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Jarvi SI, Nakayama K, Eamsobhana P, Kaluna L, Shepherd L, Tagami Y. Immunodiagnostic Detection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis Exposure on Hawaii Island Using Isogeographic 31-kDa Antigen. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:335-342. [PMID: 37308099 PMCID: PMC10397453 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the leading cause of neuroangiostrongyliasis worldwide, and east Hawaii Island is a hotspot for the disease in the United States. A combination of glycoproteins with molecular weight of 31 kDa has been used as antigen to evaluate antibody response in human serum samples in Thailand with high specificity and sensitivity. In a previous pilot study, the Thailand-isolated 31-kDa proteins showed efficacy in dot-blot tests using serum samples from 435 human volunteers on Hawaii Island. However, we hypothesized that native antigen isolated from Hawaii A. cantonensis may exhibit higher specificity than the Thailand-isolated 31-kDa antigen due to potential minor variation in epitopes between isolates. In this study, 31-kDa glycoproteins were isolated by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis from adult A. cantonensis nematodes collected from rats captured on east Hawaii Island. The resultant proteins were purified by electroelution, pooled, bioanalyzed, and quantified. A subset of 148 samples from human participants of the original cohort of 435 was consented for this study, including 12 of the original 15 clinically diagnosed participants. Results of ELISA using the Hawaii-isolated 31-kDa antigen were compared with results of the same serum samples previously tested with both crude Hawaii antigen ELISA and Thailand 31-kDa antigen dot blot. This study shows a seroprevalence in the general population of East Hawaii Island of 25.0%, similar to previous findings of 23.8% seroprevalence in this cohort using crude antigen from Hawaii A. cantonensis and 26.5% using Thailand 31-kDa antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan I. Jarvi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii
| | - Kirsten Nakayama
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii
| | - Praphathip Eamsobhana
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lisa Kaluna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii
| | - Laura Shepherd
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii
| | - Yaeko Tagami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii
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Steel A, Kaluna L, Jacob J, Jarvi S. Comparison of Antibody Isotype Response to Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Experimentally Infected Rats ( Rattus norvegicus) Using Hawai'i 31 kDa Antigen in an Indirect ELISA. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040625. [PMID: 37111511 PMCID: PMC10144510 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroangiostrongyliasis (NAS) is an emerging tropical disease in humans and some animals which is caused by infection with the parasitic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis. It is the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. Diagnoses in humans and susceptible animals are generally presumptive and easily confused with other central nervous system disorders. The 31 kDa antigen is currently the only NAS immunodiagnostic assay that has achieved 100% sensitivity. However, little is known about the humoral immune response against the 31 kDa antigen in NAS infections, which would be critical for widespread adoption of this assay. We used the Hawai'i 31 kDa isolate in an indirect ELISA assay to confirm the presence of immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE isotypes in six-week post-infection plasma from lab-reared rats infected with 50 live, third-stage, A. cantonensis larvae isolated from a wild Parmarion martensi semi-slug. Our results confirmed the presence of all four isotypes against the Hawaii 31 kDa isolate, with sensitivity ranging from 22-100%. The IgG isotype showed 100% sensitivity in detecting A. cantonensis infection, which validates the use of IgG indirect ELISA with 31 kDa antigen as an effective immunodiagnostic assay for rats six weeks post-infection. Given each isotype may be present at different times during NAS infections, our data provides preliminary information on the humoral immune response to A. cantonensis infection in lab-reared rats and serves as a baseline for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argon Steel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 West Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Lisa Kaluna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 West Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - John Jacob
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 West Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Susan Jarvi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 West Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA
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Cowie RH, Ansdell V, Panosian Dunavan C, Rollins RL. Neuroangiostrongyliasis: Global Spread of an Emerging Tropical Disease. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:1166-1172. [PMID: 36343594 PMCID: PMC9768254 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroangiostrongyliasis (NAS) is an emerging parasitic disease caused by the neurotropic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Since it was first discovered, in rats in southern China in the 1930s, this tropical to subtropical parasite has spread to much of Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands (including Hawaii), Australia, Japan, South America, the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, Africa, the Canary Islands, and the Balearic Islands. The parasite completes its natural life cycle in snails and slugs (intermediate hosts), and rats (definitive hosts). Humans become accidental hosts after ingesting infective third-stage larvae contained within uncooked or undercooked intermediate or paratenic hosts, an event that sometimes results in NAS, also known as rat lungworm disease. Although A. cantonensis larvae cannot complete their life cycle in humans, their migration into the brain and spinal cord combined with a powerful inflammatory reaction often leads to eosinophilic meningitis and can, in rare instances, lead to coma, paralysis, and death or, in other cases, chronic, disabling neurologic sequelae. Symptoms of NAS are diverse, which often makes it difficult to diagnose. Treatment may include administration of analgesics, corticosteroids, anthelminthics, and repeat lumbar punctures to reduce intracranial pressure. Unfortunately, few medical providers, even in endemic areas, are familiar with A. cantonensis or its epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. As the parasite continues to spread and NAS affects more people, medical practitioners, as well as the general public, must become more aware of this emerging zoonosis and the potentially devastating harm it can cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H. Cowie
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii;,Address correspondence to Robert H. Cowie, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii, 3050 Maile Way, Gilmore 408, Honolulu, HI 96822. E-mail:
| | - Vernon Ansdell
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | | | - Randi L. Rollins
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii;,School of Life Sciences, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
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Merigueti YFFB, Giuffrida R, da Silva RC, Kmetiuk LB, Santos APD, Biondo AW, Santarém VA. Dog and Cat Contact as Risk Factor for Human Toxocariasis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:854468. [PMID: 35836995 PMCID: PMC9273826 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.854468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxocariasis, a neglected parasitic zoonosis with worldwide distribution, has been reportedly associated to different risk factors in several epidemiological and meta-analysis studies. However, dog and cat contact (environmental and animal exposure) as isolated associated risk factor for children and adults remains to be fully established. Accordingly, the present meta-analysis has aimed to directly assess dog and cat contact for toxocariasis seropositivity in under-18 and adult persons, using a survey strategy of PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus and Scielo Databases, from January 2009 to December 2021. A meta-analysis model of random effects was applied to estimate odds ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI). The statistical heterogeneity was evaluated by the Cochran Q-Test and I2 values. A total of 41 transversal studies (n = 20.515 individuals) from different geographic regions (classified by the World Health Organization) were included herein. In overall, 1,882/13,496 (13.95%; 95% IC = 13.4–14.5) youngers and 513/7.019 (7.3%; 95% CI = 6.7–7.9) adults in contact with dogs or cats were serologically reagent for anti-Toxocara antibodies. Association of dog and cat contact was observed only in youngers, with both dogs (OR = 1.53; p < 0.0001) and cats (OR = 1.64; p = 0.0001). In addition, association of dog and contact and serology was statistically significant in populations of Americas (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.1–1.7), Middle East (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.6–5.1) and West Pacific (OR = 1.6; 95% IC = 1.3–1.9). In conclusion, contact with dogs and cats, particularly by younger individuals and in regions such as Americas, Middle East, and West Pacific, should be always a public health concern for toxocariasis. Moreover, dogs and cats should be periodically dewormed, washed and hair cleaned prior to contact with youngers. Finally, robust statistical results herein may serve as basis for future strategies and preventive measures for safer dog and cat contact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rogerio Giuffrida
- Graduate College of Animal Science, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Costa da Silva
- Graduate College of Animal Science, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, Brazil
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Andrea Pires Dos Santos
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | | | - Vamilton Alvares Santarém
- Graduate College of Animal Science, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Vamilton Alvares Santarém
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Eosinophilic Meningitis (Angiostrongylus spp. and Gnathostoma spp.). CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-022-00256-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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De-Simone SG, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Gonçalves PS, Lechuga GC, Mandonado A, Graeff-Teixeira C, Provance DW. Angiostrongilus cantonensis an Atypical Presenilin: Epitope Mapping, Characterization, and Development of an ELISA Peptide Assay for Specific Diagnostic of Angiostrongyliasis. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12020108. [PMID: 35207030 PMCID: PMC8878667 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12020108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Background: Angiostrongyliasis, the leading cause universal of eosinophilic meningitis, is an emergent disease due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) larvae, transmitted accidentally to humans. The diagnosis of human angiostrongyliasis is based on epidemiologic characteristics, clinical symptoms, medical history, and laboratory findings, particularly hypereosinophilia in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, the diagnosis is difficult and often confused with those produced by other parasitic diseases. Therefore, the development of a fast and specific diagnostic test for angiostrongyliasis is a challenge mainly due to the lack of specificity of the described tests, and therefore, the characterization of a new target is required. Material and Methods: Using bioinformatics tools, the putative presenilin (PS) protein C7BVX5-1 was characterized structurally and phylogenetically. A peptide microarray approach was employed to identify single and specific epitopes, and tetrameric epitope peptides were synthesized to evaluate their performance in an ELISA-peptide assay. Results: The data showed that the A. cantonensis PS protein presents nine transmembrane domains, the catalytic aspartyl domain [(XD (aa 241) and GLGD (aa 332–335)], between TM6 and TM7 and the absence of the PALP and other characteristics domains of the class A22 and homologous presenilin (PSH). These individualities make it an atypical sub-branch of the PS family, located in a separate subgroup along with the enzyme Haemogonchus contournus and separated from other worm subclasses. Twelve B-linear epitopes were identified by microarray of peptides and validated by ELISA using infected rat sera. In addition, their diagnostic performance was demonstrated by an ELISA-MAP4 peptide. Conclusions: Our data show that the putative AgPS is an atypical multi-pass transmembrane protein and indicate that the protein is an excellent immunological target with two (PsAg3 and PsAg9) A. costarisencis cross-reactive epitopes and eight (PsAg1, PsAg2, PsAg6, PsAg7, PsAg8, PsAg10, PsAg11, PsAg12) apparent unique A. cantonensis epitopes. These epitopes could be used in engineered receptacle proteins to develop a specific immunological diagnostic assay for angiostrongyliasis caused by A. cantonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore G. De-Simone
- Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.N.-P.); (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics (LESM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24220-900, RJ, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.N.-P.); (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Priscila S. Gonçalves
- Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.N.-P.); (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24220-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme C. Lechuga
- Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.N.-P.); (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Arnaldo Mandonado
- Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammals Reservoirs, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Carlos Graeff-Teixeira
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, ES, Brazil;
| | - David W. Provance
- Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.N.-P.); (P.S.G.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.)
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Angiostrongylus spp. (Nematoda; Metastrongyloidea) of global public health importance. Res Vet Sci 2020; 135:397-403. [PMID: 33160683 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Human angiostrongyliasis is an important foodborne zoonosis, caused by the infection with Angiostrongylus costaricensis and Angiostrongylus cantonensis. These two species have a significant public health impact in different areas of the world. Angiostrongyliasis is re-emerging and expanding to urban settings rising significant concerns regarding the control of these infections. This review focuses on aspects such as life cycle, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostics, food safety and control of illness caused especially by A. cantonensis.
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Cognato BB, Handali S, de Mattos Pereira L, Barradas JR, Januário da Silva A, Graeff-Teixeira C, Morassutti AL. Identification of cross-reactive markers to strengthen the development of immunodiagnostic methods for angiostrongyliasis and other parasitic infections. Exp Parasitol 2020; 218:107999. [PMID: 32956649 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the main causative agent of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EoM) in humans. Molecular diagnostic methods are essential since the identification of larvae in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is extremely rare. To date, the detection of a 31 kDa antigen by Western blotting has been the primary immunodiagnostic method for EoM caused by A. cantonensis. However, cross-reactivity with other parasites has been observed. Therefore, we conducted a comparative analysis using sera from individuals with angiostrongyliasis. We also characterized proteins isolated from different cellular sources of A. cantonensis, Toxocara canis, Schistosoma mansoni, and Strongyloides stercoralis with mass spectrometry. A total of 115 cross-reactive proteins were identified. Three of these proteins, heat shock protein, an intermediate filament protein, and galectin 1, represent potential markers for cross-reactivity. In addition, synthetic peptides were generated from previously identified diagnostic targets and tested against sera from individuals infected with several other parasites. As a result, two other markers of cross-reactivity were identified: peptide #4 derived from the 14-3-3 protein and peptide #12 derived from the Lec-5 protein. In contrast, 34 proteins were exclusively present in the Angiostrongylus extracts and represent promising diagnostic molecules for specific identification of A. cantonensis infection. In particular, cytochrome oxidase subunit I is of great interest as a possible immunodiagnostic target for angiostrongyliasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca B Cognato
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas and Laboratório de Biologia Parasitaria, Faculdade de Biociências da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6690, 90690-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Sukwan Handali
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS D-64, Bldg 23, Room 9-440, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Leandro de Mattos Pereira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas and Laboratório de Biologia Parasitaria, Faculdade de Biociências da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6690, 90690-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; FATEC, Faculdade de Teologia e Ciências, Rua José Sanches Peres, 3040, 15501-210, Votuporanga, SP, Brazil
| | - José Ricardo Barradas
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas and Laboratório de Biologia Parasitaria, Faculdade de Biociências da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6690, 90690-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Januário da Silva
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Foods Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Division of Food and Environmental Microbiology, USA
| | - Carlos Graeff-Teixeira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas and Laboratório de Biologia Parasitaria, Faculdade de Biociências da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6690, 90690-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Alessandra L Morassutti
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas and Laboratório de Biologia Parasitaria, Faculdade de Biociências da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga 6690, 90690-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Ming DKY, Rattanavong S, Bharucha T, Sengvilaipaseuth O, Dubot-Pérès A, Newton PN, Robinson MT. Angiostrongylus cantonensis DNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Persons with Eosinophilic Meningitis, Laos. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 23:2112-2113. [PMID: 29148389 PMCID: PMC5708259 DOI: 10.3201/eid2312.171107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Definitive identification of Angiostrongylus cantonensis parasites from clinical specimens is difficult. As a result, regional epidemiology and burden are poorly characterized. To ascertain presence of this parasite in patients in Laos with eosinophilic meningitis, we performed quantitative PCRs on 36 cerebrospinal fluid samples; 4 positive samples confirmed the parasite’s presence.
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Graeff-Teixeira C, Morassutti AL, Jones MK. Diagnosing and Understanding Angiostrongyliasis, A Zoonotic Cause of Meningitis. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:393-394. [PMID: 29411969 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis is spreading worldwide, and it can manifest as a severe neurological disease. Angiostrongyliasis is a food- and water-borne parasitosis that usually exhibits a seasonal and circumscribed geographical distribution. To improve control and treatment of these infections, further studies of transmission dynamics under natural conditions and the development of better diagnostic tools and treatment options are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Graeff-Teixeira
- Parasite Biology Laboratory, School of Sciences, Pontificial Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Avenida Ipiranga 6681, Predio 12C, Room 241, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Loureiro Morassutti
- Parasite Biology Laboratory, School of Sciences, Pontificial Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Avenida Ipiranga 6681, Predio 12C, Room 241, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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