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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2020Parasitic infections pose a wide and varying threat globally, impacting over 25% of the global population with many more at risk of infection. These infections are... (Review)
Review
Parasitic infections pose a wide and varying threat globally, impacting over 25% of the global population with many more at risk of infection. These infections are comprised of, but not limited to, toxoplasmosis, malaria, leishmaniasis and any one of a wide variety of helminthic infections. While a great deal is understood about the adaptive immune response to each of these parasites, there remains a need to further elucidate the early innate immune response. Interleukin-33 is being revealed as one of the earliest players in the cytokine milieu responding to parasitic invasion, and as such has been given the name "alarmin." A nuclear cytokine, interleukin-33 is housed primarily within epithelial and fibroblastic tissues and is released upon cellular damage or death. Evidence has shown that interleukin-33 seems to play a crucial role in priming the immune system toward a strong T helper type 2 immune response, necessary in the clearance of some parasites, while disease exacerbating in the context of others. With the possibility of being a double-edged sword, a great deal remains to be seen in how interleukin-33 and its receptor ST2 are involved in the immune response different parasites elicit, and how those parasites may manipulate or evade this host mechanism. In this review article we compile the current cutting-edge research into the interleukin-33 response to toxoplasmosis, malaria, leishmania, and helminthic infection. Furthermore, we provide insight into directions interleukin-33 research may take in the future, potential immunotherapeutic applications of interleukin-33 modulation and how a better clarity of early innate immune system responses involving interleukin-33/ST2 signaling may be applied in development of much needed treatment options against parasitic invaders.
Topics: Communicable Diseases; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein; Interleukin-33; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 32363166
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00153 -
Annals of Parasitology 2017Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Many human parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba...
Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Many human parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma cruzi, Taenia solium, Echinococcus spp., Toxocara canis, T. cati, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Trichinella spp., during invasion might involve the CNS. Some parasitic infections of the brain are lethal if left untreated (e.g., cerebral malaria – Plasmodium falciparum, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) – Naegleria fowleri, baylisascariosis – Baylisascaris procyonis, African sleeping sickness – African trypanosomes). These diseases have diverse vectors or intermediate hosts, modes of transmission and endemic regions or geographic distributions. The neurological, cognitive, and mental health problems caused by above parasites are noted mostly in low-income countries; however, sporadic cases also occur in non-endemic areas because of an increase in international travel and immunosuppression caused by therapy or HIV infection. The presence of parasites in the CNS may cause a variety of nerve symptoms, depending on the location and extent of the injury; the most common subjective symptoms include headache, dizziness, and root pain while objective symptoms are epileptic seizures, increased intracranial pressure, sensory disturbances, meningeal syndrome, cerebellar ataxia, and core syndromes. Many early symptoms of CNS invasion are often nonspecific therefore a diagnosis can be difficult. This article presents the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of selected parasitic neuroinfections.
Topics: Antiparasitic Agents; Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections; Helminthiasis; Humans; Protozoan Infections
PubMed: 29385325
DOI: 10.17420/ap6304.111 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Nov 2021Interactions between the environment, parasites, vectors, and/or intermediate hosts are complex and involve several factors that define the success or failure of an... (Review)
Review
Interactions between the environment, parasites, vectors, and/or intermediate hosts are complex and involve several factors that define the success or failure of an infection. Among these interactions that can affect infections by a parasite, it is possible to highlight the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in hosts and parasites. The interaction between genetics, epigenetics, infection, and the host's internal and external environment is decisive and dictates the outcome of a parasitic infection and the resistance, susceptibility, and transmission of this parasite. Epigenetic changes become important mediators in the regulation of gene expression, allowing the evasion of the parasite to immune host barriers, its transmission to new hosts, and the end of its development cycle. Epigenetics is a new frontier in the understanding of the interaction mechanisms between parasite and host that, along with information from the gene regions associated with complex phenotypic variations, the Quantitative Trait Loci, brings new possibilities to investigate more modern and efficient approaches to the treatment, control, and eradication of parasitic diseases. In this brief review, a general overview of the use of epigenetic information and mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci was summarized, both in genes of parasites and hosts, for understanding the mechanisms of resistance and/or susceptibility in parasitic relationships; also, the main search platforms were quantitatively compared, aiming to facilitate access data produced over a period of twenty years.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Resistance; Epigenesis, Genetic; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Parasitic Diseases; Quantitative Trait Loci
PubMed: 34271118
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166214 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Jun 2014Paleoparasitology is the application of conventional or molecular investigative techniques to archeological samples in order to reveal parasitic infection patterns among... (Review)
Review
Paleoparasitology is the application of conventional or molecular investigative techniques to archeological samples in order to reveal parasitic infection patterns among past populations. Although pioneering studies already have reported key paleoparasitological findings around the world, the same sorts of studies had not, until very recently, been conducted in sufficient numbers in Korea. Mummified remains of individuals dating to the Korean Joseon Dynasty actually have proved very meaningful to concerned researchers, owing particularly to their superb preservation status, which makes them ideal subjects for paleoparasitological studies. Over the past several years, our study series on Korean mummies has yielded very pertinent data on parasitic infection patterns prevailing among certain Joseon Dynasty populations. In this short review, we summarized the findings and achievements of our recent paleoparasitological examinations of Joseon mummies and discussed about the prospects for future research in this vein.
Topics: Humans; Korea; Mummies; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 25031462
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2014.52.3.235 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Aug 2020Babesiosis is an emerging infection in the state of Pennsylvania, and clinicians need to be made aware of its clinical manifestations as well as the risk factors...
Babesiosis is an emerging infection in the state of Pennsylvania, and clinicians need to be made aware of its clinical manifestations as well as the risk factors associated with severe disease. Before 2010, our tertiary academic center in central Pennsylvania previously saw zero cases of babesiosis. We saw our first confirmed case of Babesia infection acquired in Pennsylvania in 2011; we recorded 2 confirmed cases in 2017 and 4 confirmed cases in 2018. All 4 cases from 2018 were thought to be acquired in southcentral Pennsylvania counties, whereas prior reports of cases were predominately in the southeast and northeast counties of the state.
Topics: Babesia; Babesiosis; Humans; Pennsylvania; Risk Factors
PubMed: 32687021
DOI: 10.3201/eid2608.191293 -
Parasite Immunology Nov 2006Immune compromise can modify the severity and manifestation of some parasitic infections. More widespread use of newer immnosuppressive therapies, the growing population... (Review)
Review
Immune compromise can modify the severity and manifestation of some parasitic infections. More widespread use of newer immnosuppressive therapies, the growing population of individuals with immunocompromised states as well as the prolonged survival of these patients have altered the pattern of parasitic infection. This review article discusses the burden and immunology of parasitic infections in patients who are immunocompromised secondary to congenital immunodeficiency, malnutrition, malignancy, and immunosuppressive medications. This review does not address the literature on parasitic infections in the setting of HIV-1 infection.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Animals; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 17042927
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2006.00886.x -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2009The role of wildlife as important sources, reservoirs and amplifiers of emerging human and domestic livestock pathogens, in addition to well recognized zoonoses of... (Review)
Review
The role of wildlife as important sources, reservoirs and amplifiers of emerging human and domestic livestock pathogens, in addition to well recognized zoonoses of public health significance, has gained considerable attention in recent years. However, there has been little attention given to the transmission and impacts of pathogens of human origin, particularly protozoan, helminth and arthropod parasites, on wildlife. Substantial advances in molecular technologies are greatly improving our ability to follow parasite flow among host species and populations and revealing valuable insights about the interactions between cycles of transmission. Here we present several case studies of parasite emergence, or risk of emergence, in wildlife, as a result of contact with humans or anthropogenic activities. For some of these parasites, there is growing evidence of the serious consequences of infection on wildlife survival, whereas for others, there is a paucity of information about their impact.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Parasitic Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 19440409
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph6020678 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 2014In mammals subverted as hosts by protozoan parasites, the latter and/or the agonists they release are detected and processed by sensors displayed by many distinct immune... (Review)
Review
In mammals subverted as hosts by protozoan parasites, the latter and/or the agonists they release are detected and processed by sensors displayed by many distinct immune cell lineages, in a tissue(s)-dependent context. Focusing on the T lymphocyte lineage, we review our present understanding on its transient or durable functional impairment over the course of the developmental program of the intracellular parasites Leishmania spp., Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypanosoma cruzi in their mammalian hosts. Strategies employed by protozoa to down-regulate T lymphocyte function may act at the initial moment of naïve T cell priming, rendering T cells anergic or unresponsive throughout infection, or later, exhausting T cells due to antigen persistence. Furthermore, by exploiting host feedback mechanisms aimed at maintaining immune homeostasis, parasites can enhance T cell apoptosis. We will discuss how infections with prominent intracellular protozoan parasites lead to a general down-regulation of T cell function through T cell anergy and exhaustion, accompanied by apoptosis, and ultimately allowing pathogen persistence.
Topics: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Models, Immunological; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 24551250
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002567 -
European Spine Journal : Official... Dec 2013Spinal infection is a rare pathology although a concerning rising incidence has been observed in recent years. This increase might reflect a progressively more... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Spinal infection is a rare pathology although a concerning rising incidence has been observed in recent years. This increase might reflect a progressively more susceptible population but also the availability of increased diagnostic accuracy. Yet, even with improved diagnosis tools and procedures, the delay in diagnosis remains an important issue. This review aims to highlight the importance of a methodological attitude towards accurate and prompt diagnosis using an algorithm to aid on spinal infection management.
METHODS
Appropriate literature on spinal infection was selected using databases from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
RESULTS
Literature reveals that histopathological analysis of infected tissues is a paramount for diagnosis and must be performed routinely. Antibiotic therapy is transversal to both conservative and surgical approaches and must be initiated after etiological diagnosis. Indications for surgical treatment include neurological deficits or sepsis, spine instability and/or deformity, presence of epidural abscess and upon failure of conservative treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
A methodological assessment could lead to diagnosis effectiveness of spinal infection. Towards this, we present a management algorithm based on literature findings.
Topics: Adult; Algorithms; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Bacterial Infections; Delayed Diagnosis; Diagnostic Imaging; Discitis; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Epidural Abscess; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Parasitic Diseases; Prognosis; Spine; Spondylitis; United States
PubMed: 23756630
DOI: 10.1007/s00586-013-2850-1 -
Revue Scientifique Et Technique... Dec 2017Dogs play valuable roles in human society. In addition to serving as pets and companions, dogs have also been important in hunting and, in recent times, as therapy...
Dogs play valuable roles in human society. In addition to serving as pets and companions, dogs have also been important in hunting and, in recent times, as therapy animals. In India, the number of pet dogs is estimated to be around 5 million. The stray dog population in India is estimated to be 19 million and still increasing, due to ineffective control measures. Stray dogs pose substantial risks to public health due to injury and transmission of zoonoses such as rabies. Both pet and stray dogs may act as reservoirs of zoonotic parasites in India, which has a climate conducive to the environmental survival and transmission of many zoonotic parasites. At present, visceral larva migrans, cutaneous larva migrans and echinococcosis are the most important parasitic zoonoses in India. Leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis, Brugia malayi infection and giardiosis are potentially significant emerging parasitic zoonoses, and theleziosis, gnathostomiosis and dipylidiosis occur sporadically. Because of their biomedical and public health significance, and the lack of literature and compiled data on parasitic zoonoses of dogs in India, the authors provide a concise review on this topic along with potential control strategies.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Humans; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Zoonoses
PubMed: 30160698
DOI: 10.20506/rst.36.3.2717