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Ulusan Bagci O, Goksel O, Gumusburun R, Mert U, Bogatekin G, Toz S, Caner A. Molecular prevalence of Pneumocystis jirovecii and Cryptosporidium in patients with asthma. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 108:116124. [PMID: 37913698 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116124] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation. In addition to allergens, microorganisms can affect the clinical course of asthma. It has been shown that some fungi play an important role in the progression of asthma. However, the effects of Pneumocystis jirovecii and Cryptosporidium spp., on the disease are little known. We investigated P. jirovecii and Cryptosporidium spp. in the sputum and stool sample of patients with asthma (n = 40) by microscopy and PCR compared to the healthy group (n = 40). P. jirovecii (12.5 %), and Cryptosporidium spp. (12.5 %) were detected in the sputum samples of only asthmatic patients (p = 0.029 and 0.029 respectively). However, Crpytosporidium spp. was detected equally in stool samples of both groups (p = 0.682). Our results indicate that P. jirovecii and Cryptosporidium spp. should be considered in patients with asthma and molecular screening of these neglected eukaryotes in respiratory tract samples may be beneficial in the clinical management of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Ulusan Bagci
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey; Department of Basic Oncology, Institute of Health Sciences, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Goksel
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Asthma, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey; Ege University Translational Pulmonary Research Group (EGESAM), Izmir, Turkey
| | - Reyhan Gumusburun
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Asthma, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ufuk Mert
- Ege University Translational Pulmonary Research Group (EGESAM), Izmir, Turkey; Ataturk Health Care Vocational School, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gulhan Bogatekin
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Asthma, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Seray Toz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayse Caner
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey; Department of Basic Oncology, Institute of Health Sciences, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey; Ege University Translational Pulmonary Research Group (EGESAM), Izmir, Turkey.
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2
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Conner JE, Steinberg JA. Approach to Idiopathic Anaphylaxis in Adolescents. Med Clin North Am 2024; 108:123-155. [PMID: 37951646 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.05.018] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Anaphylaxis is a potentially-life threatening condition. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to increased risk-taking behaviors, poor disease management, and minimized perception of risk. Although most anaphylaxis can be attributed to food, drug, or venom allergy via a detailed history and confirmatory studies, in nearly 1 in 5 cases, the cause may not be obvious. Clinical differentials including rare allergens, cofactors, mast-cell disorders, and mimic disorders can increase the likelihood of discovering of the cause of anaphylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne E Conner
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 West Wisconsin Avenue. B440, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Joshua A Steinberg
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 West Wisconsin Avenue. B440, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Section of Allergy, Department of Medicine, Clement J. Zablocki Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, 5000 West National Avenue, 1AN, Milwaukee, WI 53295, USA.
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3
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Lape M, Schnell D, Parameswaran S, Ernst K, Salomonis N, Martin LJ, Harnett BM, Kottyan LC, Weirauch MT. After the Infection: A Survey of Pathogens and Non-communicable Human Disease. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.14.23295428. [PMID: 37745430 PMCID: PMC10516055 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.14.23295428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
There are many well-established relationships between pathogens and human disease, but far fewer when focusing on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We leverage data from The UK Biobank and TriNetX to perform a systematic survey across 20 pathogens and 426 diseases, focused primarily on NCDs. To this end, we assess the association between disease status and infection history proxies. We identify 206 pathogen-disease pairs that replicate in both cohorts. We replicate many established relationships, including Helicobacter pylori with several gastroenterological diseases, and connections between Epstein-Barr virus with multiple sclerosis and lupus. Overall, our approach identified evidence of association for 15 of the pathogens and 96 distinct diseases, including a currently controversial link between human cytomegalovirus (CMV) and ulcerative colitis (UC). We validate this connection through two orthogonal analyses, revealing increased CMV gene expression in UC patients and enrichment for UC genetic risk signal near human genes that have altered expression upon CMV infection. Collectively, these results form a foundation for future investigations into mechanistic roles played by pathogens in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lape
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel Schnell
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Sreeja Parameswaran
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kevin Ernst
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nathan Salomonis
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lisa J. Martin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brett M. Harnett
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Leah C. Kottyan
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matthew T. Weirauch
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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4
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Packi K, Rudek A, Matysiak J, Klimczak S, Matuszewska E, Rzetecka N, Matysiak J. Food Allergies and Parasites in Children. Foods 2023; 12:2465. [PMID: 37444203 DOI: 10.3390/foods12132465] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamically growing incidence of food allergies forces the scientific community to develop new methods for their diagnosis, differentiation, and effective treatment. Parasitoses appear much less frequently in the scientific literature, as well as among the presumed causes of numerous conditions. The similarity of inflammatory mechanisms in allergies and parasitosis necessitates a revision of current diagnostic standards. A lack of specificity and the coincidence of symptoms at an early stage of disease can lead to misdiagnosis. In this paper, we attempted to perform a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in symptoms for these two types of diseases. We described the molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways of food allergy and parasitosis. We presented the available research methods and directions of ongoing studies aimed at implementing precise medical techniques for differential diagnosis. We discussed the allergenic properties of certain parasite proteins, using the example of myofibrillar tropomyosins from the nematode Anisakis simplex. The literature in the fields of allergology and parasitology leads to the conclusion that it is reasonable to run parallel allergological and parasitological diagnostics in patients with non-specific symptoms. This approach will facilitate accurate and early diagnosis and implementation of effective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacper Packi
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
- AllerGen Center of Personalized Medicine, 97-300 Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland
| | - Alicja Rudek
- AllerGen Center of Personalized Medicine, 97-300 Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland
| | - Joanna Matysiak
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Calisia University-Kalisz, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland
| | - Sylwia Klimczak
- AllerGen Center of Personalized Medicine, 97-300 Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland
- Department of Nucleic Acid Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
| | - Eliza Matuszewska
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Natalia Rzetecka
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jan Matysiak
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
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García-Rodríguez SN, Costa-Rodríguez N, Matos JI, Falcón-Cordón Y, Morchón R, Carretón E, Montoya-Alonso JA. Feline heartworm disease and environmental allergens hypersensitivity: is there a link? Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:192. [PMID: 37291670 PMCID: PMC10251655 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05776-3] [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: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cats can be infected by Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of heartworm disease, characterized by respiratory signs, airway hyperreactivity, remodelling and inflammation. Allergy is a multifactorial pathology, and the role of a number of helminth parasites in the development of allergies in humans and other species has been demonstrated in many studies. The aim of the present study was to verify whether cats seropositive for D. immitis present hypersensitivity to some environmental allergens. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 120 cats and tested for the presence of specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against D. immitis and for hypersensitivity to 20 allergens, using commercial allergen test kits. RESULTS Of the 120 cats tested, 72 (60.0%) were seropositive for anti-D. immitis IgG and 55 (45.8%) showed clinical signs of heartworm disease of a respiratory nature. The results of testing with the allergen kits showed that 50.8% of cats were seropositive for ≥ 1 allergens, with the most common allergens being Dermatophagoides farinae (25.8%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (20.0%), Malassezia (17.5%) and Ctenocephalides felis (14.2%). The prevalence of allergies was significantly higher-by almost threefold-in cats seropositive for D. immitis (68.1% vs. 25%). There were no significant differences between the prevalence of allergic cats and presence/absence of symptoms, and the results confirmed that symptoms were not a decisive factor for the presence of allergies. The risk for developing allergies was 6.3-fold higher in cats seropositive for D. immitis than in cats that were seronegative, confirming that seropositivity for D. immitis is a risk factor. CONCLUSIONS Cats with confirmed heartworm can develop serious respiratory signs, potentially leading to progression to permanent lung injury and predisposing cats to hyperresponsive airway disease. Previous studies have shown that seropositivity for D. immitis and Wolbachia is related to the presence of bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm in the affected cat. The results support the suspicion that contact with D. immitis may be a risk factor for the presence of allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara N García-Rodríguez
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Noelia Costa-Rodríguez
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Jorge I Matos
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Yaiza Falcón-Cordón
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Carretón
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - José A Montoya-Alonso
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Abd El Wahab WM, Ali MI, Ibrahim SS, Mohamed YA, Hamdy DA. Toxocariasis: potential association with bronchial asthma, and pneumonia among pediatric children. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:93-100. [PMID: 36910311 PMCID: PMC9998777 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01543-w] [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: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxocariasis is an underestimated geohelminthic infection which shows respiratory changes concurrent with larval migration. The purpose of the present study was to detect Toxocara seropositivity in asthmatic and pneumonic children, and in turn to evaluate its association with the children clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, and sociodemographic risk factors. A total of 50 asthmatic, 50 pneumonic children and 50 healthy controls were subjected to stool analysis by direct wet mount and concentration techniques to exclude possible cross reactivity. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count and assessment of eosinophil count. Sera were examined for anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies, and measurement of total IgE level. Anti Toxocara IgG was detected in 27.3% (41/150) of the studied children. It was significantly higher in asthmatic group compared to controls (26%. p value = 0.033) and significantly highest in pneumonia group compared to both bronchial asthma group (46%. p value = 0.030) and control group (10%. p value = 0.001). There was a significant association between anti Toxocara IgG seroprevalence and each of eosinophilia, total IgE and both combined. Anti Toxocara IgG showed significant higher percentage in asthmatic children who recorded history of soil contact and pets contact as compared to control and pneumonic groups. Toxocara IgG seropositivity was highly associated with fever, cough, wheezes and dyspnea with statistical significance. Toxocara seropositivity has to be considered as a vital associated factor for asthmatic and pneumonic children, and eventually better to be considered in differential diagnosis by pediatricians. Further studies are still needed to explore the correlation between toxocariasis and different patient categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wegdan M. Abd El Wahab
- Department of Medical Parasitology, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Mona I. Ali
- Department of Medical Parasitology, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Shimaa S. Ibrahim
- Department of Medical Parasitology, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Yasmen A. Mohamed
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Doaa A. Hamdy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
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7
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Senaratna CV, Perera PK, Arulkumaran S, Abeysekara N, Piyumanthi P, Hamilton GS, Nixon GM, Rajakaruna RS, Dharmage SC. Association of helminth infestation with childhood asthma: a nested case-control study. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 128:272-277. [PMID: 36632894 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.01.004] [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: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The association between helminthiasis and asthma remains inconclusive but can only be investigated in counties where helminthiasis is transitioning from a high to low burden. We investigated this association using data from a childhood respiratory cohort in Sri Lanka. METHODS A case-control study was nested within a population-based cohort of children aged 6-14 years in Sri Lanka. The stool samples of 190 children with asthma and 190 children without asthma were analyzed to assess the burden of helminth infestation. Logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the association of gastrointestinal helminth species with asthma. RESULTS Helminthiasis in children with and without asthma was 23.3% (n = 44) and 15.3% (n = 23), respectively. Those with asthma were more likely to have helminthiasis (odds ratio 3.7; 95% confidence interval 1.7, 7.7; P = 0.001), particularly with Trichiuris trichura (odds ratio 4.5; 95% confidence interval 1.6, 12.3; P = 0.004). Helminth eggs per gram of feces were not associated with asthma (P >0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate a positive association between T. trichura infestation and asthma and point to the need to fully characterize this association to understand the likely immunological mechanism that drives it. This association highlights an important public health intervention in countries where these infestations are still prevalent, affecting 24% of the population worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chamara V Senaratna
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit (ALHU), Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Non-Communicable Disease Research Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
| | - Piyumali K Perera
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Nirupama Abeysekara
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Pramodya Piyumanthi
- Non-Communicable Disease Research Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Garun S Hamilton
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; Monash Lung, Sleep, Allergy and Immunology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
| | - Gillian M Nixon
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Rupika S Rajakaruna
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Shyamali C Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit (ALHU), Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Bazargan N, Lari AN, Borhani M, Fasihi Harandi M. Allergic asthma manifestations in human and seropositivity to Toxocara, a soil-transmitted helminth of carnivores: A case-control study and scoping review of the literature. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:920182. [PMID: 36250067 PMCID: PMC9556890 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.920182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a common respiratory disease affecting humans. Helminth parasites, including Toxocara species, have been implicated as predisposing factors of asthma. However, various studies present different findings on asthma-Toxocara association. Herein, we investigated the association of asthma manifestations with Toxocara seropositivity in a case-control setting on 248 participants (147 women and 101 men), with 124 healthy individuals as the control group and 124 patients known to have asthma based on the medical records of asthma clinics of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Consequently, we presented a scoping review of all previous studies carried out on this topic, summarizing current findings and existing knowledge on this issue. Of 248 participants, 31 (12.5%) were Toxocara-seropositive, of which 19 (15.3%) were in the patient group and 12 (9.7%) in the control group. A significant relationship was found between asthma severity and age in Toxocara-seropositive individuals (P < 0.04). We found no significant relationship between asthma and Toxocara seropositivity. We identified 7,724 related records in three major scientific databases, NCBI PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The review of the literature showed that there are 80 published articles on asthma-Toxocara relationship with contradictory findings. More than half of the studies were performed in only four countries, namely, Brazil, the Netherlands, the United States, and Iran. The study population in 70% of the studies were children, and few studies investigated asthma-Toxocara association in adults. The most common study designs for investigating the association of asthma and Toxocara seropositivity were cross-sectional (35.0%), case-control (27.5%), and animal experimental (12.5%) studies. This study found no significant relationship between asthma manifestations and toxocariasis in a case-control setting. However, a scoping review of the current literature suggests that further experimental and field longitudinal cohort studies are required to elucidate the nature of asthma-Toxocara interaction in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Bazargan
- Department of Pediatrics, Afzalipour Medical Center, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Azadeh Nasri Lari
- Department of Pediatrics, Afzalipour Medical Center, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mehdi Borhani
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Majid Fasihi Harandi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- *Correspondence: Majid Fasihi Harandi ;
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9
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Amor DALM, Santos LN, Silva ES, de Santana MBR, Belitardo EMMDA, Sena FDA, Pontes-de-Carvalho L, Figueiredo CA, Alcântara-Neves NM. Toxocara canis extract fractions promote mainly the production of Th1 and regulatory cytokines by human leukocytes in vitro. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106579. [PMID: 35843307 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Helminths possibly down-modulate immune responses to airborne allergens through the induction of a regulatory network. The identification of helminths bioactive molecules is highly desirable, given their immunomodulatory potential which could be used in immunotherapies for allergy and autoimmune diseases. To investigate the immunoregulatory potential of the adult Toxocara canis crude extract and ten protein fractions of its extract, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 10 allergic and 9 non-allergic individuals were cultivated, in vitro, in the presence or absence of these antigens, and their supernatants were evaluated for cytokine production (TGF-β, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-5, IL13, and IL-17). To determine the cell viability, the PBMC were cultivated for 24 h in the presence of the antigens and, following, they were subjected to a cytotoxicity assay. The viability of the PBMC was not affected by incubation with the T. canis antigens. As some fractions stimulated the production of immunoregulatory (TGF-β and/or IL-10), IL-12 and Th1 (TNF-α) cytokines, without stimulating Th2 cytokines (IL-5 and IL13) and IL-17, it was proposed that they would be potential candidates for further studies, especially involving the purification and characterization of specific proteins, which could be tested separately to evaluate their specific role as adjuvants in immunotherapy for inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dra Ana Lúcia Moreno Amor
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Avenida Carlos Amaral, 1015 - Cajueiro, Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia 44430-622, Brazil.
| | | | - Eduardo Santos Silva
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | | | - Flávia de Araújo Sena
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Camila A Figueiredo
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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Zafar A, Attia Z, Tesfaye M, Walelign S, Wordofa M, Abera D, Desta K, Tsegaye A, Ay A, Taye B. Machine learning-based risk factor analysis and prevalence prediction of intestinal parasitic infections using epidemiological survey data. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010517. [PMID: 35700192 PMCID: PMC9236253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous epidemiological studies have examined the prevalence and risk factors for a variety of parasitic illnesses, including protozoan and soil-transmitted helminth (STH, e.g., hookworms and roundworms) infections. Despite advancements in machine learning for data analysis, the majority of these studies use traditional logistic regression to identify significant risk factors. Methods In this study, we used data from a survey of 54 risk factors for intestinal parasitosis in 954 Ethiopian school children. We investigated whether machine learning approaches can supplement traditional logistic regression in identifying intestinal parasite infection risk factors. We used feature selection methods such as InfoGain (IG), ReliefF (ReF), Joint Mutual Information (JMI), and Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (MRMR). Additionally, we predicted children’s parasitic infection status using classifiers such as Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forests (RF) and XGBoost (XGB), and compared their accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) scores. For optimal model training, we performed tenfold cross-validation and tuned the classifier hyperparameters. We balanced our dataset using the Synthetic Minority Oversampling (SMOTE) method. Additionally, we used association rule learning to establish a link between risk factors and parasitic infections. Key findings Our study demonstrated that machine learning could be used in conjunction with logistic regression. Using machine learning, we developed models that accurately predicted four parasitic infections: any parasitic infection at 79.9% accuracy, helminth infection at 84.9%, any STH infection at 95.9%, and protozoan infection at 94.2%. The Random Forests (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifiers achieved the highest accuracy when top 20 risk factors were considered using Joint Mutual Information (JMI) or all features were used. The best predictors of infection were socioeconomic, demographic, and hematological characteristics. Conclusions We demonstrated that feature selection and association rule learning are useful strategies for detecting risk factors for parasite infection. Additionally, we showed that advanced classifiers might be utilized to predict children’s parasitic infection status. When combined with standard logistic regression models, machine learning techniques can identify novel risk factors and predict infection risk. In developing countries such as Ethiopia, intestinal parasites are a significant public health problem. These parasites are detrimental to the health of schoolchildren. Numerous risk factors for parasitic infections have been identified using uni- and multi-variate logistic regression. However, logistic regression has inherent limitations when applied to data sets with a large number of risk factors. We used machine learning techniques in conjunction with logistic regression models to identify relevant risk factors for parasitic infections in a dataset of 954 Ethiopian schoolchildren with 54 different risk factors for parasitic infections. Additionally, we developed predictive models of parasitic infection. Compared to logistic regression, we discovered that machine learning techniques identified novel risk factors and had higher predictive accuracy. Furthermore, we discovered that infection prediction could be aided by combining socioeconomic, health, and hematological characteristics. As a result, we concluded that advanced machine learning methods should be used in conjunction with logistic regression to study parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Zafar
- Colgate University, Department of Mathematics, Hamilton, New York, United States of America
- Colgate University, Department of Biology, Hamilton, New York, United States of America
| | - Ziad Attia
- Colgate University, Department of Mathematics, Hamilton, New York, United States of America
- Colgate University, Department of Computer Science, Hamilton, New York, United States of America
| | - Mehret Tesfaye
- Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sosina Walelign
- Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Moges Wordofa
- Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dessie Abera
- Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Kassu Desta
- Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aster Tsegaye
- Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmet Ay
- Colgate University, Department of Mathematics, Hamilton, New York, United States of America
- Colgate University, Department of Biology, Hamilton, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AA); (BT)
| | - Bineyam Taye
- Colgate University, Department of Biology, Hamilton, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AA); (BT)
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11
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Mkhize‐Kwitshana ZL, Naidoo P, Nkwanyana NM, Mabaso MLH. Concurrent allergy and helminthiasis in underprivileged urban South African adults previously residing in rural areas. Parasite Immunol 2022; 44:e12913. [PMID: 35188279 PMCID: PMC9539504 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether prior exposure to helminths (Ascaris IgE, Ascaris eggs and Trichuris eggs) either in childhood or in adulthood, and residence in rural and resource‐limited urban areas influence allergy outcomes (asthma, rhinitis, IgE atopy and food allergy) in a South African population. Participants historical and present allergies data were collected through questionnaires and clinical record files. Coproscopy and immunoassays (ImmunoCAPTM Phadiatop, total IgE and allergen‐specific fx3 IgE immunoassays and Ascaris IgE radioallergosorbent [RAST] tests) were used for active helminthiasis and allergy screens respectively. Data were analysed using logistic regression analysis, and models were adjusted for age, gender and locality. High Ascaris IgE was significantly associated with asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.20, p = .047), IgE atopy (aOR = 18.18, p < .0001) and food allergy (aOR = 14.47, p < .0001). Asthma was significantly less likely among participants with Ascaris eggs (aOR = 0.43, p = .048) and Trichuris eggs (aOR = 0.36, p = .024). The findings of co‐occurrent helminthiasis and allergic disorders in a population that has resided both in rural and peri‐urban informal settlements both oppose and agree with two main notions of the hygiene hypothesis that (i) individuals residing in rural settings with poor sanitation and geohelminth infection are less prone to allergy, and (ii) helminth infections protect against allergy respectively. Further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilungile L. Mkhize‐Kwitshana
- Department of Medical Microbiology School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences College of Health Sciences Nelson R. Mandela Medical School Campus University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa 4001
- Research Capacity Development Division South African Medical Research Council Tygerberg, Cape Town South Africa 7505
| | - Pragalathan Naidoo
- Department of Medical Microbiology School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences College of Health Sciences Nelson R. Mandela Medical School Campus University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa 4001
- Research Capacity Development Division South African Medical Research Council Tygerberg, Cape Town South Africa 7505
| | - Ntombifikile M. Nkwanyana
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine School of Nursing and Public Health College of Health Sciences Howard College University of KwaZulu Natal Durban South Africa 4041
| | - Musawenkosi L. H. Mabaso
- Human Sciences Research Council (HAST) The Atrium, 5th Floor, 430 Peter Mokaba Street Berea, Durban South Africa 4001
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12
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Jõgi NO, Kitaba N, Storaas T, Schlünssen V, Triebner K, Holloway JW, Horsnell WGC, Svanes C, Bertelsen RJ. Ascaris exposure and its association with lung function, asthma, and DNA methylation in Northern Europe. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 149:1960-1969. [PMID: 34996616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ascaris infections, with a worldwide prevalence above 10%, can cause respiratory pathology. However, long-term effects on lung function in humans are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations of Ascaris exposure with lung function, asthma, and DNA methylation. METHODS Serum Ascaris IgG antibodies were measured in 671 adults aged 18 to 47 years (46% women) from Aarhus, Bergen, and Tartu RHINESSA study centers. Seropositivity was defined as IgG above the 90th percentile. Linear and logistic regressions were used to analyze Ascaris seropositivity as associated with lung function and asthma, adjusted for age, height, and smoking and clustered by center. DNA methylation in blood was profiled by a commercial methylation assay. RESULTS Ascaris seropositivity was associated with lower FEV1 (-247 mL; 95% CI, -460, -34) and higher odds for asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 5.84; 95% CI, 1.67, 20.37) among men but not women, also after further adjusting for house dust mite sensitivity, consistent across study centers. At a genome-wide level, Ascaris exposure was associated with 23 differentially methylated sites in men and 3 in women. We identified hypermethylation of the MYBPC1 gene, which can regulate airway muscle contraction. We also identified genes linked to asthma pathogenesis such as CRHR1 and GRK1, as well as a differentially methylated region in the PRSS22 gene linked to nematode infection. CONCLUSION Ascaris exposure was associated with substantially lower lung function and increased asthma risk among men. Seropositive participants had sex-specific differences in DNA methylation compared to the unexposed, thus suggesting that exposure may lead to sex-specific epigenetic changes associated with lung pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils O Jõgi
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Negusse Kitaba
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Torgeir Storaas
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Environmental Occupation, and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kai Triebner
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Core Facility for Metabolomics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - John W Holloway
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - William G C Horsnell
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine/Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Molecular and Experimental Immunology and Neurogenetics, CNRS-University of Orléans and Le Studium Institute for Advanced Studies, Orléans, France.
| | - Cecilie Svanes
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Randi J Bertelsen
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Western Norway, Bergen, Norway
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13
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Mohammed SH, Jabbr AS, Ibrahim NK. Impact of parasitic infection with Ascaris lumbricoides on pulmonary function tests in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children. Respir Med Case Rep 2021; 34:101552. [PMID: 34820258 PMCID: PMC8600146 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is strong evidence for a causal relationship between helminthes infection and allergic disease like asthma due to the similarity in the way they respond. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ascaris infection on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to reveal the relationship between ascariasis and asthma in children. Patients and methods This a randomized-control study conducted in Basrah City, Iraq, in which four groups of a total of 490 children were enrolled: Group1 included 120 normal children; Group 2 included 135 asthmatic children; Group 3 who were 150 Ascaris infected children and group G4 included 85 asthmatic and Ascaris infected. PFTs, IgE level, differential blood count and parasitic examination were done for all groups. Results Both group2 and 4, which included asthmatic children showed a significant decrease in PFT (P > 0.05),while the PFT of parasitic infected group was not affected. There were no significant changes in WBC, eosinophils and IgE between asthmatic and parasitic infected groups. Conclusion Ascaris infection could induce the inflammatory immune response in children, but couldn't cause a significant effect on pulmonary function tests in these children; The impairment in PFT was due to asthma disease and not correlated to ascariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suha Haithem Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Basrah, Iraq
| | - Azza Sajid Jabbr
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Basrah, Iraq
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14
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Stracke K, Adisakwattana P, Phuanukoonnon S, Yoonuan T, Poodeepiyasawat A, Dekumyoy P, Chaisiri K, Roth Schulze A, Wilcox S, Karunajeewa H, Traub RJ, Jex AR. Field evaluation of the gut microbiome composition of pre-school and school-aged children in Tha Song Yang, Thailand, following oral MDA for STH infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009597. [PMID: 34310596 PMCID: PMC8341710 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths, such as roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura) and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp.), are gastrointestinal parasites that occur predominantly in low- to middle-income countries worldwide and disproportionally impact children. Depending on the STH species, health status of the host and infection intensity, direct impacts of these parasites include malnutrition, anaemia, diarrhoea and physical and cognitive stunting. The indirect consequences of these infections are less well understood. Specifically, gastrointestinal infections may exert acute or chronic impacts on the natural gut microfauna, leading to increased risk of post-infectious gastrointestinal disorders, and reduced gut and overall health through immunomodulating mechanisms. To date a small number of preliminary studies have assessed the impact of helminths on the gut microbiome, but these studies are conflicting. Here, we assessed STH burden in 273 pre-school and school-aged children in Tha Song Yang district, Tak province, Thailand receiving annual oral mebendazole treatment. Ascaris lumbricoides (107/273) and Trichuris trichiura (100/273) were the most prevalent species and often occurred as co-infections (66/273). Ancylostoma ceylanicum was detected in a small number of children as well (n = 3). All of these infections were of low intensity (<4,999 or 999 eggs per gram for Ascaris and Trichuris respectively). Using this information, we characterised the baseline gut microbiome profile and investigated acute STH-induced alterations, comparing infected with uninfected children at the time of sampling. We found no difference between these groups in bacterial alpha-diversity, but did observe differences in beta-diversity and specific differentially abundant OTUs, including increased Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides coprophilus, and reduced Bifidobacterium adolescentis, each of which have been previously implicated in STH-associated changes in the gut microfauna. Soil-transmitted helminth infections exhibit a significant negative impact on population health worldwide. In particular in endemic regions sub-groups such as children suffer disproportionally from infection due to impoverished living conditions. Yet many of these regions have no or limited availability of infection prevalence data to inform intervention strategies. Application of low sensitivity diagnostic tools such as microscopy exacerbate this issue. Moving towards molecular tools is key in order to establish a more accurate and complete epidemiological profile that can serve as a reference standard for future studies. Recently, a number of studies investigated the microbiota as an important factor determining overall patient health. The gut microbiota can be altered through medication, lifestyle factors and co-inhabitation of the same environmental niche with STHs. However, these microbiota studies often lack a characterised baseline. The current study provides baseline epidemiology data for a cohort of pre-school and school-age Thai children using a molecular diagnostic technique. We estimate the STH infection prevalence and intensity and characterise the host gut microbiota profile at a single cross-sectional timepoint comparing infected with uninfected children. This data can serve as a starting point for future studies investigating the impact of environmental factors and parasitic infections on patient health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Stracke
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suparat Phuanukoonnon
- Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tippayarat Yoonuan
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Akkarin Poodeepiyasawat
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Stephen Wilcox
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harin Karunajeewa
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine–Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca J. Traub
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty for Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaron R. Jex
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty for Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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15
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Li Z, Zhang W, Luo F, Li J, Yang W, Zhu B, Wu Q, Wang X, Sun C, Xie Y, Xu B, Wang Z, Qian F, Chen J, Wan Y, Hu W. Allergen-Specific Treg Cells Upregulated by Lung-Stage S. japonicum Infection Alleviates Allergic Airway Inflammation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:678377. [PMID: 34169075 PMCID: PMC8217774 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.678377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma japonicum infection showed protective effects against allergic airway inflammation (AAI). However, controversial findings exist especially regarding the timing of the helminth infection and the underlying mechanisms. Most previous studies focused on understanding the preventive effect of S. japonicum infection on asthma (infection before allergen sensitization), whereas the protective effects of S. japonicum infection (allergen sensitization before infection) on asthma were rarely investigated. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of S. japonicum infection on AAI using a mouse model of OVA-induced asthma. To explore how the timing of S. japonicum infection influences its protective effect, the mice were percutaneously infected with cercaria of S. japonicum at either 1 day (infection at lung-stage during AAI) or 14 days before ovalbumin (OVA) challenge (infection at post–lung-stage during AAI). We found that lung-stage S. japonicum infection significantly ameliorated OVA-induced AAI, whereas post–lung-stage infection did not. Mechanistically, lung-stage S. japonicum infection significantly upregulated the frequency of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), especially OVA-specific Treg cells, in lung tissue, which negatively correlated with the level of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). Depletion of Treg cells in vivo partially counteracted the protective effect of lung-stage S. japonicum infection on asthma. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis of lung tissue showed that lung-stage S. japonicum infection during AAI shaped the microenvironment to favor Treg induction. In conclusion, our data showed that lung-stage S. japonicum infection could relieve OVA-induced asthma in a mouse model. The protective effect was mediated by the upregulated OVA-specific Treg cells, which suppressed IgE production. Our results may facilitate the discovery of a novel therapy for AAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology (National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingkuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qunfeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology (National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Shanghai, China
| | - Chengsong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxiang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology (National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaojun Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaxu Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology (National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Shanghai, China
| | - Yanmin Wan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology (National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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16
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Alamri A. Diversity of Microbial Signatures in Asthmatic Airways. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:1367-1378. [PMID: 33889017 PMCID: PMC8057789 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s304339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the respiratory system. The global incidence of asthma is rising. Clinical and experimental models of asthma clearly indicate that the disease is multifactorial in nature with a wide array of factors contributing to progression and exacerbation, including interactions between immunological markers and the microbial community populating the respiratory tract. In particular, strict hygiene compliance during the early years of life and early exposure to antibiotics are linked to alterations in the biological environment within the airways and to changes in immunological markers, leading to allergies, such as asthma. With the gap in current research knowledge on the various non-bacterial microbial communities in the asthmatic airways, this review summarizes current methods used to assess microbial diversity as well as evidence for the link between microbial alterations and asthma, including changes in the bacterial microbiome, often characterized by the outgrowth of certain bacterial phyla such as proteobacteria and Firmicutes, in addition to disrupted mycobiome, virome, and parasitome. The current review emphasizes the dynamic, context-dependent changes in the microbiome in asthma and the importance of broad-scope analyses, covering a wide range of taxa. In conclusion, the interaction between the resident microbiota and the immune system is essential and significant in modulating the inflammatory responses; however, further investigations are needed to improve our understanding of the risk factors that disrupt the diversity of the microbiome in the different body systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Alamri
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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17
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Fiuza BSD, Fonseca HF, Meirelles PM, Marques CR, da Silva TM, Figueiredo CA. Understanding Asthma and Allergies by the Lens of Biodiversity and Epigenetic Changes. Front Immunol 2021; 12:623737. [PMID: 33732246 PMCID: PMC7957070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.623737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to different organisms (bacteria, mold, virus, protozoan, helminths, among others) can induce epigenetic changes affecting the modulation of immune responses and consequently increasing the susceptibility to inflammatory diseases. Epigenomic regulatory features are highly affected during embryonic development and are responsible for the expression or repression of different genes associated with cell development and targeting/conducting immune responses. The well-known, "window of opportunity" that includes maternal and post-natal environmental exposures, which include maternal infections, microbiota, diet, drugs, and pollutant exposures are of fundamental importance to immune modulation and these events are almost always accompanied by epigenetic changes. Recently, it has been shown that these alterations could be involved in both risk and protection of allergic diseases through mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, which can enhance Th2 responses and maintain memory Th2 cells or decrease Treg cells differentiation. In addition, epigenetic changes may differ according to the microbial agent involved and may even influence different asthma or allergy phenotypes. In this review, we discuss how exposure to different organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and helminths can lead to epigenetic modulations and how this correlates with allergic diseases considering different genetic backgrounds of several ancestral populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pedro Milet Meirelles
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Estudos Interdisciplinares e Transdisciplinares em Ecologia e Evolução (IN-TREE), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Cintia Rodrigues Marques
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
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Zamora V, Rodero M, Ibáñez-Escribano A, Andreu-Ballester JC, Mendez S, Cuéllar C. Expansion of T regulatory lymphocytes by murine bone marrow dendritic cells previously stimulated with Anisakis simplex larval antigens. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2021; 116:e200560. [PMID: 33566938 PMCID: PMC7874847 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anisakis simplex antigens present immunomodulatory properties by the induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) in mice. OBJECTIVES To study the capacity of DCs stimulated with A. simplex excretory-secretory (ES) or crude extract (CE) to generate Tregs. To investigate in vitro effects of antigens on the metabolic activity of splenocytes induced by LPS or CpG. METHODS Phenotypic and functional characterization of T cells co-cultured with A. simplex-pulsed DCs was performed by flow cytometry. Lymphocyte mitochondrial respiratory activity was estimated by the Alamar Blue® Assay. FINDINGS In C57BL/6J, CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ and CD8+CD25-Foxp3+ populations increased by CE-stimulated-DCs. In BALB/c, CE-stimulated-DCs caused the expansion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+IL-10+ and CD8+CD25+Foxp3+IL-10+. IFN-γ expression raised in BALB/c CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25- for CE and ES, respectively. ES-stimulated-DCs increased CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ and CD8+CD25- Foxp3+ expression in T cells. The association of ES or CE with LPS produced the increase in splenocyte activity in C57BL/6J. The association of CE with CpG decreased the proliferation caused by CpG in C57BL/6J. MAIN CONCLUSIONS A. simplex increase the frequency of Tregs, which in turn produce IL-10 and IFN-γ. The host genetic base is essential in the development of anti-Anisakis immune responses (Th2, Th1, Treg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vega Zamora
- Universidad Complutense, Facultad de Farmacia, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Rodero
- Universidad Complutense, Facultad de Farmacia, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alexandra Ibáñez-Escribano
- Universidad Complutense, Facultad de Farmacia, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Susana Mendez
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Disease Branch, Rockville, MD, EUA
| | - Carmen Cuéllar
- Universidad Complutense, Facultad de Farmacia, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Madrid, Spain
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Apsari PIB, Arwati H, Dachlan YP. Correlation of Total IgE Level and Intensity of Infection among Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis Farmers in Klungkung Regency, Bali, Indonesia. FOLIA MEDICA INDONESIANA 2021. [DOI: 10.20473/fmi.v55i2.24562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenomena of increasing total IgE level in Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis and its protective role in resistance of infection remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between total IgE and the intensity of Soil transmitted helminthiasis among farmers in these area. Total 162 farmer, age ranged 25-80 years participated in this cross sectional analytic study. Kato-Katz method was used to diagnose Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis and to determined infection intensity based on egg per gram (EPG). Total IgE levels were measured by enzyme linked flourescent assay (ELFA). The results of this study showed that 13,56% farmer positive for Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis, with single infection of Ascaris lumbricoides were 1,85%, 9,26% for Trichuris trichiura, 0,61% for Hookworm and mixed infection that were 1,23% for A.lumbricoides+T.trichiura 0,61% for A.lumbricoides+Hookworm. The intensity of infection were in mild category. Total IgE level in Soil transmitted Helminthiasis group was significantly different compared with noninfected group (p<0.05, t-test). There was significant correlation between EPG and total IgE level (r=0.667, p=0.001, Spearman test). As a conclusion total IgE level was significantly correlated with EPG, this fact can be used to develop management of Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis theraphy.
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Montoya-Alonso JA, Morchón R, Matos JI, Falcón-Cordón Y, Costa-Rodriguez N, Carretón E. Dirofilaria immitis Could Be a Risk Factor for the Development of Allergic Diseases in Humans. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101847. [PMID: 33050570 PMCID: PMC7601753 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Heartworm is a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes to animals and humans. The risk of human infections is high in those areas with high canine prevalence, such as the Canary Islands. In these islands, there is also a high number of allergic inhabitants. Since some studies have shown a relationship between parasite infections and development of allergies, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to heartworm may contribute to the development of allergies. A survey carried out on dog owners in the Canary Islands showed that 51.3% of allergic owners had a heartworm-positive dog, and significant differences were found between allergic or not-allergic owners, according to whether the dog was negative or positive to heartworm. Furthermore, 66 serum samples from inhabitants of the Canary Islands were analyzed for the presence of unspecific allergy markers (Immunoglobulin E or IgE) and specific for heartworm (IgE against Dirofilaria immitis and Wolbachia) and the results show that people who were in contact with heartworm showed total IgE and specific IgE against heartworm more frequently. Contact with heartworm may be a risk factor for the development of allergic diseases, although further studies to elucidate the relationship between heartworm and allergies should be carried out. Abstract The Canary Islands are hyperendemic for canine heartworm and the risk of zoonotic infection is high. Additionally, there is evidence of development of allergies due to nematode infections in animals and humans. Since the population of the Canary Islands presents high prevalence of allergic comorbidities, and previous studies have shown a possible relationship between allergies and seropositivity to heartworm, the aim was to evaluate whether exposure to heartworm may contribute to the development of allergies in the human population. First, an epidemiological study was conducted on 248 owners of dogs with/without heartworm infection in the Canary Islands. Secondly, a serological analysis of the presence of total IgE and specific IgE against heartworm was conducted in 66 samples of inhabitants of the Canary Islands. The survey showed that allergic owners had heartworm-positive dogs more frequently (p < 0.01). Of the analyzed human samples, 43.9% were seropositive to heartworm and Wolbachia. Total IgE concentrations were increased in 34.5% seropositive samples and 8.1% seronegative samples. Specific IgE against heartworm was only found in human seropositive samples (17.2%). Contact with heartworm may be a risk factor for the development of allergic diseases, although further studies to elucidate the relationship between heartworm and allergies should be carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Alberto Montoya-Alonso
- Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (J.A.M.-A.); (J.I.M.); (Y.F.-C.); (N.C.-R.)
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Animal and Human Dirofilariosis Group, Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Jorge Isidoro Matos
- Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (J.A.M.-A.); (J.I.M.); (Y.F.-C.); (N.C.-R.)
| | - Yaiza Falcón-Cordón
- Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (J.A.M.-A.); (J.I.M.); (Y.F.-C.); (N.C.-R.)
| | - Noelia Costa-Rodriguez
- Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (J.A.M.-A.); (J.I.M.); (Y.F.-C.); (N.C.-R.)
| | - Elena Carretón
- Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (J.A.M.-A.); (J.I.M.); (Y.F.-C.); (N.C.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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Ayelign B, Akalu Y, Teferi B, Molla MD, Shibabaw T. Helminth Induced Immunoregulation and Novel Therapeutic Avenue of Allergy. J Asthma Allergy 2020; 13:439-451. [PMID: 33116652 PMCID: PMC7548329 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s273556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergic diseases are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, particularly in developed countries. In contrast, there is a decrease in the prevalence of helminthic infections and other neglected diseases. The hygiene hypothesis elaborates parasitic infection, and allergy-associated diseases have an inverse relationship. Acute helminthic infection and allergic reaction stimulate Type 2 helper cells (Th2) immune response with up-regulation of cytokines IL-4-, IL-5-, and IL-13-mediated IgE and mast cell production, as well as eosinophilia. However, people who chronically suffer from helminthic infections are demarcated through polarized Th2 resulting in alternative macrophage activation and T regulatory response. This regulatory system reduces allergy incidence in individuals that are chronically diseased through helminth. As a result, the excretory-secretory (ES) substance derived from parasites and extracellular vesicular components can be used as a novel therapeutic modality of allergy. Therefore, the aim of this review meticulously explored the link between helminth infection and allergy, and utilization of the helminth secretome for therapeutic immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birhanu Ayelign
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Yonas Akalu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Banchamlak Teferi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Meseret Derbew Molla
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tewodros Shibabaw
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Overgaauw PA, Vinke CM, van Hagen MA, Lipman LJ. A One Health Perspective on the Human-Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E3789. [PMID: 32471058 PMCID: PMC7312520 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17113789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Over time the human-animal bond has been changed. For instance, the role of pets has changed from work animals (protecting houses, catching mice) to animals with a social function, giving companionship. Pets can be important for the physical and mental health of their owners but may also transmit zoonotic infections. The One Health initiative is a worldwide strategy for expanding collaborations in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment. However, in One Health communications the role of particularly dogs and cats is often underestimated. OBJECTIVE Evaluation of positive and negative One Health issues of the human-companion animal relationship with a focus on zoonotic aspects of cats and dogs in industrialized countries. METHOD Literature review. RESULTS Pets undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health, while owners are increasing aware of pet's health and welfare. The changing attitude of humans with regard to pets and their environment can also lead to negative effects such as changes in feeding practices, extreme breeding, and behavioral problems, and anthropozoonoses. For the human, there may be a higher risk of the transmission of zoonotic infections due to trends such as sleeping with pets, allowing pets to lick the face or wounds, bite accidents, keeping exotic animals, the importation of rescue dogs, and soil contact. CONCLUSIONS One Health issues need frequently re-evaluated as the close human-animal relationship with pet animals can totally differ compared to decennia ago. Because of the changed human-companion animal bond, recommendations regarding responsible pet-ownership, including normal hygienic practices, responsible breeding, feeding, housing, and mental and physical challenges conforming the biology of the animal are required. Education can be performed by vets and physicians as part of the One Health concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A.M. Overgaauw
- Department Population Health Sciences, Division of Veterinary Public Health, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Claudia M. Vinke
- Unit Animals in Science & Society, Animal Behaviour, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.M.V.); (M.A.E.v.H.)
| | - Marjan A.E. van Hagen
- Unit Animals in Science & Society, Animal Behaviour, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands; (C.M.V.); (M.A.E.v.H.)
| | - Len J.A. Lipman
- Department Population Health Sciences, Division of Veterinary Public Health, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands;
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Filbey KJ, Mehta PH, Meijlink KJ, Pellefigues C, Schmidt AJ, Le Gros G. The Gastrointestinal Helminth Heligmosomoides bakeri Suppresses Inflammation in a Model of Contact Hypersensitivity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:950. [PMID: 32508831 PMCID: PMC7249854 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Helminths regulate host immune responses to ensure their own long-term survival. Numerous studies have demonstrated that these helminth-induced regulatory mechanisms can also limit host inflammatory responses in several disease models. We used the Heligmosomoides bakeri (Hb) infection model (also known as H. polygyrus or H. polygyrus bakeri in the literature) to test whether such immune regulation affects skin inflammatory responses induced by the model contact sensitiser dibutyl phthalate fluorescein isothiocynate (DBP-FITC). Skin lysates from DBP-FITC-sensitized, Hb-infected mice produced less neutrophil specific chemokines and had significantly reduced levels of skin thickening and cellular inflammatory responses in tissue and draining lymph nodes (LNs) compared to uninfected mice. Hb-induced suppression did not appear to be mediated by regulatory T cells, nor was it due to impaired dendritic cell (DC) activity. Mice cleared of infection remained unresponsive to DBP-FITC sensitization indicating that suppression was not via the secretion of Hb-derived short-lived regulatory molecules, although long-term effects on cells cannot be ruled out. Importantly, similar helminth-induced suppression of inflammation was also seen in the draining LN after intradermal injection of the ubiquitous allergen house dust mite (HDM). These findings demonstrate that Hb infection attenuates skin inflammatory responses by suppressing chemokine production and recruitment of innate cells. These findings further contribute to the growing body of evidence that helminth infection can modulate inflammatory and allergic responses via a number of mechanisms with potential to be exploited in therapeutic and preventative strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara J Filbey
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Palak H Mehta
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Graham Le Gros
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
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Neto ACP, Solé D, Hirakata V, Schmid LS, Klock C, Barreto SSM. Risk factors for asthma in schoolchildren in Southern Brazil. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2020; 48:237-243. [PMID: 31601500 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the high prevalence of recurrent wheezing in the pediatric population, it is important to be able to identify environmental risk factors that may affect the etiology of asthma in several regions. OBJECTIVE to identify possible risk factors associated with asthma in children (9-12 years old) in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 1003 school-age children were selected for the cross-sectional study by applying a standardized written questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergy, and a supplementary questionnaire (ISAAC phase II) was added to address personal, family and environmental factors. Of these, 125 children were excluded because they did not accept to do the skin prick test, resulting in a sample of 878. RESULTS Independent risk factors associated with asthma were bronchiolitis before two years old [OR]=3.11; 2.23-4.33, current rhinitis [0R]=2.07; 1.43-3.0; sharing bedroom during the first year of life [OR]=2.03; 1.36-3.04; atopy [OR]=1,82; 1.26-2.50; use of paracetamol more than 12 times a year [OR]=1.68; 1.20-2.31; use of antibiotics in the first six months of life [OR]=1,57 1;13-2.17; maternal asthma [OR]=1.75; 1.05-2.78, having an indoor cat during the first year of life [OR]=1.73, 1.07-2.78; premature birth [OR]=1.60,1.02-2.50. CONCLUSION our results show that genetic backgrounds, environmental factors, premature birth, use of antibiotics before six months of life, using paracetamol once per month and the presence of co-morbidities such as rhinitis are the risk factors associated with asthma in Brazilian children.
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Alberca-Custodio RW, Faustino LD, Gomes E, Nunes FPB, de Siqueira MK, Labrada A, Almeida RR, Câmara NOS, da Fonseca DM, Russo M. Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy With Liposome Containing CpG-ODN in Murine Model of Asthma Relies on MyD88 Signaling in Dendritic Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:692. [PMID: 32391011 PMCID: PMC7191058 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Changing the immune responses to allergens is the cornerstone of allergen immunotherapy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy that consists of repeated administration of increasing doses of allergen extract is potentially curative. The major inconveniences of allergen-specific immunotherapy include failure to modify immune responses, long-term treatment leading to non-compliance and the potential for developing life-threating anaphylaxis. Here we investigated the effect of a novel liposomal formulation carrying low dose of allergen combined with CpG-ODN, a synthetic TLR9 agonist, on established allergic lung inflammation. We found that challenge with allergen (OVA) encapsulated in cationic liposome induced significantly less severe cutaneous anaphylactic reaction. Notably, short-term treatment (three doses) with a liposomal formulation containing co-encapsulated allergen plus CpG-ODN, but not allergen or CpG-ODN alone, reversed an established allergic lung inflammation and provided long-term protection. This liposomal formulation was also effective against allergens derived from Blomia tropicalis mite extract. The attenuation of allergic inflammation was not associated with increased numbers of Foxp3-positive or IL-10-producing regulatory T cells or with increased levels of IFN-gamma in the lungs. Instead, the anti-allergic effect of the liposomal formulation was dependent of the innate immune signal transduction generated in CD11c-positive putative dendritic cells expressing MyD88 molecule. Therefore, we highlight the pivotal role of dendritic cells in mediating the attenuation of established allergic lung inflammation following immunotherapy with a liposomal formulation containing allergen plus CpG-ODN.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas D. Faustino
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eliane Gomes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Alexis Labrada
- Department of Allergens, National Center of Bioproducts (BIOCEN), Havana, Cuba
| | - Rafael Ribeiro Almeida
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Denise Morais da Fonseca
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Momtchilo Russo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Ascaris lumbricoides is a common infection, and mainly affects children living in low-income areas. Water and sanitation improvement, health education, and drug treatment may help break the cycle of transmission, and effective drugs will reduce morbidity. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of anthelmintic drugs (albendazole, mebendazole, ivermectin) for treating people with Ascaris infection. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Infectious Disease Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, three other databases, and reference lists of included studies, without language restrictions, up to 4 July 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared albendazole, mebendazole, and ivermectin in children and adults with confirmed Ascaris infection. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data from the included trials. A third review author checked the quality of data extraction. We used the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' assessment tool to determine the risk of bias in included trials. We used risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to compare dichotomous outcomes in treatment and control groups. We used the fixed-effect model for studies with low heterogeneity and the random-effects model for studies with moderate to high heterogeneity. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. We used the control rate average to provide illustrative cure rates in the comparison groups. MAIN RESULTS We included 30 parallel-group RCTs, which enrolled 6442 participants from 17 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America. Participants were from 28 days to 82 years of age, recruited from school, communities, and health facilities. Twenty studies were funded or co-funded by manufacturers, while 10 studies were independent of manufacturer funding. Twenty-two trials had a high risk of bias for one or two domains (blinding, incomplete outcome data, selective reporting). Single dose of albendazole (four trials), mebendazole (three trials) or ivermectin (one trial) was compared to placebo. Parasitological cure at 14 to 60 days was high in all the studies (illustrative cure of 93.0% in the anthelmintic group and 16.1% in the placebo group; RR 6.29, 95% CI 3.91 to 10.12; 8 trials, 1578 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Single dose of albendazole is as effective as multiple doses of albendazole (illustrative cure of 93.2% with single dose, 94.3% with multiple doses; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.05; 3 trials, 307 participants; high-certainty evidence); or as single dose of mebendazole (illustrative cure of 98.0% with albendazole, 96.9% with mebendazole; RR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02; 6 trials, 2131 participants; high-certainty evidence). Studies did not detect a difference between a single dose of albendazole and a single dose of ivermectin (cure rates of 87.8% with albendazole, 90.2% with ivermectin; RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.08; 3 trials, 519 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Across all the studies, failure after single dose of albendazole ranged from 0.0% to 30.3%, mebendazole from 0.0% to 22.2%, and ivermectin from 0.0% to 21.6%. The egg reduction rate (ERR) measured up to 60 days after the treatment was high in all treated groups, regardless of the anthelmintic used (range 96% to 100%). It was not possible to evaluate parasitological cure by classes of infection intensity. No included trials reported complication or serious adverse events. Other adverse events were apparently similar among the compared anthelmintic groups (moderate- to low-certainty evidence). The most commonly reported other adverse events were nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, and fever. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Single-dose of albendazole, mebendazole, and ivermectin all appeared effective against Ascaris lumbricoides infection, yielding high parasitological cure and large reductions in eggs excreted, with no differences detected between them. The drugs appear to be safe to treat children and adults with confirmed Ascaris infection. There is little to choose between drugs and regimens in terms of cure or adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucieni O Conterno
- State University of Campinas (UNICAMP)Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases DivisionRua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126Cidade Universitária "Zeferino Vaz"CampinasSão PauloBrazil13083‐887
| | - Marilia D Turchi
- Federal University of GoiasDepartment of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public HealthRua Amorinopolis QdR2 Lt13 Residencial GoiasAlphaville FlamboyantGoianiaGoiasBrazil74884‐540
| | - Ione Corrêa
- Botucatu Medical School, UNESP ‐ Univ Estadual PaulistaDepartment of NursingDistrito de Rubião Júnior, s/nBotucatuSão PauloBrazil18603‐970
| | - Ricardo Augusto Monteiro de Barros Almeida
- Botucatu Medical School, UNESP ‐ Univ Estadual PaulistaDepartment of Tropical Diseases and Imaging DiagnosisAv. Prof. Montenegro, s/nDistrito de Rubiao JrBotucatuSao PauloBrazil18618‐970
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Zibaei M, Shayesteh Z, Moradi N, Bahadory S. Human Toxocara Infection: Allergy and Immune Responses. Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem 2020; 18:82-90. [PMID: 31379304 DOI: 10.2174/1871523018666181210115840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan infection that occurs in various regions worldwide, more frequently in developing countries. Chronic infections with Toxocara species in humans are associated with the production of high levels of specific and non-specific antibodies of all isotypes and IgG subclasses and a cytokine response characterized by the production of Th2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 by Peripheral Blood Monocytes (PBMCs) and Leukocytes (PBLs) in whole blood cultures. Other Th2 effector responses are also prominent during infection, reflected by elevated numbers of peripheral blood eosinophils and increased expression of eosinophil degranulation products. The production of IFN-γ by PBMCs/PBLs stimulated with Toxocara-secreted proteins is not prominent in toxocariasis but IL-10 production may be increased in infected individuals. The relationship between Toxocara species with allergic reactions was reported in the recent century. Experimental and epidemiological investigations revealed that toxocariasis with this parasite led to the development of allergic symptoms, such as asthma. However, the findings are conflicting since in other investigations no association between these two immunopathologies has been reported. CONCLUSION The present review endeavours to summarize the data on Toxocara species and findings from studies on the relationship of toxocariasis with symptoms and signs of allergy. Furthermore, the mechanisms of immune responses and the factors associated between allergy and Toxocara infection are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zibaei
- Evidence-based Phytotherapy & Complementary Medicine Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.,Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Zahra Shayesteh
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Paramedicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Najmeh Moradi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamedan University of Medical Science, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Saeed Bahadory
- Department of Parasitology, Medical School Faculty, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
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Rapin A, Chuat A, Lebon L, Zaiss MM, Marsland BJ, Harris NL. Infection with a small intestinal helminth, Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri, consistently alters microbial communities throughout the murine small and large intestine. Int J Parasitol 2019; 50:35-46. [PMID: 31759944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that intestinal helminth infection can alter intestinal microbial communities with important impacts on the mammalian host. However, all of the studies to date utilize different techniques to study the microbiome and access different sites of the intestine with little consistency noted between studies. In the present study, we set out to perform a comprehensive analysis of the impact of intestinal helminth infection on the mammalian intestinal bacterial microbiome. For this purpose, we investigated the impact of experimental infection using the natural murine small intestinal helminth, Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri and examined possible alterations in both the mucous and luminal bacterial communities along the entire small and large intestine. We also explored the impact of common experimental variables including the parasite batch and pre-infection microbiome, on the outcome of helminth-bacterial interactions. This work provides evidence that helminth infection reproducibly alters intestinal microbial communities, with an impact of infection noted along the entire length of the intestine. Although the exact nature of helminth-induced alterations to the intestinal microbiome differed depending on the microbiome community structure present prior to infection, changes extended well beyond the introduction of new bacterial species by the infecting larvae. Moreover, striking similarities between different experiments were noted, including the consistent outgrowth of a bacterium belonging to the Peptostreptococcaceae family throughout the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Rapin
- Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Audrey Chuat
- Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luc Lebon
- Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mario M Zaiss
- Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin J Marsland
- Service de Pneumologie, Département de Médecine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Chemin des Boveresses 155, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Nicola L Harris
- Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart Sell
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, USA
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30
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Gazzinelli-Guimaraes PH, de Queiroz Prado R, Ricciardi A, Bonne-Année S, Sciurba J, Karmele EP, Fujiwara RT, Nutman TB. Allergen presensitization drives an eosinophil-dependent arrest in lung-specific helminth development. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:3686-3701. [PMID: 31380805 DOI: 10.1172/jci127963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between helminth infection and allergic sensitization by assessing the influence of preexisting allergy on the outcome of helminth infections, rather than the more traditional approach in which the helminth infection precedes the onset of allergy. Here we used a murine model of house dust mite-induced (HDM-induced) allergic inflammation followed by Ascaris infection to demonstrate that allergic sensitization drives an eosinophil-rich pulmonary type 2 immune response (Th2 cells, M2 macrophages, type 2 innate lymphoid cells, IL-33, IL-4, IL-13, and mucus) that directly hinders larval development and reduces markedly the parasite burden in the lungs. This effect is dependent on the presence of eosinophils, as eosinophil-deficient mice were unable to limit parasite development or numbers. In vivo administration of neutralizing antibodies against CD4 prior to HDM sensitization significantly reduced eosinophils in the lungs, resulting in the reversal of the HDM-induced Ascaris larval killing. Our data suggest that HDM allergic sensitization drives a response that mimics a primary Ascaris infection, such that CD4+ Th2-mediated eosinophil-dependent helminth larval killing in the lung tissue occurs. This study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying tissue-specific responses that drive a protective response against the early stages of the helminths prior to their establishing long-lasting infections in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H Gazzinelli-Guimaraes
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rafael de Queiroz Prado
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alessandra Ricciardi
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sandra Bonne-Année
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joshua Sciurba
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Erik P Karmele
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ricardo T Fujiwara
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thomas B Nutman
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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31
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Mohammadzadeh I, Rostami A, Darvish S, Mehravar S, Pournasrollah M, Javanian M, Esmaeili Dooki M, Gamble HR. Exposure to Ascaris lumbricoides infection and risk of childhood asthma in north of Iran. Infection 2019; 47:991-999. [PMID: 31350726 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-019-01343-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma and Ascaris lumbricoides infection are common health issues affecting 250 and 700 million people worldwide, respectively. The relationship between ascariasis and asthma is a matter of substantial interest and research. METHODS We performed a case-control study to evaluate whether the exposure to Ascaris infection is associated with asthma in children. We also assessed potential risk factors for Ascaris infection and asthma in study area. We enrolled 145 asthmatic children and 115 healthy controls. The Global Initiative for Asthma guideline was used to evaluate asthma symptoms and severity in study participants. Ascaris infection was assessed by the presence of anti-Ascaris IgG ≥ 11 IU/mL measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS We have found a significant relationship between exposure to Ascaris and asthma (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% CI 1.04-8.18; P value = 0.034), and this relationship remained significant after adjustment for covariates (adjusted OR, 3.36; 95% CI 1.04-13%; P value = 0.047). Ascaris infection was more frequent in children with mild sustainable asthma (13.2%; 15/113) than in children with moderate sustainable asthma (6.2%, 2/32), although there was a non-significant difference between these groups (OR, 2.3; 95% CI 0.5-10.1; P value = 0.35). Based on results of a multi-regression analysis, contact with soil (OR, 6.7; 95% CI 1.9-23.5), and drinking unsafe water (OR, 4.2; 95% CI 1.2-14.2) were significant risk factors for Ascaris infection in the study area. CONCLUSION Results of this study suggest that A. lumbricoides infection might affect susceptibility to asthma in children. These results could be useful in prevention, early diagnosis and management of childhood asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraj Mohammadzadeh
- Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Sorena Darvish
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Saeed Mehravar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Pournasrollah
- Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mostafa Javanian
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Esmaeili Dooki
- Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - H Ray Gamble
- National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
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Abstract
Respiratory allergy including bronchial asthma and food allergy have gained epidemic character in the last decades in industrialized countries. Much has been learned with respect to the pathophysiology of allergic disease and this has facilitated specific therapies. Allergy is a chronic disease, and being so prevalent claims to search for evolutionary causes of the general susceptibility of humans as a species to react to environmental antigens in a Th2 type immune reaction with IgE production. In an evolutionary analysis of Allergy, necessary questions addressed in this review are "Why does IgE exist or why did IgE evolve?" as well as from the point of view of the mismatch hypothesis, "Why is there an Allergy epidemic?" Recent studies on the possible biological and protective role of IgE against parasites, arthropods, venoms or toxins are challenging the widely accepted definition of allergens as generally innocuous antigens. Combining the immunologic danger model and the toxin hypothesis for allergies, the allergic response could have evolved with an adaptive value and allergens could be proxies for other putative noxious agents. The last decades yielded with vast molecular data of allergens. With available bioinformatics tools, we therefore also describe that evolutionary theory could be applied to prevent allergy, estimate cross-reactivity, to design allergen-specific immunotherapy and to assess the risks of novel foods.
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33
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Chico ME, Vaca MG, Rodriguez A, Cooper PJ. Soil-transmitted helminth parasites and allergy: Observations from Ecuador. Parasite Immunol 2019; 41:e12590. [PMID: 30229947 PMCID: PMC6563446 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable interest as to potential protective effects of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) against allergy and allergic diseases. Here, we discuss findings of studies done of the effects of STH parasites on atopy and allergic diseases in Ecuador. While cross-sectional studies have consistently shown a reduced prevalence of allergen skin prick test (SPT) reactivity among infected schoolchildren, the removal of these infections by repeated deworming did not affect SPT prevalence over the short-term (ie, 12 months) but may have increased SPT prevalence over the long-term (ie, 15-17 years). In the case of allergic symptoms, cross-sectional studies have generally not shown associations with STH and intervention studies showed no impact on prevalence. However, a birth cohort suggested that early STH infections might reduce wheeze by 5 years. Allergic sensitization to Ascaris, however, explained a significant proportion of wheezing among rural schoolchildren. Studies of the effects of STH on immune and inflammatory responses indicated a potential role of STH in contributing to more robust regulation. The effects of STH on allergy are likely to be determined by history of exposure over the life-course and by interactions with a wide variety of other infectious and non-infectious factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha E. Chico
- Fundación Ecuatoriana Para Investigación en SaludQuitoEcuador
| | - Maritza G. Vaca
- Fundación Ecuatoriana Para Investigación en SaludQuitoEcuador
| | - Alejandro Rodriguez
- Fundación Ecuatoriana Para Investigación en SaludQuitoEcuador
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, de la Salud y la VidaUniversidad Internacional del EcuadorQuitoEcuador
| | - Philip J. Cooper
- Fundación Ecuatoriana Para Investigación en SaludQuitoEcuador
- Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, de la Salud y la VidaUniversidad Internacional del EcuadorQuitoEcuador
- Institute of Infection and ImmunitySt George's University of LondonLondonUK
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34
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Abstract
Helminth infections may inhibit the development of allergic diseases, including asthma. On the other hand, some helminth species may induce or worsen symptoms of asthma. This article discusses the impact of helminth infections on asthma as well as the potencial of helminth-derived molecules with regulatory characteristics in the prevention or treatment of this disease. The ability to induce regulation has been observed in animal models of asthma or cells of asthmatic individuals in vitro. Potential future clinical applications of helminth antigens or infection for prevention of asthma merit further translational research.
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35
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van Nunen SA. Tick-induced allergies: mammalian meat allergy and tick anaphylaxis. Med J Aust 2019; 208:316-321. [PMID: 29642819 DOI: 10.5694/mja17.00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian meat allergy after tick bites and tick anaphylaxis are the most serious tick-induced allergies. They are often severe, should be largely avoidable and offer fascinating insights into the development and prevention of allergies. Australian clinicians reported the first cases of tick anaphylaxis and discovered the association between tick bites and the development of mammalian meat allergy. The subsequent finding of the allergen epitope within the meat responsible for the allergic reaction, α-gal (galactose-α-1,3-galactose), stimulated further interest in this emergent allergy. Reports of mammalian meat allergy associated with bites from several tick species have now come from every continent where humans are bitten by ticks. The number of diagnosed patients has continued to rise. Clinically, mammalian meat allergy and tick anaphylaxis present quite differently. The prominent role of cofactors in triggering episodes of mammalian meat allergy can make its diagnosis difficult. Management of mammalian meat allergy is complicated by the manifold potential therapeutic implications due to the widespread distribution of the mammalian meat allergen, α-gal. Exposures to α-gal-containing medications have proved lethal in a minority of people, and fatal tick anaphylaxis has been reported in Australia. Prevention of tick bites is prudent and practicable; killing the tick in situ is crucial to both primary and secondary prevention of allergic reactions. Mechanisms in the development of mammalian meat allergy constitute a paradigm for how allergies might arise.
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36
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Detection of Parasitic Infections in Children with Allergic Rhinitis Compared to Healthy Control in Upper Egypt. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS 2019. [DOI: 10.5812/ijp.83995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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37
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Fenton R. What is the place for philosophy within the field of medicine? A review of contemporary issues in medical ethics. Philos Ethics Humanit Med 2018; 13:16. [PMID: 30409214 PMCID: PMC6225580 DOI: 10.1186/s13010-018-0070-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This extended essay seeks to unpack some of the key aspects of philosophy which are applicable to medical thought and practice. It proceeds via an analytical discussion of the contemporary debate in three key areas of medical ethics: euthanasia, concepts of health & disease and psychiatry.The main claims are as follows: 1. The case for legalising euthanasia is strong on philosophical grounds but there are numerous practical obstacles. 2. Elements from the normative and naturalistic definitions of disease are necessary for a thorough definition that dodges common objections to either. 3. Mental health cannot be subsumed under a purely physicalist model of health rendering it distinctly different from other fields in Medicine. Through a detailed discussion of three salient issues in the philosophy of medicine, it is argued that the application of profound philosophical thought to medicine and its practices reveals a depth that necessitates exploration before simply following the aims of curing all. Philosophical rigour matched with modern medicine has the potential to engage patients and help them make independent, informed decisions and assist physicians to think more clearly, analytically and empathetically.
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38
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Mpairwe H, Amoah AS. Parasites and allergy: Observations from Africa. Parasite Immunol 2018; 41:e12589. [PMID: 30216486 PMCID: PMC6587767 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Population studies from the African continent have observed a marked increase in the prevalence of allergy‐related diseases over the past few decades, but the cause of this rise is not fully understood. The most investigated potential risk factor has been the relationship between exposure to helminths and allergy‐related outcomes. Immunologically, parallels exist between responses to helminths and to allergens as both are associated with elevated levels of immunoglobulin E, increased numbers of T helper 2 cells and other immune cells. However, epidemiological studies from the African continent have found inconsistent results. In this review, observations from population studies carried out in Africa over the last decade that focus on the relationship between helminth infections and allergy‐related outcomes are examined. How these findings advance our understanding of the complex interactions between helminths and allergies at the population level is also explored as well as some of the underlying immune mechanisms involved. This knowledge is important for better diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergy‐related diseases and has wider global significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet Mpairwe
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Abena S Amoah
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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39
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de Andrade CM, Carneiro VL, Cerqueira JV, Fonseca HF, Queiroz GA, Costa RS, Alcantara-Neves NM, Cooper P, Figueiredo CA. Parasites and allergy: Observations from Brazil. Parasite Immunol 2018; 41:e12588. [PMID: 30188574 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Brazil is a middle-income country undergoing the epidemiological transition. Effects of changes in daily life habits and access to clean water, sanitation and urban services on a growing urban population have contributed to a double burden of both infectious and noncommunicable chronic diseases. Studies have indicated that parasite infections may modulate the human immune system and influence the development of allergic conditions such as asthma. However, there is no consensus in the published literature on the effects of parasitic infections on allergy, perhaps as a consequence of factors determining the epidemiology of these infections that vary between populations such as age of first infection, duration and chronicity of infections, parasite burden and species, and host genetic susceptibility. In this review, we discuss the observations from Brazil concerning the relationship between parasite infections and allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valdirene L Carneiro
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Jéssica V Cerqueira
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Hellen F Fonseca
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Gerson A Queiroz
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Ryan S Costa
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Philip Cooper
- St. George's University of London, London, UK.,Facultad de Ciencias Medicas de la Salud y la Vida, Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Camila A Figueiredo
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
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40
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Obieglo K, Schuijs MJ, Ozir-Fazalalikhan A, Otto F, van Wijck Y, Boon L, Lambrecht BN, Taube C, Smits HH. Isolated Schistosoma mansoni eggs prevent allergic airway inflammation. Parasite Immunol 2018; 40:e12579. [PMID: 30107039 PMCID: PMC6175163 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Chronic helminth infection with Schistosoma (S.) mansoni protects against allergic airway inflammation (AAI) in mice and is associated with reduced Th2 responses to inhaled allergens in humans, despite the presence of schistosome‐specific Th2 immunity. Schistosome eggs strongly induce type 2 immunity and allow to study the dynamics of Th2 versus regulatory responses in the absence of worms. Treatment with isolated S. mansoni eggs by i.p. injection prior to induction of AAI to ovalbumin (OVA)/alum led to significantly reduced AAI as assessed by less BAL and lung eosinophilia, less cellular influx into lung tissue, less OVA‐specific Th2 cytokines in lungs and lung‐draining mediastinal lymph nodes and less circulating allergen‐specific IgG1 and IgE antibodies. While OVA‐specific Th2 responses were inhibited, treatment induced a strong systemic Th2 response to the eggs. The protective effect of S. mansoni eggs was unaltered in μMT mice lacking mature (B2) B cells and unaffected by Treg cell depletion using anti‐CD25 blocking antibodies during egg treatment and allergic sensitization. Notably, prophylactic egg treatment resulted in a reduced influx of pro‐inflammatory, monocyte‐derived dendritic cells into lung tissue of allergic mice following challenge. Altogether, S. mansoni eggs can protect against the development of AAI, despite strong egg‐specific Th2 responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Obieglo
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn J Schuijs
- Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Frank Otto
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda van Wijck
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bart N Lambrecht
- Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Taube
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hermelijn H Smits
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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41
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McSorley HJ, Chayé MAM, Smits HH. Worms: Pernicious parasites or allies against allergies? Parasite Immunol 2018; 41:e12574. [PMID: 30043455 PMCID: PMC6585781 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Type 2 immune responses are most commonly associated with allergy and helminth parasite infections. Since the discovery of Th1 and Th2 immune responses more than 30 years ago, models of both allergic disease and helminth infections have been useful in characterizing the development, effector mechanisms and pathological consequences of type 2 immune responses. The observation that some helminth infections negatively correlate with allergic and inflammatory disease led to a large field of research into parasite immunomodulation. However, it is worth noting that helminth parasites are not always benign infections, and that helminth immunomodulation can have stimulatory as well as suppressive effects on allergic responses. In this review, we will discuss how parasitic infections change host responses, the consequences for bystander immunity and how this interaction influences clinical symptoms of allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry J McSorley
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mathilde A M Chayé
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden Immunology of Parasitic Infections Group, Leiden University Medical Centre, ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hermelijn H Smits
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden Immunology of Parasitic Infections Group, Leiden University Medical Centre, ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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42
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A Toxocara canis infection influences the immune response to house dust mite allergens in dogs. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2018; 202:11-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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43
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Li P, Rios Coronado PE, Longstaff XRR, Tarashansky AJ, Wang B. Nanomedicine Approaches Against Parasitic Worm Infections. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701494. [PMID: 29602254 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Nanomedicine approaches have the potential to transform the battle against parasitic worm (helminth) infections, a major global health scourge from which billions are currently suffering. It is anticipated that the intersection of two currently disparate fields, nanomedicine and helminth biology, will constitute a new frontier in science and technology. This progress report surveys current innovations in these research fields and discusses research opportunities. In particular, the focus is on: (1) major challenges that helminth infections impose on mankind; (2) key aspects of helminth biology that inform future research directions; (3) efforts to construct nanodelivery platforms to target drugs and genes to helminths hidden in their hosts; (4) attempts in applying nanotechnology to enable vaccination against helminth infections; (5) outlooks in utilizing nanoparticles to enhance immunomodulatory activities of worm-derived factors to cure allergy and autoimmune diseases. In each section, achievements are summarized, limitations are explored, and future directions are assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyang Li
- Department of Bioengineering; Stanford University; Stanford CA 94305 USA
| | | | | | | | - Bo Wang
- Department of Bioengineering; Stanford University; Stanford CA 94305 USA
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44
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Rapin A, Harris NL. Helminth-Bacterial Interactions: Cause and Consequence. Trends Immunol 2018; 39:724-733. [PMID: 29941203 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal helminths, along with mutualistic microbes, have cohabited the intestine of mammals throughout evolution. Interactions between helminths, bacteria, and their mammalian hosts may shape not only host-helminth and host-microbiome interactions, but also the relationship between helminths and the microbiome. This 'ménage à trois' situation may not be completely balanced in that it may favor either the host or the parasite, possibly at the cost of the other partner. Similarly, helminths may favor the establishment of a particular microbiome with either positive or negative consequences for the overall health and well-being of the host. Recent studies indicate that infection with intestinal helminths can and does impact the intestinal microbiome, with important consequences for each partner in this tripartite relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Rapin
- Global Health Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicola L Harris
- Global Health Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Aghaei S, Riahi SM, Rostami A, Mohammadzadeh I, Javanian M, Tohidi E, Foroutan M, Esmaeili Dooki M. Toxocara spp. infection and risk of childhood asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Trop 2018; 182:298-304. [PMID: 29573999 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory disease worldwide, with a negative impact on quality of life and socio-economic status of patients. There are some evidences to suggest that Toxocara infection is a neglected risk factor for childhood asthma. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to further understanding of this relationship. Five databases include PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science (ISI), and Google scholar were searched (up to October 2017) to identify the relevant studies. We used random-effects meta-analysis model to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed with the Q-test and I2 statistic. A total of 17 studies including 11 studies with case-control design (1139 patients and 1023 controls) and six studies with cross-sectional design (a total of 5469 participants, 872 asthmatics, and 4597 non-asthmatics children) met the eligibility criteria. An increased risk for asthma was observed in children with Toxocara infection seropositivity (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.47-2.47). In sub-group analysis, the pooled ORs were (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.43-3.15) and (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23-2.44) for case-control and cross-sectional studies, respectively. Moreover, considering to specific IgE seropositivity, a pooled OR of 2.36 (95% CI, 0.93-5.98) was observed. In conclusion, this meta-analysis revealed that children infected with Toxocara spp. are more likely to have asthma compared to non-infected children. More studies (especially longitudinal studies) are needed to further investigate the impact of Toxocara spp. infection on the onset or development of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Aghaei
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Riahi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Student's Committee Research, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Faculty of Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Iraj Mohammadzadeh
- Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mostafa Javanian
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ehsan Tohidi
- Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Masoud Foroutan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Helminth-induced regulatory T cells and suppression of allergic responses. Curr Opin Immunol 2018; 54:1-6. [PMID: 29852470 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Infection with helminths has been associated with lower rates of asthma and other allergic diseases. This has been attributed, in part, to the ability of helminths to induce regulatory T cells that suppress inappropriate immune responses to allergens. Recent compelling evidence suggests that helminths may promote regulatory T cell expansion or effector functions through either direct (secretion of excretory/secretory molecules) or indirect mechanisms (regulation of the microbiome). This review will discuss key findings from human immunoepidemiological observations, studies using animal models of disease, and clinical trials with live worm infections, discussing the therapeutic potential for worms and their secreted products for treating allergic inflammation.
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Famakinde DO, Adenusi AA. Involvement of Hookworm Co-Infection in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Podoconiosis: Possible Immunological Mechanism. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:E37. [PMID: 30274434 PMCID: PMC6073219 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3020037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Podoconiosis is an endemic, non-infectious, geochemical and non-filarial inflammatory cause of tropical elephantiasis. The immunology of podoconiosis is not yet expressly understood. In spite of this, co-infection and co-morbidity with the infectious, soil-transmitted hookworm disease that causes iron deficiency anemia has been found to be predominant among affected individuals living in co-endemic settings, thus creating a more complex immunological interplay that still has not been investigated. Although deworming and iron-rich nutrient supplementation have been suggested in podoconiosis patients living under resource-poor conditions, and it is thought that hookworm infection may help to suppress inflammatory responses, the undisputed link that exists between a non-infectious and an infectious disease may create a scenario whereby during a co-infection, treatment of one exacerbates the other disease condition or is dampened by the debilitation caused by the other. In this paper, we elaborate on the immunopathogenesis of podoconiosis and examine the possible immunological dynamics of hookworm co-infection in the immunopathology of podoconiosis, with a view toward improved management of the disease that will facilitate its feasible elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damilare O Famakinde
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Surulere P.M.B 12003, Lagos 100254, Nigeria.
| | - Adedotun A Adenusi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Surulere P.M.B 12003, Lagos 100254, Nigeria.
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Frequency of Toxocariasis among Patients Clinically Suspected to Have Visceral Toxocariasis: A Retrospective Descriptive Study in Sri Lanka. J Parasitol Res 2017; 2017:4368659. [PMID: 29362672 PMCID: PMC5736924 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4368659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human toxocariasis is caused by several species of the nematode Toxocara. Two common clinical syndromes are ocular and visceral larva migrans. Objectives To determine the Toxocara antibody positivity in clinically suspected VLM patients and to describe demographic factors and clinical manifestations of seropositive patients. Methods 522 clinically suspected patients were studied between 1993 and 2014. Relevant data was gathered from referral letters. Serum samples were subjected to Toxocara antigen ELISA. Results Overall, seropositivity was 50.2% (262), of which 109 (40.8%) were positive at high level of Toxocara antibody carriage and 153 (58.4%) were positive at low levels. The seropositives ranged from 3 months to 70 years (mean = 7.8). Younger age group had higher levels of seropositivity and it was statistically significant. Majority of children under 5 years were seropositive (47.7%, n = 125). Seropositivity was common in males (55.3%, n = 145). Clinical manifestations of seropositives include lymphadenopathy (24.1%) skin rash (22.5%), dyspnoea (21.7%), fever (21%), hepatosplenomegaly (9.2%), and abdominal pain (3.8%). 197 (75.2%) seropositive cases had eosinophilia. These symptoms were not statistically significant. Conclusions This study confirms toxocariasis as an important cause of childhood ill health identifying common clinical symptoms recommending preventive measures to limit transmission.
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Can Haemonchus placei-primary infected naïve lambs withstand Haemonchus contortus infections? Res Vet Sci 2017; 114:136-142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Amoah AS, Boakye DA, Yazdanbakhsh M, van Ree R. Influence of Parasitic Worm Infections on Allergy Diagnosis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2017; 17:65. [PMID: 28861721 PMCID: PMC5579067 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-017-0733-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies from Sub-Saharan Africa indicate that allergies are on the rise in this region especially in urban compared to rural areas. This increase has been linked to improved hygiene, lifestyle changes, and lower exposure to pathogens in childhood. Reduced exposure to parasitic worm (helminth) infections and allergy outcomes has been the focus of a number of population studies over the years. Paradoxically, there are parallels in the immune responses to helminths and to allergies. Both conditions are associated with elevated levels of immunoglobulin E, high numbers of T helper 2 cells, eosinophils, and mast cells. These immune parallels have meant that the diagnosis of allergies in parts of the world where helminths are endemic can be hampered. The aim of this review is to examine observations from population studies conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa that demonstrate how helminth infections influence the parameters used to diagnose allergy outcomes in this region. We explore specifically how helminth infections hinder the in vitro diagnosis of allergic sensitization, influence the clinical manifestations of allergy, and also the effect of anthelmintic treatment on allergy outcomes. Advancing our understanding of how helminths influence allergy diagnosis is imperative for the development of improved tools to assess, diagnose, and treat allergic disorders in both helminth-endemic and non-endemic countries worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abena S Amoah
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Daniel A Boakye
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald van Ree
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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