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Parasites & Vectors Feb 2012Since the original description and naming of Ascaris lumbricoides from humans by Linnaeus in 1758 and later of Ascaris suum from pigs by Goeze 1782, these species have... (Review)
Review
Since the original description and naming of Ascaris lumbricoides from humans by Linnaeus in 1758 and later of Ascaris suum from pigs by Goeze 1782, these species have been considered to be valid. Four hypotheses relative to the conspecificity or lack thereof (and thus origin of these species) are possible: 1) Ascaris lumbricoides (usually infecting humans) and Ascaris suum (recorded mostly from pigs) are both valid species, with the two species originating via a speciation event from a common ancestor sometime before the domestication of pigs by humans, or 2) Ascaris lumbricoides in humans is derived directly from the species A. suum found in pigs with A. suum then existing as a persistent ancestor after formation of A. lumbricoides, or 3) Ascaris suum is derived directly from A. lumbricoides with the persistent ancestor being A. lumbricoides and A. suum being the newly derived species, and finally, 4) Ascaris lumbricoides and A. suum are the same species, this hypothesis being supported by studies showing both low morphological and low genetic divergence at several genes. We present and discuss paleoparasitological and genetic evidence that complement new data to evaluate the origin and evolution of Ascaris spp. in humans and pigs, and the uniqueness of the species in both hosts. Finally, we conclude that Ascaris lumbricoides and A. suum are a single species and that the name A. lumbricoides Linnaeus 1758 has taxonomic priority; therefore A. suum Goeze 1782 should be considered a synonym of A. lumbricoides.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Ascaris suum; Biological Evolution; Genetic Speciation; Humans; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 22348306
DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-42 -
Parasitology Nov 2021Due to the presence of artefacts in stool samples, the copromicroscopic diagnosis of Ascaris lumbricoides is not always straightforward, particularly in the case of...
Due to the presence of artefacts in stool samples, the copromicroscopic diagnosis of Ascaris lumbricoides is not always straightforward, particularly in the case of fertilized decorticated eggs. A total of 286 stool samples from 115 schoolchildren in India and 171 adult immigrants in Italy were screened for the presence of A. lumbricoides eggs by both Kato-Katz thick smear and Mini-FLOTAC. If the outer layer of A. lumbricoides eggs was absent, two aliquots of each stool sample were preserved: one for coproculture to identify larvae after development and one to compose a pool of stool for molecular analysis. A total of 64 stool samples (22.4%) were positive for A. lumbricoides using the Kato-Katz thick smear; 36 (56.3%) of these showed mammillated A. lumbricoides eggs, 25 (39.1%) showed elements resembling fertilized decorticated eggs, while three samples (4.7%) showed both mammillated and decorticated eggs. By Mini-FLOTAC, 39 stool samples (13.6%) were positive, while decorticated A. lumbricoides-like eggs were identified as artefacts. These results were confirmed by negative coprocultures and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Mini-FLOTAC can be used for a reliable diagnosis of A. lumbricoides, thanks to the flotation and translation features which allow a clearer view, resulting in the correct identification of A. lumbricoides eggs.
Topics: Animals; Artifacts; Ascaris lumbricoides; Feces; Helminthiasis; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 34250886
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021001256 -
Nature Reviews. Disease Primers May 2020Trichuriasis and ascariasis are neglected tropical diseases caused by the gastrointestinal dwelling nematodes Trichuris trichiura (a whipworm) and Ascaris lumbricoides... (Review)
Review
Trichuriasis and ascariasis are neglected tropical diseases caused by the gastrointestinal dwelling nematodes Trichuris trichiura (a whipworm) and Ascaris lumbricoides (a roundworm), respectively. Both parasites are staggeringly prevalent, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas, and are associated with substantial morbidity. Infection is initiated by ingestion of infective eggs, which hatch in the intestine. Thereafter, T. trichiura larvae moult within intestinal epithelial cells, with adult worms embedded in a partially intracellular niche in the large intestine, whereas A. lumbricoides larvae penetrate the gut mucosa and migrate through the liver and lungs before returning to the lumen of the small intestine, where adult worms dwell. Both species elicit type 2 anti-parasite immunity. Diagnosis is typically based on clinical presentation (gastrointestinal symptoms and inflammation) and the detection of eggs or parasite DNA in the faeces. Prevention and treatment strategies rely on periodic mass drug administration (generally with albendazole or mebendazole) to at-risk populations and improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene. The effectiveness of drug treatment is very high for A. lumbricoides infections, whereas cure rates for T. trichiura infections are low. Novel anthelminthic drugs are needed, together with vaccine development and tools for diagnosis and assessment of parasite control in the field.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Humans; Prevalence; Trichuriasis; Trichuris
PubMed: 32467581
DOI: 10.1038/s41572-020-0171-3 -
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory... Jan 2000
Topics: Aged; Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Ecuador; Female; Humans; Transients and Migrants
PubMed: 10629158
DOI: 10.5858/2000-124-0174-AL -
Infectious Disorders Drug Targets Oct 2010A. lumbricoides is the largest of the common nematode parasites of man and has been associated with intestinal pathology, respiratory symptoms and malnutrition in... (Review)
Review
A. lumbricoides is the largest of the common nematode parasites of man and has been associated with intestinal pathology, respiratory symptoms and malnutrition in children from endemic areas. Current anthelmintic treatments have proven to be safe. However, a reduced efficacy of single dose drugs has been reported. In veterinary practice, anthelmintic drug resistance is an irreversible problem. Thus, research and development of sensitive tools for early detection of drug resistance as well as new anthelmintic approaches are urgently needed. In this review, we summarized data providing information about current drug therapy against A. lumbricoides and other intestinal helminths, new drugs in experimental trials, future drugs perspectives and the identification of immunogenic parasite molecules that may be suitable vaccine targets. In addition to the WHO recommended drugs (albendazole, mebendazole, levamisole, and pyrantel pamoate), new anthelmintic alternatives such as tribendimidine and Nitazoxanide have proved to be safe and effective against A. lumbricoides and other soil-transmitted helminthiases in human trials. Also, some new drugs for veterinary use, monepantel and cyclooctadepsipeptides (e.g., PF1022A), will probably expand future drug spectrum for human treatments. The development of genomic technology has provided a great amount of available nematode DNA sequences, coupled with new gene function data that may lead to the identification of new drug targets through efficient mining of nematode genomic databases. On the other hand, the identification of nematode antigens involved in different parasite vital functions as well as immunomodulatory molecules in animals and humans may contribute to future studies of new therapeutic approaches.
Topics: Animals; Antinematodal Agents; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Drug Delivery Systems; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Phenylenediamines
PubMed: 20701574
DOI: 10.2174/187152610793180876 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Feb 2022IgE to galactose alpha-1,3 galactose (alpha-gal) causes alpha-gal syndrome (delayed anaphylaxis after ingestion of mammalian meat). Development of sensitization has been...
BACKGROUND
IgE to galactose alpha-1,3 galactose (alpha-gal) causes alpha-gal syndrome (delayed anaphylaxis after ingestion of mammalian meat). Development of sensitization has been attributed to tick bites; however, the possible role of other parasites has not been well studied.
OBJECTIVE
Our aims were to assess the presence, relative abundances, and site of localization of alpha-gal-containing proteins in common ectoparasites and endoparasites endemic in an area of high prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome, as well as to investigate the ability of ascaris antigens to elicit a reaction in a humanized rat basophil in vitro sensitization model.
METHODS
Levels of total IgE, Ascaris-specific IgE, and alpha-gal IgE were measured in sera from patients with challenge-proven alpha-gal syndrome and from controls without allergy. The presence, concentration, and localization of alpha-gal in parasites were assessed by ELISA, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The ability of Ascaris lumbricoides antigen to elicit IgE-dependent reactivity was demonstrated by using the RS-ATL8 basophil reporter system.
RESULTS
Alpha-gal IgE level correlated with A lumbricoides-specific IgE level. Alpha-gal protein at 70 to 130 kDa was detected in A lumbricoides at concentrations higher than those found in Rhipicephalus evertsi and Amblyomma hebraeum ticks. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize alpha-gal in tick salivary acini and the helminth gut. Non-alpha-gal-containing A lumbricoides antigens activated RS-ATL8 basophils primed with serum from subjects with alpha-gal syndrome.
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated the presence, relative abundances, and site of localization of alpha-gal-containing proteins in parasites. The activation of RS-ATL8 IgE reporter cells primed with serum from subjects with alpha-gal syndrome on exposure to non-alpha-gal-containing A lumbricoides proteins indicates a possible role of exposure to A lumbricoides in alpha-gal sensitization and clinical reactivity.
Topics: Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Ascaris lumbricoides; Cells, Cultured; Disaccharides; Food Hypersensitivity; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Rats; Ticks
PubMed: 34333031
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.07.018 -
Journal of Helminthology Feb 2020Ascariasis is a neglected tropical disease, caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, affecting 800 million people worldwide. Studies focused on the early stage of parasite...
Ascariasis is a neglected tropical disease, caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, affecting 800 million people worldwide. Studies focused on the early stage of parasite infection, occurring in the gut, liver and lungs, require the use of a mouse model. In these models, the porcine ascarid, Ascaris suum, is often used. The results obtained from these studies are then used to draw conclusions about A. lumbricoides infections in humans. In the present study, we sought to compare larval migration of A. suum and A. lumbricoides in mouse models. We used a previously developed mouse model of ascariasis, which consists of two mouse strains, where one mouse strain - C57BL/6J - is a model for relative susceptibility and the other - CBA/Ca - for relative resistance. Mice of both strains were infected with either A. suum or A. lumbricoides. The larval burden was assessed in two key organs, the liver and lungs, starting at 6 h post infection (p.i.) and ending on day 8 p.i. Additionally, we measured the larval size of each species (μm) at days 6, 7 and 8 p.i. in the lungs. We found that larval burden in the liver is significantly higher for A. lumbricoides than for A. suum. However, the inverse is true in the lungs. Additionally, our results showed a reduced larval size for A. lumbricoides compared to A. suum.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Ascaris suum; Disease Models, Animal; Larva; Liver; Lung; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred CBA; Parasite Load
PubMed: 32100653
DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X20000127 -
Southern Medical Journal Jul 2003
Topics: Adult; Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Diagnosis, Differential; Emergency Service, Hospital; Factitious Disorders; Humans; Male; Referral and Consultation; Urinary Bladder Diseases
PubMed: 12940339
DOI: 10.1097/01.SMJ.0000078648.46905.FC -
Ultrasound Quarterly Dec 2009Ascaris lumbricoides may obstruct bowel, biliary tree, pancreatic ducts, and appendix and induce biliary stones. The purpose of this article was to illustrate typical... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Ascaris lumbricoides may obstruct bowel, biliary tree, pancreatic ducts, and appendix and induce biliary stones. The purpose of this article was to illustrate typical sonographic findings of A. lumbricoides in the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts.
METHODS
Clinical data of 57 patients undergoing sonographic examination with confirmed ascariasis were studied retrospectively, and features of sonographic characteristics of A. lumbricoides in gastrointestinal and biliary tracts were studied.
RESULTS
Sonographic characteristics of A. lumbricoides were single or multiple echogenic nonshadowing linear, tubular structures; curved strips or rodlike with or without echoic tubular central lines; and a spaghettilike appearance, a target sign, or a pseudotumor appearance in the transverse section.
CONCLUSIONS
Ascaris lumbricoides in the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts has various features. Sonographic examination in the diagnosis of ascaridiasis has a high value.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Biliary Tract Diseases; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 19956053
DOI: 10.1097/RUQ.0b013e3181c47a2d -
Parasitology International Jun 2019Yearly, several reports of unknown boats and corpses brought by the Tsushima Current are found ashore Japanese coast. Niigata prefecture had the highest number of the...
Yearly, several reports of unknown boats and corpses brought by the Tsushima Current are found ashore Japanese coast. Niigata prefecture had the highest number of the drifting ashore corpses in Japan with 45.7% (16/35) in 2017. Corpses from North Korea, confirmed by documents and photos were autopsied and in 3/16 was possible to recover worms full of eggs, morphologically identified as ascarids. Further molecular analysis of ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2 sequences confirmed all specimens were Ascaris lumbricoides. The contamination level by Ascaris lumbricoides eggs in the coast, the health impact and consequences of the epidemiological bridging produced by this forced migration in public health should be investigated. Moreover, control of helminthiases might be a necessary task in North Korea.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Autopsy; Cadaver; Communicable Diseases, Imported; DNA, Ribosomal; Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Forensic Pathology; Humans; Japan; Public Health; Ships; Transients and Migrants
PubMed: 30630115
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.01.002