, and Zahedan from March to August 2019. Blood smears of each case were also examined by the Giemsa staining method and extracted DNA samples were subjected to internal transcribed spacers (ITS1) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The prevalence rates using microscopically and molecular examinations were 10% and 19.28%, respectively. The prevalence rates significantly vary between the selected regions (p = 0.003). PCR technique showed higher sensitivity than microscopy. We found that all infected camels were positive for Babesia caballi. The rate of infection with Babesia among the camel in Zahedan is remarkable. Early diagnosis and early treatment can prevent further spread of the disease in this area.
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Babesiosis; Camelus; Iran; Prevalence
PubMed: 34800356
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.666 -
Acta Gastro-enterologica Belgica 2023Intestinal helminthic infections are not uncommon in Western Europe, mainly due to modern travel, emigration and globalization. Moreover, some helminthic infections are... (Review)
Review
Intestinal helminthic infections are not uncommon in Western Europe, mainly due to modern travel, emigration and globalization. Moreover, some helminthic infections are endemic in Western Europe and are part of the everyday clinical practice. The hepatogastroenterologist should therefore recognize and manage these patients or at least refer them to appropriate reference centers. Signs and symptoms are often unspecific or even absent. Discerning the disease at an early stage avoids expensive diagnostic testing, life-threatening complications and in some cases even further spread of the disease. This review article aims to guide the hepatogastroenterologist when suspecting a helminthic infection by addressing the most prevalent symptoms, summarizing the most probable associated helminthic entities, highlighting practical steps in diagnosis and available treatments.
Topics: Humans; Helminthiasis; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Travel; Europe
PubMed: 37814562
DOI: 10.51821/86.3.11895 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Humans live in complex socio-ecological systems where we interact with parasites and pathogens that spend time in abiotic and biotic environmental reservoirs (e.g.,... (Review)
Review
Humans live in complex socio-ecological systems where we interact with parasites and pathogens that spend time in abiotic and biotic environmental reservoirs (e.g., water, air, soil, other vertebrate hosts, vectors, intermediate hosts). Through a synthesis of published literature, we reviewed the life cycles and environmental persistence of 150 parasites and pathogens tracked by the World Health Organization's Global Burden of Disease study. We used those data to derive the time spent in each component of a pathogen's life cycle, including total time spent in humans versus all environmental stages. We found that nearly all infectious organisms were "environmentally mediated" to some degree, meaning that they spend time in reservoirs and can be transmitted from those reservoirs to human hosts. Correspondingly, many infectious diseases were primarily controlled through environmental interventions (e.g., vector control, water sanitation), whereas few (14%) were primarily controlled by integrated methods (i.e., combining medical and environmental interventions). Data on critical life history attributes for most of the 150 parasites and pathogens were difficult to find and often uncertain, potentially hampering efforts to predict disease dynamics and model interactions between life cycle time scales and infection control strategies. We hope that this synthetic review and associated database serve as a resource for understanding both common patterns among parasites and pathogens and important variability and uncertainty regarding particular infectious diseases. These insights can be used to improve systems-based approaches for controlling environmentally mediated diseases of humans in an era where the environment is rapidly changing.
Topics: Communicable Diseases; Ecosystem; Global Health; Humans; Parasitic Diseases; Water
PubMed: 35875032
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.892366 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) include 20 diverse infections mainly prevalent in tropical areas that mostly affect disadvantaged communities and women and children...
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) include 20 diverse infections mainly prevalent in tropical areas that mostly affect disadvantaged communities and women and children [...].
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Cysteine Proteases; Parasitic Diseases; Poverty
PubMed: 37373243
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210097 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2019Parasites have evolved various mechanisms to favor infection of their hosts and enhance the success of the infection. In this respect, time-of-day effects were found... (Review)
Review
Parasites have evolved various mechanisms to favor infection of their hosts and enhance the success of the infection. In this respect, time-of-day effects were found during the course of parasitic infections, which can be caused or controlled by circadian rhythms in the physiology of their vertebrate hosts. These include circadian clock-controlled rhythms in metabolism and in immune responses. Conversely, parasites can also modulate their hosts' behavioral and cellular rhythms. Lastly, parasites themselves were in some cases shown to possess their own circadian clock mechanisms, which can influence their capacity to infect their hosts. A better knowledge of the circadian regulation of host-parasite interactions will help in designing new preventive and therapeutic strategies for parasitic diseases.
Topics: Animals; Botrytis; Cell Physiological Phenomena; Circadian Clocks; Circadian Rhythm; Helminths; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Leishmania; Mice; Parasitic Diseases; Plasmodium; Trypanosoma
PubMed: 31921702
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00425 -
American Family Physician Sep 2021Chagas disease, cysticercosis, and toxoplasmosis affect millions of people in the United States and are considered neglected parasitic diseases. Few resources are...
Chagas disease, cysticercosis, and toxoplasmosis affect millions of people in the United States and are considered neglected parasitic diseases. Few resources are devoted to their surveillance, prevention, and treatment. Chagas disease, transmitted by kissing bugs, primarily affects people who have lived in Mexico, Central America, and South America, and it can cause heart disease and death if not treated. Chagas disease is diagnosed by detecting the parasite in blood or by serology, depending on the phase of disease. Antiparasitic treatment is indicated for most patients with acute disease. Treatment for chronic disease is recommended for people younger than 18 years and generally recommended for adults younger than 50 years. Treatment decisions should be individualized for all other patients. Cysticercosis can manifest in muscles, the eyes, and most critically in the brain (neurocysticercosis). Neurocysticercosis accounts for 2.1% of all emergency department visits for seizures in the United States. Diagnosing neurocysticercosis involves serology and neuroimaging. Treatment includes symptom control and antiparasitic therapy. Toxoplasmosis is estimated to affect 11% of people older than six years in the United States. It can be acquired by ingesting food or water that has been contaminated by cat feces; it can also be acquired by eating undercooked, contaminated meat. Toxoplasma infection is usually asymptomatic; however, people who are immunosuppressed can develop more severe neurologic symptoms. Congenital infection can result in miscarriage or adverse fetal effects. Diagnosis is made with serologic testing, polymerase chain reaction testing, or parasite detection in tissue or fluid specimens. Treatment is recommended for people who are immunosuppressed, pregnant patients with recently acquired infection, and people who are immunocompetent with visceral disease or severe symptoms.
Topics: Animals; Carrier State; Cats; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Chagas Disease; Cysticercosis; Family Health; Humans; Parasitic Diseases; Toxoplasmosis; United States
PubMed: 34523888
DOI: No ID Found -
The American Journal of Tropical... Sep 2020Some recent studies suggest ongoing transmission of parasitic diseases in the American South; however, surveys in Mississippi children are lacking. We enrolled 166...
Some recent studies suggest ongoing transmission of parasitic diseases in the American South; however, surveys in Mississippi children are lacking. We enrolled 166 children (median age 8 years, range 4-13 years) from the Mississippi Delta region and carried out multi-parallel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for , , and on their stool samples. Dried blood spots were obtained for multiplex serology antibody detection. Of 166 children, all reported having flushable toilets, 11% had soil exposure, and 34% had a pet dog or cat. None had prior diagnosis or treatment of parasitic disease. Multi-parallel real-time PCRs were negative on the 89 stool DNA extracts available for testing. Dried blood spot testing of all 166 children determined the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to spp (3.6%), (2.4%), , , and (all 0%). In conclusion, parasitic infections and exposure were scarce in this population. Larger studies of at-risk populations are needed.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Cats; Child; Child, Preschool; Dogs; Epidemiological Monitoring; Female; Humans; Male; Mississippi; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Pilot Projects; Seroepidemiologic Studies
PubMed: 32588796
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0026 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2021Leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, and acanthamoebiasis are protozoan parasitic infections. They remain important contributors to the development of kidney disease,... (Review)
Review
Leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, and acanthamoebiasis are protozoan parasitic infections. They remain important contributors to the development of kidney disease, which is associated with increased patients' morbidity and mortality. Kidney injury mechanisms are not fully understood in protozoan parasitic diseases, bringing major difficulties to specific therapeutic interventions. The aim of this review is to present the biochemical and molecular mechanisms in kidneys infected with spp., spp., , and spp. We present available mechanisms of an immune response, oxidative stress, apoptosis process, hypoxia, biomarkers of renal injury in the serum or urine, and the histopathological changes of kidneys infected with the selected parasites. Pathomechanisms of spp. and spp. infections have been deeply investigated, while and spp. infections in the kidneys are not well known yet. Deeper knowledge of kidney involvement in leishmaniasis and malaria by presenting their mechanisms provides insight into how to create novel and effective treatments. Additionally, the presented work shows gaps in the pathophysiology of renal toxoplasmosis and acanthamoebiasis, which need further research.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Humans; Kidney; Leishmaniasis; Malaria; Oxidative Stress; Parasitic Diseases; Protozoan Infections; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis; Transforming Growth Factor beta
PubMed: 33921746
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084209