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Annals of Agricultural and... Jun 2024Morphological anomalies are considered a rare phenomenon among natural tick populations. New cases of abnormalities in ticks are being described, such as body...
Morphological anomalies are considered a rare phenomenon among natural tick populations. New cases of abnormalities in ticks are being described, such as body assymetries, nanism, gynandromorphism and limb malformations. The tick removed from a cat was morphologically identified to species and developmental stage. The time of feeding on the host was determined. The specimen was tested using PCR and Real-Time PCR methods for the presence of the common tick-borne pathogens: , spp, spp., , spp. For visualisation of the anomalous structures, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed. The tick was identified as a slightly engorged adult female of I. ricinus exhibiting ectromely of leg I on the left side of the idiosoma. The specimen was tested positive for two medically important pathogens: and . The case report describes a rare case of a morphological anomaly in an tick from Poland.
Topics: Animals; Poland; Ixodes; Female; Cats; Cat Diseases; Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Tick Infestations
PubMed: 38940115
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/172533 -
Annals of Agricultural and... Jun 2024Intestinal parasitoses are important causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised individuals. In patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI),...
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE
Intestinal parasitoses are important causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised individuals. In patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), the accumulation of non-excreted metabolites leads to uraemia, which induces a state of immunodeficiency, increasing the incidence of infections. The aim of the study was molecular screening for enteric protozoa in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of 53 samples were collected in January 2023 from patients undergoing dialysis at Logman Ltd. Nephrodialysis Centre in Košice, Slovakia. Samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of / , , Microsporidia spp., and sp.
RESULTS
From the 53 samples, the only pathogen identified by PCR was Blastocystis sp., in 13 patients (24.5 %). Sequence analyses confirmed that the most prevalent subtype (ST) among patients was ST 3 (n=9, 69.2%), followed by ST 1 (n=3, 23.1%) and ST 2 (n=1, 7.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
Molecular methods for the detection of microscopic enteric parasites are not used as a first-line diagnostic method in Slovakia. In immunocompromised patients, diarrhoea can be caused not only by a chronic disease or therapy but can also be a result of an ongoing underdiagnosed infection. Early diagnosis leads to targeted therapy and subsequent partial improvement of the quality of life. This study also shows the first insights into sp. subtype distribution in humans in Slovakia.
Topics: Humans; Slovakia; Blastocystis; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Blastocystis Infections; Renal Dialysis; Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Adult; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Feces; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38940102
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/185634 -
Journal of Global Health Jun 2024Malaria infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of maternal death, as well as adverse birth outcomes. Intermittent preventive treatment in...
BACKGROUND
Malaria infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of maternal death, as well as adverse birth outcomes. Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is known to improve pregnancy outcomes. However, the coverage of IPTp-SP in antenatal care (ANC) in sub-Saharan Africa remains well below the target. This study aims to estimate to what extent malaria service readiness affects the uptake of IPTp-SP during ANC visits in sub-Saharan African countries.
METHODS
This study included 3267 pregnant women attending ANC for the first time and 2797 pregnant women who had attended ANC more than a month ago in six sub-Saharan African countries. The readiness of malaria services at each institution includes four indicators: the presence of IPTp-SP guidelines, SP availability, integration of IPTp-SP service into ANC, and provider training on IPTp-SP. The outcome variable indicates whether a pregnant woman received IPTp-SP at her current ANC visit. A modified Poisson regression model estimated the associations between malaria service readiness and IPTp-SP uptake for women eligible for the first and subsequent doses.
RESULTS
For women eligible for their first dose, visiting an institution with available SP was associated with an increased probability of receiving IPTp-SP (risk ratio (RR) = 1.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22 to 1.67, P < 0.001). For women who were eligible for their next dose, the availability of SP (RR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.32, P = 0.008) and integration of IPTp-SP service into ANC (RR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.21 to 2.74, P = 0.004) in the institution were associated with increased likelihood of IPTp-SP uptake. Counterfactual predictions indicated that enhanced provider training could boost IPTp-SP uptake in high-uptake countries, while better SP availability and IPTp-SP integration into ANC would significantly impact low-uptake countries.
CONCLUSIONS
For better IPTp-SP coverage, strategies should be customised. High uptake countries should focus on provider training, while low uptake ones should ensure IPTp-SP availability and service integration.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Antimalarials; Africa South of the Sahara; Pyrimethamine; Sulfadoxine; Malaria; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Adult; Drug Combinations; Prenatal Care; Young Adult; Adolescent; Patient Acceptance of Health Care
PubMed: 38939971
DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04112 -
Extracellular Vesicle Jun 2024Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles released into the extracellular milieu from various cell types including host cells and pathogens that infect...
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles released into the extracellular milieu from various cell types including host cells and pathogens that infect them. As carriers of nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, metabolites, and virulence factors, EVs act as delivery vehicles for intercellular communication and quorum sensing. Innate immune cells have the capacity to intercept, internalize, and interpret 'messages' contained within these EVs. This review categorizes the ability of EVs secreted by bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens to trigger both pro- and anti-inflammatory innate immune responses in the host. Understanding molecular pathways and inflammatory responses activated in innate immune cells upon pathogen-derived EV stimulation is critical to gain insight into potential therapeutics and combat these infectious diseases.
PubMed: 38939756
DOI: 10.1016/j.vesic.2024.100043 -
Current Tropical Medicine Reports Dec 2023Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. This...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to enhance our understanding of HAT and provide valuable insights to combat this significant public health issue by synthesizing the latest research and evidence.
RECENT FINDINGS
HAT has reached a historical < 1000 cases in 2018. In patients without neurologic symptoms and signs, the likelihood of a severe meningoencephalitic stage is deemed low, obviating the need for a lumbar puncture to guide treatment decisions using fexinidazole.
SUMMARY
Both forms of the disease, gambiense HAT (gHAT) and rhodesiense HAT (rHAT), have specific epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Disease management still requires a high index of suspicion, infectious disease expertise, and specialized medical care. Essential stakeholders in health policy are critical to accomplishing the elimination goals of the NTD roadmap for 2021-2030.
PubMed: 38939748
DOI: 10.1007/s40475-023-00304-w -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024
Topics: Biomarkers; Animals; Humans; Host-Parasite Interactions; Trypanosomiasis; Trypanosomatina; Trypanosoma
PubMed: 38938579
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1422067 -
Journal of Extracellular Biology Sep 2023Extracellular vesicles (EVs) recently emerged as important players in the pathophysiology of parasitic infections. While the protist parasite can produce EVs, their...
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) recently emerged as important players in the pathophysiology of parasitic infections. While the protist parasite can produce EVs, their role in giardiasis remains obscure. can disrupt gut microbiota biofilms and transform commensal bacteria into invasive pathobionts at sites devoid of colonizing trophozoites via unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that EVs could modify gut bacterial behaviour via a novel mode of trans-kingdom communication. Our findings indicate that EVs exert bacteriostatic effects on HB101 and TW1, increasing their swimming motility. EVs also decreased the biofilm-forming ability of HB101 but not by TW1, supporting the hypothesis that these effects are, at least in part, bacteria-selective. HB101 and TW1 exhibited increased adhesion/invasion onto small intestine epithelial cells when exposed to EVs. EVs labelled with PKH67 revealed colocalization with HB101 and TW1 bacterial cells. Small RNA sequencing revealed a high abundance of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)- and transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs, short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and micro-RNAs (miRNAs) within EVs. Proteomic analysis of EVs uncovered the presence of RNA chaperones and heat shock proteins that can facilitate the thermal stability of EVs and its sRNA cargo, as well as protein-modifying enzymes. In vitro, RNase heat-treatment assays showed that total RNAs in EVs, but not proteins, are responsible for modulating bacterial swimming motility and biofilm formation. small RNAs of EVs, but not proteins, were responsible for the increased bacterial adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells induced upon exposure to EVs. Together, the findings indicate that EVs contain a heat-stable, RNase-sensitive cargo that can trigger the development of pathobiont characteristics in Enterobacteria, depicting a novel trans-kingdom cross-talk in the gut.
PubMed: 38938375
DOI: 10.1002/jex2.109 -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2024Digital imaging combined with deep-learning-based computational image analysis is a growing area in medical diagnostics, including parasitology, where a number of...
BACKGROUND
Digital imaging combined with deep-learning-based computational image analysis is a growing area in medical diagnostics, including parasitology, where a number of automated analytical devices have been developed and are available for use in clinical practice.
METHODS
The performance of Parasight All-in-One (AIO), a second-generation device, was evaluated by comparing it to a well-accepted research method (mini-FLOTAC) and to another commercially available test (Imagyst). Fifty-nine canine and feline infected fecal specimens were quantitatively analyzed by all three methods. Since some samples were positive for more than one parasite, the dataset consisted of 48 specimens positive for Ancylostoma spp., 13 for Toxocara spp. and 23 for Trichuris spp.
RESULTS
The magnitude of Parasight AIO counts correlated well with those of mini-FLOTAC but not with those of Imagyst. Parasight AIO counted approximately 3.5-fold more ova of Ancylostoma spp. and Trichuris spp. and 4.6-fold more ova of Toxocara spp. than the mini-FLOTAC, and counted 27.9-, 17.1- and 10.2-fold more of these same ova than Imagyst, respectively. These differences translated into differences between the test sensitivities at low egg count levels (< 50 eggs/g), with Parasight AIO > mini-FLOTAC > Imagyst. At higher egg counts Parasight AIO and mini-FLOTAC performed with comparable precision (which was significantly higher that than Imagyst), whereas at lower counts (> 30 eggs/g) Parasight was more precise than both mini-FLOTAC and Imagyst, while the latter two methods did not significantly differ from each other.
CONCLUSIONS
In general, Parasight AIO analyses were both more precise and sensitive than mini-FLOTAC and Imagyst and quantitatively correlated well with mini-FLOTAC. While Parasight AIO produced lower raw counts in eggs-per-gram than mini-FLOTAC, these could be corrected using the data generated from these correlations.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Dogs; Feces; Dog Diseases; Parasite Egg Count; Cat Diseases; Toxocara; Ancylostoma; Trichuris; Helminths; Helminthiasis, Animal; Ovum
PubMed: 38937854
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06351-0 -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2024Indoor residual spraying (IRS) has been implemented to prevent malaria in Zambia for several decades, but its effectiveness has not been evaluated long term and in Vubwi...
BACKGROUND
Indoor residual spraying (IRS) has been implemented to prevent malaria in Zambia for several decades, but its effectiveness has not been evaluated long term and in Vubwi District yet. This study aimed to assess the association between IRS and the malaria burden in Zambia and Vubwi District and to explore the factors associated with refusing IRS.
METHODS
A retrospective study was used to analyze the association between IRS and malaria incidence in Zambia in 2001-2020 and in Vubwi District in 2014-2020 by Spearman correlation analysis. A case-control study was used to explore the factors associated with IRS refusals by households in Vubwi District in 2021. A logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with IRS refusals.
RESULTS
The malaria incidence reached its peak (391/1000) in 2001 and dropped to the lowest (154/1000) in 2019. The annual percentage change in 2001-2003, 2003-2008, 2008-2014, 2014-2018 and 2018-2020 was - 6.54%, - 13.24%, 5.04%, - 10.28% and 18.61%, respectively. A significantly negative correlation between the percentage of population protected by the IRS against the total population in Zambia (coverage) and the average malaria incidence in the whole population was observed in 2005-2020 (r = - 0.685, P = 0.003) and 2005-2019 (r = - 0.818, P < 0.001). Among 264 participants (59 in the refuser group and 205 in the acceptor group), participants with specific occupations (self-employed: OR 0.089, 95% CI 0.022-0.364; gold panning: OR 0.113, 95% CI 0.022-0.574; housewives: OR 0.129, 95% CI 0.026-0.628 and farmers: OR 0.135, 95% CI 0.030-0.608 compared to employees) and no malaria case among household members (OR 0.167; 95% CI 0.071-0.394) had a lower risk of refusing IRS implementation, while those with a secondary education level (OR 3.690, 95% CI 1.245-10.989) had a higher risk of refusing IRS implementation compared to those who had never been to school.
CONCLUSIONS
Increasing coverage with IRS was associated with decreasing incidence of malaria in Zambia, though this was not observed in Vubwi District, possibly because of the special geographical location of Vubwi District. Interpersonal communication and targeted health education should be implemented at full scale to ensure household awareness and gain community trust.
Topics: Zambia; Humans; Case-Control Studies; Malaria; Mosquito Control; Incidence; Retrospective Studies; Insecticides; Female; Male; Animals; Adult; Child, Preschool; Child; Adolescent
PubMed: 38937791
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06328-z -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2024Along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi, the incidence of schistosomiasis is increasing with snails of the genera Bulinus and Biomphalaria transmitting urogenital...
BACKGROUND
Along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi, the incidence of schistosomiasis is increasing with snails of the genera Bulinus and Biomphalaria transmitting urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis, respectively. Since the underlying distribution of snails is partially known, often being focal, developing pragmatic spatial models that interpolate snail information across under-sampled regions is required to understand and assess current and future risk of schistosomiasis.
METHODS
A secondary geospatial analysis of recently collected malacological and environmental survey data was undertaken. Using a Bayesian Poisson latent Gaussian process model, abundance data were fitted for Bulinus and Biomphalaria. Interpolating the abundance of snails along the shoreline (given their relative distance along the shoreline) was achieved by smoothing, using extracted environmental rainfall, land surface temperature (LST), evapotranspiration, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and soil type covariate data for all predicted locations. Our adopted model used a combination of two-dimensional (2D) and one dimensional (1D) mapping.
RESULTS
A significant association between normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and abundance of Bulinus spp. was detected (log risk ratio - 0.83, 95% CrI - 1.57, - 0.09). A qualitatively similar association was found between NDVI and Biomphalaria sp. but was not statistically significant (log risk ratio - 1.42, 95% CrI - 3.09, 0.10). Analyses of all other environmental data were considered non-significant.
CONCLUSIONS
The spatial range in which interpolation of snail distributions is possible appears < 10km owing to fine-scale biotic and abiotic heterogeneities. The forthcoming challenge is to refine geospatial sampling frameworks with future opportunities to map schistosomiasis within actual or predicted snail distributions. In so doing, this would better reveal local environmental transmission possibilities.
Topics: Animals; Malawi; Lakes; Biomphalaria; Bulinus; Schistosomiasis; Spatial Analysis; Humans; Bayes Theorem; Snails; Disease Vectors
PubMed: 38937778
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06353-y