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Intensive Care Medicine Feb 2020An increasing number of critically ill patients are immunocompromised. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF), chiefly due to pulmonary infection, is the leading... (Review)
Review
An increasing number of critically ill patients are immunocompromised. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (ARF), chiefly due to pulmonary infection, is the leading reason for ICU admission. Identifying the cause of ARF increases the chances of survival, but may be extremely challenging, as the underlying disease, treatments, and infection combine to create complex clinical pictures. In addition, there may be more than one infectious agent, and the pulmonary manifestations may be related to both infectious and non-infectious insults. Clinically or microbiologically documented bacterial pneumonia accounts for one-third of cases of ARF in immunocompromised patients. Early antibiotic therapy is recommended but decreases the chances of identifying the causative organism(s) to about 50%. Viruses are the second most common cause of severe respiratory infections. Positive tests for a virus in respiratory samples do not necessarily indicate a role for the virus in the current acute illness. Invasive fungal infections (Aspergillus, Mucorales, and Pneumocystis jirovecii) account for about 15% of severe respiratory infections, whereas parasites rarely cause severe acute infections in immunocompromised patients. This review focuses on the diagnosis of severe respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients. Special attention is given to newly validated diagnostic tests designed to be used on non-invasive samples or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and capable of increasing the likelihood of an early etiological diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Intensive Care Units; Invasive Fungal Infections; Parasitic Diseases; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Respiratory Insufficiency; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 32034433
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-019-05906-5 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021
Topics: Animals; Disease Vectors; Evolution, Molecular; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Immune System; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 34367192
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729415 -
Parasites & Vectors Sep 2023
Topics: Animals; Parasites; Artificial Intelligence; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 37770977
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05972-1 -
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 -
The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Jun 2021The parasitic filarioid causes ocular disease characterized by conjunctivitis and nodular lesions. This nematode was first described in 1967 in a wolf from Georgia, and... (Review)
Review
The parasitic filarioid causes ocular disease characterized by conjunctivitis and nodular lesions. This nematode was first described in 1967 in a wolf from Georgia, and since then cases of infection from dogs and cats with ocular onchocercosis and sporadically from humans also with subcutaneous and cervical lesions caused by have been reported from the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Due to its zoonotic potential, this parasitic infection has gained attention in the past 20 years. Phylogenetic studies have highlighted the recent divergence of from other spp. and the importance of domestication in the evolutionary history of this worm. Moreover, the finding of an genotype associated with subclinical and mild infection in the Iberian Peninsula, raises important questions about the pathogenicity of this presently enigmatic parasite.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Onchocerca; Onchocerciasis, Ocular; Phylogeny
PubMed: 34211352
DOI: No ID Found -
The American Journal of Tropical... Jan 2024
Topics: Humans; Animals; Parasitic Diseases; Ectoparasitic Infestations; Arthropods
PubMed: 37983909
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0275 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Malaria and leishmaniasis are endemic parasitic diseases in tropical and subtropical countries. Although the overlap of these diseases in the same host is frequently... (Review)
Review
Malaria and leishmaniasis are endemic parasitic diseases in tropical and subtropical countries. Although the overlap of these diseases in the same host is frequently described, co-infection remains a neglected issue in the medical and scientific community. The complex relationship of concomitant infections with spp. and spp. is highlighted in studies of natural and experimental co-infections, showing how this "dual" infection can exacerbate or suppress an effective immune response to these protozoa. Thus, a infection preceding or following infection can impact the clinical course, accurate diagnosis, and management of leishmaniasis, and vice versa. The concept that in nature we are affected by concomitant infections reinforces the need to address the theme and ensure its due importance. In this review we explore and describe the studies available in the literature on spp. and spp. co-infection, the scenarios, and the factors that may influence the course of these diseases.
Topics: Humans; Coinfection; Leishmaniasis; Malaria; Leishmania; Plasmodium
PubMed: 36895563
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1122411 -
Neurology India 2023Neuropsychiatric disorders, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to frank psychosis, have been associated with certain parasitic infections. The parasite may cause... (Review)
Review
Neuropsychiatric disorders, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to frank psychosis, have been associated with certain parasitic infections. The parasite may cause damage to the central nervous system in several ways: as a space-occupying lesion (neuro-cysticercosis), alteration of neurotransmitters (toxoplasmosis), generation of the inflammatory response (trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis), hypovolemic neuronal injury (cerebral malaria), or a combination of these. Certain drugs like quinacrine (mepacrine), mefloquine, quinolone, and interferon alpha which are used to treat these parasitic infections can further cause neuropsychiatric adverse effects. This review summarizes the major parasitic infections that are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and the pathogenesis involved in their processes. A high index of suspicion for parasitic diseases, especially in endemic areas, should be kept in patients presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms. A multidimensional approach to identification of the offending parasite using serological, radiological, and molecular tests is required not only to ensure proper and prompt treatment of the primary parasitic infection but also to improve the prognosis of patients by complete resolution of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Topics: Humans; Parasitic Diseases; Central Nervous System; Mental Disorders; Mefloquine; Cysticercosis
PubMed: 37148042
DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.375424 -
The Biochemical Journal Sep 2021Lactate is the main product generated at the end of anaerobic glycolysis or during the Warburg effect and its role as an active signalling molecule is increasingly... (Review)
Review
Lactate is the main product generated at the end of anaerobic glycolysis or during the Warburg effect and its role as an active signalling molecule is increasingly recognised. Lactate can be released and used by host cells, by pathogens and commensal organisms, thus being essential for the homeostasis of host-microbe interactions. Infection can alter this intricate balance, and the presence of lactate transporters in most human cells including immune cells, as well as in a variety of pathogens (including bacteria, fungi and complex parasites) demonstrates the importance of this metabolite in regulating host-pathogen interactions. This review will cover lactate secretion and sensing in humans and microbes, and will discuss the existing evidence supporting a role for lactate in pathogen growth and persistence, together with lactate's ability to impact the orchestration of effective immune responses. The ubiquitous presence of lactate in the context of infection and the ability of both host cells and pathogens to sense and respond to it, makes manipulation of lactate a potential novel therapeutic strategy. Here, we will discuss the preliminary research that has been carried out in the context of cancer, autoimmunity and inflammation.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Fungi; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Lactic Acid; Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters; Mycoses; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Virus Diseases; Viruses
PubMed: 34492096
DOI: 10.1042/BCJ20210263 -
Parasitology International Apr 2020Proliferative sparganosis is one of the most bizarre and mysterious parasitic diseases ever described. The causative parasite is Sparganum proliferum, which is a... (Review)
Review
Proliferative sparganosis is one of the most bizarre and mysterious parasitic diseases ever described. The causative parasite is Sparganum proliferum, which is a pseudophyllidean cestode distinct from Spirometra tapeworms. Here we overview this rare but fascinating disease with the all original case reports on human patients published in the last 115 years. Proliferative sparganosis is clearly divided into two disease types, cutaneous and internal proliferative sparganosis. Cutaneous type starts with a skin eruption caused by the dermal invasion of a sparganum. Skin lesion progresses to larger areas of the body if left untreated. Various internal organs and body wall can be eventually affected. The clinical symptoms of patients in this group are very similar to each other. Molecular data suggest that cutaneous proliferative sparganosis is caused by S. proliferum of which genetic variation is limited, regardless of the time or localities of the emergence of patients. Internal proliferative sparganosis, on the other hand, is much more heterogeneous. Some cases show aggressive infection in internal organs, while others show only restricted lesions. Some of the cases that had been cited as proliferative sparganosis in the past literature were removed from the list, because they were judged as cyclophyllidean tapeworm infections. DNA sequencing is mandatory for the definite diagnosis of proliferative sparganosis. The Venezuelan strain of S. proliferum is maintained in experimental mice in Japan, which is fully prepared for the experimental study with advanced technologies in modern molecular biology.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Skin Diseases, Parasitic; Sparganosis; Sparganum
PubMed: 31841658
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.102036