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Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical... Oct 2005An inverse relationship between resistance to certain parasitic diseases and measures of atopy and asthma has long been observed. A possible explanation is that genetic... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
An inverse relationship between resistance to certain parasitic diseases and measures of atopy and asthma has long been observed. A possible explanation is that genetic determinants which confer protection against detrimental worm burdens are the same determinants involved in atopic asthma. The focus of this review is to consider the potential candidate genes that have been elucidated as part of molecular, genomic and genetic studies of parasite biology, host-parasite interactions and classic genetic epidemiology studies on parasitic disease and allergic asthma.
RECENT FINDINGS
Comparative studies of the Plasmodium and Schistosoma spp. genomes have revealed a number of proteins that are homologous to humans. A number of linkage and association studies on susceptibility/resistance to parasitic diseases, including malaria and schistosomiasis, overlap with associations that have been identified for susceptibility to atopy and asthma.
SUMMARY
In response to parasitic approaches in maintaining survival, the human host has evolved genetic adaptations that minimize severe manifestations of disease, which conversely appear to contribute to allergic disease. A clearer understanding of this process will elucidate the complex pathways and mechanisms involved in these traits.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Asthma; Genetic Linkage; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Multigene Family; Parasitic Diseases; Phenotype
PubMed: 16131910
DOI: 10.1097/01.all.0000182543.37724.7b -
Chest May 2020Parasitoses are infectious diseases of global distribution, with predominance in areas of poor sanitation. Parasites cause damage through direct tissue injury and the... (Review)
Review
Parasitoses are infectious diseases of global distribution, with predominance in areas of poor sanitation. Parasites cause damage through direct tissue injury and the inflammatory response generated by their migration and establishment in various organs. Thoracic involvement by parasitic disease can generate both specific and nonspecific clinical, laboratorial, and radiologic manifestations, which often makes their diagnosis challenging. The correct diagnosis is crucial for definition of treatment, which sometimes requires rapid intervention. Based on a literature review of the last few decades, this article aimed to characterize the main radiologic findings related to thoracic manifestations of parasitic diseases, correlating them with radiographic and tomographic images of patients with confirmed diagnosis of such pathologies. The included parasitic diseases are malaria, Chagas disease, toxoplasmosis, amoebiasis, ascariasis, toxocariasis, strongyloidiasis, dirofilariasis, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, schistosomiasis, and paragonimiasis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Parasitic Diseases; Thoracic Diseases
PubMed: 31978430
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.12.025 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Jun 2018Travel is important in the spread of diseases, and the number of travelers is increasing daily. Therefore, the importance of the diseases that occur during or after... (Review)
Review
Travel is important in the spread of diseases, and the number of travelers is increasing daily. Therefore, the importance of the diseases that occur during or after travel is increasing. In underdeveloped countries in particular, parasitic diseases are epidemic or endemic, and these diseases lead to high numbers of deaths. People traveling from developed to underdeveloped countries have a higher risk of transmission of parasitic diseases during travel. Fifteen percent of the world's population lives in Africa. In terms of geography, economics, and development, the continent is divided into four regions: East Africa, South Africa, North Africa, and West Africa. In recent years, international travels to Africa have been increasing. During these travels, there is a risk of contracting parasitic diseases, such as malaria, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis (African sleeping disease), onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and leishmaniasis. Before traveling to Africa, it is vital to take measures against diseases in the region.
Topics: Africa; Communicable Disease Control; Humans; Malaria; Parasitic Diseases; Risk; Schistosomiasis; Travel
PubMed: 29780009
DOI: 10.5152/tpd.2018.5256 -
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 -
Journal of Lipid Research Feb 2006Protein farnesylation is a form of posttranslational modification that occurs in most, if not all, eukaryotic cells. Inhibitors of protein farnesyltransferase (PFTIs)... (Review)
Review
Protein farnesylation is a form of posttranslational modification that occurs in most, if not all, eukaryotic cells. Inhibitors of protein farnesyltransferase (PFTIs) have been developed as anticancer chemotherapeutic agents. Using the knowledge gained from the development of PFTIs for the treatment of cancer, researchers are currently investigating the use of PFTIs for the treatment of eukaryotic pathogens. This "piggy-back" approach not only accelerates the development of a chemotherapeutic agent for protozoan pathogens but is also a means of mitigating the costs associated with de novo drug design. PFTIs have already been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of eukaryotic pathogens in animal models, including both Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, and Plasmodium falciparum, one of the causative agents of malaria. Here, current evidence and progress are summarized that support the targeting of protein farnesyltransferase for the treatment of parasitic diseases.
Topics: Animals; Enzyme Inhibitors; Eukaryota; Farnesyltranstransferase; Humans; Molecular Structure; Parasitic Diseases; Protein Prenylation; Protozoan Infections
PubMed: 16339110
DOI: 10.1194/jlr.R500016-JLR200 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Aug 2018The high prevalence of parasitic diseases leads to millions of deaths and disabilities each year in developing countries. China has also been greatly affected by... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The high prevalence of parasitic diseases leads to millions of deaths and disabilities each year in developing countries. China has also been greatly affected by parasitic infections, including filariasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted nematodosis. However, the situation in China improved dramatically after comprehensive parasitic disease control efforts were strengthened, leading to the elimination of filariasis in 2006 and to significant control over other diseases. However, imported parasitic disease cases are inevitable, and such cases have increasingly been reported as a result of enhanced globalization and international or regional cooperation. These imported diseases represent a major obstacle to the elimination of several parasitoses, such as malaria.
MAIN TEXT
This paper reviews imported cases of parasitic diseases in mainland China, particularly malaria and schistosomiasis, based on data reported separately by the Chinese annual reports and from other published papers. We summarize the new challenges that face parasitic disease control efforts in mainland China and perspectives regarding better control. We argue that both the provision of professional education and updated training for medical care personnel and the management and surveillance of people entering China are essential. We recommend that Chinese migrant workers should be considered a priority group for health education and that public awareness of imported diseases should be emphasized. Furthermore, we underscore the importance of investigating the distribution of introduced/potential vectors, parasite susceptibility, and improvements in diagnostic techniques and drug stocks.
CONCLUSIONS
Imported cases have become the main challenge to the elimination of several parasitoses, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, in mainland China. China should act to meet these challenges, which are closely associated with national biological safety.
Topics: Animals; China; Humans; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Travel
PubMed: 30071901
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0454-z -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Mar 1996
Topics: Cytokines; Humans; Inflammation; Interleukins; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 8991345
DOI: No ID Found -
Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift Fur Alle... Oct 2019
Topics: Abdomen; Abdominal Pain; Humans; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 31552456
DOI: 10.1007/s00104-019-01015-7 -
Experimental Parasitology Nov 1996
Review
Topics: Animals; Gene Expression; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Lymphocytes; Mutation; Parasitic Diseases; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 8932781
DOI: 10.1006/expr.1996.0117 -
Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and... Jan 2004The following chapter is one of a series of chapters in the volume entitled Infections of the Myocardium appearing in Frontiers in Bioscience. The full table of contents... (Review)
Review
The following chapter is one of a series of chapters in the volume entitled Infections of the Myocardium appearing in Frontiers in Bioscience. The full table of contents can be found at http://www.bioscience.org/current/special/tanowitz.htm. In this chapter, we review several parasitic infections involving the myocardium and pericardium. The most widely studied parasitic infection affecting the heart is Chagas' disease or American trypanosomiasis. In this chapter we describe issues relating to Chagas' disease not covered in detail in other chapters. African trypanosomiasis may also cause a myocarditis. The protozoan parasite, Entamoeba histolytica rarely causes a pericarditis while Toxoplasma gondii may cause myocarditis, usually in immunocompromised hosts. The larval forms of the tapeworms Echinococcus and Taenia solium may cause space-occupying lesions of the heart. Severe infection with the nematode Trichinella spiralis may cause myocarditis.
Topics: Animals; Chagas Disease; Cysticercosis; Entamoeba histolytica; Heart Diseases; Humans; Parasitic Diseases; Pericarditis; Toxoplasmosis; Trichinella spiralis; Trichinellosis; Trypanosomiasis, African
PubMed: 14766402
DOI: 10.2741/1255