MedWorm: Giardiasis

Chronic fatigue syndrome after Giardia enteritis: clinical characteristics, disability and long-term sickness absence.

BMC Gastroenterology — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: After giardiasis enteritis at least 5% developed clinical characteristics and functional impairment comparable to previously described post-infectious fatigue syndrome. (Source: BMC Gastroenterology)

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Regulation of Myb by Cdk2 in Giardia [Microbiology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The protozoan Giardia lamblia parasitizes the human small intestine to cause diseases. It undergoes differentiation into infectious cysts by responding to intestinal stimulation. How the activated signal transduction pathways relate to encystation stimulation remain largely unknown. During encystation, genes encoding cyst wall proteins (CWPs) are coordinately up-regulated by a Myb2 transcription factor. Because cell differentiation is linked to cell cycle regulation, we tried to understand the role of cell cycle regulators, cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), in encystation. We found that the recombinant Myb2 was phosphorylated by Cdk-associated complexes and the levels of phosphorylation increased significantly during encystation. We have identified a putative cdk gene (cdk2) by searching th...

Analysis of Giardia lamblia Interactions with Polymer Surfaces Using a Microarray Approach

Environmental Science and Technology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:43:11 +0100

Environmental Science & TechnologyDOI: 10.1021/es203637e (Source: Environmental Science and Technology)

Detection and Transmission of Dientamoeba fragilis from Environmental and Household Samples.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study provides evidence that environmental transmission of D. fragilis is unlikely and that pets played no role in transmission of the disease in this study. Direct transmission from infected persons is the most likely mode of transmission for D. fragilis. The study also highlights the need for household contacts to be screened, given the propensity of close contacts to become infected with the organism. PMID: 22302854 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)

Prevalence and risk factors for Giardia duodenalis infection among children: A case study in Portugal

Parasites and Vectors — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We investigated the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis infection and identified possible associated risk factors in a healthy paediatric population from Portugal. We highlight the high prevalence of G.duodenalis in these children, as well as the parents¿ education level as the main risk factor. Of interest, we also found an association between G. duodenalis and Helicobacter pylori infections. Image: Giardia duodenalis cysts stained by FICT. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

Evaluation of an immunochromatographic dip strip test for simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium spp, Giardia duodenalis, and Entamoeba histolytica antigens in human faecal samples

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:07:36 +0100

Abstract Immunochromatographic (IC) tests may play an important role in the future diagnosis of parasitic diseases because of their speed and simplicity of use. A recently developed test to detect Cryptosporidium spp, Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica was evaluated. Microscopy and PCR were the “gold standard” reference techniques and the results of this IC test were compared with those obtained with ELISA and IC single test for the three parasites. One hundred sixty stool samples were assayed. Using microscopy, 22 samples were diagnosed as positive for Cryptosporidium spp., 31 for Giardia duodenalis, 41 for Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, and 68 had a negative diagnosis for the three parasites. Results of IC tests show sensitivities of 70–72% for Cryptosporidiu...

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Giardia duodenalis: Dendritic cell defects in IL-6 deficient mice contribute to susceptibility to intestinal infection.

Experimental Parasitology — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kamda JD, Nash TE, Singer SM Abstract Interleukin (IL)-6 is important in numerous infections. IL-6 can promote T cell survival and differentiation toward Th17 cells, as well as B cell proliferation and differentiation to plasma cells. Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan parasite that replicates in the lumen of the small intestine in humans and many other mammals resulting in diarrhea, cramps and developmental delays in children. IL-6 is required for control of this infection, but it is unclear what its role is or which cells are required to produce this cytokine to generate efficient immunity. We have analyzed infections in a series of chimeric mice in which specific cell types lacked the ability to produce IL-6 in order to determine which sources of IL-6 played an important...

ESP of Giardia lamblia induce IL‐8 production in human colonic cells via activation of p38, ERK1/2, NF‐κB, and AP‐1

Parasite Immunology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study defined the crucial roles of signaling components involved in G. lamblia‐induced cytokine production in human epithelial cells. Incubation of the gastrointestinal cell‐line HT‐29 with G. lamblia GS trophozoites triggered production of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. IL‐8 production was not significantly decreased by physically separating the HT‐29 cells and G. lamblia GS trophozoites. Indeed, treatment of HT‐29 with G. lamblia excretory‐secretory products (ESP) induced IL‐8 production. Electrophoretic mobility gel shift and transfection assays using mutagenized IL‐8 promoter reporter plasmids indicated that IL‐8 production by G. lamblia ESP occurs through activation of two transcriptional factors, nuclear factor kappaB (N...

[The distribution of intestinal parasites detected in the uludag university medical school hospital between 2005 and 2008].

Turkish Society for Parasitology — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:36:02 +0100

Conclusion: This study re-emphasises the fact that intestinal parasitic infection is still an important public health problem. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2011; 35: 194-8). PMID: 22198917 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology)

Irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue 3 years after acute giardiasis: historic cohort study

Gut — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Infection with Giardia lamblia in a non-endemic area was associated with a high prevalence of IBS and chronic fatigue 3 years after acute illness, and the risk was significantly higher than in the control group. This shows that the potential consequences of giardiasis are more serious than previously known. Further studies are needed, especially in areas where giardiasis is endemic. (Source: Gut)

Cryptosporidium gastroenteritis in Egyptian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: magnitude of the problem

Infection — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:44:09 +0100

Conclusions Cryptosporidium infection should be considered in children with ALL presenting with prolonged or severe watery diarrhea during chemotherapy, especially those treated with methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine. Since Cryptosporidium is not routinely tested for in stool examination, a MZN stain is recommended. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical and Epidemiological StudyPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0230-5Authors S. M. A. Hassanein, Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, P.B. 11381, Abbassia Square, Cairo, EgyptM. M. S. Abd-El-Latif, Department of Research and Applications of Supplementary Medicine, National Research Center, Cairo, EgyptO. M. Hassanin, Clinical Pathology, Molecular Department of Medical Research Center, Ain Shams U...

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Numerous Fragmented Spliceosomal Introns, AT-AC Splicing, and an Unusual Dynein Gene Expression Pathway in Giardia lamblia

Molecular Biology and Evolution — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Spliceosomal introns are hallmarks of eukaryotic genomes, dividing coding regions into separate exons, which are joined during mRNA intron removal catalyzed by the spliceosome. With few known exceptions, spliceosomal introns are cis-spliced, that is, removed from one contiguous pre-mRNA transcript. The protistan intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia exhibits one of the most reduced eukaryotic genomes known, with short intergenic regions and only four known spliceosomal introns. Our genome-wide search for additional introns revealed four unusual cases of spliceosomal intron fragmentation, with consecutive exons of conserved protein-coding genes being dispersed to distant genomic sites. Independent transcripts are trans-spliced to yield contiguous mature mRNAs. Most strikingly, a dynein heavy ...

Double peaks reveal rare diplomonad sex.

Trends in Parasitology — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Andersson JO Abstract Diplomonads, single-celled eukaryotes, are unusual in having two nuclei. Each nucleus contains two copies of the genome and is transcriptionally active. It has long been assumed that diplomonads in general and Giardia intestinalis in particular are asexual. Genomic and population genetic data now challenge that assumption and extensive allelic sequence heterogeneity has been reported in some but not all examined diplomonad lineages. Here it is argued, in contrast to common assumptions, that allelic differences indicate recent sexual events, and isolates that have divided asexually for many generations have lost their allelic variation owing to within-cell recombination. Consequently, directed studies of the allelic sequence heterogeneity in diverse di...

Prevalence of Selected Bacterial and Parasitic Agents in Feces from Diarrheic and Healthy Control Cats from Northern California

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceRoutine fecal cultures and toxin immunoassays for detection of bacteria are of limited diagnostic value in diarrheic cats. Molecular‐based testing is superior to fecal cultures for detection and identification of Campylobacter spp., but positive test results do not correlate to the presence of disease. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine)

Interaction forces drive the environmental transmission of pathogenic protozoa.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dumètre A, Aubert D, Puech PH, Hohweyer J, Azas N, Villena I Abstract The protozoan parasites Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are environment-resistant pathogens that pose significant risks to public health worldwide. Their environmental transmission is closely governed by the physicochemical properties of their cysts and oocysts respectively, allowing their transport, retention and survival for months in water, soil, vegetables and mollusks, which are the main reservoirs for human infection. Importantly, the cyst/oocyst wall plays a key role in that regard by exhibiting a complex polymeric coverage that determines the charge and hydrophobic characteristics of parasites' surface. Interaction forces between parasites and other environmental p...

Molecular Techniques in Ecohealth Research Toolkit: Facilitating Estimation of Aggregate Gastroenteritis Burden in an Irrigated Periurban Landscape

EcoHealth — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:04:00 +0100

Abstract Assessment of microbial hazards associated with certain environmental matrices, livelihood strategies, and food handling practices are constrained by time-consuming conventional microbiological techniques that lead to health risk assessments of narrow geographic or time scope, often targeting very few pathogens. Health risk assessment based on one or few indicator organisms underestimates true disease burden due a number of coexisting causative pathogens. Here, we employed molecular techniques in a survey of Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio cholera, and Rotavirus A densities in canal water with respect to seasonality and spatial distribution of poin...

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Molecular Insights for Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Soil-Transmitted Helminths from a Facility-Based Surveillance System in Guatemala.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Velasquez DE, Arvelo W, Cama VA, López B, Reyes L, Roellig DM, Kahn GD, Lindblade KA Abstract Abstract. We molecularly characterized samples with Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and soil-transmitted helminths from a facility-based surveillance system for diarrhea in Santa Rosa, Guatemala. The DNA sequence analysis determined the presence of Giardia assemblages A (N = 7) and B (N = 12) and, Cryptosporidium hominis (N = 2) and Cryptosporidium parvum (N = 2), suggestive of different transmission cycles. All 41 samples with soil-transmitted helminths did not have the β-tubulin mutation described for benzimidazole resistance, suggesting potential usefulness in mass drug administration campaigns. PMID: 22144459 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The American Journal of...

[ELISA and spontaneous sedimentation technique for the diagnosis of Giardia lamblia infection in stool samples of Peruvian children].

Salud Publica de Mexico — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The ELISA was highly sensitive and specific, simple and fast. However, the very good agreement, high precision, low cost and ability to detect other intestinal parasites makes use of TSET recommended for laboratory diagnosis in endemic areas of Peru. PMID: 22282145 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Salud Publica de Mexico)

Identification and analysis of the RNA degrading complexes and machinery of Giardia lamblia using an in silico approach

BMC Genomics - Latest articles — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These findings suggest that although the full complement of the major RNA degradation mechanisms were present - and likely functional - early in eukaryotic evolution, the composition and function of the complexes is more variable than previously appreciated. We suggest that the missing components of the exosome complex provide an explanation for the stable abundance of sterile RNA species in Giardia. (Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles)

Mebendazole Compared with Secnidazole in the Treatment of Adult Giardiasis: A Randomised, No-Inferiority, Open Clinical Trial

Journal of Biophysics — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:58:01 +0100

To compare the efficacy and safety of mebendazole and secnidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in adult patients, a single-centre, parallel group, open-label, randomized non-inferiority trial was carried out. One-hundred and 26 participants who had symptomatic Giardia mono-infection took part in the study. Direct wet mount and/or Ritchie concentration techniques and physical examinations were conducted at the time of enrolment and at the follow-up visit. The primary outcome measure was parasitological cure, performed at 3, 5, 10 days post-treatment. Negative faecal specimens for Giardia were ensured by the same parasitological techniques. At follow up (day 10) the parasitological cure rate for the per protocol populations was 88.7% (55/62) for MBZ and 91.8% (56/61) for SNZ. For t...

Identification of putative miRNAs from the deep-branching unicellular flagellates.

Genomics — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Huang PJ, Lin WC, Chen SC, Lin YH, Sun CH, Lyu PC, Tang P Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of extensively studied RNAi-associated small RNAs that play a critical role in eukaryotic gene regulation. However, knowledge on the miRNA and its regulation in unicellular eukaryotes is very limited. In order to obtain a better understanding on the origin of miRNA regulation system, we used deep-sequencing technology to investigate the miRNA expression pattern in four deep-branching unicellular flagellates: Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Pentatrichomonas hominis. In addition to the known miRNAs that have been described in G. lamblia and T. vaginalis, we identified 14 ancient animal miRNA families and 13 plant-specific families. Bioinformati...

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Glycogen Storage and Degradation During in vitro Growth and Differentiation of Giardia intestinalis.

The Journal of Parasitology — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we examine the accumulation and degradation of glycogen, an important source of stored carbon and energy, during the in vitro growth and differentiation of G. intestinalis. We report that as G. intestinalis progresses through its growth cycle, cultures of trophozoites accumulate glycogen during the lag and early logarithmic phases of growth, then utilize this compound during their remaining logarithmic growth. As cultures enter the stationary phase of growth, they re-accumulate glycogen stores. The activity of glycogen phosphorylase, an enzyme involved in glycogen metabolism, also varied throughout in vitro trophozoite growth. During the in vitro induction of trophozoite differentiation into water-resistant cyst forms, the cultures initially accumulated stores of glycogen, w...

Evaluation of chronic diarrhea.

American Family Physician — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Juckett G, Trivedi R Abstract Chronic diarrhea, defined as a decrease in stool consistency for more than four weeks, is a common but challenging clinical scenario. It can be divided into three basic categories: watery, fatty (malabsorption), and inflammatory. Watery diarrhea may be subdivided into osmotic, secretory, and functional types. Watery diarrhea includes irritable bowel syndrome, which is the most common cause of functional diarrhea. Another example of watery diarrhea is microscopic colitis, which is a secretory diarrhea affecting older persons. Laxative-induced diarrhea is often osmotic. Malabsorptive diarrhea is characterized by excess gas, steatorrhea, or weight loss; giardiasis is a classic infectious example. Celiac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is a...

Prevalence of protozoa, viruses, coliphages and indicator bacteria in groundwater and river water in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:43:21 +0100

In this study, water samples were collected from nine shallow wells and a river in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, during the rainy season in 2009 and were subjected to detection of waterborne protozoa, viruses and coliphages using a recently developed method for simultaneous concentration of protozoa and viruses in water. Escherichia coli and total coliforms were also tested as indicator bacteria. At least one type of the five pathogens tested (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, human adenoviruses, and noroviruses of genogroups I and II) was detected in five groundwater samples (56%) (1000ml each) from shallow wells. Compared with groundwater samples, the pathogens were more abundant in the river water sample (100ml); the concentrations of Cryptosporidium and Giardia were 140 oocysts/l and 8500 cysts...

Characterization of RNase MRP RNA and novel snoRNAs from Giardia intestinalis and Trichomonas vaginalis

BMC Genomics - Latest articles — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Results indicate that Giardia intestinalis and Trichomonas vaginalis, like their distant multicellular relatives, contain a rich infrastructure of RNA-based processing. From here we can investigate the evolution of RNA processing networks in eukaryotes. (Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles)

Enteropathogens in acute diarrhea: a general practice-based study in a Nordic country

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:45:02 +0100

Abstract The epidemiology of infectious diarrhea influences the microbiological investigation of the disease, and is best elucidated through prospective studies. We undertook such a study in a Nordic country. Patients of all age groups who had acute diarrhea were recruited prospectively from general practice clinics in Iceland. They completed a questionnaire and provided stool samples for the detection of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Of the 464 recruited patients, 211 (45%) had 224 infections. The most common pathogens were calici- and rotaviruses (23% and 18% of 224 infections, respectively), Campylobacter jejuni (17%), Cryptosporidium species (12%), and Salmonella serotypes (10%). Other agents found were Giardia lamblia, astro- and adenoviruses, and Yersini...

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Intestinal Parasitosis and Shigellosis among Diarrheal Patients in Gondar Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

BMC Research Notes — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Background: Diarrheal diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing world. Understanding the etiologic agents of diarrheal diseases and their association with socio-demographic characteristics of patients would help to design better preventive measures. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and enteropathogenic bacteria in diarrheic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 384 consecutive diarrheal patients who visited Gondar teaching hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia from October 2006 to March 2007 was conducted. Stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasites and enteropathogenic bacteria following standard parasitological and microbiological procedures. Results: Intestinal parasites were diagnose...

A microRNA derived from an apparent canonical biogenesis pathway regulates variant surface protein gene expression in Giardia lamblia.

RNA — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Saraiya AA, Li W, Wang CC Abstract We have previously shown that a snoRNA-derived microRNA, miR2, in Giardia lamblia potentially regulates the expression of 22 variant surface protein (VSP) genes. Here, we identified another miRNA, miR4, also capable of regulating the expression of several VSPs but derived from an unannotated open reading frame (ORF) rather than a snoRNA, suggesting a canonical miRNA biogenesis pathway in Giardia. miR4 represses expression of a reporter containing two miR4 antisense sequences at the 3' UTR without causing a corresponding decrease in the mRNA level. This repression requires the presence of the Giardia Argonaute protein (GlAgo) and is reversed by 2' O-methylated antisense oligo to miR4, suggesting an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC)-medi...

Evaluation of tropical water sources and mollusks in southern Brazil using microbiological, biochemical, and chemical parameters.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Souza DS, Ramos AP, Nunes FF, Moresco V, Taniguchi S, Guiguet Leal DA, Sasaki ST, Bícego MC, Montone RC, Durigan M, Teixeira AL, Pilotto MR, Delfino N, Franco RM, de Melo CM, Bainy AC, Barardi CR Abstract Florianópolis, a city located in the Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil, is the national leading producer of bivalve mollusks. The quality of bivalve mollusks is closely related to the sanitary conditions of surrounding waters where they are cultivated. Presently, cultivation areas receive large amounts of effluents derived mainly from treated and non-treated domestic, rural, and urban sewage. This contributes to the contamination of mollusks with trace metals, pesticides, other organic compounds, and human pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoan. The ai...

Genotyping Giardia duodenalis Isolates from Dogs: Lessons from a Multilocus Sequence Typing Study

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:41:31 +0100

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases)

Fecal Indicators and Zoonotic Pathogens in Household Drinking Water Taps Fed from Rainwater Tanks in Southeast Queensland, Australia.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, the microbiological quality of household tap water samples fed from rainwater tanks was assessed by monitoring the numbers of Escherichia coli and enterococci from 24 households in Southeast Queensland (SEQ), Australia. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was also used for the quantitative detection of zoonotic pathogens in water samples from rainwater tanks and connected household taps. The numbers of zoonotic pathogens were also estimated in fecal samples from possum and various species of birds using qPCR as possums and birds are considered to be the potential sources of fecal contamination in roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW). Among the 24 households, 63% rainwater tank and 58% connected household tap water (CHTW) samples contained E. coli and exceeded Australian Drinking Water Guidel...

Immunodominant proteins alpha-1 giardin and beta-giardin are expressed in both assemblages A and B of Giardia lamblia

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We found differences in localization of the beta-giardin protein between assemblages A and B, but the same pattern of localization of alpha-1 giardin in strains from Assemblages A, B and E. These findings reinforce the need for more studies based on phenotypic characteristics in order to disclose how far one assemblage is from the other. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

Study of Nonoutbreak Giardiasis: Novel Findings and Implications for Research

The American Journal of Medicine — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The presence of intermittent diarrhea contributes to delayed health-seeking behavior and to delayed diagnosis of Giardia. More study is needed to determine if this symptom can help distinguish Giardia from other causes of infectious diarrhea. The occurrence of extraintestinal manifestations of Giardia infection does not appear to be rare, and merits further study. (Source: The American Journal of Medicine)

Antiprotozoal activity of proton-pump inhibitors.

Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pérez-Villanueva J, Romo-Mancillas A, Hernández-Campos A, Yépez-Mulia L, Hernández-Luis F, Castillo R Abstract Parasitic diseases are still a major health problem in developing countries. In our effort to find new antiparasitic agents, in this Letter we report the in vitro antiprotozoal activity of omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole and pantoprazole against Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica. Molecular modeling studies were an important tool to highlight the potential antiprotozoal activity of these drugs. Experimental evaluations revealed a strong activity for all compounds tested. Rabeprazole and pantoprazole were the most active compounds, having IC(50) values in the nanomolar range, which were even better than metronidazole, th...

Giardia duodenalis assemblages and Entamoeba species infecting non-human primates in an Italian zoological garden: zoonotic potential and management traits

Parasites and Vectors — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

A study was carried out aimed at the molecular identification of Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba spp. in non-human primates housed in the zoological gardens of Rome, to better ascertain their presence and zoonotic potential. Image: Ring-tailed lemurs in the zoological gardens of Rome. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

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Galectin‐11 induction in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle following nematode and protozoan infections

Parasite Immunology — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Changes in Serum Zinc Levels Associated with Giardiasis and Dietary Zinc Intake in Mice.

Biological Trace Element Research — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study investigated changes in serum zinc levels in Giardia-infected mice subjected to different dietary zinc regimens. Thirty-five mice (strain C(3)H/H(e)J) were randomly categorized into two groups. The first group was inoculated with 5 × 10(6) Giardia trophozoites (n = 18), and the second group remained Giardia free (n = 17). Each group (Giardia infected and Giardia free) was randomly classified into three subgroups and given low (9 mg Zn/kg), normal (33 mg Zn/kg), and high levels (288 mg Zn/kg) of dietary zinc over a 2-week period for acclimation. Fourteen days post-Giardia infection, all of the mice were euthanized and blood samples were collected. The number of trophozoites was quantified (hematocytometer), and serum zinc levels were determined via atomi...

Regulation of cwp Genes by E2F1 in Giardia lamblia [Microbiology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Giardia lamblia differentiates into resistant walled cysts for survival outside the host and transmission. During encystation, synthesis of cyst wall proteins is coordinately induced. The E2F family of transcription factors in higher eukaryotes is involved in cell cycle progression and cell differentiation. We asked whether Giardia has E2F-like genes and whether they influence gene expression during Giardia encystation. Blast searches of the Giardia genome database identified one gene (e2f1) encoding a putative E2F protein with two putative DNA-binding domains. We found that the e2f1 gene expression levels increased significantly during encystation. Epitope-tagged E2F1 was found to localize to nuclei. Recombinant E2F1 specifically bound to the thymidine kinase and cwp1–3 gene promoters. ...

Water access and attendance for diarrhea in primary health care centers, Gaza strip

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:25:25 +0100

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attendance for diarrhea to a Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Gaza strip and several potential risk factors including water access. A matched case control study with prospective data record was performed. Cases were patients attending a PHCC for diarrhea, and controls were patients attending for any other cause with no diarrhea within the previous three months or since birth. We matched 133 cases and 133 controls, for date of inclusion, age, gender. All patients attended PHCC and were included in January/February 2010. A stool analysis for bacteria and parasites was performed for cases.Of the 266 patients, 62% (166) have to buy water from a private provider. In multivariate analysis, four variables were independently predictive o...

Clonal Diversity of the Glutamate Dehydrogenase Gene in Giardia duodenalis from Thai Isolates: Evidence of Genetic Exchange or Mixed Infections?

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This study supports increasing evidence that G. duodenalis has the potential for genetic exchange. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

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Giardia Linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic FatigueGiardia Linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:28:08 +0100

In a historic cohort study, Giardia lamblia infection was associated with increased risks for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue 3 years after the acute illness. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Giardia lamblia Infection Linked to IBS, Chronic FatigueGiardia lamblia Infection Linked to IBS, Chronic Fatigue

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:28:08 +0100

Under-notification of cryptosporidiosis by routine clinical and laboratory practices among non-hospitalised children with acute diarrhoea in Southern Spain

Infection — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:51:11 +0100

Conclusion This study, therefore, highlights the under-notification of infections caused by Cryptosporidium in Southern Spain and poses the question of whether its routine testing should be carried out in cases of gastroenteritis in children. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical and Epidemiological StudyPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0188-3Authors M. Martín-Ampudia, Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Malaga University, Boulevard Louis Pasteur, 12, 29071 Malaga, SpainA. Mariscal, Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Malaga University, Boulevard Louis Pasteur, 12, 29071 Malaga, SpainR. M. Lopez-Gigosos, Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Malaga University, Boulevard Louis Pasteur, 12, 29071 Malaga,...

Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of Mentha crispa in the treatment of giardiasis

Contemporary Clinical Trials — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: It's estimated that around 200million people are annually infected with Giardia lamblia, making the disease a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The current treatment of giardiasis includes the use of several drugs, among them, herbal medicines formulated with Mentha crispa. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of M. crispa in the treatment of giardiasis. The research consisted initially of a cross-sectional study for the selection of subjects with giardiasis. After that, there was a randomized, open, in parallel with active control study, in order to verify the therapeutic efficacy of M. crispa in the treatment of giardiasis. Coprology samples were collected from 1622 patients between May 2005 and May 2007 for a series of parasitological exam...

Genotyping of Brazilian Giardia duodenalis human axenic isolates

Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:18:28 +0100

Giardia duodenalis is a complex species that comprises at least seven distinct genetic groups (A to G), but only genotypes A and B are known to infect humans and a wide variety of other mammals. Regardless of biological, biochemical and antigenic analysis, several isolates maintained in vitro were not genetically typed yet. So, in the present study, five Brazilian axenic isolates obtained from asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were typed in order to determine the major genetic groups to which the isolates belonged. DNA was extracted from axenic trophozoites, fragments of glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) genes were amplified by PCR and the isolate genotyping was carried out using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing for both...

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Intestinal Parasite Screening in Internationally Adopted Children: Importance of Multiple Stool Specimens

PEDIATRICS — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:We provide data for evidence-based guidelines for intestinal parasite screening in internationally adopted children. Gastrointestinal symptoms were not predictive of pathogen recovery, and multiple stool specimens increased pathogen identification in this high-risk group of children. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

A public health culture in the ED

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:30:30 +0100

Diarrhea and vomiting are common modes of presentation to an emergency department (ED). National Health Service guidelines recommend a stool culture be sent for patients who are systemically unwell or immunocompromised, have a recent history of travel or suspected giardiasis, have blood or pus in the stool, or had recent antibiotic usage or hospital admission. It is recommended that a stool sample be considered where there is a suspected public health hazard, such as diarrhea in food handlers, health care workers, elderly residents in care homes, or suspected outbreaks . (Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine)

Comparative study of entero-parasitic infections among HIV sero-positive and sero-negative patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

Acta Tropica — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: In this study population, HIV sero-positive patients were more likely to have intestinal parasitic infections. The study underscores the public health significance of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV infected individuals. PMID: 21896269 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Tropica)

Host Immunity and Pathogen Strain Contribute to Intestinal Disaccharidase Impairment following Gut Infection.

Journal of Immunology — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Solaymani-Mohammadi S, Singer SM Abstract Infection or other inflammatory insults in the small intestine often result in reduced disaccharidase enzyme levels. Using a mouse model of giardiasis, we examined the role of host immunity and pathogen virulence in mediating disaccharidase deficiency postinfection (p.i.). C57BL/6J mice were infected with two strains, WB and GS, of the human parasite Giardia duodenalis. The levels of sucrase, maltase, and lactase decreased in wild-type mice p.i. with the GS strain but not with the WB strain. Both CD4-deficient and SCID mice failed to eliminate the infection and did not exhibit disaccharidase deficiency. β(2)-Microglobulin knockout animals controlled infections similar to wild-type mice but exhibited no decrease in disaccharidase a...

Effect of Giardia duodenalis in protein malnourished and renourished mice

Central European Journal of Medicine — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:44:52 +0100

Abstract The present study was designed to delineate the effect of Giardia duodenalis in malnourished and renourished BALB/c mice. Control and renourished mice were fed with a standard pellet diet while malnourished mice were fed with a low protein (4.3 %) diet both before and after being challenged orally with actively growing G. duodenalis trophozoites. It was observed that malnourished mice had a greater severity and longer duration of Giardia infection compared with renourished mice. These malnourished mice also had less body mass but higher cyst and trophozoite counts. Malnourished mice infected with Giardia had significantly decreased level of total serum proteins, albumin, globulins, hemoglobin, leukocyte, and differential leukocyte counts compared with renourished mic...

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GC-Biased Gene Conversion Impacts Ribosomal DNA Evolution in Vertebrates, Angiosperms, and Other Eukaryotes

Molecular Biology and Evolution — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is one of the most conserved genes in eukaryotes. The multiples copies of rDNA in the genome evolve in a concerted manner, through unequal crossing over and/or gene conversion, two mechanisms related to homologous recombination. Recombination increases local GC content in several organisms through a process known as GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC). gBGC has been well characterized in mammals, birds, and grasses, but its phylogenetic distribution across the tree of life is poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that recombination affects the evolution of base composition in 18S rDNA and examine the reliability of this thoroughly studied molecule as a marker of gBGC in eukaryotes. Phylogenetic analyses of 18S rDNA in vertebrates and angiosperms reveal significa...

High-speed microscopic imaging of flagella motility and swimming in Giardia lamblia trophozoites [Cell Biology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We report, in this paper, several findings about the swimming and attachment mechanisms of Giardia lamblia trophozoites. These data were collected using a combination of a high-contrast CytoViva imaging system and a particle image velocimetry camera, which can capture images at speeds greater than 800 frames/s. Using this system, we discovered that, during rapid swimming of Giardia trophozoites, undulations of the caudal region contributed to forward propulsion combined with the beating of the flagella pairs. It was also discovered, in contrast to previous studies with 10 times slower image sampling technique, that the anterior and posterolateral flagella beat with a clearly defined power stroke and not symmetrical undulations. During the transition from free swimming to attachment, tropho...

Giardia lamblia: a major parasitic cause of childhood diarrhoea in patients attending a district hospital in Ghana.

Parasites and Vectors — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Giardia lamblia is the most prevalent protozoan parasite among children of school age in a rural area of Ghana. Image: Trophozoite and cyst stage of G. lamblia. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

Giardiasis Confined to the Terminal Ileum

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

A 46-year-old woman presented with complaints of loose stools for 2 months and unintentional weight loss of 20 lbs. She had a medical history of irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, and fibromyalgia. Her medications included hyoscyamine, calcium carbonate, and norethindrone acetate. Physical examination, vital signs, and complete blood count were all within normal limits. To further evaluate her symptoms, we performed esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy studies. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed that she had a normal duodenum, that her stomach had mild diffuse erythema, and that she had a normal esophagus. Random biopsy samples were taken from the duodenum and stomach. Histologically, the duodenum was unremarkable and showed no duodenitis, eosinophilia, or celiac-related changes...

Structure of a cyclin-dependent kinase from Giardia lamblia

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Giardia lamblia is the etiologic agent of giardiasis, a water-borne infection that is prevalent throughout the world. The need for new therapeutics for the treatment of giardiasis is of paramount importance. Owing to the ubiquitous nature of kinases and their vital importance in organisms, they are potential drug targets. In this paper, the first structure of a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) from G. lamblia (GlCDK; UniProt A8BZ95) is presented. CDKs are cell-cycle-associated kinases that are actively being pursued as targets for anticancer drugs as well as for antiparasitic chemotherapy. Generally, a CDK forms a complex with its associated cyclin. This CDK–cyclin complex is active and acts as a serine/threonine protein kinase. Typically, CDKs are responsible for the transition to the ne...

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Structure of aldose reductase from Giardia lamblia

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Giardia lamblia is an anaerobic aerotolerant eukaryotic parasite of the intestines. It is believed to have diverged early from eukarya during evolution and is thus lacking in many of the typical eukaryotic organelles and biochemical pathways. Most conspicuously, mitochondria and the associated machinery of oxidative phosphorylation are absent; instead, energy is derived from substrate-level phosphorylation. Here, the 1.75 Å resolution crystal structure of G. lamblia aldose reductase heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli is reported. As in other oxidoreductases, G. lamblia aldose reductase adopts a TIM-barrel conformation with the NADP+-binding site located within the eight β-strands of the interior. (Source: Acta Crystallographica Section F)

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and intestinal parasitosis in children of the Xingu Indian Reservation.

Jornal de Pediatria — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection is highly prevalent in these communities, as well as intestinal parasitoses. However, there were significant differences in the prevalence of H. pylori among the diverse villages studied. Giardia was closely associated with H. pylori infection. PMID: 21842116 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Jornal de Pediatria)

Invasion mechanisms among emerging food-borne protozoan parasites.

Trends in Parasitology — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yoshida N, Tyler KM, Llewellyn MS Abstract Food-borne parasitic diseases, many known to be more prevalent in poor countries with deficient sanitary conditions, are becoming common worldwide. Among the emerging protozoan parasites, the most prominent is Trypanosoma cruzi, rarely reported in the past to be transmitted by the oral route but currently responsible for frequent outbreaks of acute cases of Chagas disease contracted orally and characterized by high mortality. Several other food-borne protozoans considered emerging include the apicomplexans Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium, as well as Giardia and Entamoeba histolytica. Here, the interactions of these protozoans with the mucosal epithelia of the host are discussed. PMID: 21840261 [PubMed - as supplied by pu...

Impaired parasite attachment as fitness cost of metronidazole resistance in Giardia lamblia.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tejman-Yarden N, Millman M, Lauwaet T, Davids BJ, Gillin FD, Dunn L, Upcroft JA, Miyamoto Y, Eckmann L Abstract Infections with the diarrheagenic protozoan pathogen, Giardia lamblia, are most commonly treated with metronidazole (Mz). Treatment failures with Mz occur in 10-20% of cases, and Mz resistance develops in the laboratory, yet clinically Mz-resistant (Mz(r)) G. lamblia have rarely been isolated from patients. To understand why clinical Mz(r) isolates are rare, we questioned whether Mz resistance entails fitness costs to the parasite. Our studies employed several newly generated and established isogenic Mz(r) cell lines with stable, high-level resistance to Mz and significant cross-resistance to tinidazole, nitazoxanide and furazolidone. Oral infection of suckling m...

Peripheral insertion modulates editing activity of the isolated CP1 domain of leucyl-tRNA synthetase

BJ Gene — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

A large insertion domain called connective peptide 1 (CP1) present in class Ia aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases is responsible for post-transfer editing. Leucyl-tRNA synthetases (LeuRS) from Aquifex aeolicus and Giardia lamblia possess unique 20 and 59 amino acid insertions respectively within the CP1 that are crucial for editing activity. Crystal structures of AaLeuRS-CP1 (2.4Å), GlLeuRS-CP1 (2.6Å) and the insertion deletion mutant AaLeuRS-CP1-Δ20 (2.5Å) were solved to understand the role of these insertions in editing. Both insertions are folded as peripheral motifs located at the opposite side of the active site entrance in CP1 domain. Docking modeling and site-directed mutagenesis showed that the insertions do not interact with the substrates. Results of molecular...

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Pathogen Research Inspires Robotics Design For Medicine And Military

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0100

A pathogen that attacks the small intestines of humans and animals is serving as the inspiration for developing robots that can fight disease and aid in military operations. Mingjun Zhang, associate professor in mechanical, aerospace and biomedical engineering, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and his team have made significant findings about the swimming and attachment of the microorganism Giardia. Giardia causes one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases in the world, giardiasis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

What Would We Do Without Metronidazole?

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Stover KR, Riche DM, Gandy CL, Henderson H Metronidazole is a treatment of choice for several types of infections, but coexisting conditions or concomitant medications may preclude its use. Although tinidazole, a newer nitroimidazole, may be an option in cases where drug interactions make the use of metronidazole inadvisable, similar absolute contraindications exist. In situations where nitroimidazole use is contraindicated or inadvisable, clinicians may have difficulty deciding on efficacious treatment options. For the treatment of trichomoniasis, alternatives include furazolidone, clotrimazole, nonoxynol-9 or paromomycin. Alternativesfor bacterial vaginosis include clindamycin topically or systemically. For giardiasis, alternative options include paromomycin, nitazoxanide or...

How common is intestinal parasitism in HIV-infected patients in Malaysia?

Tropical Biomedicine — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Asma I, Johari S, Benedict Sim LH, Yvonne Lim AL Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals have greater susceptibility to infections by a myriad of microorganisms which can cause significant morbidity and mortality compared to immunocompetent individuals. Of these microbial infections, intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) however are receiving less attention than bacterial and viral infections, hence, the lack of information of parasitic infections in HIV individuals. Prevalence of IPIs among 346 HIV-infected individuals in Malaysia was determined in this study. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) was 37.9% (131 of 346) with protozoa infections (18.8%) being more common compared to helminth infections (7.5%). Ob...

Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 16'2011

Electrophoresis — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractIssue no. 16 is a regular issue with “Emphasis on Sensitivity Enhancement and Detection” consisting of 18 contributions distributed over 5 distinct parts and a Fast Track paper. The Fast Track paper is on “Barcoding of Giardia duodenalis isolates and derived lines from an established cryobank by a mutation scanning‐based approach”. The remaining 18 papers are grouped into 5 different parts. Part I and Part II represent the emphasis of this issue which involves “Sample Extraction and Enrichment and Sensitivity Enhancement” and “Detection Approaches” based on coupling CE with EC, ECL and MS. Part I has a series of 6 research papers on multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles for the enrichment of proteins, magnetic microspheres solid phase extraction of eight illegal ...

Barcoding of Giardia duodenalis isolates and derived lines from an established cryobank by a mutation scanning‐based approach

Electrophoresis — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractWe barcoded 25 in vitro isolates (representing 92 samples) of Giardia duodenalis from humans and other animals, which have been assembled by the Upcroft team at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research over a period of almost three decades. We used mutation scanning‐coupled sequencing of loci in the triosephosphate isomerase, glutamate dehydrogenase and β‐giardin genes, combined with phylogenetic analysis, to genetically characterise them. Specifically, the isolates (n=14) of G. duodenalis from humans from Australia (AD113; BRIS/83/HEPU/106; BRIS/87/HEPU/713; BRIS/89/HEPU/1003; BRIS/92/HEPU/1541; BRIS/92/HEPU/1590; BRIS/92/HEPU/2443; BRIS/93/HEPU/1706), Malaysia (KL/92/IMR/1106) and Afghanistan (WB), a cat from Australia (BAC2), a sheep from Canada (OAS1) and a sulphur‐c...

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Giardiasis as zoonosis: between proof of principle and paradigm in the Northwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil.

Braz J Infect Dis — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the view that giardiasis in the largest endemic region of the Brazil should not be seen as a single entity. PMID: 21861011 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Braz J Infect Dis)

The superoxide reductase from the early diverging eukaryote Giardia intestinalis.

Free Radical Biology and Medicine — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, the recombinant SOR from Giardia (SOR(Gi)) was purified and characterized by pulse radiolysis and stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The protein, isolated in the reduced state, after oxidation by superoxide or hexachloroiridate(IV), yields a resting species (T(final)) with Fe(3+) ligated to glutamate or hydroxide depending on pH (apparent pK(a)=8.7). Although showing negligible SOD activity, reduced SOR(Gi) reacts with O(2)(•-) with a pH-independent second-order rate constant k(1)=1.0×10(9)M(-1)s(-1) and yields the ferric-(hydro)peroxo intermediate T(1); this in turn rapidly decays to the T(final) state with pH-dependent rates, without populating other detectable intermediates. Immunoblotting assays show that SOR(Gi) is expressed in the disease-causing trophozoite of Giardia...

The Prevalence of Giardia Intestinalis in Dyspeptic and Diabetic Patients

Journal of Cancer Epidemiology — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:50:38 +0100

Conclusions. These results revealed that the prevalence of Giardiasis in dyspepsia and with diabetes mellitus was high in our country. This is the first study investigating the prevalence of Giardiasis in diabetic patients. To investigate Giardiasis in diabetic patients, who have dyspepsia or not, may be a good approach for public health. (Source: Journal of Cancer Epidemiology)

The minimal kinome of Giardia lamblia illuminates early kinase evolution and unique parasite biology

Genome Biology — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Comparison of sequenced genomes of Giardia lamblia reveals that it has the fewest number of kinases of any known eukaryote (Source: Genome Biology)

Lipid Raft‐Dependent Adhesion of Giardia intestinalis Trophozoites to a Cultured Human Enterocyte‐Like Caco‐2/TC7 Cell Monolayer Leads to Cytoskeleton‐Dependent Functional Injuries

Cellular Microbiology — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We report an adhesion‐dependent disorganization of the apical F‐actin cytoskeleton that, in turn, results in a dramatic loss of distribution of functional brush border‐associated proteins, including sucrase‐isomaltase (SI), dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) and fructose transporter, GLUT5, and a decrease in sucrose enzyme activity in G. intestinalis‐infected enterocyte‐like cells. We observed that the G. intestinalis trophozoite promotes an adhesion‐dependent decrease in transepithelial resistance (TER) accompanied by a rearrangement of functional tight junction (TJ)‐associated occludin, and delocalization of claudin‐1. Finally, we found that whereas the occludin rearrangement induced by G. intestinalis was related to apical F‐actin disorganization, the delocalization of ...

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Giardia and Cryptosporidium infection in Finland: a registry‐based study of their demographic determinants

APMIS — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:11:24 +0100

Rimhanen‐Finne R, Jokiranta TS, Virtanen MJ, Kuusi M. Giardia and Cryptosporidium infection in Finland: a registry‐based study of their demographic determinants. APMIS 2011.Giardia and Cryptosporidium are protozoan parasites that can cause prolonged gastrointestinal infection especially in immunocompromised individuals. We studied the characteristics of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis cases notified to the Finnish Infectious Disease Registry (FIDR) during 1995–2006, and of persons tested for these parasites in the clinical laboratory of the healthcare district of Helsinki and Uusimaa during 2004–2006. According to reporting, the incidence of both infections was higher in persons residing in the Helsinki area than in other parts of Finland. Persons born abroad were more often teste...

[Investigation of intestinal parasites among primary school students in kayseri-hacılar].

Turkish Society for Parasitology — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 06:45:03 +0100

Conclusion: Parasitic diseases are a major public health problem and we believe that education about personal hygiene, sanitation rules and parasitic diseases is important to overcome this problem. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2011; 35: 96-9). PMID: 21776595 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology)

[The Epidemiology Research of Blastocystis hominis in the Dokuz Eylül University Medical Faculty Hospital between 2005 and 2009].

Turkish Society for Parasitology — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 06:45:03 +0100

Conclusion: As B. hominis was the most frequently seen parasite in patients with gastrointestinal complaints, we suggest that the parasite should be considered as pathogenic and sufficient attention must be paid in routine stool examinations. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2011; 35: 72-6). PMID: 21776590 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology)

Cyst and encystment in protozoan parasites: optimal targets for new life-cycle interrupting strategies?

Trends in Parasitology — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Aguilar-Díaz H, Carrero JC, Argüello-García R, Laclette JP, Morales-Montor J Certain protozoan parasites use survival strategies to reside outside the host such as the formation of cysts. This dormant and resistant stage results from the complex process of encystment that involves diverse molecular and cellular modifications. The stimuli and changes associated with cyst biogenesis are a matter of ongoing studies in human and animal protozoan parasites such as amoeba and Giardia species because blocking every step in the encystment pathway should, in theory, interrupt their life cycles. The present review thoroughly examines this essential process in those protozoan parasites and discusses the possibility of using that information to develop new kinds of anti-parasite specif...

Europe's neglected infections of poverty

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Among the policy recommendations are increased efforts to determine the prevalence, incidence, and geographic distribution of Europe's neglected infections, epidemiological studies to understand the ecology and mechanisms of disease transmission, and research and development for new control tools. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

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Burden of rotavirus and other enteropathogens among children with diarrhea in Burkina Faso

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This study demonstrates rotavirus as the main etiological agent in pediatric diarrhea in Burkina Faso, and further shows the great severity of rotavirus-induced diarrhea in undernourished children in Burkina Faso. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

Comparison of the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of seven Cryptosporidium assays used in the United Kingdom.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chalmers RM, Campbell B, Crouch N, Charlett A, Davies A To compare the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of seven Cryptosporidium diagnostic assays used in the UK, results from 259 stool samples from patients with acute gastrointestinal symptoms were compared against a nominated gold standard (real-time PCR and oocyst detection). Of the 152 'true positives', 80 were C. hominis, 68 C. parvum, two C. felis, one C. ubiquitum and one C. meleagridis. Cryptosporidium spp. diagnostic sensitivities of three Cryptosporidium and Giardia combination copro-antigen enzyme immunoassays (EIA) coupled with confirmation of positive reactions were 91.4% to 93.4%, sensitivity of auramine phenol microscopy was 92.1% and of immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) was 97.4%, all with overlapping 9...

Pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase and thioredoxin reductase are involved in 5-nitroimidazole activation while flavin metabolism is linked to 5-nitroimidazole resistance in Giardia lamblia

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions These data add to the mounting evidence against the dogma that PFOR/Fd is the only couple with a low enough redox potential to reduce metronidazole in anaerobes and point to the multi-factorial nature of metronidazole resistance. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Evaluation of an immunochromatographic assay: Giardia-Strip® (Coris BioConcept) for detection of Giardia intestinalis in human fecal specimens

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 05:57:44 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s10096-011-1332-9Authors T. K. T. Nguyen, Laboratory of Parasitology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, FranceH. Kherouf, Laboratory of Parasitology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, FranceV. Blanc-Pattin, Laboratory of Parasitology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, FranceE. Allais, Laboratory of Parasitology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, FranceY. Chevalier, Laboratory of Parasitology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, FranceA. Richez, Laboratory of Parasitology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, FranceC. Ramade, Laboratory of Parasitology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, FranceF. Peyron, Laboratory of Parasitology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Lyon, France Journal European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious DiseasesOnline ISSN 1435-4373Print ISSN 093...

Giardia

Springer Biomedical Sciences titles — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:53:45 +0100

A Model OrganismGiardia is a relatively simple eukaryotic microbe, causing acute and chronic diarrhea which has been used as a model to understand complex biological processes occurring in eukaryotic cells. Further, due to its parasitic lifestyle, Giardia is an excellent system for the study of the mechanisms of adaptation and cell differentiation from the perspectives of molecular and cell biology.This book ... (Source: Springer Biomedical Sciences titles)

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Mining the Giardia genome and proteome for conserved and unique basal body proteins.

International Journal for Parasitology — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we have exploited bioinformatics and proteomic approaches to identify new Giardia basal body proteins and confocal microscopy to confirm their localisation in interphase trophozoites. This approach identified 75 homologs of conserved basal body proteins in the genome including 65 not previously known to be associated with Giardia basal bodies. Thirteen proteins were confirmed to co-localise with centrin to the Giardia basal bodies. We also demonstrate that most basal body proteins localise to additional cytoskeletal structures in interphase trophozoites. This might help to explain the roles of the four pairs of flagella and Giardia-specific organelles in motility and differentiation. A deeper understanding of the composition of the Giardia basal bodies will contribute insigh...

Epidemiological, clinical, and diagnostic data on intestinal infections with Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar among returning travelers

Infection — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:49:45 +0100

Conclusion Stool microscopy and coproantigen ELISA are appropriate screening tests for intestinal Entamoeba infections among travelers, but intestinal co-infections are common. PCR is highly recommended as the diagnostic method of choice for the differentiation of Entamoeba spp. The presumable apathogenic E. dispar seems to provoke intestinal symptoms. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0155-zAuthors K.-H. Herbinger, Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Leopoldstraße 5, 80802 Munich, GermanyE. Fleischmann, Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Leopoldstraße 5, 80802 Munich, German...

Characterisation of protease activity in extracellular products secreted by Giardia duodenalis trophozoites treated with propolis.

Natural Product Research — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: David EB, Carvalho TB, Oliveira CM, Coradi ST, Sforcin JM, Guimarães S Results from our laboratory revealed propolis activity on Giardia trophozoites proliferation. Since therapeutic agents can inhibit the activity of proteases related to relevant biologic and physiologic processes of parasites, this study was undertaken to characterise the proteolytic activity of excretory/secretory products (ESP) of trophozoites treated with propolis. ESP was obtained from culture supernatants of trophozoites exposed to 250 and 500 µg mL(-1) of propolis. ESP were tested in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the protein profiles and the protease activity was assayed in gelatin-containing gels. Synthetic inhibitors were used to characterise the protease classes...

A cross-sectional study of Tritrichomonas foetus infection among healthy cats at shows in Norway

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: T. foetus was found to be a common parasite in clinically healthy cats in Norway. (Source: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica)

Detection and Characterization of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium Spp. on Swine Farms in Ontario, Canada

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:02:48 +0100

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)

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[Frequency of Intestinal Parasites Among Administrators and Workers in Sanitary and Non-sanitary Institutions.]

Turkish Society for Parasitology — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 01:45:03 +0100

Conclusion: This rate of parasite positivity among healthy subjects visiting hospital for porter examination suggests that intestinal parasites still constitute a public health problem in the region. Moreover, it can be considered that one important factor in the frequency of the parasite can be both the nature of the jobs of administrators and workers in sanitary and non-sanitary institutions and their interaction with people during sales. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2011; 35: 30-3). PMID: 21618189 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Turkish Society for Parasitology)

Carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism of Spironucleus vortens.

Experimental Parasitology — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Millet CO, Lloyd D, Coogan MP, Rumsey J, Cable J The metabolism of Spironucleus vortens, a parasitic, diplomonad flagellate related to Giardia intestinalis, was investigated using a combination of membrane inlet mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, bioscreen continuous growth monitoring, and ion exchange chromatography. The products of glucose-fuelled and endogenous metabolism were identified by (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR as ethanol, acetate, alanine and lactate. Mass spectrometric monitoring of gas metabolism in buffered cell suspensions showed that glucose and ethanol could be used by S. vortens as energy-generating substrates, but bioscreen automated monitoring of growth in culture medium, as well as NMR analyses, suggested that neither of these compounds are the substrates ...

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as an Effective Probiotic for Murine Giardiasis

Advances in Pharmacological Sciences — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:35:03 +0100

The gut microflora is an important constituent in the intestinal mucosal barrier and has been introduced as the concept of probiotic therapy that beneficially affects the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to explore the protective potential of various lactobacilli strains for murine giardiasis. By experimentation, it was found that the probiotic supplementation of either Lactobacillus casei, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, or L. rhamnosus GG, 7 days prior to inoculation with G. lamblia trophozoites, reduced the rate of cyst excretion compared with Giardia-infected mice. Interestingly, L. GG was found to be the most effective probiotic in reducing the duration of giardia cycle and acts as an effective prophylactic probiotic for ...

Evaluation of enzyme immunoassay techniques for diagnosis of the most common intestinal protozoa in fecal samples

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These results indicate that antigen detection by EIA has the potential to become a valuable tool, capable of making stool diagnostics more effective. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

Host parasite interactions and pathophysiology in Giardia infections.

International Journal for Parasitology — Mon, 30 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cotton JA, Beatty JK, Buret AG Giardia is a protozoan parasite of the small intestine, and a leading cause of diarrhoeal disease worldwide in a variety of animals, including humans. The host-parasite interaction and pathophysiological processes of giardiasis remain incompletely understood. Current research suggests that Giardia-induced diarrhoeal disease is mediated by small intestinal malabsorption and maldigestion, chloride hypersecretion and increased rates of small intestinal transit. Small intestinal malabsorption and maldigestion results from the CD8+ lymphocyte-induced diffuse shortening of brush border microvilli. Activation of CD8+ lymphocytes occurs secondary to small intestinal barrier dysfunction, which results from heightened rates of enterocyte apoptosis and disr...

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Risk of Giardia infection for drinking water and bathing in a peri-urban area in Sao Paulo, Brazil

International Journal of Environmental Health Research — Fri, 27 May 2011 21:47:48 +0100

(Source: International Journal of Environmental Health Research)

The efficacy of simulated solar disinfection (SODIS) against Ascaris, Giardia, Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium.

Acta Tropica — Thu, 26 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Heaselgrave W, Kilvington S The antimicrobial activity of simulated solar disinfection (SODIS) in the presence and absence of riboflavin against various protozoa and helminth organisms was investigated in this study. Assays were conducted in transparent 12 well microtitre plates containing a suspension of test organisms in the presence or absence of 250μM riboflavin. Plates were exposed to simulated sunlight at an optical irradiance of 550Wm(-2) (watts per square metre) delivered from a SUNTEST™ CPS+ solar simulator. Aliquots of the test suspensions were taken at set time points and the viability of the test organisms was determined by either culture, microscopy or flow cytometry where applicable. With Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Entamoeba and Giardia exposure to SODIS at an o...

Diagnosis of Giardia infections by PCR-based methods in children of an endemic area

Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases — Sat, 21 May 2011 05:21:18 +0100

The present study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Giardia infection in preschool- and school-aged children living in an endemic area. Fecal samples from 573 children were processed by zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation, centrifugal sedimentation (using a commercial device for fecal concentration - TF-Test kit®) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. Of the stool samples assessed, 277 (48.3%) were positive for intestinal parasites and/or commensal protozoa. Centrifugal flotation presented the highest diagnostic sensitivity for Giardia infections. The kappa index revealed that both coproparasitological techniques closely agreed on the Giardia diagnosis (86%) versus satisfactory (72%) and poor (35%) concordances for commensal protozoan and helminth infections, respecti...

Detection of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites in Public Parks of Spain. Potential Epidemiological Role of Microsporidia

Zoonoses and Public Health — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:02:03 +0100

This study was performed in order to identify the presence of zoonotic parasites in dog and cat faecal and soil samples from public parks of Madrid, Spain. Six hundred twenty‐five and seventy‐nine soil and faecal samples (presumably from dogs and cats) respectively were collected from 67 parks. Intestinal parasites were identified in 27 parks (40.3%), which were contamined with Giardia sp. (19.4%), microsporidia (19.4%), Toxocara spp. (16.4%), Cryptosporidium sp. (6%), Entamoeba histolytica (3%) and Ancylostomidae (3%). Combinations of two or more intestinal parasites were found in 11 parks, and it was common to find Giardia and microsporidia together in samples. Intestinal parasites were detected in 18% (112/625) of soil samples. The most frequent parasite species found in the examine...

AMOEBATOX (Triticum Aestivum, Baptisia Tinctoria Capsicum Anuum, Columbo, Fragaria Vesca, Hamamelis Virginiana, Hydrastis Canadensis, Quassia Amara, Senna, Liver, Pancreas, Spleen, Belladonna, Cinchona Officinalis, Lycopodium Clavatum, Nux Vomica, Entamoeba Histolytica, Giardia Lamblia,) Liquid [Apotheca Company]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Thu, 05 May 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: May 5, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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A comparison of the Giardia lamblia trophozoite and cyst transcriptome using microarrays.

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The comparison of the G. lamblia cyst and trophozoite transcriptome showed that transcripts of most genes are present at a lower level in cysts. This global view of the cyst and trophozoite transcriptome complements studies focused on the expression of selected genes during trophozoite multiplication, encystation and excystation. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

Caregiver perspectives for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood giardiasis in Havana City, Cuba. A qualitative study.

Acta Tropica — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Escobedo AA, Almirall P, Alfonso M, Avila I, Cimerman S, Salazar Y, Dawkins IV, García RM Although long considered a non-pathogenic protozoan, Giardia lamblia is now a well recognized cause of abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea and failure-to-thrive in children. The overall prevalence of this infection in Cuban population is about 7.2%; however, higher prevalences have been found among young children attending day-care centres and primary school in the country. Anecdotally, clinical giardiasis is generally considered to place a large burden on both diagnostic and treatment services in Cuba. In order to gain insight into caregivers' perspectives with respect to this infection in children, a qualitative study was carried out in a paediatric hospital in Cuba. Focus group discussion...

A survey of intestinal parasites in dogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The Canadian Veterinary Journal — Sun, 01 May 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gaunt MC, Carr AP Abstract Fresh fecal samples from 124 apparently healthy dogs and 333 random source canine fecal samples from dog walking areas were analyzed by centrifuged flotation in Sheather's solution to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Fecal flotation was positive in 4.4% of samples. Roundworm species were found in 1.5% of samples, hookworm species were found in 0.4% of samples, whipworm species were found in 0.7%, Strongyloides spp. were found in 0.6%, Giardia spp., Cystoisospora spp., and Alaria spp. were found in 0.4% of samples. PMID: 22043068 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Canadian Veterinary Journal)

[Eosinophilia in a newborn: a case of giardiasis and milk allergy].

Acta Medica Portuguesa — Sun, 01 May 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This case pretends to underline the importance of person-to-person transmission as far as Giardia infection is concerned and especially among young children. We also would like to emphasize a possible relation between giardiasis and food allergy, which has occasionally been described in recent literature. PMID: 22015036 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Medica Portuguesa)

An actin cytoskeleton with evolutionarily conserved functions in the absence of canonical actin-binding proteins [Cell Biology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Giardia intestinalis, a human intestinal parasite and member of what is perhaps the earliest-diverging eukaryotic lineage, contains the most divergent eukaryotic actin identified to date and is the first eukaryote known to lack all canonical actin-binding proteins (ABPs). We sought to investigate the properties and functions of the actin cytoskeleton in Giardia to determine whether Giardia actin (giActin) has reduced or conserved roles in core cellular processes. In vitro polymerization of giActin produced filaments, indicating that this divergent actin is a true filament-forming actin. We generated an anti-giActin antibody to localize giActin throughout the cell cycle. GiActin localized to the cortex, nuclei, internal axonemes, and formed C-shaped filaments along the anterior of the cell ...

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Nitroreductase (GlNR1) increases susceptibility of Giardia lamblia and Escherichia coli to nitro drugs

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions These findings suggest that GlNR1 activates nitro drugs via reduction yielding a cytotoxic product. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Increased levothyroxine requirement in a woman with previously well-controlled hypothyroidism and intestinal giardiasis

Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia e Metabologia — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:00:45 +0100

We report here the case of a 57-year-old woman with hypothyroidism that was well-controlled for the previous 6 years but suddenly presented with poor hormonal control and abdominal symptoms, despite repeatedly reporting good compliance to therapy. Adequate control of thyroid function was only obtained after intestinal giardiasis was diagnosed and treated.A causa mais comum de aparente ineficácia ou resistência ao tratamento do hipotireoidismo com levotiroxina oral é a má adesão. No entanto, em alguns pacientes nos quais o controle do hipotireoidismo é extremamente difícil, defeitos na biodisponibilidade da levotiroxina devem ser considerados. Relatamos aqui o caso de uma mulher de 57 anos de idade com hipotireoidismo que vinha previamente bem controlado durante 6 anos, mas que, abru...

Automated detection of rare‐event pathogens through time‐gated luminescence scanning microscopy

Cytometry Part A — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We report a novel strategy of time‐gated luminescent scanning for accurate counting of rare‐event cells, which exploits the large difference in luminescence lifetimes between the lanthanide biolabels, >100 μs, and the autofluorescence backgrounds, <0.1 μs, to render background autofluorescence invisible to the detector. Rather than having to resort to sophisticated imaging analysis, the background‐free feature allows a single‐element photomultiplier to locate rare‐event cells, so that requirements for data storage and analysis are minimized to the level of image confirmation only at the final step. We have evaluated this concept in a prototype instrument using a 2D scanning stage and applied it to rare‐event Giardia detection labeled by a europium complex. For a slide a...

Epidemiology of giardiasis and genotypic characterization of Giardia duodenalis in preschool children of a rural community, central Thailand.

Tropical Biomedicine — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

This study possibly represents the information supporting the potential zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis between cats and preschool children. Unfortunately, in this study, we did not determine G. duodenalis infection in cats, so further studies in cats should be performed to confirm this postulation. PMID: 21602766 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Tropical Biomedicine)

Duodenal nodularity in children: A clinical and pathologic study of 17 cases.

Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Although the endoscopic appearance is similar, clinical spectrum and pathologic features are not so similar and there are no specific histomorphologic findings for nodularity. The most demonstrative findings we observed in children were increased lymphocyte and/or eosinophil infiltration in the duodenal mucosa. We suggested that care should be taken in the evaluation of microbiological and immunologic etiologies causing this prominent inflammatory reaction. PMID: 21623080 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology)

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Infectious diarrhoea

Medicine — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:39:28 +0100

Abstract: Infectious diarrhoea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality world wide. Viruses, bacteria and protozoa are responsible for the majority of infections, which are transmitted most commonly by the faecal–oral route through water, food and person-to-person transmission. Clinical presentation of infectious diarrhoea conforms to three patterns: acute watery diarrhoea; dysentery; and persistent diarrhoea, which can include steatorrhoea. Diagnosis still rests heavily on stool microscopy and culture, although faecal antigen tests and molecular assays are increasingly used. Oral rehydration therapy continues to be the most important supportive intervention, particularly in acute watery diarrhoea, when death from dehydration and acidosis can be prevented in the vast majority of ...

Lactobacillus casei as a probiotic in malnourished Giardia lamblia-infected mice: a biochemical and histopathological study

Canadian Journal of Microbiology — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:00:57 +0100

Canadian Journal of Microbiology, Volume 57, Issue 2, Page 127-135, February 2011. (Source: Canadian Journal of Microbiology)

First genetic classification of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lim YA, Iqbal A, Surin J, Sim BL, Jex AR, Nolan MJ, Smith HV, Gasser RB Given the HIV epidemic in Malaysia, genetic information on opportunistic pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, in HIV/AIDS patients is pivotal to enhance our understanding of epidemiology, patient care, management and disease surveillance. In the present study, 122 faecal samples from HIV/AIDS patients were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts using a conventional coproscopic approach. Such oocysts and cysts were detected in 22.1% and 5.7% of the 122 faecal samples, respectively. Genomic DNAs from selected samples were tested in a nested-PCR, targeting regions of the small subunit (SSU) of nuclear ribosomal RNA and the 60kDa glycoprotein (gp60) genes (for Cryptos...

Plant Extracts, Isolated Phytochemicals, and Plant-Derived Agents Which Are Lethal to Arthropod Vectors of Human Tropical Diseases - A Review

Planta Medica — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1270949AbstractThe recent scientific literature on plant-derived agents with potential or effective use in the control of the arthropod vectors of human tropical diseases is reviewed. Arthropod-borne tropical diseases include: amebiasis, Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), cholera, cryptosporidiosis, dengue (hemorrhagic fever), epidemic typhus (Brill-Zinsser disease), filariasis (elephantiasis), giardia (giardiasis), human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), isosporiasis, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease (lyme borreliosis), malaria, onchocerciasis, plague, recurrent fever, sarcocystosis, scabies (mites as causal agents), spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, West Nile fever, and yellow fever. Thus, coverage was given to work describing plant-derived extract...

Better use of primary care laboratory services following interventions to 'market' clinical guidelines in New Zealand: a controlled before-and-after study

Quality and Safety in Health Care — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Clear information marketed to general practitioners improved the quality of laboratory test ordering for patients in New Zealand. (Source: Quality and Safety in Health Care)

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Discriminant value of Rome III questionnaire in dyspeptic patients

The Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This study indicates that 30% of patients who fulfilled the Rome III criteria for FD actually had organic disease. Almost one-third of patients with functioanl dyspepsia did not qualify for one of the two subgroups of FD of Rome III. There is also a need to further define the Rome III-based subgroups of FD for research purpose. (Source: The Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology)

Production Of Essential Clean Water In Emergency Situations

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:00:00 +0100

Disasters such as floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes often result in the spread of diseases like gastroenteritis, giardiasis and even cholera because of an immediate shortage of clean drinking water. Now, chemistry researchers at McGill University have taken a key step towards making a cheap, portable, paper-based filter coated with silver nanoparticles to be used in these emergency settings. "Silver has been used to clean water for a very long time. The Greeks and Romans kept their water in silver jugs," says Prof. Derek Gray, from McGill's Department of Chemistry... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Parasitic Protozoons Survive Waste Water And Drinking Water Treatment Plants In Galicia

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:00:00 +0100

"The presence of two resistent forms of protozoons, the oocysts from the Cryptosporidium genus and cysts of the Giardia genus, is one of the greatest public health problems in water supply, because these parasites can easily survive our water treatment systems", Jose Antonio Castro Hermida, a scientist at the Galician Institute for Food Quality in the Xunta de Galicia (regional government), tells SINC... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

trans-Spliced Heat Shock Protein 90 Gene Product [Cell Biology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Heat shock protein 90 participates in diverse biological processes ranging from protein folding, cell cycle, signal transduction and development to evolution in all eukaryotes. It is also critically involved in regulating growth of protozoa such as Dictyostelium discoideum, Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma evansi. Selective inhibition of Hsp90 has also been explored as an intervention strategy against important human diseases such as cancer, malaria, or trypanosomiasis. Giardia lamblia, a simple protozoan parasite of humans and animals, is an important cause of diarrheal disease with significant morbidity and some mortality in tropical countries. Here we show that the G. lamblia cytosolic hsp90 (glhsp90) is split in two similar sized fragments ...

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Joining Giardia Genes♦ [Papers of the Week]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

♦ See referenced article, J. Biol. Chem. 2011, 286, 7116–7122 Giardia lamblia is a simple protozoan that can wreak havoc if it colonizes the small intestine. The parasite is the cause of giardiasis, a diarrheal disease with significant morbidity and some mortality in tropical countries. The protozoan's growth and development is regulated by a variety of proteins, including the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). As such, uncovering information on this chaperone is of great interest to those designing drugs against the parasite. In this Paper of the Week, Rishi Kumar Nageshan and colleagues show that G. lamblia cytosolic Hsp90 (GlHsp90) is split into two similar sized fragments located 777 kb apart on the same scaffold. Intrigued by this unique arrangement, which appears ...

Fermentation enzymes of Giardia lamblia, pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase and hydrogenase, do not localize to its mitosomes.

Microbiology — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Emelyanov VV, Goldberg AV It is becoming increasingly clear that the so-called remnant organelles of microaerophilic unicellular eukaryotes, hydrogenosomes and mitosomes, are significantly reduced versions of mitochondria. They normally lack most of classic mitochondrial attributes, such as an electron transport chain and a genome. While hydrogenosomes generate energy by substrate level phosphorylation along a hydrogen-producing fermentation pathway, involving Fe-S cluster-containing enzymes pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase and hydrogenase, whether mitosomes participate in ATP synthesis is currently unknown. Both enzymes were recently described in the mitosome-bearing diplomonad Giardia intestinalis, also shown to produce molecular hydrogen. As published data show that giard...

Parasitic protozoons survive waste water and drinking water treatment plants in Galicia

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology) Researchers from the Galician Institute of Food Quality have detected parasitic protozoons in the effluent discharged from waste water and drinking water treatment plants in Galicia (Spain), as well as in the water in recreational areas. The protozoons studied, which are members of the Cryptosporidium and Giardia genuses, cause intestinal upsets in cattle and immunosuppressed people. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Split genes: another surprise from giardia.

Current Biology — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Blumenthal T Some genes in the candidate early-branching eukaryote Giardia lamblia occur in separate pieces, transcribed from non-contiguous chromosomal locations. The pre-mRNAs from the separate pieces apparently find each other by regions of complementarity and are subsequently spliced together by the spliceosome. Could genes in pieces, transcribed into separate pre-mRNAs, have been an early feature of spliceosomal evolution? PMID: 21334298 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Biology)

Split Introns in the Genome of Giardia intestinalis Are Excised by Spliceosome-Mediated trans-Splicing.

Current Biology — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kamikawa R, Inagaki Y, Tokoro M, Roger AJ, Hashimoto T Spliceosomal introns are hallmarks of most eukaryotic genomes and are excised from premature mRNAs by a spliceosome that is among the largest, and most complex, molecular machine in cells [1]. The divergent unicellular eukaryote Giardia intestinalis, the causative agent of giardiasis, also possesses spliceosomes, but only four canonical (cis-spliced) introns have been identified in its genome to date [2-4]. We demonstrate that this organism has a novel form of spliceosome-mediated trans-splicing of split introns that is essential for generating mature mRNAs for at least two important genes: one encoding a heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), which controls the conformation of a suite of cellular proteins [5], and the other encod...

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Identification of zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia genotypes infecting animals in Sydney's Water Catchments.

Experimental Parasitology — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ng J, Yang R, Whiffin V, Cox P, Ryan U To identify the animal sources for Cryptosporidium and Giardia contamination, we genotyped Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. in wildlife from Sydney's water catchments using sequence analysis at the 18S rRNA locus for Cryptosporidium and 18S rRNA and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) for Giardia. A total of 564 fecal samples from sixteen different host species were analysed. Cryptosporidium was identified in 8.5% (48/564) samples from eight host species and Giardia was identified in 13.8% (78/564) from seven host species. Eight species/genotypes of Cryptosporidium were identified. Five G. duodenalis assemblages were detected including the zoonotic assemblages A and B. PMID: 21334325 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Experimental...

Giardia intestinalis: DNA extraction approaches to improve PCR results.

Experimental Parasitology — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Babaei Z, Oormazdi H, Rezaie S, Rezaeian M, Razmjou E Difficulty in disrupting cysts of Giardia intestinalis, a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite, decreases the yield of DNA extracted and reduces the effectiveness of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To improve the detection of the Giardia Glutamate Dehydrogenase (gdh) gene, we re-evaluated the effects of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction methods. Purified and concentrated cysts from 33 fecal samples were disrupted using conventional methods, and DNA extraction was conducted using two protocols: the QIAamp Stool Mini Kit and phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (PCI). PCR amplification was successful for 12 extracted DNA samples (36%) using PCI following a glass bead and freeze/thaw pretreatment and for all 33 samples (100%...

Duodenal Villous Atrophy: A Cause of Chronic Diarrhea After Solid‐Organ Transplantation

American Journal of Transplantation — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, DVA is a frequent cause of chronic diarrhea in SOT recipients. MPA therapy is the most frequent cause of DVA. An OGD should be proposed to all transplant recipients who present with persistent diarrhea. (Source: American Journal of Transplantation)

Identification of g14-3-3 Polyglycylase and Deglycylase [Microbiology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, we have identified a polyglycylase and two deglycylases that act in concert to modulate the stage-dependent glycylation status of the multifunctional regulatory g14-3-3 protein in G. duodenalis. (Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry)

Lactobacillus casei as a probiotic in malnourished Giardia lamblia-infected mice: a biochemical and histopathological study

Canadian Journal of Microbiology — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:25:34 +0100

Geeta Shukla and Ramandeep Kaur Sidhu - The study describes the in vivo activity of Lactobacillus casei in malnourished Giardia lamblia-infected BALB/c mice. By experimentation, it was found that daily administration of... (Source: Canadian Journal of Microbiology)

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Membrane trafficking and organelle biogenesis in Giardia lamblia: Use it or lose it.

International Journal for Parasitology — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Faso C, Hehl AB The secretory transport capacity of Giardia trophozoites is perfectly adapted to the changing environment in the small intestine of the host and is able to deploy essential protective surface coats as well as molecules which act on epithelia. These lumen-dwelling parasites take up nutrients by bulk endocytosis through peripheral vesicles or by receptor-mediated transport. The environmentally resistant cyst form is quiescent but poised for activation following stomach passage. Its versatility and fidelity notwithstanding, the giardial trafficking systems appear to be the product of a general secondary reduction process geared towards minimization of all components and machineries identified to date. Since membrane transport is directly linked to organelle biogen...

An old drug against giardiasis: mebendazole as a treatment option.

Infectious Disorders Drug Targets — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Escobedo AA, Cimerman S, Almirall P PMID: 21394965 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Infectious Disorders Drug Targets)

Elongation factor 1-alpha is released into the culture medium during growth of Giardia intestinalis trophozoites.

Experimental Parasitology — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Skarin H, Ringqvist E, Hellman U, Svärd SG The molecular pathogenesis of the intestinal parasite Giardia intestinalis is still not fully understood but excretory-secretory products have been suggested to be important during host-parasite interactions. Here we used SDS-PAGE gels and MALDI-TOF analysis to identify proteins released by Giardia trophozoites during in vitro growth. Serum proteins (mainly bovine serum albumin) in the growth medium, bind to the parasite surface and they are continuously released, which interfere with parasite secretome characterization. However, we identified two released Giardia proteins: elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) and a 58kDa protein, identified as arginine deiminase (ADI). This is the first description of EF-1α as a released/secreted Gia...

Anti-Giardia activity of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil and eugenol: Effects on growth, viability, adherence and ultrastructure.

Experimental Parasitology — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Machado M, Dinis AM, Salgueiro L, Custódio JB, Cavaleiro C, Sousa MC The present work evaluates the anti-Giardia activity of Syzygium aromaticum and its major compound eugenol. The effects were evaluated on parasite growth, adherence, viability and ultrastructure. S. aromaticum essential oil (IC(50)=134μg/ml) and eugenol (IC(50)=101μg/ml) inhibited the growth of G. lamblia. The essential oil inhibited trophozoites adherence since the first hour of incubation and was able to kill almost 50% of the parasites population in a time dependent manner. The eugenol inhibited G. lamblia trophozoites adherence since the third hour and not induce cell lyses. The main morphological alterations were modifications on the cell shape, presence of precipitates in the cytoplasm, autophagic ve...

A role of some food arthropods as vectors of human enteric infections

Central European Journal of Biology — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:32:27 +0100

Abstract Arthropods are very important organisms in the environment in relation to transmission of pathogenic infections to humans. The information on transmission of pathogenic infections to people by commercially offered food arthropods is scant. Consumption of seafood is a very popular dietary habit around the world. Whereas shrimp are the most commonly consumed seafood item, crabmeat has recently become a very popular commercial product, specifically for a majority of European countries. The transmission of waterborne protozoan parasites is facilitated by consumption of seafood harvested from contaminated waters, drinking water or via contact with recreational and surface waters, and remains common throughout the developing as well as the developed world. Protozoan inf...

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Seasonal prevalence and incidence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis and associated diarrhoea in children attending pre-school in Kafue, Zambia

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:52:14 +0100

Abstract: Prevalence, incidence and seasonal variation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis were studied over a 12-month period in 100 children from four pre-schools in Kafue, Zambia. Questionnaire data and a single stool sample were collected monthly from each child. Samples were processed using a commercial kit (Meridian Diagnostics Inc., USA) and oo(cysts) visualised by immunofluorescence microscopy. Cryptosporidium was detected in 30.7% (241/786; 95% CI=27.5-33.9) while G. duodenalis was detected in 29.0% (228/786; 95% CI=25.8-32.2). A total of 86% experienced one or more episodes of cryptosporidiosis while 75% had giardiasis. Cumulative incidence per 100 children was 75.4 for Cryptosporidium and 49.0 for G. duodenalis. Both infections were significantly more common in the wet com...

Vitamin A supplementation modifies the association between mucosal innate and adaptive immune responses and resolution of enteric pathogen infections.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The effect of supplementation on associations between fecal cytokine concentrations and pathogen infection resolution depends on the role of inflammatory immune responses in resolving specific pathogen infections. PMID: 21248183 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among school children in northern districts of West Bank‐ PalestinePrévalence des parasites intestinaux chez les écoliers dans les districts du nord de la Cisjordanie en PalestinePrevalencia de parásitos intestinales entre niños en edad escolar en los distritos del norte de la orilla oeste de los territorios Palestinos.

Tropical Medicine and International Health — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:45:02 +0100

Conclusions Intestinal parasite infections are endemic in West Bank. Interventions such as health education and sanitation are needed.Objectifs: Evaluer la prévalence des infections parasitaires intestinales dans les districts du nord de la Cisjordanie en Palestine et déterminer les facteurs sociodémographiques associés.Méthodes: Echantillonnage aléatoire des écoliers dans les zones rurales et urbaines. Les participants ont fourni des échantillons de selles et répondu à un questionnaire sur leurs habitudes démographiques et d’hygiène. Les échantillons de selles ont été soumis à la microscopie et la PCR pour le dépistage de protozoaires et des helminthes.Résultats: 735 échantillons ont été recueillis auprès d’enfants âgés de 9,5 années en moyenne. La...

Mechanisms for Parasites Removal in a Waste Stabilisation Pond.

Microbial Ecology — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Reinoso R, Blanco S, Torres-Villamizar LA, Bécares E A waste stabilisation pond (WSP) system formed by two anaerobic ponds, a facultative pond and a maturation pond was studied from December 2003 to September 2004 in north-western Spain in order to evaluate its efficiency in the removal of faecal indicator bacteria (total coliforms, Escherichia coli, faecal streptococci), coliphages, helminth eggs and protozoan (oo)cysts (Cryptosporidium and Giardia). Furthermore, sediment samples were collected from the bottom of the ponds to assess the settling rates and thus determine the main pathogen removal mechanisms in the WSPs system. The overall removal ranged from 1.4 log units for coliphages in the cold period to 5.0 log units for E. coli in the hot period. Cryptosporidium oocysts...

Wealth and its associations with enteric parasitic infections in a low-income community in peru: use of principal component analysis.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Nundy S, Gilman RH, Xiao L, Cabrera L, Cama R, Ortega YR, Kahn G, Cama VA Abstract. The association of wealth and infections with Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, and microsporidia were examined in a longitudinal cohort conducted in Peru from 2001 to 2006. Data from 492 participants were daily clinical manifestations, weekly copro-parasitological diagnosis, and housing characteristics and assets owned (48 variables), and these data were used to construct a global wealth index using principal component analysis. Data were analyzed using continuous and categorical (wealth tertiles) models. Participant's mean age was 3.43 years (range = 0-12 years), with average follow-up of 993 days. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified significant associations between wealth and...

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Zoonotic potential and molecular epidemiology of giardia species and giardiasis.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Feng Y, Xiao L Summary: Molecular diagnostic tools have been used recently in assessing the taxonomy, zoonotic potential, and transmission of Giardia species and giardiasis in humans and animals. The results of these studies have firmly established giardiasis as a zoonotic disease, although host adaptation at the genotype and subtype levels has reduced the likelihood of zoonotic transmission. These studies have also identified variations in the distribution of Giardia duodenalis genotypes among geographic areas and between domestic and wild ruminants and differences in clinical manifestations and outbreak potentials of assemblages A and B. Nevertheless, our efforts in characterizing the molecular epidemiology of giardiasis and the roles of various animals in the transmission o...

Exposure to infectious agents in dogs in remote coastal British Columbia: Possible sentinels of diseases in wildlife and humans.

Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bryan HM, Darimont CT, Paquet PC, Ellis JA, Goji N, Gouix M, Smits JE Ranked among the top threats to conservation worldwide, infectious disease is of particular concern for wild canids because domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) may serve as sources and reservoirs of infection. On British Columbia's largely undeveloped but rapidly changing central and north coasts, little is known about diseases in wolves (Canis lupus) or other wildlife. However, several threats exist for transfer of diseases among unvaccinated dogs and wolves. To gain baseline data on infectious agents in this area, including those with zoonotic potential, we collected blood and stool samples from 107 dogs in 5 remote communities in May and September 2007. Serology revealed that the dogs had been exposed to can...

Intestinal parasites in immigrants in the city of Naples (southern Italy).

Acta Tropica — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, the present paper pointed out the need of better diagnosis and cure of the immigrants population in order to improve access to health care of this neglected and marginalised population group, for its own protection and care. PMID: 21195044 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Tropica)

Co-infection with Ascaris lumbricoides modulates protective immune responses against Giardia duodenalis in school Venezuelan rural children.

Acta Tropica — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hagel I, Cabrera M, Puccio F, Santaella C, Buvat E, Infante B, Zabala M, Cordero R, Di Prisco MC We evaluated the effect of Ascaris lumbricoides on Giardia duodenalis infection and TH1/TH2 type immune mechanisms toward this parasite in 251 rural parasitized and 70 urban non-parasitized school children. The children were classified according to light (0-5000eggs/gfaeces) or moderate (>5001-50,000eggs/gfaeces) A. lumbricoides infection. Anti G. duodenalis skin hyper-reactivity, IgE, IgG, IL-13, IFN γ, IL6 and IL-10 levels were compared among G. duodenalis infected and non-infected children according to light or moderate A. lumbricoides infection. It was found that 62% of the A. lumbricoides moderately infected children were co-infected by G. duodenalis compared to 45% of the...

Multi-locus analysis of Giardia duodenalis intra-Assemblage B substitution patterns in cloned culture isolates suggests sub-Assemblage B analyses will require multi-locus genotyping with conserved and variable genes.

International Journal for Parasitology — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wielinga C, Ryan U, Andrew Thompson RC, Monis P Recent research concerning Giardia duodenalis has focused on resolving possible sub-assemblages within Assemblages A and B to better understand host-specific and zoonotic relationships. In the present study nine cloned, cultured, Assemblage B isolates were used to investigate the intra-Assemblage B substitution patterns of conserved (ssrDNA, ef, h2b, h4) and variable (tpi, gdh, bg) genes to assess their suitability for further application to sub-assemblage analyses. The resolution of each gene was found to be proportional to its substitution rate and for the genetically narrow sample set examined, the variable genes best represented the consensus phylogeny while the conserved genes only established fractions. However it was demon...

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Giardia lamblia low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein is involved in selective lipoprotein endocytosis and parasite replication

Molecular Microbiology — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

SUMMARYAs Giardia lamblia is unable to synthesize cholesterol de novo, this steroid might be obtained from the host's intestinal milieu by endocytosis of lipoproteins. In this work, we identified a putative Giardia lamblia low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related proteins (GlLRP), a type‐I membrane protein, which shares the substrate‐N‐terminal binding domain and a FXNPXY‐type endocytic motif with human LRPs. Expression of tagged‐GlLRP showed that it was localized predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomal‐like peripheral vacuoles, and plasma membrane. However, the FXNPXY‐deleted GlLRP was retained at the plasma membrane suggesting that it is abnormally transported and processed. The low density lipoprotein and chylomicrons interacted with GlLRP, with this inte...

Identification and Characterization of a FYVE Domain from the Early Diverging Eukaryote Giardia lamblia.

Current Microbiology — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sinha A, Mandal S, Banerjee S, Ghosh A, Ganguly S, Sil AK, Sarkar S The morphology of the endomembrane system of Giardia lamblia appears to be significantly different from higher eukaryotes. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms controlling vesicular trafficking are also likely to be altered. Since FYVE domain is a known regulator of endosomal trafficking, the authors used BLAST search to identify FYVE domain(s) in G. lamblia. A 990 amino acid long putative FYVE domain-containing ORF was identified, which contains all the conserved sequence elements in the ligand binding pocket. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that this domain is significantly diverged. The authors have shown that the corresponding gene is expressed in G. lamblia trophozoites and cysts. In spite of this phylogenet...

A Large Survey of Croatian Wild Mammals for Giardia duodenalis Reveals a Low Prevalence and Limited Zoonotic Potential

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:17:36 +0100

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases)

Giardia lamblia Infection and Its Implications for Vitamin A Liver Stores in School Children

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:32:14 +0100

Ann Nutr Metab 2010;57:228–233 (DOI:10.1159/000321682) (Source: Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism)

The effects of nitric oxide on the immune response during giardiasis.

Braz J Infect Dis — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pavanelli WR, Gutierrez FR, Silva JJ, Costa IC, Menezes MC, Oliveira FJ, Itano EN, Watanabe MA Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical synthesized from L-arginine by different isoforms NO-synthases. NO possesses multiple and complex biological functions. NO is an important mediator of homeostasis, and changes in its generation or actions can contribute or not to pathological states. The knowledge of effects of NO has been not only important to our understanding of immune response, but also to new tools for research and treatment of various diseases. Knowing the importance of NO as inflammatory mediator in diverse infectious diseases, we decided to develop a revision that shows the participation/effect of this mediator in immune response induced against Giardia spp. Several studies...

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Travelers' Diarrhea in Nepal: An Update on the Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance

Journal of Travel Medicine — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. The most common pathogens causing TD in Nepal were Campylobacter, ETEC, and Shigella. Because resistance to fluoroquinolone or azithromycin was similar, one of these drugs could be used as empiric therapy for TD with the other reserved for treatment failures. (Source: Journal of Travel Medicine)

Description and Burden of Travel‐Related Cases Caused by Enteropathogens Reported in a Canadian Community

Journal of Travel Medicine — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. TRC of diseases caused by enteropathogens that are reportable in Canada represent a significant proportion of the burden of the total diseases. Subgroups of TRC exist and are associated with certain diseases. These results help inform the assessment of the actual risk related to travel for each subgroup of travelers and quantify the attribution of traveling abroad to the overall burden of these gastrointestinal diseases. (Source: Journal of Travel Medicine)

Expression of Cryptosporidium parvum Cpa135/CpCCP1 chimeras in Giardia duodenalis: organization of the protein domains affects the protein secretion pathway.

Experimental Parasitology — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lalle M, Rosati MA, Bien J, Hehl AB, Pozio E, Tosini F Cpa135 is a multidomain antigenic protein secreted at the sporozoite stage of the Apicomplexa protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum. Previous studies have shown that the protozoan flagellate parasite Giardia duodenalis is a suitable system for the heterologous expression of secreted proteins of Apicomplexa. Here, we designed three different Cpa135 variants fused to a C-terminal HA tag in order to test their expression in G. duodenalis under the control of the inducible promoter of the cyst wall protein 1 gene (cwp1). The three Cpa135 chimeras encompassed different portions of the protein; CpaG encodes the entire polypeptide of 1574 amino acids (aa); CpaGΔC includes the first 826 aa at the N- terminus; and CpaGΔN consists in o...

Curcuma as a Parasiticidal Agent: A Review

Planta Medica — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250549AbstractMembers of the Curcuma plant species (Zingiberaceae) have been used for centuries in cooking, cosmetics, staining and in traditional medicine as “omnipotent” remedies. Herbal preparations made with, and molecules extracted from, Curcuma have been shown to possess a wide variety of pharmacological properties against malignant proliferation, hormonal disorders, inflammation, and parasitosis among other conditions. This review evaluates Curcuma and its associated bioactive compounds, particularly focusing on studies examining the parasiticidal activity of these components against the tropical parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Schistosoma and more generally against other cosmopolitan parasites (nematodes, Babesia, Candida, G...