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Chai JY, Seo M, Shin DH. Paleoparasitology research on ancient helminth eggs and larvae in the Republic of Korea. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2023; 61:345-387. [PMID: 38043533 PMCID: PMC10693964 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Paleoparasitology is a discipline that applies existing conventional and molecular techniques to study parasites found in ancient ruins. This review focuses on the history of the discovery of parasites (mostly helminth eggs and larvae) in archaeological soil samples and mummies in Korea from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Joseon Dynasty (100 BCE-1910 CE). We also briefly review important milestones in global paleoparasitology. The helminth species reported so far in Korea included Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis (larva), Trichostrongylus sp. (larva), Paracapillaria philippinensis (syn. Capillaria philippinensis), Enterobius vermicularis, Fasciola hepatica, dicrocoeliids, Paragonimus westermani, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawai, Pygidiopsis summa, Gymnophalloides seoi, Isthmiophora hortensis, Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis (syn. Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense), and Taenia spp. tapeworms. The findings obtained by Korean paleoparasitologists/archaeologists have brought about deep insight into the status of helminthic infections in Korea's past populations. Continued paleoparasitological research is essential for further understanding of ancient parasites and parasitic diseases in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Yil Chai
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080,
Korea
| | - Min Seo
- Department of Parasitology, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan 31116,
Korea
| | - Dong Hoon Shin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080,
Korea
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Leutenegger CM, Lozoya CE, Tereski J, Andrews J, Mitchell KD, Meeks C, Willcox JL, Freeman G, Richmond HL, Savard C, Evason MD. Comparative study of a broad qPCR panel and centrifugal flotation for detection of gastrointestinal parasites in fecal samples from dogs and cats in the United States. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:288. [PMID: 37587483 PMCID: PMC10433665 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05904-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For decades, zinc sulfate centrifugal fecal flotation microscopy (ZCF) has been the mainstay technique for gastrointestinal (GI) parasite screening at veterinary clinics and laboratories. Elsewhere, PCR has replaced microscopy because of generally increased sensitivity and detection capabilities; however, until recently it has been unavailable commercially. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to compare the performance of real-time PCR (qPCR) and ZCF for fecal parasite screening. Secondary aims included further characterization of markers for hookworm treatment resistance and Giardia spp. assemblages with zoonotic potential and qPCR optimization. METHODS A convenience sampling of 931 canine/feline fecal samples submitted to a veterinary reference laboratory for routine ZCF from the Northeast US (11/2022) was subsequently evaluated by a broad qPCR panel following retention release. Detection frequency and agreement (kappa statistics) were evaluated between ZCF and qPCR for seven GI parasites [hookworm/(Ancylostoma spp.), roundworm/(Toxocara spp.), whipworm/(Trichuris spp.), Giardia duodenalis, Cystoisospora spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Tritrichomonas blagburni] and detections per sample. Total detection frequencies were compared using a paired t-test; positive sample and co-infection frequencies were compared using Pearson's chi-squared test (p ≤ 0.05 significant) and qPCR frequency for hookworm benzimidazole (BZ) resistance (F167Y) and zoonotic Giardia spp. assemblage markers calculated. Confirmatory testing, characterization, and qPCR optimization were carried out with Sanger sequencing. RESULTS qPCR detected a significantly higher overall parasite frequency (n = 679) compared to ZCF (n = 437) [p = < 0.0001, t = 14.38, degrees-of-freedom (df) = 930] and 2.6 × the co-infections [qPCR (n = 172) vs. ZCF (n = 66)], which was also significant (p = < 0.0001, X2 = 279.49; df = 1). While overall agreement of parasite detection was substantial [kappa = 0.74; (0.69-0.78], ZCF-undetected parasites reduced agreement for individual and co-infected samples. qPCR detected markers for Ancylostoma caninum BZ resistance (n = 5, 16.1%) and Giardia with zoonotic potential (n = 22, 9.1%) as well as two parasites undetected by ZCF (T. gondii/T. blagburni). Sanger sequencing detected novel roundworm species, and qPCR optimization provided detection beyond ZCF. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the statistically significant detection frequency advantage offered by qPCR compared to routine ZCF for both single and co-infections. While overall agreement was excellent, this rapid, commercially available qPCR panel offers benefits beyond ZCF with detection of markers for Giardia assemblages with zoonotic potential and hookworm (A. caninum) BZ resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jan Andrews
- Antech Diagnostics, Inc, Fountain Valley, CA, USA
| | | | - Cathy Meeks
- Antech Diagnostics, Inc, Fountain Valley, CA, USA
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Ryoo S, Jung BK, Hong S, Shin H, Song H, Kim HS, Ryu JY, Sohn WM, Hong SJ, Htoon TT, Tin HH, Chai JY. Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura in the feces of schoolchildren in the Yangon Region, Myanmar: Morphological and molecular analyses. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2023; 61:317-324. [PMID: 37648238 PMCID: PMC10471467 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura were found in the feces of schoolchildren in Yangon, Myanmar during epidemiological surveys and mass deworming with albendazole in 2017-2019. The standard-sized eggs were identified as those of T. trichiura, but it was necessary to exclude the possibility of the large-sized eggs belonging to Trichuris vulpis, a dog whipworm. We conducted morphological and molecular studies to determine the species of the 2 types of Trichuris eggs. Individual eggs of both sizes were isolated from Kato-Katz fecal smears (n=20) and mechanically destroyed using a 23G injection needle. Nuclear DNA was extracted, and the 18S rRNA region was sequenced in 15 standard-sized eggs and 15 large-sized eggs. The average size of standard-sized eggs (T. trichiura) was 55.2×26.1 μm (range: 51.7-57.6×21.3-28.0 μm; n=97), whereas the size of large-sized eggs was 69.3×32.0 μm (range: 65.1-76.4×30.1-34.5 μm; n=20), slightly smaller than the known size of T. vulpis. Regarding standard-sized eggs, the 18S rRNA nucleotide sequences exhibited 100% homology with T. trichiura deposited in GenBank and 88.6-90.5% homology with T. vulpis. Regarding large-sized eggs, the nucleotide sequences showed 99.8-100% homology with T. trichiura in GenBank and 89.6-90.7% homology with T. vulpis. Both standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris spp. found in Myanmar schoolchildren during 2017-2019 were morphologically and molecularly confirmed to belong to T. trichiura. The conversion of eggs from smaller to large sizes might be due to anthelmintic treatments with albendazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungwan Ryoo
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Bong-Kwang Jung
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Sooji Hong
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Hyejoo Shin
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Hyemi Song
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Hyun-Seung Kim
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07572,
Korea
| | - Jin-Youp Ryu
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07572,
Korea
| | - Woon-Mok Sohn
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727,
Korea
| | - Sung-Jong Hong
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012,
Korea
| | - Thi Thi Htoon
- National Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon 11191,
Myanmar
| | - Htay Htay Tin
- National Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon 11191,
Myanmar
| | - Jong-Yil Chai
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080,
Korea
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Akelew Y, Whitehead B, Nejsum P. Longevity of Trichuris trichiura infection in the human host. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6663646. [PMID: 35960995 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In this research, we present evidence-based data for the longevity of Trichuris trichiura on a healthy volunteer who had ingested eggs of T. trichiura. Hence, T. trichiura lives in a human host for at least 6 years and 5 months. Concurrently, this study highlighted consideration for returning travellers and migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibeltal Akelew
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos 269, Ethiopia
| | - Bradley Whitehead
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus 8200, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8200, Denmark
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus 8200, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8200, Denmark
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Three-Dimensional Models of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Eggs from Light Microscopy Images. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7090216. [PMID: 36136627 PMCID: PMC9505317 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7090216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization indicates that more than 1.5 billion people are infected with geohelminths. Soil-transmitted helminths prevail mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, in areas with inadequate hygiene and sanitation conditions, and basic health education problems. Nematode eggs are structures of resistance and infection by fecal–oral transmission. When STH eggs are ingested, they can infect the potential host, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, malnutrition, and physical-cognitive impacts in children. Taking advantage of the increasing employment of three-dimensional models of these structured based on light microscopy images to improve the research area and education could be an alternative to improve health education and spread scientific information on transmission and prevention. The objective of this work was to produce 3D printed models from bi-dimensional images of eggs based on their real morphological and morphometric characteristics. The virtual models were reconstructed from the acquisition and selection of images obtained using light microscopy. After selecting referential images, we constructed the models based on the vectorization of the egg structures. After vectorization, 3D modeling was performed and printed in PLA. 3D models have a high potential to contribute to the advanced morphological studies and teaching of parasitological sciences, enriching the teaching-learning process applicable in presential or remote teaching of basic education, undergraduate, and post-graduation classes.
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Morelli S, Colombo M, Traversa D, Iorio R, Paoletti B, Bartolini R, Barlaam A, Di Cesare A. Zoonotic intestinal helminthes diagnosed in a 6-year period (2015-2020) in privately owned dogs of sub-urban and urban areas of Italy. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 29:100689. [PMID: 35256130 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal helminthes of dogs have a relevant role for health and welfare of canine populations and many of them are zoonotic. Thus, a constant surveillance is pivotal to safeguard companion dogs and human health. Data from faecal examinations of pet dogs obtained in the last six years during the routine activity of the laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic diseases of the University Teaching Veterinary Hospital of the University of Teramo, Italy, are here reported. From 2015 to 2020 a total of 1083 individual faecal samples from privately owned dogs were examined using conventional copro-microscopic techniques. Endoparasite elements were found in 278 (25.7%) dogs, and among them, eggs of intestinal zoonotic helminthes were detected in 184 (17%) samples. The most common zoonotic parasites were Toxocara canis and hookworms (8.9% positivity rate for both). Most dogs (88%) were positive for a single zoonotic parasite while 12% of the positive animals harbored two or more zoonotic helminthes. A statistical analysis showed a significant association between dogs with less than one year of age and positivity to at least one intestinal zoonotic helminth, and that infections by T. canis are significantly more prevalent in dogs under one year of age. Despite being well known in canine clinical practice, these results indicate that zoonotic helminthes are still frequent in owned dogs. Thus, increased awareness of veterinary practitioners and pet owners is necessary to implement current diagnostic and control strategies to minimize the risk of zoonotic transmission of intestinal helminthes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Raffaella Iorio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Barbara Paoletti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Roberto Bartolini
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Barlaam
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
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Braseth AL, Elliott DE, Ince MN. Parasitic Infections of the Gastrointestinal Track and Liver. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2021; 50:361-381. [PMID: 34024446 PMCID: PMC11095845 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Parasites have coevolved with humans. Several of them colonize the human body and establish a symbiotic relationship. Other parasites cause severe and lethal diseases. Prevalence of parasitic infections is decreased in highly industrialized countries, largely due to enforced hygienic practices. In contrast, parasites cause significant morbidity and mortality in parts of the world with barriers to effective public hygiene. Some parasites have emerged as potent pathogens in specific patient populations, such as immune suppressed individuals, regardless of sanitation. This article reviews common parasites encountered in clinical practice and, in the setting of host-parasite symbiosis, discusses their immune regulatory role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie L Braseth
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - David E Elliott
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, 4546 JCP, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - M Nedim Ince
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, 4546 JCP, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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