MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Advances in Parasitology' source. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:43:17 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5493118&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22137582%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Abruzzi A, Fried B Abstract This review examines coinfection of selected species of Schistosoma with bacteria, protozoa and helminths and focuses on the effects of the coinfection on the hosts. The review is based mainly on tables that contain the salient information on the coinfecting organisms in vertebrate hosts. Further explanation and clarification of the tables are given in the text. A table is also provided that gives synoptic information on the 37 species in the 19 genera considered in this review. Coinfection studies with Schistosoma species and the other organisms were considered in six tables plus the accompanying text. Considerations of the Schistosoma interactions with another species of organism include studies on coinfection with Plasmodium, with protozoa ot... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5493118 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:12:02 +0100 5493118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5493117&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22137583%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hirt RP, de Miguel N, Nakjang S, Dessi D, Liu YC, Diaz N, Rappelli P, Acosta-Serrano A, Fiori PL, Mottram JC Abstract The draft genome of the common sexually transmitted pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis encodes one of the largest known proteome with 60,000 candidate proteins. This provides parasitologists and molecular cell biologists alike with exciting, yet challenging, opportunities to unravel the molecular features of the parasite's cellular systems and potentially the molecular basis of its pathobiology. Here, recent investigations addressing selected aspects of the parasite's molecular cell biology are discussed, including surface and secreted virulent factors, membrane trafficking, cell signalling, the degradome, and the potential role of RNA interference in the regul... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5493117 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:12:02 +0100 5493117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5493116&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22137584%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jex AR, Smith HV, Nolan MJ, Campbell BE, Young ND, Cantacessi C, Gasser RB Abstract Cryptosporidium is an important genus of parasitic protozoa of humans and other vertebrates and is a major cause of intestinal disease globally. Unlike many common causes of infectious enteritis, there are no widely available, effective vaccine or drug-based intervention strategies for Cryptosporidium, and control is focused mainly on prevention. This approach is particularly deficient for infections of severely immunocompromised and/or suppressed, the elderly or malnourished people. However, cryptosporidiosis also presents a significant burden on immunocompetent individuals, and can, for example have lasting effects on the physical and mental development of children infected at an early ag... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5493116 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:12:02 +0100 5493116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5493115&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22137585%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rodríguez-Pérez MA, Unnasch TR, Real-Najarro O Abstract Onchocerciasis has historically been one of the leading causes of infectious blindness worldwide. It is endemic to tropical regions both in Africa and Latin America and in the Yemen. In Latin America, it is found in 13 foci located in 6 different countries. The epidemiologically most important focus of onchocerciasis in the Americas is located in a region spanning the border between Guatemala and Mexico. However, the Amazonian focus straddling the border of Venezuela and Brazil is larger in overall area because the Yanomami populations are scattered over a very large geographical region. Onchocerciasis is caused by infection with the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus. The infection is spread through the bites of... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5493115 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:12:02 +0100 5493115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192593&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884885%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Machado FS, Mukherjee S, Weiss LM, Tanowitz HB, Ashton AW Abstract Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite. Chagas disease remains a serious health problem in large parts of Mexico and Central and South America, where it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This disease is being increasingly recognized in non-endemic regions due to immigration. Heart disease develops in 10-30% of infected individuals. It is increasingly clear that parasite- and host-derived bioactive lipids potently modulate disease progression. Many of the changes that occur during acute and chronic Chagas disease can be accounted for by the effects of arachidonic acid (AA)-derived lipids such as leukotrienes, lipoxins, H(P)ETEs, prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane. Du... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192593 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192592&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884886%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Caradonna KL, Burleigh BA Abstract One of the more accepted concepts in our understanding of the biology of early Trypanosoma cruzi-host cell interactions is that the mammalian-infective trypomastigote forms of the parasite must transit the host cell lysosomal compartment in order to establish a productive intracellular infection. The acidic environment of the lysosome provides the appropriate conditions for parasite-mediated disruption of the parasitophorous vacuole and release of T. cruzi into the host cell cytosol, where replication of intracellular amastigotes occurs. Recent findings indicate a level of redundancy in the lysosome-targeting process where T. cruzi trypomastigotes exploit different cellular pathways to access host cell lysosomes in non-professional phagoc... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192592 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192591&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884887%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Adesse D, Goldenberg RC, Fortes FS, Jasmin , Iacobas DA, Iacobas S, Campos de Carvalho AC, de Narareth Meirelles M, Huang H, Soares MB, Tanowitz HB, Garzoni LR, Spray DC Abstract Gap junction channels provide intercellular communication between cells. In the heart, these channels coordinate impulse propagation along the conduction system and through the contractile musculature, thereby providing synchronous and optimal cardiac output. As in other arrhythmogenic cardiac diseases, chagasic cardiomyopathy is associated with decreased expression of the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) and its gene. Our studies of cardiac myocytes infected with Trypanosoma cruzi have revealed that synchronous contraction is greatly impaired and gap junction immunoreactivity is lost in inf... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192591 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192590&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884888%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Prado CM, Jelicks LA, Weiss LM, Factor SM, Tanowitz HB, Rossi MA Abstract The cardiovascular manifestations of Chagas disease are well known. However, the contribution of the vasculature and specifically the microvasculature has received little attention. This chapter reviews the evidence supporting the notion that alterations in the microvasculature especially in the heart contribute to the pathogenesis of chagasic cardiomyopathy. These data may also be important in understanding the contributions of the microvasculature in the aetiologies of other cardiomyopathies. The role of endothelin-1 and of thromboxane A(2) vascular spasm and platelet aggregation is also discussed. Further, these observations may provide target(s) for intervention. PMID: 21884888 [PubMed - in p... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192590 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192589&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884889%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Scharfstein J, Andrade D Abstract Acting at the interface between microcirculation and immunity, Trypanosoma cruzi induces modifications in peripheral tissues which translate into mutual benefits to host/parasite balance. In this chapter, we will review evidence linking infection-associated vasculopathy to the proinflammatory activity of a small subset of T. cruzi molecules, namely GPI-linked mucins, cysteine proteases (cruzipain), surface glycoproteins of the trans-sialidase family and/or parasite-derived eicosanoids (thromboxane A(2)). Initial insight into pathogenesis came from research in animal models showing that myocardial fibrosis is worsened as result of endothelin upregulation by infected cardiovascular cells. Paralleling these studies, the kinin system emerged a... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192589 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192588&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884890%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cunha-Neto E, Teixeira PC, Nogueira LG, Kalil J Abstract The scarcity of Trypanosoma cruzi in inflammatory lesions of chronic Chagas disease led early investigators to suggest that tissue damage had an autoimmune nature. In spite of parasite persistence in chronic Chagas disease, several reports indicate that inflammatory tissue damage may not be correlated to the local presence of T. cruzi. A significant number of reports have described autoantibodies and self-reactive T cells, often cross-reactive with T. cruzi antigens, both in patients and in animal models. Evidence for a direct pathogenetic role of autoimmunity was suggested by the development of lesions after immunization with T. cruzi antigens or passive transfer of lymphocytes from infected animals, and the amelior... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192588 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192587&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884891%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gupta S, Dhiman M, Wen JJ, Garg NJ Abstract Inflammation is a host defence activated by exogenous (e.g. pathogen-derived, pollutants) or endogenous (e.g. reactive oxygen species-ROS) danger signals. Mostly, endogenous molecules (or their derivatives) have well-defined intracellular function but become danger signal when released or exposed following stress or injury. In this review, we discuss the potential role of ROS in chronic evolution of inflammatory cardiovascular diseases, using our experiences working on chagasic cardiomyopathy as a focus-point. PMID: 21884891 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192587 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192585&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884892%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Talvani A, Teixeira MM Abstract Chagas cardiomyopathy is caused by infection with flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. In patients, there is a fine balance between control of the replication and the intensity of the inflammatory response so that the host is unable to eliminate the parasite resulting in the parasite persisting as a lifelong infection in most individuals. However, the parasite persists in such a way that it causes no or little disease. This chapter reviews our understanding of many of the mediators of inflammation and cells which are involved in the inflammatory response of mammals to T. cruzi infection. Particular emphasis is given to the role of chemokines, endothelin and lipid mediators. Understanding the full range of mediators and cells present and ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192585 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192584&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884893%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chuenkova MV, Pereiraperrin M Abstract Autonomic dysfunction plays a significant role in the development of chronic Chagas disease (CD). Destruction of cardiac parasympathetic ganglia can underlie arrhythmia and heart failure, while lesions of enteric neurons in the intestinal plexuses are a direct cause of aperistalsis and megasyndromes. Neuropathology is generated by acute infection when the parasite, though not directly damaging to neuronal cells, elicits immune reactions that can become cytotoxic, inducing oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Anti-neuronal autoimmunity may further contribute to neuropathology. Much less clear is the mechanism of subsequent neuronal regeneration in patients that survive acute infection. Morphological and functional recovery of the pe... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192584 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5192583&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884894%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tanowitz HB, Jelicks LA, Machado FS, Esper L, Qi X, Desruisseaux MS, Chua SC, Scherer PE, Nagajyothi F Abstract Adipose tissue is the largest endocrine organ in the body and is composed primarily of adipocytes (fat cells) but also contains fibroblasts, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages and lymphocytes. Adipose tissue and the adipocyte are important in the regulation of energy metabolism and of the immune response. Adipocytes also synthesize adipokines such as adiponectin which is important in the regulation of insulin sensitivity and inflammation. Infection of mice with Trypanosoma cruzi results in an upregulation of inflammation in adipose tissue that begins during the acute phase of infection and persists into the chronic phase. The adipocyte is both a ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5192583 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:12:02 +0100 5192583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4471369&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21295675%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hay SI, Rollinson D PMID: 21295675 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4471369 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:45:03 +0100 4471369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4471368&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21295676%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Poulin R Parasitic organisms account for a large portion of living species. They have arisen on multiple independent occasions in many phyla, and thus encompass a huge biological diversity. This review uses several lines of evidence to argue that this vast diversity can be reduced to a few evolutionary end points that transcend phylogenetic boundaries. These represent peaks in the adaptive landscape reached independently by different lineages undergoing convergent evolution. Among eukaryotic parasites living in or on animals, six basic parasitic strategies are identified based on the number of hosts used per parasite generation, the fitness loss incurred by the host, and the transmission routes used by the parasites. They are parasitoids, parasitic castrators, directly transmi... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4471368 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:45:03 +0100 4471368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4471367&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21295677%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Elyazar IR, Hay SI, Baird JK Approximately 230 million people live in Indonesia. The country is also home to over 20 anopheline vectors of malaria which transmit all four of the species of Plasmodium that routinely infect humans. A complex mosaic of risk of infection across this 5000-km-long archipelago of thousands of islands and distinctive habitats seriously challenges efforts to control malaria. Social, economic and political dimensions contribute to these complexities. This chapter examines malaria and its control in Indonesia, from the earliest efforts by malariologists of the colonial Netherlands East Indies, through the Global Malaria Eradication Campaign of the 1950s, the tumult following the coup d'état of 1965, the global resurgence of malaria through the 1980s and... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4471367 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:45:03 +0100 4471367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4471366&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21295678%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Spakulová M, Orosová M, Mackiewicz JS Tapeworms (Cestoda, Platyhelminthes) are a highly diversified group of parasites that can have significant veterinary importance as well as medical impact as disease agents of human alveococcosis, hydatidosis, taeniosis/cysticercosis/neurocysticercosis, hymenolepidosis or diphyllobothriasis. Because of their great diversity, there has been keen interest in their phylogenetic relationships to other obligate parasitic platyhelminthes, as well as within the group itself. Recent phylogenetic analyses of cestodes, however, have focused on morphological, molecular, life cycle, embryology and host-specificity features and conspicuously omitted inclusion of karyological data. Here we review the literature from 1907 to 2010 and the current status... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4471366 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:45:03 +0100 4471366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4471365&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21295680%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Magalhães RJ, Clements AC, Patil AP, Gething PW, Brooker S Funding agencies are dedicating substantial resources to tackle helminth infections. Reliable maps of the distribution of helminth infection can assist these efforts by targeting control resources to areas of greatest need. The ability to define the distribution of infection at regional, national and subnational levels has been enhanced greatly by the increased availability of good quality survey data and the use of model-based geostatistics (MBG), enabling spatial prediction in unsampled locations. A major advantage of MBG risk mapping approaches is that they provide a flexible statistical platform for handling and representing different sources of uncertainty, providing plausible and robust information on the spatia... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4471365 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:45:03 +0100 4471365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777523&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627137%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou XN, Wayling S, Bergquist R Strengthening human and physical resources for health research is an important function of any sustainable public health approach. The process of successfully embedding research into health systems in developing countries calls for the participation of competent, national scientists, with input and support where appropriate from international research institutions. Without a research-friendly environment, it is not easy for institutions and control programmes to engage and deliver products that can contribute to improving general health status. For example, monitoring is an important component of disease control but this can now be built upon to design surveillance systems capable of reporting activities in real time based on geographical inform... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777523 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777522&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627138%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Steinmann P, Utzinger J, Du ZW, Zhou XN This review focuses on the issue of multiparasitism, with a special emphasis on its characteristics, its extent in eastern Asia and its significance for infectious disease control. Multiparasitism is pervasive among socially and economically disadvantaged or marginalised communities, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. Intestinal parasites are the most numerous group, but an array of parasites is located elsewhere than in the human gastrointestinal tract. Although multiparasitism has been recognised for decades, in-depth studies are rare, and its public health and economic implications have yet to be fully elucidated. The assessment of multiparasitism is hampered by a lack of sensitive broad-spectrum diagnostic tools and the ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777522 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777521&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627139%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: King CH Over the past five decades, accurate and comparable assessment of disease burden due to different 'worm' infections has proven problematic. Estimates of the health impact of helminths have varied significantly, depending on the assessor's perspective and the approaches taken to quantifying disease effects on patient performance status. Past surveys have frequently suffered from misclassification bias due to the lack of a diagnostic 'gold' standard. At the same time, there has been a tendency to define disease based solely on late-onset, 'pathognomonic' outcomes that can be uniquely attributed to each pathogen. However, we are now gaining a much better understanding of the role of helminths in anaemia causation, impaired growth and development, and poor school or work p... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777521 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777520&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627140%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Malone JB, Yang GJ, Leonardo L, Zhou XN This review focuses on implementing a geospatial health infrastructure for control of schistosomiasis and other helminthic infections in Southeast Asia, with special focus on the People's Republic of China and the Philippines, using a model working group approach. Health workers have lagged in utilization of geospatial analysis and widely available, low-cost spatial data resources for epidemiological modelling and control programme management. The critical limitation on development of useful health applications to date has not been the availability of geospatial data and methods. Rather, the key barriers have been the speed of adoption of geospatial analysis tools by health scientists and the quality of geographic information system (GIS... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777520 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777519&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627141%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang GJ, Utzinger J, Lv S, Qian YJ, Li SZ, Wang Q, Bergquist R, Vounatsou P, Li W, Yang K, Zhou XN Climate change-according to conventional wisdom-will result in an expansion of tropical parasitic diseases in terms of latitude and altitude, with vector-borne diseases particularly prone to change. However, although a significant rise in temperature occurred over the past century, there is little empirical evidence whether climate change has indeed favoured infectious diseases. This might be explained by the complex relationship between climate change and the frequency and the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, which is characterised by nonlinear associations and countless other complex factors governing the distribution of infectious diseases. Here, we explore whethe... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777519 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777518&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627142%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vandemark LM, Jia TW, Zhou XN Social science perspectives can inform helminth disease control in Southeast Asia. The social science literature offers theoretical and conceptual models; research methods; recommendations for training and capacity building, health education and health care professional training; and practice guidelines, including implementation of evidence-based interventions. Priority themes include poverty, gender differences, health inequities and access to social resources. Implications for helminth control include broadening disease monitoring and surveillance to include social and economic variables and subjective measures of well-being; training for health professionals and researchers in the social determinants of health; and application of social science... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777518 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777517&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627143%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Johansen MV, Sithithaworn P, Bergquist R, Utzinger J Humans in Southeast Asia are at risk for at least 70 species of food-borne and water-borne trematodes, including blood flukes, intestinal flukes, liver flukes and lung flukes, which are shared with a great variety of animals. Co-infection with several other zoonotic trematodes is pervasive, and hence differential diagnosis represents a major challenge. Many zoonotic trematodes are commonly overlooked, leading to unreliable prevalence data, underappreciation of their veterinary and public health burden and impact, and general neglect with respect to treatment and control. Additionally, many eggs are indistinguishable by microscopy. For example, failure to address this diagnostic dilemma has resulted in overestimation of Clono... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777517 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777516&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627144%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Keiser J, Utzinger J Parasitic worms (helminths) have accompanied humans for thousands of years and, still today, they are pervasive where poverty persists, including large parts of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Region. The global strategy for the control of helminth infections is morbidity control and elimination as a public health problem. Regular administration of anthelminthic drugs to at-risk populations (e.g. school-aged children) serves as the backbone of interventions in areas where helminth infections are highly endemic. In this review, we focus on soil-transmitted helminthiasis (ascariasis, hookworm disease, strongyloidiasis and trichuriasis) and food-borne trematodiasis (clonorchiasis, fascioliasis, intestinal fluke infections, opisthorchiasis and paragonim... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777516 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777515&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627145%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xiao SH, Keiser J, Chen MG, Tanner M, Utzinger J A comprehensive 60-year review of antischistosomal drug discovery and development research in the People's Republic of China (P.R. China) is presented. In the 1950s, three antimonials were developed, which, compared to potassium antimony tartrate-the treatment of choice against schistosomiasis at the time-showed equal efficacy but lower toxicity when administered orally or intramuscularly. Activity of furapromidum against Schistosoma japonicum was reported in the early 1960s, and this drug became the first non-antimonial used in clinical treatment of schistosomiasis japonica. Subsequently, two additional nitrofuran derivatives (furadiamine and fuvinazole) were investigated in the laboratory and clinically. In the late 1960s, nir... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777515 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777514&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627146%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bergquist R, Lustigman S Among the tools available for the control of helminth infections, chemotherapy has come to totally dominate the field. In the veterinary field, development of drug resistance has appeared but this is not (yet) a problem in the control of human diseases. Although there is no vaccine commercially available for any human parasitic infection yet, recent progress in vaccine development is making this a future possibility for several diseases. The goal of chemotherapy is to alleviate infection and morbidity in the definitive host, or reduce transmission, while the effect of available vaccine candidates would mainly be to influence transmission through targeting the intermediate or reservoir host, when the infection is zoonotic. Apart from this general scheme... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777514 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777513&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627147%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chuan J, Feng Z, Brindley PJ, McManus DP, Han Z, Jianxin P, Hu W Helminths are the cause of some of the major infectious diseases of humanity in what is still a "wormy" world. There is, in East and Southeast Asia, a high prevalence of several helminthiases which occur primarily in rural, impoverished areas of low-income and developing countries throughout the tropics and subtropics. Subsequent to various parasite genome projects that commenced in the early 1990s, under the aegis of the World Health Organization (WHO), the draft genomes of three major helminth species (Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni and Brugia malayi) have been sequenced, and many other helminth parasites have now been targeted for intensive genomics investigation. The continuing release of genome sequences ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777513 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777512&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627148%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang Y, Li JV, Saric J, Keiser J, Wu J, Utzinger J, Holmes E Metabonomics, which is the combination of metabolic profiling of biological samples using spectroscopic methods, together with multivariate data analysis, is a powerful approach for biomarker recovery. Moreover, metabonomics holds promise to enhance our understanding of host-parasite interactions at the metabolic level, and therefore provides a framework for discovery of novel targets for diagnostics, drugs and vaccines. In this review, we summarise progress made to date with metabolic profiling strategies applied to different host-parasite models in the laboratory. First, we emphasise the application of two parasitic worm infections that are particularly relevant for Southeast Asia and the People's Republic of China... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777512 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3777511&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20627149%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Attwood SW In this chapter a review of research published since 2000 on the biology of the snail intermediate hosts of trematode parasites of medical importance in Southeast Asia, and related taxa is presented. Recent taxonomic revisions of the first intermediate hosts of Paragonimus in the region are considered and an account of changes in current perspectives regarding the evolution of intermediate-host:parasite associations for both Paragonimus and Schistosoma is given. The latest phylogeographical hypotheses for Schistosoma, Paragonimus, Fasciola and Fasciolopsis are also reviewed and compared. Work performed in the region on the snail intermediate hosts of other less studied parasites, such as Opisthorchis/Clonorchis and haplorchids, is also described. PMID: 20627149 ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3777511 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:12:03 +0100 3777511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750517&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624524%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sen-Hai Y PMID: 20624524 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750517 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750516&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624525%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rollinson D, Hay SI PMID: 20624525 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750516 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750515&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624526%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Utzinger J, Bergquist R, Olveda R, Zhou XN Besides the 'big three'-HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis-there are a host of diseases that, by comparison, are truly neglected. These so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), many of which caused by helminths, are intimately linked with poverty and are rampant where housing is poor; access to clean water and adequate sanitation is lacking; hygiene and nutrition is substandard and populations are marginalised and vulnerable. More than a billion people are affected by NTDs, mainly in remote rural and deprived urban settings of the developing world. An overview of papers published in two special thematic volumes of the Advances in Parasitology is provided here under the umbrella of current status of research and control of importa... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750515 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750514&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624527%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hotez PJ, Ehrenberg JP As local, national and international control and elimination efforts for the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) expand, there is increasing recognition that the 11 Southeast Asian countries together with the People's Republic of China (P.R. China) account for a significant burden of global poverty and disease. Indeed, approximately one-third of the world's intestinal helminthiases, most of the food-borne trematode infections, one-half of the active trachoma infections and a significant number of cases of lymphatic filariasis (LF), schistosomiasis and arboviral infections occur in this region. Among the Mekong countries, active programmes of mass drug administration are in place for the control and elimination of LF, as well as morbidity control aimed at ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750514 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750513&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624528%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Olveda R, Leonardo L, Zheng F, Sripa B, Bergquist R, Zhou XN The new dialogue between stakeholders, that is, scientists, research administrators and donors as well as the populations victimised by endemic infections, is initiating a virtuous circle leading to lower disease-burdens, improved public health and the mitigation of poverty. There is now general agreement that control activities need research collaboration to advance, while surveillance plays an increasingly important role in sustaining long-term relief. On the part of the Regional Network on Asian Schistosomiasis and Other Helminth Zoonoses (RNAS(+)), this has led to a new vision not only focused on general strengthening of research capabilities but also on furthering efforts to close the gap between research and co... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750513 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750512&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624529%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schratz A, Pineda MF, Reforma LG, Fox NM, Le Anh T, Tommaso Cavalli-Sforza L, Henderson MK, Mendoza R, Utzinger J, Ehrenberg JP, Tee AS Ethnic minority groups (EMGs) are often subject to exclusion, marginalisation and poverty. These characteristics render them particularly vulnerable to neglected diseases, a diverse group of diseases that comprise bacteria, ecto-parasites, fungi, helminths and viruses. Despite the health policy relevance, only little is known of the epidemiological profile of neglected diseases among EMGs. We reviewed country data from Australia, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam and found several overlaps between regions with high proportions of EMG population and high prevalence rates of neglected diseases (inf... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750512 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750511&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624530%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bergquist R, Tanner M An overview of schistosomiasis control in the People's Republic of China and the Philippines is presented. Whilst the Chinese have managed to reduce the number of Schistosoma japonicum infections from an estimated 11.6 million to well below 1 million since 1950, the corresponding drop in the Philippines is less pronounced: from 700,000 in 1975 to currently 560,000. However, these figures should be seen in the context of the population growth, which approximately doubled the Chinese population over the past 60years (from 557 million to 1.3 billion) whereas the number of Filipinos during the same time more than quadrupled (from 21 to 93 million). The Philippine progress should also be judged against the backdrop of regional political instability combined wi... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750511 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750510&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624531%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou XN, Bergquist R, Leonardo L, Yang GJ, Yang K, Sudomo M, Olveda R Schistosomiasis japonica, a chronic and debilitating disease caused by the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, is still of considerable economic and public health concern in the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Despite major progress made over the past several decades with the control of schistosomiasis japonica in the aforementioned countries, the disease is emerging in some areas. We review the epidemiological status and transmission patterns of schistosomiasis japonica, placing it into a historical context, and discuss experiences and lessons with national control efforts. Our analyses reveal that an integrated control approach, implemented through intersectoral collaboration, is... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750510 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750509&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624532%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Muth S, Sayasone S, Odermatt-Biays S, Phompida S, Duong S, Odermatt P Schistosomiasis found in communities along the Mekong River in Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is caused by the blood fluke Schistosoma mekongi. Early observations on patients in 1957 revealed severe intestinal and hepatosplenic disease. High mortality rates and widespread disease were reported from the provinces of northern Cambodia (Stung Treng and Kratié) and southern Lao PDR (Champasack) in the early 1970s and 1990s. Control programmes built around mass drug administration, with praziquantel, and combined with information and education campaigns, were carried out. In Cambodia, such programmes were started in 1995 in the endemic provinces and sustained until today; these efforts... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750509 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750508&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624533%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sudomo M, Chayabejara S, Duong S, Hernandez L, Wu WP, Bergquist R Approximately 15 million people with lymphatic filariasis (LF) live in Southeast Asia. Wuchereria bancrofti (transmitted by the Mansonia and Anopheles vectors), Brugia malayi and Brugia timori (both transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus) are the filarial species in this region. The endemic countries are: Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Timor-Leste, which have all agreed to eliminate transmission of the disease by 2020. The public health interventions with respect to LF are based on the 1997 World Health Assembly resolution (WHA 50.29) which recommends elimination of the disease through mass drug administration (MDA) using diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazo... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750508 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750507&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624534%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Willingham AL, Wu HW, Conlan J, Satrija F Cysticercosis caused by the zoonotic pork tapeworm Taenia solium is emerging as a constraint for the nutritional and economic well-being of small-holder farming communities in many underdeveloped areas of Southeast Asia. It occurs mainly in impoverished regions with inadequate sanitation, poor pig management practices and lack of meat inspection and control. Neurocysticercosis, the most serious form of the disease, is considered the most common parasitic infection of the human nervous system and the most frequent preventable cause of epilepsy in the developing world. Although theoretically easy to control and declared eradicable, T. solium taeniosis/cysticercosis remains a neglected disease. There is a lack of information and awareness... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750507 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750506&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624535%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McManus DP Echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by adult or larval cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus (family Taeniidae). The two major species of medical and public health importance are E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, which, respectively, cause cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Both CE and AE are serious and severe diseases, the latter especially so, with high fatality rates and poor prognosis if managed incorrectly. A number of recent reports indicate that CE and AE are of increasing public health concern and that both can be regarded as emerging or re-emerging diseases. This review discusses aspects of the biology, life-cycle characteristics, aetiology, and the global and Southeast Asian regional distribution and transmission of the... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750506 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750505&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624536%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sripa B, Kaewkes S, Intapan PM, Maleewong W, Brindley PJ The food-borne trematodiases are an important group of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Over 40 million people are infected with food-borne trematodes and 750 million (>10% of the world's population) are at risk of these NTDs. Here, we review the life cycles, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathology and pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention and control of the major food-borne trematodiases in Southeast Asia. We focus particularly on opisthorchiasis caused by Opisthorchis viverrini and clonorchiasis caused by Clonorchis sinensis, which people contract by ingestion of metacercariae in flesh of raw or undercooked freshwater fishes, on fascioliasis caused by Fasciola species, where infection arises... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750505 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750504&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624537%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lv S, Zhang Y, Steinmann P, Zhou XN, Utzinger J Although helminth infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are rare, their public health implications must not be neglected. Indeed, several helminth species can cause cerebrospinal infections, especially if humans serve as intermediate or non-permissive host. The diagnosis of cerebrospinal helminthiases is difficult, and the detection of parasites in cerebrospinal fluid is rarely successful. Cerebrospinal helminth infections therefore often remain undetected, and hence prognosis is poor. Increases in tourism and population movements are risk factors for cerebrospinal helminthiases and infections pose particular challenges to clinicians in non-endemic areas. In this review, we focus primarily on food-borne helminthiases tha... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750504 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750503&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20624538%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Odermatt P, Lv S, Sayasone S The culturally deeply rooted habit of eating raw or undercooked foodstuffs, coupled with inadequate hygiene practices and lack of separation between foodstuff and wildlife in parts of Southeast Asia have repeatedly led to outbreaks due to rare parasitic infections. Trichinellosis, capillariasis and angiostrongyliasis are the three prime examples of such outbreaks occurring in Southeast Asia. We review the current knowledge of trichinellosis, capillariasis and angiostrongyliasis. Whilst infections-caused by nematodes-are rarely reported, their public health importance is considerable. Regarding trichinellosis, the large body of literature arises from a few countries only, indicating that available information underestimates the true extent and burde... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750503 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:45:04 +0100 3750503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3347360&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20206014%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rollinson D, Hay SI PMID: 20206014 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3347360 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:16:03 +0100 3347360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832502&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773065%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fleury F, Gibert P, Ris N, Allemand R Parasitoids and their hosts are linked by intimate and harmful interactions that make them well suited to analyze fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes with regard to life histories evolution of parasitic association. Drosophila aspects of what parasitoid Hymenoptera have become model organisms to study aspects that cannot be investigated with other associations. These include the genetic bases of fitness traits variations, physiology and genetics of resistance/virulence, and coevolutionary dynamics leading to local adaptation. Recent research on evolutionary ecology of Drosophila parasitoids were performed mainly on species that thrive in fermenting fruits (genera Leptopilina and Asobara). Here, we review information and add o... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832502 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832501&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773066%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Thiel A, Hoffmeister TS Drosophilids and their associated parasitoids live in environments that vary in resource availability and quality within and between generations. The use of information to adapt behavior to the current environment is a key feature under such circumstances and Drosophila parasitic wasps are excellent model systems to study learning and information use. They are among the few parasitoid model species that have been tested in a wide array of situations. Moreover, several related species have been tested under similar conditions, allowing the analysis of within and between species variability, the effect of natural selection in a typical environment, the current physiological status, and previous experience of the individual. This holds for host habitat and... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832501 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832500&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773067%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kaiser L, Couty A, Perez-Maluf R This chapter presents a series of behavioral studies designed to document how Leptopilina spp. learn fruit odours in order to find and explore host-infested fruits. Experimental analyses of conditioned responses explored individual learning, physiological changes and genetic variability as adaptive mechanisms of the host searching behavior. Both oriented walking and substrate probing can be easily observed and quantified in laboratory devices. We studied walking in a four-arm olfactometer and probing in an agar substrate in response to olfactory stimulation by fruit odours. We analyzed the odour learning process and the dynamics of the memory. We next investigated how odour memory is influenced by motivation factors such as mating or egg-load, ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832500 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832499&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773068%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nappi A, Poirié M, Carton Y The cellular innate immune response of several species of Drosophila terminates with the encasement of large foreign objects within melanotic capsules comprised of several layers of adhering blood cells or hemocytes. This reaction is manifested by various Drosophila hosts in response to infection by endoparasitic wasps (i.e., parasitoids). Creditable assessments of the factor(s) causing, or contributing to, parasite mortality have long been considered as cytotoxic elements certain molecules associated with enzyme-mediated melanogenesis. However, observations that warrant additional or alternative considerations are those documenting parasitoid survival despite melanotic encapsulation, and those where parasitoids are destroyed with no evidence o... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832499 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832498&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773069%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee MJ, Kalamarz ME, Paddibhatla I, Small C, Rajwani R, Govind S To ensure survival, parasitic wasps of Drosophila have evolved strategies to optimize host development to their advantage. They also produce virulence factors that allow them to overcome or evade host defense. Wasp infection provokes cellular and humoral defense reactions, resulting in alteration in gene expression of the host. The activation of these reactions is controlled by conserved mechanisms shared by other invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Application of genomics and bioinformatics approaches is beginning to reveal comparative host gene expression changes after infection by different parasitic wasps. We analyze this comparison in the context of host physiology and immune cells, as well as the biology o... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832498 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832497&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773070%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dubuffet A, Colinet D, Anselme C, Dupas S, Carton Y, Poirié M Interactions between Drosophila hosts and parasitoid wasps are among the few examples in which occurrence of intraspecific variation of parasite success has been studied in natural populations. Such variations can originate from three categories of factors: environmental, host and parasitoid factors. Under controlled laboratory conditions, it is possible to focus on the two last categories, and, using specific reference lines, to analyze their respective importance. Parasitoid and host contributions to variations in parasite success have largely been studied in terms of evolutionary and mechanistic aspects in two Drosophila parasitoids, Asobara tabida and, in more details, in Leptopilina boulardi. This chapter ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832497 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832496&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773071%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Eslin P, Prévost G, Havard S, Doury G The immunity of Drosophila relies on a variety of defenses cooperating to fight parasites and pathogens. The encapsulation reaction is the main hemocytic response neutralizing large parasites like endophagous parasitoids. The diversity of the mechanisms of immunoevasion evolved by Asobara parasitoids, together with the wide spectrum of Drosophila host species they can parasitize, make them ideal models to study and unravel the physiological and cellular aspects of host immunity. This chapter summarizes what could be learnt on the cellular features of the encapsulation process in various Drosophila spp., and also on the major role played by Drosophila hosts hemocytes subpopulations, both in a quantitative and qualitative manner, regard... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832496 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832495&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773072%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Moreau SJ, Vinchon S, Cherqui A, Prévost G Hymenoptera of the Asobara genus are endophagous parasitoids of Drosophila larvae. In these apocrita insects whose venom gland is associated with the female reproductive tract, the wasp venom is injected into the host along with the parasitoid egg during oviposition. We conducted a comparative study of the venom apparatuses from three Asobara spp.: the European Asobara tabida, the Asiatic A. japonica and the African A. citri. Light and electron microscopy of venom glands, together with the biochemical analysis of their contents, revealed important differences between Asobara spp. In addition, the physiological effects of female wasp's venom injected into Drosophila larvae differed greatly between the tested Asobara spp. PMID:... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832495 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832494&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773073%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Prévost G, Doury G, Mabiala-Moundoungou AD, Cherqui A, Eslin P Eggs and larvae of endophagous parasitoids face the host's immunity reaction once they penetrate the insect host's hemocele. In order to overcome the host's immune barrier, endoparasitoids have developed various strategies. Conformer parasitoids hide and/or get protected from the attack by the host's immunity cells without interfering with the host's immune system. Differently, regulator parasitoids directly attack the host's hemocytes, therefore totally inhibiting the immunity reaction of encapsulation in the parasitized host. Female wasps may also discriminate immunoreactive hosts from nonreactive, permissive ones before laying an egg. These different strategies coexist within the same genus of the braconids... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832494 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832493&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773074%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kraaijeveld AR, Godfray HC By their nature, parasitoids will exert a selection pressure on their hosts to evolve a mechanism through which to resist parasitoid attack. In turn, such a resistance mechanism will lead to parasitoids evolving counter-resistance. In this chapter, we present an overview of the research on the (co)evolutionary interaction between Drosophila and their parasitoids, with the main focus on the cellular immune response of D. melanogaster, and the counter-resistance mechanism of one of its main parasitoids, Asobara tabida. A key aspect of this interaction is the existence of genetic variation: in the field, host resistance and parasitoid counter-resistance vary, both between and within populations. Host resistance and parasitoid counter-resistance are cost... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832493 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832492&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773075%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dupas S, Dubuffet A, Carton Y, Poirié M In this chapter, we describe the geographically widespread genetic fixation of traits involved in Drosophila-parasitoid immune interactions and the situations where such fixation is not observed. We then discuss how the three classes of coevolutionary dynamics that can occur at the local scale (coevolutionary escalation, coevolutionary alternation and coevolutionary polymorphism), the geographic mosaic of selection, and the phylogenetic constraints may explain such evolutionary patterns and drive diversification in the interactions. Most Drosophila parasitoid traits involved in virulence are host-species specific. Directional selection (coevolutionary escalation) on such traits can lead to their fixation or on the contrary maintain ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832492 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832491&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773076%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vavre F, Mouton L, Pannebakker BA Wolbachia bacteria are cytoplasmic endosymbionts that infect a wide range of arthropod and nematode hosts. They are transmitted from mother to offspring via the eggs (vertical transmission) and enhance their transmission to the next generation by manipulating the reproductive system of their hosts. These manipulations occur in many forms, such as the induction of cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization, male killing and parthenogenesis induction. Wolbachia is estimated to occur in up to 66% of all insect species, but the greatest diversity of reproductive manipulations is found in the order of the Hymenoptera. Studies of Wolbachia in Drosophila-parasitoid communities have allowed for important insights into different aspects of Wolbachia bio... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832491 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832490&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19773077%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Varaldi J, Patot S, Nardin M, Gandon S Insect parasitoids are often infected with heritable viruses. Some of them, such as polydnaviruses, have evolved toward an obligatory relationship with the parasitoid because they are necessary to protect the parasitoid egg from the host immune reaction. However, recent and past discoveries have revealed the presence of facultative inherited viruses in parasitoids for which no clear phenotypic effect was observed. In this chapter, we present how such an inherited virus was recently discovered in the Drosophila parasitoid, Leptopilina boulardi. We show that this virus is responsible for an increase in the superparasitism tendency of the infected females. This alteration is beneficial for the virus, since superparasitism conditions permit t... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832490 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0100 2832490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2635133&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19622406%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rollinson D, Hay SI PMID: 19622406 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2635133 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:10:03 +0100 2635133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2635132&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19622407%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fried B, Huffman JE, Keeler S, Peoples RC This chapter examines the significant studies on the caecal paramphistomid Zygocotyle lunata from mainly 1941 to 2008. This digenean is one of two paramphistomid species in the family Zygocotylidae. Z. lunata has an almost global distribution being found in the wild in numerous waterfowl and various species of ruminants. It infects planorbid snails in the genera Helisoma and Biomphalaria. Because it may involve concurrent infections with Schistosoma mansoni in species of Biomphalaria snails, there is an interest in Z. lunata as a potential control agent against S. mansoni. Z. lunata may have some impact as a pathogen of birds in wildlife diseases, but its real assessment in this role is not fully understood. The cercariae of this param... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2635132 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:10:03 +0100 2635132 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2635131&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19622408%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mas-Coma S, Valero MA, Bargues MD Fascioliasis, caused by liver fluke species of the genus Fasciola, has always been well recognized because of its high veterinary impact but it has been among the most neglected diseases for decades with regard to human infection. However, the increasing importance of human fascioliasis worldwide has re-launched interest in fascioliasis. From the 1990s, many new concepts have been developed regarding human fascioliasis and these have furnished a new baseline for the human disease that is very different to a simple extrapolation from fascioliasis in livestock. Studies have shown that human fascioliasis presents marked heterogeneity, including different epidemiological situations and transmission patterns in different endemic areas. This heterog... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2635131 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:10:03 +0100 2635131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2635130&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19622409%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Toledo R, Esteban JG, Fried B This chapter examines the significant literature on the biology of echinostomes. The members of the family Echinostomatidae are medically and veterinary-important parasitic flatworms that invade humans, domestic animals and wildlife and also parasitize in their larval stages numerous invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate hosts. All echinostomes possess a complicated lifecycle expressed by: (i) alternation of seven generations known as the adult, egg, miracidium, sporocyst, redia, cercaria and metacercaria, and (ii) inclusion of three host categories known as the definitive host and first and second intermediate hosts. Moreover, echinostomes have served as experimental models in parasitology at all levels of organization. We discuss recent advan... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2635130 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:10:03 +0100 2635130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2635129&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19622410%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kasný M, Mikes L, Hampl V, Dvorák J, Caffrey CR, Dalton JP, Horák P Among human and veterinary parasitic diseases the trematodiases (e.g. schistosomiasis, fascioliasis) represent a problem of global importance with vast social, economic and public health impacts, especially in developing countries. Therefore, host-parasite (host-trematode) interactions represent a key topic in many research laboratories, and modern approaches and technologies allow us to study the molecular basis of these interactions. As a consequence, key molecules produced by trematodes in order to ensure parasite invasion and survival within a hosts can be characterized. Trematode peptidases certainly belong to such molecules; as they are indispensable biocatalysts in a number of basal biolo... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2635129 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:10:03 +0100 2635129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2635128&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19622411%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Drakeley C, Cook J Anti-malarial antibody responses represent an individual's history of exposure to the disease and, as age sero-conversion rates, reflect cumulative malaria exposure in a population. As such these antibody responses are an alternate measure of malaria transmission intensity and have potential in evaluating changes in exposure. This approach was used in the 1970s to evaluate malaria control and eradication attempts in a variety of different ecological settings. These historical studies provided a wealth of information on how serological data might be used to interpret control measures. However they were limited by a lack of standardized antigens and reproducible high-throughput assays. Current techniques using recombinant antigens with a range of immunogenicit... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2635128 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:10:03 +0100 2635128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274295&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289187%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Webster JP PMID: 19289187 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274295 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274293&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289188%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Payne RP, Matthews PC, Prado JG, Goulder PJ The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic provides a rare opportunity to examine in detail the initial stages of a host-pathogen co-evolutionary struggle in humans. The genes encoding the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules have a critical influence in the success or failure of the immune response against HIV. The particular HLA class I molecules expressed by each individual defines the type of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response that is made against the virus. This chapter describes the role of HLA class I and the CTL response in controlling HIV replication, and discusses the extent to which HIV has already adapted to those HLA class I molecules and CTL responses that are most effective in viral suppression. It i... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274293 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274290&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289189%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ewald PW For the past half-century, the dominant paradigm of oncogenesis has been mutational changes that disregulate cellular control of proliferation. Parasitic causes of cancer were first incorporated into this paradigm by suggesting mechanisms through which parasitism might increase mutational damage, such as generation of mutagenic compounds during immunological activity. The growing recognition of the molecular mechanisms of pathogen-induced oncogenesis and the difficulty of generating oncogenic mutations without first having large populations of dysregulated cells, however, suggests that pathogens, particularly viruses, are major initiators of oncogenesis for many if not most cancers, and that the traditional mutation-driven process becomes the dominant process after th... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274290 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274285&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289190%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lefèvre T, Adamo SA, Biron DG, Missé D, Hughes D, Thomas F Parasite-induced alteration of host behaviour is a widespread transmission strategy among pathogens. Understanding how it works is an exciting challenge from both a mechanistic and an evolutionary perspective. In this review, we use key examples to examine the proximate mechanisms by which parasites are known to control the behaviour of their hosts. Special attention is given to the recent developments of post-genomic tools, such as proteomics, for determining the genetic basis of parasitic manipulation. We then discuss two novel perspectives on host manipulation (mafia-like strategy and exploitation of host compensatory responses), arguing that parasite-manipulated behaviours could be the result of compromis... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274285 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274280&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289191%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hurd H Many hosts are able to tolerate infection by altering life-history traits that are traded-off one against another. Here the reproductive fitness of insect hosts and vectors is reviewed in the context of theories concerning evolutionary mechanisms driving such alterations. These include the concepts that changes in host reproductive fitness are by-products of infection, parasite manipulations, host adaptations, mafia-like strategies or host compensatory responses. Two models are examined in depth, a tapeworm/beetle association, Hymenolepis diminuta/Tenebrio molitor and malaria infections in anopheline mosquitoes. Parasite-induced impairment of vitellogenesis ultimately leads to a decrease in female reproductive success in both cases, though by different means. Evidence i... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274280 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274275&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289192%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hammerschmidt K, Kurtz J Host-parasite interactions in parasites with complex life cycles have recently gained much interest. Here, we take an evolutionary ecologist's perspective and analyse the immunological interaction of such a parasite, the model tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus, with its two intermediate hosts, a cyclopoid copepod and the three-spined stickleback. We will be focussing especially on the parallel links between the different phases during an infection in the different hosts; the immunological interactions between host(s) and parasite; and their impact on parasite establishment, growth, host manipulation and parasite virulence in the next host in the cycle. We propose to extend the 'extended phenotype' concept and not only include the ultimate but also the p... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274275 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274270&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289193%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smith JE Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful parasite that infects many host species and has colonised a wide range of habitats. Review of the parasite's life cycle demonstrates that it has become adapted to exploit multiple routes of transmission through a sexual cycle in the definitive host and asexually, through carnivory, and by vertical transmission. These alternative routes may operate synergistically to enhance transmission, but they might also provide a vehicle for selection leading to partitioning of strains in the environment. Genetic analysis has shown that parasite population structure varies globally. In South America, there is high strain diversity while in North America, Europe and Africa three clonal strain types predominate. This may imply a shift from se... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274270 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274264&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289194%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dunn AM There is considerable current interest in the role that parasites can play in biological invasions. This review looks at the fate of parasites during a biological invasion and at their impact on native and invasive hosts, and asks whether parasites can mediate invasion success. An introduced species may lose its parasites as a result of the introduction and such release from its natural enemies may be an important factor determining invasion success. In addition, an introduced species may acquire parasites from its new environment or it may introduce novel parasites to hosts in the new range. As a result of local adaptation, parasites tend to have a differential effect on native versus invading hosts. The relative impact on the fitness of natives and invaders can be im... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274264 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274258&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289195%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mathews F Zoonoses in wildlife not only play an important ecological role, but pose significant threats to the health of humans, domestic animals and some endangered species. More than two-thirds of emerging, or re-emerging, infectious diseases are thought to originate in wildlife. Despite this, co-ordinated surveillance schemes are rare, and most efforts at disease control operate at the level of crisis management. This review examines the pathways linking zoonoses in wildlife with infection in other hosts, using examples from a range of key zoonoses, including European bat lyssaviruses and bovine tuberculosis. Ecologically based control, including the management of conditions leading to spill-overs into target host populations, is likely to be more effective and sustainable ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274258 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274251&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289196%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Davies KG Pasteuria penetrans is an endospore-forming bacterium, which is a hyperparasite of root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. that are economically important pests of a wide range of crops. The life cycle of the bacterium and nematode are described with emphasis on the bacterium's potential as a biocontrol agent. Two aspects that currently prohibit the commercial development of the bacterium as a biocontrol agent are the inability to culture it outside its host and its host specificity. Vegetative growth of the bacterium is possible in vitro; however, getting the vegetative stages of the bacterium to enter sporogenesis has been problematic. Insights from genomic survey sequences regarding the role of cation concentration and the phosphorylation of Spo0F have proved useful ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274251 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274246&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289197%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fenwick A This paper considers the various measures available to control several of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). To develop the optimum methods for controlling the parasites that cause these NTDs, knowledge of the life cycles of both the parasites and their vectors are essential. Each NTD requires its own strategy for control based on detailed knowledge of the life cycle, and vector control, chemotherapy, better water supplies and better hygiene are all components that may be appropriate. For some diseases, improved drugs are urgently required, for some the tools are available for elimination, while uniquely guinea worm could be eradicated without any chemotherapeutic drug being used. Several NTDs lend themselves to mass drug administration (MDA) in which human popu... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274246 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274241&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289198%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Basáñez MG, Churcher TS, Grillet ME Parasite-vector interactions shape the population dynamics of vector-borne infections and contribute to observed epidemiological patterns. Also, parasites and their vectors may co-evolve, giving rise to locally adapted combinations or complexes with the potential to stabilise the infection. Here, we focus on Onchocerca-Simulium interactions with particular reference to the transmission dynamics of human onchocerciasis. A wide range of simuliid species may act as vectors of Onchocerca volvulus, each exerting their own influence over the local epidemiology and the feasibility of controlling/eliminating the infection. Firstly, current understanding of the processes involved in parasite acquisition by, and development within, different... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274241 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274236&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19289199%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koella JC, Lorenz L, Bargielowski I Despite our efforts at malaria control, malaria remains one of our most serious and deadly diseases. The failure of control stems in part from the parasite's intense transmission in many areas and from the emergence and spread of resistance of the malaria parasites and their mosquito vectors against most of the chemicals used to attack them. New methods for control are desperately needed. However, new methods will be useful only if they are effective (i.e., decrease transmission substantially) and evolutionarily sustainable (i.e., evolution-proof, in that they prevent evolution from eroding efficacy). We suggest microsporidian parasites that infect mosquitoes could be potentially effective and sustainable agents for malaria control. They may... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274236 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:43 +0100 2274236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901229&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940418%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940418 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901229 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901228&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940419%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940419 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901228 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901227&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940420%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940420 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901227 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901226&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940421%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940421 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901226 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901225&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940422%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940422 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901225 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901224&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940423%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940423 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901224 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901223&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940424%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940424 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901223 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901222&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940425%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940425 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901222 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901221&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940426%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940426 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901221 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901220&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940427%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940427 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901220 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901219&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940428%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940428 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901219 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901218&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940429%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940429 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901218 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901217&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940430%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940430 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901217 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901216&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940431%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940431 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901216 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901215&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940432%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940432 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901215 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901214&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940433%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940433 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901214 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901213&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940434%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940434 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901213 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901212&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940435%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940435 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901212 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901211&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940436%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940436 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901211 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901210&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940437%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940437 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901210 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901209&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940438%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940438 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901209 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901208&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940439%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940439 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901208 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901207&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940440%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940440 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901207 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901206&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940441%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940441 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901206 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901205&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940442%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940442 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901205 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901204&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940443%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940443 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901204 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901203&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940444%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940444 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901203 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901202&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18940445%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sherman IW PMID: 18940445 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901202 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:28:35 +0100 1901202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1630838&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18486687%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Baker J PMID: 18486687 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1630838 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:08:42 +0100 1630838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1630837&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18486688%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McKenzie FE, Smith DL, O'Meara WP, Riley EM From the 1920s to the 1970s, a large body of principles and evidence accumulated about the existence and character of 'strains' among the Plasmodium species responsible for human malaria. An extensive research literature examined the degree to which strains were autonomous, stable biological entities, distinguishable by clinical, epidemiological or other features, and how this knowledge could be used to benefit medical and public health practice. Strain theory in this era was based largely on parasite phenotypes related to clinical virulence, reactions to anti-malarial drugs, infectivity to mosquitoes, antigenic properties and host immunity, latency and relapse. Here we review the search for a definition of 'strain', suggest how the ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1630837 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:08:42 +0100 1630837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454154&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18486686%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rollinson D, Hay SI PMID: 18486686 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454154 Tue, 20 May 2008 16:34:15 +0100 1454154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454153&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18486687%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Baker J PMID: 18486687 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454153 Tue, 20 May 2008 16:34:15 +0100 1454153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454152&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18486688%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McKenzie FE, Smith DL, O'Meara WP, Riley EM From the 1920s to the 1970s, a large body of principles and evidence accumulated about the existence and character of 'strains' among the Plasmodium species responsible for human malaria. An extensive research literature examined the degree to which strains were autonomous, stable biological entities, distinguishable by clinical, epidemiological or other features, and how this knowledge could be used to benefit medical and public health practice. Strain theory in this era was based largely on parasite phenotypes related to clinical virulence, reactions to anti-malarial drugs, infectivity to mosquitoes, antigenic properties and host immunity, latency and relapse. Here we review the search for a definition of 'strain', suggest how the ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454152 Tue, 20 May 2008 16:34:15 +0100 1454152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454151&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18486689%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mattiucci S, Nascetti G The application of molecular systematics to the anisakid nematodes of the genera Anisakis, Pseudoterranova and Contracaecum, parasites of aquatic organisms, over the last two decades, has advanced the understanding of their systematics, taxonomy, ecology and phylogeny substantially. Here the results of this effort on this group of species from the early genetic works to the current status of their revised taxonomy, ecology and evolutionary aspects are reviewed for each of three parasitic groups. It has been shown that many anisakid morphospecies of Anisakis, Contracaecum and Pseudoterranova include a certain number of sibling species. Molecular genetic markers provided a rapid, precise means to screen and identify several species that serve as definitiv... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454151 Tue, 20 May 2008 16:34:15 +0100 1454151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454150&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18486690%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Reddy A, Fried B This chapter examines the relationship between atopic disorders and parasitic infections. Atopy is an exaggerated IgE-mediated Type-1 immune response in predisposed individuals. Conflicting information exists in regard to the relationship of parasitic infections and the classic allergic diseases, that is, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma. Attention is paid to the explanations for these discrepancies in the literature found within both human and animal studies on atopy with particular emphasis on helminthic infections. The factors that cause only a proportion of atopic individuals to develop clinical disease have not been defined although helminths confer protection in many studies examined. Early childhood infections help induce a Th1-biased imm... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454150 Tue, 20 May 2008 16:34:15 +0100 1454150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454149&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18486691%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McCall JW, Genchi C, Kramer LH, Guerrero J, Venco L Heartworm disease due to Dirofilaria immitis continues to cause severe disease and even death in dogs and other animals in many parts of the world, even though safe, highly effective and convenient preventatives have been available for the past two decades. Moreover, the parasite and vector mosquitoes continue to spread into areas where they have not been reported previously. Heartworm societies have been established in the USA and Japan and the First European Dirofilaria Days (FEDD) Conference was held in Zagreb, Croatia, in February of 2007. These organizations promote awareness, encourage research and provide updated guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heartworm disease. The chapter begins with a revi... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454149 Tue, 20 May 2008 16:34:15 +0100 1454149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080282&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18063094%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: R M, Rollinson D, Hay SI PMID: 18063094 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080282 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:08:12 +0100 1080282 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080281&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18063095%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Loscertales MP, Owens S, O'Donnell J, Bunn J, Bosch-Capblanch X, Brabin BJ Host susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum infection is central for improved understanding of malaria in human populations. Red blood cell (RBC) polymorphisms have been proposed as factors associated with malaria infection or its severity, although no systematic appraisal of ABO phenotypes and malaria risk has been undertaken. This analysis summarises epidemiological, clinical and immunological evidence on the nature of ABO histo-blood antigens and their interaction with malaria in terms of population genetics, infection risk, severe malaria and placental malaria. In non-pregnant subjects, a meta-analysis showed no conclusive evidence associating ABO phenotypes with risk of uncomplicated malaria. Ther... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080281 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:08:12 +0100 1080281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080280&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18063096%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Clark CG, Alsmark UC, Tazreiter M, Saito-Nakano Y, Ali V, Marion S, Weber C, Mukherjee C, Bruchhaus I, Tannich E, Leippe M, Sicheritz-Ponten T, Foster PG, Samuelson J, Noël CJ, Hirt RP, Embley TM, Gilchrist CA, Mann BJ, Singh U, Ackers JP, Bhattacharya S, Bhattacharya A, Lohia A, Guillén N, Duchêne M, Nozaki T, Hall N The intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica is one of the first protists for which a draft genome sequence has been published. Although the genome is still incomplete, it is unlikely that many genes are missing from the list of those already identified. In this chapter we summarise the features of the genome as they are currently understood and provide previously unpublished analyses of many of the genes. PMID: 18063096 [PubMed - in process] ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080280 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:08:12 +0100 1080280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080279&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18063097%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Michael E, Malecela-Lazaro MN, Kazura JW Monitoring and evaluation are critically important to the scientific management of any parasite control programme. If a management action is prescribed, monitoring plays a pivotal role in assessing the effectiveness of implemented actions, identifying necessary adaptations for management and determining when management objectives are achieved. Here, we focus on the control of the vector-borne parasitic disease, lymphatic filariasis, to show how mathematical models of parasite transmission can provide a scientific framework for supporting the optimal design of parasite control monitoring programmes by their ability to (1) enable the estimation of endpoint targets, (2) provide information on expected trends in infection due to interventio... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080279 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:08:12 +0100 1080279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080278&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18063098%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mayer DA, Fried B This review examines the significant literature on the role of helminth infections in carcinogenesis. Both parasitic infections and cancer have complex natural histories and long latent periods during which numerous exogenous and endogenous factors interact to obfuscate causality. Although only two helminths, Schistosoma haematobium and Opisthorchis viverrini, have been proven to be definitely carcinogenic to humans, others have been implicated in facilitating malignant transformation. The known mechanisms of helminth-induced cancer include chronic inflammation, modulation of the host immune system, inhibition of intracellular communication, disruption of proliferation-antiproliferation pathways, induction of genomic instability and stimulation of malignant s... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080278 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:08:12 +0100 1080278 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1080277&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D18063099%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brooker AJ, Shinn AP, Bron JE This review concerns the parasitic marine copepod Lernaeocera branchialis (L., 1767) and provides an overview of current knowledge concerning its biology and host-parasite interactions. The large size and distinctive appearance of the metamorphosed adult female stage, coupled with the wide exploitation and commercial importance of its final gadoid hosts, means that this species has long been recognised in the scientific literature. The fact that the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., is one of its key host species, and has itself had a major impact on the social and economic development of many countries bordering the North Atlantic for more than 10 centuries is also a factor in its widespread recognition. L. branchialis is recognised as a pathogen th... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1080277 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:08:12 +0100 1080277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=610821&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17499098%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 17499098 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=610821 Thu, 17 May 2007 23:48:26 +0100 610821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=610820&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17499099%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Baker JR, Muller R, Rollinson D PMID: 17499099 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=610820 Thu, 17 May 2007 23:48:26 +0100 610820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=610818&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17499100%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bañuls AL, Hide M, Prugnolle F Leishmaniases remain a major public health problem today despite the vast amount of research conducted on Leishmania pathogens. The biological model is genetically and ecologically complex. This paper explores the advances in Leishmania genetics and reviews population structure, taxonomy, epidemiology and pathogenicity. Current knowledge of Leishmania genetics is placed in the context of natural populations. Various studies have described a clonal structure for Leishmania but recombination, pseudo-recombination and other genetic processes have also been reported. The impact of these different models on epidemiology and the medical aspects of leishmaniases is considered from an evolutionary point of view. The role of these parasites in the expres... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=610818 Thu, 17 May 2007 23:48:26 +0100 610818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=610816&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17499101%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Graczyk TK, Fried B Waterborne trematode and protozoan infections inflict considerable morbidity on healthy, i.e., immunocompetent people, and may cause life-threatening diseases among immunocompromised and immunosuppressed populations. These infections are common, easily transmissible, and maintain a worldwide distribution, although waterborne trematode infections remain predominantly confined to the developing countries. Waterborne transmission of trematodes is enhanced by cultural practices of eating raw or inadequately cooked food, socio-economical factors, and wide zoonotic and sylvatic reservoirs of these helminths. Waterborne protozoan infections remain common in both developed and developing countries (although better statistics exist for developed countries), and thei... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=610816 Thu, 17 May 2007 23:48:26 +0100 610816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=610814&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17499102%26dopt%3DAbstract This article reviews the history of gyrodactylid research focussing on the unique anatomy, behaviour, ecology and evolution of the viviparous forms while identifying gaps in our knowledge and directions for future research. We provide the first summary of research on the oviparous gyrodactylids from South American catfish, and highlight the plesiomorphic characters shared by gyrodactylids and other primitive monogeneans. Of these, the most important are the crawling, unciliated larva and the spike sensilla of the cephalic lobes. These characters allow gyrodactylids to transfer between hosts at any stage of the life cycle, without a specific transmission stage. We emphasise the importance of progenesis in shaping the evolution of the viviparous genera and discuss the relative extent of prog... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=610814 Thu, 17 May 2007 23:48:26 +0100 610814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=610812&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D17499103%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tibayrenc M This paper aims to review human genetic studies that are generally poorly known by parasitologists and scientists working on other pathogenic agents. The key proposals of this paper are as follows: (i) human susceptibility to transmissible diseases may often have a complex, multigenic background; (ii) recent discoveries indicate that major genomic rearrangements may be involved, possibly more so than DNA sequence; (iii) it is crucial to have a general population genetics framework of the human species based on neutral/historical markers to analyse reliably genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases; and (iv) the population level is a key factor. Ethnic diversity, a highly adaptive genetically driven phenotypic diversity, is possibly a valuable source for explori... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=610812 Thu, 17 May 2007 23:48:26 +0100 610812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394425&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647964%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 16647964 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394425 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394420&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647965%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Baker J, Muller R, Rollinson D PMID: 16647965 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394420 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394415&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647966%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rogers DJ The development of models for species' distributions is briefly reviewed, concentrating on logistic regression and discriminant analytical methods. Improvements in each type of modelling approach have led to increasingly accurate model predictions. This review addresses several key issues that now confront those wishing to choose the "right" sort of model for their own application. One major issue is the number of predictor variables to retain in the final model. Another is the problem of sparse datasets, or of data reported to administrative levels only, not to points. A third is the incorporation of spatial co-variance and auto-covariance in the modelling process. It is suggested that many of these problems can be resolved by adopting an information-theoretic appro... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394415 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394411&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647967%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hay SI, Tatem AJ, Graham AJ, Goetz SJ, Rogers DJ This contribution documents the satellite data archives, data processing methods and temporal Fourier analysis (TFA) techniques used to create the remotely sensed datasets on the DVD distributed with this volume. The aim is to provide a detailed reference guide to the genesis of the data, rather than a standard review. These remotely sensed data cover the entire globe at either 1x1 or 8x8km spatial resolution. We briefly evaluate the relationships between the 1x1 and 8x8km global TFA products to explore their inter-compatibility. The 8x8km TFA surfaces are used in the mapping procedures detailed in the subsequent disease mapping reviews, since the 1x1km products have been validated less widely. Details are also provided on addit... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394411 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394406&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647968%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Atkinson PM, Graham AJ Scale and uncertainty are important issues for the global prediction of disease. Disease mapping over the entire surface of the Earth usually involves the use of remotely sensed imagery to provide environmental covariates of disease risk or disease vector density. It further implies that the spatial resolution of such imagery is relatively coarse (e.g., 8 or 1km). Use of a coarse spatial resolution limits the information that can be extracted from imagery and has important effects on the results of epidemiological analyses. This paper discusses geostatistical models for (i) characterizing the scale(s) of spatial variation in data and (ii) changing the scale of measurement of both the data and the geostatistical model. Uncertainty is introduced, highlight... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394406 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394401&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647969%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Balk DL, Deichmann U, Yetman G, Pozzi F, Hay SI, Nelson A Evaluating the total numbers of people at risk from infectious disease in the world requires not just tabular population data, but data that are spatially explicit and global in extent at a moderate resolution. This review describes the basic methods for constructing estimates of global population distribution with attention to recent advances in improving both spatial and temporal resolution. To evaluate the optimal resolution for the study of disease, the native resolution of the data inputs as well as that of the resulting outputs are discussed. Assumptions used to produce different population data sets are also described, with their implications for the study of infectious disease. Lastly, the application of these p... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394401 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394396&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647970%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Guerra CA, Snow RW, Hay SI There is no accurate contemporary global map of the distribution of malaria. We show how guidelines formulated to advise travellers on appropriate chemoprophylaxis for areas of reported Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria risk can be used to generate crude spatial limits. We first review and amalgamate information on these guidelines to define malaria risk at national and sub-national administrative boundary levels globally. We then adopt an iterative approach to reduce these extents by applying a series of biological limits imposed by altitude, climate and population density to malaria transmission, specific to the local dominant vector species. Global areas of, and population at risk from, P. falciparum and often-neglected P. vivax m... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394396 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394392&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647971%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rogers DJ, Wilson AJ, Hay SI, Graham AJ Yellow fever has been subjected to partial control for decades, but there are signs that case numbers are now increasing globally, with the risk of local epidemic outbreaks. Dengue case numbers have also increased dramatically during the past 40 years and different serotypes have invaded new geographical areas. Despite the temporal changes in these closely related diseases, and their enormous public health impact, few attempts have been made to collect a comprehensive dataset of their spatial and temporal distributions. For this review, records of the occurrence of both diseases during the 20th century have been collected together and are used to define their climatic limits using remotely sensed satellite data within a discriminant anal... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394392 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394388&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647972%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brooker S, Clements AC, Bundy DA Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most prevalent of chronic human infections worldwide. Based on the demonstrable impact on child development, there is a global commitment to finance and implement control strategies with a focus on school-based chemotherapy programmes. The major obstacle to the implementation of cost-effective control is the lack of accurate descriptions of the geographical distribution of infection. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the use of geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) to better understand helminth ecology and epidemiology, and to develop low-cost ways to identify target populations for treatment. This review explores how this information has bee... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394388 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394383&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647973%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Randolph SE, Rogers DJ Evidence is presented that the evolution of the tick-borne flaviviruses is driven by biotic factors, principally the exploitation of new hosts as transmission routes. Because vector-borne diseases are limited by climatic conditions, however, abiotic factors have the potential to direct and constrain the evolutionary pathways. This idea is explored by testing the hypothesis that closely related viruses occupy more similar eco-climatic spaces than do more distantly related viruses. A statistical comparison of the conventional phylogenetic tree derived from molecular distances and a novel phenetic tree derived from distances between the climatic spaces within which each virus circulates, indicates that these trees match each other more closely than would be... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394383 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394377&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647974%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tatem AJ, Rogers DJ, Hay SI Air, sea and land transport networks continue to expand in reach, speed of travel and volume of passengers and goods carried. Pathogens and their vectors can now move further, faster and in greater numbers than ever before. Three important consequences of global transport network expansion are infectious disease pandemics, vector invasion events and vector-borne pathogen importation. This review briefly examines some of the important historical examples of these disease and vector movements, such as the global influenza pandemics, the devastating Anopheles gambiae invasion of Brazil and the recent increases in imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases. We then outline potential approaches for future studies of disease movement, focussing on vecto... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394377 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394370&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16647975%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rogers DJ, Randolph SE In this review we examine formally the conditions under which vector-borne diseases are likely to change, and the directions of those changes, under various scenarios of climate change. We specify the criteria that must be met in order to conclude that climate change is having an effect on vector-borne diseases. We then take several examples from the literature and show how some of them meet these criteria, while others do not. For those that do not, there are alternative explanations that involve much more plausible drivers of the recorded changes in the diseases concerned. PMID: 16647975 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394370 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394365&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735161%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Molyneux DH The control of parasitic diseases of humans has been undertaken since the aetiology and natural history of the infections was recognized and the deleterious effects on human health and well-being appreciated by policy makers, medical practitioners and public health specialists. However, while some parasitic infections such as malaria have proved difficult to control, as defined by a sustained reduction in incidence, others, particularly helminth infections can be effectively controlled. The different approaches to control from diagnosis, to treatment and cure of the clinically sick patient, to control the transmission within the community by preventative chemotherapy and vector control are outlined. The concepts of eradication, elimination and control are defined a... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394365 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394361&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735162%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Winstanley P, Ward S Most malaria control strategies today depend on safe and effective drugs, as they have done for decades. But sensitivity to chloroquine, hitherto the workhorse of malaria chemotherapy, has rapidly declined throughout the tropics since the 1980s, and this drug is now useless in many high-transmission areas. New options for resource-constrained governments are few, and there is growing evidence that the burden from malaria has been increasing, as has malaria mortality in Africa. In this chapter, we have tried to outline the main pharmacological properties of current drugs, and their therapeutic uses and limitations. We have summarised the ways in which these drugs are employed, both in the formal health sector and in self-medication. We have briefly touched ... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394361 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394357&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735163%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hill J, Lines J, Rowland M Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are the most powerful malaria control tool to be developed since the advent of indoor residual spraying (IRS) and chloroquine in the 1940s, and as such they have been an important component of global and national malaria control policies since the mid-1990s. Yet a decade later, coverage is still unacceptably low: only 3% of African children are currently sleeping under an ITN, and only about 20% are sleeping under any kind of net. This review charts the scientific, policy and programmatic progress of ITNs over the last 10 years. Available evidence for the range of programmatic delivery mechanisms used at country level is presented alongside the key policy debates that together have contributed to the evolution of ITN d... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394357 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394353&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735164%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yamagata Y, Nakagawa J The Southern Cone Initiative (Iniciativa de Salud del Cono Sur, INCOSUR) to control domestic transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi is a substantial achievement based on the enthusiasm of the scientific community, effective strategies, leadership, and cost-effectiveness. INCOSUR triggered the launch of other regional initiatives in Central America and in the Andean and Amazon regions, which have all made progress. The Central American Initiative targeted the elimination of an imported triatomine bug (Rhodnius prolixus) and the control of a widespread native species (Triatoma dimidiata), and faced constraints such as a small scientific community, the difficulty in controlling a native species, and a vector control programme that had fragmented under a decentra... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394353 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394353 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394348&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735165%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fèvre EM, Picozzi K, Jannin J, Welburn SC, Maudlin I Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, describes not one but two discrete diseases: that caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and that caused by T. b. gambiense. The Gambian form is currently a major public health problem over vast areas of central and western Africa, while the zoonotic, Rhodesian form continues to present a serious health risk in eastern and southern Africa. The two parasites cause distinct clinical manifestations, and there are significant differences in the epidemiology of the diseases caused. We discuss the differences between the diseases caused by the two parasites, with an emphasis on disease burden, reservoir hosts, transmission, diagnosis, treatment and control. We analyse h... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394348 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394341&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735166%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Alvar J, Croft S, Olliaro P Drugs remain the most important tool for the treatment and control of both visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Although there have been several advances in the past decade, with the introduction of new therapies by liposomal amphotericin, oral miltefosine and paromomycin (PM), these are not ideal drugs, and improved shorter duration, less toxic and cheaper therapies are required. Treatments for complex forms of leishmaniasis and HIV co-infections are inadequate. In addition, full deployment of drugs in treatment and control requires defined strategies, which can also prevent or delay the development of drug resistance. PMID: 16735166 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Advances in Parasitology) Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394341 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394332&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735167%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ruiz-Tiben E, Hopkins DR Since the seminal review by Ralph Muller about Dracunculus and dracunculiasis in this serial publication in 1971, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Carter Center forged, during the 1980s, a coalition of organizations to support a campaign to eradicate dracunculiasis. Eighteen of 20 countries were known in 1986 to have endemic dracunculiasis, i.e., Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda. Transmission of the disease in Yemen was documented in 1995, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Central African Republic endemic in 1995. As of the end of 2004, a total of 16026 cases of dracunculiasis were reported... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394332 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394328&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735168%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Albonico M, Montresor A, Crompton DW, Savioli L The global strategy for the control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis, based on regular anthelminthic treatment, health education and improved sanitation standards, is reviewed. The reasons for the development of a control strategy based on population intervention rather than on individual treatment are explained. The evidence and experience from control programmes that created the basis for (i) the definition of the intervention package, (ii) the identification of the groups at risk, (iii) the standardization of the community diagnosis and (iv) the selection of the appropriate intervention for each category in the community are discussed. How to best deliver the appropriate intervention, the impact of the control measures on mor... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394328 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=394324&cid=s_34428_141_f&fid=34428&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D16735169%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Boatin BA, Richards FO Onchocerciasis is a filarial infection which causes blindness and debilitating skin lesions. The disease occurs in 37 countries, of which 30 are found in Africa (the most affected in terms of the distribution and the severity of the clinical manifestations of the disease), six in the Americas and one in the Arabian Peninsula. The latest WHO Expert Committee on Onchocerciasis estimated that in 1995 around 17.7 million persons were infected, about 270,000 of whom were blind and another 500,000 severely visually impaired. The disease is responsible for 1 million DALYs. Eye disease from onchocerciasis accounts for 40% of DALYs annually although severe skin disease is also recognized as of public health significance. Great progress has been made in the last t... Advances in Parasitology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=394324 Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 394324