1
|
Kinyatta N, Wachira D, Githae R, Lusweti J, Ingonga J, Ichugu C, Maina C, Haji R, Kimani F, Musili R, Muli J, Kamau L. Detection of Wuchereria bancrofti in human blood samples and mosquitoes in Matayos, Busia County-Kenya. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19420. [PMID: 37940673 PMCID: PMC10632445 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46329-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito borne disease which leads to abnormal painful enlarged body parts, severe disability and social stigma. We screened Wuchereria bancrofti in Matayos constituency in Busia County. Blood samples were collected from 23 villages selected purposively based on clinical case reports. Finger prick and/or venous blood sampling and mosquito collections was carried out. Antigenaemia and filarial DNA prevalence were determined. Infection rates on mosquito pools were estimated and SPSS version 26 was used for descriptive statistics analysis. A total of 262 participants were recruited, 73.3% (n = 192) of the participants had no symptoms, 14.1% (n = 5.3) had swollen legs, 5.3% (n = 14) had painful legs and 3.8% (n = 10) with scrotal swellings. Average antigenemia prevalence was 35.9% (n = 94) and DNA prevalence was at 8.0% (n = 21). A total of 1305 mosquitoes were collected and pooled into 2-20 mosquitoes of the same species and from the same village. Two pools out of 78 were positive for filarial DNA with a minimum infection rate of 0.15%. From this study, antigenaemia and infected mosquitoes are an indication of active transmission. The clinical signs are evidence that filarial infections have been in circulation for over 10 years. The global climate change phenomenon currently happening has been shown to adversely affect the transmission of vector borne diseases and is likely to increase lymphatic filariasis transmission in the area. This study therefore recommends further screening before Mass Drug Administration, morbidity management and enhanced mosquito control Programmes are recommended in the study area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Kinyatta
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Dorcas Wachira
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rosemary Githae
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Japheth Lusweti
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Johnstone Ingonga
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Christine Ichugu
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Caroline Maina
- Department of Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rukiya Haji
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Francis Kimani
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rael Musili
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jacinta Muli
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Luna Kamau
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hadipour M, Fasihi Harandi M, Mirhendi H, Yousofi Darani H. Diagnosis of echinococcosis by detecting circulating cell-free DNA and miRNA. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2023; 23:133-142. [PMID: 36756744 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2178903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diagnosis of echinococcosis is difficult and usually performed based on clinical findings, imaging, and serological test. However, all of them have limitations, especially in follow-up approaches. AREAS COVERED Detection of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and micro-RNA (miRNA) is currently a hot topic for diagnosis of echinococcosis diseases. For detecting cell-free DNA in echinococcosis patient's samples such as sera, some techniques are based on next-generation sequencing (NGS), DNA-deep sequencing, some are based on PCR-based methods, and a few works related to the detection of miRNA for the diagnosis of human echinococcosis. EXPERT OPINION In the detection of cell-free DNA in echinococcosis patient' samples, NGS and DNA-deep sequencing have shown high level of sensitivity, but are not suitable for routine clinical examination as they are expensive and inaccessible in the majority of endemic areas. However, PCR-based methods have shown a sensitivity of about 20-25%. To improve the sensitivity of these tests, improving the DNA extraction method, designing appropriate primers for detecting short-length fragments of circulating DNA, using a higher volume of a serum sample, and application of more sensitive PCR methods are recommended. In the field of miRNA detection, further works are recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Hadipour
- Department of parasitology and mycology, Faculty of medicine, Isfahan University of Medical sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Majid Fasihi Harandi
- Research center for Hydatid disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hossein Mirhendi
- Department of parasitology and mycology, Faculty of medicine, Isfahan University of Medical sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Yousofi Darani
- Department of parasitology and mycology, Faculty of medicine, Isfahan University of Medical sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Halder AK, Dutta P, Kundu M, Basu S, Nasipuri M. Review of computational methods for virus-host protein interaction prediction: a case study on novel Ebola-human interactions. Brief Funct Genomics 2018; 17:381-391. [PMID: 29028879 PMCID: PMC7109800 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elx026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of potential virus-host interactions is useful and vital to control the highly infectious virus-caused diseases. This may contribute toward development of new drugs to treat the viral infections. Recently, database records of clinically and experimentally validated interactions between a small set of human proteins and Ebola virus (EBOV) have been published. Using the information of the known human interaction partners of EBOV, our main objective is to identify a set of proteins that may interact with EBOV proteins. Here, we first review the state-of-the-art, computational methods used for prediction of novel virus-host interactions for infectious diseases followed by a case study on EBOV-human interactions. The assessment result shows that the predicted human host proteins are highly similar with known human interaction partners of EBOV in the context of structure and semantics and are responsible for similar biochemical activities, pathways and host-pathogen relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anup Kumar Halder
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, India
| | - Pritha Dutta
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, India
| | - Mahantapas Kundu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, India
| | - Subhadip Basu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, India
| | - Mita Nasipuri
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Jadavpur University, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Weerakoon KG, McManus DP. Cell-Free DNA as a Diagnostic Tool for Human Parasitic Infections. Trends Parasitol 2016; 32:378-391. [PMID: 26847654 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Parasites often cause devastating diseases and represent a significant public health and economic burden. More accurate and convenient diagnostic tools are needed in support of parasite control programmes in endemic regions, and for rapid point-of-care diagnosis in nonendemic areas. The detection of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a relatively new concept that is being applied in the current armamentarium of diagnostics. Here, we review the application of cfDNA detection with nucleic acid amplification tests for the diagnosis and evaluation of different human parasitic infections and highlight the significant benefits of the approach using non-invasive clinical samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kosala G Weerakoon
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka.
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Poole CB, Ettwiller L, Tanner NA, Evans TC, Wanji S, Carlow CKS. Genome Filtering for New DNA Biomarkers of Loa loa Infection Suitable for Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139286. [PMID: 26414073 PMCID: PMC4586141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Loa loa infections have emerged as a serious public health problem in patients co-infected with Onchocerca volvulus or Wuchereria bancrofti because of severe adverse neurological reactions after treatment with ivermectin. Accurate diagnostic tests are needed for careful mapping in regions where mass drug administration is underway. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has become a widely adopted screening method because of its operational simplicity, rapidity and versatility of visual detection readout options. Here, we present a multi-step bioinformatic pipeline to generate diagnostic candidates suitable for LAMP and experimentally validate this approach using one of the identified candidates to develop a species-specific LAMP assay for L. loa. The pipeline identified ~140 new L. loa specific DNA repeat families as putative biomarkers of infection. The consensus sequence of one family, repeat family 4 (RF4), was compiled from ~ 350 sequences dispersed throughout the L. loa genome and maps to a L. loa-specific region of the long terminal repeats found at the boundaries of Bel/Pao retrotransposons. PCR and LAMP primer sets targeting RF4 specifically amplified L. loa but not W. bancrofti, O. volvulus, Brugia malayi, human or mosquito DNA. RF4 LAMP detects the DNA equivalent of one microfilaria (100 pg) in 25-30 minutes and as little as 0.060 pg of L. loa DNA (~1/1600th of a microfilaria) purified from spiked blood samples in approximately 50 minutes. In summary, we have successfully employed a bioinformatic approach to mine the L. loa genome for species-specific repeat families that can serve as new DNA biomarkers for LAMP. The RF4 LAMP assay shows promise as a field tool for the implementation and management of mass drug administration programs and warrants further testing on clinical samples as the next stage in development towards this goal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathan A. Tanner
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Thomas C. Evans
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment, Buea, Cameroon
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Expanding the MDx toolbox for filarial diagnosis and surveillance. Trends Parasitol 2015; 31:391-400. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
7
|
Ximenes C, Brandão E, Oliveira P, Rocha A, Rego T, Medeiros R, Aguiar-Santos A, Ferraz J, Reis C, Araujo P, Carvalho L, Melo FL. Detection of Wuchereria bancrofti DNA in paired serum and urine samples using polymerase chain reaction-based systems. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 109:978-83. [PMID: 25424447 PMCID: PMC4325614 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276140155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Global Program for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) aims to
eliminate this disease by the year 2020. However, the development of more specific
and sensitive tests is important for the success of the GPELF. The present study
aimed to standardise polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based systems for the diagnosis
of filariasis in serum and urine. Twenty paired biological urine and serum samples
from individuals already known to be positive for Wuchereria bancrofti
were collected during the day. Conventional PCR and semi-nested PCR assays
were optimised. The detection limit of the technique for purified W.
bancrofti DNA extracted from adult worms was 10 fg for the internal
systems (WbF/Wb2) and 0.1 fg by using semi-nested PCR. The specificity of the primers
was confirmed experimentally by amplification of 1 ng of purified genomic DNA from
other species of parasites. Evaluation of the paired urine and serum samples by the
semi-nested PCR technique indicated only two of the 20 tested individuals were
positive, whereas the simple internal PCR system (WbF/Wb2), which has highly
promising performance, revealed that all the patients were positive using both
samples. This study successfully demonstrated the possibility of using the PCR
technique on urine for the diagnosis of W. bancrofti infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Ximenes
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Eduardo Brandão
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Paula Oliveira
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Abraham Rocha
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Tamisa Rego
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Rafael Medeiros
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Ana Aguiar-Santos
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - João Ferraz
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Christian Reis
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Paulo Araujo
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Luiz Carvalho
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Fabio L Melo
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Filarioses, Departamento de Parasitologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Since 1977, >2000 research papers described attempts to detect, identify and/or quantify parasites, or disease organisms carried by ecto-parasites, using DNA-based tests and 148 reviews of the topic were published. Despite this, only a few DNA-based tests for parasitic diseases are routinely available, and most of these are optional tests used occasionally in disease diagnosis. Malaria, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis and cryptosporidiosis diagnosis may be assisted by DNA-based testing in some countries, but there are very few cases where the detection of veterinary parasites is assisted by DNA-based tests. The diagnoses of some bacterial (e.g. lyme disease) and viral diseases (e.g. tick borne encephalitis) which are transmitted by ecto-parasites more commonly use DNA-based tests, and research developing tests for these species makes up almost 20% of the literature. Other important uses of DNA-based tests are for epidemiological and risk assessment, quality control for food and water, forensic diagnosis and in parasite biology research. Some DNA-based tests for water-borne parasites, including Cryptosporidium and Giardia, are used in routine checks of water treatment, but forensic and food-testing applications have not been adopted in routine practice. Biological research, including epidemiological research, makes the widest use of DNA-based diagnostics, delivering enhanced understanding of parasites and guidelines for managing parasitic diseases. Despite the limited uptake of DNA-based tests to date, there is little doubt that they offer great potential to not only detect, identify and quantify parasites, but also to provide further information important for the implementation of parasite control strategies. For example, variant sequences within species of parasites and other organisms can be differentiated by tests in a manner similar to genetic testing in medicine or livestock breeding. If an association between DNA sequence and phenotype has been demonstrated, then qualities such as drug resistance, strain divergence, virulence, and origin of isolates could be inferred by DNA-based tests. No such tests are in clinical or commercial use in parasitology and few tests are available for other organisms. Why have DNA-based tests not had a bigger impact in veterinary and human medicine? To explore this question, technological, biological, economic and sociological factors must be considered. Additionally, a realistic expectation of research progress is needed. DNA-based tests could enhance parasite management in many ways, but patience, persistence and dedication will be needed to achieve this goal.
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhao N, Pang B, Shyu CR, Korkin D. Structural similarity and classification of protein interaction interfaces. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19554. [PMID: 21589874 PMCID: PMC3093400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 04/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between proteins play a key role in many cellular processes.
Studying protein-protein interactions that share similar interaction interfaces
may shed light on their evolution and could be helpful in elucidating the
mechanisms behind stability and dynamics of the protein complexes. When two
complexes share structurally similar subunits, the similarity of the interaction
interfaces can be found through a structural superposition of the subunits.
However, an accurate detection of similarity between the protein complexes
containing subunits of unrelated structure remains an open problem. Here, we present an alignment-free machine learning approach to measure interface
similarity. The approach relies on the feature-based representation of protein
interfaces and does not depend on the superposition of the interacting subunit
pairs. Specifically, we develop an SVM classifier of similar and dissimilar
interfaces and derive a feature-based interface similarity measure. Next, the
similarity measure is applied to a set of 2,806×2,806 binary complex pairs
to build a hierarchical classification of protein-protein interactions. Finally,
we explore case studies of similar interfaces from each level of the hierarchy,
considering cases when the subunits forming interactions are either homologous
or structurally unrelated. The analysis has suggested that the positions of
charged residues in the homologous interfaces are not necessarily conserved and
may exhibit more complex conservation patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhao
- Informatics Institute and Department of
Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of
America
| | - Bin Pang
- Informatics Institute and Department of
Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of
America
| | - Chi-Ren Shyu
- Informatics Institute and Department of
Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of
America
| | - Dmitry Korkin
- Informatics Institute and Department of
Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of
America
- Bond Life Science Center, University of
Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Walther M, Muller R. Diagnosis of human filariases (except onchocerciasis). ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2003; 53:149-93. [PMID: 14587698 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-308x(03)53004-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The traditional method of diagnosing filarial infections is to examine blood or skin samples for microfilariae and for many this is still the standard procedure. However, since the present global campaign to eliminate lymphatic filariasis new diagnostic tools have emerged like PCR, antigen detection using finger-prick blood taken during the day and ultrasound to visualize adult worms. The last two can be applied in endemic countries with limited resources and enable the detection of early infections. As well as their value in control schemes, the latter is particularly important for the individual since recent research has shown that damage is usually caused long before symptoms appear. The usefulness in different situations and the advantages and disadvantages of the various new tools for diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis are discussed. For loiasis, immunodiagnostic methods have not been very successful but repetitive DNA sequences in the Loa genome have been found to be species specific. Techniques based on them are particularly useful for diagnosing cases of occult infection without microfilaraemia. There have been no advances in the diagnosis of Mansonella perstans but both immunodiagnostic and PCR tests show promise in differentiating M. streptocerca, and the latter in differentiating M.ozzardi, from Onchocerca. In addition to the human filariae, the dog parasites Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens can also occur in humans but do not produce microfilariae in them. ELISAs and PCR probes have been devised and can usefully differentiate between pulmonary dirofilariasis and lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Walther
- Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis has afflicted people in the tropical areas of the world for thousands of years but even up to comparatively recent times it has been poorly understood and its importance under recognised. In the last 2 decades or so there has been a flurry of activity in filariasis research, which has provided new insights into the global problem of filariasis, the pathogenesis of filarial disease, diagnosis and control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wayne D Melrose
- Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Schistosoma infection is one of the most common infectious diseases, limited in the past only to the endemic countries. With the enormous increase in migration and travel, we encounter more and more cases in developed, nonendemic countries. Although the disease has been known for many years from studies in the endemic countries, the new patient population of nonimmune travelers presents with a different clinical pattern that requires further investigation. One of the features of the disease in the nonendemic population is pulmonary involvement that seems to be much more common than previously suspected. The differences between the nonimmune population with the early pulmonary involvement and the population of endemic areas with late pulmonary involvement are summarized in Table 1. Clinicians in the Western countries have a higher chance of encountering the early (acute) form of the disease, although immigrants from endemic countries may present with late (chronic) schistosomiasis. In the differential diagnosis of pulmonary pathology, especially when accompanied by eosinophilia, schistosomal infection should be considered. The travel history of the patient is mandatory for an evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eli Schwartz
- Center for Geographic Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Department of Medicine C, 52621 Tel Hashomer, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hertel J, Hamburger J, Haberl B, Haas W. Detection of bird schistosomes in lakes by PCR and filter-hybridization. Exp Parasitol 2002; 101:57-63. [PMID: 12243738 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-4894(02)00036-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Many lakes around the world are contaminated with bird schistosome cercariae, which penetrate into human skin, causing an itching dermatitis called "swimmers' itch." Bathers could be forewarned from exposure to the larvae and ecological examinations could be performed, when a sensitive method to detect the parasites in aquatic systems, where lots of organisms hinder microscopic examinations, would be available. For this purpose we cloned, sequenced, and analyzed a 396 bp tandem repeated DNA sequence from Trichobilharzia ocellata (ToSau3A), and employed it for developing molecular detection assays. It hybridized with less than 100 pg DNA from different Trichobilharzia species (T. ocellata, Trichobilharzia franki, and Trichobilharzia regenti), but not with 10 ng DNA from other related or sympatric trematodes. A PCR assay, amplifying this sequence with the same specificity, detected 100 fg T. ocellata DNA, 1 cercaria in 0.5 g plankton, and 2 cercariae in 0.5 g host snail tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hertel
- Institute for Zoology I, University of Erlangen, Staudtstrasse 5, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kemp C, Roberts A. Infectious diseases: filariasis, Malayan filariasis, loiasis (ioa ioa), Onchocerciasis (river blindness). JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS 2001; 13:391-4. [PMID: 11930850 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2001.tb00056.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Kemp
- Community Health Faculty Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Baylor University. USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Dissanayake S, Rocha A, Noroes J, Medeiros Z, Dreyer G, Piessens WF. Evaluation of PCR-based methods for the diagnosis of infection in bancroftian filariasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2000; 94:526-30. [PMID: 11132382 DOI: 10.1016/s0035-9203(00)90075-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The value of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infection was evaluated in comparison to microscopical examination of night blood smears, Nuclepore filtration, serology and ultrasonography. No correlation was found between PCR-based deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probing and serology. We did not find any evidence of free filarial DNA in either blood plasma or chylocoele fluid. We conclude that the 2 PCR-based techniques evaluated are not more sensitive than Nuclepore filtration for detection of W. bancrofti microfilaraemia, need at least 1 intact microfilaria in the volume of blood used for DNA extraction, and were much inferior to ultrasonography for detection of amicrofilaraemic adult worm carriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Dissanayake
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, UAE University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|