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Marsili G, Pallotto C, Fortuna C, Amendola A, Fiorentini C, Esperti S, Blanc P, Suardi LR, Giulietta V, Argentini C. Fifty years after the first identification of Toscana virus in Italy: Genomic characterization of viral isolates within lineage A and aminoacidic markers of evolution. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 122:105601. [PMID: 38830443 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105601] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Toscana Virus (TosV) was firstly isolated from phlebotomine in our Institute about fifty years ago. Later, in 1984-1985, TosV infection, although asymptomatic in most cases, was shown to cause disease in humans, mainly fever and meningitis. By means of genetic analysis of part of M segment, we describe 3 new viral isolates obtained directly from cerebrospinal fluid or sera samples of patients diagnosed with TosV infection in July 2020 in Tuscany region. Phylogenesis was used to propose the clustering of TosV lineage A strains in 3 main groups, whereas deep mutational analysis based on 12 amino acid positions, allowed the identification of 9 putative strains. We discuss deep mutational analysis as a method to identify molecular signature of host adaptation and/or pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Marsili
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Carlo Pallotto
- SOC Malattie Infettive 1, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Bagno a Ripoli, Firenze, Italy; Clinica delle Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria della Misericordia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Fortuna
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonello Amendola
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Sara Esperti
- SOC Malattie Infettive 1, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Bagno a Ripoli, Firenze, Italy; Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Policlinico di Modena, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Blanc
- SOC Malattie Infettive 1, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Bagno a Ripoli, Firenze, Italy; SOC Malattie Infettive 2, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Pistoia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Roberto Suardi
- SOC Malattie Infettive 1, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Bagno a Ripoli, Firenze, Italy; UO Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Venturi Giulietta
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Claudio Argentini
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy.
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Regimbal NL, Baines CB. Cannibalism facilitated by parasite infection induces dispersal in a semi-aquatic insect. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230134. [PMID: 38913057 PMCID: PMC11391307 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasites are known to have direct effects on host dispersal ability and motivation. Yet, parasites have a variety of impacts on host populations, including shaping predation and cannibalism rates, and therefore may also have indirect effects on host dispersal; these indirect pathways have not been studied. We tested the hypothesis that parasites influence host dispersal through effects on cannibalism using backswimmers (Notonecta undulata) and Hydrachnidia freshwater mites. Mite parasitism impedes swimming in backswimmers, which we found increased their vulnerability to cannibalism. We imposed a manipulation that varied cannibalism rates across experimental populations consisting of a mix of backswimmers with and without simulated parasites. Using simulated parasites allowed us to examine the effects of cannibalism without introducing infection risk. We found that the odds of dispersal for infected backswimmers increased by 2.25× with every 10% increase in the risk of being cannibalized, and the odds of dispersal for healthy backswimmers increased by 2.34× for every additional infected backswimmer they consumed. Our results suggest that cannibalism was used as an energy source for dispersal for healthy individuals, while the risk of being eaten motivated dispersal in infected individuals. These results elucidate the complex ways that parasites impact host populations and strengthen our understanding of host-parasite interactions, including host and parasite population stability and spread. This article is part of the theme issue 'Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Regimbal
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street , Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Celina B Baines
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street , Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
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3
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Gaona-López C, Méndez-Álvarez D, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Bautista-Martínez JL, De Fuentes-Vicente JA, Nogueda-Torres B, García-Torres I, López-Velázquez G, Rivera G. TATA-Binding Protein-Based Virtual Screening of FDA Drugs Identified New Anti-Giardiasis Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6238. [PMID: 38892424 PMCID: PMC11172525 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases, predominantly prevalent in developing countries, are increasingly spreading to high-income nations due to shifting migration patterns. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates approximately 300 million annual cases of giardiasis. The emergence of drug resistance and associated side effects necessitates urgent research to address this growing health concern. In this study, we evaluated over eleven thousand pharmacological compounds sourced from the FDA database to assess their impact on the TATA-binding protein (TBP) of the early diverging protist Giardia lamblia, which holds medical significance. We identified a selection of potential pharmacological compounds for combating this parasitic disease through in silico analysis, employing molecular modeling techniques such as homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Notably, our findings highlight compounds DB07352 and DB08399 as promising candidates for inhibiting the TBP of Giardia lamblia. Also, these compounds and DB15584 demonstrated high efficacy against trophozoites in vitro. In summary, this study identifies compounds with the potential to combat giardiasis, offering the prospect of specific therapies and providing a robust foundation for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gaona-López
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico;
| | - Domingo Méndez-Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico;
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma “Benito Juárez” de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico; (A.M.-R.); (J.L.B.-M.)
| | - Juan Luis Bautista-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma “Benito Juárez” de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico; (A.M.-R.); (J.L.B.-M.)
| | | | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico;
| | - Itzhel García-Torres
- Laboratorio de Biomoléculas y Salud Infantil, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico; (I.G.-T.); (G.L.-V.)
| | - Gabriel López-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Biomoléculas y Salud Infantil, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México 04530, Mexico; (I.G.-T.); (G.L.-V.)
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico;
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Kattenberg JH, Monsieurs P, De Meyer J, De Meulenaere K, Sauve E, de Oliveira TC, Ferreira MU, Gamboa D, Rosanas‐Urgell A. Population genomic evidence of structured and connected Plasmodium vivax populations under host selection in Latin America. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11103. [PMID: 38529021 PMCID: PMC10961478 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogen genomic epidemiology has the potential to provide a deep understanding of population dynamics, facilitating strategic planning of interventions, monitoring their impact, and enabling timely responses, and thereby supporting control and elimination efforts of parasitic tropical diseases. Plasmodium vivax, responsible for most malaria cases outside Africa, shows high genetic diversity at the population level, driven by factors like sub-patent infections, a hidden reservoir of hypnozoites, and early transmission to mosquitoes. While Latin America has made significant progress in controlling Plasmodium falciparum, it faces challenges with residual P. vivax. To characterize genetic diversity and population structure and dynamics, we have analyzed the largest collection of P. vivax genomes to date, including 1474 high-quality genomes from 31 countries across Asia, Africa, Oceania, and America. While P. vivax shows high genetic diversity globally, Latin American isolates form a distinctive population, which is further divided into sub-populations and occasional clonal pockets. Genetic diversity within the continent was associated with the intensity of transmission. Population differentiation exists between Central America and the North Coast of South America, vs. the Amazon Basin, with significant gene flow within the Amazon Basin, but limited connectivity between the Northwest Coast and the Amazon Basin. Shared genomic regions in these parasite populations indicate adaptive evolution, particularly in genes related to DNA replication, RNA processing, invasion, and motility - crucial for the parasite's survival in diverse environments. Understanding these population-level adaptations is crucial for effective control efforts, offering insights into potential mechanisms behind drug resistance, immune evasion, and transmission dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pieter Monsieurs
- Malariology UnitInstitute of Tropical Medicine AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Julie De Meyer
- Malariology UnitInstitute of Tropical Medicine AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
- Present address:
Integrated Molecular Plant physiology Research (IMPRES) and Plants and Ecosystems (PLECO), Department of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | | | - Erin Sauve
- Malariology UnitInstitute of Tropical Medicine AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Thaís C. de Oliveira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Marcelo U. Ferreira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineNova University of LisbonLisbonPortugal
| | - Dionicia Gamboa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Alexander von Humboldt”Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
- Laboratorio de Malaria: Parásitos y Vectores, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias e IngenieríaUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
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Balmith M, Basson C, Brand SJ. The Malaria Burden: A South African Perspective. J Trop Med 2024; 2024:6619010. [PMID: 38434493 PMCID: PMC10907104 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6619010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a deadly disease caused by protozoan pathogens of the Plasmodium parasite. Transmission to humans occurs through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 247 million cases of malaria were recorded worldwide in 2021, with approximately 619 000 malaria deaths. The initial signs of malaria can be mild and challenging to diagnose due to the signs and symptoms being similar to those of other illnesses. The malaria burden remains largely concentrated in the WHO sub-Saharan African region and has been recognised as a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. This review aims to contribute to the existing knowledge on malaria in South Africa, a region within sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the epidemiology and life cycle of the malaria parasite as well as diagnostic approaches for detecting malaria. In addition, nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions for treating and preventing malaria infections will also be discussed herein. While there has been a significant reduction in the global burden of this disease, malaria remains a public health issue in South Africa. As such, the implementation of effective preventative measures and strategies, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment regimens are crucial to reducing the malaria burden in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Balmith
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Charlise Basson
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sarel J. Brand
- Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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6
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Henríquez AM, Tejedor-Junco MT, González-Martín M, Morales Doreste M, Martín Martel S, Paone M, Cecchi G, Corbera JA. An Atlas of Surra in Spain: A Tool to Support Epidemiological Investigations and Disease Control. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:243. [PMID: 38254411 PMCID: PMC10812746 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomosis is a global animal issue, causing significant economic losses, particularly in Africa. In Spain, only one pathogenic species, Trypanosoma evansi, has been identified so far. It was first detected in a dromedary camel in the Canary Islands in 1997. Since then, numerous cases of the disease, known as Surra, have been diagnosed, prompting various studies and efforts in control and surveillance. Given the lack of a comprehensive database that consolidates the most relevant data in this area, the development of a national atlas, with a focus on the Canary Islands, to incorporate all available information on T. evansi in Spain became a necessity. For the development of the atlas, a repository was constructed, encompassing a range of datasets and documents spanning from 1997 to 2022. Information from each source, and in particular georeferenced locations and results of blood tests on animals, were extracted and integrated into a comprehensive database. A total of 31 sources were analysed, providing a total of 99 georeferenced locations and 12,433 animal samples. Out of these samples, 601 (mostly from dromedaries) were found to be positive for T. evansi. The Card Agglutination Test for T. evansi (CATT/T. evansi), a serological test, was the most commonly used diagnostic method, and it showed a higher prevalence for all tested animal species. Positive cases were mainly concentrated in the Canary Islands, specifically in the eastern islands, with isolated cases found in the province of Alicante (Iberian Peninsula). This atlas provides an overview of the history and occurrence of Surra in Spain, and it represents a valuable tool for future control initiatives and for research. Still, the need for more studies remains, especially for further testing of potential hosts other than camelids and for the examination of their potential transmission vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Melián Henríquez
- Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35016 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - María Teresa Tejedor-Junco
- Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35016 Las Palmas, Spain
- Departmento de Ciencias Clínicas, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Paseo Blas Cabrera Felipe “Físico”, 17, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Margarita González-Martín
- Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35016 Las Palmas, Spain
- Departmento de Ciencias Clínicas, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Paseo Blas Cabrera Felipe “Físico”, 17, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Manuel Morales Doreste
- Hospital Clínico Veterinario-Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (HCV-ULPGC), Campus Universitario de Arucas, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Sergio Martín Martel
- Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35016 Las Palmas, Spain
- Hospital Clínico Veterinario-Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (HCV-ULPGC), Campus Universitario de Arucas, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Massimo Paone
- Animal Production and Health Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 00153 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuliano Cecchi
- Animal Production and Health Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 00153 Rome, Italy
| | - Juan Alberto Corbera
- Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35016 Las Palmas, Spain
- Hospital Clínico Veterinario-Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (HCV-ULPGC), Campus Universitario de Arucas, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain
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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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Tavares W, Morais J, Martins JF, Scalsky RJ, Stabler TC, Medeiros MM, Fortes FJ, Arez AP, Silva JC. Malaria in Angola: recent progress, challenges and future opportunities using parasite demography studies. Malar J 2022; 21:396. [PMID: 36577996 PMCID: PMC9795141 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04424-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, a considerable expansion of malaria interventions has occurred at the national level in Angola, together with cross-border initiatives and regional efforts in southern Africa. Currently, Angola aims to consolidate malaria control and to accelerate the transition from control to pre-elimination, along with other country members of the Elimination 8 initiative. However, the tremendous heterogeneity in malaria prevalence among Angolan provinces, as well as internal population movements and migration across borders, represent major challenges for the Angolan National Malaria Control Programme. This review aims to contribute to the understanding of factors underlying the complex malaria situation in Angola and to encourage future research studies on transmission dynamics and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum, important areas to complement host epidemiological information and to help reenergize the goal of malaria elimination in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Tavares
- grid.10772.330000000121511713Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Morais
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Em Saúde, INIS, Luanda, Angola
| | - José F. Martins
- Programa Nacional de Controlo da Malária, PNCM, Luanda, Angola
| | - Ryan J. Scalsky
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Thomas C. Stabler
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Márcia M. Medeiros
- grid.10772.330000000121511713Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filomeno J. Fortes
- grid.10772.330000000121511713Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Arez
- grid.10772.330000000121511713Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana C. Silva
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA ,grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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Tassone G, Mazzorana M, Pozzi C. Structural Basis of Parasitic HSP90 ATPase Inhibition by Small Molecules. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1341. [PMID: 36355513 PMCID: PMC9692773 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites are responsible for several harmful and widespread human diseases that cause high morbidity and mortality. Currently available treatments have serious limitations due to poor efficiency, strong adverse effects, and high cost. Hence, the identification of new targets and the development of specific drug therapies against parasitic diseases are urgent needs. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone that plays a key role in parasite survival during the various differentiation stages, spread over the vector insect and the human host, which they undergo during their life cycle. The N-terminal domain (NTD) of HSP90, containing the main determinants for ATPase activity, represents the most druggable domain for inhibitor targeting. The molecules investigated on parasite HSP90 are mainly developed from known inhibitors of the human counterpart, and they have strong limitations due to selectivity issues, accounting for the high conservation of the ATP-binding site between the parasite and human proteins. The current review highlights the recent structural progress made to support the rational design of new molecules able to effectively block the chaperone activity of parasite HSP90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Tassone
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018–2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Mazzorana
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Diamond House, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018–2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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10
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Demirel F, Dinç B. Comparison of Intestinal Parasites in Native and Refugee Patients Admitted to a Territory Hospital in Turkey. TURKIYE PARAZITOLOJII DERGISI 2022; 46:184-188. [PMID: 36094118 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.72691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of intestinal parasites in refugee and native patients who applied to a territory hospital in Turkey. METHODS A total of 17911 patients who were admitted to our hospital between January 2018 and January 2019 were evaluated retrospectively in terms of intestinal parasites. The patients' stool samples were investigated for the existence of intestinal parasites by direct wet mount preparation, formalin ether concentration technique and cellophane tape method. The data obtained were compared between patient groups according to the examination method. RESULTS The overall prevalence of E. vermicularis in refugee children was found twice higher than that in native patients and the most common symptom was abdominal pain in these patients. Intestinal parasite detection rates were significantly higher in the stool concentration method than in the direct wet mount examination. Cutaneous complaints and protein energy malnutrition/growth retardation were the most common clinical conditions besides gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with intestinal parasitosis. CONCLUSION In our study, the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in refugees was found to be higher than in the normal population. Intestinal parasitic infections should be investigated with proper diagnostic methods especially in children with PEM/GR and cutaneous symptoms in addition to gastrointestinal problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filiz Demirel
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Medical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bedia Dinç
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Medical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey
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11
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Chai JY, Jung BK. General overview of the current status of human foodborne trematodiasis. Parasitology 2022; 149:1262-1285. [PMID: 35591777 PMCID: PMC10090779 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Foodborne trematodes (FBT) of public health significance include liver flukes (Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, O. felineus, Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica), lung flukes (Paragonimus westermani and several other Paragonimus spp.) and intestinal flukes, which include heterophyids (Metagonimus yokogawai, Heterophyes nocens and Haplorchis taichui), echinostomes (Echinostoma revolutum, Isthmiophora hortensis, Echinochasmus japonicus and Artyfechinostomum malayanum) and miscellaneous species, including Fasciolopsis buski and Gymnophalloides seoi. These trematode infections are distributed worldwide but occur most commonly in Asia. The global burden of FBT diseases has been estimated at about 80 million, however, this seems to be a considerable underestimate. Their life cycle involves a molluscan first intermediate host, and a second intermediate host, including freshwater fish, crustaceans, aquatic vegetables and freshwater or brackish water gastropods and bivalves. The mode of human infection is the consumption of the second intermediate host under raw or improperly cooked conditions. The major pathogenesis of C. sinensis and Opisthorchis spp. infection includes inflammation of the bile duct which leads to cholangitis and cholecystitis, and in a substantial number of patients, serious complications, such as liver cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma, may develop. In lung fluke infections, cough, bloody sputum and bronchiectasis are the most common clinical manifestations. However, lung flukes often migrate to extrapulmonary sites, including the brain, spinal cord, skin, subcutaneous tissues and abdominal organs. Intestinal flukes can induce inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, and they may at times undergo extraintestinal migration, in particular, in immunocompromised patients. In order to control FBT infections, eating foods after proper cooking is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Yil Chai
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kwang Jung
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649, South Korea
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Ebani VV, Guardone L, Rocchigiani G, Bascherini A, Cagnoli G, Bertelloni F, Bongi P, Russo C, Riccioli F, Mancianti F. Molecular survey on the presence of arthropod-borne bacteria and protozoans in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and ticks from Central Italy. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106586. [PMID: 35787417 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental changes, due to climatic emergency and to anthropogenic activities severely impact on the epidemiology of vector borne diseases, mostly when transmitted by ticks. The data about the distribution of microorganisms responsible for them in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population living in Italy are scanty and completely lacking in Tuscany, so a molecular survey was carried out to estimate the prevalence of some zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in roe deer, and ticks removed from them, living in areas of Central Italy with high risk of arthropod exposure. Spleen samples from 72 roe deer were tested by PCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Francisella tularensis and piroplasms. Moreover, 345 ticks were removed from 65 roe deer, morphologically or molecularly identified and grouped into 162 pools that were submitted to PCR for detecting the same pathogens. Forty-six (63.88%) roe deer were positive for at least one investigated pathogen: 43 (59.72%) for A. phagocytophilum, 2 (2.78%) for Babesia capreoli, 1 (1.39%) for B. burgdorferi, and 1 (1.39%) for Babesia sp.. No animals were PCR positive for F. tularensis. All ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus. Seventy-six (46.91%) tick pools showed DNA of one or more pathogens: 66 (40.74%) were positive for A. phagocytophilum, 22 (13.58%) for B. burgodorferi s.l., 6 (3.70%) for B. venatorum and 3 (1.85%) for B. capreoli. No pools were positive for F. tularensis. Two or three pathogens were detected in 23 (14.19%) pools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy; Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, Pisa 56124, Italy.
| | - Lisa Guardone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Guido Rocchigiani
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Alice Bascherini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Giulia Cagnoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Paolo Bongi
- Ambito Territoriale Caccia Massa (ATCMS), largo Bonfigli 3/5, Aulla (Massa) 54011, Italy
| | - Claudia Russo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesco Riccioli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
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Frutos R, Pliez O, Gavotte L, Devaux CA. There is no "origin" to SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 207:112173. [PMID: 34626592 PMCID: PMC8493644 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused by SARS-CoV-2, the question of the origin of this virus has been a highly debated issue. Debates have been, and are still, very disputed and often violent between the two main hypotheses: a natural origin through the "spillover" model or a laboratory-leak origin. Tenants of these two options are building arguments often based on the discrepancies of the other theory. The main problem is that it is the initial question of the origin itself which is biased. Charles Darwin demonstrated in 1859 that all species are appearing through a process of evolution, adaptation and selection. There is no determined origin to any animal or plant species, simply an evolutionary and selective process in which chance and environment play a key role. The very same is true for viruses. There is no determined origin to viruses, simply also an evolutionary and selective process in which chance and environment play a key role. However, in the case of viruses the process is slightly more complex because the "environment" is another living organism. Pandemic viruses already circulate in humans prior to the emergence of a disease. They are simply not capable of triggering an epidemic yet. They must evolve in-host, i.e. in-humans, for that. The evolutionary process which gave rise to SARS-CoV-2 is still ongoing with regular emergence of novel variants more adapted than the previous ones. The real relevant question is how these viruses can emerge as pandemic viruses and what the society can do to prevent the future emergence of pandemic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christian A Devaux
- MEPHI, Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; CNRS, Marseille, France
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Platt RN, Le Clec'h W, Chevalier FD, McDew‐White M, LoVerde PT, Ramiro de Assis R, Oliveira G, Kinung'hi S, Djirmay AG, Steinauer ML, Gouvras A, Rabone M, Allan F, Webster BL, Webster JP, Emery AM, Rollinson D, Anderson TJC. Genomic analysis of a parasite invasion: Colonization of the Americas by the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:2242-2263. [PMID: 35152493 PMCID: PMC9305930 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni, a snail-borne, blood fluke that infects humans, was introduced into the Americas from Africa during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. As this parasite shows strong specificity to the snail intermediate host, we expected that adaptation to South American Biomphalaria spp. snails would result in population bottlenecks and strong signatures of selection. We scored 475,081 single nucleotide variants in 143 S. mansoni from the Americas (Brazil, Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico) and Africa (Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda), and used these data to ask: (i) Was there a population bottleneck during colonization? (ii) Can we identify signatures of selection associated with colonization? (iii) What were the source populations for colonizing parasites? We found a 2.4- to 2.9-fold reduction in diversity and much slower decay in linkage disequilibrium (LD) in parasites from East to West Africa. However, we observed similar nuclear diversity and LD in West Africa and Brazil, suggesting no strong bottlenecks and limited barriers to colonization. We identified five genome regions showing selection in the Americas, compared with three in West Africa and none in East Africa, which we speculate may reflect adaptation during colonization. Finally, we infer that unsampled populations from central African regions between Benin and Angola, with contributions from Niger, are probably the major source(s) for Brazilian S. mansoni. The absence of a bottleneck suggests that this is a rare case of a serendipitous invasion, where S. mansoni parasites were pre-adapted to the Americas and able to establish with relative ease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy N. Platt
- Texas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTexasUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Guilherme Oliveira
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou—Fiocruz/MGBelo HorizonteBrazil
- Instituto Tecnológico ValeBelémBrazil
| | | | - Amadou Garba Djirmay
- Réseau International Schistosomiases Environnemental Aménagement et Lutte (RISEAL)NiameyNiger
| | | | | | | | - Fiona Allan
- Department of Pathobiology and Population SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic DiseasesUniversity of LondonHertfordshireUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Natural History MuseumLondonUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
| | - Joanne P. Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic DiseasesUniversity of LondonHertfordshireUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- Natural History MuseumLondonUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
| | - David Rollinson
- Natural History MuseumLondonUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
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Maurelli MP, Pepe P, Montresor A, Mupfasoni D, Nocerino M, Morgoglione ME, Musella V, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L. Development of a public geographical information system-based website to follow the impact of control activities of soil-transmitted helminths in endemic countries. GEOSPATIAL HEALTH 2021; 16. [PMID: 34913331 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2021.1049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common neglected tropical diseases worldwide causing high morbidity and mortality rates in endemic areas. Preventive chemotherapy (PC) programmes and health education are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the impact of STH in endemic countries. Following our role as WHO collaborating centre (WHO CC ITA-116), we have developed a WebGIS and a dataset to support PC programmes to monitor the impact of STH control. This vHealth presentation shows the potentiality of these tools in improving communication among WHO's regional and country offices, Ministries of Health, pharmaceutical industries and other partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, WHO Collaborating Centre ITA-116, Naples.
| | - Paola Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, WHO Collaborating Centre ITA-116, Naples.
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva.
| | - Denise Mupfasoni
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva.
| | - Martina Nocerino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, WHO Collaborating Centre ITA-116, Naples.
| | - Maria Elena Morgoglione
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, WHO Collaborating Centre ITA-116, Naples.
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Catanzaro.
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, WHO Collaborating Centre ITA-116, Naples.
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, WHO Collaborating Centre ITA-116, Naples.
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