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World Journal of Clinical Cases Feb 2024Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease. The prevailing theory links AS onset to infections in susceptible individuals....
BACKGROUND
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease. The prevailing theory links AS onset to infections in susceptible individuals. Furthermore, infections may impair the immune responses. Numerous studies have investigated links between AS and various infections-bacterial, viral, fungal, and other microorganism infections. However, limited attention has been given to the association between AS and () infection.
CASE SUMMARY
A 27-year-old male with a 10-yr history of AS presented to our hospital with inflammatory lower back pain as the primary manifestation. Ten years ago, the patient had achieved a stable condition after treatment with biological agents. However, he experienced a recurrence of lumbosacral pain with an unexplained cause 10 d before hospital admission. A lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed bone marrow edema in the left sacroiliac joint, and laboratory indicators were elevated. Moreover, the presence of eggs was detected in the stool. The patient was prescribed praziquantel, resulting in the disappearance of eggs in subsequent routine stool tests and relief from lumbosacral pain. A follow-up MRI scan performed after 4 months revealed a reduction in bone marrow edema around the left sacroiliac joint.
CONCLUSION
infections could potentially trigger the exacerbation of AS. Clinicians should pay attention to investigating the presence of infections.
PubMed: 38414593
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i5.1018 -
Parasites & Vectors Feb 2024Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a zoonotic parasitic disease of economic and public health importance...
BACKGROUND
Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a zoonotic parasitic disease of economic and public health importance worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean area. Canids are the main definitive hosts of the adult cestode contaminating the environment with parasite eggs released with feces. In rural and peri-urban areas, the risk of transmission to livestock as well as humans is high because of the free-roaming behavior of owned/not owned dogs. Collecting data on animal movements and behavior using GPS dataloggers could be a milestone to contain the spread of this parasitosis. Thus, this study aims to develop a comprehensive control strategy, focused on deworming a dog population in a pilot area of southern Italy (Campania region) highly endemic for CE.
METHODS
Accordingly, five sheep farms, tested to be positive for CE, were selected. In each sheep farm, all shepherd dogs present were treated every 2 months with praziquantel. Furthermore, 15 GPS dataloggers were applied to sheep and dogs, and their movements were tracked for 1 month; the distances that they traveled and their respective home ranges were determined using minimum convex polygon (MCP) analysis with a convex hull geometry as output.
RESULTS
The results showed that the mean daily walking distances traveled by sheep and dogs did not significantly differ. Over 90% of the point locations collected by GPS fell within 1500 mt of the farm, and the longest distances were traveled between 10:00 and 17:00. In all the sheep farms monitored, the area traversed by the animals during their daily activities showed an extension of < 250 hectares. Based on the home range of the animals, the area with the highest risk of access from canids (minimum safe convex polygon) was estimated around the centroid of each farm, and a potential scheme for the delivery of praziquantel-laced baits for the treatment of not owned dogs gravitating around the grazing area was designed.
CONCLUSIONS
This study documents the usefulness of geospatial technology in supporting parasite control strategies to reduce disease transmission.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Animals; Dogs; Sheep; Praziquantel; Dog Diseases; Echinococcosis; Echinococcus granulosus; Zoonoses
PubMed: 38395867
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06184-x -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 2024The drug praziquantel (PZQ) has served as the long-standing drug therapy for treatment of infections caused by parasitic flatworms. These encompass diseases caused by... (Review)
Review
The drug praziquantel (PZQ) has served as the long-standing drug therapy for treatment of infections caused by parasitic flatworms. These encompass diseases caused by parasitic blood, lung, and liver flukes, as well as various tapeworm infections. Despite a history of clinical usage spanning over 4 decades, the parasite target of PZQ has long resisted identification. However, a flatworm transient receptor potential ion channel from the melastatin subfamily (TRPMPZQ) was recently identified as a target for PZQ action. Here, recent experimental progress interrogating TRPMPZQ is evaluated, encompassing biochemical, pharmacological, genetic, and comparative phylogenetic data that highlight the properties of this ion channel. Various lines of evidence that support TRPMPZQ being the therapeutic target of PZQ are presented, together with additional priorities for further research into the mechanism of action of this important clinical drug.
Topics: Praziquantel; Anthelmintics; Phylogeny; Transient Receptor Potential Channels
PubMed: 38358948
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011929 -
BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology Feb 2024Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive disease with complex pathogenesis, short median survival time, and high mortality. There are few effective drugs approved for...
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive disease with complex pathogenesis, short median survival time, and high mortality. There are few effective drugs approved for pulmonary fibrosis treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of praziquantel (PZQ) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
METHODS
In this study, we investigated the role and mechanisms of PZQ in pulmonary fibrosis in a murine model induced by BLM. Parameters investigated included survival rate, lung histopathology, pulmonary collagen deposition, mRNA expression of key genes involved in pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis, the activity of fibroblast, and M2/M1 macrophage ratio.
RESULTS
We found that PZQ improved the survival rate of mice and reduced the body weight loss induced by BLM. Histological examination showed that PZQ significantly inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells, collagen deposition, and hydroxyproline content in BLM-induced mice. Besides, PZQ reduced the expression of TGF-β and MMP-12 in vivo and inhibited the proliferation of fibroblast induced by TGF-β in vitro. Furthermore, PZQ affected the balance of M2/M1 macrophages.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrated that PZQ could ameliorate BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by affecting the balance of M2/M1 macrophages and suppressing the expression of TGF-β and MMP-12. These findings suggest that PZQ may act as an effective anti-fibrotic agent for preventing the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Bleomycin; Praziquantel; Matrix Metalloproteinase 12; Lung; Fibrosis; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Collagen; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38355586
DOI: 10.1186/s40360-024-00737-7 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jan 2024The neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis infects over 200 million people worldwide and is treated with just one broad spectrum antiparasitic drug (praziquantel)....
The neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis infects over 200 million people worldwide and is treated with just one broad spectrum antiparasitic drug (praziquantel). Alternative drugs are needed in the event of emerging praziquantel resistance or treatment failure. One promising lead that has shown efficacy in animal models and a human clinical trial is the benzodiazepine meclonazepam, discovered by Roche in the 1970's. Meclonazepam was not brought to market because of dose-limiting sedative side effects. However, the human target of meclonazepam that causes sedation (GABARs) are not orthologous to the parasite targets that cause worm death. Therefore, we were interested in whether the structure of meclonazepam could be modified to produce antiparasitic benzodiazepines that do not cause host sedation. We synthesized 18 meclonazepam derivatives with modifications at different positions on the benzodiazepine ring system and tested them for antiparasitic activity. This identified five compounds that progressed to screening in a murine model, two of which cured parasite infections with comparable potency to meclonazepam. When these two compounds were administered to mice that were run on the rotarod test, both were less sedating than meclonazepam. These findings demonstrate the proof of concept that meclonazepam analogs can be designed with an improved therapeutic index, and point to the C3 position of the benzodiazepine ring system as a logical site for further structure-activity exploration to further optimize this chemical series.
PubMed: 38352313
DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577323 -
Clinical Case Reports Feb 2024In the evaluation of acute flaccid paralysis, particularly in pediatric populations within endemic areas for schistosomiasis infection, clinicians must maintain a high...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
In the evaluation of acute flaccid paralysis, particularly in pediatric populations within endemic areas for schistosomiasis infection, clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for neuroschistosomiasis. Prompt identification is imperative to mitigate the risk of irreversible neurological sequelae.
ABSTRACT
Spinal cord involvement in neuroschistosomiasis (NS) is considerably rare, with even fewer reported cases affecting the conus medullaris in children. While NS's neurological sequelae are typically thought to be reversible, delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to permanent deficits. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with 3 weeks of progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness. A spinal MRI showed patchy gadolinium enhancement in an expanded conus medullaris, leading to a presumed diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome, and the patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. However, the lack of improvement necessitated surgical laminectomy. The post-operative histopathological examination confirmed the presence of a schistosomal parasite. Despite initiating therapy with corticosteroid and praziquantel, the patient did not exhibit clinical improvement, resulting in persistent flaccid paralysis, bladder, and bowel incontinence. In conclusion, spinal NS should be considered in patients presenting with myeloradicular symptoms in regions endemic for schistosomal infection, as delayed recognition can result in irreversible outcomes.
PubMed: 38344355
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8475 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Feb 2024Schistosomiasis is the second most common parasite disease after malaria and a rare cause of appendicitis. It has been well-documented in the literature that...
INTRODUCTION
Schistosomiasis is the second most common parasite disease after malaria and a rare cause of appendicitis. It has been well-documented in the literature that schistosomiasis infection can have several multisystem effects. The unusual condition known as schistosomal appendicitis was initially described by Turner.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a 48-year-old man with perforated appendicitis and schistosomiasis-like radiological findings. An appendectomy was performed, and schistosomiasis was confirmed by a histological study of the excised appendix. Praziquantel was administered in a single dosage.
CONCLUSION
Although schistosomiasis is a rare cause of appendicitis and is very prevalent in developing nations, it should be considered when managing the condition. Anti-shistosoma drugs, which are not frequently used in post-appendectomy cases, should also be considered in the management.
PubMed: 38333312
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001480 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis is caused by tumour-like growth of the metacestode stage of the tapeworm within host organs. We previously demonstrated that...
The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis is caused by tumour-like growth of the metacestode stage of the tapeworm within host organs. We previously demonstrated that metacestode proliferation is exclusively driven by somatic stem cells (germinative cells), which are the only mitotically active parasite cells that give rise to all differentiated cell types. The gene repertoire required for germinative cell maintenance and differentiation has not been characterised so far. We herein carried out Illumina sequencing on cDNA from metacestode vesicles, from metacestode tissue depleted of germinative cells, and from primary cell cultures. We identified a set of ~1,180 genes associated with germinative cells, which contained numerous known stem cell markers alongside genes involved in replication, cell cycle regulation, mitosis, meiosis, epigenetic modification, and nucleotide metabolism. Interestingly, we also identified 44 stem cell associated transcription factors that are likely involved in regulating germinative cell differentiation and/or pluripotency. By hybridization and pulse-chase experiments, we also found a new general stem cell marker, , and we provide evidence implying the presence of a slow cycling stem cell sub-population expressing the extracellular matrix factor . RNA-Seq analyses on primary cell cultures revealed that metacestode-derived stem cells display an expanded differentiation capability and do not only form differentiated cell types of the metacestode, but also cells expressing genes specific for protoscoleces, adult worms, and oncospheres, including an ortholog of the schistosome praziquantel target, EmTRPM. Finally, we show that primary cell cultures contain a cell population expressing an ortholog of the tumour necrosis factor α receptor family and that mammalian TNFα accelerates the development of metacestode vesicles from germinative cells. Taken together, our analyses provide a robust and comprehensive characterization of the germinative cell transcriptome, demonstrate expanded differentiation capability of metacestode derived stem cells, and underscore the potential of primary germinative cell cultures to investigate developmental processes of the parasite. These data are relevant for studies into the role of stem cells in parasite development and will facilitate the design of anti-parasitic drugs that specifically act on the parasite germinative cell compartment.
Topics: Animals; Echinococcus multilocularis; Parasites; Larva; Gene Expression Profiling; Cell Culture Techniques; Stem Cells; Mammals
PubMed: 38333034
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1335946 -
Parasite Epidemiology and Control Feb 2024Pediatric schistosomiasis has been recognized as a public health concern in schistosomiasis endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. However, there is...
Where will pediatric praziquantel be needed in Tanzania? Geographical variation in prevalence, and risk factors of in pre-school aged children in southern and north-western Tanzania.
BACKGROUND
Pediatric schistosomiasis has been recognized as a public health concern in schistosomiasis endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. However, there is limited epidemiological information relating to pediatric schistosomiasis in Tanzania. Therefore, this current focused on assessing the geographical prevalence of infection and its associated risk factors in pre-school children (PreSAC) in southern and north-western Tanzania.
METHODS
A total of 1585 PreSAC aged 1-6 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. A single urine and stool sample were obtained from each child and processed using point-of-care circulating cathodic (POC-CCA) antigen and Kato Katz (K-K) technique. The overall prevalence of infection based on K-K technique and POC-CCA test were 18.6% (95%CI:16.7-20.6) and 28.3% (95%CI:26.1-30.6), respectively. The overall geometrical mean eggs per gram of faeces was 110.38epg (95% CI:97.3-125.3). The age group 4-6 years had the highest prevalence ( < 0.01) of in both diagnostic tests and infection intensity ( = -2.8398, < 0.005) using K-K technique. On multivariable analysis, only Ukerewe district was associated with infection based on K-K technique (aOR = 2.8 (95%CI:2.1-3.9), < 0.001). Based on POC-CCA test, age group (4-6 years), aOR = 1.7, 95%CI:1.3-2.2, < 0.001), Nyasa (aOR = 6.2, 95%CI:3.0-12.5, < 0.001), Geita (aOR = 4.2, 95%CI:2.1-8.2, < 0.001) and Ukerewe (aOR = 28.9, 95%CI:15.0-55.8, < 0.001) districts remained independently associated with infection.
CONCLUSION
is a public health concern among PreSAC in the study districts and its prevalence varies from one geographical setting to another. These findings strongly support the need to include pre-school aged in preventive chemotherapy.
PubMed: 38323193
DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00337 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2024Feline pulmonary capillariosis is a significant disorder due to its distribution and clinical impact. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of two administrations...
Feline pulmonary capillariosis is a significant disorder due to its distribution and clinical impact. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of two administrations 28 days apart of a topical solution containing esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel (NexGard Combo) in treating Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) infection in naturally infected cats. Cats were allocated to two groups: G1 cats (n = 23) received two treatments at study days (SDs) 0 and 28 (±2) and were evaluated for 6 weeks, and G2 cats (n = 17) served as a negative control for 6 weeks and were then treated twice on SDs 42 (±2) and 70 (±2), allowing for an additional 6-week assessment of efficacy. Each cat was subjected to McMaster coproscopy at SDs -7/0, 28 (±2) and 42 (±2) for both groups, 70 (±2) and 84 (±2) only for G2. Clinical examination and chest radiographic images were performed at SDs 0, 28 (±2) and 42 (±2) for G1 and G2, 70 (±2) and 84 (±2) only for G2. The comparison of EPG (eggs per gram of feces), clinical (CS), and radiographic scores (RS) at each time-point was used as a criterion. The efficacy based on the EPG reduction was 99.5% (G1) and 100% (G2) after two administrations of NexGard Combo 2 weeks apart. At SD 0, no significant differences for CS and RS were recorded between G1 and G2, while a significant reduction (p < 0.05) was observed post-treatment for CS, RS, oculo-nasal discharge, auscultation noises, and cough. Two doses of NexGard Combo 28 days apart stopped egg shedding and significantly improved clinical alterations in cats infected by E. aerophilus.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Praziquantel; Ivermectin; Nematode Infections; Enoplida Infections; Cat Diseases; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38315065
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024005