MedWorm: Parasitic Diseases

Functional Identification of the Plasmodium Centromere and Generation of a Plasmodium Artificial Chromosome.

Cell Host and Microbe — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:38:06 +0100

Authors: Iwanaga S, Khan SM, Kaneko I, Christodoulou Z, Newbold C, Yuda M, Janse CJ, Waters AP The artificial chromosome represents a useful tool for gene transfer, both as cloning vectors and in chromosome biology research. To generate a Plasmodium artificial chromosome (PAC), we had to first functionally identify and characterize the parasite's centromere. A putative centromere (pbcen5) was cloned from chromosome 5 of the rodent parasite P. berghei based on a Plasmodium gene-synteny map. Plasmids containing pbcen5 were stably maintained in parasites during a blood-stage infection with high segregation efficiency, without drug pressure. pbcen5-containing plasmids were also stably maintained during parasite meiosis and mitosis in the mosquito. A linear PAC (L-PAC) was generated by inte...

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New Combination Drug Treatment For Parasitic Intestinal Roundworms Shows Promise In A Test On A Common Laboratory Species

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Several drugs currently in use or in development control parasitic worms in the same way. That concerns health workers In developing countries where reinfestations often require repeated treatments. If worms develop resistance to one drug, the other treatments would likely fail as well. Raffi Aroian's research group at the University of California, San Diego recently demonstrated that a potential new drug, a protein crystal made by bacteria that works by a different mechanism, will rid laboratory animals of intestinal worms... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Combination Drug Treatment For Parasitic Intestinal Roundworms Shows Promise In A Test On A Common Laboratory Species

GastroIntestinal News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Geographic and ecologic heterogeneity in elimination thresholds for the major vector-borne helminthic disease, lymphatic filariasis

BMC Biology - Latest articles — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This paper shows that specific ecological conditions in a community can lead to significant local differences in population dynamics and, consequently, elimination threshold estimates for lymphatic filariasis. These findings, and the difficulty of measuring the key local parameters (infection aggregation and acquired immunity) governing differences in transmission thresholds between communities, mean that it is necessary for us to rethink the utility of the current anticipatory approaches for achieving the elimination of filariasis both locally and globally. (Source: BMC Biology - Latest articles)

An insider's guide to the microtubule cytoskeleton of Giardia

Cellular Microbiology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Giardia intestinalis is a zoonotic, parasitic protist with a complex microtubule cytoskeleton critical for motility, attachment, intracellular transport, cell division and transitioning between its two life cycle stages [ndash] the cyst and the trophozoite. This review focuses on the structures of the primary elements of the microtubule cytoskeleton and cytoskeletal dynamics throughout this complex giardial life cycle. The giardial cytoskeleton has both highly dynamic elements and more stable MT structures, including several novel structures like the ventral disc that change conformation via unknown mechanisms. While our knowledge of the giardial cytoskeleton is primarily cytological, the completed Giardia genome and recently developed reverse genetic tools affords an opportunity to uncove...

Modeling and characterization of metal-semiconductor-metal-based source-drain contacts in amorphous InGaZnO thin film transistors

Applied Physics Letters — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:54:50 +0100

Sangwon Lee, Jun-Hyun Park, Kichan Jeon, Sungchul Kim, Yongwoo Jeon et al. Due to the inherent property of large contact and parasitic resistances in amorphous InGaZnO (a-IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs), a metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) structure is a key element in a-IGZO TFTs. Therefore, voltage drops across resistances and MSM structure should be fully considered in ... [Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 113506 (2010)] published Mon Mar 15, 2010. (Source: Applied Physics Letters)

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Parasite lost: Exterminating Africa's horror worms

New Scientist - Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:43:08 +0100

The guinea worm grows to a metre long in its victim's body before punching its way out – but hopefully not for much longer (Source: New Scientist - Health)

Bt protein found effective against parasitic roundworm infections

ScienceDaily Headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:00:00 +0100

Biologists have discovered that a protein from a soil bacterium used to kill insects naturally on organic crops is a highly effective treatment for intestinal parasitic roundworms. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

In vivo antifilarial activity of some cyclic and acylic alcohols

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:59:45 +0100

Abstract The filarial nematodes, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori are the causative agents of lymphatic filariasis. 2-Substituted propanol, cyclohexanol, and cyclooctanol compounds were evaluated for microfilaricidal and macrofilaricidal activity in vivo against Acanthocheilonema viteae and Litomosoides carinii in rodents. In the cyclohexanol series, 2-(piperidin-1-yl) cyclohexanol (2b) showed 88.9% macrofilaricidal activity against A. viteae in vivo, while cyclooctanol series, 2-(4-benzyl piperdin-1-yl) cyclooctanol (2f) showed 100% macrofilaricidal activity against A. viteae. Further, compounds 1-(furan-2-ylamino) ethanol (4a) and 1-(4-benzylpiperidin-1-yl)-ethyl acetate (5b) showed 81.3% and 83.4% macrofilaricidal activity, respectively, against the sam...

Identification of Four Entamoeba histolytica Organellar DNA Polymerases of the Family B and Cellular Localization of the Ehodp1 Gene and EhODP1 Protein

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:38:59 +0100

We report the identification of a family of four active genes (Ehodp1, Ehodp2, Ehodp3, and Ehodp4) encoding putative DNA polymerases in Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible of human amoebiasis. The four Ehodp genes show similarity to DNA polymerases encoded in fungi and plant mitochondrial plasmids. EhODP polypeptides conserve the 3′-5′ exonuclease II and 5′-3′ polymerization domains, and they have the I, II, and III conserved boxes that characterize them as DNA polymerases of family B. Furthermore, we found in EhODP polymerases two novel A and B boxes, present also in DNA polymerases encoded in fungi mitochondrial plasmids. By in situ PCR, Ehodp1 gene was located in nuclei and in DNA-containing cytoplasmic structures. Additionally, using po...

Inner workings of the inflammatory response to Leishmaniasis

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0100

The secret world of inflammation is slowly being revealed by the application of advanced techniques in microscopy, as shown in a new study. Researchers used 2-photon microscopy to identify how killer T lymphocytes behaved when they enter sites of inflammation caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani, and which infected cells they were able to recognize. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Parasite-induced aggression and impaired contest ability in a fish host

Parasites and Vectors — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that the parasitized fish pay the cost of aggressiveness without the benefit of acquiring a territory that would provide them with better protection against predators. This behaviour should increase transmission of the parasite as expected by the parasite manipulation hypothesis. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

Selection of known Plasmodium falciparum resistance-mediating polymorphisms by artemether-lumefantrine and amodiaquine/sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, but not by dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in Burkina Faso.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Somé AF, Séré YY, Dokomajilar C, Zongo I, Rouamba N, Greenhouse B, Ouédraogo JB, Rosenthal PJ Artemether-lumefantrine (AL), dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP), and amodiaquine/sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AQ/SP) offer excellent antimalarial efficacy, but may select for parasite polymorphisms that decrease drug sensitivity. We evaluated the selection of known polymorphisms in genes encoding putative transporters (pfcrt and pfmdr1) and SP targets (pfdhfr and pfdhps) in parasites that caused new infections within 42 days of therapy for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Burkina Faso. In 559 children in 2006, 42-day genotype-uncorrected failures were seen in 31.2% with AL, 11.8% with AQ/SP, and 7.6% with DP. After prior AL, selection of wild type sequence was s...

Assessing the burden of paediatric influenza in Europe: the European Paediatric Influenza Analysis (EPIA) project

European Journal of Pediatrics — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:27:12 +0100

Abstract The European Paediatric Influenza Analysis (EPIA) project is a multi-country project that was created to collect, analyse and present data regarding the paediatric influenza burden in European countries, with the purpose of providing the necessary information to make evidence-based decisions regarding influenza immunisation recommendations for children. The initial approach taken is based on existing weekly virological and age-specific influenza-like illness (ILI) data from surveillance networks across Europe. We use a multiple regression model guided by longitudinal weekly patterns of influenza virus to attribute the weekly ILI consultation incidence pattern to each influenza (sub)type, while controlling for the effect of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemi...

Association of canine juvenile generalized demodicosis with the dog leukocyte antigen system

Tissue Antigens — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Demodectic mange is a well-known parasitic skin disease characterized by the presence of a larger than normal number of Demodex mites (Demodex canis) in the skin of dogs. Recent research has suggested that major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression is higher in the skin of dogs suffering from demodicosis than in normal ones. We have investigated whether canine Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) class II alleles are associated with canine juvenile generalized demodicosis (JGD). In the present study, the analysis of microsatellite markers (FH2202, FH2975 and FH2054) linked to DLA was made in Boxer, Argentinean Mastiff and mixed breed dogs. DNA samples from 56 dogs affected with the disease and 60 breed-matched controls collected in Argentina were analysed. A highly significant assoc...

Identification Of Immune Cells That Fight Parasites May Promote Allergies And Asthma

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Millions of people in both the developing and developed world may benefit from new immune-system research findings from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The Penn Vet researchers, studying how the immune system operates, have discovered a previously unidentified cell population that may be the body's double-edged sword, fighting off parasitic infections but also causing the harmful immune responses that can lead to allergies and asthma... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Identification Of Immune Cells That Fight Parasites May Promote Allergies And Asthma

Allergy News From Medical News Today — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Published pediatric randomized drug trials in developing countries, 1996-2002.

Paediatric Drugs — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:40:15 +0100

Authors: Nor Aripin KN, Sammons HM, Choonara I The greatest burden of disease in children lies in the developing world; however, previous reviews have suggested that few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving children take place in developing countries. Children in developing countries deserve the same standard of medicines as those in developed countries, i.e. appropriate medications for the specific diseases that occur. To elucidate published pediatric therapeutic RCTs that have taken place in the developing world and to determine whether they are appropriate for the major diseases occurring there, and to explore their approach to safety monitoring. A previously assembled database of pediatric RCTs published between 1996 and 2002, from journals indexed in MEDLINE, was analyzed...

A Genetically Attenuated Parasite Vaccine Does Not Require Liver Stage Persistence to Elicit Sterile Protective Immunity against Sporozoite‐Induced Malaria in Mice

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:18:28 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 201, Issue 8, Page 1270-1271, 15 April 2010. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

The Secret Life Of Caves

NPR Health and Science — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:00:00 +0100

Pigmentless grotto salamanders, blind Ozark cavefish and parasitic horsehair worms are a few of the animals living in Missouri's 6,000-plus caves. Ira Flatow and three expert spelunkers look at the biology, geology and history of underground attractions in the "Cave State." These complex ecosystems are home to more than just bats and bears.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us (Source: NPR Health and Science)

Concurrent amoebic and histoplasma colitis: A rare cause of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:04:06 +0100

Authors: Koh PS, Roslani AC, Vimal KV, Shariman M, Umasangar R, Lewellyn R Infective colitis can be a cause of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding requiring acute surgical intervention. Causative organisms include entamoeba and histoplasma species. However, concurrent colonic infection with both these organisms is very rare, and the in vivo consequences are not known. A 58-year-old male presented initially to the physicians with pyrexia of unknown origin and bloody diarrhea. Amoebic colitis was diagnosed based on biopsies, and he was treated with metronidazole. Five days later, the patient developed massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding with hemorrhagic shock. Emergency total colectomy with end-ileostomy was performed. However, he deteriorated and died on the second postoperative...

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kDNA minicircle signatures of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in oral and nasal mucosa from mucosal leishmaniasis patients

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:32:51 +0100

Abstract: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and low-stringency single-specific primer PCR (LSSP-PCR) analyses were used to detect Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis DNA and investigate kDNA signatures of parasite populations present in oral and nasal mucosa lesions from mucosal leishmaniasis patients. A total of 25 samples from 22 patients were processed by specific PCR/hybridization assays. Parasite DNA was detected in all samples analyzed. The intraspecific polymorphism of the variable region of L. (V.) braziliensis kDNA minicircles was also investigated by LSSP-PCR. Similar kDNA signatures were observed in parasites recovered from nasal and oral mucosa lesions of the same patient. In contrast, genetically divergent profiles were detected in lesions from patients biopsied at different times...

A new oral treatment for lice

Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:04:30 +0100

French medical scientists from the AP-HP (Henri Mondor Hospital and Avicenne Hospital) and Inserm (Unit 738 "Models and methods for therapeutic assessment of chronic illnesses" and CIC 202, at Tours) have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of a new molecule in the fight against lice. Faced with the emergence of increasing resistance to conventional therapys by these parasites, this new medicine represents a real therapeutic alternative which is effective in 95% of cases........ (Source: Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert)

Immune cells that fight parasites may promote allergies and asthma

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Millions of people in both the developing and developed world may benefit from new immune-system research findings that identify a cell population that fights off parasitic infections but also causes allergies and asthma. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

The Effectiveness Of A New Oral Treatment Could Mean An End To Lice

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

French medical researchers from the AP-HP (Henri Mondor Hospital and Avicenne Hospital) and Inserm (Unit 738 "Models and methods for therapeutic evaluation of chronic illnesses" and CIC 202, at Tours) have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of a new molecule in the fight against lice. Faced with the emergence of increasing resistance to conventional treatments by these parasites, this new medication represents a real therapeutic alternative which is effective in 95% of cases. This work has been published in the March 11th edition of The New England Journal of Medicine... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

End to lice? Effectiveness of new oral treatment demonstrated

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

French medical researchers have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of a new molecule in the fight against lice. Faced with the emergence of increasing resistance to conventional treatments by these parasites, this new medication represents a real therapeutic alternative which is effective in 95 percent of cases. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Dynamics of pfcrt alleles CVMNK and CVIET in chloroquine-treated Sudanese patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria Journal — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Such rapid intra-host selection of particular genotypes after the introduction of drug will cause frequent misidentification of parasite genotypes present in the starting population. This will have a potentially serious confounding effect on clinical trials, which employ PCR-corrected estimates of treatment failure, as resistant parasites below the detection threshold in the pre-treatment sample can be erroneously classified as "new" infections during follow-up, over-estimating drug efficacy. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Identification of the Regulatory Logic Controlling Salmonella Pathoadaptation by the SsrA-SsrB Two-Component System

PLoS Genetics — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Author Summary All organisms have a means to control gene expression ensuring correct spatiotemporal deployment of gene products. In bacteria, gene control presents a challenge because one species can reside in multiple niches, requiring them to coordinate gene expression with environmental sensing. Also, widespread acquisition of DNA by horizontal gene transfer demands a mechanism to integrate new genes into existing regulatory circuitry. The environmental awareness issue can be controlled using two-component regulatory systems that connect environmental cues to transcription factor activation, whereas the integration problem can be resolved using DNA regulatory evolution to create new regulatory connections between genes. The evolutionary significance of regulatory evolution for host ad...

Phylogenetic approach to the variability of the Microsporidian Enterocytozoon bieneusi and its implications on inter- and intra-host transmission.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Henriques-Gil N, Haro M, Izquierdo F, Fenoy S, Del Águila C Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a microsporidian parasite that infects many vertebrate animals including humans. The rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) shows a hypervariable sequence; however, so far no clear information has been inferred about strain evolution in this species. We review all the sequences described and perform a phylogenetic study. Four groups of sequences strongly differentiated from each other were detected, though most of the isolates (94%) corresponded to group I. The highly diverse sequences of this group were analyzed using Median-joining networks. The host species (human, pet, swine, cattle, bird and wild animals) and the continent of origin of the isolates were considered. Central haplotyp...

Heat Therapy Helps Treat U.S. Soldiers' Infections

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:00:00 +0100

Device works on skin lesions caused by parasite in Iraq, Afghanistan, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Skin Infections, Veterans and Military Health (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Barrier in Mosquito Midgut Protects Invading Pathogens

National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:31:00 +0100

Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito — the main vector of malaria — have found that when the mosquito takes a blood meal, that act triggers two enzymes to form a network of crisscrossing proteins around the ingested blood. The formation of this protein barrier, the researchers found, is part of the normal digestive process that allows so-called "healthy" or commensal gut bacteria to grow without activating mosquito immune responses. But there is a downside: The barrier also prevents the mosquito's immune defense system from clearing any disease-causing agents that may have slipped into the blood meal, such as the Plasmodium malaria parasite, which in turn can be passed on to humans. (Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases)

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Minimal change nephrotic syndrome in a patient with strongyloidiasis

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:14:37 +0100

Abstract Strongyloidiasis, a chronic infection caused by the intestinal parasite Strongyloides stercoralis, is prevalent in the Nansei Islands of Japan. Here, we report our findings on a case of strongyloidiasis complicated with steroid-resistant minimal change nephrotic syndrome in a 69-year-old male resident of Fukuoka Prefecture who had lived in Yakushima, one of the Nansei Islands, until age 15. In October 2006, he developed proteinuria and edema, and was diagnosed with minimal change nephrotic syndrome on the basis of the renal biopsy findings. Following treatment with prednisolone, the level of proteinuria decreased to 0.29 g/day by day 35. However, 5 days later (day 40), the patient developed persistent watery diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration a...

Pretreatment with Cry1Ac Protoxin Modulates the Immune Response, and Increases the Survival of Plasmodium-Infected CBA/Ca Mice

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:50:05 +0100

Malaria is a major global health problem that kills 1-2 million people each year. Despite exhaustive research, naturally acquired immunity is poorly understood. Cry1A proteins are potent immunogens with adjuvant properties and are able to induce strong cellular and humoral responses. In fact, it has been shown that administration of Cry1Ac protoxin alone or with amoebic lysates induces protection against the lethal infection caused by the protozoa Naegleria fowleri. In this work, we studied whether Cry1Ac is able to activate the innate immune response to induce protection against Plasmodium berghei ANKA (lethal) and P. chabaudi AS (nonlethal) parasites in CBA/Ca mice. Treatment with Cry1Ac induced protection against both Plasmodium species in terms of reduced parasitaemia, longer survival ...

Pill found to outdo lotion in tough head-lice cases

Los Angeles Times - Science — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Despite results of a study, the chief author says ivermectin is not advised for first-line use, and it's not approved in the U.S. for use against lice. Head lice are itchy, nasty nuisances that can be hard to get rid of. Can a pill provide relief? A new study has found that in tough cases, an oral medication kills the parasites more effectively than a prescription lotion applied to the scalp. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)

Pill found to outdo lotion in tough head-lice cases

L.A. Times - Health — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Scientists reveal negative impact of Roundup Ready GM crops

NaturalNews.com — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Five studies published in the October 2009 issue of The European Journal of Agronomy reveal the negative impacts of using Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, a formula developed specifically for the company's line of genetically modified (GM) "Roundup Ready" crops. The papers, which were not released in the United States, offer a solid indictment against GM crops and the plight of using the Roundup herbicide.Robert Kremer, a microbiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, co-authored one of the five papers and offered insight into their premise during an interview with The Organic and Non-GMO Report, a monthly newsletter that offers recourse in addressing the challenges of fighting GM foods.Kremer and his colleagues began studying the effects...

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Heat Therapy Treats Skin Infection

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A single session of heat therapy using a new method of delivery appears to be as effective as a 10-day intravenous course of sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) for the treatment of Leishmania major skin lesions caused by a parasitic skin infection. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

An end to lice: The effectiveness of a new oral treatment has been demonstrated

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(INSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)) French medical researchers from the AP-HP (Henri Mondor Hospital and Avicenne Hospital) and Inserm (Unit 738 "Models and methods for therapeutic evaluation of chronic illnesses" and CIC 202, at Tours) have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of a new molecule in the fight against lice. Faced with the emergence of increasing resistance to conventional treatments by these parasites, this new medication represents a real therapeutic alternative which is effective in 95 percent of cases. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Penn researchers identify immune cells that fight parasites may promote allergies and asthma

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Pennsylvania) Millions of people in both the developing and developed world may benefit from new immune-system research findings that identify a cell population that fights off parasitic infections but also causes allergies and asthma. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Research sheds light on the inner workings of the inflammatory response to Leishmaniasis

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Public Library of Science) The secret world of inflammation is slowly being revealed by the application of advanced techniques in microscopy, as shown in a study published March 12 in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens. Researchers at the Hull York Medical School and the University of York used 2-photon microscopy to identify how killer T lymphocytes behaved when they enter sites of inflammation caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani, and which infected cells they were able to recognize. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

Pill may be more effective than lotion in treating head lice, study says

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Head lice are itchy, nasty nuisances that can be hard to get rid of. Can a pill provide relief? A new study has found that in tough cases, an oral medication kills the parasites more effectively than a prescription lotion applied to the scalp. The study,... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

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Pill found to outdo lotion in tough head-lice cases

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Leishmaniasis emergence in Europe

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

is reviewed, based on a search of literature up to and including 2009. Topics covered are the disease, its relevance, transmission and epidemiology, diagnostic methods, treatment, prevention, current geographical distribution, potential factors triggering changes in distribution, and risk prediction. Potential factors triggering distribution changes include vectorial competence, importation or dispersal of vectors and reservoir hosts, travel, and climatic/environmental change. The risk of introducing leishmaniasis into the European Union (EU) and its spread among Member States was assessed for the short (2-3 years) and long term (15-20 years). There is only a low risk of introducing exotic Leishmania species because of the absence of proven vectors and/or reservoir hosts. The main threat ...

A putative kinase related protein (PKRP) from Plasmodium berghei mediates infection in the midgut and salivary glands of the mosquito.

International Journal for Parasitology — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Purcell LA, Leitao R, Ono T, Yanow SK, Pradel G, Spithill TW, Rodriguez A The completion of the Plasmodium (malaria) life cycle in the mosquito requires the parasite to traverse first the midgut and later the salivary gland epithelium. We have identified a putative kinase related protein (PKRP) that is predicted to be an atypical protein kinase, which is conserved across many species of Plasmodium. The pkrp gene encodes a RNA of about 5,300 nucleotides that is expressed as a 90 kDa protein in sporozoites. Targeted disruption of the pkrp gene in Plasmodium berghei, a rodent model of malaria, compromises the ability of parasites to infect different tissues within the mosquito host. Early infection of mosquito midgut is reduced by 58-71%, midgut oocyst production is reduced by 50...

To Eat or not to Eat an Endangered Species: Views of Local Residents and Physicians on the Safety of Sea Turtle Consumption in Northwestern Mexico

EcoHealth — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:26 +0100

Abstract Sea turtles have historically been an important food resource for many coastal inhabitants of Mexico. Today, the consumption of sea turtle meat and eggs continues in northwestern Mexico despite well-documented legal protection and market conditions providing easier access to other more reliable protein sources. Although there is growing evidence that consuming sea turtles may be harmful to human health due to biotoxins, environmental contaminants, viruses, parasites, and bacteria, many at-risk individuals, trusted information sources, and risk communicators may be unaware of this information. Therefore, we interviewed 134 residents and 37 physicians in a region with high rates of sea turtle consumption to: (1) examine their knowledge and perceptions concerning the...

Prevalence, risk factors, and distribution of Cysticercus tenuicollis in visceral organs of slaughtered sheep and goats in central Ethiopia

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:05:01 +0100

Abstract An abattoir survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis, to find out the association between prevalence and potential risk factors as well as to assess the distribution of C. tenuicollis in visceral organs of slaughtered sheep and goats. Out of the total 768 goats and 630 sheep visceral organs inspected, C. tenuicollis was found in 358 goats (46.6%) and 252 sheep (40.0%), respectively. Adult goats (51.8%) and sheep (47.4%) were more infected than kids (41.4%) and lambs (35.8%), respectively. Goats (58.1%) and sheep (46.5%) from highland areas were more infected than goats (35.2%) and sheep (33.8%) from lowland areas. C. tenuicollis was more frequently detected in the omentum of goats and sheep than any other visceral organs. Appropriate...

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Molecular epidemiology of rotaviruses in Bulgaria: annual shift of the predominant genotype

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:01:46 +0100

Abstract Rotavirus molecular epidemiology investigations provide important information about the incidence of rotavirus diseases and rotavirus strains in circulation in the prevaccine era. The purpose of this investigation was to study the burden of rotavirus disease, rotavirus strain diversity, and epidemiology specificities of rotavirus infections in Bulgaria. A total of 3,130 stools collected between 2005 and 2008 were tested by immune enzyme tests. G-P genotype identification of rotavirus strains were performed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Rotavirus etiology was confirmed in 32.4% of the samples tested. Rotaviruses affected predominantly children under 5 years of age (95.5%), with a peak prevalence between the ages of 7 and 36 ...

Synthesis and antiprotozoal activity of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-thioxopyrimidine analogs of combretastatin A-4

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:53:58 +0100

Abstract Eighteen 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-thioxopyrimidine analogs (5a–j, 6a–e, and 7a–c) of combretastatin A-4 were synthesized with the objective of discovering compounds capable of controlling the growth of Trypanosoma lewisii, Leishmania tarantole, Plasmodium falciparum, and Giardia lamblia. Even though the target compounds demonstrated differential cytotoxicity against mammalian cancer cells, with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 to >100 μM, the range of activity against Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and Plasmodium, and to a good extent for Giardia, was narrow. The IC50 values of “active” compounds against the parasites ranged from about 10 μΜ to slightly greater than 50 μΜ. Specifically, compounds 5a, 5g, 5h, 6c, 7a, and 7c were n...

Molecular modeling studies, synthesis and biological evaluation of derivatives of N-phenylbenzamide as Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) inhibitors

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:53:55 +0100

Abstract The search for new antimalarial agents is necessary as current drugs in the market have become vulnerable due to the emergence of resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). The enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) is a validated target for development of antimalarial agents. PfDHODH is a crucial enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway and is essential for the growth of the parasite. In this article, we report the design, synthesis and evaluation of benzanilides as inhibitors of PfDHODH. From the pool of molecules designed using molecular modeling techniques, candidates were shortlisted for further evaluation based on docking scores and 3D-QSAR studies. The activities of these shortlisted analogs were predicted from CoMFA and CoMSIA mode...

Also In Global Health News: Leishmaniasis Treatment; China's National Health Plan; Zimbabwe Food Security; HIV/AIDS Spending In India

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Heating Device Effectively Treats Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Study Says "A heating device that uses radio frequency energy to heat parasites and kill them could provide a new way to treat ... cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, military researchers reported Monday," the Los Angeles Times' blog "Booster Shots" reports. "The new device, called ThermoMed, uses radio frequency radiation to heat the area of the lesion, killing the parasite without damaging nearby healthy cells," according to the blog... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Leishmaniasis Treatment; China's National Health Plan; Zimbabwe Food Security; HIV/AIDS Spending In India

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

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Uganda: New Ways of Treating Malaria Released

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:21:11 +0100

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines for the treatment of malaria. It recommends that oral artemisinin-based monotherapy should be removed from the market because its use promotes parasite resistance. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

Suppressive effect of azithromycin on Plasmodium berghei mosquito stage development and apicoplast replication

Malaria Journal — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: AZM inhibits parasite development in the mosquito stage, probably through the same mechanism as in the liver and blood stages. Such a multi-targeting anti-malarial, along with its safety, would be ideal for mass drug administration in malaria control programmes. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Lymphocytic variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome

Clinical And Experimental Dermatology — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report a patient with unexplained persistent hypereosinophilia associated with a chronic pruritic rash and an underlying diagnosis of HES (lymphocytic variant). (Source: Clinical And Experimental Dermatology)

The development of drugs for treatment of sleeping sickness: a historical review

Parasites and Vectors — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Only four drugs are available for the chemotherapy of human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness; suramin, pentamidine, melarsoprol and eflornithine. The history of the development of these drugs is well known and documented. Suramin, pentamidine and melarsoprol were developed in the first half of the last century by the then recently established methods of medicinal chemistry. Eflornithine, originally developed in the 1970s as an anti-cancer drug, became a treatment of sleeping sickness largely by accident. This review summarises the developmental processes which led to these chemotherapies from the discovery of the first bioactive lead compounds to the identification of the final drugs. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

Global Healing Center founder Ed Group speaks out about toxic chemicals, cleansing, fasting and more

NaturalNews.com — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) In a new video interview posted on YouTube, the Health Ranger interviews Dr. Edward Group, founder of Global Healing Center (www.GHChealth.com), one of America's best-known providers of extremely high-end nutritional and cleansing products.I've been an advocate for Dr. Ed Group's company for many years, having found that it remains one of the very best providers of truly cutting-edge nutritional and cleansing products.I personally use GHC's products on a regular basis, including their Oxy Powder intestinal cleanser, Livatrex liver cleansing tincture and their Paratrex anti-parasite product. They all sell zeolites and a rare, high-quality form of calcium called calcium orotate (in a product called "IntraCal").It's Dr. Group's dedication to truly superior, high-end products lik...

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Evolution of reduced prokaryotic genomes and the minimal cell concept: Variations on a theme

BioEssays — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Prokaryotic genomes of endosymbionts and parasites are examples of naturally evolved minimal cells, the study of which can shed light on life in its minimum form. Their diverse biology, their lack of a large set of orthologous genes and the existence of essential linage (and environmentally) specific genes all illustrate the diversity of genes building up naturally evolved minimal cells. This conclusion is reinforced by the fact that sometimes the same essential function is performed by genes from different evolutionary origins. Nevertheless, all cells perform a set of life-essential functions however different their cell machinery and environment in which they thrive. An upcoming challenge for biologists will be to discern, by studying differences and similarities in current biodiversity,...

New insights into the evolution of subtilisin-like serine protease genes in Pezizomycotina

BMC Evolutionary Biology - Latest articles — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our study provides new insights into the evolution of subtilisin-like serine protease genes in Pezizomycotina. Pezizomycotina subtilisins most likely evolved from endocellular to extracellular proteases. The entomopathogenic and nematode-parasitic fungi likely share similar properties in parasitism. In addition, our data provided better understanding about the duplications and subsequent functional divergence of subtilisin-like serine protease genes in Pezizomycotina. The evidence of positive selection detected in the subtilisin-like serine protease genes of nematode-trapping fungi in the present study suggests that the subtilisin-like serine protease genes may have played important roles during the evolution of pathogenicity of nematode-trapping fungi against nematodes. (Sour...

The response of intestinal mucous cells to the presence of enteric helminths: their distribution, histochemistry and fine structure

Journal of Fish Diseases — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Histochemical and ultrastructural investigations were conducted on the mucous cells of the intestine of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., naturally infected with the cestode Cyathocephalus truncatus (Pallas, 1781) and the acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus truttae Shrank, 1788. A subpopulation of 45 S. trutta were examined of which 15 specimens harboured E. truttae, 15 of which were infected with C. truncatus and 15 fish, the control group, were uninfected. In histological sections, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the mucous cells were evident at the site of parasite infection. Enhanced mucus secretion was also recorded in infected fish. The number of mucous cells close to the site of parasite attachment within the intestine was significantly higher than the number detected in uninfected individual...

Comparative detection of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum DNA in saliva and urine samples from symptomatic malaria patients in a low endemic area

Malaria Journal — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Saliva and urine samples could be alternative noninvasive sources of DNA for molecular detection of both P. falciparum and P. vivax. Further improvement of the detection method will offer an opportunity to use these samples for diagnosis of malaria. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Wash resistance and residual efficacy of long-lasting polyester netting coated with α-cypermethrin (Interceptor) against malaria-transmitting mosquitoes in Assam, northeast India

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:05:57 +0100

Abstract: Malaria is endemic in Assam, northeast India, with low-to-moderate transmission of the causative parasites, mostly by Anopheles minimus. Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant parasite (>60%), with remaining cases being due to P. vivax. As an alternative intervention for malaria control, long-lasting insecticidal nets [Interceptor coated with α-cypermethrin 10% suspension concentrate (SC), 0.667% w/w, 0.2g/m2] underwent field evaluation for laboratory wash resistance and residual efficacy in field conditions against malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. Based on entomological observations, the Interceptor net intervention was the most effective, corresponding to the lowest mosquito vector density in experimental villages. There was virtual disappearance of A. minimus in Interceptor...

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Clinical heterogeneity of human neurocysticercosis results from complex interactions among parasite, host and environmental factors

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:05:56 +0100

Abstract: Human neurocysticercosis (NC) is endemic in most countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa and is re-emerging in some industrialized nations. Both within and among endemic countries, NC is very variable in its clinical and radiological features, as well as in the intensity of the immuno-inflammatory reactions of the hosts. This review, focusing on the Mexican experience, describes and interprets the heterogeneity of NC as the result of different combinations among factors associated with the parasite, host and environment. The review may serve to foster similar descriptive efforts in other endemic areas of the world in order to facilitate the identification of the distinct factors that participate in the complex pathogenesis and diverse clinical outcomes of NC. In particular, i...

Malaria imported into Réunion Island: is there a risk of re-emergence of the disease?

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:05:56 +0100

The objective of this study is to report sociodemographic characteristics of imported malaria patients and incidence rates from 2003–2008 using mandatory notification with the aim of identifying risk groups and destinations.During this period, 684 imported malaria cases were reported. Median age of patients was 34.4 years and 22.1% were children ≤ 15 years. Men represented 67.7% of cases and 59.1% of patients reported having taken chemoprophylaxis based on chloroquine alone. Incidence of malaria was considerably different by country destination. For Comoros, incidence was stable and high during the period accounting for 1481 cases per 100000 travels in 2008. The rate was lower for travels to Madagascar, South Africa and Mayotte and decreased over the period to 37, 19 and 3 per 100000 r...

The infectivity of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana to insecticide-resistant and susceptible Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes at two different temperatures

Malaria Journal — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These results provide evidence that the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana has potential for use as an alternative vector control tool against insecticide-resistant mosquitoes under conditions typical of indoor resting environments. Nonetheless, the observed variation in effective virulence reveals the need for further study to optimize selection of isolates, dose and use strategy in different eco-epidemiological settings. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Acquisition of antibodies to merozoite surface protein 3 among residents of Korogwe, north eastern Tanzania

BMC Infectious Diseases — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Individuals with higher levels of IgG3 might be partially protected from malaria infection. Higher levels of total IgG and IgM in highlands might be due to low exposure to malaria infection, recent infection or presence of cross-reactive antigens. Further studies of longitudinal nature are recommended. Data obtained from this study were used in selection of one village (Kwashemshi) for conducting MSP3 phase 1b malaria vaccine trial in Korogwe. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Treatment development for systemic Tetrahymena sp. infection in guppies, Poecilia reticulata Peters

Journal of Fish Diseases — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Antibacterial and antiparasitic agents and a cysteine protease inhibitor (E-64) were tested against Tetrahymena infection, a serious problem in guppy production worldwide. Chemicals were tested in vitro by a colorimetric assay for Tetrahymena survival. The most effective were niclosamide, albendazole and chloroquine, with 23%, 35% and 60% survival, respectively, following 2-h exposure to 100 ppm. Longer incubation periods resulted in greater reductions in survival. Niclosamide was further studied in vivo at different dosages, administered orally to Tetrahymena-infected guppies. Mortality rates were significantly lower in all treatment groups; in trial I, 30% and 33% mortality in 5 and 40 mg kg[minus]1 niclosamide-fed fish vs. 59% mortality in controls; in trial II, 35%, 13% and 10% in 50, ...

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IL-18, but not IL-15, contributes to the IL-12-dependent induction of NK cell effector functions by Leishmania infantum in vivo.

European Journal of Immunology — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Haeberlein S, Sebald H, Bogdan C, Schleicher U Activation of NK cells is a hallmark of infections with intracellular pathogens. We previously showed that the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum triggered a rapid NK cell response in mice that required TLR9-positive myeloid DC and IL-12, but no IFN-alpha/beta. Here, we investigated whether IL-15 or IL-18 mediate the activity of IL-12 or function as independent activators of NK cells. In contrast to earlier studies that described IL-15 as crucial for NK cell priming in response to TLR ligands, the expression of IFN-gamma, FasL, perforin and granzyme B by NK cells in L. infantum-infected mice was completely preserved in the absence of IL-15, whereas the proliferative capacity of NK cells was lower than in WT mice. IFN-gamma sec...

Murine visceral leishmaniasis: IgM and polyclonal B-Cell activation lead to disease exacerbation.

European Journal of Immunology — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Deak E, Jayakumar A, Cho KW, Goldsmith-Pestana K, Dondji B, Lambris JD, McMahon-Pratt D In visceral leishmaniasis, the draining lymph node (DLN) is the initial site for colonization and establishment of infection after intradermal transmission by the sand fly vector; however, little is known about the developing immune response within this site. Using an intradermal infection model, which allows for parasite visceralization, we have examined the ongoing immune responses in the DLN of BALB/c mice infected with L. infantum. Although not unexpected, at early times post-infection there is a marked B cell expansion in the DLN, which persists throughout infection. However, the characteristics of this response were of interest; as early as day 7 post-infection, polyclonal antibodies ...

Artemisinin resistance: current status and scenarios for containment

Nature Reviews Microbiology — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Arjen M. Dondorp, Shunmay Yeung, Lisa White, Chea Nguon, Nicholas P.J. Day, Duong Socheat & Lorenz von Seidlein Artemisinin combination therapies are the first-line treatments for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in most malaria-endemic countries. Recently, partial artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum malaria has emerged on the Cambodia–Thailand border. Exposure of the parasite population to artemisinin monotherapies in subtherapeutic doses for over 30 years, (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)

A case of canine ocular onchocercosis in Portugal

Veterinary Ophthalmology — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report a case of a 3-year-old male mongrel stray dog from the Algarve region (South Portugal) who had a retrobulbar granuloma containing a filaroid nematode of the genus Onchocerca. A gravid adult female parasite was embedded in a granulomatous inflammation adjacent to the sclera beyond the retina. The parasite was 191 to 267 [mu]m in diameter (mean = 225 [mu]m), surrounded by a cuticule and owing a uterus that was filled with small unsheated microfilariae. The cuticule consisted of two separated layers in longitudinal sections. The external layer had cuticular ridges and the internal layer contained striations. Sequencing of the COI and ND5 mitochondrial genes confirmed the identity of this parasite as Onchocerca lupi. Furthermore, the first sequence of the 12S mitochondrial gene is re...

Purification and Characterization of a beta-Glucosidase from the Root Parasitic Plant Orobanche minor Sm.

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sasanuma I, Hirakawa G The beta-glucosidase of a root parasitic angiosperm, Orobanche minor Sm., was purified and characterized. The optimum pH and temperature for activity of the enzyme were 5.0 and 50 degrees C. The beta-glucosidase was stable at up to 50 degrees C at pH 4.0-10.0. The M(r) was estimated to be 33 kD by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and salicin, but not the cell wall of O. minor or cellohexaose. PMID: 20208378 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry)

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Bilateral Communication between Plastid and the Nucleus: Plastid Protein Import and Plastid-to-Nucleus Retrograde Signaling.

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Inaba T Plastids are a diverse group of organelles found in plants and some parasites. Chloroplasts are the archetypical plastids and are present in photosynthetic plant cells. Because most plastid proteins are encoded by the nuclear genome, plastid biogenesis relies on importing these proteins into the plastid. On the other hand, changes in functional or metabolic states of plastids have been known to affect the expression of nuclear genes encoding plastid proteins, and are collectively called "plastid signals." This regulation is also important for maintaining plastid function. This review focuses on the roles of these anterograde and retrograde pathways in plastid biogenesis and environmental adaptation. PMID: 20208345 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biosci...

Endoscopic management of biliary fascioliasis: a case report

BioMed Central — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Fasciola hepatica should be a part of the differential diagnosis of common bile duct obstruction. When endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is available, the disease can be easily diagnosed and treated. (Source: BioMed Central)

Sequence-based functional annotation: what if most of the genes are unique to a genome?

Trends in Parasitology — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Salavati R, Najafabadi HS The genomes of trypanosomatids are distantly related to other eukaryotes, with significant numbers of hypothetical or conserved hypothetical trypanosomatid-specific genes, whose functions cannot be determined using homology-dependent annotation methods. Here, we describe homology-independent methods to infer biological functions of genes based solely on their sequences. These approaches are not limited to trypanosomatid genomes and provide grounds for analysis of genomes of Plasmodium falciparum and other parasites associated with neglected tropical diseases. A critical evaluation of the current state of annotation of parasitic genomes endorses the need to exploit homology-independent computational methods, which can identify protein functions, potent...

Molecular Biology: Spreading Barrier

Editors' Choice — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:02:19 +0100

DNA methylation generally functions to silence gene expression, and is most often targeted to parasitic and repeated sequences in the genome. Like other epigenetic marks, DNA methylation may be self-propagating, … [Read more] (Source: Editors' Choice)

Intestinal Parasitic Infection Detected by Stool Examination in Foreign Laborers in Kaohsiung

The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:27:19 +0100

Most foreign laborers in Taiwan come from Southeast Asia, where public health is not as well funded as in Taiwan, and parasitic infections are still common. Therefore, we recruited foreign laborers to undergo examination for parasitic infection to de ...more (Source: The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences)

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Apical Surface Expression of Aspartic Protease Plasmepsin 4, a Potential Transmission-blocking Target of the Plasmodium Ookinete [Microbiology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:37:13 +0100

To invade its definitive host, the mosquito, the malaria parasite must cross the midgut peritrophic matrix that is composed of chitin cross-linked by chitin-binding proteins and then develop into an oocyst on the midgut basal lamina. Previous evidence indicates that Plasmodium ookinete-secreted chitinase is important in midgut invasion. The mechanistic role of other ookinete-secreted enzymes in midgut invasion has not been previously examined. De novo mass spectrometry sequencing of a protein obtained by benzamidine affinity column of Plasmodium gallinaceum ookinete axenic culture supernatant demonstrated the presence of an ookinete-secreted plasmepsin, an aspartic protease previously only known to be present in the digestive vacuole of asexual stage malaria parasites. This plasmepsin, the...

Laparoscopic Removal of Multiple Parasitic Myomas Adherent to the Bowel

Journal of Gynecologic Surgery — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:51:53 +0100

Journal of Gynecologic Surgery Jan 2010, Vol. 26, No. 1: 73-77. (Source: Journal of Gynecologic Surgery)

Bedbugs, Scabies And Head Lice Oh My!

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

If simply the thought of bedbugs, scabies and head lice makes you feel a little itchy, imagine how those affected by these common infestations feel when they learn what has been creeping around them and causing symptoms such as intense itching, red bite marks or irritated scalps. Even less comforting is the fact that some parasitic infestations are on the rise, and can strike adults and children in unsuspecting places. Speaking today at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), dermatologist Albert C... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Queen's Spearheads One Million Pound International Research Effort Into Liver Fluke

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Queen's University Belfast is spearheading a Â£1 million international research effort to combat liver fluke a parasite which causes disease in livestock, resulting in billions of pounds in losses every year to farmers around the world... (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Discovery Of New Immune Cells Offers Hope Of Asthma Treatment

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) have discovered a new type of immune cell which could eventually lead to new preventative treatments for asthma. These newly-discovered cells, called 'nuocytes', have been found to be responsible for producing a chemical, known as Interleukin 13 (IL-13), designed to help the immune system fight against certain parasites. Researchers have identified that too much IL-13 may trigger a reaction in asthma patients, causing the airways to become narrower and irritated, making it difficult to breathe... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Queen's Spearheads One Million Pound International Research Effort Into Liver Fluke

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Queen's University Belfast is spearheading a Â£1 million international research effort to combat liver fluke a parasite which causes disease in livestock, resulting in billions of pounds in losses every year to farmers around the world. The disease caused by liver fluke worms Fasciolosis has a huge impact on livestock globally, causing ill health in animals and dramatically reducing productivity. Losses to UK farmers are estimated at over Â£300 million per year, while in India, Fasciolosis costs the agricultural sector between Â£1.3 and Â£3 billion per year... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Discovery Of New Immune Cells Offers Hope Of Asthma Treatment

Asthma / Respiratory News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) have discovered a new type of immune cell which could eventually lead to new preventative treatments for asthma. These newly-discovered cells, called 'nuocytes', have been found to be responsible for producing a chemical, known as Interleukin 13 (IL-13), designed to help the immune system fight against certain parasites... (Source: Asthma / Respiratory News From Medical News Today)

Evidence that low endocytic activity is not directly responsible for human serum resistance in the insect form of African trypanosomes

BioMed Central — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These observations suggest that a high rate of endocytosis per se is insufficient to render insect form parasites sensitive to TLF or tsetse-derived trypanocidal factors. However, the data do suggest that endocytosis is energetically burdensome, as endocytic activity is rapidly compromised on energy depletion in bloodstream stages. Hence an important aspect of endocytic modulation in the nutrient-poor tsetse midgut is likely energetic conservation. (Source: BioMed Central)

Geometric constrains for detecting short actin filaments by cryogenic electron tomography

PMC Biophysics — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Polymerization of actin into filaments can push membranes forming extensions like filopodia or lamellipodia, which are important during processes such as cell motility and phagocytosis. Similarly, small organelles or pathogens can be moved by actin polymerization. Such actin filaments can be arranged in different patterns and are usually hundreds of nanometers in length as revealed by various electron microscopy approaches. Much shorter actin filaments are involved in the motility of apicomplexan parasites. However, these short filaments have to date not been visualized in intact cells. Here, we investigated Plasmodium sporozoites, the motile forms of the malaria parasite that are transmitted by the mosquito, using cryogenic electron tomography. We detected filopodia-like extensions of the...

Geometric constrains for detecting short actin filaments by cryogenic electron tomography

PMC Biophysics — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

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Allocatelliglobosispora scoriae gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from volcanic ash.

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lee DW, Lee SD A novel actinomycete, designated strain Sco-B14T, was isolated from volcanic ash which was collected near Darangshi Oreum (a parasitic volcano) in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The organism formed well-developed, branched substrate mycelia, on which short chains of non-motile spores arranged singly or in cluster. Aerial mycelium was not produced. Globose bodies were observed. The reverse colour of colonies was light brown to brown. Diffusible pigments were produced on ISP medium 3 and oatmeal-nitrate agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Sco-B14T formed a lineage within the family Micromonosporaceae and distinct from all of the established genera. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of strain Sco-B14T to related gene...

Cyclic GMP as a second messenger in the nitric oxide mediated conidiation of the mycoparasite Coniothyrium minitans.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Li B, Fu Y, Jiang D, Xie J, Cheng J, Li G, Hamid MI, Yi X Understanding signaling pathways that modulate conidiation of mitosporic fungi is of both practical and theoretical importance. The enzymatic origin of nitric oxide (NO) and its roles in conidiation by the sclerotial parasite Coniothyrium minitans were investigated. The activity of a nitric oxide synthase-like (NOS-like) enzyme was detected in C. minitans as evidenced by the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline. Guanylate cyclase (GC) activity was also detected indirectly in C. minitans with the GC specific inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] Oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), which significantly reduced production of cGMP. The dynamics of NOS activity were closely mirrored by the cGMP levels during pycnidial development, w...

Queen's spearheads £1M international research effort into liver fluke

EurekAlert! - Biology — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Queen's University Belfast) Queen's University Belfast is spearheading an £1 ($1.5) million international research effort to combat liver fluke -- a parasite which causes disease in livestock, resulting in billions of pounds in losses every year to farmers around the world.The disease caused by liver fluke worms -- Fasciolosis -- has a huge impact on livestock globally, causing ill health in animals and dramatically reducing productivity. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)

Subarachnoidal Neurocysticercosis non-responsive to cysticidal drugs: a case series.

BioMed Central — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The possible factors involved in the cysticidal non-response are discussed and hints are provided of potentially useful changes to therapeutic protocols. (Source: BioMed Central)

Adaptor Protein 2 Regulates Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis and Cyst Formation in Giardia lamblia

BJ Cell — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we describe the participation of the heterotetrameric clathrin-adaptor protein gAP2 complex in lysosomal protein trafficking. A specific monoclonal antibody against the medium subunit (gµ2) of gAP2 showed localization of this complex to the PVs, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane in the growing trophozoites. gAP2 also colocalized with clathrin in the PVs, suggesting its involvement in endocytosis. Uptake experiments using standard molecules for the study of endocytosis revealed that gAP2 specifically participated in the endocytosis of LDL. Targeted downregulation of the gene encoding gµ2 in growing and encysting trophozoites resulted in a large decrease in the amount of cell growth and cyst wall formation, suggesting a distinct mechanism in which gAP2 is directly i...

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Re-Evaluation of the EUK516 Probe for the Domain Eukarya Results in a Suitable Probe for the Detection of Kinetoplastids, an Important Group of Parasitic and Free-Living Flagellates

The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACT. Two frequently used universal eukaryote probes, EUK1209 and EUK516, are not consistent with one branch of the eukaryotic phylogenetic tree, the Kinetoplastida, which has undergone rapid evolution of their small subunit rRNA gene. Kinetoplastids include medically important parasitic organisms (e.g. Trypanosoma, Leishmania) and free-living flagellates that occur in all aquatic environments and in soils (e.g. Bodo, Neobodo, Rhynchomonas). A modified probe presented here as KIN516, now based on the kinetoplastid sequence, provides a strong signal with Neobodo designis, Leishmania donovani, and Trypanosoma cruzi using the catalyzed reporter deposition protocol. EUK516 and KIN516 function as competitor probes, thereby greatly increasing discriminatory power when used in combination. Th...

Coordinated loading of IRG resistance GTPases on to the Toxoplasma gondii parasitophorous vacuole

Cellular Microbiology — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The immunity-related GTPases (IRGs) constitute an interferon-induced intracellular resistance mechanism in mice against Toxoplasma gondii. IRG proteins accumulate on the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), leading to its disruption and to death of the parasite. How IRGs target the PVM is unknown. We show that accumulation of IRGs on the PVM begins minutes after parasite invasion and increases for about 1 h. Targeting occurs independently of several signalling pathways and the microtubule network, suggesting that IRG transport is diffusion-driven. The intensity of IRG accumulation on the PVM, however, is reduced in absence of the autophagy regulator, Atg5. In wild-type cells IRG proteins accumulate cooperatively on PVMs in a definite order reflecting a temporal hierarchy, with Irgb6 and...

Scientometric analysis of the world-wide research efforts concerning Leishmaniasis

Parasites and Vectors — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Although leishmaniasis is of limited geographic distribution it attracts a wide research interest. The central hub of research cooperation is the USA. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

Main reasons for hospital admissions by women with a history of methadone maintenance

Drug and Alcohol Review — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. The elevated risk of hospital admission for a number of disorders suggests that women with a history of methadone maintenance experience these health events at a level of severity warranting hospital admission. Further contextual work is necessary to determine the effective preventive and management strategies.[Burns L, Conroy E, Mattick RP. Main reasons for hospital admissions by women with a history of methadone maintenance. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010] (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)

Adaptor Protein 2 Regulates Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis and Cyst Formation in Giardia lamblia.

The Biochemical Journal — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we describe the participation of the heterotetrameric clathrin-adaptor protein gAP2 complex in lysosomal protein trafficking. A specific monoclonal antibody against the medium subunit (gmicro2) of gAP2 showed localization of this complex to the PVs, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane in the growing trophozoites. gAP2 also colocalized with clathrin in the PVs, suggesting its involvement in endocytosis. Uptake experiments using standard molecules for the study of endocytosis revealed that gAP2 specifically participated in the endocytosis of LDL. Targeted downregulation of the gene encoding gmicro2 in growing and encysting trophozoites resulted in a large decrease in the amount of cell growth and cyst wall formation, suggesting a distinct mechanism in which gAP2 is directly involve...

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Translation inhibitory factors encoded in Cotesia plutellae bracovirus require the 5'-UTR of a host mRNA target.

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study analyzed their effects on host gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. A proteomic approach using two dimensional electrophoresis revealed that the parasitization resulted in 24.0% (60/250 spots) reduction of gene expression compared to nonparasitized control. It also indicated that the transient expression of CpBV15alpha or CpBV15beta in nonparasitized larvae resulted in 26.0% (65/240 spots) or 28.0% (70/240 spots) reduction, respectively. Seven spots that were not detected in the transiently expressed samples were further analyzed by a tandem mass spectrometry. These proteins were predicted to be associated with host cell signaling and metabolism. To investigate translation inhibitory effects of CpBV15alpha and CpBV15beta, capped mRNA of a storage protein 1 (SP1) of P...

Also In Global Health News: Potential Roundworm Treatment; Opposition To Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill; Low-Cost Toilets; ARV Treatment During Emergencies

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Bacterial Protein Kills Intestinal Roundworms In Mice, Could Lead To Human Treatment Researchers have discovered that a "bacterial protein used in a common pesticide kills intestinal parasitic roundworms in mice," which may pave a way for treatment in humans, Nature News reports (Fang, 3/2). "These parasites, which include hookworms and whipworms, infect about two billion people in underdeveloped tropical regions and are cumulatively one of the leading causes of debilitation worldwide," according to a University of California San Diego press release (3/1)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Potential Roundworm Treatment; Opposition To Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill; Low-Cost Toilets; ARV Treatment During Emergencies

HIV / AIDS News From Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Conservation and divergence of known apicomplexan transcriptional regulons

BioMed Central — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Even though transcription factors are underrepresented in apicomplexans, the distribution of these factors and their associated regulons reflect common and family-specific transcriptional regulatory processes. (Source: BioMed Central)

Markers of anti-malarial drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Swaziland: identification of pfmdr1-86F in natural parasite isolates

Malaria Journal — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The prevalence of pfcrt and pfmdr1 alleles reported in this study is consistent with a parasite population under sustained CQ drug pressure. The low prevalence of dhps-437G and dhps-540E mutations (ISGEAA) and the rarity of quintuple-mutant haplotype pfdhfr/pfdhps-CIRNI/ISGEAA suggest that SP retains some efficacy in Swaziland. Anti-malarial policy changes in neighbouring countries may have had an impact on the prevalence of molecular markers of anti-malarial resistance in Swaziland, and it is hoped that this new information will add to understanding of the regional anti-malarial resistance map. (Source: Malaria Journal)

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Nuocytes represent a new innate effector leukocyte that mediates type-2 immunity

Nature AOP — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Daniel R. Neill, See Heng Wong, Agustin Bellosi, Robin J. Flynn, Maria Daly, Theresa K. A. Langford, Christine Bucks, Colleen M. Kane, Padraic G. Fallon, Richard Pannell, Helen E. Jolin & Andrew N. J. McKenzie Innate immunity provides the first line of defence against invading pathogens and provides important cues for the development of adaptive immunity. Type-2 immunity—responsible for protective immune responses to helminth parasites and the underlying cause of the pathogenesis of allergic asthma—consists of responses dominated by the cardinal type-2 cytokines interleukin (IL)4, IL5 and IL13 (ref. 5). T cells are an important source of these cytokines in adaptive immune responses, but the innate cell sources remain to be comprehensively determined. Here, through ...

Mechanisms of temporary adhesion in benthic animals

Biological Reviews — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Adhesive systems are ubiquitous in benthic animals and play a key role in diverse functions such as locomotion, food capture, mating, burrow building, and defence. For benthic animals that release adhesives, surface and material properties and external morphology have received little attention compared to the biochemical content of the adhesives. We address temporary adhesion of benthic animals from the following three structural levels: (a) the biochemical content of the adhesive secretions, (b) the micro- and mesoscopic surface geometry and material properties of the adhesive organs, and (c) the macroscopic external morphology of the adhesive organs. We show that temporary adhesion of benthic animals is affected by three structural levels: the adhesive secretions provide binding to the s...

In this issue.

European Journal of Immunology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: COVER IMAGE: The cover picture features the hallmark set of scales representing the balancing of opinions in our Viewpoint series, with the cells representing the various immune components affected by altered inflammasome activation. The schematic is taken from the article by Meng and Strober (pp. 649-653), which examines the role of Nlrp3 mutations in murine models of autoinflammatory diseases. EBV TRIGGERS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to genetic factors, external factors such as the environment and pathogens are also thought to contribute to MS pathogenesis. Among these candidate factors is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as suggested by large seroepidemiological studies and ...

MAPK-directed phosphatases preferentially regulate pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in experimental visceral leishmaniasis: involvement of distinct protein kinase C isoforms.

Journal of Leukocyte Biology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study, for the first time, suggests the possibility of the involvement of MAPK-directed phosphatases in the establishment of L. donovani infection. PMID: 20200403 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Leukocyte Biology)

Human eosinophil granulocytes do not express the enzyme arginase.

Journal of Leukocyte Biology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Luckner-Minden C, Fischer I, Langhans CD, Schiller M, Kropf P, Müller I, Hohlfeld JM, Ho AD, Munder M Human polymorphonuclear PMN constitutively express the enzyme arginase I, which hydrolyzes arginine to ornithine and urea. This arginine consumption has been recognized as a key pathway of myeloid cell-mediated suppression of the adaptive immune system during inflammation, infection, and tumor growth. Eos granulocytes are crucial immunoregulatory and effector cells of allergic inflammation and infections with parasites and helminths and in a variety of tumors. Here, we analyzed if human Eos also express arginase with its potential immunosuppressive consequences. We show that human peripheral blood Eos do not express arginase I or II protein or arginase enzymatic activity....

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Lipid and fatty acid composition of parasitic caligid copepods belonging to the genus Lepeophtheirus.

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tocher JA, Dick JR, Bron JE, Shinn AP, Tocher DR Sea lice are copepod ectoparasites that constitute a major barrier to the sustainability and economic viability of marine finfish aquaculture operations worldwide. In particular, the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, poses a considerable problem for salmoniculture in the northern hemisphere. The free-swimming nauplii and infective copepodids of L. salmonis are lecithotrophic, subsisting principally on maternally-derived lipid reserves. However, the lipids and fatty acids of sea lice have been sparsely studied and therefore the present project aimed to investigate the lipid and fatty acid composition of sea lice of the genus Lepeophtheirus obtained from a variety of fish hosts. Total lipid was extracted from eggs and adult f...

Atomic evidence that modification of H-bonds established with amino acids critical for host cell binding induces sterile immunity against malaria.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research communications — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Patarroyo ME, Cifuentes G, Piraján C, Moreno-Vranich A, Vanegas M Based on the 3D X-ray crystallographic structures of relevant proteins of the malaria parasite involved in invasion to host cells and 3D NMR structures of High Activity Binding peptides (HABPs) and their respective analogues, it was found that HABPs are rendered into highly immunogenic and sterile immunity inducers in the Aotus experimental model by modifying those amino acids that establish H bonds with other HABPs or binding to host's cells. This finding adds striking and novel physicochemical principles, at the atomic level, for a logical and rational vaccine development methodology against infectious disease, among them malaria. PMID: 20206601 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biochemical...

Role of Chemokines in Regulation of Immunity against Leishmaniasis.

Experimental Parasitology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Oghumu SO, Lezama-Dávila CM, Isaac-Márquez AP, Satoskar AR Successful immunity to Leishmania depends on recruitment of appropriate immune effector cells to the site of infection and chemokines play a crucial role in the process. At the same time, Leishmania parasites possess the ability to modify the chemokine profiles of their host thereby facilitating establishment of progressive infection. Therapeutic and prophylactic strategies targeted at chemokines and their receptors provide a promising area for further research. This review highlights our current knowledge concerning the role of chemokines and their receptors in modulating leishmaniasis in both clinical settings and experimental disease models. PMID: 20206625 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: E...

Longitudinal multi-locus molecular characterisation of sporadic Australian human clinical cases of cryptosporidiosis from 2005 to 2008.

Experimental Parasitology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ng J, Mackenzie B, Ryan U Cryptosporidium is a gastrointestinal parasite that is recognised as a significant cause of non-viral diarrhea in both developing and industrialised countries. In the present study, a longitudinal analysis of 248 faecal specimens from Australian humans with gastrointestinal symptoms from 2005 to 2008 was conducted. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene locus and the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene locus revealed that 195 (78.6%) of the cases were due to infection with C. hominis, 49 (19.8%) with C. parvum and four (1.6%) with C. meleagridis. A total of eight gp60 subtype families were identified; five C. hominis subtype families (Ib, Id, Ie, If and Ig), and two C. parvum subtype families (IIa and IId). The Id subtype family was the most common C. hom...

Regulation of Gene Expression in Protozoa Parasites

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:36:59 +0100

Infections with protozoa parasites are associated with high burdens of morbidity and mortality across the developing world. Despite extensive efforts to control the transmission of these parasites, the spread of populations resistant to drugs and the lack of effective vaccines against them contribute to their persistence as major public health problems. Parasites should perform a strict control on the expression of genes involved in their pathogenicity, differentiation, immune evasion, or drug resistance, and the comprehension of the mechanisms implicated in that control could help to develop novel therapeutic strategies. However, until now these mechanisms are poorly understood in protozoa. Recent investigations into gene expression in protozoa parasites suggest that they possess many of ...

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New horizons for studying human hepatotropic infections

Journal of Clinical Investigation — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:25:43 +0100

The liver serves as a target organ for several important pathogens, including hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV, respectively) and the human malaria parasites, all of which represent serious global health problems. Because these pathogens are restricted to human hepatocytes, research in small animals has been compromised by the frailty of the current mouse xenotransplantation models. In this issue of the JCI, Bissig et al. demonstrate robust HBV and HCV infection in a novel xenotransplantation model in which large numbers of immunodeficient mice with liver injury were engrafted with significant quantities of human hepatocytes. This technical advance paves the way for more widespread use of human liver chimeric mice and forms the basis for creating increasingly complex humanized mouse ...

Simplified molecular detection of Leishmania parasites in various clinical samples from patients with Leishmaniasis

BioMed Central — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The NASBA-OC format brings implementation of molecular diagnosis of leishmaniasis in resource poor countries one step closer. (Source: BioMed Central)

Transmission blocking activity of a standardized neem (Azadirachta indica) seed extract on the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in its vector Anopheles stephensi

Malaria Journal — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This work demonstrated in vivo transmission blocking activity of an azadirachtin-enriched neem seed extract at an azadirachtin dose compatible with 'druggability' requisites. These results and evidence of anti-plasmodial activity of neem products accumulated over the last years encourage to convey neem compounds into the drug discovery & development pipeline and to evaluate their potential for the design of novel or improved transmission-blocking remedies. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Toxoplasma gondii: epidemiology, feline clinical aspects, and prevention.

Trends in Parasitology — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Elmore SA, Jones JL, Conrad PA, Patton S, Lindsay DS, Dubey JP Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of birds and mammals. Cats are the only definitive host and thus the only source of infective oocysts, but other mammals and birds can develop tissue cysts. Although feline infections are typically asymptomatic, infection during human pregnancy can cause severe disease in the fetus. Cat owners can reduce their pets' exposure risk by keeping all cats indoors and not feeding them raw meat. Humans usually become infected through ingestion of oocyst-contaminated soil and water, tissue cysts in undercooked meat, or congenitally. Because of their fastidious nature, the passing of non-infective oocysts, and the short duration of oocyst shedding, direct contact with cats is not thought to be...

The Ins and Outs of Editing and Splicing of Plastid RNAs: Lessons from Parasitic Plants.

New Biotechnology — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tillich M, Krause K In chloroplasts of higher plants, editing and splicing of transcripts is a prerequisite for the proper expression of the plastid genetic information and thereby for photosynthesis. Holoparasitic plants differ from photosynthetic plants in that they have abandoned a photoautotrophic lifestyle, which has led to a reduction or loss of photosynthetic activity. The analysis of several parasitic plant plastid genomes revealed that coding capacities were reduced to different extent, encompassing genes that regulate plastid gene expression as well as photosynthesis genes. The reorganization of the plastid genome is also reflected in overall increases in point mutation rates that parallel the vanishing of RNA editing sites. Unprecedented in land plants is the parall...

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Trypanosoma cruzi: Synergistic cytotoxicity of multiple amphipathic anti-microbial peptides to T. cruzi and potential bacterial hosts.

Experimental Parasitology — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fieck A, Hurwitz I, Kang AS, Durvasula R The parasite Trypanasoma cruzi is responsible for Chagas disease and its triatomine vector, Rhodnius prolixus, has a symbiotic relationship with the soil bacterium, Rhodococcus rhodnii. R. rhodnii that was previously genetically engineered to produce the anti-microbial peptide, cecropin A was co-infected with T. cruzi into R. prolixus resulting in clearance of the infectious T. cruzi in 65% of the vectors. Similar anti-microbial peptides have been isolated elsewhere and were studied for differential toxicity against T. cruzi and R. rhodnii. Of the six anti-microbial peptides tested, apidaecin, magainin II, melittin, and cecropin A were deemed potential candidates for the Chagas paratransgenic system as they were capable of killing T.cru...

Teladorsagia circumcincta: Activation-associated secreted proteins in excretory/secretory products of fourth stage larvae are targets of early IgA responses in infected sheep.

Experimental Parasitology — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Nisbet AJ, Smith SK, Armstrong S, Meikle LI, Wildblood LA, Beynon RJ, Matthews JB A detailed proteomic analysis of excreted/secretory (ES) proteins derived from fourth stage larvae (L4) of Teladorsagia circumcincta identified a number of components, including N-type and C-type single domain activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs). Immunoblotting of L4 ES extracts with abomasal mucus derived from infected, immune sheep demonstrated the immunogenicity of some of these components, including an N-type single domain ASP, designated Tci-ASP-1. The full-length cDNA encoding this protein was isolated and sequenced. Homology searches using the inferred amino acid sequence of Tci-ASP-1 showed that it had highest identity (75% over 231 residues) to, a N-type, single domain ASP fro...

Bt protein found effective against parasitic roundworm infections

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(University of California - San Diego) Biologists at UC San Diego have discovered that a protein from a soil bacterium used to kill insects naturally on organic crops is a highly effective treatment for intestinal parasitic roundworms. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

Efficacy and tolerability of artesunate-amodiaquine (Camoquin plus®) versus artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem®) against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria: multisite trial in Senegal and Ivory Coast

Tropical Medicine and International Health — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion This study demonstrates the efficacy and tolerability of AS + AQ for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria treatment in African patients over the age of 7 years. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)

Dual effect of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes on dendritic cell maturation

Malaria Journal — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Despite the presence of inflammatory molecules within Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes, which are probably responsible for DC maturation induced by lysates, intact Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes induce a general inhibition of TLR responsiveness in DC. The observed effect on DC could play an important role in the pathology and suboptimal immune response observed during the disease. These results help to explain why immune functions are altered during malaria, and provide a system for the identification of a parasite-derived broad inhibitor of TLR-mediated signaling pathways. (Source: Malaria Journal)

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Attracting, trapping and killing disease-transmitting mosquitoes using odor-baited stations -The Ifakara Odor-Baited Stations

Parasites and Vectors — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We describe a new odor-baited station for trapping, contaminating and killing disease-transmitting mosquitoes. This device, named the 'Ifakara Odor-baited Station' (Ifakara OBS), is a 4m3 hut-shaped canvas box with seven openings, two of which may be fitted with interception traps to catch exiting mosquitoes. It is baited with synthetic human odors and may be augmented with contaminants including toxic insecticides or biological agents. Results: In field trials where panels of fabric were soaked in 1% pirimiphos-methyl solution and suspended inside the Ifakara OBS, at least 73.6% of Anopheles arabiensis, 78.7% of Culex and 60% of Mansonia mosquitoes sampled while exiting the OBS, died within 24 hours. When used simply as a trap and evaluated against two existing outdoor traps, Ifakara Tent...

Is evaluation of a faecal smear a useful technique in the diagnosis of canine pulmonary angiostrongylosis?

The Journal of Small Animal Practice — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Objectives: To describe a method of faecal smear production and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of faecal smear for detection of parasitic larvae using Baermann sedimentation as a gold standard Methods: Faecal smears were produced from samples submitted to the Royal Veterinary College Diagnostic Laboratory Service for Baermann sedimentation. An inexperienced and an experienced assessor each examined the smear for larvae for a maximum of five minutes. Results: One hundred and eighty six samples were analysed of which 28 were positive for Angiostrongylus vasorum on Baermann sedimentation. The experienced assessor had a faecal smear sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 100%. The inexperienced assessor had a faecal smear sensitivity of 54% and a specificity of 95%. Clinical Sig...

Haemolysis after a single dose of primaquine co-administered with an artemisinin is not restricted to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD A- variant) deficient individuals in Tanzania.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Shekalaghe SA, Ter Braak R, Daou M, Kavishe R, van den Bijllaardt W, van den Bosch S, Koenderink JB, Luty AJ, Whitty CJ, Drakeley C, Sauerwein RW, Bousema T The current interest in malaria elimination has led to a renewed interest in drugs that could be used in mass administration to minimise malaria transmission. Primaquine (PQ) is the only generally available drug with a strong activity against mature P. falciparum gametocytes, the parasite stage responsible for transmission. Despite concerns about PQ-induced haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals, a single dose of PQ may be safe and efficacious in clearing gametocytes that persist after conventional treatment. As part of a mass drug intervention, we determined the haematolytic effect of...

Decreased in vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum Isolates to artesunate, mefloquine, chloroquine and quinine in Cambodia from 2001 to 2007.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study describes the results of antimalarial in vitro susceptibility assays and molecular polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Cambodia. The samples were collected from patients enrolled in therapeutic efficacy studies (TES) conducted by the Cambodian National Malaria Control Program for the routine efficacy monitoring of artemisinin-based combination therapy or ACT (artesunate-mefloquine and artemether-lumefantrine combinations). The isolates (n=2041) were obtained from nine sentinel sites during 2001 - 2007. Among these, 1,588 were examined for their in vitro susceptibility to four antimalarials (artesunate, mefloquine, chloroquine and quinine) and 851 isolates were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The geometric means of the IC50 (GMIC50) were sign...

Rapid Dissemination of Newly Introduced Plasmodium vivax Genotypes in South Korea.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Choi YK, Choi KM, Park MH, Lee EG, Kim YJ, Lee BC, Cho SH, Rhie HG, Lee HS, Yu JR, Lee JS, Kim TS, Kim JY Reemerged Plasmodium vivax malaria in South Korea has not yet been eradicated despite continuous governmental efforts. It has rather become an endemic disease. Our study aimed to determine the genetic diversity in P. vivax merozoite surface protein-1 (PvMSP-1) and circumsporozoite protein (PvCSP) genes over an extended period after its reemergence to its current status. Sequence analysis of PvMSP-1 gene sequences from the 632 P. vivax isolates during 1996-2007 indicates that most isolates recently obtained were different from isolates obtained in the initial reemergence period. There was initially only one subtype (recombinant) present but its subtypes have varied since 20...

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Significance of travel to rural areas as a risk factor for malarial anemia in an urban setting.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Siri JG, Wilson ML, Murray S, Rosen DH, Vulule JM, S.sker L, Lindblade KA The epidemiology of malaria in urban environments is poorly characterized, yet increasingly problematic. We conducted an unmatched case-control study of risk factors for malarial anemia with high parasitemia in urban Kisumu, Kenya, from June 2002 through February 2003. Cases (n = 80) were hospital patients with a hemoglobin level </= 8 g/dL and a Plasmodium parasite density >/= 10,000/muL. Controls (n = 826) were healthy respondents to a concurrent citywide knowledge, attitude, and practice survey. Children who reported spending at least one night per month in a rural area were especially at risk (35% of cases; odds ratio = 9.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.4-19.7, P < 0.0001), and use of mo...

[Neuroimmunological diagnosis of neurocysticercosis and other parasitic infestations that can produce epilepsy. Reply.]

Revista de Neurologia — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Carod-Artal FJ PMID: 20217655 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)

[Neuroimmunological diagnosis of neurocysticercosis and other parasitic infestations that can produce epilepsy.]

Revista de Neurologia — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dorta-Contreras AJ PMID: 20217654 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)

Atopic dermatitis keratinocytes exhibit normal TH17 cytokine responses

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To the Editor: Host response against infectious challenge is typically mediated by specialized subsets of CD4+ effector TH cells. TH1 cells producing IFN-γ mediate cellular immunity against intracellular pathogens, whereas TH2 cells producing IL-4 and IL-13 mediate humoral immunity against parasites and helminths. TH17 cells producing IL-17 confer early protection against pathogenic insult in epithelial surfaces by inducing neutrophil-mediated immune responses and enhanced production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as β-defensins, lipocalin, and S100 proteins. (Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology)

Polymorphisms of chitinases are not associated with asthma

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To the Editor: One of the most exciting findings recently in the pathophysiology of asthma is that mammalian chitinases might play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Some researchers hypothesize that mammalian chitinases and a chitinase homologue might contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 helper immune responses, which play an important role in asthma. Chitinases are enzymes that cleave chitin, a polysaccharide that is present in fungal cells, crustaceans, insects, and parasitic nematodes. Although chitin does not exist in human subjects, 2 chitinases, acidic mammalian chitinase (CHIA) and chitotriosidase (CHIT1), have been described in human subjects. A third protein, chitinase-like protein YKL-40 (also known as human cartilage glycoprotein 39 and chitinase 3–like 1 [...

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Leishmaniasis and Rheumatoid Nodulosis in a Patient with HIV Infection.

Actas Dermo-Sifiliograficas — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We describe the case of a 44-year-old homosexual man diagnosed with HIV infection and visceral leishmaniasis. He presented nodules on the dorsum of the hands. Histological study of one of the nodules revealed necrobiotic palisading granulomas with abundant Leishmania amastigotes within the histiocytes and in the adjacent extracellular space. Tissue and peripheral blood cultures were positive for Leishmania infantum, zymodeme MON-24. A biopsy of healthy skin did not reveal the presence of Leishmania. A diagnosis of rheumatoid nodulosis with Leishmania was made and treatment was started with intravenous liposomal amphotericin, leading to slight improvement. We believe that the presence of the parasite within the nodules was the result of its dissemination during visceral leishmaniasis in an ...

Number of bugs in British soil up 50%

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:24:29 +0100

This article was amended on Monday 1 March. The headline incorrectly said the number of bugs had doubled. This has been corrected.InsectsWildlifeBiodiversityBiologyAgricultureJuliette Jowitguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

Metal microchanelled fine-toothed comb use in the diagnosis of pediculosis

Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:01:59 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis with the microchanelled fine-toothed comb is twice as fast and 3.6 times more efficient than through direct visual exam.The direct visual exam detects non-active, past infestations, and underestimates active ones. (Source: Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia)

Bottleneck effects on vaccine-candidate antigen diversity of malaria parasites in Thailand.

Vaccine — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jongwutiwes S, Putaporntip C, Hughes AL A number of cell surface antigens of the infective stages of malaria parasites (genus Plasmodium) have been proposed as vaccine candidates, but high levels of polymorphism at the loci encoding these antigens are problematic for vaccine effectiveness. In order to test for the effects of anti-malarial control measures (including drugs and vector control) on polymorphism at antigen-encoding loci, we analyzed sequences of four antigen-encoding loci from P. vivax and two from P. falciparum collected in 2006-2007 from two areas of Thailand: (1) the NW, where malaria cases have remained high until recently; and (2) the South, where control measures have caused a dramatic decline in numbers of cases since 1990. Polymorphism in non-repeat regions...

How to Get Rid of Head Lice Naturally

NaturalNews.com — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Head lice are easily transmitted by head-to head contact or by sharing combs, brushes or caps. Infestations are common in school children but this is not an indication of poor hygiene or dirty hair. Lice lay their eggs along the base of the hair shaft, close to the scalp. Conventional cures include the application of strong smelling insecticides or shampoos which can be harmful to health, especially in the case of small children. Go the natural route in preventing and treating head lice infestations.Preventing Head LiceDo not think a problem with lice will not affect you or your family. Inspect your child's head regularly for lice and nits, paying particular attention to the hairline, neck and areas above the ears. If there is an outbreak at your child's school, be even more ...

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Febrile temperature but not proinflammatory cytokines promotes phosphatidylserine expression on Plasmodium falciparum malaria-infected red blood cells during parasite maturation

Cytometry Part A — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study investigates the effect of febrile temperature and proinflammatory cytokines on phosphatidylserine (PS) expression on the exofacial surface of pRBCs during parasite maturation. The expression of PS on the pRBCs was determined by flow cytometry using fluorescein-labeled annexin V, which specifically binds to PS and a vital nucleic acid fluorochrome for parasite staining. The results showed that PS expression on the surface of pRBCs increased in association with parasite maturation, especially at the late parasite stage. Furthermore, the growth of P. falciparum also accelerated senescence of the uninfected RBCs in parasite cultures. Exposure to febrile temperature led to significant increases in the expression of PS on the surface of pRBCs, particularly at the late parasite stage ...

Stability and potency of the Plasmodium falciparum MSP1-19/AMA-1(III) chimeric vaccine candidate with Montanide ISA720 adjuvant.

Vaccine — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we developed a sandwich ELISA to assess the nature of the protein in the emulsion over time (6, 12 and 18 months). Our results showed that the OD(450) values corresponding to vaccine storages were within the 95% confidence interval, indicating that the conformation of the protein in the emulsion stored for up to 18 months at 4 degrees C was unchanged. Furthermore, no protein degradation was detected by Coomassie blue, silver staining, and Western blot analysis for samples stored at 4 degrees C for up to 2 years. Although some protein aggregation was observed in the emulsion preparations, these aggregates were only a small percentage of the total protein in the sample (7.6%). Moreover, the protein multimers maintained their conformational epitope. The potency assay of the for...

Sm‐p80–Based DNA Vaccine Provides Baboons with Levels of Protection against Schistosoma mansoni Infection Comparable to Those Achieved by the Irradiated Cercarial Vaccine

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:50:32 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. To date, no vaccine is available to prevent human schistosomiasis. We have targeted a protein of Schistosoma mansoni that plays an important role in the surface membrane renewal process, a mechanism widely believed to be utilized by the parasite as an immune evasion strategy. Sm‐p80 antigen is a promising vaccine target because of its documented immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and antifecundity effects observed in both experimental murine and nonhuman primate models of this infectious disease. In the present study, we report that, in a vector approved for human use (VR1020), an Sm‐p80–based DNA vaccine formulation confers a 46% reduction in the worm burden in a baboon (Papio anubis) model. Ba...

Biochemical evaluation of a series of synthetic chalcone and hydrazide derivatives as novel inhibitors of cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi

Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:18:31 +0100

Chagas' disease, a parasitic infection widely distributed throughout Latin America, is a major public health problem with devastating consequences in terms of human morbidity and mortality. The enzyme cruzain is the major cysteine protease from Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of American trypanosomiasis or Chagas' disease, and has been selected as an attractive target for the development of novel trypanocidal drugs. In the present work, we describe the synthesis and inhibitory effects of a series of thirty-three chalcone and seven hydrazide derivatives against the enzyme cruzain from T. cruzi. Most of the compounds showed promising in vitro inhibition (IC50 values in the range of 20-60 μM), which suggest the potential of these compounds as lead candidates for further development. T...

Causes of hospitalization among children ages zero to nine years old in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Clinics — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:34:09 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show a paradoxical increase in the number of hospitalizations during an expansion of primary attention, indicating that the rise was not associated with a significant improvement in the quality of service. (Source: Clinics)

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Nonlinear mixed effects modeling of gametocyte carriage in patients with uncomplicated malaria

Malaria Journal — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A population nonlinear modeling approach seems promising and produced a flexible function whose estimates were stable across various different datasets. Surprisingly, dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthetase mutation prevalence did not enter the model. This is probably related to a lack of power (quintuple mutations n=12), and informative censoring; treatment failures were withdrawn from the study and given rescue treatment, usually prior to completion of follow up. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Capillariaisis (Trichurida, Trichinellidae, Capillaria hepatica) in the Brazilian Amazon: low pathogenicity, low infectivity and a novel mode of transmission

Parasites and Vectors — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The authors concluded that only two subjects were really infected (prevalence of 0.81%); the rest was false-positives that were sensitized after consuming non-embryonated eggs.The present study is the first one carried out in a native Amazonian population and indicates the presence of antibodies against C. hepatica in this population. The results further suggest that the transmission of the parasite occurs by the ingestion of embryonated eggs from human feces and/or carcasses of wild animals. The authors propose a novel mode of transmission, describing the disease as a low pathogenic one, and showing low infectivity. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

IgE in the human placenta: why there?

Allergy — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To cite this article: Rindsjö E, Joerink M, Papadogiannakis N, Scheynius A. IgE in the human placenta: why there? Allergy 2010; DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2010.02328.x Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are key effector molecules in the allergic inflammatory response and are also involved in the protection against extracellular parasites. Allergic symptoms often develop early in life, and the intrauterine environment has been proposed to play an important role in affecting the risk of later allergy development. The placenta constitutes a selective barrier between the maternal and foetal circulation. Recently, we reported that maternal IgE antibodies are present on foetal macrophages in the villous tissue of the human placenta irrespective of maternal allergy status. This review discusses the...

Production of recombinant proteins from protozoan parasites.

Trends in Parasitology — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fernández-Robledo JA, Vasta GR Although the past decade has witnessed sequencing from an increasing number of parasites, modern high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies have the potential to generate complete genome sequences at even higher rates. Along with the discovery of genes that might constitute potential targets for chemotherapy or vaccination, the need for novel protein expression platforms has become a pressing matter. In addition to reviewing the advantages and limitations of the currently available and emerging expression systems, we discuss novel approaches that could overcome current limitations, including the 'pseudoparasite' concept, an expression platform in which the choice of the surrogate organism is based on its phylogenetic affinity to the target ...

T2 Family ribonucleases: ancient enzymes with diverse roles.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Luhtala N, Parker R Ribonucleases of the T2 family are found in the genomes of protozoans, plants, bacteria, animals and viruses. A broad range of biological roles for these ribonucleases have been suggested, including scavenging of nucleic acids, degradation of self-RNA, serving as extra- or intracellular cytotoxins, and modulating host immune responses. Recently, RNaseT2 family members have been implicated in human pathologies such as cancer and parasitic diseases. Interestingly, certain functions of RNaseT2 family members are independent of their nuclease activity, suggesting that these proteins have additional functions. Moreover, humans lacking RNASET2 manifest a defect in neurological development, perhaps due to aberrant control of the immune system. We review the basic ...

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Pyrimethamine induces oxidative stress in P. yoelii 17XL-infected mice: a novel immunomodulatory mechanism of action for an old antimalarial drug?

Experimental Parasitology — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Legorreta-Herrera M, Retana-Ugalde R, Ventura-Gallegos JL, Narváez V Pyrimethamine is an antimalarial drug that has also been used successfully to treat autoimmune diseases such as lymphoproliferative syndrome. In this work, the effect of pyrimethamine (PYR) on the production of free radicals in malaria-infected mice was studied to better understand the drug's immunomodulatory properties. BALB/c and CBA/Ca mice were infected with Plasmodium yoelii 17XL. Seven days after infection, mice were treated with PYR or vehicle and sacrificed 24 hours later. Treatment with PYR increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in erythrocytes and the liver, augmented the levels of nitric oxide in the serum, and upregulated mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase, glut...

Transient role of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in mycobacterial infection in mice

International Immunology — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:28:22 +0100

In this study we found that, at the early stage of infection, depletion of CD25+ cells reduced both bacterial load and granuloma formation in mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, such as M. tuberculosis Erdman or M. tuberculosis Kurono. However, at a later stage of infection, bacterial burden and histopathology were similar regardless of depletion of CD25+ cells. Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice reconstituted with CD4+CD25– T cells alone or a combination of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25– T cells showed similar bacterial loads and survival kinetics after infection with M. tuberculosis Erdman. Consistent with in vivo data, in vitro studies revealed that mycobacterial antigens, purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD), failed to induce the suppressive ...

Prevalence of microsporidia in an indigenous Orang Asli community in Pahang, Malaysia

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:58:00 +0100

Summary: Microsporidia are ubiquitous parasites thought to be closely related to fungi. Their presence in the environment means that humans are frequently exposed to infection. Stool samples were collected from 151 indigenous villagers from the eastern state of Pahang in 2005. The samples were concentrated with water-ether sedimentation, stained with modified trichrome stain and examined under oil-immersion microscopy. Thirty-two specimens (21.2%) were positive for microsporidia. Microsporidia were observed as ovoid or rounded ovoid shapes measuring ∼1μm, with a bright pink outline containing a central or posterior vacuole. PCR amplification with specific primers on microscopy-positive specimens amplified Encephalitozoon intestinalis DNA from five of the ten specimens used. (Source: Tra...

Clinical risk factors for therapeutic failure in kala-azar patients treated with pentavalent antimonials in Nepal

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:58:00 +0100

Summary: Drug-related factors and parasite resistance have been implicated in the failure of pentavalent antimonials (Sbv) in the Indian subcontinent; however, little information is available on host-related factors. Parasitologically confirmed kala-azar patients, treatment naïve to Sbv, were prospectively recruited at a referral hospital in Nepal and were treated under supervision with 30 doses of quality-assured sodium stibogluconate (SSG) 20mg/kg/day and followed for 12 months to assess cure. Analysis of risk factors for treatment failure was assessed in those receiving ≥25 doses and completing 12 months of follow-up. One hundred and ninety-eight cases were treated with SSG and the overall cure rate was 77.3% (153/198). Of the 181 cases who received ≥25 doses, 12-month follow-up da...