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Scientific Reports Apr 2022Gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonotic disease that can affect humans who eat improperly cooked meat containg infective third-stage larvae. Definitive diagnosis is...
Gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonotic disease that can affect humans who eat improperly cooked meat containg infective third-stage larvae. Definitive diagnosis is through larval recovery. However, this is an invasive technique and is impractical if the larvae have encysted in inaccessible areas of the body. Antigen or antibody detection might be more interesting techniques for diagnosis. Proteomic could elucidate diagnostic markers and improve our understanding of parasite biology. However, proteomic studies on Gnathostoma spinigerum are hampered by the lack of a comprehensive database for protein identification. This study aimed to explore the protein and antigen profiles of advanced third-stage G. spinigerum larvae (aL3Gs) using interrogation of mass spectrometry data and an in-house transcriptomic database for protein identification. Immunoproteomic analysis found 74 proteins in 24-kDa SDS-PAGE bands, which is size-specific for the immunodiagnosis of gnathostomiasis. Moreover, 13 proteins were found in 2-DE 24-kDa bands. The data suggest that collagenase 3, cathepsin B, glutathione S-transferase 1, cuticle collagen 14, major antigen, zinc metalloproteinase nas-4, major egg antigen, peroxiredoxin, and superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] may be good candidates for novel human gnathostomiasis diagnostic assays. These findings improve our understanding of the parasite's biology and provide additional potential targets for novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines.
Topics: Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Gnathostoma; Gnathostomiasis; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Larva; Proteomics; Transcriptome
PubMed: 35484317
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10826-4 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2021Nematode infections transmitted to humans by the consumption of wild or cultured eels are increasingly being reported. In the present study, 120 Asian swamp eel,...
Nematode infections transmitted to humans by the consumption of wild or cultured eels are increasingly being reported. In the present study, 120 Asian swamp eel, (Zuiew), individuals collected from China were examined for parasite infections, and 78 larval nematodes were isolated. Morphological and molecular characteristics, including sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene regions, were employed to identify these nematodes at the lowest taxonomic level possible. Asian swamp eel was infected with two zoonotic parasite taxa: advanced third-stage larvae, with 6.67% prevalence and mean intensity = 1.25, and sp. fourth-stage larvae, with 26.67% prevalence and mean intensity = 2.13. These findings evidence the need to enhance public hygiene and food safety awareness toward eel consumption.
PubMed: 34200165
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060711 -
American Journal of Translational... 2021The two most common causes of eosinophilic meningitis (EOM) are the parasites: and . This study aimed to evaluate whether clinical factors can predict either...
OBJECTIVE
The two most common causes of eosinophilic meningitis (EOM) are the parasites: and . This study aimed to evaluate whether clinical factors can predict either neuroangiostrongyliasis or gnathostomiasis in EOM patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We included reports of patients with eosinophils in the CSF and either serological or pathological diagnosis of neuroangiostrongyliasis or gnathostomiasis published in 2014 or earlier and available on PubMed. Predictive clinical models were generated for neuroangiostrongyliasis and gnathostomiasis.
RESULTS
In total, 155 patients were included in the study, 24 in the gnathostomiasis group and 131 in the neuroangiostrongyliasis group. According to the separate models, factors associated with neuroangiostrongyliais were gender of male, snail exposure, and headache, and independent factors for gnathostomiasis were weakness (adjusted odds ratio 50.8) and radicular pain (adjusted odds ratio 35.3). The combined model identified two independent factors for neuroangiostrongyliasis: weakness and radicular pain. The laboratory models revealed that xanthochromic CSF perfectly predicted both neuroangiostrongyliasis and gnathostomiasis. Two other predictive factors were blood eosinophilia and CSF eosinophils, which positively predicted gnathostomiasis (adjusted odds ratios of 1.13 and 1.08, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Clinical factors may be predictive of neuroangiostrongyliasis and gnathostomiasis in EOM.
PubMed: 34650710
DOI: No ID Found -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Aug 2020We used molecular tools to identify an autochthonous case of gnathostomiasis in Madagascar. This severe ocular infection, caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum nematodes, led...
We used molecular tools to identify an autochthonous case of gnathostomiasis in Madagascar. This severe ocular infection, caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum nematodes, led to vision loss in the patient's left eye. Clinicians should be aware of this parasitosis in Madagascar and other countries in Africa.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Gnathostoma; Gnathostomiasis; Humans; Madagascar
PubMed: 32687036
DOI: 10.3201/eid2608.200383 -
Tropical Medicine & International... Dec 2021The aims of the study were two-fold: (1) antigen (Ag) preparation and evaluation of three antigens of Gnathostoma spinigerum infective larvae (GsL3), crude somatic...
Evaluation of immunodiagnostic tests for human gnathostomiasis using different antigen preparations of Gnathostoma spinigerum larvae against IgE, IgM, IgG, IgG1-4 and IgG1 patterns of post-treated patients.
OBJECTIVES
The aims of the study were two-fold: (1) antigen (Ag) preparation and evaluation of three antigens of Gnathostoma spinigerum infective larvae (GsL3), crude somatic antigen (CSAg), excretory-secretory antigen (ESAg) and partially purified antigens (namely P1Ag, P2Ag and P3Ag) to differentiate IgE, IgG, IgG1-4 and IgM for human gnathostomiasis diagnosis; and (2) application of the selected ELISA for following up stored sera of patients treated with ivermectin (IVM) and albendazole (ABZ).
METHODS
Different antigens were analysed by antibodies of gnathostomiasis cases, other parasite infections and healthy controls using indirect ELISA to differentiate IgE, IgG, IgG1-4 and IgM. Then, prominent antigen and immunoglobulin were used in antibody predictions of gnathostomiasis cases treated with albendazole or ivermectin.
RESULTS
Sensitivity of all evaluated ELISAs: IgM-, IgG-, IgG1- and IgG4-ELISA, was 100%. IgM-ELISA with CSAg and P3Ag exhibited the highest specificity of 99%. IgG-ELISA with P2Ag resulted in the highest specificity of 92.3%. IgG1-ELISA with P2Ag and P3Ag showed excellent results with 100% specificity. Finally, P2Ag evaluated IgG1 of the followed-up cases with ABZ and IVM. Decreasing antibody IgG1 levels were mostly found in both treatments at Month 9 and long follow-up was over 12 months. A Gnathostoma worm was extracted from each two treated patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Using IgG1-ELISA against P2Ag and P3Ag gave excellent results with 100% sensitivity and specificity. These tests can be an alternative to immunoblotting for gnathostomiasis. IgG1 decreased at least 9 months in most cases, so long-term treatment should be performed over 1 year.
Topics: Albendazole; Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Antigens, Helminth; Antiparasitic Agents; Gnathostoma; Gnathostomiasis; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunologic Tests; Ivermectin; Larva; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 34510662
DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13679 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Jun 2012From July 2008 to June 2009, livers of the swamp eels (Monopterus alba) were investigated for advanced third-stage larvae (AL3) of Gnathostoma spinigerum. Results...
From July 2008 to June 2009, livers of the swamp eels (Monopterus alba) were investigated for advanced third-stage larvae (AL3) of Gnathostoma spinigerum. Results revealed that 10.2% (106/1,037) and 20.4% (78/383) of farmed eels from Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province and those of wild-caught eels obtained from a market in Min Buri District of Bangkok, Thailand were infected, respectively. The prevalence was high during the rainy and winter seasons. The infection rate abruptly decreased in the beginning of summer. The highest infection rate (13.7%) was observed in September and absence of infection (0%) in March-April in the farmed eels. Whereas, in the wild-caught eels, the highest rate (30.7%) was observed in November, and the rate decreased to the lowest at 6.3% in March. The average no. (mean±SE) of AL3 per investigated liver in farmed eels (1.1±0.2) was significantly lower (P=0.040) than those in the caught eels (0.2±0.03). In addition, the intensity of AL3 recovered from each infected liver varied from 1 to 18 (2.3±0.3) in the farmed eels and from 1 to 47 (6.3±1.2) in the caught eels, respectively. The AL3 intensity showed significant difference (P=0.011) between these 2 different sources of eels. This is the first observation that farmed eels showed positive findings of G. spinigerum infective larvae. This may affect the standard farming of the culture farm and also present a risk of consuming undercooked eels from the wild-caught and farmed eels.
Topics: Animals; Aquaculture; Fish Diseases; Gnathostoma; Gnathostomiasis; Larva; Liver; Parasite Load; Prevalence; Seasons; Smegmamorpha; Thailand
PubMed: 22711921
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2012.50.2.113 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Apr 2021In Vietnam, fisheries play a key role in the national economy. Helminth infections in fish have a major impact on public health and sustainable fish production. A... (Review)
Review
In Vietnam, fisheries play a key role in the national economy. Helminth infections in fish have a major impact on public health and sustainable fish production. A comprehensive summary of the recent knowledge on fish helminths is important to understand the distribution of parasites in the country, and to design effective control measures. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted, collecting available literature published between January 2004 and October 2020. A total of 108 eligible records were retrieved reporting 268 helminth species, among which are digeneans, monogeneans, cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephalans. Some helminths were identified with zoonotic potential, such as, the heterophyids, opisthorchiids, the nematodes , sp. and spp. and the cestode ; and with highly pathogenic potential, such as, the monogeneans of Capsalidae, Diplectanidae and Gyrodactylidae, the nematodes and Camallanidae, the tapeworm the acanthocephalans and Overall, these studies only covered about nine percent of the more than 2400 fish species occurring in the waters of Vietnam. Considering the expansion of the aquaculture sector as a part of the national economic development strategy, it is important to expand the research to cover the helminth fauna of all fish species, to assess their potential zoonotic and fish health impacts.
PubMed: 33384920
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.001 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Gnathostomiasis is an important zoonosis in tropical areas that is mainly caused by third-stage larvae ( L3).
BACKGROUND
Gnathostomiasis is an important zoonosis in tropical areas that is mainly caused by third-stage larvae ( L3).
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to prove whether L3 produces extracellular vesicles (EVs) and investigate human gene profiles related to the immune response against the larvae.
METHODS
We created an immune cell model using normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) co-cultured with the larvae for 1 and 3 days, respectively. The PBMCs were harvested for transcriptome sequencing analysis. The EV ultrastructure was examined in the larvae and the cultured medium.
RESULTS
Extracellular vesicle-like particles were observed under the larval teguments and in the pellets in the medium. RNA-seq analysis revealed that 2,847 and 3,118 genes were significantly expressed on days 1 and 3 after culture, respectively. The downregulated genes on day 1 after culture were involved in pro-inflammatory cytokines, the complement system and apoptosis, whereas those on day 3 were involved in T cell-dependent B cell activation and wound healing. Significantly upregulated genes related to cell proliferation, activation and development, as well as cytotoxicity, were observed on day 1, and genes regulating T cell maturation, granulocyte function, nuclear factor-κB and toll-like receptor pathways were predominantly observed on day 3 after culture.
CONCLUSION
L3 produces EV-like particles and releases them into the excretory-secretory products. Overall, genotypic findings during our 3-day observation revealed that most significant gene expressions were related to T and B cell signalling, driving T helper 2 cells related to chronic infection, immune evasion of the larvae, and the pathogenesis of gnathostomiasis. Further in-depth studies are necessary to clarify gene functions in the pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms of the infective larvae.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Gnathostoma; Larva; Gnathostomiasis; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Lymphocyte Activation
PubMed: 37600806
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1218965 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Oct 2021The Chinese edible frogs, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (n=20), and the striped snakehead fish, Channa striata (n=34), were purchased from local markets in 3 administrative...
The Chinese edible frogs, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (n=20), and the striped snakehead fish, Channa striata (n=34), were purchased from local markets in 3 administrative regions of Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Pursat, and Takeo Provinces) from May 2017 to April 2019, and their infection status with Gnathostoma sp. larvae was investigated. The frogs and fish were transported to the laboratory with ice and examined using the artificial digestion method. Advanced 3rd-stage larvae (AdL3) of Gnathostoma spinigerum, 24 in total number (1-6 larvae/frog), were detected from 6 (60.0%) out of 10 frogs purchased from Phnom Penh. No gnathostome larvae were detected in 10 frogs purchased from Takeo Province and 34 snakeheads from Phnom Penh, Pursat, and Takeo Provinces. AdL3 isolated from the frogs were 2.55- 3.90 mm long and 0.31-0.36 mm wide. They had a characteristic head bulb (0.081×0.191 mm in average size) with 4 rows of hooklets, a muscular long esophagus (0.950-1.230 mm long), and 2 pairs of cervical sacs (0.530-0.890 mm long). The average number of hooklets in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rows was 41, 45, 48, and 51, respectively. These features were consistent with G. spinigerum AdL3. By the present study, it has been first confirmed that the Chinese edible frog, H. rugulosus, from Phnom Penh serves as a second intermediate host for G. spinigerum, although their intensity of infection was not so high compared to other previously reported localities.
Topics: Animals; Anura; Cambodia; Gnathostoma; Larva
PubMed: 34724773
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.5.519 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2021is the most common cause of gnathostomiasis in humans. It has a complex life cycle, which requires two intermediate hosts and a definitive host, and poses a high risk... (Review)
Review
is the most common cause of gnathostomiasis in humans. It has a complex life cycle, which requires two intermediate hosts and a definitive host, and poses a high risk for zoonosis. Definitive prognosis of gnathostomiasis relies mainly on the isolation of advanced-stage larvae (aL3), which is very challenging especially if the aL3 is sequestered in difficult-to-reach organs. There is also a lack of a confirmatory diagnostic test for gnathostomiasis. With the ongoing advancement of proteomics, a potential diagnostic approach is underway using immunoproteomics and immunodiagnostics. In addition to this, the employment of mass spectrometry could further elucidate not only understanding the biology of the parasite but also determining potential targets of prospective drugs and vaccines. This article reports the past, present, and future application of proteomics in the study of gnathostomiasis.
PubMed: 34578113
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091080