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This page shows you the 20 most read items in the past 30 days within this specialty in the MedWorm directory.

Schistosome infection is associated with enhanced whole blood IL‐10 secretion in response to cercarial excretory/secretory products
We report that in infected participants stimulation of whole blood cultures with cercarial E/S material (termed 0‐3hRP) caused the early (within 24 hours) release of greater quantities of regulatory IL‐10, compared to un‐infected controls. Elevated levels of IL‐10 but not pro‐inflammatory TNFα or IL‐8 were most evident in participants co‐infected with S. mansoni and S. haematobium and was accompanied by a higher 0‐3hRP‐specific IL‐10: TNFα ratio. We also report that glycosylated components within 0‐3hRP appear to be important factors in the stimulation of IL‐8, TNFα and IL‐10 production by whol...
Source: Parasite Immunology - February 12, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Joseph D. Turner, Lynn Meurs, Pieter Dool, Claire D. Bourke, Moustapha Mbow, Tandakha Ndiaye Dièye, Souleymane Mboup, Katja Polman, Adrian P. Mountford Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Evaluating the potential of a new isotope‐labelled glyco‐ligand for estimating the remnant liver function of schistosoma‐infected mice
This study demonstrated that the isotope‐labelled OCTAM could accumulate in the liver, might have potential as an imaging agent for in vivo hepatic function evaluation of schistosomiasis. (Source: Parasite Immunology)
Source: Parasite Immunology - February 5, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: P.‐C. Cheng, P.‐F. Chiang, K.‐M. Lee, C.‐H. Yeh, K.‐L. Hsu, S.‐W. Liu, L.‐H. Shen, C.‐L. Peng, C.‐K. Fan, T.‐Y. Luo Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Trichuris suis-induced modulation of human dendritic cell function is glycan-mediated.
Abstract Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) show remarkable phenotypic changes upon direct contact with soluble products (SPs) of Trichuris suis, a pig whipworm that is experimentally used in therapies to ameliorate inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis. These changes may contribute to the observed induction of a T helper 2 (Th2) response and the suppression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced Th1 and Th17 responses by human DCs primed with T. suis SPs. Here it is demonstrated that glycans of T. suis SPs contribute significantly to the suppression of the lipopolysaccharide (...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology - December 7, 2012 Category: Parasitology Authors: Klaver EJ, Kuijk LM, Laan LC, Kringel H, van Vliet SJ, Bouma G, Cummings RD, Kraal G, van Die I Tags: Int J Parasitol Source Type: research

Genomics, Population Genetics and Evolutionary History of Plasmodium vivax.
Abstract Plasmodium vivax is part of a highly diverse clade that includes several Plasmodium species found in nonhuman primates from Southeast Asia. The diversity of primate malarias in Asia is staggering; nevertheless, their origin was relatively recent in the evolution of Plasmodium. We discuss how humans acquired the lineage leading to P. vivax from a nonhuman primate determined by the complex geological processes that took place in Southeast Asia during the last few million years. We conclude that widespread population genomic investigations are needed in order to understand the demographic processes involved i...
Source: Advances in Parasitology - February 7, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Carlton JM, Das A, Escalante AA Tags: Adv Parasitol Source Type: research

G6PD Deficiency: Global Distribution, Genetic Variants and Primaquine Therapy.
Abstract Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a potentially pathogenic inherited enzyme abnormality and, similar to other human red blood cell polymorphisms, is particularly prevalent in historically malaria endemic countries. The spatial extent of Plasmodium vivax malaria overlaps widely with that of G6PD deficiency; unfortunately the only drug licensed for the radical cure and relapse prevention of P. vivax, primaquine, can trigger severe haemolytic anaemia in G6PD deficient individuals. This chapter reviews the past and current data on this unique pharmacogenetic association, which is becoming increasingl...
Source: Advances in Parasitology - February 7, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Howes RE, Battle KE, Satyagraha AW, Baird JK, Hay SI Tags: Adv Parasitol Source Type: research

DEAD‐box proteins, like Leishmania eIF4A, modulate interleukin (IL)‐12, IL‐10 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha production by human monocytes
This study aims to characterize the cytokine inducing activity in human monocytes of several proteins belonging to the DEAD‐box family from mammals and yeast. All tested proteins contained the eleven conserved motifs (Q, I, Ia, GG Ib, II, III, IV, QxxR, V and VI) characteristic of DEAD box proteins, but they have different biological functions and different percentages of identities with LeIF. We show that these mammalian or yeast recombinant proteins also are able to induce IL‐12, IL‐10 and TNF‐α secretion by monocytes of healthy human subjects. This cytokine inducing activity is proteinase K sensitive and polymy...
Source: Parasite Immunology - January 30, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Mourad Barhoumi, Amel Meddeb‐Garnaoui, N. Kyle Tanner, Josette Banroques, Belhassen Kaabi, Ikram Guizani Tags: Brief Definitive Report Source Type: research

Development of the s3pvac vaccine against murine taenia crassiceps cysticercosis: a historical review.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE S3PVAC VACCINE AGAINST MURINE TAENIA CRASSICEPS CYSTICERCOSIS: A HISTORICAL REVIEW. J Parasitol. 2013 Feb 14; Authors: Sciutto E, Fragoso G, Hernández M, Rosas G, Martínez JJ, Fleury A, Cervantes J, Aluja A, Larralde C Abstract Abstract Our work of the last 25 yr was concerned with the development of a vaccine aimed to prevent porcine Taenia solium cysticercosis, based on cross-reacting Taenia crassiceps antigens that had proved protective against experimental intraperitoneal murine T. crassiceps cysticercosis (EIMTcC). In recent times, the efficacy of the vaccine has been considered i...
Source: The Journal of Parasitology - February 14, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Sciutto E, Fragoso G, Hernández M, Rosas G, Martínez JJ, Fleury A, Cervantes J, Aluja A, Larralde C Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research

Differential proteomic profiles from distinct Toxoplasma gondii strains revealed by 2D-difference gel electrophoresis.
Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that infects mammals and birds. Human infection during pregnancy may cause severe damage to the fetus. Reactivation of latent infection in immunocompromised patients can cause life-threatening encephalitis. T. gondii strains are highly diverse but only a few lineages (Type I, II and III) are widely spread. In mouse model, Type I strains are highly virulent, whereas Type II and III strains are intermediately or non virulent. It is not clear how much quantitative difference exists in proteomic profiles among these distinct T. gondii lineages. In the pr...
Source: Experimental Parasitology - January 19, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Zhou H, Zhao Q, Singla LD, Min J, He S, Cong H, Li Y, Su C Tags: Exp Parasitol Source Type: research

Plasmodium vivax: Modern Strategies to Study a Persistent Parasite's Life Cycle.
Abstract Plasmodium vivax has unique attributes to support its survival in varying ecologies and climates. These include hypnozoite forms in the liver, an invasion preference for reticulocytes, caveola-vesicle complex structures in the infected erythrocyte membrane and rapidly forming and circulating gametocytes. These characteristics make this species very different from P. falciparum. Plasmodium cynomolgi and other related simian species have identical biology and can serve as informative models of P. vivax infections. Plasmodium vivax and its model parasites can be grown in non-human primates (NHP), and in short...
Source: Advances in Parasitology - February 7, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Galinski MR, Meyer EV, Barnwell JW Tags: Adv Parasitol Source Type: research

Supplemental description of myxobolus squamalis (myxozoa).
SUPPLEMENTAL DESCRIPTION OF MYXOBOLUS SQUAMALIS (MYXOZOA). J Parasitol. 2013 Jan 25; Authors: Polley TM, Atkinson SD, Jones GR, Bartholomew JL Abstract Abstract ABSTRACT: Myxobolus squamalis is a myxozoan skin parasite first reported from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Identification of the parasite based on myxospore morphology is unreliable because M. squamalis is similar to several other myxobolids that share host species and geographic ranges. The only ssrRNA gene sequence available for M. squamalis is from Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, but these data are not linked with any informat...
Source: The Journal of Parasitology - January 25, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Polley TM, Atkinson SD, Jones GR, Bartholomew JL Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research

Complement evasion by Borrelia burgdorferi: it takes three to tango.
Abstract The complement system is one of the major innate defense mechanisms Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato has to overcome to establish an infection of mammalian hosts and to cause Lyme borreliosis in humans. Borrelia prevents complement-mediated killing during host colonization through (i) recruitment of host complement regulators by Borrelia, (ii) evasion mechanisms by Borrelia itself, and (iii) exploitation of tick proteins by Borrelia. These interactions with complement can be host species-specific. This review provides an overview of interactions between Borrelia, tick, and host leading to evasion of complem...
Source: Trends in Parasitology - January 5, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: de Taeye SW, Kreuk L, van Dam AP, Hovius JW, Schuijt TJ Tags: Trends Parasitol Source Type: research

Natural Acquisition of Immunity to Plasmodium vivax: Epidemiological Observations and Potential Targets.
Abstract Population studies show that individuals acquire immunity to Plasmodium vivax more quickly than Plasmodium falciparum irrespective of overall transmission intensity, resulting in the peak burden of P. vivax malaria in younger age groups. Similarly, actively induced P. vivax infections in malaria therapy patients resulted in faster and generally more strain-transcending acquisition of immunity than P. falciparum infections. The mechanisms behind the more rapid acquisition of immunity to P. vivax are poorly understood. Natural acquired immune responses to P. vivax target both pre-erythrocytic and blood-stage...
Source: Advances in Parasitology - February 7, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Mueller I, Galinski MR, Tsuboi T, Arevalo-Herrera M, Collins WE, King CL Tags: Adv Parasitol Source Type: research

Splenocyte apoptosis in Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection: possible role of TNF‐α and TGF‐β
Summary Cerebral malaria is associated with the circulating levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β), but association between these two cytokines and implications in splenocyte apoptosis remain largely obscured. We have evaluated the outcome of TGF‐β and TNF‐α production in the context of splenocyte apoptosis during Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection. Blood‐stage PbA infection confirmed blood–brain barrier disruption, disarray of white pulp, increase in percentage of sub‐G0/G1 and splenocyte apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis reveals up‐regulation of...
Source: Parasite Immunology - January 9, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: T. Keswani, A. Bhattacharyya Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Single-dose Metronidazole Clears Opalina Sp. from B. Woodhousii.
Abstract Abstract Protozoans of the family Opalinidae are intestinal commensals in amphibians. To test the hypothesis that these organisms are susceptible to the antiprotozoal antibiotic metronidazole, we randomly assigned 60 juvenile Woodhouse toads (Bufo woodhousii) to receive a single oral dose of metronidazole or water. In pilot trials, the prevalence of opalinids in untreated members of this population was over 70%. One-third of the study population was dissected at each of 3 time points: 18 hr, 1wk, and 2 wk post-treatment. An examiner blinded to the toad's treatment history determined the presence or absenc...
Source: The Journal of Parasitology - January 22, 2013 Category: Parasitology Authors: Nickol D, Tufts D Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research

A case of traumatic myiasis in a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) caused by Lucilia sericata.
Abstract Lucilia sericata is one of the factors resulting in facultative traumatic myiasis in animals and humans. L. sericata threatens human health and leads to significant economic losses in animal industry by leading to serious parasitic infestations. A three month old female rabbit was presented to the clinics of the Veterinary Faculty of Dicle University for the treatment of the wound located on the left carpal joint. The examination revealed that the wound was infested with larvae. The microscopic inspection of the larvae collected from the rabbit showed that they were the third instar larvae of L. sericata. ...
Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology - August 3, 2012 Category: Parasitology Authors: Ipek DN, Ipek P Tags: Turkiye Parazitol Derg Source Type: research

[Chewing lice species (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) found on blackbirds (Turdus merula): new records from Turkey].
CONCLUSION: In this study, R. elongatus and B. merulensis are recorded for the first time in Turkey. PMID: 22450917 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology)
Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology - August 3, 2012 Category: Parasitology Authors: Dik B, Dinçer S Tags: Turkiye Parazitol Derg Source Type: research

Difficulties Experienced by Families Following Unsuccessful Treatment of Pediculosis capitis: the Mothers' Perspective.
Conclusion: Parents and children, whose treatment for Pediculosis capitis failed, experienced many psychological and social difficulties. Further studies should be conducted to determine the relation to pediculosis management and their difficulties of chidren and families from different socio-economic levels. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2012; 36: 82-6). PMID: 22801911 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology)
Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology - August 3, 2012 Category: Parasitology Authors: Ozkan O, Sikar-Aktürk A, Mert K, Bilen N, Mumcuoğlu KY Tags: Turkiye Parazitol Derg Source Type: research

Sex ratio and sexual dimorphism of three lice species with contrasting prevalence parasitizing the house sparrow.
SEX RATIO AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF THREE LICE SPECIES WITH CONTRASTING PREVALENCE PARASITIZING THE HOUSE SPARROW. J Parasitol. 2012 Aug 27; Authors: Pap PL, Adam C, Vagasi CI, Benko Z, Vincze O Abstract Abstract Female biased sex ratio is a common phenomenon in parasites; however, the cause and consequence of the skewed sex ratio is less well known. Here, we studied the difference in sex ratio, a possible mechanism responsible for the development of unbalanced number of females and its consequences on sexual dimorphism, between 3 louse species parasitizing the house sparrow Passer domesticus. Philopterus f...
Source: The Journal of Parasitology - August 27, 2012 Category: Parasitology Authors: Pap PL, Adam C, Vagasi CI, Benko Z, Vincze O Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research

Polymorphism associated with the Schistosoma mansoni tetraspanin-2 gene.
Abstract A vaccine against schistosomiasis would contribute significantly to reducing the 3-70 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually to the disease. Towards this end, inoculation with the large extracellular loop (EC-2) of Schistosoma mansoni tetraspanin-2 protein (Sm-TSP-2) has proved effective in reducing worm and egg burdens in S. mansoni-infected mice. The EC-2 loop of Schistosoma japonicum TSP-2, however, has been found to be highly polymorphic, perhaps diminishing the likelihood that this antigen can be used for vaccination against this species. Here, we examine polymorphism of the EC-2 of Sm-T...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology - August 22, 2011 Category: Parasitology Authors: Cupit PM, Steinauer ML, Tonnessen BW, Eric Agola L, Kinuthia JM, Mwangi IN, Mutuku MW, Mkoji GM, Loker ES, Cunningham C Tags: Int J Parasitol Source Type: research

Schistosoma mansoni: Molecular characterization of Alkaline Phosphatase and expression patterns across life cycle stages.
Here we describe the cloning and characterization of the Schistosoma mansoni Alkaline Phosphatase (SmAP), previously identified in the tegument of adult worms. SmAP encodes a complete sequence composed of 536 amino acids containing an N-terminal signal peptide, five N-glycosylation sites, and a GPI anchor signal, similar to that described for mammalian orthologs. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot experiments suggest a rapid translation as soon as cercariae are transformed into schistosomula. Immunolocalization analysis shows that the protein is widely distributed in the worm tissues, with increased concentration in the...
Source: Experimental Parasitology - July 17, 2011 Category: Parasitology Authors: Araujo-Montoya BO, Rofatto HK, Tararam CA, Farias LP, Oliveira KC, Verjovski-Almeida S, Wilson RA, Leite LC Tags: Exp Parasitol Source Type: research