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International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2022The rat tapeworm has been shown to cause alterations in gastrointestinal tissues. Since hymenolepiasis induces a number of reactions in the host, it is reasonable to...
The rat tapeworm has been shown to cause alterations in gastrointestinal tissues. Since hymenolepiasis induces a number of reactions in the host, it is reasonable to assume that it may also be involved in the mechanisms of apoptosis in the intestines. Individual research tasks included an examination of the effect of infection on; (i) the cellular localization of the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, as well as caspase-3 and caspase-9, and (ii) the effects of the infection on the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Cas-3 and Cas-9, at the mRNA and protein levels. Molecular tests (including mRNA (qRT PCR) and the protein (Western blot) expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspases-3, -9) and immunohistochemical tests were performed during the experiment. They showed that infection activates the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in the small and large intestine of the host. infection triggered the apoptosis via the activation of the caspase cascade, including Cas-3 and Cas-9. Hymenolepiasis enhanced apoptosis in the small and large intestine of the host by increasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene and protein Bax and by decreasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene and protein Bcl-2.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Hymenolepiasis; Hymenolepis diminuta; Intestine, Large; RNA, Messenger; Rats; bcl-2-Associated X Protein
PubMed: 35955110
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159753 -
Journal of Innate Immunity 2019
Topics: Animals; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Hymenolepiasis; Hymenolepis diminuta; Immune Evasion; Immune Tolerance; Immunity, Innate; Parkinson Disease; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus epidermidis; alpha-Synuclein
PubMed: 30808848
DOI: 10.1159/000498950 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2018In cestodiasis, mechanical and molecular contact between the parasite and the host activates the immune response of the host and may result in inflammatory processes,...
In cestodiasis, mechanical and molecular contact between the parasite and the host activates the immune response of the host and may result in inflammatory processes, leading to ulceration and intestinal dysfunctions. The aim of the present study was to identify antigenic proteins of the adult cestode by subjecting the total protein extracts from adult tapeworms to 2DE immunoblotting (two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with immunoblotting) using sera collected from experimentally infected rats. A total of 36 protein spots cross-reacting with the rat sera were identified using LC-MS/MS. As a result, 68 proteins, including certain structural muscle proteins (actin, myosin, and paramyosin) and moonlighters (heat shock proteins, kinases, phosphatases, and glycolytic enzymes) were identified; most of these were predicted to possess binding and/or catalytic activity required in various metabolic and cellular processes, and reported here as potential antigens of the adult cestode for the first time. As several of these antigens can also be found at the cell surface, the surface-associated proteins were extracted and subjected to in-solution digestion for LC-MS/MS identification (surfaceomics). As a result, a total of 76 proteins were identified, from which 31 proteins, based on 2DE immunoblotting, were predicted to be immunogenic. These included structural proteins actin, myosin and tubulin as well as certain moonlighting proteins (heat-shock chaperones) while enzymes with diverse catalytic activities were found as the most dominating group of proteins. In conclusion, the present study shed new light into the complexity of the enteric cestodiasis by showing that the somatic proteins exposed to the host possess immunomodulatory functions, and that the immune response of the host could be stimulated by diverse mechanisms, involving also those triggering protein export via yet unknown pathways.
Topics: Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Cells, Cultured; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Hymenolepiasis; Hymenolepis diminuta; Immunologic Factors; Immunomodulation; Intestine, Small; Life Cycle Stages; Male; Membrane Proteins; Proteomics; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Stomach Ulcer
PubMed: 30483248
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02487 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022The tapeworm is a common parasite of the small intestine in rodents but it can also infect humans. Due to its characteristics and ease of maintenance in the laboratory,... (Review)
Review
The tapeworm is a common parasite of the small intestine in rodents but it can also infect humans. Due to its characteristics and ease of maintenance in the laboratory, is also an important model species in studies of cestodiasis, including the search for new drugs, treatments, diagnostics and biochemical processes, as well as its host-parasite interrelationships. A great deal of attention has been devoted to the immune response caused by in the host, and several studies indicate that infection with can reduce the severity of concomitant disease. Here, we present a critical review of the experimental research conducted with the use of as a model organism for over more than two decades (in the 21st century). The present review evaluates the tapeworm as a model organism for studying the molecular biology, biochemistry and immunology aspects of parasitology, as well as certain clinical applications. It also systematizes the latest research on this species. Its findings may contribute to a better understanding of the biology of tapeworms and their adaptation to parasitism, including complex correlations between and invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. It places particular emphasis on its value for the further development of modern experimental parasitology.
PubMed: 36558772
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121439 -
Veterinary World Apr 2021and are helminthic intestinal parasites that infect humans and other animals, including non-human primates. However, molecular detection of these parasites remains...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
and are helminthic intestinal parasites that infect humans and other animals, including non-human primates. However, molecular detection of these parasites remains scarce in long-tailed macaques (), which coexist with human communities in Thailand. Thus, this study aimed to molecularly confirm the occurrence of spp. and spp. infection and determine the species of both parasites that were found in long-tailed macaques.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 200 fecal samples were randomly collected from long-tailed macaques living in Lopburi, Thailand, and tested based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for spp. and spp. infections. The PCR products were submitted for DNA purification and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the maximum likelihood method.
RESULTS
Of 200 tested samples, three (1.5%) were positive for spp. Sequence analysis of all positive samples revealed the presence of , while eight samples (8/200, 4%) positive for spp. were classified as . No significant associations were found between parasite infection and sex of macaques.
CONCLUSION
This study revealed that long-tailed macaques harbor and . These results suggested that local residents and tourists must pay attention to limiting contact with long-tailed macaques and take hygienic precautions to reduce the risk of zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission of these parasites between humans and long-tailed macaques.
PubMed: 34083936
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.884-888 -
Helminthologia Sep 2021This first comprehensive report from Punjab province of India relates to patho-physiological alterations alongwith morpho-molecular characterisation and risk assessment...
This first comprehensive report from Punjab province of India relates to patho-physiological alterations alongwith morpho-molecular characterisation and risk assessment of natural infections of and in 291commensal rodents including house rat, (n=201) and lesser bandicoot rat, (n=90). Small intestine of 53.61 and 64.95 % rats was found infected with and , respectively with a concurrent infection rate of 50.86 %. There was no association between male and female rats and and infections (ᵡ = 0.016 and 0.08, respectively, d.f.= 1, P>0.05), while the host age had significant effect on prevalence of and (ᵡ = 28.12 and 7.18, respectively, d.f.= 1, P≤0.05) infection. Examination of faecal samples and intestinal contents revealed globular shaped eggs of without polar filaments (76.50 ± 3.01μm x 67.62 ± 2.42 μm), while smaller sized oval eggs of were with 4 - 8 polar filaments (47.87 ± 1.95 μm x 36.12 ± 3.05 μm). Cestode infection caused enteritis, sloughing of intestinal mucosa, necrosis of villi and inflammatory reaction with infiltration of mononuclear cells in the mucosa and submucosa. Morphometric identification of the adult cestodes recovered from the intestinal lumen was confirmed by molecular characterisation based on nuclear ITS-2 loci which showed a single band of 269 bp and 242 bp for and , respectively. Pairwise alignment of the ITS-2 regions showed 99.46 % similarity with sequences of from USA and 100 % similarity with sequences of from Slovakia, Kosice.
PubMed: 34934388
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0027 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022is a common tapeworm in horses causing colic and even mortalities. Current diagnostic tests to detect infections have their limitations and an improved method is...
is a common tapeworm in horses causing colic and even mortalities. Current diagnostic tests to detect infections have their limitations and an improved method is needed. Immunoreactive excretory/secretory proteins (E/S proteome) of this parasite can provide promising candidates for diagnostic tests. We compared E/S proteins produced by small (length < 20 mm, width < 5 mm) and large (length 20 to 40 mm, width 5 to 10 mm) worms by label-free quantitative proteomics using a database composed of related and proteins for protein identifications. Altogether, 509 E/S proteins were identified after incubating the worms for three and eight hours. The greatest E/S proteome changes suggested both worm size- and time-dependent changes in cytoskeleton remodeling, apoptosis, and production of antigens/immunogens. The E/S proteins collected at the three-hour time point represented the natural conditions better than those collected at the eight-hour time point, and thereby contained the most relevant diagnostic targets. Immunoblotting using antibodies from horses tested positive/negative for indicated strongest antigenicity/immunogenicity with 13-, 30- and 100-kDa proteins, involving a thioredoxin, heat-shock chaperone 90 (Hsp90), dynein light chain component (DYNLL), tubulin-specific chaperone A (TBCA) and signaling pathway modulators (14-3-3 and Sj-Ts4). This is among the first studies identifying new diagnostic targets and antigens eliciting a IgG-response in horses.
Topics: Horses; Animals; Proteome; Proteomics; Immunoblotting; Cestoda; Body Fluids; Echinococcus granulosus
PubMed: 36466892
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1045468 -
PLoS Pathogens Mar 2022Parasites may significantly affect the functioning of the host organism including immune response and gut-brain-axis ultimately leading to alteration of the host...
Parasites may significantly affect the functioning of the host organism including immune response and gut-brain-axis ultimately leading to alteration of the host behavior. The impact of intestinal worms on the host central nervous system (CNS) remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intestinal infection by the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta on behavior and functions of the CNS in rats. The 3 months old animals were infected, and the effects on anxiety, exploration, sensorimotor skills and learning processes were assessed at 18 months in Open Field (OF), Novel Object Recognition (NOR) and the Water Maze (WM) tests. After completing the behavioral studies, both infected and non-infected rats were sacrificed, and the collected tissues were subjected to biochemical analysis. The levels of neurotransmitters, their metabolites and amino acids in selected structures of the CNS were determined by HPLC. In addition, the gene expression profile of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10) was evaluated by Real-Time PCR to determine the immune response within the CNS to the tapeworm infection. The parasites caused significant changes in exploratory behavior, most notably, a reduction of velocity and total distance moved in the OF test; the infected rats exhibited decreased frequency in the central zone, which may indicate a higher level of anxiety. Additionally, parasite infestation improved spatial memory, assessed in the WM test, and recognition of new objects. These changes are related to the identified reduction in noradrenaline level in the CNS structures and less pronounced changes in striatal serotonergic neurotransmission. H. diminuta infestation was also found to cause a significant reduction of hippocampal expression of IL-6. Our results provide new data for further research on brain function during parasitic infections especially in relation to helminths and diseases in which noradrenergic system may play an important role.
Topics: Animals; Cognition; Exploratory Behavior; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Hymenolepiasis; Hymenolepis diminuta; Interleukin-6; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Neurotransmitter Agents; Rats
PubMed: 35286352
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010330 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2017Cestodiases are common parasitic diseases of animals and humans. As cestodes have complex lifecycles, hexacanth larvae, metacestodes (including cysticercoids), and...
Cestodiases are common parasitic diseases of animals and humans. As cestodes have complex lifecycles, hexacanth larvae, metacestodes (including cysticercoids), and adults produce proteins allowing them to establish invasion and to survive in the hostile environment of the host. is the most commonly used model cestode in experimental parasitology. The aims of the present study were to perform a comparative proteomic analysis of two consecutive developmental stages of (cysticercoid and adult) and to distinguish proteins which might be characteristic for each of the stages from those shared by both stages. Somatic proteins of were isolated from 6-week-old cysticercoids and adult tapeworms. Cysticercoids were obtained from experimentally infected beetles, , whereas adult worms were collected from experimentally infected rats. Proteins were separated by GeLC-MS/MS (one dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry). Additionally protein samples were digested in-liquid and identified by LC-MS/MS. The identified proteins were classified according to molecular function, cellular components and biological processes. Our study showed a number of differences and similarities in the protein profiles of cysticercoids and adults; 233 cysticercoid and 182 adult proteins were identified. From these proteins, 131 were present only in the cysticercoid and 80 only in the adult stage samples. Both developmental stages shared 102 proteins; among which six represented immunomodulators and one is a potential drug target. In-liquid digestion and LC-MS/MS complemented and confirmed some of the GeLC-MS/MS identifications. Possible roles and functions of proteins identified with both proteomic approaches are discussed.
PubMed: 29379475
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02672 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Jun 2017and are globally widespread zoonotic cestodes. Rodents are the main reservoir host of these cestodes. Brown rats () are the best known and most common rats, and...
and are globally widespread zoonotic cestodes. Rodents are the main reservoir host of these cestodes. Brown rats () are the best known and most common rats, and usually live wherever humans live, especially in less than desirable hygiene conditions. Due to the little information of the 2 hymenolepidid species in brown rats in China, the aim of this study was to understand the prevalence and genetic characterization of and in brown rats in Heilongjiang Province, China. Total 114 fecal samples were collected from brown rats in Heilongjiang Province. All the samples were subjected to morphological examinations by microscopy and genetic analysis by PCR amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 () gene and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene. In total, 6.1% (7/114) and 14.9% (17/114) of samples were positive for and , respectively. Among them, 7 and 3 isolates were successfully amplified and sequenced at the and loci, respectively. No nucleotide variations were found among isolates at either of the 2 loci. Seventeen isolates produced 2 different sequences while 7 sequences obtained were identical to each other. The present results of and infections in brown rats implied the risk of zoonotic transmission of hymenolepiasis in China. These molecular data will be helpful to deeply study intra-specific variations within cestodes in the future.
Topics: Animals; Base Sequence; China; Electron Transport Complex IV; Feces; Humans; Hymenolepiasis; Hymenolepis diminuta; Hymenolepis nana; Mitochondria; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; RNA, Helminth; RNA, Ribosomal; Rats; Zoonoses
PubMed: 28719963
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.3.351