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Parasites & Vectors May 2018Paragonimus heterotremus is the main causative agent of paragonimiasis in Thailand. In Western blot diagnostic assays for paragonimiasis, the 35 kDa band present in...
BACKGROUND
Paragonimus heterotremus is the main causative agent of paragonimiasis in Thailand. In Western blot diagnostic assays for paragonimiasis, the 35 kDa band present in crude P. heterotremus somatic extracts represents one of the known diagnostic bands. This study aimed to use a P. heterotremus cDNA library to create a recombinant version of this antigen for use in immunodiagnosis of paragonimiasis.
METHODS
To accomplish this aim a cDNA expression library was constructed from adult worm mRNA and immuno-screened using antibodies from mice that had been immunized with the 35 kDa antigen. Screening resulted in the identification of an immunoreactive protein encoded by clone CE3, which contained an inserted sequence composed of 1292 base pairs. This clone was selected for use in the construction of a recombinant P. heterotremus protein because of its similarity to proactivator polypeptide. For recombinant protein expression, the CE3 gene sequence was inserted into the plasmid vector pRset and the resulting product had the expected molecular weight of 35 kDa. An IgG-ELISA based on the CE3 recombinant protein was evaluated by using sera from healthy individuals, from patients with paragonimiasis and other parasitic infections. This ELISA was performed by using human sera diluted at 1:2000, an optimized antigen concentration of 1 μg/ml, and anti-human IgG diluted at 1:4000.
RESULTS
The cut-off optical density value was set as the mean + 2 standard deviations (0.54), which resulted in the test having a sensitivity of 88.89% and a specificity of 95.51%. The recombinant antigen could react with antibodies from P. heterotremus, P. pseudoheterotremus and P. westermani infections. Cross-reactivity occurred with a few cases of Blastocystis hominis infection (2/3), Bancroftian filariasis (1/10), opisthorchiasis (3/10), strongyloidiasis (4/10) and neurocysticercosis (1/11).
CONCLUSIONS
Given the high test sensitivity and specificity, reflected in the low level of heterologous infection cross-reactivity (11/215 serum samples), observed in the IgG-ELISA, this 35 kDa antigen may be useful for the detection of paragonimiasis.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Antigens, Helminth; Cross Reactions; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus; Recombinant Proteins; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests
PubMed: 29843786
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2878-5 -
Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources May 2018In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of human lung fluke, was recovered through Illumina sequencing data. This complete mitochondrial genome of is...
In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of human lung fluke, was recovered through Illumina sequencing data. This complete mitochondrial genome of is 13,927 bp in length and has a base composition of A (16.6%), T (41.8%), C (13.%), G (28.4%), demonstrating an obvious bias of high AT content (58.4%). The mitochondrial genome contains a typically conserved structure, encoding 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) and a control region (D-loop region). All PCGs were located on the H-strand. ND4 gene and ND4L gene were overlapped by 39 bp. The nucleotide sequence of 12 PCGs of and other 10 parasite species were used for phylogenetic analysis. The result indicated a relative close relationship with species (AF219379.2).
PubMed: 33474240
DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2018.1462119 -
Pharmacological Research Jul 2018The World Health Organization estimated that more than 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths globally, and foodborne trematodiases in humans... (Review)
Review
The World Health Organization estimated that more than 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths globally, and foodborne trematodiases in humans cause ∼2 million life-years lost to disability and death worldwide every year. Investment in prevention, treatment, and awareness of helminth infections and discovery of new, safe, effective, and affordable anti-helminth drugs are urgently needed. Artemisinin (ART) and its derivatives have been widely used to treat malaria and other protozoan infections; they also possess activities against helminths. So far, many papers on ART and its derivatives against schistosomal infections have been reported and reviewed. This review attempts to summarize recent advances in the uses of ART and its derivatives to treat infections of helminth parasites other than Schistosoma spp. in both humans and animals, including nematodes (Toxocara canis, Trichinella spiralis, Haemonchus contortus, Meloidogyne spp., Globodera rostochiensis, and Xiphinema index), cestodes (Echinococcus spp. and Taenia crassiceps), trematodes (Echinostoma spp., Fasciola spp., Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, Paragonimus westermani, Heterophyes heterophyes, and Paramphistomum microbothrium), and monogenea parasites (Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus). We concluded that ART and its derivatives are potentially effective drugs for treating various helminthic diseases of public health significance.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Artemisinins; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Humans
PubMed: 29727708
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.04.025 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Jul 2017To evaluate the effect of the prevention and control technique training of human important parasitic diseases for basic professional and technical personnel in Jiangsu...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the prevention and control technique training of human important parasitic diseases for basic professional and technical personnel in Jiangsu Province in 2017.
METHODS
A workshop including theory courses and practical operations was carried out for the basic professional and technical personnel. At the end of the workshop, the effects were evaluated through the theoretical and microscopic examinations.
RESULTS
There were 132 trainees from 13 cities, and all of them took part in the final examinations. The average score of total was 118.36. There were significant differences among different regions ( = 13.38, < 0.01). The pass rate of the theory test was 92.4% with the average score of 79.05. There were significant differences of theory scores among different regions ( =14.51, < 0.01). The theory score of Northern Jiangsu Province was significantly higher than the scores of Southern and Central Jiangsu Province ( < 0.001, = 0.009). The pass rate of microscopic examinations was 89.4% with the average score of 39.32. There was no significant difference of micro-scopic examination scores among different regions ( = 2.37, = 0.09). Among the total 7 species, the detection rate of was the highest (75%) and the rates of and were only 51.5% and 54.5% respectively. The detection rates of eggs of , unfertilized , and were 71.2%, 65.9%, 72.7% and 72.0% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The training course has promoted the capability of prevention and control of parasitic diseases for basic technical personnel. Also it provides the technical supports for parasitic disease monitoring, control and risk assessment in the next step.
Topics: Animals; Ascaris lumbricoides; China; Cities; Clonorchis sinensis; Health Personnel; Humans; Parasitic Diseases; Professional Competence; Schistosoma japonicum
PubMed: 29469369
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2017071 -
Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017We report the case of a 15-year-old Burmese girl who presented with hemoptysis 3 years after immigrating to Australia with a background of previously treated pulmonary...
We report the case of a 15-year-old Burmese girl who presented with hemoptysis 3 years after immigrating to Australia with a background of previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis at 6 years of age. Cavitation in the right upper lobe had originally been identified on her baseline chest radiograph following arrival to Australia; extensive investigations were conducted thereafter to exclude causes of cavitary lung disease; these were negative. was finally diagnosed on serological grounds 3 years after this child's original presentation, with subsequent identification of in sputum and in stool. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of Paragonimiasis in children who have traveled to or originate from endemic countries who present with a clinically compatible illness. Treatment is simple and effective. Failure to consider this pathogen early may result in unnecessary investigative workup and delayed diagnosis.
PubMed: 29308402
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx224 -
PloS One 2017MF6p/FhHDM-1 is a small cationic heme-binding protein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) MF6, and abundantly present in parenchymal cells and secreted...
MF6p/FhHDM-1 is a small cationic heme-binding protein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) MF6, and abundantly present in parenchymal cells and secreted antigens of Fasciola hepatica. Orthologs of this protein (MF6p/HDMs) also exist in other causal agents of important foodborne trematodiasis, such as Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini and Paragonimus westermani. Considering that MF6p/FhHDM-1 is relevant for heme homeostasis in Fasciola and was reported to have immunomodulatory properties, this protein is expected to be a useful target for vaccination. Thus, in this study we mapped the epitope recognized by mAb MF6 and evaluated its antigenicity in sheep. The sequence of the MF6p/FhHDM-1 ortholog from F. gigantica (MF6p/FgHDM-1) was also reported. By means of ELISA inhibitions with overlapping synthetic peptides, we determined that the epitope recognized by mAb MF6 is located within the C-terminal moiety of MF6p/FhHDM-1, which is the most conserved region of MF6p/HDMs. By immunoblotting analysis of parasite extracts and ELISA inhibitions with synthetic peptides we also determined that mAb MF6 reacted with the same intensity with F. hepatica and F. gigantica, and in decreasing order of intensity with C. sinensis, O.viverrini and P. westermani orthologs. On the contrary, mAb MF6 showed no reactivity against Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Schistosoma mansoni. The study of the recognition of peptides covering different regions of MF6p/FhHDM-1 by sera from immunized sheep revealed that the C-terminal moiety is the most antigenic, thus being of potential interest for vaccination. We also demonstrated that the production of antibodies to MF6p/FhHDM-1 in sheep infected by F. hepatica occurs relatively early and follows the same pattern as those produced against L-cathepsins.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Helminth; Carrier Proteins; Dendrites; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epitope Mapping; Epitopes; Fasciola hepatica; Fascioliasis; Heme; Heme-Binding Proteins; Hemeproteins; Protein Conformation; Sheep; Vaccination
PubMed: 29161330
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188520 -
BMC Pediatrics Nov 2017Paragonimiasis, particularly hepatic paragonimiasis (HP), is a type of zoonotic parasitic disease rarely encountered in infants. There have been only a few reports of...
BACKGROUND
Paragonimiasis, particularly hepatic paragonimiasis (HP), is a type of zoonotic parasitic disease rarely encountered in infants. There have been only a few reports of HP, and no case of HP has been reported in an infant.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 15-month-old girl presented with persistent mild fever with a duration of 1 month, hepatomegaly, and low-density lesions in the right hepatic lobe on abdominal ultrasound and computer tomography. Pathological examination and serum antibody detection were performed to verify HP. The diagnosis of HP was established based on findings of Charcot-Leyden crystals on liver lesion biopsy and antibodies against paragonimus westermani detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After initiation of praziquantel (75 mg/kg/day for 3 days), all clinical findings promptly improved and the patient was discharged.
CONCLUSION
It is very important to consider paragonimiasis in the clinical examination of infants from an area with paragonimiasis epidemic presenting with fever, hepatomegaly, low-density lesions in the liver.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Paragonimiasis
PubMed: 29141594
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-017-0942-5 -
Paediatrics and International Child... Nov 2018An 11-year-old boy collapsed during morning assembly at his junior high school. The automated external defibrillator detected ventricular fibrillation and provided shock...
An 11-year-old boy collapsed during morning assembly at his junior high school. The automated external defibrillator detected ventricular fibrillation and provided shock delivery. He was successfully resuscitated and reverted to sinus rhythm. Electrocardiography showed ST-T elevation in the precordial leads. Echocardiography and angiography demonstrated akinesia of the apex and mid-wall of the left ventricle with preserved contraction of the basal segments, which suggested Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The patient and his family had often eaten uncooked crab, and his father had a past history of infection with Paragonimiasis westermani. The patient had had a persistent cough and chest pain for several weeks. Chest radiograph showed cystic cavities in the left upper lung. Microbiological examination of the sputum demonstrated an egg of P. westermani and immunological assay showed a raised antibody titre to P. westermani. On the12th day of admission, he developed seizures, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated cerebral involvement. After the administration of praziquantel for 3 days, the clinical manifestations improved immediately, and echocardiography normalised within 3 weeks. The patient was discharged on the 32nd day + and follow-up was normal. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy following a potentially fatal arrhythmia is a rare cardiac complication associated with pulmonary and central nervous system infection by P. westermani.
Topics: Angiography; Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections; Child; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Microbiological Techniques; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus westermani; Praziquantel; Radiography, Thoracic; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28884631
DOI: 10.1080/20469047.2017.1371482 -
JNMA; Journal of the Nepal Medical... 2017Paragonimiasis is a zoonosis caused by many species of Paragonimus commonly P. westermani. Human get infected by eating raw, salted, pickled, smoked, partially cooked...
Paragonimiasis is a zoonosis caused by many species of Paragonimus commonly P. westermani. Human get infected by eating raw, salted, pickled, smoked, partially cooked crustaceans (crayfish or crabs). Clinical manifestations ranges from non-specific symptoms like pain abdomen, diarrhea, urticarial rashes, fever to pleuropulmonary symptoms like cough, hemoptysis, chest pain and dyspnea. A 48 years, female presented at TUTH emergency with fever on and off for nine months, cough and shortness of breath for three months, lethargy, malaise and urticaria with history of raw crab intake one month prior to the onset of symptoms. Blood and pleural fluid analysis revealed raised total counts with eosinophilia and x-ray showed bilateral infiltration of lower lobes with pleural effusion. Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examination of sputum for Paragonimus. She responded well to Praziquantel. Pulmonary paragonimiasis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of unresolving pneumonia and unexplained hypereosinophilia.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Diagnosis, Differential; Eosinophilia; Female; Foodborne Diseases; Humans; Middle Aged; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus westermani; Pleural Effusion; Pneumonia; Praziquantel; Shellfish; Sputum; Symptom Assessment; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28746328
DOI: No ID Found -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Jun 2017During civil engineering construction near Sejong-ro, Jongro-ku, Seoul, cultural sites were found that are thought to have been built in the 15th century. This area was...
During civil engineering construction near Sejong-ro, Jongro-ku, Seoul, cultural sites were found that are thought to have been built in the 15th century. This area was home to many different people as well as the leaders of the Yi dynasty. To gain further insight into the life styles of the inhabitants of the old capital, soil samples were collected from various areas such as toilets, water foundations, and drainage ways. Parasite eggs were examined by microscopy after 5 g soil samples were rehydrated in 0.5% trisodium phosphate solution. A total of 662 parasite eggs from 7 species were found. Species with the highest number of eggs found were (n=483), followed by (138), (21), (8), (6), (4), and (2). These findings indirectly indicate the food habits of the people in Yi dynasty.
Topics: Animals; Archaeology; Ascaris lumbricoides; Clonorchis sinensis; Fasciola hepatica; Feeding Behavior; Heterophyidae; History, 15th Century; Humans; Life Style; Paragonimus westermani; Parasite Egg Count; Parasitology; Republic of Korea; Soil; Trichuris
PubMed: 28719964
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.3.357