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International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Control of schistosomiasis japonica, endemic in Asia, including the Philippines, China, and Indonesia, is extremely challenging. is a highly pathogenic helminth... (Review)
Review
Control of schistosomiasis japonica, endemic in Asia, including the Philippines, China, and Indonesia, is extremely challenging. is a highly pathogenic helminth parasite, with disease arising predominantly from an immune reaction to entrapped parasite eggs in tissues. Females of this species can generate 1000-2200 eggs per day, which is about 3- to 15-fold greater than the egg output of other schistosome species. Bovines (water buffalo and cattle) are the predominant definitive hosts and are estimated to generate up to 90% of parasite eggs released into the environment in rural endemic areas where these hosts and humans are present. Here, we highlight the necessity of developing veterinary transmission-blocking vaccines for bovines to better control the disease and review potential vaccine candidates. We also point out that the approach to producing efficacious transmission-blocking animal-based vaccines before moving on to human vaccines is crucial. This will result in effective and feasible public health outcomes in agreement with the One Health concept to achieve optimum health for people, animals, and the environment. Indeed, incorporating a veterinary-based transmission vaccine, coupled with interventions such as human mass drug administration, improved sanitation and hygiene, health education, and snail control, would be invaluable to eliminating zoonotic schistosomiasis.
Topics: Animals; Female; Cattle; Humans; Schistosomiasis japonica; Schistosoma japonicum; Vaccines; Schistosomiasis; Vaccination; China; Buffaloes
PubMed: 38338980
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031707 -
Parasitology Apr 2023Human schistosomiasis is caused by helminths of the genus . Macrophages play a crucial role in the immune regulation of this disease. These cells acquire different... (Review)
Review
Human schistosomiasis is caused by helminths of the genus . Macrophages play a crucial role in the immune regulation of this disease. These cells acquire different phenotypes depending on the type of stimulus they receive. M1 macrophages can be ‘classically activated’ and can display a proinflammatory phenotype. M2 or ‘alternatively activated’ macrophages are considered anti-inflammatory cells. Despite the relevance of macrophages in controlling infections, the role of the functional types of these cells in schistosomiasis is unclear. This review highlights different molecules and/or macrophage activation and polarization pathways during and infection. This review is based on original and review articles obtained through searches in major databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, ACS, PubMed, Wiley, Scielo, Web of Science, LILACS and ScienceDirect. Our findings emphasize the importance of and antigens in macrophage polarization, as they exert immunomodulatory effects in different stages of the disease and are therefore important as therapeutic targets for schistosomiasis and in vaccine development. A combination of different antigens can provide greater protection, as it possibly stimulates an adequate immune response for an M1 or M2 profile and leads to host resistance; however, this warrants and studies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Macrophage Activation; Schistosomiasis; Schistosomiasis japonica; Macrophages; Schistosoma mansoni
PubMed: 36601859
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023000021 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Schistosomiasis has been widely disseminated around the world, and poses a significant threat to human health. Schistosoma eggs and soluble egg antigen (SEA) mediated... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis has been widely disseminated around the world, and poses a significant threat to human health. Schistosoma eggs and soluble egg antigen (SEA) mediated inflammatory responses promote the formation of egg granulomas and liver fibrosis. With continuous liver injuries and inflammatory stimulation, liver fibrosis can develop into liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Therefore, anti-fibrotic therapy is crucial to increase the survival rate of patients. However, current research on antifibrotic treatments for schistosomiasis requires further exploration. In the complicated microenvironment of schistosome infections, it is important to understand the mechanism and pathology of schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis(SSLF). In this review, we discuss the role of SEA in inhibiting liver fibrosis, describe its mechanism, and comprehensively explore the role of host-derived and schistosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) in SSLF. Inflammasomes and cytokines are significant factors in promoting SSLF, and we discuss the mechanisms of some critical inflammatory signals and pro-fibrotic cytokines. Natural killer(NK) cells and Natural killer T(NKT) cells can inhibit SSLF but are rarely described, therefore, we highlight their significance. This summarizes and provides insights into the mechanisms of key molecules involved in SSLF development.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica; Liver Cirrhosis; Schistosomiasis; Cytokines
PubMed: 36389166
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1035765 -
Single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the immunological network of liver fibrosis in -infected mice.Frontiers in Immunology 2022Liver fibrosis is a poor outcome of patients with schistosomiasis, impacting the quality of life and even survival. Eggs deposited in the liver were the main pathogenic...
INTRODUCTION
Liver fibrosis is a poor outcome of patients with schistosomiasis, impacting the quality of life and even survival. Eggs deposited in the liver were the main pathogenic factors of hepatic fibrosis in Schistosomiasis japonica. However, the mechanism of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis remains not well defined and there is no effective measure to prevent and treat schistosome-induced hepatic fibrosis.
METHODS
In this study, we applied single-cell sequencing to primarily explore the mechanism of hepatic fibrosis in murine schistosomiasis japonica (n=1) and normal mouse was served as control (n=1).
RESULTS
A total of 10,403 cells were included in our analysis and grouped into 18 major cell clusters. Th2 cells and NKT cells were obviously increased and there was a close communication between NKT cells and FASLG signaling pathway. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that the expression of Fasl in NKT cells, CD8+ T cell and NK cell were higher in SJ groups. , and , marker genes of alternatively activated macrophages (M2), were mainly expressed in mononuclear phagocyte(1) (MP(1)), suggesting that Kupffer cells might undergo M2-like polarization in fibrotic liver of schistosomiasis. CXCL and CCL signaling pathway analysis with CellChat showed that Cxcl16-Cxcr6, Ccl6-Ccr2 and Ccl5-Ccr5 were the most dominant L-R and there were close interactions between T cells and MPs.
CONCLUSION
Our research profiled a preliminary immunological network of hepatic fibrosis in murine schistosomiasis japonica, which might contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis. NKT cells and CXCL and CCL signaling pathway such as Cxcl16-Cxcr6, Ccl6-Ccr2 and Ccl5-Ccr5 might be potential targets to alleviate hepatic fibrosis of schistosomiasis.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica; Quality of Life; Liver Cirrhosis; Schistosomiasis; Sequence Analysis, RNA
PubMed: 36618421
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.980872 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Mar 2017Schistosomiasis japonica, caused by the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, remains a major public health problem in China, although great success has been... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis japonica, caused by the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, remains a major public health problem in China, although great success has been achieved. The control efforts during the past half-decade, notably the wide implementation of the new integrated strategy with emphasis on control of the source of S. japonicum infection across the country since 2004, has greatly reduced S. japonicum in humans, livestock, and intermediate host Oncomelania hupensis snails, and transmission control of schistosomiasis was achieved in China in 2015. A two-stage roadmap was therefore proposed for schistosomiasis elimination in 2015, with aims to achieve transmission interruption by 2020 and achieve disease elimination by 2025 in the country. During the last two decades, a variety of approaches, which target the epidemiological factors of schistosomiasis japonica have been developed, in order to block the transmission cycle of the parasite. These approaches have been employed in the national or local schistosomiasis control activities, and facilitated, at least in part, the progress of the schistosomiasis elimination programs. Here, we present an approach to control the source of S. japonicum infection, three new tools for snail control, three approaches for detecting and monitoring S. japonicum infection, and a novel model for health education. These approaches are considered to play a great role in the stage moving towards transmission interruption and elimination of schistosomiasis in China.
Topics: Animals; China; Disease Eradication; Humans; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica; Snails
PubMed: 28292327
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-017-0271-9 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Jun 2020Most schistosomiasis japonica cerebral granulomas reported in the literature have been single and located in the cerebellum, and multiple lesions located in the cerebral... (Review)
Review
Most schistosomiasis japonica cerebral granulomas reported in the literature have been single and located in the cerebellum, and multiple lesions located in the cerebral hemisphere are uncommon and often misdiagnosed as metastases or gliomas. We describe two rare cases of multiple schistosomiasis japonica cerebral granulomas. Laboratory examinations and cerebrospinal fluid were normal. Parasite eggs were not detected in the stool. No positive findings were detected in the abdominal ultrasonography or chest radiography. Magnetic resonance revealed two intensive patchy lesions in the cerebral hemisphere and surrounded by a large area of edema in both of our patients. Both were misdiagnosed as glioma or metastatic carcinoma before operation. Pathological examination confirmed that the diagnosis was schistosomiasis japonica cerebral granuloma. Praziquantel and dexamethasone were administered. Both patients are alive, symptom-free, and without evidence of recurrence. Combining our date with other literature reports, we summarize the possible mechanism, reasons for misdiagnosis, radiological characteristics, surgical treatment, and postoperative management of schistosomiasis japonica cerebral granuloma, which can be used for clinical reference and to improve our knowledge of schistosomiasis japonica cerebral granuloma.
Topics: Aged; Anthelmintics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Brain Diseases; Granuloma; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Schistosomiasis japonica
PubMed: 32274982
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0797 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Mar 2019is a digenetic blood fluke that has been implicated in the carcinogenesis of several human malignancies, notably liver and colorectal cancer (CRC). -associated... (Review)
Review
is a digenetic blood fluke that has been implicated in the carcinogenesis of several human malignancies, notably liver and colorectal cancer (CRC). -associated colorectal cancer (SACC) is a distinct subtype with biological behavior analogous to colitis-induced CRC. The clinicopathological characteristics of SACC include young age at diagnosis, predominance among males, a strong predilection for the sigmoid colon and rectum, multifocal distribution, frequent mucinous histology, and poor prognosis. In addition to chronic inflammation, immunomodulation, and schistosomal toxins, bacterial coinfection appears to play an important role in the carcinogenic process. The present review provides the most recent updates on epidemiology, pathobiology, and clinical and prognostic features pertaining to SACC.
Topics: Animals; China; Colorectal Neoplasms; Humans; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica
PubMed: 30560774
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0807 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Mar 2023Clinical classification of advanced schistosomiasis japonica is important for treatment options and prognosis prediction. Network analysis was used to solve the problem... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical classification of advanced schistosomiasis japonica is important for treatment options and prognosis prediction. Network analysis was used to solve the problem of complexity and co-occurrence complications in classification of advanced schistosomiasis. A total of 4,125 retrospective patients were enrolled and divided randomly into a training cohort (n = 2,888) and a validation cohort (n = 1,237). Network analysis was used to cluster the isolated complications of advanced schistosomiasis. The accuracy of the network was evaluated. Nomograms based on the clustered complications were built to predict 1- to 5-year survival rates in advanced schistosomiasis. The predictive performance of the nomogram was also evaluated and validated. Fifteen isolated complications were identified: metabolic syndromes, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, hepatic encephalopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, right heart failure, gastroesophageal variceal bleeding, gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding, splenomegaly, fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, ascites, colorectal polyp, and colorectal cancer. Through network analysis, three major clustered complications were achieved-namely, schistosomal abnormal metabolic syndromes (related to chronic metabolic abnormalities), schistosomal abnormal hemodynamics syndromes (related to severe portal hypertension and portosystemic shunting), and schistosomal inflammatory granulomatous syndromes (related to granulomatous inflammation). The nomograms showed a good performance in prognosis prediction of advanced schistosomiasis. The novel classification-based nomogram was useful in predicting the survival rate in advanced schistosomiasis japonica.
Topics: Humans; Schistosomiasis japonica; Nomograms; Retrospective Studies; Metabolic Syndrome; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Schistosomiasis; Prognosis
PubMed: 36689944
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0267 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Schistosomiasis japonica is an ancient parasitic disease that has severely impacted human health causing a substantial disease burden not only to the Chinese people but... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis japonica is an ancient parasitic disease that has severely impacted human health causing a substantial disease burden not only to the Chinese people but also residents of other countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia and, before the 1970s, Japan. Since the founding of the new People's Republic of China (P. R. China), effective control strategies have been implemented with the result that the prevalence of schistosomiasis japonica has decreased markedly in the past 70 years. Historically, the Dongting Lake region in Hunan province is recognised as one of the most highly endemic for schistosomiasis in the P.R. China. The area is characterized by vast marshlands outside the lake embankments and, until recently, the presence of large numbers of domestic animals such as bovines, goats and sheep that can act as reservoir hosts for . Considerable social, economic and environmental changes have expanded the intermediate snail host areas in the Dongting lake region increasing the potential for both the emergence of new hot spots for schistosomiasis transmission, and for its re-emergence in areas where infection is currently under control. In this paper, we review the history, the current endemic status of schistosomiasis and the control strategies in operation in the Dongting Lake region. We also explore epidemiological factors contributing to transmission and highlight key research findings from studies undertaken on schistosomiasis mainly in Hunan but also other endemic Chinese provinces over the past 10 years. We also consider the implications of these research findings on current and future approaches that can lead to the sustainable integrated control and final elimination of schistosomiasis from the P. R. China and other countries in the region where this unyielding disease persists.
Topics: Animals; China; Disease Reservoirs; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Humans; Lakes; Prevalence; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica; Zoonoses
PubMed: 33162989
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.574136 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023The neglected zoonosis, schistosomiasis japonica, remains a major public health problem in the Philippines. The current study aims to develop a novel gold...
BACKGROUND
The neglected zoonosis, schistosomiasis japonica, remains a major public health problem in the Philippines. The current study aims to develop a novel gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) and evaluate its performance in the detection of infection.
METHODS
A GICA strip incorporating a saposin protein, SjSAP4 was developed. For each GICA strip test, diluted serum sample (50 µl) was loaded and strips were scanned after 10 min to convert the results into images. ImageJ was used to calculate an R value, which was defined as the signal intensity of the test line divided by the signal intensity of the control line within the cassette. After determination of optimal serum dilution and diluent, the GICA assay was evaluated with sera collected from non-endemic controls (n = 20) and individuals living in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of the Philippines (n = 60), including 40 Kato Katz (KK)-positive participants and 20 subjects confirmed as KK-negative and faecal droplet digital PCR assay (F_ddPCR)-negative at a dilution of 1:20. An ELISA assay evaluating IgG levels against SjSAP4 was also performed on the same panel of sera.
RESULTS
Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 0.9% NaCl were determined as optimal dilution buffer for the GICA assay. The strips tested with serial dilutions of a pooled serum sample from KK-positive individuals (n = 3) suggested that a relatively wide range of dilutions (from 1:10 to 1:320) can be applied for the test. Using the non-endemic donors as controls, the GICA strip showed a sensitivity of 95.0% and absolute specificity; while using the KK-negative and F_ddPCR-negative subjects as controls, the immunochromatographic assay had a sensitivity of 85.0% and a specificity of 80.0%. The SjSAP4-incorperated GICA displayed a high concordance with the SjSAP4-ELISA assay.
CONCLUSIONS
The developed GICA assay exhibited a similar diagnostic performance with that of the SjSAP4-ELISA assay, yet the former can be performed by local personnel with minimal training with no requirement for specialised equipment. The GICA assay established here represents a rapid, easy-to-use, accurate and field-friendly diagnostic tool for the on-site surveillance/screening of infection.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Schistosomiasis japonica; Schistosoma japonicum; Gold; Sensitivity and Specificity; Immunoassay
PubMed: 37077910
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1165480