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Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Jun 2024The hygiene hypothesis suggests that early life exposure to helminth infections can reduce hypersensitivity in the immune system.
BACKGROUND
The hygiene hypothesis suggests that early life exposure to helminth infections can reduce hypersensitivity in the immune system.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to evaluate the effects of Toxocara cati (T. cati) somatic products on allergic airway inflammation.
METHODS
Between 2018 and 2020, T. cati adult worms were collected from stray cats in Mashhad, Iran (31 out of 186 cats), and their somatic extract was collected. Thirty BALB/c mice were equally divided into three groups, including the OVA group (sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin), the somatic administered group (received somatic extract along with ovalbumin sensitization), and the PBS group (sensitized and challenged with phosphate buffer saline). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected to assess the number of cells, and lung homogenates were prepared for cytokine analysis. Histopathological analysis of the lungs was performed, and inflammatory cells and mucus were detected. Cytokine levels (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were determined using a capture ELISA.
RESULTS
The somatic group significantly decreased regarding the lung pathological changes, including peribronchiolitis, perivasculitis, and eosinophil influx, compared to the group treated with ovalbumin alone. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 and an increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, indicating a shift toward a more balanced immune response. The number of inflammatory cells in the BAL fluid was also significantly reduced in the somatic group, indicating a decrease in inflammation.
CONCLUSION
These preclinical findings suggest that in experimental models, T. cati somatic extract exhibits promising potential as a therapeutic agent for mitigating allergic airway inflammation. Its observed effects on immune response modulation and reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration warrant further investigation in clinical studies to assess its efficacy and safety in human patients.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Toxocara; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Cytokines; Immunoglobulin E; Ovalbumin; Lung; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Asthma; Disease Models, Animal; Cats; Female; Toxocariasis
PubMed: 38860753
DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1307 -
Tropical Biomedicine Mar 2024Water pollution in developing countries continues to be a major health problem due to various anthropological activities that contribute to the spread of many parasitic...
Water pollution in developing countries continues to be a major health problem due to various anthropological activities that contribute to the spread of many parasitic diseases, including those caused by helminths. The aim of this study is to explore the ability of ozone and peroxone to disinfect drinking water contaminated samples with Toxocara canis eggs. The oxidants used were ozone and ozone-hydrogen peroxide combination. The treatment of Toxocara canis eggs was carried out in a 50 ml reactor with an operating volume of 10 ml. The pH conditions (5, 7 and 10) were varied for each treatment. The treatment effect was calculated by counting eggs and examining the condition of the larvae larval condition (whole, broken and hatched larvae) using an optical microscope. The experiment was carried out by exposing the eggs for 60 and 120 minutes to ozone and peroxone. The best results were obtained for helminths treated with the ozone/hydrogen peroxide combination at pH 10, with an inactivation of 79.2%. The synergistic effect of ozone combined with hydrogen peroxide allows higher helminth egg inactivation rates, demonstrating that advanced oxidation processes are a real alternative to apply in the inactivation of Toxocara canis eggs. The results obtained in this study show that the ozone and peroxone treatment could be a useful disinfection process to destroy or inactivate Toxocara canis eggs in processes commonly applied in water treatment.
Topics: Animals; Ozone; Toxocara canis; Disinfection; Disinfectants; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrogen Peroxide; Ovum; Water Purification; Peroxides; Larva; Drinking Water
PubMed: 38852133
DOI: 10.47665/tb.41.1.006 -
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases May 2024We investigated organ specific Toxocara canis larval migration in mice infected with T. canis larvae. We observed the worm burden and systemic immune responses. Three...
We investigated organ specific Toxocara canis larval migration in mice infected with T. canis larvae. We observed the worm burden and systemic immune responses. Three groups of BALB/c mice (n=5 each) were orally administered 1,000 T. canis 2nd stage larvae to induce larva migrans. Mice were sacrificed at 1, 3, and 5 weeks post-infection. Liver, lung, brain, and eye tissues were collected. Tissue from 2 mice per group was digested for larval count, while the remaining 3 mice underwent histological analysis. Blood hematology and serology were evaluated and compared to that in a control uninfected group (n=5) to assess the immune response. Cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were also analyzed. We found that, 1 week post-infection, the mean parasite load in the liver (72±7.1), brain (31±4.2), lungs (20±5.7), and eyes (2±0) peaked and stayed constant until the 3 weeks. By 5-week post-infection, the worm burden in the liver and lungs significantly decreased to 10±4.2 and 9±5.7, respectively, while they remained relatively stable in the brain and eyes (18±4.2 and 1±0, respectively). Interestingly, ocular larvae resided in all retinal layers, without notable inflammation in outer retina. Mice infected with T. canis exhibited elevated levels of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and immunoglobulin E. At 5 weeks post-infection, interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 levels were elevated in BAL fluid. Whereas IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, and interferon-γ levels in BAL fluid were similar to that in controls. Our findings demonstrate that a small portion of T. canis larvae migrate to the eyes and brain within the first week of infection. Minimal tissue inflammation was observed, probably due to increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines. This study contributes to our understanding of the histological and immunological responses to T. canis infection in mice, which may have implications to further understand human toxocariasis.
Topics: Animals; Toxocara canis; Toxocariasis; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Larva; Mice; Cytokines; Lung; Liver; Brain; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Female; Parasite Load; Eye; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38835265
DOI: 10.3347/PHD.23125 -
BMC Veterinary Research May 2024Human fishing activities have significantly affect environmental concern for marine ecosystems, conservation of marine mammals, and human health. Coastal cetaceans are...
Ingestion of fishing gear and Anisakis sp. infection in a beached Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in the Jeju Island, Republic of Korea: findings from post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy.
BACKGROUND
Human fishing activities have significantly affect environmental concern for marine ecosystems, conservation of marine mammals, and human health. Coastal cetaceans are highly vulnerable to ingestion of fishing gear, bycatching, or entanglement, all of which can be fatal for these animals. In particular, certain coastal dolphins and porpoises are heavily impacted by fishing gear such as angling gear or stownet, as their food often overlap with the target fish species of human fisheries.
CASE PRESENTATION
This study presents a case of an Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) beached on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, with ingestion of fishing gear and severe Anisakis infection. Although this species inhabits waters ranging from the Persian Gulf to Taiwan, several stranded carcasses have been reported on Jeju Island in recent years. Post-mortem computed tomography revealed a bundle of four fishing hooks in the forestomach, along with nylon lines and steel lines with connectors, which were assumed to be angling gear for Jeju hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus). Further necroscopic investigation revealed that the forestomach contained a large number of Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Histological examination revealed a thickened forestomach wall with pinpoint and volcanic ulcerations, a thickened layer of stratified squamous epithelium, and infiltrated stroma in the squamous epithelium.
CONCLUSIONS
This study emphasizes the urgent need to address the impact of fishing activities on marine mammals, marine litter pollution, and the bycatch problem in Korean seawater. In addition, the occurrence of N. phocaenoides in seawater around Jeju Island should be raised in future geographical ecology or veterinary pathology studies and when its distribution is updated.
Topics: Animals; Porpoises; Republic of Korea; Anisakiasis; Anisakis; Fisheries; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Male; Postmortem Imaging
PubMed: 38802879
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04090-z -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024spp. undergo extensive migration within the body before establishing patent infections in the small intestinal tract of humans and pigs. However, whether larval...
spp. undergo extensive migration within the body before establishing patent infections in the small intestinal tract of humans and pigs. However, whether larval migration is critical for inducing efficient type 2 responses remains poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated systemic versus local adaptive immune responses along the hepato-tracheal migration of during primary, single infections in conventionally raised pigs. Neither the initial invasion of gut tissue nor migration through the liver resulted in discernable Th2 cell responses. In contrast, lung-stage larvae elicited a Th2-biased pulmonary response, which declined after the larvae had left the lungs. In the small intestine, we observed an accumulation of Th2 cells upon the arrival of fourth-stage larvae (L4) to the small intestinal lumen. In parallel, we noticed robust and increasing Th1 responses in circulation, migration-affected organs, and draining lymph nodes. Phenotypic analysis of CD4+ T cells specifically recognizing antigens in the circulation and lung tissue of infected pigs confirmed that the majority of -specific T cells produced IL-4 (Th2) and, to a much lesser extent, IL-4/IFN-g (Th2/1 hybrids) or IFN-g alone (Th1). These data demonstrate that lung-stage but not the early liver-stage larvae lead to a locally restricted Th2 response. Significant Th2 cell accumulation in the small intestine occurs only when L4 complete the body migration. In addition, Th2 immunity seems to be hampered by the concurrent, nonspecific Th1 bias in growing pigs. Together, the late onset of Th2 immunity at the site of infection and the Th1-biased systemic immunity likely enable the establishment of intestinal infections by sufficiently large L4 stages and pre-adult worms, some of which resist expulsion mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Ascaris suum; Ascariasis; Th2 Cells; Swine; Th1 Cells; Swine Diseases; Lung; Larva; Cytokines
PubMed: 38799456
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1396446 -
PloS One 2024Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, the National School Based Deworming Program (NSBDP) was launched...
INTRODUCTION
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, the National School Based Deworming Program (NSBDP) was launched in 2012 with a goal of reducing STH prevalence in school-aged children (SAC) to <1%, however monitoring and evaluation results have consistently showed > 20% prevalence in Narok County. We conducted a study to investigate factors associated with STH infections among SAC in Narok County.
METHODOLOGY
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 514 SAC from five schools in Trans Mara West sub-county, Narok County. The sub-county was selected because it had participating schools within the NSBDP with a high prevalence of STH infection. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Stool samples collected from participants were examined for STH eggs using Kato-Katz technique. An open data kit questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographics, household, and STH knowledge information from 139 of the 514 SAC. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data, prevalence and mean intensity of infections were calculated, and logistic regression used to determine factors associated with STH infections.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of any STH infection was 24.6% (95%CI: 21.1-28.6). Trichuris trichiura 14.4% (95%CI: 11.7-17.8), Ascaris lumbricoides 12.5% (95%CI: 9.9-15.7) and hookworm 0%. From multivariable analysis the only factors significantly associated with increased risk of STH infection were, children attending Karda and Nkarano schools with aOR = 5.29 (95%CI: 1.45-19.24); p = 0.011 and aOR = 4.53 (95%CI: 1.29-15.97); p = 0.019 respectively. For A. lumbricoides, children attending Nkarano School were associated with a significant risk of infection with aOR = 7.81 (95%CI: 1.81-33.63); p = 0.006.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the ongoing work of NSBDP, the STH prevalence is still ≥ 20% in Trans Mara West sub-county Narok County, among SAC. This underscores the need for continued annual MDA. Additionally, if possible, drug combinations may effectively manage T. trichiura, the region's most common helminth. The study found a correlation between children attending specific schools and STH infection risk, suggesting the importance of health education and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices holistically both in schools and associated catchment areas that can act as STH reservoirs to alleviate the burden of STH.
Topics: Humans; Kenya; Cross-Sectional Studies; Child; Male; Soil; Female; Helminthiasis; Prevalence; Animals; Adolescent; Feces; Ascaris lumbricoides; Trichuris; Schools; Trichuriasis; Ascariasis
PubMed: 38781162
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304266 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2024Parasitic infections in zoo animals are a critical concern for both animal health and management. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of endo- and...
Parasitic infections in zoo animals are a critical concern for both animal health and management. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of endo- and ectoparasites among zoo animals in Germany. A retrospective analysis of the submitted samples of a diverse range of zoo animals (5768) from a ten-year period (2012-2022) was conducted. Overall, 31.1% of those samples tested positive for at least one parasite. In the examined samples, helminths (28.4%) were found more often than protozoans (10.3%) or ectoparasites (0.8%). Among the various animal groups the following parasites were found most commonly: Artiodactyla: Coccidia (34.6%), Strongylida (23.4%); Perissodactyla: Strongylida (19.3%), Ascaridida (12.0%); Carnivora: Ascaridida (16.6%), Coccidia (8.1%); Rodentia: Oxyurida (18.2%), Coccidia (10.5%); Marsupialia: Coccidia (9.4%), Oxyurida (5.9%); Primates: spp. (9.7%), Oxyurida (2.2%); Aves: (7.8%), Ascaridida (7.6%); Reptilia, Amphibia, Insecta: Oxyurida (18.7%); Pisces: Ciliates (6.2%). Furthermore, potentially zoonotic parasites were identified, including (0.1%), sp. (0.1%). By examining the occurrence of specific parasites, these findings demonstrate the importance of parasites in the context of zoo animal health. They also highlight the need for effective strategies to control parasite burden to improve the overall welfare of zoo animals.
PubMed: 38778918
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100942 -
Parasitology Research May 2024Domestic dogs and cats can serve as a source of environmental contamination with Toxocara spp. and Blastocystis spp., and this represents a neglected public and...
Domestic dogs and cats can serve as a source of environmental contamination with Toxocara spp. and Blastocystis spp., and this represents a neglected public and veterinary health problem. We assessed the microscopic and molecular prevalence of these species in a locality in Algeria and identified the associated risk factors. The faeces of 225 dogs and 78 cats were collected in Mitidja between March and July 2022. The samples were analysed by coproscopy and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) and Small Subunit Ribosomal (SSU-RNA) of T. canis and Blastocystis spp. respectively. The overall microscopic prevalence of Toxocara spp. in dogs and cats was 9.78 ± 1.98% and 12.82 ± 7.42%, respectively. The rate of Blastocystis spp. was 15.11 ± 2.39% and 15.38 ± 4.08% in dogs and cats, respectively while the molecular prevalence of T. canis in dogs was 4.89 ± 1.44% and in cats 1.28 ± 1.27%; the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. was 41.78 ± 3.29% and 34.62 ± 5.39% in dogs and cats, respectively. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses identified the presence of the H1 subtype of T. canis in dogs, and the ST1 subtype of Blastocystis in dogs and cats. Dogs with clinical signs were more likely to be infected with T. canis (OR 6.039, P < 0.05) than healthy dogs. This study demonstrates that dogs and cats are carriers of Toxocara spp. and Blastocystis spp. and are therefore a source of environmental contamination. Veterinarians and human health professionals should work together to implement control strategies as part of a "One Health" approach to improving animal health and reducing the risk of transmission to humans.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Cats; Algeria; Dog Diseases; Cat Diseases; Toxocariasis; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Blastocystis Infections; Toxocara; Feces; Blastocystis; Male; Female; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Microscopy; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38771352
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08240-y -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024Parasitic diseases of pigs are a public and veterinary health problem. Helminths influence pork production, whereas backyard pigs can transmit these parasites.
BACKGROUND
Parasitic diseases of pigs are a public and veterinary health problem. Helminths influence pork production, whereas backyard pigs can transmit these parasites.
OBJECTIVES
This work aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against Ascaris suum and Trichinella spiralis in backyard pigs from Jamiltepec, Region de la Costa, Oaxaca, in Southwestern Mexico.
METHODS
Six hundred sixty-four serum samples were obtained from backyard pigs from 23 rural villages distributed in 5 municipalities; samples were taken in a non-probabilistic manner with the owner's consent. The presence of serum antibodies against a total extract of A. suum adult worm was determined by ELISA. In contrast, antibodies to the excretion-secretion products of the T. spiralis muscle larva were determined by Western blot.
RESULTS
The global seroprevalence for A. suum was 5.12% and 2.41% for T. spiralis; however, antibodies were only found in 8 villages and distributed in 3 municipalities. The highest frequency of positivity for Ascaris was found in the municipality of Santa Catarina Mechoacán (13.01%), whereas, in Santa María Huazalotitlán, the highest frequency of positivity for Trichinella was found (5.75%). In San Andrés, frequencies were 7.23% and 4.82%, respectively. No statistical differences were observed between populations.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that helminth transmission is restricted by locality. However, further studies must be conducted to understand the factors limiting this transmission to promote pork meat production in parasite-free zones.
Topics: Animals; Ascaris suum; Mexico; Swine Diseases; Trichinellosis; Swine; Ascariasis; Trichinella spiralis; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Prevalence; Sus scrofa; Antibodies, Helminth; Rural Population
PubMed: 38767566
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1474 -
PLoS Pathogens May 2024A novel group of biocidal compounds are the Crystal 3D (Cry) and Cytolytic (Cyt) proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Some Bt Cry proteins have a selective...
A novel group of biocidal compounds are the Crystal 3D (Cry) and Cytolytic (Cyt) proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Some Bt Cry proteins have a selective nematocidal activity, with Cry5B being the most studied. Cry5B kills nematode parasites by binding selectively to membrane glycosphingolipids, then forming pores in the cell membranes of the intestine leading to damage. Cry5B selectively targets multiple species of nematodes from different clades and has no effect against mammalian hosts. Levamisole is a cholinergic anthelmintic that acts by selectively opening L-subtype nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ion-channels (L-AChRs) that have been found on muscles of nematodes. A synergistic nematocidal interaction between levamisole and Cry5B at the whole-worm level has been described previously, but the location, mechanism and time-course of this synergism is not known. In this study we follow the timeline of the effects of levamisole and Cry5B on the Ca2+ levels in enterocyte cells in the intestine of Ascaris suum using fluorescence imaging. The peak Ca2+ responses to levamisole were observed after approximately 10 minutes while the peak responses to activated Cry5B were observed after approximately 80 minutes. When levamisole and Cry5B were applied simultaneously, we observed that the responses to Cry5B were bigger and occurred sooner than when it was applied by itself. It is proposed that the synergism is due to the cytoplasmic Ca2+ overload that is induced by the combination of levamisole opening Ca2+ permeable L-subtype nAChRs and the Ca2+ permeable Cry5B toxin pores produced in the enterocyte plasma membranes. The effect of levamisole potentiates and speeds the actions of Cry5B that gives rise to bigger Ca2+ overloads that accelerates cell-death of the enterocytes.
Topics: Levamisole; Animals; Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; Endotoxins; Hemolysin Proteins; Bacterial Proteins; Ascaris suum; Anthelmintics; Intestines; Drug Synergism; Antinematodal Agents; Bacillus thuringiensis
PubMed: 38758969
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011835