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Pathogens and Global Health Nov 2012Parasitic infection profile in China has been changed greatly with the rapid economic development in China since the 1980s, such as the tremendous decreased infection... (Review)
Review
Parasitic infection profile in China has been changed greatly with the rapid economic development in China since the 1980s, such as the tremendous decreased infection rate of the soil-borne helminthiasis, the elimination of filariasis, the control of malaria, and the initiation to eradicate malaria in 2020. Some food-borne parasitic infections have increased such as Clonorchiasis, Cysticercosis, and Echinococcosis, probably because of the increased chances of eating out. This trend directly affected the status of Human Parasitology teaching in medical universities, such as the shorten length of this course, re-adjusted contents structure and teaching manners, even the change of the name of this course. In this paper, we analyzed the current status and challenges of Human Parasitology teaching in medical universities, and discussed the requisite contents and manners in course delivery and measures to improve the quality of Human Parasitology teaching in China.
Topics: China; Education, Medical; Humans; Parasitic Diseases; Parasitology
PubMed: 23265609
DOI: 10.1179/2047773212Y.0000000040 -
Veterinary Parasitology Feb 2015This review article summarises the many reports in the literature, confirming that, in sheep, parasitic infections can adversely affect reproductive efficiency;... (Review)
Review
This review article summarises the many reports in the literature, confirming that, in sheep, parasitic infections can adversely affect reproductive efficiency; examples, which refer to all parts of the reproductive cycle of sheep, are as follows: trichostrongylosis in ewe-lambs (which can lead to delayed attainment of puberty), myiosis of the prepuce (which can cause impediment of mating), chorioptic mange or trypanosomosis in rams (which can lead to testicular degeneration or azoospermia, respectively), trypanosomosis or sarcoptic mange in pre-conceptual ewes (which can lead to poor conception rates or reduced number of ovulations, respectively), toxoplasmosis or neosporosis in pregnant ewes (which are causes of abortion), trichostrongylosis or trematode infections in lactating ewes (which can cause reduction of milk yield and can be a risk factor for mastitis, respectively), cryptosporidiosis in newborn lambs (which can be a cause of deaths), coccidiosis in growing pre-weaned lambs (which can cause suboptimal growth rate). In other cases, the reproductive status of the animal can influence the parasitic infection; examples are as follows: the increase in faecal parasitic output during the peri-parturient period (as a consequence of the peri-parturient relaxation of immunity), the heavier trichostrongylid infections of twin lambs compared to lambs from single parities (as a consequence of developmental origin issues in twin lambs). All the above examples support the idea of presence of interactions between parasitic infections and reproductive efficiency in sheep.
Topics: Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Female; Lactation; Ovulation; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Pregnancy; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Sheep; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 25577675
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.12.017 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Parasites, bacteria, and viruses pose serious threats to public health. Many parasite infections, including infections of protozoa and helminths, can inhibit... (Review)
Review
Parasites, bacteria, and viruses pose serious threats to public health. Many parasite infections, including infections of protozoa and helminths, can inhibit inflammatory responses and impact disease outcomes caused by viral, bacterial, or other parasitic infections. Type I interferon (IFN-I) has been recognized as an essential immune effector in the host defense against various pathogens. In addition, IFN-I responses induced by co-infections with different pathogens may vary according to the host genetic background, immune status, and pathogen burden. However, there is only limited information on the roles of IFN-I in co-infections with parasites and viruses, bacteria, or other parasites. This review summarizes some recent findings on the roles of IFN-I in co-infections with parasites, including spp., spp., , or , and viruses or bacteria and co-infections with different parasites (such as co-infection with and , and co-infection with spp. and ). The potential mechanisms of host responses associated with co-infections, which may provide targets for immune intervention and therapies of the co-infections, are also discussed.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Coinfection; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Interferon Type I; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Signal Transduction; Virus Diseases; Viruses
PubMed: 33193291
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01805 -
Annals of Parasitology 2021Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are major contributors to decrease productivity in livestock over the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted in different areas of...
Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are major contributors to decrease productivity in livestock over the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted in different areas of Bangladesh to determine the prevalence of GI parasitic infections and their association with the biotic and abiotic factors in sheep. A total of 572 faecal samples were collected from the selected areas of Bangladesh and microscopic examination was performed for the identification of parasites using flotation and sedimentation technique. Out of 572, 441 animals were found infected with one or more species of GI parasites with an overall prevalence of 77.1%. Nine types of parasites from four different classes were detected namely Strongyles (42.1%), Strongyloides sp. (27.1%) and Trichuris sp. (1.0%), Moniezia sp. (2.4%), Paramphistomum cervi (32.5%), Fasciola gigantica (6.1%) and Schistosoma sp. (3.5%), coccidia (16.6%) and Balantidium coli (7.9%). Nematodes infections (56.8%) were significantly highest among trematodes (37.9%), protozoa (24.4%) and cestode (2.4%). In the present study, all the biotic factors including sex, age, physiological condition of female and body condition score (BCS) of animals were insignificantly (p>0.05) associated with the prevalence of GI parasitic infection in sheep but among the abiotic factors, muddy housing of animals, rainy season, having no knowledge about GI parasites and illiteracy of farmers were significantly (p<0.05) associated with the GI parasitic infections. This epidemiological investigation will assist to build a suitable control program against GI parasites in sheep and thus, help to prevent production loss and increase livelihood of small holder farmers.
Topics: Animals; Bangladesh; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feces; Female; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Nematode Infections; Parasites; Prevalence; Sheep; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 34332192
DOI: 10.17420/ap6702.328 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Inflammation is an integral part of defense against most infectious diseases. These pathogen-induced immune responses are in very many instances strongly influenced by... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Inflammation is an integral part of defense against most infectious diseases. These pathogen-induced immune responses are in very many instances strongly influenced by host's sex. As a consequence, sexual dimorphisms were observed in susceptibility to many infectious diseases. They are pathogen dose-dependent, and their outcomes depend on pathogen and even on its species or subspecies. Sex may differentially affect pathology of various organs and its influence is modified by interaction of host's hormonal status and genotype: sex chromosomes X and Y, as well as autosomal genes. In this Mini Review we summarize the major influences of sex in human infections and subsequently focus on 22 autosomal genes/loci that modify in a sex-dependent way the response to infectious diseases in mouse models. These genes have been observed to influence susceptibility to viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and worms. Some sex-dependent genes/loci affect susceptibility only in females or only in males, affect both sexes, but have stronger effect in one sex; still other genes were shown to affect the disease in both sexes, but with opposite direction of effect in females and males. The understanding of mechanisms of sex-dependent differences in the course of infectious diseases may be relevant for their personalized management.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Bacterial Infections; Child; Communicable Diseases; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Helminthiasis; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Middle Aged; Models, Biological; Mycoses; Parasitic Diseases; Quantitative Trait Loci; Sex Characteristics; Sex Distribution; Species Specificity; Virus Diseases; Young Adult
PubMed: 34721380
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.712688 -
BMC Infectious Diseases May 2019Previous studies reported contradicting findings about the association between intestinal parasitosis and maternal anemia. In this study we aimed to determine the...
BACKGROUND
Previous studies reported contradicting findings about the association between intestinal parasitosis and maternal anemia. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and its association with anemia among pregnant women in Wondo Genet district, Southern Ethiopia.
METHODS
This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in June and July 2018. Pregnant women (n = 352) were randomly drawn from five health centers using antenatal care follow-up lists. Trained data collectors administered the questionnaire. Capillary blood was collected and analyzed for hemoglobin using the HemoCue method. Stool sample was collected following standard procedure and analyzed for the presence and types of intestinal parasites using direct microscopy with Formalin-ether concentration technique. Association between intestinal parasitosis and anemia was measured using multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. The outputs are presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 38.7% (95% CI: 33.6-43.8%). One-tenth (9.7%) of the pregnant women were infected with polyparasites. Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant infection encountered in 24.9% of the women. The other infections identified were: hookworms (11.2%), Giardia lamblia (5.4%), Entamoeba histolytica (3.4%), Trichuris trichiura (2.9%) and Schistosoma mansoni (2.3%). The mean (± standard deviation) hemoglobin concentration was 12.3 (±1.9) g/dl and 31.5% (95% CI: 26.6-36.4%) women were anemic (hemoglobin < 11 g/dl). The prevalence of anemia among women infected with intestinal parasite (55.6%) was substantially higher than the prevalence in their counterparts (16.4%) (p < 0.001). In a multivariable model adjusted for multiple potential confounders including socio-economic status indicators, the odds of anemia were six times increased (AOR = 6.14, 95% CI: 2.04-18.45) among those affected by at least one intestinal parasite.
CONCLUSION
Strengthening the existing water, sanitation and hygiene programs and routine deworming of pregnant mothers may help to reduce the burden of both intestinal parasitic infection and anemia in pregnant women.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia; Animals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethiopia; Female; Humans; Hygiene; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Prevalence; Sanitation; Social Class; Young Adult
PubMed: 31146689
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4135-8 -
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 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023The preventive situation of parasitosis, a global public health burden especially for developing countries, is not looking that good. Similar to other infections,... (Review)
Review
The preventive situation of parasitosis, a global public health burden especially for developing countries, is not looking that good. Similar to other infections, vaccines would be the best choice for preventing and controlling parasitic infection. However, ideal antigenic molecules for vaccine development have not been identified so far, resulting from the complicated life history and enormous genomes of the parasites. Furthermore, the suppression or down-regulation of anti-infectious immunity mediated by the parasites or their derived molecules can compromise the effect of parasitic vaccines. Comparing the early immune profiles of several parasites in the permissive and non-permissive hosts, a robust innate immune response is proposed to be a critical event to eliminate the parasites. Therefore, enhancing innate immunity may be essential for designing novel and effective parasitic vaccines. The newly emerging trained immunity (also termed innate immune memory) has been increasingly recognized to provide a novel perspective for vaccine development targeting innate immunity. This article reviews the current status of parasitic vaccines and anti-infectious immunity, as well as the conception, characteristics, and mechanisms of trained immunity and its research progress in Parasitology, highlighting the possible consideration of trained immunity in designing novel vaccines against parasitic diseases.
Topics: Animals; Trained Immunity; Vaccines; Parasitic Diseases; Immunity, Innate; Parasites
PubMed: 37868995
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1252554 -
Clinical and Experimental Immunology Jan 2009Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system recognizes and attacks host tissue. In addition to genetic factors, environmental triggers (in particular viruses, bacteria... (Review)
Review
Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system recognizes and attacks host tissue. In addition to genetic factors, environmental triggers (in particular viruses, bacteria and other infectious pathogens) are thought to play a major role in the development of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we (i) describe the ways in which an infectious agent can initiate or exacerbate autoimmunity; (ii) discuss the evidence linking certain infectious agents to autoimmune diseases in humans; and (iii) describe the animal models used to study the link between infection and autoimmunity.
Topics: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; Bacterial Infections; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Models, Animal; Parasitic Diseases; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 19076824
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2008.03834.x -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Mar 2020Veterinarians and farmers must contend with the development of drug resistance and climate variability, which threaten the sustainability of current parasite control... (Review)
Review
Veterinarians and farmers must contend with the development of drug resistance and climate variability, which threaten the sustainability of current parasite control practices. Field trials evaluating competing strategies for controlling parasites while simultaneously slowing the development of resistance are time consuming and expensive. In contrast, modelling studies can rapidly explore a wide range of scenarios and have generated an array of decision support tools for veterinarians and farmers such as real-time weather-dependent infection risk alerts. Models have also been valuable for predicting the development of anthelmintic resistance, evaluating the sustainability of current parasite control practices and promoting the responsible use of novel anthelmintics.
Topics: Animals; Decision Support Techniques; Models, Biological; Parasitic Diseases, Animal
PubMed: 32029180
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.11.002