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Parasitology Jun 2023and are diphyllobothriidean tapeworms autochthonous to Europe. Their larval stages (plerocercoids) may seriously alter health of their intermediate fish hosts () or...
An examination of nervous system revealed unexpected immunoreactivity of both secretory apparatus and excretory canals in plerocercoids of two broad tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea).
and are diphyllobothriidean tapeworms autochthonous to Europe. Their larval stages (plerocercoids) may seriously alter health of their intermediate fish hosts () or cause intestinal diphyllobothriosis of the final human host (). Despite numerous data on the internal structure of broad tapeworms, many aspects of the morphology and physiology related to host–parasite co-existence remain unclear for these 2 species. The main objective of this work was to elucidate functional morphology of the frontal part (scolex) of plerocercoids, which is crucial for their establishment in fish tissues and for an early attachment in final hosts. The whole-mount specimens were labelled with different antibodies and examined by confocal microscope to capture their complex 3-dimensional microanatomy. Both species exhibited similar general pattern of immunofluorescent signal, although some differences were observed. In the nervous system, FMRF amide-like immunoreactivity (IR) occurred in the bi-lobed brain, 2 main nerve cords and surrounding nerve plexuses. Differences between the species were found in the structure of the brain commissures and the size of the sensilla. Synapsin IR examined in occurred mainly around FMRF amide-like IR brain lobes and main cords. The unexpected finding was an occurrence of FMRF amide-like IR in terminal reservoirs of secretory gland ducts and excretory canals, which has not been observed previously in any tapeworm species. This may indicate that secretory/excretory products, which play a key role in host–parasite relationships, are likely to contain FMRF amide-related peptide/s.
Topics: Animals; Humans; FMRFamide; Cestoda; Diphyllobothrium; Diphyllobothriasis; Nervous System; Fishes
PubMed: 36938799
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023000306 -
International Journal of Infectious... Mar 2023A 30-year-old male patient had a cyst on the left hip and progressive enlargement for more than 2 months. Combined blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging, and pathology...
A 30-year-old male patient had a cyst on the left hip and progressive enlargement for more than 2 months. Combined blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging, and pathology findings, cysticercosis infection was suspected. However, the treatment for cysticercosis was ineffective. We conducted a metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) analysis on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimen of the patient's surgically excised tissue, and the results suggested Spirometra mansoni, mNGS was further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Based on these results, we found that mNGS provided a better method of diagnosing parasitic infections.
Topics: Male; Animals; Humans; Adult; Spirometra; Sparganosis; Phylogeny; Cysticercosis; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Metagenomics
PubMed: 36592686
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.12.038 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Dec 2022To improve our understanding of the migration of sparganum in humans, we report a case of ocular sparganosis having the migratory episode from the muscle cone to the...
To improve our understanding of the migration of sparganum in humans, we report a case of ocular sparganosis having the migratory episode from the muscle cone to the subconjunctiva. A 34-year-old woman was admitted to the Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Hefei, China), in December 2019. She presented with conjunctival hemorrhage and recurrent pain in the left eye. A foreign body was found in the muscle cone of the eye. Two months later, a ribbon-like white material was found under the conjunctiva on slit-lamp examination. A long and slender, actively moving parasite was extracted by surgery. The extracted worm was approximately 8 cm long and 2 mm wide. The worm was whitish, wrinkled, ribbon shaped, and had a slightly enlarged scolex. The worm sample was morphologically identified as a plerocercoid larva (sparganum) of the Spirometra tapeworm. Her conjunctival blood suffusion and eye pain ceased within 1 week after operation. She has been in good health without any symptoms during the 2-year follow-up. A case of ocular sparganosis, in which larval worm migrated from the muscle cone to the subconjunctiva is reported from China.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Female; Adult; Sparganosis; Sparganum; Spirometra; Cestoda; Eye Diseases; Muscles; China; Larva
PubMed: 36588419
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.6.419 -
Parasites & Vectors Dec 2022In China, the plerocercoid of the cestode Spirometra mansoni is the main causative agent of human and animal sparganosis. However, the population genetic structure of...
BACKGROUND
In China, the plerocercoid of the cestode Spirometra mansoni is the main causative agent of human and animal sparganosis. However, the population genetic structure of this parasite remains unclear. In this study, we genotyped S. mansoni isolates with the aim to improve current knowledge on the evolution and population diversity of this cestode.
METHODS
We first screened 34 perfect simple sequence repeats (SSRs) using all available omic data and then constructed target sequencing technology (Target SSR-seq) based on the Illumina NovaSeq platform. Next, a series of STRUCTURE. clustering, principal component, analysis of molecular variance and TreeMix analyses were performed on 362 worm samples isolated from 12 different hosts in 16 geographical populations of China to identify the genetic structure.
RESULTS
A total of 170 alleles were detected. The whole population could be organized and was found to be derived from the admixture of two ancestral clusters. TreeMix analysis hinted that possible gene flow occurred from Guizhou (GZ) to Sichuan (SC), SC to Jaingxi (JX), SC to Hubei (HB), GZ to Yunnan (YN) and GZ to Jiangsu (JS). Both neighbor-joining clustering and principal coordinate analysis showed that isolates from intermediate hosts tend to cluster together, while parasites from definitive hosts revealed greater genetic differences. Generally, a S. mansoni population was observed to harbor high genetic diversity, moderate genetic differentiation and a little genetic exchange among geographical populations.
CONCLUSIONS
A Target SSR-seq genotyping method was successfully developed, and an in-depth view of genetic diversity and genetic relationship will have important implications for the prevention and control of sparganosis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Spirometra; Sparganosis; China; Phylogeny; Genotype; Microsatellite Repeats; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 36564786
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05568-1 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Nov 2022We report molecular identification of an adult Spirometra mansoni tapeworm retrieved from a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in Colombia, confirming presence of this...
We report molecular identification of an adult Spirometra mansoni tapeworm retrieved from a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in Colombia, confirming presence of this parasite in South America. This tapeworm is the causative agent of human sparganosis, commonly reported from Southeast Asia, and represents the second congeneric species with known zoonotic potential in the Americas.
Topics: Animals; Adult; Humans; Spirometra; Sparganosis; Cestode Infections; South America; Colombia
PubMed: 36286232
DOI: 10.3201/eid2811.220529 -
Revista Chilena de Infectologia :... Apr 2022Parasitic infections cause a huge burden of disease and are a current public health problem. The category of emerging or re-emerging disease is influenced by phenomena... (Review)
Review
Parasitic infections cause a huge burden of disease and are a current public health problem. The category of emerging or re-emerging disease is influenced by phenomena that occur in today's interconnected world because of globalization, the displacement of people, trade, uncoordinated urbanization and climate change, they have a very important influence on transmission of these diseases. In 2021 there was an increase in the number of patients who have required treatment for diphyllobothriasis in the Los Ríos Region. This article reviews aspects related to integrated Health Service networks to provide access to pharmacological treatments to patients diagnosed with diphyllobothriasis (tapeworm infection), implemented by the Valdivia Health Service Department, in collaboration with the San José de Osorno hospital, primary care centers and private centers in the Los Ríos Region.
Topics: Diphyllobothriasis; Humans; Praziquantel
PubMed: 35856998
DOI: 10.4067/S0716-10182022000200221 -
Parasitology Jul 2022Durrington Walls was a large Neolithic settlement in Britain dating around 2500 BCE, located very close to Stonehenge and likely to be the campsite where its builders...
Durrington Walls was a large Neolithic settlement in Britain dating around 2500 BCE, located very close to Stonehenge and likely to be the campsite where its builders lived during its main stage of construction. Nineteen coprolites recovered from a midden and associated pits at Durrington Walls were analysed for intestinal parasite eggs using digital light microscopy. Five (26%) contained helminth eggs, 1 with those of fish tapeworm (likely ) and 4 with those of capillariid nematodes. Analyses of bile acid and sterol from these 5 coprolites show 1 to be of likely human origin and the other 4 to likely derive from dogs. The presence of fish tapeworm reveals that the Neolithic people who gathered to feast at Durrington Walls were at risk of infection from eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish. When the eggs of capillariids are found in the feces of humans or dogs it normally indicates that the internal organs (liver, lung or intestines) of animals with capillariasis have been eaten, and eggs passed through the gut without causing disease. Their presence in multiple coprolites provides new evidence that internal organs of animals were consumed. These novel findings improve our understanding of both parasitic infection and dietary habits associated with this key Neolithic ceremonial site.
Topics: Animals; Diphyllobothriasis; Diphyllobothrium; Dogs; Feces; Helminths; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Parasites
PubMed: 35592918
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022000476 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Apr 2022The incidence of sparganosis, especially intracranial live sparganosis is very low in China. Due to the lack of typical clinical manifestations, it is difficult to make...
BACKGROUND
The incidence of sparganosis, especially intracranial live sparganosis is very low in China. Due to the lack of typical clinical manifestations, it is difficult to make a clear preoperative diagnosis of the disease, which often leads to delays the disease and serious consequences.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 23-year-old man presented with a 17-year history of intermittent seizures and right extremity numbness and weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed patchy, nodular and line-like enhancement. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected positive antibodies to Spirometra mansoni in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In addition, during the operation, an ivory-colored live sparganosis was removed under the precise positioning of neuronavigation, and the patient was diagnosed with cerebral sparganosis. The patient began praziquantel and sodium valproate treatment after the operation, and was followed up for 3 months. There was no recurrence of epilepsy, and the weakness and numbness of the right limb improved.
CONCLUSION
Nonspecific clinical manifestations often make the diagnosis of cerebral sparganosis difficult, and a comprehensive diagnosis should be made based on epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, ELISA results and imaging findings. Surgery is the preferred method for the treatment of cerebral sparganosis, and more satisfactory results can be achieved under the precise positioning of neuronavigation.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Humans; Hypesthesia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Praziquantel; Sparganosis; Spirometra; Young Adult
PubMed: 35397512
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07293-7 -
International Journal of Infectious... Apr 2022Sparganosis, especially cerebral sparganosis, is a rare comorbidity of HIV/AIDS. Owing to nonspecific symptoms of sparganosis, diagnosis and treatment of the disease are...
Sparganosis, especially cerebral sparganosis, is a rare comorbidity of HIV/AIDS. Owing to nonspecific symptoms of sparganosis, diagnosis and treatment of the disease are challenging with a very high rate of misdiagnosis. This case report summarizes the clinical data of a case of cerebral sparganosis in a patient with HIV/AIDS. It provides a reference for the treatment of HIV/AIDS coexisting with parasitic encephalopathy (cerebral sparganosis). Cerebral sparganosis has been reported worldwide, especially in Asian countries. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of cerebral sparganosis associated with HIV/AIDS.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Asia; Brain Diseases; Diagnostic Errors; Humans; Sparganosis
PubMed: 35151855
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.016 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2022The geographic distribution of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea), the causative agent of food/water-borne sparganosis, is restricted to Europe,...
The geographic distribution of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea), the causative agent of food/water-borne sparganosis, is restricted to Europe, where infected canids, felids, mustelids, suids, and reptiles have been documented from Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Serbia, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland. The main objective of the current study was to map the molecular divergence of S. erinaceieuropaei from Finland using the complete sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1 mtDNA). Seven cox1 haplotypes were determined in 15 tapeworms from Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) from three localities in southern Finland. In addition, the first inter-population study of S. erinaceieuropaei based on currently obtained data on cox1 from Finland and previously published data from Finland, Latvia, Ukraine, and Poland, was performed. The haplotype network showed a star-like pattern without specific subdivision of lineages according to the locality. Samples from Finland, Latvia, and Poland shared several haplotypes and formed the common Baltic lineage. The haplotype of S. erinaceieuropaei from Ukraine was unique and placed on a separate mutational pathway, suggesting a different lineage of the parasite.
Topics: Animals; DNA, Mitochondrial; Europe; Phylogeny; Sparganosis; Spirometra
PubMed: 35148496
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022009