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Autoimmunity Dec 2023Infection by the can result in acute, chronic and late-stage manifestations. The latter often presents with severe organ failures and premature death. Importantly,...
Infection by the can result in acute, chronic and late-stage manifestations. The latter often presents with severe organ failures and premature death. Importantly, infection can also produce autoimmune phenomena reflected by the development of autoantibodies. We wished to explore and profile the presence of autoantibodies in sera of patients with different stages of infection with the added aim of providing a reference assisting diagnosis. Blood samples from 55 patients with chronic and 20 patients with late-stage schistosomiasis japonica together, with a control group of 50 healthy people were randomly investigated against a microarray of 121 different autoantigens. In addition, the frequency of antibodies against egg antigen (SEA) was examined. In the sera from patients with chronic schistosomiasis japonica, 14 different highly expressed autoantibodies were detected, while patients with late-stage schistosomiasis were found to express as many as 43 autoantibody specificities together with a significantly higher frequency of antibodies against SEA compared to the control group. The findings presented suggest that autoantibody-based classification of schistosomiasis japonica represents a promising approach for the elucidation of subtypes of the disease. This approach may reflect differential disease mechanisms, which could ultimately lead to better treatment.
Topics: Humans; Autoantibodies; Schistosomiasis japonica; Autoantigens
PubMed: 37599561
DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2023.2250102 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jul 2007Construction of the Three Gorges Dam across the Yangtze River will substantially change the ecology of the Dongting Lake in southern China. In addition, the Chinese... (Review)
Review
Construction of the Three Gorges Dam across the Yangtze River will substantially change the ecology of the Dongting Lake in southern China. In addition, the Chinese Central and Hunan Provinces' governmental authorities have instigated a Return Land to Lake Program that will extend the Dongting Lake surface area from the current 2,681 km2 to 4,350 km2. The previous construction of embankments and the large silt deposits made by the Yangtze River and other connecting rivers have contributed to frequent disastrous flooding. As a consequence of the 2 water projects, > 2 million persons and their domestic animals are being resettled. This article provides an overview of the historical background of these 2 large water management projects, the associated population movement, and their impact on future transmission and control of schistosomiasis in the Dongting Lake area. The dam will likely substantially extend the range of the snail habitats and increase schistosome transmission and schistosomiasis cases.
Topics: Animals; China; Environmental Monitoring; Fresh Water; Humans; Prevalence; Schistosomiasis; Schistosomiasis japonica; Snails; Water
PubMed: 18214167
DOI: 10.3201/eid1307.060848 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Aug 2019Indonesia and South Korea have become inseparable in various respects since the 2 countries established diplomatic relation in 1973. Indonesia is a tropical region that... (Review)
Review
Indonesia and South Korea have become inseparable in various respects since the 2 countries established diplomatic relation in 1973. Indonesia is a tropical region that stretches across the equator, comprised of 5 main islands (Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua) and 4 archipelagoes (Riau, Bangka Belitung, Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku). As most population of Eastern Indonesia (Sulawesi, Papua and Nusa Tenggara & Maluku) live in poor areas, it is expected that there will be many parasites. Nevertheless, little is known about the status of parasites in Indonesia. This study examines the prevalences of malaria and lymphatic filaria, which are prevalent in Indonesia, as well as those of soil-transmitted-helminths (STH). As a result, the Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax case loads are almost equal. The current prevalence of P. vivax is uniformly low (<5%) in all age groups and annual parasite incidence (API) showed decreasing tendency as 0.84 per 1,000 population in 2016. However, more than 65 million people still live in malaria epidemic regions. Lymphatic filariasis remains an important public health problem and 236 cities were classified as endemic areas in 514 cities/districts in 2017. It is difficult to ascertain the current prevalence rate of STH in Indonesia, although West Sumba and Southwest Sumba in East Nusa Tenggara reported prevalence rate of more than 20%. The study also considers the (sero) prevalences of other parasites identified in Indonesia. This report should be useful not only to parasitologists but also to travelers and people with business in Indonesia.
Topics: Elephantiasis, Filarial; Helminthiasis; Indonesia; Malaria; Parasitic Diseases; Prevalence; Schistosomiasis japonica; Soil; Taeniasis
PubMed: 31533400
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.4.329 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 2011The Chinese government lists advanced schistosomiasis as a leading healthcare priority due to its serious health and economic impacts, yet it has not been included in...
BACKGROUND
The Chinese government lists advanced schistosomiasis as a leading healthcare priority due to its serious health and economic impacts, yet it has not been included in the estimates of schistosomiasis burden in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Therefore, the quality of life and disability weight (DW) for the advanced cases of schistosomiasis japonica have to be taken into account in the re-estimation of burden of disease due to schistosomiasis.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
A patient-based quality-of-life evaluation was performed for advanced schistosomiasis japonica. Suspected or officially registered advanced cases in a Schistosoma japonicum-hyperendemic county of the People's Republic of China (P.R. China) were screened using a short questionnaire and physical examination. Disability and morbidity were assessed in confirmed cases, using the European quality of life questionnaire with an additional cognitive dimension (known as the "EQ-5D plus"), ultrasonography, and laboratory testing. The age-specific DW of advanced schistosomiasis japonica was estimated based on patients' self-rated health scores on the visual analogue scale of the questionnaire. The relationships between health status, morbidity and DW were explored using multivariate regression models. Of 506 candidates, 215 cases were confirmed as advanced schistosomiasis japonica and evaluated. Most of the patients reported impairments in at least one health dimension, such as pain or discomfort (90.7%), usual activities (87.9%), and anxiety or depression (80.9%). The overall DW was 0.447, and age-specific DWs ranged from 0.378 among individuals aged 30-44 years to 0.510 among the elderly aged ≥ 60 years. DWs are positively associated with loss of work capacity, psychological abnormality, ascites, and active hepatitis B virus, while splenectomy and high albumin were protective factors for quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
These patient-preference disability estimates could provide updated data for a revision of the GBD, as well as for evidence-based decision-making in P.R. China's national schistosomiasis control program.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; China; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Disability Evaluation; Humans; Middle Aged; Physical Examination; Quality of Life; Schistosomiasis japonica; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 21358814
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000966 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Jul 2018The prevalence of schistosomiasis japonica has decreased significantly, and the responses changing from control to elimination in Jiangsu Province, P.R. China. How to...
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of schistosomiasis japonica has decreased significantly, and the responses changing from control to elimination in Jiangsu Province, P.R. China. How to estimate the change in prevalence of schistosomiasis using only serological data will be important and useful.
METHODS
We collected serum samples from 2011 to 2015 to build a serum bank from Dantu County of Jiangsu, China. Serum samples were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the positive rate and optical density (OD) value were obtained. The Bayesian model including the prior information of sensitivity and specificity of ELISA was established, and the estimated infection rates were obtained for different years, genders and age groups.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the mean OD between different years and genders, but there was a significant difference between the different age groups. There were statistically significant differences in the positive rate for different years and age groups, but no significant difference at different genders. The estimated infection rate for the five years was 1.288, 1.456, 1.032, 1.485 and 1.358%, respectively. There was no significant difference between different years and between genders, but a significant difference between different age groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The risk of schistosomiasis transmission in this area still exists, and risk monitoring of schistosomiasis should be strengthened.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Bayes Theorem; Child; China; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica; Sensitivity and Specificity; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 29961423
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0443-2 -
Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy May 2009Schistosomiasis japonica is a serious parasitic disease and a major health risk for more than 60 million people living in the tropical and subtropical zones of south... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis japonica is a serious parasitic disease and a major health risk for more than 60 million people living in the tropical and subtropical zones of south China. The disease is a zoonosis and its cause, the parasitic trematode Schistosoma japonicum, has a range of mammalian reservoirs, making control efforts difficult. Current control programs are heavily based on community chemotherapy with a single dose of the highly effective drug praziquantel. However, vaccines (for use in bovines and in humans) in combination with other control strategies are needed to eliminate the disease. In this review, we provide an overview of the transmission, clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, genetics and susceptibility, epidemiology, and prospects for control of schistosomiasis japonica in China. The threat posed by the Three Gorges Dam may undermine control efforts because it will change the local ecology and associated schistosomiasis transmission risks over the next decade and beyond.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; China; Disease Vectors; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Praziquantel; Schistosomiasis japonica; Vaccines
PubMed: 19400766
DOI: 10.1586/eri.09.17 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2014Artemisinin (qinghaosu), extracted from the Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. in 1972, and its three major derivatives--artemether, artesunate and dihydroartemisinin--were... (Review)
Review
Artemisinin (qinghaosu), extracted from the Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. in 1972, and its three major derivatives--artemether, artesunate and dihydroartemisinin--were firstly identified as antimalarials and found active against all species of the malaria parasite. Since the early 1980s, artemisinin and its derivatives have been found efficacious against Schistosoma spp., notably larval parasites, and artemisinin derivatives have played a critical role in the prevention and treatment of human schistosomiasis in China. Currently, China is moving towards the progress of schistosomiasis elimination. However, the potential development of praziquantel resistance may pose a great threat to the progress of elimination of schistosomiasis japonica in China. Fortunately, these three major artemisinin derivatives also exhibit actions against adult parasites, and reduced sensitivity to artemether, artesunate and dihydroartemisinin has been detected in praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum. In this review, we describe the application of artemisinin derivatives in the prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis japonica in China, so as to provide tools for the global agenda of schistosomiasis elimination. In addition to antimalarial and antischistosomal actions, they also show activities against other parasites and multiple cancers. Artemisinin derivatives, as old drugs identified firstly as antimalarials, continue to create new stories.
Topics: Artemisinins; China; Humans; Schistosomiasis japonica
PubMed: 25244286
DOI: 10.3390/molecules190915058 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Apr 2010The potential impact of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) on schistosomiasis transmission in China has invoked considerable global concern. The TGD will result in changes in... (Review)
Review
The potential impact of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) on schistosomiasis transmission in China has invoked considerable global concern. The TGD will result in changes in the water level and silt deposition downstream, favoring the reproduction of Oncomelania snails. Combined with blockages of the Yangtze River's tributaries, these changes will increase the schistosomiasis transmission season within the marshlands along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The changing schistosome transmission dynamics necessitate a comprehensive strategy to control schistosomiasis. This review discusses aspects of the epidemiology and transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in China and considers the pathology, clinical outcomes, diagnosis, treatment, immunobiology, and genetics of schistosomiasis japonica together with an overview of current progress in vaccine development, all of which will have an impact on future control efforts. The use of synchronous praziquantel (PZQ) chemotherapy for humans and domestic animals is only temporarily effective, as schistosome reinfection occurs rapidly. Drug delivery requires a substantial infrastructure to regularly cover all parts of an area of endemicity. This makes chemotherapy expensive and, as compliance is often low, a less than satisfactory control option. There is increasing disquiet about the possibility that PZQ-resistant schistosomes will develop. Consequently, as mathematical modeling predicts, vaccine strategies represent an essential component in the future control of schistosomiasis in China. With the inclusion of focal mollusciciding, improvements in sanitation, and health education into the control scenario, China's target of reducing the level of schistosome infection to less than 1% by 2015 may be achievable.
Topics: Animals; China; Ecology; Humans; Rivers; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica
PubMed: 20375361
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00044-09 -
International Journal of Infectious... Jun 2021Schistosomiasis japonica is an important helminthic disease in Asia. Sensitive and accurate diagnostic tools are indispensable for clinical diagnosis, screening... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
Schistosomiasis japonica is an important helminthic disease in Asia. Sensitive and accurate diagnostic tools are indispensable for clinical diagnosis, screening infection and monitoring its control. In this study, we developed an immunochromatographic test (Sj-ICT) to detect anti-Schistosoma japonicum immunoglobulin G antibodies in human sera.
METHODS
Somatic extract from adult S. japonicum was used as an antigen. The Sj-ICT was developed and optimized as a point-of-care test. All 214 human serum samples were evaluated for diagnostic usefulness and comparison with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS
The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of the Sj-ICT were 90.8%, 87.9%, 86.4%, 91.9% and 89.3%, respectively. For ELISA the values were respectively 91.8%, 87.9%, 86.5%, 92.7% and 89.7%. The concordance between both methods was 86.4 % (Cohen's kappa value = 0.729).
CONCLUSIONS
The immunochromatographic test kit developed can support clinical diagnosis and large-scale surveys in endemic areas without requiring additional facilities or ancillary supplies.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Asia; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Immunoassay; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Point-of-Care Testing; Predictive Value of Tests; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 33864916
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.04.039 -
Parasitology Feb 2022Schistosomiasis has been subjected to extensive control efforts in the People's Republic of China (China) which aims to eliminate the disease by 2030. We describe...
Schistosomiasis has been subjected to extensive control efforts in the People's Republic of China (China) which aims to eliminate the disease by 2030. We describe baseline results of a longitudinal cohort study undertaken in the Dongting and Poyang lakes areas of central China designed to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum in humans, animals (goats and bovines) and Oncomelania snails utilizing molecular diagnostics procedures. Data from the Chinese National Schistosomiasis Control Programme (CNSCP) were compared with the molecular results obtained.Sixteen villages from Hunan and Jiangxi provinces were surveyed; animals were only found in Hunan. The prevalence of schistosomiasis in humans was 1.8% in Jiangxi and 8.0% in Hunan determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while 18.3% of animals were positive by digital droplet PCR. The CNSCP data indicated that all villages harboured S. japonicum-infected individuals, detected serologically by indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), but very few, if any, of these were subsequently positive by Kato-Katz (KK).Based on the outcome of the IHA and KK results, the CNSCP incorporates targeted human praziquantel chemotherapy but this approach can miss some infections as evidenced by the results reported here. Sensitive molecular diagnostics can play a key role in the elimination of schistosomiasis in China and inform control measures allowing for a more systematic approach to treatment.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; China; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Prevalence; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis; Schistosomiasis japonica; Snails
PubMed: 35234601
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021001724