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Wadhawan M, Ahmad F, Yadav S, Rathaur S. Proteomic Analysis Reveals Differential Protein Expression Induced by Inhibition of Prolyl Oligopeptidase in Filarial Parasites. Protein J 2022; 41:613-624. [PMID: 36271977 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-022-10080-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) plays a crucial role in the processing and degradation of neuropeptides and regulates inositol trisphosphate (IP3) signaling in mammals. We have reported that POP inhibition leads to IP3-mediated calcium efflux leading to mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in the filarial parasite Setaria cervi. This study further elucidates the effect of altered calcium homeostasis on the proteome of filarial parasites. Adult parasites were treated with POP's specific inhibitor, Z-Pro-prolinal (ZPP), for 7 h. Cytosolic and mitochondrial proteome was analyzed using 2D gel electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-MS/MS. Phosphoproteins were also analyzed in the cytosolic fraction of the parasites. The phosphoprotein analysis revealed 7, and 9 spots in the cytosolic fraction of control and ZPP-treated parasites, respectively. The two identified protein spots in the treated set were found to be involved in G protein signaling. In cytosolic fraction, 109 and 112 protein spots were observed in control and treated parasites, respectively. Of these, 56 upregulated and 32 downregulated protein spots were observed in the treated set. On the other hand, 50 and 47 protein spots were detected in the mitochondrial fraction of control and treated parasites, respectively. Of these spots, 18 upregulated and 12 down-regulated protein spots were found in treated parasites. In silico analysis showed that the identified proteins were involved in energy metabolism, calcium signaling, stress response, and cytoskeleton organization. These findings correlate with our previous results suggesting the important regulatory role of POP in signaling and different metabolic pathways of filarial parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Wadhawan
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Faiyaz Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Smita Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Sushma Rathaur
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, 221005, Varanasi, India.
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Liu S, Piao X, Hou N, Cai P, Ma Y, Chen Q. Duplex real-time PCR for sexing Schistosoma japonicum cercariae based on W chromosome-specific genes and its applications. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008609. [PMID: 32822351 PMCID: PMC7467314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As a unique feature among otherwise hermaphroditic trematodes, Schistosoma species are gonochoric parasites whose sex is genetically determined (ZZ for males and ZW for females). However, schistosome larvae are morphologically identical, and sex can only be discriminated by molecular methods. Here, we integrated published Schistosoma. japonicum transcriptome and genome data to identify W chromosome-specific genes as sex biomarkers. Three W chromosome-specific genes of S. japonicum were identified as sex biomarkers from a panel of 12 genes expressed only in females. An efficient duplex real-time PCR (qPCR) method for sexing cercariae was developed which could identify the sex of cercariae within 2 h without DNA extraction. Moreover, this method can be used to identify not only single-sex but also mixed-sex schistosome-infected snails. We observed a nearly equal proportion of single-male, single-female, and mixed-sex schistosome infections in artificially infected snails. Sex-known schistosome-infected snail models can be efficiently constructed with the aid of duplex qPCR. A field study revealed that single-sex schistosome infections were predominant among naturally infected snails. Finally, a schistosomiasis mouse model based on sex-known cercariae infection was shown to be more reliable than a model based on sex-unknown cercariae infection. The developed duplex qPCR method for sexing S. japonicum cercariae can be widely used for schistosomiasis modeling, genetic experiments, and field-based molecular epidemiological studies. Schistosoma japonicum is a major causative agent of human schistosomiasis. Unlike other parasitic worms, S. japonicum females are determined by the heterogametic sex chromosome (ZW) and males by the homogametic sex chromosome (ZZ). The life cycle of S. japonicum includes the egg, miracidium, mother sporocyst, daughter sporocyst, cercaria, schistosomulum, and adult stages. The sex of adult male and female worms can be morphologically distinguished, whereas the sex of larvae, such as cercariae, can only be discriminated by molecular methods. In this study, we established an efficient duplex real-time PCR method for sexing S. japonicum cercariae based on newly identified W chromosome-specific genes. The established duplex real-time PCR method will facilitate construction of sex-controlled schistosome-infected intermediate host or definitive host models for schistosome-host interplays and schistosomiasis studies. This method is also a powerful tool for investigating the epidemiology of single-sex and mixed-sex schistosome-infected snails in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (SL); (QC)
| | - Xianyu Piao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Nan Hou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yu Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Qijun Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (SL); (QC)
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Lineage-specific expansion and loss of tyrosinase genes across platyhelminths and their induction profiles in the carcinogenic oriental liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis. Parasitology 2017; 144:1316-1327. [PMID: 28583212 DOI: 10.1017/s003118201700083x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosinase provides an essential activity during egg production in diverse platyhelminths by mediating sclerotization of eggshells. In this study, we investigated the genomic and evolutionary features of tyrosinases in parasitic platyhelminths whose genomic information is available. A pair of paralogous tyrosinases was detected in most trematodes, whereas they were lost in cyclophyllidean cestodes. A pseudophyllidean cestode displaying egg biology similar to that of trematodes possessed an orthologous gene. Interestingly, one of the paralogous tyrosinases appeared to have been multiplied into three copies in Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini. In addition, a fifth tyrosinase gene that was minimally transcribed through all developmental stages was further detected in these opisthorchiid genomes. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the tyrosinase gene has undergone duplication at least three times in platyhelminths. The additional opisthorchiid gene arose from the first duplication. A paralogous copy generated from these gene duplications, except for the last one, seemed to be lost in the major neodermatans lineages. In C. sinensis, tyrosinase gene expressions were initiated following sexual maturation and the levels were significantly enhanced by the presence of O2 and bile. Taken together, our data suggest that tyrosinase has evolved lineage-specifically across platyhelminths related to its copy number and induction mechanism.
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Bae YA. Codon Usage Patterns of Tyrosinase Genes in Clonorchis sinensis. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2017; 55:175-183. [PMID: 28506040 PMCID: PMC5450960 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.2.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Codon usage bias (CUB) is a unique property of genomes and has contributed to the better understanding of the molecular features and the evolution processes of particular gene. In this study, genetic indices associated with CUB, including relative synonymous codon usage and effective numbers of codons, as well as the nucleotide composition, were investigated in the Clonorchis sinensis tyrosinase genes and their platyhelminth orthologs, which play an important role in the eggshell formation. The relative synonymous codon usage patterns substantially differed among tyrosinase genes examined. In a neutrality analysis, the correlation between GC12 and GC3 was statistically significant, and the regression line had a relatively gradual slope (0.218). NC-plot, i.e., GC3 vs effective number of codons (ENC), showed that most of the tyrosinase genes were below the expected curve. The codon adaptation index (CAI) values of the platyhelminth tyrosinases had a narrow distribution between 0.685/0.714 and 0.797/0.837, and were negatively correlated with their ENC. Taken together, these results suggested that CUB in the tyrosinase genes seemed to be basically governed by selection pressures rather than mutational bias, although the latter factor provided an additional force in shaping CUB of the C. sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini genes. It was also apparent that the equilibrium point between selection pressure and mutational bias is much more inclined to selection pressure in highly expressed C. sinensis genes, than in poorly expressed genes.
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Cheah YS, Santhanakrishnan S, Sullivan MB, Neoh KG, Chai CL. The chemical reactivities of DOPA and dopamine derivatives and their regioselectivities upon oxidative nucleophilic trapping. Tetrahedron 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2016.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Zhang Y, He Y, He L, Zong HY, Cai GB. Molecular cloning and characterization of a phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase gene from a blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2015; 203:5-13. [PMID: 26484892 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is a major antioxidant enzyme and plays critical roles in the protection of cells against oxidative stress by catalysing reduction of lipid hydroperoxides. A full-length cDNA sequence corresponding to GPx gene from Schistosoma japonicum (designated SjGPx) was isolated and characterized. SjGPx contained an in-frame TGA codon for selenocysteine (Sec) and a concurrent Sec insertion sequence in its 3'-untranslated region. Protein encoded by SjGPx demonstrated a primary structure characteristic to the PHGPx family, including preservation of catalytic domains and absence of the subunit interaction domains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the SjGPx was highly related to the other PHGPx-related members, and clustered into the trematode subclade II. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blotting showed that the SjGPx was mainly expressed in the female adults and eggs. RNA interference was employed to investigate the effects of knockdown of SjGPx. SjGPx expression level was significantly reduced on the 5th day post-RNAi. We observed a 53.86% reduction in total GPx activity and the eggs severely deformed. Oxidative stimulation of viable worms with H2O2 or paraquat resulted in 1.6- to 2.1-fold induction of the GPx activity. Our results revealed that the SjGPx protein is selenium-dependent PHGPx, which might actively participate in the detoxification of oxidative damage during egg production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Wuhan University School of Basic Medicial Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan He
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medicial Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Li He
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medicial Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong-Ying Zong
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medicial Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Guo-Bin Cai
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medicial Sciences, Wuhan, China.
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Expression and characterization of a phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase gene in Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitology 2015; 142:1595-604. [PMID: 26283515 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182015001055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx, GPx4) is a major antioxidant enzyme, which plays unique roles in the protection of cells against oxidative stress by catalysing reduction of lipid hydroperoxides. We isolated and characterized a full-length cDNA sequence encoding GPx gene from a blood fluke, Schistosoma japonicum (designated SjGPx), which contained an in-frame TGA codon for selenocysteine (Sec) and a concurrent Sec insertion sequence in its 3'-untranslated region. Protein encoded by SjGPx demonstrated a primary structure characteristic to the PHGPx family, including preservation of catalytic domains and absence of the subunit interaction domains. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting showed that the SjGPx was mainly expressed in the female adults and eggs. RNA interference approach was employed to investigate the effects of knockdown of SjGPx. SjGPx expression level was significantly reduced on the 5th day post-RNAi. Significantly reduction in GPx enzyme activities, as well as obvious changes in morphology of intrauterine eggs followed the reduction in SjGPx transcript level. We observed a 63·04% reduction in GPx activity and the eggs severely deformed. Our results revealed that SjGPx protein might be involved in the provision of enzyme activity during egg production.
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Abstract
Trematode tyrosinases (TYRs) play a major role in the tanning process during eggshell formation. We investigated the molecular and biochemical features of Paragonimus westermani TYR (PwTYR). The PwTYR cDNA was composed of 1568-bp encompassing a 1422-bp-long open reading frame (474-amino acid polypeptide). A strong phylogenetic relationship with Platyhelminthes and Deuterostomian orthologues was evident. The recombinant PwTYR expressed in prokaryotic cells promptly oxidized diphenol substrates, with a preferential affinity toward ortho-positioned hydroxyl groups. It demonstrated fairly weak activity for monophenol compounds. Diphenol oxidase activity was augmented with an increase of pH from 5.0 to 8.0, while monophenol oxidase activity was highest at an acidic pH and gradually decreased as pH increased. Transcription profile of PwTYR was temporally upregulated along with worm development. PwTYR was specifically localized in vitellocytes and eggs. The results suggested that conversion of tyrosine to L-dihydroxyphenylalanine by PwTYR monophenol oxidase activity might be rate-limiting step during the sclerotization process of P. westermani eggs. The pH-dependent pattern of monophenol and diphenol oxidase activity further proposes that the initial hydroxylation might slowly but steadily progress in acidic secreted vesicles of vitellocytes and the second oxidation process might be rapidly accelerated by neural or weak alkaline pH environments within the ootype.
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Bae YA, Cai GB, Kim SH, Sohn WM, Kong Y. Expression pattern and substrate specificity of Clonorchis sinensis tyrosinases. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:891-900. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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He Y, Cai G, Ni Y, Li Y, Zong H, He L. siRNA-mediated knockdown of two tyrosinase genes from Schistosoma japonicum cultured in vitro. Exp Parasitol 2012; 132:394-402. [PMID: 23073288 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cross-linking process of eggshell proteins in helminths is dependent on the activities of tyrosinases (TYRs), which can be inhibited by phenol oxidase inhibitors. Two genes encoding TYRs, SjTYR1 and SjTYR2, have been identified in Schistosoma japonicum. In this study, siRNA-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) was performed to silence these two SjTYR genes to evaluate their roles in eggshell formation. The effects of individual or double knockdown of the SjTYR genes were compared by determining SjTYR1/SjTYR2 transcript levels, enzyme activities, and by observing the morphology and amounts of intrauterine eggs. Results showed that SjTYR transcript levels were significantly reduced on the 3rd day post-RNAi. Significant reductions in TYR enzyme activities, as well as obvious changes in morphology and the number of intrauterine eggs followed the reductions in SjTYR transcript levels. On the 8th day after simultaneous knockdown of both SjTYR genes, which effected a 40% reduction in SjTYR1 transcript level and a 59% reduction in SjTYR2 transcript level, we observed an 80% reduction in diphenol oxidase (DPO) activity of TYRs, and a 74% reduction in the number of normal eggs in female uteri. Knockdown of both SjTYR genes has a greater effect than single knockdown of the SjTYR genes. These results demonstrate that both SjTYRs play an important role in eggshell sclerotization of S. japonicum, and that their enzyme activities depend on the transcript levels of two SjTYR genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan He
- Department of Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan 430071, China
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Khampoosa P, Jones MK, Lovas EM, Srisawangwong T, Laha T, Piratae S, Thammasiri C, Suwannatrai A, Sripanidkulchai B, Eursitthichai V, Tesana S. Light and electron microscopy observations of embryogenesis and egg development in the human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini (Platyhelminthes, Digenea). Parasitol Res 2011; 110:799-808. [PMID: 21786067 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2557-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Eggs of most species digenean flukes hatch in the external environment to liberate larvae that seek and penetrate a snail intermediate host. Those of the human liver flukes, Opisthorchis viverrini, hatch within the gastrointestinal canal of their snail hosts. While adult parasites are primarily responsible for the pathology in cases of human opisthorchiasis, their eggs also contribute by inducing granulomata and in serving as nidi for gallstone formation. In view of the peculiar biology of O. viverrini eggs and their contribution to pathology, we investigated embryogenesis in this species by light and transmission electron microscopy. Egg development was traced from earliest stages of coalescence in the ootype until full embryonation in the distal region of the uterus. Fully mature eggs were generally impermeable to resin and could not be examined by conventional electron microscopy methods. However, the use of high-pressure freezing and freeze-substitution fixation of previously fixed eggs enabled the internal structure of mature eggs, particularly the subshell envelopes, to be elucidated. Fertilization occurs in the ootype, and the large zygote is seen therein with a single spermatozoon wrapped around its plasma membrane. As the zygote begins to divide, the spent vitellocytes are pushed to the periphery of the eggs, where they progressively degrade. The early eggshell is formed in the ootype by coalescing eggshell precursor material released by approximately six vitelline cells. The early eggs have a thinner eggshell and are larger than, but lack the characteristic shape of, mature eggs. Characteristic shell ornamentation, the "muskmelon" appearance of eggs, appears after eggshell polymerization in the ootype. Pores are not present in the shell of O. viverrini eggs. The inner and outer envelopes are poorly formed in this species, with the outer envelope evident beneath the eggshell at the opercular pole of the mature egg. The miracidium has a conical anterior end that lacks the distinctive lamellar appearance of the terebratorium of other digeneans, such as the schistosomes. The miracidium is richly glandular, containing an apical gland in the anterior end, large cephalic gland, and posterior secretory glands. Each gland contains a secretory product with different structure. The paucity of vitelline cells associating with eggs, the reduced size of eggs, and reduced complexity of the extraembryonic envelopes are interpreted as adaptations to the peculiar hatching biology of the miracidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panita Khampoosa
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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Schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China: the era of the Three Gorges Dam. Clin Microbiol Rev 2010; 23:442-66. [PMID: 20375361 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00044-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential impact of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) on schistosomiasis transmission in China has invoked considerable global concern. The TGD will result in changes in the water level and silt deposition downstream, favoring the reproduction of Oncomelania snails. Combined with blockages of the Yangtze River's tributaries, these changes will increase the schistosomiasis transmission season within the marshlands along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The changing schistosome transmission dynamics necessitate a comprehensive strategy to control schistosomiasis. This review discusses aspects of the epidemiology and transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in China and considers the pathology, clinical outcomes, diagnosis, treatment, immunobiology, and genetics of schistosomiasis japonica together with an overview of current progress in vaccine development, all of which will have an impact on future control efforts. The use of synchronous praziquantel (PZQ) chemotherapy for humans and domestic animals is only temporarily effective, as schistosome reinfection occurs rapidly. Drug delivery requires a substantial infrastructure to regularly cover all parts of an area of endemicity. This makes chemotherapy expensive and, as compliance is often low, a less than satisfactory control option. There is increasing disquiet about the possibility that PZQ-resistant schistosomes will develop. Consequently, as mathematical modeling predicts, vaccine strategies represent an essential component in the future control of schistosomiasis in China. With the inclusion of focal mollusciciding, improvements in sanitation, and health education into the control scenario, China's target of reducing the level of schistosome infection to less than 1% by 2015 may be achievable.
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Metabolite-biomarker investigations in the life cycle of and infection with Schistosoma. Parasitology 2010; 137:1425-35. [PMID: 20550753 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182010000545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Schistosome infection is endemic in many Third World countries and affects an estimated 200 million individuals. Over the last few years, a number of investigations have focused on small molecule biomarkers of this infection. These studies were aimed at discovering key molecules relating to the life cycle of the parasite or deciphering metabolic change in the host during infection. In this review these studies are further divided into targeted approaches to find compounds and fingerprinting techniques i.e. metabonomics. A species-specific metabolite or group of biomarkers of the infection have yet to be discovered. For this reason a critical discussion contrasting with established diagnostic methods and future prospects are also provided.
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