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Helminthologia Dec 2023Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of communicable diseases with a long history with human beings. NTDs are the proxy of poverty since they affect those in... (Review)
Review
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of communicable diseases with a long history with human beings. NTDs are the proxy of poverty since they affect those in low-income and extreme-poverty populations, as those populations lack access to proper health care, clean water, sanitary conditions, and hygiene. NTDs create losses for a nation that come from the health and the economic sectors as well since the costs of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment strain the national purse strings. One of the 20 different forms of NTDs on the list is food-borne trematodes, comprises of , , , and . Currently, it is estimated that food-borne trematodes can cause a devastating effect on mortality and morbidity. All of them are zoonotic, as humans become infected by ingestion of a second intermediate host, such as freshwater snails, fish, or water vegetables. , one of the food-borne trematodes that can be found mostly in South East Asia regions, especially in the Mekong basin, is regarded as a group 1 carcinogen leading to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This study aims to present the updated review of and CCA.
PubMed: 38222491
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2023-0036 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2018Helminths include free-living and parasitic Platyhelminthes and Nematoda which infect millions of people worldwide. Some Platyhelminthes species of blood flukes (, and )... (Review)
Review
Helminths include free-living and parasitic Platyhelminthes and Nematoda which infect millions of people worldwide. Some Platyhelminthes species of blood flukes (, and ) and liver flukes ( and ) are known to be involved in human cancers. Other helminths are likely to be carcinogenic. Our main goals are to summarize the current knowledge of human cancers caused by Platyhelminthes, point out some helminth and human biomarkers identified so far, and highlight the potential contributions of phylogenetics and molecular evolution to cancer research. Human cancers caused by helminth infection include cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal hepatocellular carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and urinary bladder cancer. Chronic inflammation is proposed as a common pathway for cancer initiation and development. Furthermore, different bacteria present in gastric, colorectal, and urogenital microbiomes might be responsible for enlarging inflammatory and fibrotic responses in cancers. Studies have suggested that different biomarkers are involved in helminth infection and human cancer development; although, the detailed mechanisms remain under debate. Different helminth proteins have been studied by different approaches. However, their evolutionary relationships remain unsolved. Here, we illustrate the strengths of homology identification and function prediction of uncharacterized proteins from genome sequencing projects based on an evolutionary framework. Together, these approaches may help identifying new biomarkers for disease diagnostics and intervention measures. This work has potential applications in the field of phylomedicine (evolutionary medicine) and may contribute to parasite and cancer research.
PubMed: 29713629
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00090 -
Acta Tropica May 2021The presence of some species of helminths is associated with changes in host microbiota composition and diversity, which varies widely depending on the infecting...
The presence of some species of helminths is associated with changes in host microbiota composition and diversity, which varies widely depending on the infecting helminth species and other factors. We conducted a prospective case-control study to evaluate the gut microbiota in children with Opisthorchis felineus infection (n=50) before and after anthelmintic treatment and in uninfected children (n=49) in the endemic region. A total of 99 children and adolescents aged between 7 and 18 years were enrolled to the study. Helminth infection was assessed before and at 3 months after treatment with praziquantel. A complex examination for each participant was performed in the study, including an assessment of the clinical symptoms and an intestinal microbiota survey by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples. There was no change in alpha diversity between O. felineus-infected and control groups. We found significant changes in the abundances of bacterial taxa at different taxonomic levels between the infected and uninfected individuals. Enterobacteriaceae family was more abundant in infected participants compared to uninfected children. On the genus level, O. felineus-infected participants' microbiota showed higher levels of Lachnospira, Escherichia-Shigella, Bacteroides, Eubacterium eligens group, Ruminiclostridium 6, Barnesiella, Oscillibacter, Faecalitalea and Anaerosporobacter and reduction of Blautia, Lachnospiraceae FCS020 and Eubacterium hallii group in comparison with the uninfected individuals. Following praziquantel therapy, there were significant differences in abundances of some microorganisms, including an increase of Faecalibacterium and decrease of Megasphaera, Roseburia. Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia abundances were decreased up to the control group values. Our results highlight the importance of the host-parasite-microbiota interactions for the community health in the endemic regions.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Anthelmintics; Bacteria; Biodiversity; Case-Control Studies; Child; DNA, Bacterial; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Male; Opisthorchiasis; Praziquantel; Prospective Studies; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 33485871
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105835 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2019
PubMed: 30968025
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00055 -
Trends in Parasitology May 2021Transmission of the carcinogenic liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is ongoing across Southeast Asia. Endemic countries within the region are in different stages of... (Review)
Review
Transmission of the carcinogenic liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is ongoing across Southeast Asia. Endemic countries within the region are in different stages of achieving control. However, evidence on which interventions are the most effective for reducing parasite transmission, and the resulting liver cancer, is currently lacking. Quantitative modelling can be used to evaluate different control measures against O. viverrini and assist the design of clinical trials. In this article we evaluate the epidemiological parameters that underpin models of O. viverrini and the data necessary for their estimation, with the aim of developing evidence-based strategies for parasite control at a national or regional level.
Topics: Animals; Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; Opisthorchiasis; Opisthorchis
PubMed: 33516657
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.12.007 -
Parasitology International Aug 2017The food-borne liver trematode is an emerging source of biliary tract diseases on the territory of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. This parasite along with...
The food-borne liver trematode is an emerging source of biliary tract diseases on the territory of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. This parasite along with trematodes and belong to the triad of epidemiologically important liver flukes of the Opisthorchiidae family. It is known that and are the main risk factors of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in the endemic regions. The carcinogenic potential of has not been well researched because of the absence of systematic pathomorphological, clinical, and epidemiological studies on opisthorchiasis. In the present study, we show the results of detailed histopathological analysis and comprehensive evaluation of inflammation, bile duct dysplasia, periductal fibrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, bile duct proliferation, egg granuloma, cysts, cholangiofibrosis, and CCA from 10 to 30 weeks following infection of Syrian hamsters with accompanied by oral administration of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). The results revealed that contributes to bile duct cancer development in the hamster model. During the combined action of and DMN, morphological features of the liver underwent dramatic changes at the cellular and organ levels. Already in the early stages of the experiment, we observed extensive periductal fibrosis, active inflammation, proliferation of the bile duct, bile duct dysplasia and egg granulomas. Later, against the background of all these changes, cholangiofibrosis and CCA were found. Our work is the first step in the study of carcinogenic potential of . Obtained data indicate the risk of CCA of patients having chronic opisthorchiasis, and underscore the need for the development of programs for control of this helminthiasis.
Topics: Animals; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Carcinogens; Cholangiocarcinoma; Cricetinae; Dimethylnitrosamine; Male; Mesocricetus; Opisthorchiasis; Opisthorchis
PubMed: 26453019
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.10.002 -
Acta Tropica Sep 2011Liver fluke infection caused by Opisthorchis viverrini is a major public health problem in Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR; Laos). Currently,... (Review)
Review
Liver fluke infection caused by Opisthorchis viverrini is a major public health problem in Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR; Laos). Currently, more than 600 million people are at risk of infection with these fish-borne trematodes and/or their close relatives. Opisthorchiasis has been studied extensively in Thailand, where about 8 million people are infected with the liver fluke. Here we review the pathogenesis, control and re-emergence of O. viverrini infection, in particular in Thailand and, to a lesser extent in Lao PDR given the contiguous geographical range of O. viverrini through these two regions. We also review the association of O. viverrini infection and cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer, and highlight new findings on pathogenesis of liver fluke-induced cholangiocarcinogenesis. Last, we comment on national control strategies in Thailand for the control of O. viverrini infection aimed at reduction in the prevalence of O. viverrini-associated liver cancer in the longer term.
Topics: Animals; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Cholangiocarcinoma; Female; Fish Diseases; Fishes; Food Parasitology; Humans; Laos; Male; Opisthorchiasis; Opisthorchis; Thailand
PubMed: 20655862
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.07.006 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jul 2016There is increasing interest in the microbiome of the hepatobiliary system. This study investigated the influence of infection with the fish-borne liver fluke,...
BACKGROUND
There is increasing interest in the microbiome of the hepatobiliary system. This study investigated the influence of infection with the fish-borne liver fluke, Opisthorchis felineus on the biliary microbiome of residents of the Tomsk region of western Siberia.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Samples of bile were provided by 56 study participants, half of who were infected with O. felineus, and all of who were diagnosed with gallstone disease. The microbiota of the bile was investigated using high throughput, Illumina-based sequencing targeting the prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene. About 2,797, discrete phylotypes of prokaryotes were detected. At the level of phylum, bile from participants with opisthorchiasis showed greater numbers of Synergistetes, Spirochaetes, Planctomycetes, TM7 and Verrucomicrobia. Numbers of > 20 phylotypes differed in bile of the O. felineus-infected compared to non-infected participants, including presence of species of the genera Mycoplana, Cellulosimicrobium, Microlunatus and Phycicoccus, and the Archaeans genus, Halogeometricum, and increased numbers of Selenomonas, Bacteroides, Rothia, Leptotrichia, Lactobacillus, Treponema and Klebsiella.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Overall, infection with the liver fluke O. felineus modified the biliary microbiome, increasing abundance of bacterial and archaeal phylotypes.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Bacteria; Female; Gallstones; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Opisthorchiasis; Opisthorchis
PubMed: 27447938
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004809 -
Veterinary Parasitology Apr 2011Opisthorchiasis is a fish borne parasitic infection caused by helminths of the genus Opisthorchis (Digenea, Opisthorchiidae), affecting humans and other fish-eating...
Opisthorchiasis is a fish borne parasitic infection caused by helminths of the genus Opisthorchis (Digenea, Opisthorchiidae), affecting humans and other fish-eating mammals. Despite Opisthorchis felineus was first described in Italy in 1884, no cases of human opisthorchiasis were reported in this country until 2004; from then on, 4 outbreaks due to this species have been recorded in Central Italy. Following the more relevant of these outbreaks, involving 34 people in August 2007, snails, fishes and fecal samples collected from the Bolsena and Bracciano lakes (Central Italy) were analyzed in order to define the cycle of O. felineus in the area and investigate its prevalence in the different hosts. Pools of 20-40 snails each (4983 specimens altogether) of the genus Bithynia were analyzed by PCR for parasite DNA detection. Eight hundred and ninety-four fish belonging to 12 species were collected from the two lakes and tested for metacercariae both by muscle compression and digestion techniques. Eighty-seven fecal samples of 5 putative definitive host species were collected very close to the two lakes and tested for parasite eggs detection by formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique. Identification at the species level of metacercariae and eggs, respectively, from fish and stool was confirmed by PCR analysis and sequencing. O. felineus DNA was detected in 0.08% (overall minimum infection rate) of snails of the genus Bithynia from the two lakes. The tench, Tinca tinca, was the only fish found infested in both lakes (prevalence 88.5%). O. felineus eggs were found only in cat feces (prevalence 46.4%). The tench represents the only threat for the human consumption in the study area while Coregonus sp., the most economically important species for the local fishery and frequently consumed raw marinated, resulted to be not infected. The high prevalence recorded both in fish and in definitive host suggests a widespread and massive presence of the parasite in the area. Further studies are needed to better investigate the possible role of some cyprinids species as intermediate hosts, in order to check their safety for human consumption.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Fish Diseases; Fishes; Italy; Opisthorchiasis; Opisthorchis; Snails
PubMed: 21168274
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.11.042 -
Food and Waterborne Parasitology Mar 2021Infection with the liver fluke, , caused by the consumption of infected raw or undercooked cyprinid fish is common in humans and carnivores in the middle Ob River basin... (Review)
Review
Infection with the liver fluke, , caused by the consumption of infected raw or undercooked cyprinid fish is common in humans and carnivores in the middle Ob River basin (Tomsk region, Russia) and can lead to diseases in humans. The goal of this study was the status of fish infection with O. felineus metacercariae in order to assess the role of fish in the infection of the human population in the middle Ob River basin. Of the 14 Cyprinidae species recorded in the middle Ob River basin, we examined 6 cyprinid species for prevalence and intensity of infection with metacercariae. Five of these species (, , , , and ) are of commercial value, while the common bleak is an object of amateur fishing. In addition, we conducted a survey of the fish consumption habits as part of a community-based cross-sectional study in the rural Shegarsky district, Tomsk region, Russian Federation. metacercariae were observed in muscles of all examined species except for the Prussian carp. The ide is the main infection source in the Ob River (prevalence of infection, 100%, and intensity, 50.5 metacercariae per fish) and the common dace in the Tom River (91.1% and 12.7 metacercariae). Although the two alien species (bream and common bleak) are susceptible to infection with metacercariae, the prevalence of infection in these fish and in the roach did not exceed 3%. The prevalence and intensity of infection in fish increased with age and size. The infection characteristics of fish in different water flows were different. The cyprinid species account on average for 69.8% of the commercial fish harvested in the Tomsk region. According to epidemiological survey, among 600 participants, 87.5% ( = 525) of respondents consumed river fish, with the most popular fish being cyprinids including Prussian carp, dace, ide and bream, followed by pike and perch. Thus, the epizootological state of the water flows in the middle Ob River basin is adverse with respect to opisthorchiasis, as indicated by high infection rates of liver fluke metacercariae in ide and common dace, which are abundant species of high commercial value. An extremely high prevalence of infection suggests a strong transmission cycle with a high rate of infection from infected humans and/or animal reservoir hosts to snails and fish. In addition to treating humans, there should be a strong focus on identifying these potential reservoir hosts to reduce subsequent infection in humans. Furthermore, since the intensity of infection in humans is determined by the presence of fish species such as ide and dace in the diet, they should be included in a dietary change campaign by eliminating the consumption of raw fish.
PubMed: 33681491
DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2021.e00113