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Weitzel T, Brown A, Libman M, Perret C, Huits R, Chen L, Leung DT, Leder K, Connor BA, Menéndez MD, Asgeirsson H, Schwartz E, Salvador F, Malvy D, Saio M, Norman FF, Amatya B, Duvignaud A, Vaughan S, Glynn M, Angelo KM. Intestinal protozoa in returning travellers: a GeoSentinel analysis from 2007 to 2019. J Travel Med 2024; 31:taae010. [PMID: 38245913 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged diarrhoea is common amongst returning travellers and is often caused by intestinal protozoa. However, the epidemiology of travel-associated illness caused by protozoal pathogens is not well described. METHODS We analysed records of returning international travellers with illness caused by Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora cayetanensis or Cystoisospora belli, reported to the GeoSentinel Network during January 2007-December 2019. We excluded records of travellers migrating, with an unascertainable exposure country, or from GeoSentinel sites that were not located in high-income countries. RESULTS There were 2517 cases, 82.3% giardiasis (n = 2072), 11.4% cryptosporidiosis (n = 287), 6.0% cyclosporiasis (n = 150) and 0.3% cystoisosporiasis (n = 8). Overall, most travellers were tourists (64.4%) on long trips (median durations: 18-30 days). Cryptosporidiosis more frequently affected people < 18 years (13.9%) and cyclosporiasis affected people ≥ 40 years (59.4%). Giardiasis was most frequently acquired in South Central Asia (45.8%) and sub-Saharan Africa (22.6%), cryptosporidiosis in sub-Saharan Africa (24.7%) and South-Central Asia (19.5%), cyclosporiasis in South East Asia (31.3%) and Central America (27.3%), and cystoisosporiasis in sub-Saharan Africa (62.5%). Cyclosporiasis cases were reported from countries of uncertain endemicity (e.g. Cambodia) or in countries with no previous evidence of this parasite (e.g. French Guiana). The time from symptom onset to presentation at a GeoSentinel site was the longest amongst travellers with giardiasis (median: 30 days). Over 14% of travellers with cryptosporidiosis were hospitalized. CONCLUSIONS This analysis provides new insights into the epidemiology and clinical significance of four intestinal protozoa that can cause morbidity in international travellers. These data might help optimize pretravel advice and post-travel management of patients with travel-associated prolonged gastrointestinal illnesses. This analysis reinforces the importance of international travel-related surveillance to identify sentinel cases and areas where protozoal infections might be undetected or underreported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Weitzel
- Travel Medicine Program, Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7650568, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7590943, Chile
| | - Ashley Brown
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Michael Libman
- J.D. MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Cecilia Perret
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Ralph Huits
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Lin Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Daniel T Leung
- International Travel Clinic, University of Utah Hospital and Clinics, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Karin Leder
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Bradley A Connor
- New York Center for Travel and Tropical Medicine, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Marta D Menéndez
- Tropical Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz Carlos III, CIBERINFECT, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - Hilmir Asgeirsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 141 57, Sweden
| | - Eli Schwartz
- The Center of Geographical Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer 52621, Israel
- Ramat Gan & Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Tropical Medicine Unit, Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS, Barcelona 08001, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Denis Malvy
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Mauro Saio
- Department of Tropical and Travel Medicine, The Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Francesca F Norman
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, CIBERINFEC, IRYCIS, Madrid 28034, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28801, Spain
| | - Bhawana Amatya
- CIWEC Hospital and Travel Medicine Center, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
| | - Alexandre Duvignaud
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Stephen Vaughan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, South Health Campus, Calgary, AB T3M 1M4, Canada
| | - Marielle Glynn
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Kristina M Angelo
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
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Shalaby NE, Shoheib ZS, Yassin NA, El-Kaliny HH, Hasby Saad MA. Pyroptosis Tuning in Intestinal Cryptosporidiosis via the Natural Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Romidepsin. Parasite Immunol 2024; 46:e13032. [PMID: 38497997 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13032] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is an opportunistic protozoan, with many species of cross-human infectivity. It causes life-threatening diarrhoea in children and CD4-defective patients. Despite its limited efficacy, nitazoxanide remains the primary anti-cryptosporidial drug. Cryptosporidium infects the intestinal brush border (intracellular-extracytoplasmic) and down-regulates pyroptosis to prevent expulsion. Romidepsin is a natural histone deacetylase inhibitor that triggers pyroptosis. Romidepsin's effect on cryptosporidiosis was assessed in immunocompromised mice via gasdermin-D (GSDM-D) immunohistochemical expression, IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-18 blood levels by ELISA, and via parasite scanning by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Oocyst deformity and local cytokines were also assessed in ex vivo ileal explants. Following intraperitoneal injection of romidepsin, oocyst shedding significantly reduced at the 9th, 12th and 15th d.p.i. compared with infected-control and drug-control (nitazoxanide-treated) mice. H&E staining of intestinal sections from romidepsin-treated mice showed significantly low intestinal scoring with marked reduction in epithelial hyperplasia, villous blunting and cellular infiltrate. SEM revealed marked oocyst blebbing and paucity (in vivo and ex vivo) after romidepsin compared with nitazoxanide. Regarding pyroptosis, romidepsin triggered significantly higher intestinal GSDM-D expression in vivo, and higher serum/culture IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-18 levels in romidepsin-treated mice than in the control groups. Collectively, in cryptosporidiosis, romidepsin succeeded in enhancing pyroptosis in the oocysts and infected epithelium, reducing infection and shifting the brush border towards normalisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha E Shalaby
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Zeinab S Shoheib
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Nabila A Yassin
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Heba H El-Kaliny
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
- Anatomy and Histology Department, Mutah University, Mutah, Jordan
| | - Marwa A Hasby Saad
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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3
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Al-Hazmi HE, Mohammadi A, Hejna A, Majtacz J, Esmaeili A, Habibzadeh S, Saeb MR, Badawi M, Lima EC, Mąkinia J. Wastewater reuse in agriculture: Prospects and challenges. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116711. [PMID: 37487927 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable water recycling and wastewater reuse are urgent nowadays considering water scarcity and increased water consumption through human activities. In 2015, United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (UN SDG6) highlighted the necessity of recycling wastewater to guarantee water availability for individuals. Currently, wastewater irrigation (WWI) of crops and agricultural land appears essential. The present work overviews the quality of treated wastewater in terms of soil microbial activities, and discusses challenges and benefits of WWI in line with wastewater reuse in agriculture and aquaculture irrigation. Combined conventional-advanced wastewater treatment processes are specifically deliberated, considering the harmful impacts on human health arising from WWI originating from reuse of contaminated water (salts, organic pollutants, toxic metals, and microbial pathogens i.e., viruses and bacteria). The comprehensive literature survey revealed that, in addition to the increased levels of pathogen and microbial threats to human wellbeing, poorly-treated wastewater results in plant and soil contamination with toxic organic/inorganic chemicals, and microbial pathogens. The impact of long-term emerging pollutants like plastic nanoparticles should also be established in further studies, with the development of standardized analytical techniques for such hazardous chemicals. Likewise, the reliable, long-term and extensive judgment on heavy metals threat to human beings's health should be explored in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein E Al-Hazmi
- Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdańsk University of Technology, ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences, Karlstad University, 65188, Karlstad, Sweden.
| | - Aleksander Hejna
- Institute of Materials Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Majtacz
- Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdańsk University of Technology, ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Amin Esmaeili
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering Technology and Industrial Trades, University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), 24449, Arab League St, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sajjad Habibzadeh
- Surface Reaction and Advanced Energy Materials Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Saeb
- Department of Polymer Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Michael Badawi
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Théoriques UMR CNRS 7019, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Eder C Lima
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jacek Mąkinia
- Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdańsk University of Technology, ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
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Piazzesi A, Pane S, Russo A, Del Chierico F, Francalanci P, Cotugno N, Rossi P, Locatelli F, Palma P, Putignani L. Case Report: The impact of severe cryptosporidiosis on the gut microbiota of a pediatric patient with CD40L immunodeficiency. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1281440. [PMID: 37965266 PMCID: PMC10641285 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1281440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite and one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis in the world, primarily affecting very young children and immunocompromised patients. While infection is usually self-limiting, it can become chronic and even lethal in these vulnerable populations, in whom Cryptosporidium treatments are generally ineffective, due to their acting in concert with a functioning immune system. Here, we describe a case of chronic cryptosporidiosis in a European child with severe CD40L immunodeficiency infected with Cryptosporidium parvum of the IIa20G1 subgenotype, a lineage which has thus far only ever been described in the Middle East. After years of on-off treatment with conventional and non-conventional anti-parasitic drugs failed to clear parasitosis, we performed targeted metagenomics to observe the bacterial composition of the patient's gut microbiota (GM), and to evaluate fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a potential treatment option. We found that C. parvum infection led to significant shifts in GM bacterial composition in our patient, with consequent shifts in predicted intestinal functional signatures consistent with a state of persistent inflammation. This, combined with the patient's poor prognosis and increasing parasitic burden despite many rounds of anti-parasitic drug treatments, made the patient a potential candidate for an experimental FMT procedure. Unfortunately, given the many comorbidities that were precipitated by the patient's immunodeficiency and chronic C. parvum infection, FMT was postponed in favor of more urgently necessary liver and bone marrow transplants. Tragically, after the first liver transplant failed, the patient lost his life before undergoing FMT and a second liver transplant. With this case report, we present the first description of how cryptosporidiosis can shape the gut microbiota of a pediatric patient with severe immunodeficiency. Finally, we discuss how both our results and the current scientific literature suggest that GM modulations, either by probiotics or FMT, can become novel treatment options for chronic Cryptosporidium infection and its consequent complications, especially in those patients who do not respond to the currently available anti-parasitic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Piazzesi
- Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Pane
- Unit of Microbiomics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Russo
- Unit of Microbiomics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paola Francalanci
- Department of Pathology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Cotugno
- Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, Chair of Pediatrics, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossi
- Department of Systems Medicine, Chair of Pediatrics, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Haematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Palma
- Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, Chair of Pediatrics, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenza Putignani
- Unit of Microbiomics and Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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5
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Bhalchandra S, Gevers K, Heimburg-Molinaro J, van Roosmalen M, Coppens I, Cummings RD, Ward HD. Identification of the glycopeptide epitope recognized by a protective Cryptosporidium monoclonal antibody. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0027523. [PMID: 37725059 PMCID: PMC10580954 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00275-23] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium species are a leading cause of pediatric diarrheal disease and death in low- and middle-income countries and pose a particular threat to immunocompromised individuals. As a zoonotic pathogen, Cryptosporidium can have devastating effects on the health of neonatal calves. Despite its impact on human and animal health, consistently effective drug treatments for cryptosporidiosis are lacking and no vaccine is available. We previously showed that C. parvum mucin-like glycoproteins, gp40, and gp900 express an epitope identified by a monoclonal antibody 4E9. 4E9 neutralized C. parvum infection in vitro as did glycan-binding proteins specific for the Tn antigen (GalNAc-α1-S/T). Here, we show that 4E9 ameliorates disease in vivo in a calf challenge model. The 4E9 epitope is present on C. hominis in addition to C. parvum gp40 and gp900 and localizes to the plasma membrane and dense granules of invasive and intracellular stages. To characterize the epitope recognized by 4E9, we probed a glycan array containing over 500 defined glycans together with a custom-made glycopeptide microarray containing glycopeptides from native mucins or C. parvum gp40 and gp15. 4E9 exhibited no binding to the glycan array but bound strongly to glycopeptides from native mucins or gp40 on the glycopeptide array, suggesting that the antibody epitope contains both peptide and glycan moieties. 4E9 only recognized glycopeptides with adjacent S or T residues in the motif S*/T*-X-S*/T* where X = 0 or 1. These data define the 4E9 epitope and have implications for the inclusion of the epitope in the development of vaccines or other immune-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Bhalchandra
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jamie Heimburg-Molinaro
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard D. Cummings
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Honorine D. Ward
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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6
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Jingyi J, Ping Y, Jian X, Jia C, Xujian M, Qiong L, Bowen T, Fengming W. Efficacy of a membrane concentration method combined with real-time PCR for detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in drinking water. Lett Appl Microbiol 2023; 76:ovad121. [PMID: 37833237 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovad121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts in drinking source water poses a serious public health risk. Here, we established a method that combines membrane concentration and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to quantify Giardia and Cryptosporidium in drinking water. The water samples were filtered through a cellulose membrane to collect Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and then nucleic acids were extracted. Specific primers and probes were designed and synthesized according to the gph gene sequence of Giardia and 18S rRNA gene sequence of Cryptosporidium. The concentrations of the two targets were determined using real-time PCR technology. The sensitivity, specificity, and stability of the method were evaluated. Our findings revealed that the detection limits of real-time PCR method for detecting Giardia and Cryptosporidium were 0.926 and 0.65 copy/µL, respectively; the spiked recovery rates were above 60% and 38%, respectively, and relative standard deviations were under 0.95% and 2.26%, respectively. Therefore, this effective procedure based on the membrane concentration method and real-time PCR will be useful for detecting Giardia and Cryptosporidium in drinking water for purpose of continuous environmental monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Jingyi
- Pathogen Inspection Center, Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 203 TaiShan Road, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yao Ping
- Pathogen Inspection Center, Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 203 TaiShan Road, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Jian
- Pathogen Inspection Center, Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 203 TaiShan Road, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chen Jia
- Pathogen Inspection Center, Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 203 TaiShan Road, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mao Xujian
- Pathogen Inspection Center, Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 203 TaiShan Road, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Qiong
- Pathogen Inspection Center, Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 203 TaiShan Road, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tu Bowen
- Pathogen Inspection Center, Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 203 TaiShan Road, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wang Fengming
- Pathogen Inspection Center, Changzhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 203 TaiShan Road, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
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7
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Prabakaran M, Weible LJ, Champlain JD, Jiang RY, Biondi K, Weil AA, Van Voorhis WC, Ojo KK. The Gut-Wrenching Effects of Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis in Children. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2323. [PMID: 37764167 PMCID: PMC10538111 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium species and Giardia duodenalis are infectious intestinal protozoan pathogens that cause alarming rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Children are more likely to have clinical symptoms due to their less developed immune systems and factors such as undernutrition, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The severity of the symptoms and clinical manifestations in children may vary from asymptomatic to life-threatening depending on the Cryptosporidium species/G. duodenalis strains and the resulting complex stepwise interactions between the parasite, the host nutritional and immunologic status, and the gut microbiome profile. Structural damages inflicted by both parasites to epithelial cells in the large and small intestines could severely impair children's gut health, including the ability to absorb nutrients, resulting in stunted growth, diminished neurocognitive development, and other long-term effects. Clinically approved cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis drugs have broad antimicrobial effects that have incomprehensible impacts on growing children's gut health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri Prabakaran
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.P.); (L.J.W.); (J.D.C.); (R.Y.J.); (A.A.W.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Lyssa J. Weible
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.P.); (L.J.W.); (J.D.C.); (R.Y.J.); (A.A.W.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Joshua D. Champlain
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.P.); (L.J.W.); (J.D.C.); (R.Y.J.); (A.A.W.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Ryan Ye Jiang
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.P.); (L.J.W.); (J.D.C.); (R.Y.J.); (A.A.W.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Katalina Biondi
- Human Center for Artificial Intelligence, Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
| | - Ana A. Weil
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.P.); (L.J.W.); (J.D.C.); (R.Y.J.); (A.A.W.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.P.); (L.J.W.); (J.D.C.); (R.Y.J.); (A.A.W.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (M.P.); (L.J.W.); (J.D.C.); (R.Y.J.); (A.A.W.); (W.C.V.V.)
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8
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Gad M, Fawzy ME, Al-Herrawy AZ, Abdo SM, Nabet N, Hu A. PacBio next-generation sequencing uncovers Apicomplexa diversity in different habitats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15063. [PMID: 37699953 PMCID: PMC10497610 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40895-y] [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: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The phylum Apicomplexa comprises a large group of intracellular protozoan parasites. These microorganisms are known to infect a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, leading to significant medical and veterinary conditions such as toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, theileriosis, and eimeriosis. Despite their importance, comprehensive data on their diversity and distribution, especially in riverine environments, remain scant. To bridge this knowledge gap, we utilized next-generation high-throughput 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing powered by PacBio technology to explore the diversity and composition of the Apicomplexa taxa. Principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated the habitat heterogeneity for the physicochemical parameters and the Apicomplexa community. These results were supported by PERMANOVA (P < 0.001), ANOSIM (P < 0.001), Cluster analysis, and Venn diagram. Dominant genera of Apicomplexa in inlet samples included Gregarina (38.54%), Cryptosporidium (32.29%), and Leidyana (11.90%). In contrast, outlet samples were dominated by Babesia, Cryptosporidium, and Theileria. While surface water samples revealed 16% and 8.33% relative abundance of Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium, respectively. To our knowledge, the next-generation high throughput sequencing covered a wide range of parasites in Egypt for the first time, which could be useful for legislation of the standards for drinking water and wastewater reuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Gad
- Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Mariam E Fawzy
- Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Z Al-Herrawy
- Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Sayeda M Abdo
- Hydrobiology Laboratory, Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Noura Nabet
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menofia, Egypt
| | - Anyi Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
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Hayes L, Robinson G, Chalmers RM, Ormerod SJ, Paziewska-Harris A, Chadwick EA, Durance I, Cable J. The occurrence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium species in freshwater biota. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:209. [PMID: 37344906 PMCID: PMC10283333 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05827-9] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protozoan pathogens from the genus Cryptosporidium cause the diarrhoeal disease cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals globally. Freshwater biota could act as potential reservoirs or zoonotic sources of Cryptosporidium infections for livestock and people, but Cryptosporidium occurrence in aquatic biota is largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in a range of freshwater organisms in upland rivers across England and Wales. METHODS Fish were sampled by electrofishing, invertebrate larvae by kick sampling and the otter Lutra lutra and mink Mustela vison through faecal samples collected opportunistically as part of a nation-wide study. PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene was used to detect Cryptosporidium species. RESULTS Cryptosporidium occurred in just 0.8% of all the samples and in none of 73 samples from nine invertebrate genera. Cryptosporidium was detected in two of 2/74 fish samples (2.7%), both salmonids, and in 2/92 otter faecal samples (2.17%), but there were no positive samples in mink (0/24) or the bullhead Cottus gobio (0/16). CONCLUSIONS Low detection rate of human-infective Cryptosporidium species in aquatic fauna indicates they may present a low risk of contamination of some upland freshwaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hayes
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK.
| | - Guy Robinson
- Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK
- Swansea Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK
| | - Rachel M Chalmers
- Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK
- Swansea Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK
| | - Steve J Ormerod
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Anna Paziewska-Harris
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
- Lukasiewicz Research Network, PORT Polish Centre for Technology Development, Stablowicka 147, 54-066, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Isabelle Durance
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Jo Cable
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
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Ariyadasa S, Taylor W, Weaver L, McGill E, Billington C, Pattis I. Nonbacterial Microflora in Wastewater Treatment Plants: an Underappreciated Potential Source of Pathogens. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0048123. [PMID: 37222623 PMCID: PMC10269893 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00481-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) receive and treat large volumes of domestic, industrial, and urban wastewater containing pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms, chemical compounds, heavy metals, and other potentially hazardous substances. WWTPs play an essential role in preserving human, animal, and environmental health by removing many of these toxic and infectious agents, particularly biological hazards. Wastewater contains complex consortiums of bacterial, viral, archaeal, and eukaryotic species, and while bacteria in WWTP have been extensively studied, the temporal and spatial distribution of nonbacterial microflora (viruses, archaea, and eukaryotes) is less understood. In this study, we analyzed the viral, archaeal, and eukaryotic microflora in wastewater throughout a treatment plant (raw influent, effluent, oxidation pond water, and oxidation pond sediment) in Aotearoa (New Zealand) using Illumina shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Our results suggest a similar trend across many taxa, with an increase in relative abundance in oxidation pond samples compared to influent and effluent samples, except for archaea, which had the opposite trend. Additionally, some microbial families, such as Podoviridae bacteriophages and Apicomplexa alveolates, appeared largely unaffected by the treatment process, with their relative abundance remaining stable throughout. Several groups encompassing pathogenic species, such as Leishmania, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Apicomplexa, Cryptococcus, Botrytis, and Ustilago, were identified. If present, these potentially pathogenic species could be a threat to human and animal health and agricultural productivity; therefore, further investigation is warranted. These nonbacterial pathogens should be considered when assessing the potential for vector transmission, distribution of biosolids to land, and discharge of treated wastewater to waterways or land. IMPORTANCE Nonbacterial microflora in wastewater remain understudied compared to their bacterial counterparts despite their importance in the wastewater treatment process. In this study, we report the temporal and spatial distributions of DNA viruses, archaea, protozoa, and fungi in raw wastewater influent, effluent, oxidation pond water, and oxidation pond sediments by using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Our study indicated the presence of groups of nonbacterial taxa which encompass pathogenic species that may have potential to cause disease in humans, animals, and agricultural crops. We also observed higher alpha diversity in viruses, archaea, and fungi in effluent samples than in influent samples. This suggests that the resident microflora in the wastewater treatment plant may be making a greater contribution to the diversity of taxa observed in wastewater effluent than previously thought. This study provides important insights to better understand the potential human, animal, and environmental health impacts of discharged treated wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujani Ariyadasa
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - William Taylor
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Louise Weaver
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Erin McGill
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Craig Billington
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Isabelle Pattis
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Dengler F, Hammon HM, Liermann W, Görs S, Bachmann L, Helm C, Ulrich R, Delling C. Cryptosporidium parvumcompetes with the intestinal epithelial cells for glucose and impairs systemic glucose supply in neonatal calves. Vet Res 2023; 54:40. [PMID: 37138353 PMCID: PMC10156424 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01172-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is one of the main causes of diarrhea in children and young livestock. The interaction of the parasite with the intestinal host cells has not been characterized thoroughly yet but may be affected by the nutritional demand of the parasite. Hence, we aimed to investigate the impact of C. parvum infection on glucose metabolism in neonatal calves. Therefore, N = 5 neonatal calves were infected with C. parvum on the first day of life, whereas a control group was not (N = 5). The calves were monitored clinically for one week, and glucose absorption, turnover and oxidation were assessed using stable isotope labelled glucose. The transepithelial transport of glucose was measured using the Ussing chamber technique. Glucose transporters were quantified on gene and protein expression level using RT-qPCR and Western blot in the jejunum epithelium and brush border membrane preparations. Plasma glucose concentration and oral glucose absorption were decreased despite an increased electrogenic phlorizin sensitive transepithelial transport of glucose in infected calves. No difference in the gene or protein abundance of glucose transporters, but an enrichment of glucose transporter 2 in the brush border was observed in the infected calves. Furthermore, the mRNA for enzymes of the glycolysis pathway was increased indicating enhanced glucose oxidation in the infected gut. In summary, C. parvum infection modulates intestinal epithelial glucose absorption and metabolism. We assume that the metabolic competition of the parasite for glucose causes the host cells to upregulate their uptake mechanisms and metabolic machinery to compensate for the energy losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Dengler
- Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna, Austria.
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 7, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Harald M Hammon
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Wendy Liermann
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Solvig Görs
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Lisa Bachmann
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, Dummerstorf, Germany
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Applied Science Neubrandenburg, Brodaer Strasse 2, Neubrandenburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Helm
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 33-37, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Reiner Ulrich
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 33-37, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cora Delling
- Institute of Parasitology, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 35, Leipzig, Germany
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Hoque S, Pinto P, Ribeiro CA, Canniere E, Daandels Y, Dellevoet M, Bourgeois A, Hammouma O, Hunter P, Gentekaki E, Kváč M, Follet J, Tsaousis AD. Follow-up investigation into Cryptosporidium prevalence and transmission in Western European dairy farms. Vet Parasitol 2023; 318:109920. [PMID: 37030025 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is an enteric parasite and a major contributor to acute enteritis in calves worldwide, causing an important economic burden for farmers. This parasite poses a major public health threat through transmission between livestock and humans. Our previous pilot study in Western Europe revealed a high prevalence of Cryptosporidium in calves of dairy farms. In the sequel study herein, 936 faecal samples were collected from the same 51 dairy farms across Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Following DNA extraction, Cryptosporidium screening was carried out using nested-PCR amplification targeting the SSU rRNA gene. All positive samples were sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses were used to identify the Cryptosporidium spp. present. The 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene was also sequenced to determine the C. parvum subtypes present. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium ranged from 23.3% to 25%, across the three countries surveyed. The parasite was found in most of the farms sampled, with 90.2% testing positive. Cryptosporidium parvum, C. bovis, C. ryanae and C. andersoni were all identified, with the former being the most predominant, representing 71.4% of all infections. Cryptosporidium parvum was associated with pre-weaned calves, while other species were associated with older animals. Subtyping of gp60 gene revealed nine subtypes, eight of which have previously been reported to cause clinical disease in humans. Similarly to the first study, vertical transmission was not a major contributor to Cryptosporidium spread. Our study highlights the need for further investigation into cryptosporidiosis transmission, and future studies will require a One Health approach to reduce the impact of this disease.
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Mensah GT, Ayeh-Kumi PF, Annang AK, Owusu-Frimpong I, Niampoma S, Brown CA. Molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium species in Kpong and its environs, Ghana. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281216. [PMID: 36827402 PMCID: PMC9956599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium is a ubiquitous enteric protozoan pathogen infecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife worldwide. It is a waterborne pathogen with recognized zoonotic potential and a definite cause of diarrhea and nutritional disorders in institutional and community settings. One challenge facing the world's supply of clean drinking water is contamination from feces and soil. It has been established that small quantities of oocysts, the infective stage, can cause human disease. Also, their resistance to chlorination and other water treatment procedures has been demonstrated. Kpong, a community in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana, is one of the primary sources of water supply to Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Being able to determine the effectiveness of water treatment processes and identifying sources of contamination of this pathogen in our water bodies is thus of public health importance. The study aimed to conduct molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A total of 230 samples, 180 fecal samples from cattle and 50 water samples (tap water and well water) were collected from the following communities: Kpong, Akwernor, Ablotsi, Nuaso, and Atua, all in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality. Samples were screened for Cryptosporidium by microscopy and PCR. The 18S rRNA gene was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the final product was sequenced. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium from the fecal samples was estimated as 10% (18/180) by microscopy, while all 50 water samples were negative. However, PCR gave the prevalence of Cryptosporidium as 47.8% (86/180) for fecal samples and 20% (10/50) for water samples. Based on the 18S rRNA gene, three sequenced samples showed high homology to C. parvum species. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed this as these sequences clustered with C. parvum sequences from other countries. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Cryptosporidium parvum was identified as the persistent species in the study communities. This outcome supports the evidence that domesticated animals serve as potential reservoirs of zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis. The persistence of cryptosporidiosis in cattle indicates its presence in the human population. In addition, the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum in the wells makes it alarming and necessary to consider a holistic approach such as One Health Strategies to identify and control cases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- George T. Mensah
- Environmental Biology, Health, and Biotechnology Division, CSIR- Water Research Institute, Accra, Ghana
- * E-mail: (GTM); (CAB)
| | - Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Ghana
| | - Abraham K. Annang
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Isaac Owusu-Frimpong
- Biomedical and Public Health Research Unit, CSIR–Water Research Institute, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sena Niampoma
- Environmental Biology, Health, and Biotechnology Division, CSIR- Water Research Institute, Accra, Ghana
| | - Charles A. Brown
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Ghana
- * E-mail: (GTM); (CAB)
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Khan SM, Witola WH. Past, current, and potential treatments for cryptosporidiosis in humans and farm animals: A comprehensive review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1115522. [PMID: 36761902 PMCID: PMC9902888 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1115522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Cryptosporidium is among the leading causes of waterborne diarrheal disease outbreaks throughout the world. The parasite is transmitted by ingestion of infective oocysts that are highly stable in the environment and resistant to almost all conventional disinfection methods and water treatments. Control of the parasite infection is exceedingly difficult due to the excretion of large numbers of oocysts in the feces of infected individuals that contaminate the environment and serve as a source of infection for susceptible hosts including humans and animals. Drug development against the parasite is challenging owing to its limited genetic tractability, absence of conventional drug targets, unique intracellular location within the host, and the paucity of robust cell culture platforms for continuous parasite propagation. Despite the high prevalence of the parasite, the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment of Cryptosporidium infections is nitazoxanide, which has shown moderate efficacy in immunocompetent patients. More importantly, no effective therapeutic drugs are available for treating severe, potentially life-threatening cryptosporidiosis in immunodeficient patients, young children, and neonatal livestock. Thus, safe, inexpensive, and efficacious drugs are urgently required to reduce the ever-increasing global cryptosporidiosis burden especially in low-resource countries. Several compounds have been tested for both in vitro and in vivo efficacy against the disease. However, to date, only a few experimental compounds have been subjected to clinical trials in natural hosts, and among those none have proven efficacious. This review provides an overview of the past and present anti-Cryptosporidium pharmacotherapy in humans and agricultural animals. Herein, we also highlight the progress made in the field over the last few years and discuss the different strategies employed for discovery and development of effective prospective treatments for cryptosporidiosis.
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Aboelsoued D, Abdullah HHAM, Megeed KNA, Hassan SE, Toaleb NI. Evaluation of a vaccine candidate isolated from Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst in mice. Vet World 2022; 15:2772-2784. [PMID: 36718331 PMCID: PMC9880841 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.2772-2784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and is an animal and public health burden. This study aimed to evaluate the protective potential of affinity-purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst antigen as a vaccine candidate according to fecal oocyst shedding, humoral and cellular immune responses, histopathological changes, and the number of parasite developmental stages in ileal and hepatic tissues. Materials and Methods We isolated oocysts from naturally infected buffalo calves and identified them molecularly as C. parvum isolates (GenBank: ON730707 and ON730708) by targeting the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein gene. We propagated the C. parvum oocysts in mice. In addition, we prepared crude antigen from the isolated oocysts by purification using cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose-4B affinity chromatography coupled with rabbit hyperimmune serum. Then, we divided 81 parasite-free mice into three groups: (1) non-vaccinated non-infected mice, (2) mice orally infected with 1 × 105 C. parvum oocysts on week 4 of the experiment, and (3) mice immunized twice with 40 μg/kg of the purified fraction at 2-week intervals. Then, we challenged the vaccinated group with C. parvum oocysts after 2 weeks, and the positive control group was infected at the same time. Results We observed a prolonged prepatent period and decreased oocyst shedding in the vaccinated infected mice compared with the non-vaccinated infected mice (t < 0.001). The vaccinated mice had significantly higher immunoglobulin G levels than those in the other two groups at all examined weeks. In addition, the production of cytokines interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and IL-15 was activated post-vaccination. After the challenge, all tested cytokines were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the two infected groups compared with the non-vaccinated non-infected group, with the highest levels in the vaccinated infected group. Vaccinated infected mice exhibited significantly fewer pathological lesions in the ileum and liver than non-vaccinated infected mice, which showed prominent histopathological lesions. Endogenous developmental stages of C. parvum indicated that the ileum was more parasitized than the liver and that vaccination resulted in a lower number of oocysts in ileal and hepatic tissues (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our prepared affinity-purified vaccine candidate could be promising in protecting against cryptosporidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Aboelsoued
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt,Corresponding author: Dina Aboelsoued, e-mail: Co-authors: HHAMA: , KNAM: , SEH: , NIT:
| | - Hend H. A. M. Abdullah
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Kadria N. Abdel Megeed
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Soad E. Hassan
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nagwa I. Toaleb
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
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Sučik M, Valenčáková A. Comparison of Chemical and Biological Methods of Filtering Cryptosporidia from Water. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12675. [PMID: 36231975 PMCID: PMC9566534 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite the fact that Cryptosporidium spp. is a parasite which commonly causes diarrhea, it still receives little attention. In our experiment, we focused on comparing the biological (N. davidi shrimp) and physical (zeolite with different thicknesses) possibility of filtering cryptosporidia from a small volume of water, which could contribute to increasing the catchability of this parasite. We monitored the ability to capture oocysts of the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, genotype IIaA11G2R1, found in water samples. We infected drinking water with feces with a known number of cryptosporidial oocysts. One gram of sample contained ±28 oocysts. We filtered eight water samples with different concentrations of oocysts (0.1-2 g of infected stool per 15 L of water) using zeolite with a particle thickness of 0.2-0.6 mm and 0-0.3 mm. This was followed by purification, centrifugation and isolation utilizing the isolation kit AmpliSens® DNA-sorb-B, which is intended for stool. In total, 120 shrimp were divided into four aquariums (A, B, C, n = 30) including the control (K), while drinking water with the same parameters was infected with different concentrations of oocysts (A: 2.5 g, B: 2 g, C: 1 g of infected stool per 15 L of water). We took 10 individual shrimp and processed them in three time intervals (6 h, 12 h and 24 h). We processed them whole, and we isolated the DNA utilizing the isolation kit AmpliSens® DNA-sorb-AM, which is intended for tissues. Detection was carried out by molecular methods, namely the Nested PCR targeting of the region of the GP60 gene (60 kD glycoprotein). Gel electrophoresis showed the presence of C. parvum in seven zeolite-filtered water samples, and the parasite was not found in the water sample with the lowest number of oocysts filtered through the smaller-particle zeolite. There were 67 C. parvum-positive shrimp. Whereas the most positive shrimp were identified at 12 h of sampling, the least were identified at the 24 h mark. No shrimp positive for C. parvum was found in the control group. By sequencing, we confirmed the presence of C. parvum, genotype IIaA11G2R1, in all positive samples. We thus proved that the filtration capabilities of zeolite and N. davidi can be used for the rapid diagnosis of the presence of protozoa in a small amount of studied water.
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The Effect of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Growth of Cryptosporidium parvum In Vitro. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091822. [PMID: 36144424 PMCID: PMC9505670 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous study, we observed an increase in the severity of cryptosporidial infection corresponding to decreased levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Therefore, we decided to examine the effect of SCFAs on Cryptosporidium growth in human ileocecal adenocarcinoma (HTC-8) cells. HTC-8 cells were infected with 1 × 105 C. parvum oocysts. After 48 h of incubation with selected SCFAs, cells were fixed and labeled with monoclonal antibody directed to all intracellular stages, and the number of parasites was quantitated using a fluorescent microscope. Acetate, butyrate, propionate and valproate significantly inhibited growth, with an EC50 between 4 and 10 mM. Additionally, when combined, butyrate, acetate and propionate showed increased efficacy. Butyrate also inhibited growth when incubated with sporozoites prior to infection of host cell monolayers. In addition, we looked at possible mechanisms of action of inhibition. A combination of C. parvum infection and butyrate treatment led to increases in apoptosis and certain inflammatory cytokines. We conclude that acetate, propionate and butyrate have direct inhibitory activities in host cells against C. parvum, and butyrate can also affect sporozoite infectivity directly. While not preventing infection, SCFAs may help in keeping the infection low or in check.
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Investigating the Potential Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Intestinal Coccidian Infections. JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.22207/jpam.16.3.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
New infectious agents pose a global threat to the healthcare system, and studies are conducted to estimate their health and epidemiological outcomes in the long run. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has caused the COVID-19 disease, was formerly assumed to be a respiratory virus; however, it can have serious systemic effects, affecting organs such as the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Viral RNA was reported in the stool in a subset of patients, indicating another mode of transmission and diagnosis. In COVID-19, prolonged GIT symptoms, especially diarrhea, were associated with reduced diversity and richness of gut microbiota, immunological dysregulation, and delayed viral clearance. Intestinal coccidian parasites are intracellular protozoa that are most typically transmitted to humans by oocysts found in fecally contaminated food and water. Their epidemiological relevance is coupled to opportunistic infections, which cause high morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised individuals. Among immunocompetent people, intestinal coccidia is also involved in acute diarrhea, which is usually self-limiting. Evaluating the available evidence provided an opportunity to carefully consider that; the COVID-19 virus and coccidian protozoan parasites: namely, Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Isospora belli, could mutually influence each other from the microbiological, clinical, diagnostic, and elimination aspects. We further systemically highlighted the possible shared pathogenesis mechanisms, transmission routes, clinical manifestations, parasite-driven immune regulation, and intestinal microbiota alteration. Finally, we showed how this might impact developing and developed countries prevention and vaccination strategies. To the best of our knowledge, there is no review that has discussed the reciprocal effect between coccidian parasites and COVID-19 coinfection.
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Nipa NJ, Aktar N, Hira HM, Akter F, Jahan D, Islam S, Etando A, Abdullah A, Chowdhury K, Ahmad R, Haq A, Haque M. Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Pediatric Patients in a Metropolitan City of Bangladesh With Emphasis on Cryptosporidiosis. Cureus 2022; 14:e26927. [PMID: 35865179 PMCID: PMC9293268 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Gastrointestinal parasitic infections are one of the global health concerns in developing countries like Bangladesh. Among them, Cryptosporidium spp. plays an essential role in causing diarrhea, malnutrition, and poor cognitive function, especially in children. This study was conducted to identify the frequency of Cryptosporidium cases and other parasitic agents. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 219 hospitalized children with diarrhea. The conventional microscopic technique was applied for parasitic detection. Particular staining (modified Ziehl-Neelsen) procedure was performed to identify oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to determine the SSU rRNA and gp60 gene of Cryptosporidium. Results Cysts of Giardia duodenalis (2.3%), ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (1.4%,), Trichuris trichiura (0.5%), and both A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura (0.9%) were identified in samples through wet mount preparation. The distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. as detected by the staining method and nested PCR was 1.4% and 4.1%, respectively. Conclusion Factors independently associated with Cryptosporidium infection are unsafe water, lack of regular hand washing, and insufficiency of exclusive breastfeeding. This study reports, presumably for the first time, the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Chattogram metropolitan city of Bangladesh.
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Uran-Velasquez J, Alzate JF, Farfan-Garcia AE, Gomez-Duarte OG, Martinez-Rosado LL, Dominguez-Hernandez DD, Rojas W, Galvan-Diaz AL, Garcia-Montoya GM. Multilocus Sequence Typing helps understand the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum isolated from Colombian patients. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270995. [PMID: 35802653 PMCID: PMC9269747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multilocus Sequence Typing has become a useful tool for the study of the genetic diversity and population structure of different organisms. In this study, a MLST approach with seven loci (CP47, MS5, MS9, MSC6-7, TP14, and gp60) was used to analyze the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum isolated from 28 Colombian patients. Five Cryptosporidium species were identified: C. hominis, C. parvum, Cryptosporidium felis, Cryptosporidium meleagridis, and Cryptosporidium suis. Unilocus gp60 analysis identified four allelic families for C. hominis (Ia, Ib, Id, and Ie) and two for C. parvum (IIa and IIc). There was polymorphic behavior of all markers evaluated for both C. hominis and C. parvum, particularly with the CP47, MS5, and gp60 markers. Phylogenetic analysis with consensus sequences (CS) of the markers showed a taxonomic agreement with the results obtained with the 18S rRNA and gp60 gene. Additionally, two monophyletic clades that clustered the species C. hominis and C. parvum were detected, with a higher number of subclades within the monophyletic groups compared to those with the gp60 gene. Thirteen MLG were identified for C. hominis and eight for C. parvum. Haplotypic and nucleotide diversity were detected, but only the latter was affected by the gp60 exclusion from the CS analysis. The gene fixation index showed an evolutionary closeness between the C. hominis samples and a less evolutionary closeness and greater sequence divergence in the C. parvum samples. Data obtained in this work support the implementation of MLST analysis in the study of the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium, considering the more detailed information that it provides, which may explain some genetic events that with an unilocus approach could not be established. This is the first multilocus analysis of the intra-specific variability of Cryptosporidium from humans in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Uran-Velasquez
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica–CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria–SIU, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Juan F. Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica–CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria–SIU, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- Grupo Pediaciencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Ana E. Farfan-Garcia
- Universidad de Santander, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud, Instituto de Investigación Masira, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Oscar G. Gomez-Duarte
- Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
- John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Larry L. Martinez-Rosado
- Equipo Latinoamericano de Investigación en Infectología y Salud Pública (ELISAP), E.S.E. Hospital La María, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Diego D. Dominguez-Hernandez
- Equipo Latinoamericano de Investigación en Infectología y Salud Pública (ELISAP), E.S.E. Hospital La María, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Winston Rojas
- Grupo de Investigación en Genética Molecular (GENMOL), Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ana Luz Galvan-Diaz
- Grupo de Microbiología Ambiental, Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- * E-mail:
| | - Gisela M. Garcia-Montoya
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica–CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria–SIU, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- Grupo Pediaciencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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Essendi WM, Muleke C, Miheso M, Otachi E. Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium species in Njoro Sub County, Nakuru, Kenya. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:262-271. [PMID: 35299918 PMCID: PMC8901856 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01444-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. cause cryptosporidiosis in humans through zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission. Previous studies illustrated the significance of domestic animals as reservoirs of this parasite. Cryptosporidium occurs in Njoro River; a main source of water to humans and animals. However, there is no information on the Cryptosporidium spp. and genotypes circulating in Njoro Sub County. A total of 2174 samples from humans, cattle, chickens, sheep and goats were assessed for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. Thirty-three positive samples were subsequently successfully sequenced and compared to Cryptosporidium sequences in the GenBank repository using NCBI's (National Center for Biotechnology Information) online BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) algorithmic program. Sequence alignment was done using the Clustal W program and phylogenetic analysis was executed in MEGA X (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version X). The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Njoro Sub County is 6.99%. Cryptosporidium spp. present in the watershed showed great genetic diversity and nine Cryptosporidium species were recorded: Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium hominis, Cryptosporidium ubiquitum, Cryptosporidium meleagridis, Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium baileyi, Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium xiaoi and Cryptosporidium viatorum. This is the first study to report the presence of C. viatorum in Kenya. Cattle is the major reservoir of zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. while goats harbored the lowest number of species. Humans and domestic animals drink the contaminated water from Njoro River, humans are therefore, exposed to a high cryptosporidiosis risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles Muleke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya
| | - Manfred Miheso
- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Food Crops Research Centre Njoro, Njoro, Kenya
| | - Elick Otachi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya
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Hoque S, Mavrides DE, Pinto P, Costas S, Begum N, Azevedo-Ribeiro C, Liapi M, Kváč M, Malas S, Gentekaki E, Tsaousis AD. High Occurrence of Zoonotic Subtypes of Cryptosporidiumparvum in Cypriot Dairy Farms. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030531. [PMID: 35336110 PMCID: PMC8951114 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is one of the major causes of neonatal calf diarrhoea resulting in reduced farm productivity and compromised animal welfare worldwide. Livestock act as a major reservoir of this parasite, which can be transmitted to humans directly and/or indirectly, posing a public health risk. Research reports on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in ruminants from east Mediterranean countries, including Cyprus, are limited. This study is the first to explore the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle up to 24 months old on the island of Cyprus. A total of 242 faecal samples were collected from 10 dairy cattle farms in Cyprus, all of which were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. using nested-PCR amplification targeting the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene. The 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene was also sequenced for the samples identified as Cryptosporidium parvum-positive to determine the subtypes present. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium was 43.8% (106/242) with at least one positive isolate in each farm sampled. Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae and C. parvum were the only species identified, while the prevalence per farm ranged from 20–64%. Amongst these, the latter was the predominant species, representing 51.8% of all positive samples, followed by C. bovis (21.7%) and C. ryanae (31.1%). Five C. parvum subtypes were identified, four of which are zoonotic—IIaA14G1R1, IIaA15G1R1, IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA18G2R1. IIaA14G1R1 was the most abundant, representing 48.2% of all C. parvum positive samples, and was also the most widespread. This is the first report of zoonotic subtypes of C. parvum circulating in Cyprus. These results highlight the need for further research into the parasite focusing on its diversity, prevalence, host range and transmission dynamics on the island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumaiya Hoque
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (S.H.); (P.P.); (S.C.); (N.B.); (C.A.-R.)
| | - Daphne E. Mavrides
- Department of Basic Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus; (D.E.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Pedro Pinto
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (S.H.); (P.P.); (S.C.); (N.B.); (C.A.-R.)
| | - Silvia Costas
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (S.H.); (P.P.); (S.C.); (N.B.); (C.A.-R.)
| | - Nisa Begum
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (S.H.); (P.P.); (S.C.); (N.B.); (C.A.-R.)
| | - Claudia Azevedo-Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (S.H.); (P.P.); (S.C.); (N.B.); (C.A.-R.)
| | - Maria Liapi
- Veterinary Services of Cyprus, Nicosia 1417, Cyprus;
| | - Martin Kváč
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Stavros Malas
- Department of Basic Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus; (D.E.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand;
- Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Anastasios D. Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (S.H.); (P.P.); (S.C.); (N.B.); (C.A.-R.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus; (D.E.M.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: or
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McKerr C, Chalmers RM, Elwin K, Ayres H, Vivancos R, O’Brien SJ, Christley RM. Cross-sectional household transmission study of Cryptosporidium shows that C. hominis infections are a key risk factor for spread. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:114. [PMID: 35105330 PMCID: PMC8807379 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07086-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with the Cryptosporidium parasite causes over 4000 cases of diagnosed illness (cryptosporidiosis) in England and Wales each year. The incidence of sporadic disease has not been sufficiently established, and how frequently this arises from contact with other infected people is not well documented. This project aimed to explore potential transmission in the home and attempt to identify asymptomatic infections, which might play a role in transmission. Risk factors and characteristics associated with spread of infection in the home were described including any differences between Cryptosporidium species. METHODS The study identified cryptosporidiosis cases from North West England and Wales over a year and invited them and their household to take part. Each household was sent a study pack containing study information and a questionnaire, and stool sample kits to provide samples from consenting household members. Cryptosporidium-positive stool samples, identified by immunofluorescence microscopy, were characterised using molecular methods to help describe any patterns of transmission. Characteristics of households with and without additional cases were described, and compared using odds ratios (OR) and a multivariable logistic regression identified independent risk factors for household transmission. Data collection ran for one year, beginning in September 2018 with an initial pilot phase. RESULTS We enrolled 128 index cases and their households. Additional illness occurred in over a quarter of homes, each reporting an average of two additional cases. The majority of these were undiagnosed and unreported to surveillance. This burden was even greater in households where the index case was infected with C. hominis versus C. parvum, or the index case was under five years old, with mums and siblings most at risk of secondary infection. Only having an index case of C. hominis was independently associated with transmission in the multivariable model (OR 4.46; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Cryptosporidium was a considerable burden in the home. At-risk homes were those where the index was less than five years old and/or infected with C. hominis. Of particular risk were female caregivers and siblings. Hygiene advice should be specifically directed here. This work provides evidence for humans as sources of C. hominis infection and that person-person is a key pathway. We recommend that all stools submitted for the investigation of gastrointestinal pathogens are tested for Cryptosporidium to better capture cases, inclusion of speciation data in routine surveillance, and the consideration of specific clinical advice on prevention for high-risk homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caoimhe McKerr
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Swansea Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Present Address: Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Rachel M. Chalmers
- Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales, Swansea, UK
- Swansea Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Present Address: Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kristin Elwin
- Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales, Swansea, UK
- Present Address: Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Heather Ayres
- Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales, Swansea, UK
- Present Address: Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Roberto Vivancos
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Field Epidemiology Services, Public Health England, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah J. O’Brien
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert M. Christley
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Prasad N, Bansal S, Akhtar S. Cryptosporidium infection in solid organ transplant recipients in South Asia - Expert group opinion for diagnosis and management. INDIAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/ijot.ijot_80_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Sun A, Stanton JAL, Bergquist PL, Sunna A. Universal Enzyme-Based Field Workflow for Rapid and Sensitive Quantification of Water Pathogens. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2367. [PMID: 34835492 PMCID: PMC8618791 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A universal filtration and enzyme-based workflow has been established to allow for the rapid and sensitive quantification of leading pathogens Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia gamblia, Campylobacter jejuni, and Escherichia coli from tap water samples with volumes up to 100 mL, and the potential to scale up to larger volumes. qPCR limits of quantification as low as four oocysts for Cryptosporidium, twelve cysts for Giardia, two cells for C. jejuni, and nineteen cells for E. coli per reaction were achieved. A polycarbonate filter-based sampling method coupled with the prepGEM enzyme-based DNA extraction system created a single-step transfer workflow that required as little as 20 min of incubation time and a 100 µL reaction mix. The quantification via qPCR was performed directly on the prepGEM extract, bypassing time-consuming, labour-intensive conventional culture-based methods. The tap water samples were shown to contain insoluble particles that inhibited detection by reducing the quantification efficiency of a representative pathogen (C. jejuni) to 30-60%. This sample inhibition was effectively removed by an on-filter treatment of 20% (v/v) phosphoric acid wash. Overall, the established workflow was able to achieve quantification efficiencies of 92% and higher for all four leading water pathogens, forming the basis of a rapid, portable, and low-cost solution to water monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Sun
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (A.S.); (P.L.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Jo-Ann L. Stanton
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Peter L. Bergquist
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (A.S.); (P.L.B.); (A.S.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Anwar Sunna
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (A.S.); (P.L.B.); (A.S.)
- Biomolecular Discovery Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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Treatment of human intestinal cryptosporidiosis: A review of published clinical trials. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2021; 17:128-138. [PMID: 34562754 PMCID: PMC8473663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The global burden of diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parasite is underestimated. In immunocompromised hosts, chronic and severe presentation of intestinal cryptosporidiosis can result in long-term morbidity and high illness costs. The evidence of effective treatments for cryptosporidiosis has been lacking. We reviewed the published clinical trials to bring forward the feasible therapeutic options of human cryptosporidiosis in various populations and settings according to clinical improvement and parasite clearance rates. A total of 42 studies consisting of the use of nitazoxanide, paromomycin, macrolides, somatostatin analogues, letrazuril, albendazole, rifaximin, miltefosine, clofazimine, and colostrum were included in the review. The trials were mostly conducted in small number of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and there is inadequate data of controlled trials to suggest the use of these treatment modalities. Nitazoxanide was reported to be highly efficacious only in immunocompetent hosts and was found to be superior to paromomycin in the same group of patients. Macrolides showed no effective results in both clinical and parasitological improvement. Human bovine colostrum should possibly be administered as one of complementary therapeutic modalities along with other antimicrobials to reach optimal parasite eradication. Other trials of therapeutic modalities were terminated due to futility. Currently, available data is intended to aid the development of strategies for improving access to treatments in different clinical settings, as well as to help guide further studies on treatments of human intestinal cryptosporidiosis.
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Li Y, Deng F, Hall T, Vesey G, Goldys EM. CRISPR/Cas12a-powered immunosensor suitable for ultra-sensitive whole Cryptosporidium oocyst detection from water samples using a plate reader. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 203:117553. [PMID: 34425437 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Waterborne pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium parvum, pose a major threat to public health globally, and this requires screening of drinking and environmental water for low number of contaminating microbes. However, current detection approaches generally require trained experts with sophisticated instruments, and are not suitable for large-scale screening and rapid outbreak response. Recent advances in ultrasensitive CRISPR/Cas-based biosensing continue to expand the range of detectable molecular targets, however single microbes could not be directly detected so far, especially in environmental samples. Here, we report an ultrasensitive CRISPR/Cas12a-powered immunosensing method suitable for microbial detection which links antibody-based recognition with CRISPR/Cas12a-based fluorescent signal amplification through an antibody-DNA conjugate. This approach is shown here to detect whole 4 µm size Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts with a linear range from 6.25 - 1600 oocysts/mL, at a maximum sensitivity of single oocyst per sample. Its potential to apply to various complex sample matrices has also been demonstrated. After sample dilution by factor of 10, we were able to detect 10 oocysts from a back-wash mud samples from water treatment plate. This method uses the same experimental setup (plate reader) as a conventional ELISA assay thus reducing the need for microscopy-based identification of Cryptosporidium, which represents the gold-standard but requires high level expertise and time-consuming manual counting. This work highlights the potential of CRISPR/Cas-based biosensing for water quality assessment and ultrasensitive whole pathogen detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia; Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Fei Deng
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia; Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.
| | - Tim Hall
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Graham Vesey
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Ewa M Goldys
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia; Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.
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Hailu AW, Degarege A, Adamu H, Costa D, Villier V, Mouhajir A, Favennec L, Razakandrainibe R, Petros B. Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from humans in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253186. [PMID: 34115820 PMCID: PMC8195372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Data on the distribution and genotype of Cryptosporidium species is limited in Ethiopia. This study examined the presence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium species circulating in Ethiopian human population. Stool samples collected from patients who visited rural (n = 94) and urban (n = 93) health centers in Wurgissa and Hawassa district, respectively, were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using microscopy, nested PCR and real-time PCR. To detect infection with PCR, analysis of 18S ribosomal RNA was performed. Subtyping was performed by sequencing a fragment of GP60 gene. The overall prevalence of infection was 46% (n = 86) by microscope and PCR. When 48 (out of 86) PCR positive samples were genotyped, two species were identified: C. parvum (n = 40) and C. hominis (n = 8). When 15 of the 40 C. parvum isolates were subtyped, zoonotic subtypes of IIaA14G1R1 (n = 1), IIaA15G2R1 (n = 1), IIaA16G1R1 (n = 2), IIaA16G3R1 (n = 2), IIaA17G1R1 (n = 1), IIaA19G1R1 (n = 1), IIaA20G1R1 (n = 3), IIaA22G1R1 (n = 1), IIaA22G2R1 (n = 1), IIdA23G1 (n = 1) and IIdA24G1 (n = 1) were identified. When 6 of the 8 C. hominis isolates were subtyped, subtypes IaA20 (n = 5), and IdA21(n = 1) were identified. This study suggests that C. parvum and C. hominis are causes of cryptosporidiosis in human in the Wurgissa district and Hawassa in Ethiopia. Zoonotic transmission might be the main route of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambachew W. Hailu
- Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences Stream Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Abraham Degarege
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Haileeyesus Adamu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Damien Costa
- Université de Rouen Normandie, EA7510 ESCAPE, CNR Laboratoire Expert Cryptosporidioses, CHU-Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Venceslas Villier
- Université de Rouen Normandie, EA7510 ESCAPE, CNR Laboratoire Expert Cryptosporidioses, CHU-Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Abdelmounaim Mouhajir
- Université de Rouen Normandie, EA7510 ESCAPE, CNR Laboratoire Expert Cryptosporidioses, CHU-Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Loic Favennec
- Université de Rouen Normandie, EA7510 ESCAPE, CNR Laboratoire Expert Cryptosporidioses, CHU-Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Romy Razakandrainibe
- Université de Rouen Normandie, EA7510 ESCAPE, CNR Laboratoire Expert Cryptosporidioses, CHU-Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Beyene Petros
- Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences Stream Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Jillani NE, Nyachieo A, Chai DC, Nyariki JN. Successful experimental infant baboon model for childhood cryptosporidiosis studies. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:316. [PMID: 34112218 PMCID: PMC8193905 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04804-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidiosis causes high morbidity and mortality in children under 2 years of age globally. The lack of an appropriate animal model that mimics the pathogenesis of disease in humans has hampered the development and testing of potential therapeutic options. This study aimed to develop and validate an infant baboon infection model of cryptosporidiosis. METHODS Eighteen immunocompetent weaned infant baboons aged 12 to 16 months were used. The animals were n = 3 controls and three experimental groups of n = 5 animals each inoculated with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts as follows: group 1: 2 × 104, group 2: 2 × 105, group 3: 2 × 106 followed by daily fecal sampling for oocyst evaluation. Blood sampling for immunological assay was done on the day of infection and weekly thereafter until the end of the experiment, followed by necropsy and histopathology. Statistical analysis was performed using R, SPSS, and GraphPad Prism software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used for comparison of the means, with p < 0.05 considered as a significant difference. Correlation coefficient and probit analysis were also performed. RESULTS In all experimental animals but not controls, the onset of oocyst shedding occurred between days 2 and 4, with the highest oocyst shedding occurring between days 6 and 28. Histological analysis revealed parasite establishment only in infected animals. Levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10) increased significantly in experimental groups compared to controls. CONCLUSION For developing a reproducible infant baboon model, 2 × 104 oocysts were an effective minimum quantifiable experimental infection dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngalla E. Jillani
- Institute of Primate Research, Box 24481-00502, Karen Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Atunga Nyachieo
- Institute of Primate Research, Box 24481-00502, Karen Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel C. Chai
- Institute of Primate Research, Box 24481-00502, Karen Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Nyabuga Nyariki
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University of Kenya, P.O. Box 52428-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
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Omolabi KF, Agoni C, Olotu FA, Soliman ME. ‘Finding the needle in the haystack’- will natural products fit for purpose in the treatment of cryptosporidiosis? – A theoretical perspective. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2021.1895435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kehinde F. Omolabi
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Clement Agoni
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Fisayo A. Olotu
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E.S. Soliman
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Madbouly N, El Amir A, Abdel Kader A, Rabee I, Farid A. The immunomodulatory activity of secnidazole-nitazoxanide in a murine cryptosporidiosis model. J Med Microbiol 2021; 70. [PMID: 33625354 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Cryptosporidium parvum causes intestinal parasitic infections affecting both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals.Gap statement. Given the absence of effective treatments for cryptosporidiosis, especially in immunodeficient patients, the present study was designed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of secnidazole (SEC) and its combination with nitazoxanide (NTZ) in comparison to single NTZ treatment in relation to the immune status of a murine model of C. parvum infection.Methodology. The infected groups were administered NTZ, SEC or NTZ-SEC for three or five successive doses. At days 10 and 12 post-infection (p.i.), the mice were sacrificed, and the efficacy of the applied drugs was evaluated by comparing the histopathological alterations in ileum and measuring the T helper Th1 (interferon gamma; IFN-γ), Th2 [interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10] and Th17 (IL-17) cytokine profiles in serum.Results. The NTZ-SEC combination recorded the maximal reduction of C. parvum oocyst shedding, endogenous stages count and intestinal histopathology, regardless of the immune status of the infected mice. The efficacy of NTZ-SEC was dependent on the period of administration, as the 5 day-based treatment protocol was also more effective than the 3 day-based one in terms of immunocompetence and immunosuppression. The present treatment schedule induced an immunomodulatory effect from SEC that developed a protective immune response against C. parvum infection with reduced production of serum IL-17, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10.Conclusions. Application of NTZ-SEC combined therapy may be useful in treatment of C. parvum, especially in cases involving immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neveen Madbouly
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Azza El Amir
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Abdel Kader
- Department of Parasitology, Theodore Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ibraheem Rabee
- Department of Parasitology, Theodore Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Alyaa Farid
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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A probable means to an end: exploring P131 pharmacophoric scaffold to identify potential inhibitors of Cryptosporidium parvum inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. J Mol Model 2021; 27:35. [PMID: 33423140 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-020-04663-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Compound P131 has been established to inhibit Cryptosporidium parvum's inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (CpIMPDH). Its inhibitory activity supersedes that of paromomycin, which is extensively used in treating cryptosporidiosis. Through the per-residue energy decomposition approach, crucial moieties of P131 were identified and subsequently adopted to create a pharmacophore model for virtual screening in the ZINC database. This search generated eight ADMET-compliant hits that were examined thoroughly to fit into the active site of CpIMPDH via molecular docking. Three compounds ZINC46542062, ZINC58646829, and ZINC89780094, with favorable docking scores of - 8.3 kcal/mol, - 8.2 kcal/mol, and - 7.5 kcal/mol, were selected. The potential inhibitory mechanism of these compounds was probed using molecular dynamics simulation and Molecular Mechanics Generalized Poisson Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) analyses. Results revealed that one of the hits (ZINC46542062) exhibited a lower binding free energy of - 39.52 kcal/mol than P131, which had - 34.6 kcal/mol. Conformational perturbation induced by the binding of the identified hits to CpIMPDH was similar to P131, suggesting a similarity in inhibitory mechanisms. Also, in silico investigation of the properties of the hit compounds implied superior physicochemical properties with regards to their synthetic accessibility, lipophilicity, and number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors in comparison with P131. ZINC46542062 was identified as a promising hit compound with the highest binding affinity to the target protein and favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties relative to P131. The identified compounds can serve as a basis for conducting further experimental investigations toward the development of anticryptosporidials, which can overcome the challenges of existing therapeutic options. Graphical abstract P131 and the identified compounds docked in the NAD+ binding site of Cryptosporidium parvum IMPDH.
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Zahedi A, Monis P, Deere D, Ryan U. Wastewater-based epidemiology-surveillance and early detection of waterborne pathogens with a focus on SARS-CoV-2, Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4167-4188. [PMID: 33409629 PMCID: PMC7787619 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07023-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Waterborne diseases are a major global problem, resulting in high morbidity and mortality, and massive economic costs. The ability to rapidly and reliably detect and monitor the spread of waterborne diseases is vital for early intervention and preventing more widespread disease outbreaks. Pathogens are, however, difficult to detect in water and are not practicably detectable at acceptable concentrations that need to be achieved in treated drinking water (which are of the order one per million litre). Furthermore, current clinical-based surveillance methods have many limitations such as the invasive nature of the testing and the challenges in testing large numbers of people. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), which is based on the analysis of wastewater to monitor the emergence and spread of infectious disease at a population level, has received renewed attention in light of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The present review will focus on the application of WBE for the detection and surveillance of pathogens with a focus on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the waterborne protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The review highlights the benefits and challenges of WBE and the future of this tool for community-wide infectious disease surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Zahedi
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Paul Monis
- South Australian Water Corporation, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Daniel Deere
- Water Futures and Water Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Una Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.
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Identification of novel anti-cryptosporidial inhibitors through a combined approach of pharmacophore modeling, virtual screening, and molecular docking. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Deichsel EL, Hillesland HK, Gilchrist CA, Naulikha JM, McGrath CJ, Van Voorhis WC, Rwigi D, Singa BO, Walson JL, Pavlinac PB. Prevalence and Correlates of Cryptosporidium Infections in Kenyan Children With Diarrhea and Their Primary Caregivers. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 7:ofaa533. [PMID: 33335937 PMCID: PMC7731525 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrhea in Sub-Saharan Africa and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in young children. METHODS We analyzed data from children aged 6-71 months presenting to 2 public hospitals in Western Kenya with acute diarrhea and their primary caregivers, including detection of Cryptosporidium by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoassay analysis in stool samples from both children and their caregivers. Associations between potential transmission sources and child/caregiver Cryptosporidium infection were evaluated using prevalence ratios (PRs). Secondary analyses evaluated host and clinical risk factors of child/caregiver Cryptosporidium infection. RESULTS Among 243 child-caregiver pairs enrolled, 77 children (32%) and 57 caregivers (23%) had Cryptosporidium identified by either immunoassay or PCR. Twenty-six of the 243 child-caregiver pairs (11%) had concordant detection of Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium infection in children was associated with detection of Cryptosporidium in caregivers (adjusted PR [aPR], 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.6; P = .002) and unprotected water source (aPR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.2; P = .003). Risk factors for Cryptosporidium detection in caregivers included child Cryptosporidium infection (aPR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.0; P = .002) as well as cow (aPR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4 to 7.0; P = .02) and other livestock ownership (aPR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.3; P = .03) vs no livestock ownership. Recent diarrhea in caregivers and children was independently associated with child and caregiver Cryptosporidium infections, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that Cryptosporidium transmission can occur directly between child-caregiver dyads as well as through other pathways involving water and livestock. Additional research into caregivers as a source of childhood Cryptosporidium infection is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Doreen Rwigi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Judd L Walson
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Child Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, Nairobi, Kenya
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Prevalence of Cryptosporidium Infection in the Global Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:882-889. [PMID: 32514837 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-020-00230-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that can infect both humans and animals and cause cryptosporidiosis. We aimed to estimate the global prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection. METHODS In this study, Web of Science, Medline and PubMed were searched for relative articles, published between January 1, 1960 and January 1, 2018. Included articles were restricted to English language and that sample size of articles was not less than 50. Studies with no information on the study period, location, method of diagnosis, sample size and number of infected people were excluded. Studies about outbreak, laboratory report or immunocompromised population were excluded as well. The quality of the included publications was assessed. The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was estimated by DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model, after converting by the Freeman-Tukey type double arcsine transformation. FINDINGS From 13,064 publications selected by literature search, 221 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The global pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 7.6 % (95% CI: 6.9-8.5). The highest estimated prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was in Mexico (69.6%, 95% CI 66.3-72.8), Nigeria (34.0%, 95% CI 12.4-60.0), Bangladesh (42.5%, 95% CI 36.1-49.0) and Republic of Korea (8.3%, 95% CI 4.4-13.2) among general residents, patients, school children and healthy population, respectively. The estimated prevalence was high in people from low-income country, people with gastrointestinal symptoms, people younger than 5 years old and residents not living in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS These estimates indicate the substantial prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in the world, which may provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of the prevention strategy about Cryptosporidium.
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Bhalchandra S, Lamisere H, Ward H. Intestinal organoid/enteroid-based models for Cryptosporidium. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 58:124-129. [PMID: 33113480 PMCID: PMC7758878 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrhea and death in young children and untreated AIDS patients in resource-poor settings, and of waterborne outbreaks of disease in developed countries. However, there is no consistently effective treatment for vulnerable populations. Progress towards development of therapeutics for cryptosporidiosis has been hampered by lack of optimal culture systems to study it. New advances in organoid/enteroid technology have contributed to improved platforms to culture and propagate Cryptosporidium. Here we discuss recent breakthroughs in the field and highlight different models for functional ex vivo organoid or enteroidderived culture systems. These systems will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of host-parasite interactions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Bhalchandra
- Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Hymlaire Lamisere
- Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Honorine Ward
- Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
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Fischer RT, Day JC, Wasserkrug H, Faseler M, Kats A, Daniel JF, Slowik V, Andrews W, Hendrickson RJ. Complications of Cryptosporidium infection after pediatric liver transplantation: Diarrhea, rejection, and biliary disease. Pediatr Transplant 2020; 24:e13807. [PMID: 32777150 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium enteritis can be devastating in the immunocompromised host. In pediatric liver transplant recipients, infection may be complicated by prolonged carriage of the parasite, rejection, and biliary tree damage and fibrosis. Herein, we report on six patients and their long-term outcomes following cryptosporidiosis. METHODS We reviewed all cases of cryptosporidiosis in a pediatric liver transplant population over a 17-year period at a single center. Six patients with infection were identified, and their outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS Infection was associated with significant diarrhea and dehydration in all cases, and led to hospitalization in one-half of patients. Four of the six patients developed biopsy-proven rejection following infection, with three of those patients developing rejection that was recalcitrant to intravenous steroid treatment. Additionally, three patients developed biliary tree abnormalities with similarity to sclerosing cholangitis. In one patient, those biliary changes led to repeated need for biliary drain placement and advancing fibrotic liver allograft changes. CONCLUSIONS Cryptosporidiosis in pediatric liver transplant recipients may lead to significant complications, including recalcitrant episodes of rejection and detrimental biliary tree changes. We advocate for increased awareness of this cause of diarrheal disease and the allograft injuries that may accompany infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T Fischer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - J Christopher Day
- Division of Infectious Disease, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Heather Wasserkrug
- Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Megan Faseler
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Alexander Kats
- Division of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - James F Daniel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Voytek Slowik
- Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Walter Andrews
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Richard J Hendrickson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
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Ikiroma IA, Pollock KG. Influence of weather and climate on cryptosporidiosis-A review. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 68:285-298. [PMID: 33225635 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown that climatic factors can significantly influence transmission of many waterborne diseases. However, knowledge of the impact of climate variability on cryptosporidiosis is much less certain. Associations between the incidence of cryptosporidiosis and climatic variables have been reported in several countries. Given that the identified relationships were not consistently reported across studies, it is not known whether these were country-specific observations or can be considered more globally. Variation in the disease risk in both low- and middle-income countries and high-income countries presents new challenges and opportunities to enact responsive changes in research and public health policies. Available epidemiological evidence of the influence of weather and climate on cryptosporidiosis is reviewed. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and most studies showed that the incidence of cryptosporidiosis is highly sensitive to climatic conditions, especially temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. The identified associations varied across studies, with different conditions of importance and lag times across different locations. Therefore, there is a need for countries at risk to assess Cryptosporidium transmission routes based on the spatiotemporal patterns of the disease and what role climate and other socio-ecological changes play in the transmission. Information gathering will then allow us to provide information for evidence-based control strategies and mitigation of transmission. This review offers new perspectives on the role of climate variability on Cryptosporidium transmission. It highlights different epidemiological approaches adopted and provides the potential for future research and surveillance to reduce the disease burden. By evaluating the epidemiological transmission of this organism in high-income countries, all mitigation strategies, for example filtration and water catchment management, can be used as exemplars of preventing infection in low- to middle-income countries.
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El-Wakil ES, Salem AE, Al-Ghandour AMF. Evaluation of possible prophylactic and therapeutic effect of mefloquine on experimental cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised mice. J Parasit Dis 2020; 45:380-393. [PMID: 34295037 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01315-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is an imperative global health concern. Unfortunately, Nitazoxanide (NTZ) (the nowadays drug of choice) is not effective in treatment of immunocompromised patients. We aimed to assess the possible anti-cryptosporidial prophylactic and therapeutic effects of Mefloquine (MQ) on infected immunosuppressed murine models. Mice were divided into five groups; GI: received Mefloquine (400 mg/kg/day), GII: received NTZ (100 mg/kg/bid), GIII: received a combination, half dose regimen of both drugs, GIV: infected untreated and GV: non-infected untreated. Each treated group was divided into three subgroups; Ga prophylaxis (PX), thereafter infection, Gb first and Gc second treatment doses. Assessment was done by parasitological, histopathological and serological techniques. A significant oocyst clearance was detected in all prophylactically treated groups. GIa showed 77% reduction of the mean oocyst count in stool while GIb and GIIIc showed100% oocyst clearance. Histopathologically, the ileocecal sections from GIV showed loss of brush borders with marked villous atrophy. GIa induced a moderate improvement of those pathological changes. Moreover, the villi in GIb and GIIIc retained their normal appearance with minimal inflammatory cells. Serum interferon gamma levels showed highly significant increases in GI&GIII compared to GIV while a non-significant increase was observed in GIIa only. On the contrary, serum interleukin-17 levels showed a highly significant down-regulation in all treated groups in comparison to GIV. This study proved a marvelous effect of MQ-PX on cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed mice and thus it could be introduced as one of the most promising re-purposed prophylactic and therapeutic anti-cryptosporidial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman S El-Wakil
- Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Amal E Salem
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M F Al-Ghandour
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Elmahallawy EK, Elshopakey GE, Saleh AA, Agil A, El-Morsey A, EL-shewehy DMM, Sad AS, Yanai T, Abdo W. S-Methylcysteine (SMC) Ameliorates Intestinal, Hepatic, and Splenic Damage Induced by Cryptosporidium parvum Infection Via Targeting Inflammatory Modulators and Oxidative Stress in Swiss Albino Mice. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8100423. [PMID: 33076496 PMCID: PMC7602666 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8100423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis has been proposed to be one of the major causes of diarrhoeal disease in humans worldwide that possesses zoonotic concern. Thereby, this study investigated the potential effects of s-Methylcysteine (SMC) on the parasite in vivo followed by the measurement of cytokines, oxidative stress parameters, and an investigation of the major histopathological changes. Sixty male Swiss albino mice weighing 20-25 g were allocated equally into five groups and orally administered saline only (control), SMC only (SMC50) (50 mg/kg b.w.), and 104Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts per mouse via an esophageal tube (C + ve untreated). The fourth and fifth groups (C + SMC25, C + SMC50) administrated 104C. parvum oocysts combined with SMC25 (low dose) and 50 (high dose) mg/kg b.w., respectively. At days 7 and 14 post-infection (PI), the feces was collected from each group in order to count C. parvum oocysts. After two weeks of treatment, the animals were euthanized and the serum was collected for biochemical analysis. Next, the intestinal, spleen, and liver sections were dissected for histopathological examination. The results revealed lower oocyst numbers in the C + SMC25 and C + SMC50 groups compared to the infected untreated group. Moreover, higher doses of SMC treatment significantly reduced the enteritis induced by C. parvum in a dose-dependent manner. The hepatic lesions were also mitigated as demonstrated in C + SMC25 and C + SMC50 groups unlike the infected group via lowering the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes and increasing albumin and globulin serum levels. SMC administration also reduced cytokines production (SAP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ) mediated by Cryptosporidium infection in contrast to the infected untreated group. There were marked lymphoid depletion and amyloidosis observed in the infected untreated group, while the treated groups showed obvious increase in the lymphoid elements. Moreover, the scoring of intestinal parasites, hepatic, and splenic lesions in the SMC-treated groups exhibited significantly lower pathological lesions in different organs in a dose-dependent manner, compared to the infected untreated group. Our results also revealed a significant change in the malondialdehyde content with an elevation of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the intestines collected from C + SMC25 and C + SMC50 mice relative to the untreated group. Taken together, our results indicated that SMC could be a promising effective compound for treating and declining C. parvum infestation via restoring structural alterations in different tissues, enhancing antioxidant enzymes, and suppressing the cytokines liberation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of León (ULE), 24071 León, Spain
| | - Gehad E. Elshopakey
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt;
| | - Amira A. Saleh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt;
| | - Ahmad Agil
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Ahmed El-Morsey
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St. (former El-Tahrir St.), Dokki, P.O., Giza 18010, Egypt;
| | | | - Ahmed S. Sad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Fuad 42526, Egypt;
| | - Tokuma Yanai
- Laboratory of Wildlife and Forensic Pathology, Biomedical Science Examination and Research Center, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, 1-3, Ikoinooka, Imabari 794-0085, Ehime, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Walied Abdo
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr el-Sheikh 33516, Egypt;
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Mulunda NR, Hayashida K, Yamagishi J, Sianongo S, Munsaka G, Sugimoto C, Mutengo MM. Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from patients with diarrhoea in Lusaka, Zambia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 27:53. [PMID: 33048665 PMCID: PMC7553232 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a major etiological agent of diarrhoeal diseases among children and immune-compromised individuals in sub-Saharan African countries. We conducted a study to determine the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. in stool samples from patients with diarrhoea who presented at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Cryptosporidium species and subtypes from 71 microscopically confirmed cryptosporidiosis stool samples collected between 2017 and 2019 were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by partial sequencing of the small subunit rRNA and 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Additionally, data for the period between 2014 and 2019 were reviewed and analysed for cryptosporidiosis seasonal and age distribution. Cryptosporidium was more prevalent in the rainy season. The highest number of cases was reported among the 1–4 year age group. By sequence analysis of the 71 positive isolates, Cryptosporidium hominis (n = 42; 59.2%), C. parvum (n = 27; 38%), C. felis (n = 1; 1.4%), and C. meleagridis (n = 1; 1.4%) were identified. Four C. hominis subtype families (Ia, Ib, Id, and Ie) and three C. parvum subtype families (IIc, IIe, and IIs) were identified. The most frequent subtypes were IeA11G3T3 (n = 20; 28.2%), IIcA5G3 (n = 12; 16.9%), IIeA12G1 (n = 11; 15.5%) and IaA30R3 (n = 10; 14.1%). The observed species/subtypes of C. hominis and C. parvum indicated that the infection was mainly transmitted through the anthroponotic route. The identification of C. felis and C. meleagridis suggests that an atypical zoonotic transmission cycle also exists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyoko Hayashida
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, 001-0020 Sapporo, Japan - International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, 001-0020 Sapporo, Japan
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, 001-0020 Sapporo, Japan - International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, 001-0020 Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sandie Sianongo
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Gilbert Munsaka
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chihiro Sugimoto
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, 001-0020 Sapporo, Japan - International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, 001-0020 Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mable Mwale Mutengo
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia - Institute of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Great East Road, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
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43
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Swale C, Bougdour A, Gnahoui-David A, Tottey J, Georgeault S, Laurent F, Palencia A, Hakimi MA. Metal-captured inhibition of pre-mRNA processing activity by CPSF3 controls Cryptosporidium infection. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/517/eaax7161. [PMID: 31694928 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax7161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is an intestinal pathogen that causes severe but self-limiting diarrhea in healthy humans, yet it can turn into a life-threatening, unrelenting infection in immunocompromised patients and young children. Severe diarrhea is recognized as the leading cause of mortality for children below 5 years of age in developing countries. The only approved treatment against cryptosporidiosis, nitazoxanide, has limited efficacy in the most vulnerable patient populations, including malnourished children, and is ineffective in immunocompromised individuals. Here, we investigate inhibition of the parasitic cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 3 (CPSF3) as a strategy to control Cryptosporidium infection. We show that the oxaborole AN3661 selectively blocked Cryptosporidium growth in human HCT-8 cells, and oral treatment with AN3661 reduced intestinal parasite burden in both immunocompromised and neonatal mouse models of infection with greater efficacy than nitazoxanide. Furthermore, we present crystal structures of recombinantly produced Cryptosporidium CPSF3, revealing a mechanism of action whereby the mRNA processing activity of this enzyme is efficiently blocked by the binding of the oxaborole group at the metal-dependent catalytic center. Our data provide insights that may help accelerate the development of next-generation anti-Cryptosporidium therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Swale
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, University Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Alexandre Bougdour
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, University Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Audrey Gnahoui-David
- INRA, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Centre Val de Loire, UMR1282 ISP, Laboratoire Apicomplexes et Immunité Mucosale, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Julie Tottey
- INRA, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Centre Val de Loire, UMR1282 ISP, Laboratoire Apicomplexes et Immunité Mucosale, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Sonia Georgeault
- Plateforme des Microscopies, Université et CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Fabrice Laurent
- INRA, Université François Rabelais de Tours, Centre Val de Loire, UMR1282 ISP, Laboratoire Apicomplexes et Immunité Mucosale, 37380 Nouzilly, France.
| | - Andrés Palencia
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, University Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France. .,Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, University Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, University Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France.
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44
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Carter BL, Chalmers RM, Davies AP. Health sequelae of human cryptosporidiosis in industrialised countries: a systematic review. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:443. [PMID: 32887663 PMCID: PMC7650228 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04308-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite which is a common cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. In developing countries, it is one of the most important causes of moderate to severe diarrhoea in young children; in industrialised countries it is a cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with drinking water, swimming pools and other environmental sources and a particular concern in certain immunocompromised patient groups, where it can cause severe disease. However, over recent years, longer-term sequelae of infection have been recognised and a number of studies have been published on this topic. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the literature in order to better understand the medium- to long-term impact of cryptosporidiosis. METHODS This was a systematic review of studies in PubMed, ProQuest and Web of Science databases, with no limitations on publication year or language. Studies from any country were included in qualitative synthesis, but only those in industrialised countries were included in quantitative analysis. RESULTS Fifteen studies were identified for qualitative analysis which included 3670 Cryptosporidium cases; eight studies conducted in Europe between 2004-2019 were suitable for quantitative analysis, including five case-control studies. The most common reported long-term sequelae were diarrhoea (25%), abdominal pain (25%), nausea (24%), fatigue (24%) and headache (21%). Overall, long-term sequelae were more prevalent following infection with Cryptosporidium hominis, with only weight loss and blood in stool being more prevalent following infection with Cryptosporidium parvum. Analysis of the case-control studies found that individuals were 6 times more likely to report chronic diarrhoea and weight loss up to 28 months after a Cryptosporidium infection than were controls. Long-term abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, joint pain, headache and eye pain were also between 2-3 times more likely following a Cryptosporidium infection. CONCLUSIONS This is the first systematic review of the long-term sequelae of cryptosporidiosis. A better understanding of long-term outcomes of cryptosporidiosis is valuable to inform the expectations of clinicians and their patients, and public health policy-makers regarding the control and prevention of this infection. Systematic review registration PROSPERO Registration number CRD42019141311.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethan L Carter
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
| | - Rachel M Chalmers
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK.,Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology, Singleton Hospital, Sketty Lane, Swansea, Wales, UK
| | - Angharad P Davies
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK. .,Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology, Singleton Hospital, Sketty Lane, Swansea, Wales, UK.
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45
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Charania R, Wade BE, McNair NN, Mead JR. Changes in the Microbiome of Cryptosporidium-Infected Mice Correlate to Differences in Susceptibility and Infection Levels. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060879. [PMID: 32532051 PMCID: PMC7356575 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. are opportunistic protozoan parasites that infect epithelial cells of the small intestine, causing diarrheal illness in humans. Differences in severity may be due to the immunological status of the host, malnutrition or prior exposure but may also be due to differences in the host gut flora. We examined changes in bacterial flora following antibiotic treatment to determine how cryptosporidial infections and gut integrity were affected by alterations in the microbiome. DNA was extracted from fecal and intestinal samples during peak infection. V4 region amplicons were generated and sequenced using 16sRNA on an Illumina MiSeq. Species evenness and richness were estimated using the Shannon diversity index. There was a significant decrease in anaerobes and overgrowth of Enterobacteriaceae in mice treated with cloxacillin. We also examined levels of short-chain fatty acids in fecal samples. There was a significant decrease in acetate, propionate, and butyrate in these same mice. Concurrent with the shift in bacterial infection was a significant increase in severity of cryptosporidial infection and increase in gut permeability. Treatment with other antibiotics significantly altered the microbiome but did not change the infection, suggesting that specific alterations in the host microbiome allow for more favorable growth of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheela Charania
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (R.C.); (B.E.W.); (N.N.M.)
| | - Brandy E. Wade
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (R.C.); (B.E.W.); (N.N.M.)
| | - Nina N. McNair
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (R.C.); (B.E.W.); (N.N.M.)
| | - Jan R. Mead
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (R.C.); (B.E.W.); (N.N.M.)
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30022, USA
- Correspondence:
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46
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Patanasatienkul T, Greenwood SJ, McClure J, Davidson J, Gardner I, Sanchez J. Bayesian risk assessment model of human cryptosporidiosis cases following consumption of raw Eastern oysters ( Crassostrea virginica) contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts in the Hillsborough River system in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2020; 19:e00079. [PMID: 32258447 PMCID: PMC7109418 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. has been associated with foodborne infectious disease outbreaks; however, it is unclear to what extent raw oyster consumption poses a risk to public health. Control of Cryptosporidium in shellfish harvest seawater in Canada is not mandatory and, despite relay/depuration processes, the parasite can remain viable in oysters for at least a month (depending on initial loads and seawater characteristics). Risks of human infection and illness from exposure to oysters contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts were assessed in a Bayesian framework. Two data sets were used: counts of oocysts in oysters harvested in Approved, Restricted, and Prohibited zones of the Hillsborough River system; and oocyst elimination rate from oysters exposed to oocysts in laboratory experiments. A total of 20 scenarios were assessed according to number of oysters consumed in a single serving (1, 10 and 30) and different relay times. The median probability of infection and developing cryptosporidiosis (e.g. illness) due to the consumption of raw oysters in Prince Edward Island was zero for all scenarios. However, the 95th percentiles ranged from 2% to 81% and from 1% to 59% for probability of infection and illness, respectively. When relay times were extended from 14 to 30 days and 10 oysters were consumed in one serving from the Restricted zones, these probabilities were reduced from 35% to 16% and from 15% to 7%, respectively. The 14-day relay period established by Canadian authorities for harvesting in Restricted zones seems prudent, though insufficient, as this relay period has been shown to be enough to eliminate fecal coliforms but not Cryptosporidium oocysts, which can remain viable in the oyster for over a month. Extending relay periods of 14 and 21 days for oysters harvested in Restricted zones to 30 days is likely insufficient to substantially decrease the probability of infection and illness. The highest risk was found for oysters that originated in Prohibited zones. Our findings suggest that Cryptosporidium oocysts are a potential cause of foodborne infection and illness when consuming raw oysters from Hillsborough River, one of the most important oyster production bays on Prince Edward Island. We discuss data gaps and limitations of this work in order to identify future research that can be used to reduce the uncertainties in predicted risks. Risk of infection and illness of cryptosporidiosis in humans by consuming raw oysters from PEI is likely to be negligible. Depuration time of 14 days might not be enough to reduce Cryptosporidium oocysts contamination in oysters in bays of PEI. More field data need to be obtained to reduce uncertainties in predicted risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitiwan Patanasatienkul
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, PEI, Canada
- Corresponding author at: Department of Health Management, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada.
| | - Spencer J. Greenwood
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, PEI, Canada
| | - J.T. McClure
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, PEI, Canada
| | - Jeff Davidson
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, PEI, Canada
| | - Ian Gardner
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, PEI, Canada
| | - Javier Sanchez
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, PEI, Canada
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47
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Norman FF, Comeche B, Chamorro S, Pérez-Molina JA, López-Vélez R. Update on the major imported protozoan infections in travelers and migrants. Future Microbiol 2020; 15:213-225. [PMID: 32065535 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Globalization has contributed to the emergence of specific parasitic diseases in novel geographical areas, and in these regions, these infections in travelers and immigrants may cause a considerable burden of disease. Timely diagnosis and treatment of protozoan infections to decrease mortality and prevent associated complications are essential. In this respect, the increased availability of specific DNA-detection procedures has improved the diagnosis of many imported parasitic infections. Travelers and immigrants with associated comorbidities or immunosuppression may pose a special challenge regarding management. An updated review of the main protozoan infections in mobile populations (malaria, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, enteric protozoan infections) is provided, focusing on the changing epidemiology of these diseases, recent developments in diagnosis and management and the possibility of local transmission of imported infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca F Norman
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Ctra Colmenar, Km 9,100, 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Comeche
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Ctra Colmenar, Km 9,100, 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Chamorro
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Ctra Colmenar, Km 9,100, 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - José-Antonio Pérez-Molina
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Ctra Colmenar, Km 9,100, 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rogelio López-Vélez
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Ctra Colmenar, Km 9,100, 28034, Madrid, Spain
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48
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McAteer J, Jernigan S, Mao C, Gonzalez MD, Watson RJ, Liverman R, Tobin-D Angelo M, Dishman M H, Shane A, Yildirim I. Cryptosporidiosis among solid organ transplant recipient attendees at a summer camp. Pediatr Transplant 2020; 24:e13649. [PMID: 31885132 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We report a cluster of pediatric cryptosporidiosis infections among solid organ transplant recipients at a summer camp in Georgia, USA. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for infection. A total of 118 campers attended the camp during July 23-28, 2017. The overall attack rate among campers during the outbreak was 11% (13/118). Sanger-based amplicon sequencing of stool specimens from 7 (80%) campers identified Cryptosporidium hominis as the suspected etiologic agent. All infected campers were heart or kidney transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The median reported symptom duration was 12 days (range 6-18 days) and 9 (69.2%) were hospitalized for at least one night (median length of stay 5 days, range 2-16 days). There were no deaths or acute rejection events attributed to infection. The results of the epidemiologic and environmental investigation suggest a recreational pool as the presumed source, although there was no direct evidence to support this. Many long-term interventions were implemented, and there have been no further outbreaks at the camp in the following two years. This outbreak demonstrates that cryptosporidiosis may be associated with notable burden in pediatric transplant recipients, and illustrates the challenges associated with source identification and containment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John McAteer
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stephanie Jernigan
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Chad Mao
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Sibley sHeart Center Cardiology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mark D Gonzalez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Renee J Watson
- Quality and Patient Safety, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rochelle Liverman
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Melissa Tobin-D Angelo
- Georgia Department of Public Health, Acute Disease Epidemiology Section, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hope Dishman M
- Georgia Department of Public Health, Acute Disease Epidemiology Section, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Andi Shane
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Inci Yildirim
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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49
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Cell Culture Infectivity to Assess Chlorine Disinfection of Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Water. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2052:283-302. [PMID: 31452168 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9748-0_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
This chapter provides a detailed protocol to assess disinfection efficacy of chlorine against Cryptosporidium oocysts including the core chlorine disinfection assay, the in vitro cell culture infectivity assay, and microscopy analysis and data interpretation.
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50
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Gebre B, Alemayehu T, Girma M, Ayalew F, Tadesse BT, Shemelis T. Cryptosporidiosis And Other Intestinal Parasitic Infections And Concomitant Threats Among HIV-Infected Children In Southern Ethiopia Receiving First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy. HIV AIDS-RESEARCH AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2019; 11:299-306. [PMID: 31814775 PMCID: PMC6863180 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s215417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at high risk of acquiring intestinal parasitic infections. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of Cryptosporidium and other intestinal parasitic infections and concomitant threats among HIV-infected children. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at three antiretroviral therapy clinics in southern Ethiopia from February 2016 to June 2017 in 384 HIV positive children. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires. Direct stool microscopic examination and modified Zeihl–Neelsen staining technique to identify parasites. Chi-square test was conducted to determine the real predictors of the infection. Significant association was considered when p-value <0.05 at 95% CI. Results The overall magnitude of intestinal parasitic infections among the study population was 16.9% (95% CI: 13.0–20.8%). The most predominant parasitic infections were Cryptosporidium spp. (9.6%) and the least was Taenia spp. (0.78%). Diarrheal status (χ2=7.653, df=2, p=0.022) was detected to be the only significant associated variable. Conclusion Cryptosporidium infection was found to be the most common intestinal parasitosis among HIV-infected children. Routine screening service for Cryptosporidium and other intestinal parasites is important in the clinical management of HIV-infected children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blatu Gebre
- Hawassa University, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Department of Biology, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Tsegaye Alemayehu
- Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Mekonin Girma
- Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Freshwork Ayalew
- Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse
- Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Techalew Shemelis
- Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Hawassa, Ethiopia
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