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Current Biology : CB Sep 2019The apicomplexans are a group of obligate animal pathogens that include Plasmodium (malaria), Toxoplasma (toxoplasmosis), and Cryptosporidium (cryptosporidiosis) [1]....
The apicomplexans are a group of obligate animal pathogens that include Plasmodium (malaria), Toxoplasma (toxoplasmosis), and Cryptosporidium (cryptosporidiosis) [1]. They are an extremely diverse and specious group but are nevertheless united by a distinctive suite of cytoskeletal and secretory structures related to infection, called the apical complex, which is used to recognize and gain entry into animal host cells. The apicomplexans are also known to have evolved from free-living photosynthetic ancestors and retain a relict plastid (the apicoplast), which is non-photosynthetic but houses a number of other essential metabolic pathways [2]. Their closest relatives include a mix of both photosynthetic algae (chromerids) and non-photosynthetic microbial predators (colpodellids) [3]. Genomic analyses of these free-living relatives have revealed a great deal about how the alga-parasite transition may have taken place, as well as origins of parasitism more generally [4]. Here, we show that, despite the surprisingly complex origin of apicomplexans from algae, this transition actually occurred at least three times independently. Using single-cell genomics and transcriptomics from diverse uncultivated parasites, we find that two genera previously classified within the Apicomplexa, Piridium and Platyproteum, form separately branching lineages in phylogenomic analyses. Both retain cryptic plastids with genomic and metabolic features convergent with apicomplexans. These findings suggest a predilection in this lineage for both the convergent loss of photosynthesis and transition to parasitism, resulting in multiple lineages of superficially similar animal parasites.
Topics: Animals; Apicomplexa; Apicoplasts; Biological Evolution; Parasites; Phylogeny
PubMed: 31422883
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.07.019 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2017Invertebrate pests and parasites of humans, animals, and plants continue to cause serious diseases and remain as a high treat to agricultural productivity and storage.... (Review)
Review
Invertebrate pests and parasites of humans, animals, and plants continue to cause serious diseases and remain as a high treat to agricultural productivity and storage. The rapid and accurate species identification of the pests and parasites are needed for understanding epidemiology, monitoring outbreaks, and designing control measures. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) profiling has emerged as a rapid, cost effective, and high throughput technique of microbial species identification in modern diagnostic laboratories. The development of soft ionization techniques and the release of commercial pattern matching software platforms has resulted in the exponential growth of applications in higher organisms including parasitology. The present review discusses the proof-of-principle experiments and various methods of MALDI MS profiling in rapid species identification of both laboratory and field isolates of pests, parasites and vectors.
Topics: Animals; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Databases, Protein; Disease Vectors; Humans; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Parasitology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Species Specificity; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
PubMed: 28555175
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00184 -
Parasite (Paris, France) Sep 2008
Topics: Animals; Genetic Variation; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Parasites; Phylogeny
PubMed: 18814679
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2008153185 -
Parasites & Vectors Dec 2019With a global population of about 35 million in 47 countries, dromedary camels play a crucial role in the economy of many marginal, desert areas of the world where they... (Review)
Review
With a global population of about 35 million in 47 countries, dromedary camels play a crucial role in the economy of many marginal, desert areas of the world where they survive under harsh conditions. Nonetheless, there is scarce knowledge regarding camels' parasite fauna which can reduce their milk and meat productions. In addition, only scattered information is available about zoonotic parasites transmitted to humans via contamination (e.g. Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Balantidium coli, Blastocystis spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi), as foodborne infections (e.g. Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella spp. and Linguatula serrata) or by arthropod vectors (Trypanosoma spp.). Herein, we draw attention of the scientific community and health policy-making organizations to the role camels play in the epidemiology of parasitic zoonotic diseases also in the view of an increase in their farming in desert areas worldwide.
Topics: Animals; Camelus; Humans; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31881926
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3863-3 -
Malaria Journal Aug 2018Understanding the life cycle of Plasmodium vivax is fundamental for developing strategies aimed at controlling and eliminating this parasitic species. Although advances... (Review)
Review
Understanding the life cycle of Plasmodium vivax is fundamental for developing strategies aimed at controlling and eliminating this parasitic species. Although advances in omic sciences and high-throughput techniques in recent years have enabled the identification and characterization of proteins which might be participating in P. vivax invasion of target cells, exclusive parasite tropism for invading reticulocytes has become the main obstacle in maintaining a continuous culture for this species. Such advance that would help in defining each parasite protein's function in the complex process of P. vivax invasion, in addition to evaluating new therapeutic agents, is still a dream. Advances related to maintenance, culture medium supplements and the use of different sources of reticulocytes and parasites (strains and isolates) have been made regarding the development of an in vitro culture for P. vivax; however, only some cultures having few replication cycles have been obtained to date, meaning that this parasite's maintenance goes beyond the technical components involved. Although it is still not yet clear which molecular mechanisms P. vivax prefers for invading young CD71 reticulocytes [early maturation stages (I-II-III)], changes related to membrane proteins remodelling of such cells could form part of the explanation. The most relevant aspects regarding P. vivax in vitro culture and host cell characteristics have been analysed in this review to explain possible reasons why the species' continuous in vitro culture is so difficult to standardize. Some alternatives for P. vivax in vitro culture have also been described.
Topics: Animals; Culture Media; Microbiological Techniques; Parasitology; Plasmodium vivax; Reticulocytes
PubMed: 30126427
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2456-5 -
The New Phytologist Sep 2013Phytonematodes use a stylet and secreted effectors to modify host cells and ingest nutrients to support their growth and development. The molecular function of nematode... (Review)
Review
Phytonematodes use a stylet and secreted effectors to modify host cells and ingest nutrients to support their growth and development. The molecular function of nematode effectors is currently the subject of intense investigation. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of nematode effectors, with a particular focus on proteinaceous stylet-secreted effectors of sedentary endoparasitic phytonematodes, for which a wealth of information has surfaced in the past 10 yr. We provide an update on the effector repertoires of several of the most economically important genera of phytonematodes and discuss current approaches to dissecting their function. Lastly, we highlight the latest breakthroughs in effector discovery that promise to shed new light on effector diversity and function across the phylum Nematoda.
Topics: Animals; Helminth Proteins; Host-Parasite Interactions; Nematoda; Parasites; Plant Cells
PubMed: 23691972
DOI: 10.1111/nph.12323 -
PloS One 2020By considering the role of site-level factors and dispersal, metacommunity concepts have advanced our understanding of the processes that structure ecological...
By considering the role of site-level factors and dispersal, metacommunity concepts have advanced our understanding of the processes that structure ecological communities. In dendritic systems, like streams and rivers, these processes may be impacted by network connectivity and unidirectional current. Streams and rivers are central to the dispersal of many pathogens, including parasites with complex, multi-host life cycles. Patterns in parasite distribution and diversity are often driven by host dispersal. We conducted two studies at different spatial scales (within and across stream networks) to investigate the importance of local and regional processes that structure trematode (parasitic flatworms) communities in streams. First, we examined trematode communities in first-intermediate host snails (Elimia proxima) in a survey of Appalachian headwater streams within the Upper New River Basin to assess regional turnover in community structure. We analyzed trematode communities based on both morphotype (visual identification) and haplotype (molecular identification), as cryptic diversity in larval trematodes could mask important community-level variation. Second, we examined communities at multiple sites (headwaters and main stem) within a stream network to assess potential roles of network position and downstream drift. Across stream networks, we found a broad scale spatial pattern in morphotype- and haplotype-defined communities due to regional turnover in the dominant parasite type. This pattern was correlated with elevation, but not with any other environmental factors. Additionally, we found evidence of multiple species within morphotypes, and greater genetic diversity in parasites with hosts limited to in-stream dispersal. Within network parasite prevalence, for at least some parasite taxa, was related to several site-level factors (elevation, snail density and stream depth), and total prevalence decreased from headwaters to main stem. Variation in the distribution and diversity of parasites at the regional scale may reflect differences in the abilities of hosts to disperse across the landscape. Within a stream network, species-environment relationships may counter the effects of downstream dispersal on community structure.
Topics: Animals; Appalachian Region; Biodiversity; Ecosystem; Life Cycle Stages; Parasites; Rivers; Snails; Trematoda
PubMed: 33232346
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241973 -
Cell Stress & Chaperones Sep 2019Intracellular protozoan parasites have evolved an efficient protein quality control (PQC) network comprising protein folding and degradation machineries that protect the... (Review)
Review
Intracellular protozoan parasites have evolved an efficient protein quality control (PQC) network comprising protein folding and degradation machineries that protect the parasite's proteome from environmental perturbations and threats posed by host immune surveillance. Interestingly, the components of PQC machinery in parasites have acquired sequence insertions which may provide additional interaction interfaces and diversify the repertoire of their biological roles. However, the auxiliary functions of PQC machinery remain poorly explored in parasite. A comprehensive understanding of this critical machinery may help to identify robust biological targets for new drugs against acute or latent and drug-resistant infections. Here, we review the dynamic roles of PQC machinery in creating a safe haven for parasite survival in hostile environments, serving as a metabolic sensor to trigger transformation into phenotypically distinct stages, acting as a lynchpin for trafficking of parasite cargo across host membrane for immune evasion and serving as an evolutionary capacitor to buffer mutations and drug-induced proteotoxicity. Versatile roles of PQC machinery open avenues for exploration of new drug targets for anti-parasitic intervention and design of strategies for identification of potential biomarkers for point-of-care diagnosis.
Topics: Animals; Heat-Shock Proteins; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Leishmania; Parasites; Plasmodium; Proteome; Protozoan Infections; Protozoan Proteins; Toxoplasma; Trypanosoma; Vector Borne Diseases
PubMed: 31228085
DOI: 10.1007/s12192-019-01016-9 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Jul 2013Foodborne zoonoses have been estimated to annually affect 10% of the global population, among which zoonotic parasites constitute an important class of aetiological... (Review)
Review
Foodborne zoonoses have been estimated to annually affect 10% of the global population, among which zoonotic parasites constitute an important class of aetiological agents. The major meatborne parasites include the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp., and the helminths Trichinella spp. and Taenia spp., all of which may be transmitted by pork. The significance of zoonotic parasites transmitted by pork consumption is emphasized by the prediction by the Food and Agriculture Organization of an 18.5% increase in world pork production over the next 10 years. Of all the porkborne parasites, the three 'T' parasites have been responsible for most porkborne illness throughout history; they are still endemic, and therefore are important public-health concerns, in developing countries. Although the risk of porkborne parasites, particularly helminths, may currently be considered insignificant in developed countries, the modern trend of consuming raw meat favours their re-emergence. This paper overviews the main parasites transmitted to humans by pork, and outlines the main lines of prevention.
Topics: Animals; Foodborne Diseases; Humans; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 23402388
DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12162 -
Cell Host & Microbe Feb 2010The application of metabolomics, the global analysis of metabolite levels, to the study of protozoan parasites has become an important tool for understanding the... (Review)
Review
The application of metabolomics, the global analysis of metabolite levels, to the study of protozoan parasites has become an important tool for understanding the host-parasite relationship and holds promise for the development of direly needed therapeutics and improved diagnostics. Research advances over the past decade have opened the door for a systems biology approach to protozoan parasites with metabolomics, providing a crucial readout of metabolic activity. In this review, we highlight recent metabolomic approaches to protozoan parasites, including metabolite profiling, integration with genomics, transcription, and proteomic analysis, and the use of metabolic fingerprints for the diagnosis of parasitic infections.
Topics: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Metabolomics; Parasites
PubMed: 20159614
DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2010.01.008