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Rooney J, Rivera-de-Torre E, Li R, Mclean K, Price DR, Nisbet AJ, Laustsen AH, Jenkins TP, Hofmann A, Bakshi S, Zarkan A, Cantacessi C. Structural and functional analyses of nematode-derived antimicrobial peptides support the occurrence of direct mechanisms of worm-microbiota interactions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1522-1533. [PMID: 38633385 PMCID: PMC11021794 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.04.019] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The complex relationships between gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and the host gut microbiota have been implicated in key aspects of helminth disease and infection outcomes. Nevertheless, the direct and indirect mechanisms governing these interactions are, thus far, largely unknown. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate that the excretory-secretory products (ESPs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) of key GI nematodes contain peptides that, when recombinantly expressed, exert antimicrobial activity in vitro against Bacillus subtilis. In particular, using time-lapse microfluidics microscopy, we demonstrate that exposure of B. subtilis to a recombinant saposin-domain containing peptide from the 'brown stomach worm', Teladorsagia circumcincta, and a metridin-like ShK toxin from the 'barber's pole worm', Haemonchus contortus, results in cell lysis and significantly reduced growth rates. Data from this study support the hypothesis that GI nematodes may modulate the composition of the vertebrate gut microbiota directly via the secretion of antimicrobial peptides, and pave the way for future investigations aimed at deciphering the impact of such changes on the pathophysiology of GI helminth infection and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Rooney
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ruizhe Li
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Mclean
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Kulmbach, Germany
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Somenath Bakshi
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ashraf Zarkan
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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2
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Sy D, Senghor B, Sokhna C, Diallo MA, Wotodjo AN, Sow D, Doucoure S. Exploring the Adaptation of Bulinus senegalensis and Bulinus umbilicatus to the Dry and Rainy Season in Ephemeral Pond in Niakhar (Senegal), an Area of Seasonal Transmission of Urogenital Schistosomiasis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:121. [PMID: 38922033 PMCID: PMC11209171 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9060121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bulinus snails surviving drought play a key role in the seasonal transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis, although our knowledge of their adaptation to dry season is still limited. We investigated the survival dynamic and infestation by the Schistosoma haematobium of Bulinus snails during the dry and rainy seasons in a single pond in an area of seasonal schistosomiasis transmission in Senegal. During the rainy season, 98 (94.23%) B. senegalensis and six (5.76%) B. umbilicatus were collected, respectively. In the dry season, B. umbilicatus outnumbered B. senegalensis, but all five (100%) B. senegalensis collected were viable and alive after the interruption of aestivation by immersion in water, while only 7 of 24 (29.16%) B. umbilicatus collected emerged from their dormant state. The rate of infestation with S. haeamatobium during the rainy season was 18.2% (19/104), while all the viable snails collected during the dry season were negative. B. senegalensis and B. umbilicatus have different seasonal dynamics with no evidence of maintaining S. haematobium infestation during the drought. Further studies including more survey sites and taking account both snails biology and ecological conditions are needed to better understand snail adaptation to seasonal changes and their ability to maintain S. haeamatobium infestation during drought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diara Sy
- EMR MINES: Maladies Infectieuses, Négligées et Émergentes au Sud, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Campus International Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-Université-Cheikh Anta Diop of Hann, Dakar BP 1386, Senegal; (D.S.); (B.S.); (C.S.); (M.A.D.); (A.N.W.)
- EMR MINES Maladies Infectieuses, Négligées et Émergentes au Sud, Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Senghor
- EMR MINES: Maladies Infectieuses, Négligées et Émergentes au Sud, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Campus International Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-Université-Cheikh Anta Diop of Hann, Dakar BP 1386, Senegal; (D.S.); (B.S.); (C.S.); (M.A.D.); (A.N.W.)
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- EMR MINES: Maladies Infectieuses, Négligées et Émergentes au Sud, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Campus International Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-Université-Cheikh Anta Diop of Hann, Dakar BP 1386, Senegal; (D.S.); (B.S.); (C.S.); (M.A.D.); (A.N.W.)
- EMR MINES Maladies Infectieuses, Négligées et Émergentes au Sud, Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Mamadou Aliou Diallo
- EMR MINES: Maladies Infectieuses, Négligées et Émergentes au Sud, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Campus International Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-Université-Cheikh Anta Diop of Hann, Dakar BP 1386, Senegal; (D.S.); (B.S.); (C.S.); (M.A.D.); (A.N.W.)
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Université-Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar BP 5005, Senegal
| | - Amélé Nyedzie Wotodjo
- EMR MINES: Maladies Infectieuses, Négligées et Émergentes au Sud, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Campus International Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-Université-Cheikh Anta Diop of Hann, Dakar BP 1386, Senegal; (D.S.); (B.S.); (C.S.); (M.A.D.); (A.N.W.)
| | - Doudou Sow
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Santé, Université Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis BP 234, Senegal;
| | - Souleymane Doucoure
- EMR MINES: Maladies Infectieuses, Négligées et Émergentes au Sud, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Campus International Institut de Recherche pour le Développement-Université-Cheikh Anta Diop of Hann, Dakar BP 1386, Senegal; (D.S.); (B.S.); (C.S.); (M.A.D.); (A.N.W.)
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3
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Williams PDE, Brewer MT, Aroian RV, Robertson AP, Martin RJ. The nematode (Ascaris suum) intestine is a location of synergistic anthelmintic effects of Cry5B and levamisole. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011835. [PMID: 38758969 PMCID: PMC11139322 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
A novel group of biocidal compounds are the Crystal 3D (Cry) and Cytolytic (Cyt) proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Some Bt Cry proteins have a selective nematocidal activity, with Cry5B being the most studied. Cry5B kills nematode parasites by binding selectively to membrane glycosphingolipids, then forming pores in the cell membranes of the intestine leading to damage. Cry5B selectively targets multiple species of nematodes from different clades and has no effect against mammalian hosts. Levamisole is a cholinergic anthelmintic that acts by selectively opening L-subtype nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ion-channels (L-AChRs) that have been found on muscles of nematodes. A synergistic nematocidal interaction between levamisole and Cry5B at the whole-worm level has been described previously, but the location, mechanism and time-course of this synergism is not known. In this study we follow the timeline of the effects of levamisole and Cry5B on the Ca2+ levels in enterocyte cells in the intestine of Ascaris suum using fluorescence imaging. The peak Ca2+ responses to levamisole were observed after approximately 10 minutes while the peak responses to activated Cry5B were observed after approximately 80 minutes. When levamisole and Cry5B were applied simultaneously, we observed that the responses to Cry5B were bigger and occurred sooner than when it was applied by itself. It is proposed that the synergism is due to the cytoplasmic Ca2+ overload that is induced by the combination of levamisole opening Ca2+ permeable L-subtype nAChRs and the Ca2+ permeable Cry5B toxin pores produced in the enterocyte plasma membranes. The effect of levamisole potentiates and speeds the actions of Cry5B that gives rise to bigger Ca2+ overloads that accelerates cell-death of the enterocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D. E. Williams
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Matthew T. Brewer
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Raffi V. Aroian
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alan P. Robertson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Martin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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Shanley HT, Taki AC, Nguyen N, Wang T, Byrne JJ, Ang CS, Leeming MG, Nie S, Williamson N, Zheng Y, Young ND, Korhonen PK, Hofmann A, Chang BCH, Wells TNC, Häberli C, Keiser J, Jabbar A, Sleebs BE, Gasser RB. Structure-activity relationship and target investigation of 2-aryl quinolines with nematocidal activity. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 24:100522. [PMID: 38295619 PMCID: PMC10845918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100522] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Within the context of our anthelmintic discovery program, we recently identified and evaluated a quinoline derivative, called ABX464 or obefazimod, as a nematocidal candidate; synthesised a series of analogues which were assessed for activity against the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans; and predicted compound-target relationships by thermal proteome profiling (TPP) and in silico docking. Here, we logically extended this work and critically evaluated the anthelmintic activity of ABX464 analogues on Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm) - a highly pathogenic nematode of ruminant livestock. First, we tested a series of 44 analogues on H. contortus (larvae and adults) to investigate the nematocidal pharmacophore of ABX464, and identified one compound with greater potency than the parent compound and showed moderate activity against a select number of other parasitic nematodes (including Ancylostoma, Heligmosomoides and Strongyloides species). Using TPP and in silico modelling studies, we predicted protein HCON_00074590 (a predicted aldo-keto reductase) as a target candidate for ABX464 in H. contortus. Future work aims to optimise this compound as a nematocidal candidate and investigate its pharmacokinetic properties. Overall, this study presents a first step toward the development of a new nematocide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison T Shanley
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph J Byrne
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael G Leeming
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas Williamson
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Yuanting Zheng
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; National Reference Centre for Authentic Food, Max Rubner-Institut, 95326, Kulmbach, Germany
| | - Bill C H Chang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Tim N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cécile Häberli
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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5
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Shanley HT, Taki AC, Nguyen N, Wang T, Byrne JJ, Ang CS, Leeming MG, Williamson N, Chang BCH, Jabbar A, Sleebs BE, Gasser RB. Comparative structure activity and target exploration of 1,2-diphenylethynes in Haemonchus contortus and Caenorhabditis elegans. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100534. [PMID: 38554597 PMCID: PMC10992699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Infections and diseases caused by parasitic nematodes have a major adverse impact on the health and productivity of animals and humans worldwide. The control of these parasites often relies heavily on the treatment with commercially available chemical compounds (anthelmintics). However, the excessive or uncontrolled use of these compounds in livestock animals has led to major challenges linked to drug resistance in nematodes. Therefore, there is a need to develop new anthelmintics with novel mechanism(s) of action. Recently, we identified a small molecule, designated UMW-9729, with nematocidal activity against the free-living model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we evaluated UMW-9729's potential as an anthelmintic in a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study in C. elegans and the highly pathogenic, blood-feeding Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm), and explored the compound-target relationship using thermal proteome profiling (TPP). First, we synthesised and tested 25 analogues of UMW-9729 for their nematocidal activity in both H. contortus (larvae and adults) and C. elegans (young adults), establishing a preliminary nematocidal pharmacophore for both species. We identified several compounds with marked activity against either H. contortus or C. elegans which had greater efficacy than UMW-9729, and found a significant divergence in compound bioactivity between these two nematode species. We also identified a UMW-9729 analogue, designated 25, that moderately inhibited the motility of adult female H. contortus in vitro. Subsequently, we inferred three H. contortus proteins (HCON_00134350, HCON_00021470 and HCON_00099760) and five C. elegans proteins (F30A10.9, F15B9.8, B0361.6, DNC-4 and UNC-11) that interacted directly with UMW-9729; however, no conserved protein target was shared between the two nematode species. Future work aims to extend the SAR investigation in these and other parasitic nematode species, and validate individual proteins identified here as possible targets of UMW-9729. Overall, the present study evaluates this anthelmintic candidate and highlights some challenges associated with early anthelmintic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison T Shanley
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph J Byrne
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael G Leeming
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas Williamson
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Bill C H Chang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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6
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Shanley HT, Taki AC, Nguyen N, Wang T, Byrne JJ, Ang CS, Leeming MG, Nie S, Williamson N, Zheng Y, Young ND, Korhonen PK, Hofmann A, Wells TNC, Jabbar A, Sleebs BE, Gasser RB. Structure activity relationship and target prediction for ABX464 analogues in Caenorhabditis elegans. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 98:117540. [PMID: 38134663 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Global challenges with treatment failures and/or widespread resistance in parasitic worms against commercially available anthelmintics lend impetus to the development of new anthelmintics with novel mechanism(s) of action. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model organism used for drug discovery, including the screening and structure-activity investigation of new compounds, and target deconvolution. Previously, we conducted a whole-organism phenotypic screen of the 'Pandemic Response Box' (from Medicines for Malaria Venture, MMV) and identified a hit compound, called ABX464, with activity against C. elegans and a related, parasitic nematode, Haemonchus contortus. Here, we tested a series of 44 synthesized analogues to explore the pharmacophore of activity on C. elegans and revealed five compounds whose potency was similar or greater than that of ABX464, but which were not toxic to human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Subsequently, we employed thermal proteome profiling (TPP), protein structure prediction and an in silico-docking algorithm to predict ABX464-target candidates. Taken together, the findings from this study contribute significantly to the early-stage drug discovery of a new nematocide based on ABX464. Future work is aimed at validating the ABX464-protein interactions identified here, and at assessing ABX464 and associated analogues against a panel of parasitic nematodes, towards developing a new anthelmintic with a mechanism of action that is distinct from any of the compounds currently-available commercially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison T Shanley
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph J Byrne
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Michael G Leeming
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas Williamson
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Yuanting Zheng
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; National Reference Centre for Authentic Food, Max Rubner-Institut, 95326 Kulmbach, Germany
| | - Tim N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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7
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Nevin WD, Jones J, Tupper D, Dunbar JAT, Wilson D, Ross D, Woolley S, Dodd J, Biswas J, Lamb L, Beeching NJ, O’Shea MK, Fletcher TE. Gastrointestinal parasite infections in Nepalese Gurkha recruits arriving in the United Kingdom from 2012-2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011931. [PMID: 38277403 PMCID: PMC10849272 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections are a major cause of global morbidity, infecting hundreds of millions of people each year and potentially leading to lifelong infection and serious complications. Few data exist on screening for GIP infections in migrants entering the UK or on the current performance of different traditional diagnostic approaches. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of GIP infections in Nepalese Gurkha recruits screened on arrival in the UK. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We present a retrospective analysis of data from screening male adults (18-21 years) who arrived in the UK from Nepal between 2012 and 2020. Three separate faecal samples were obtained from participants at weekly intervals and processed for formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) concentration/light microscopy and charcoal culture. Serum samples were analysed for IgG antibodies to Strongyloides stercoralis by ELISA. Results were available from 2,263 participants, of whom 463 (20.5%, 95% CI 18.8%-22.2%) had a positive diagnostic test for at least one GIP infection. A total of 525 potential infections were identified. Giardia duodenalis was most common (231/2263, 10.2%), followed by S. stercoralis (102/2263, 4.5%), and hookworm species (86/2263, 3.8%). Analysis (microscopy and culture) of the initial stool sample diagnosed only 244/427 (57.1%) faecally identified pathogens, including 41/86 (47.7%) hookworm infections. The proportion of participants infected with any GIP showed a downward trend over the study period. Log-binomial regression showed risk of infection decreasing by 6.1% year-on-year (95% CI 3.2% - 9.0%). This was driven predominantly by a fall in hookworm, S. stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura prevalence. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The level of potentially pathogenic GIP infection in young Nepalese men migrating to the UK is high (20.5%) and requires a combined diagnostic approach including serology and analysis of multiple stool samples incorporating specialised parasitological methods. Advances in molecular approaches may optimise and simplify the intensive screening strategy required.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D. Nevin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Jayne Jones
- Clinical Diagnostic Parasitology Laboratory, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Donna Tupper
- Medical Centre, Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, United Kingdom
| | - James A. T. Dunbar
- Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, United Kingdom
- 212 Field Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps, Defence Medical Services, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan Wilson
- Headquarters Defence Medical Services Group, Defence Medical Directorate, ICT Building, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - David Ross
- Defence Public Health Unit, Defence Medical Services, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Woolley
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - James Dodd
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Biswas
- Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Lamb
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- Academic Department of Military Medicine, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Beeching
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew K. O’Shea
- Centre of Defence Pathology, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas E. Fletcher
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Tadele T, Astatkie A, Tadesse BT, Makonnen E, Aklillu E, Abay SM. Efficacy and safety of praziquantel treatment against Schistosoma mansoni infection among pre-school age children in southern Ethiopia. Trop Med Health 2023; 51:72. [PMID: 38124206 PMCID: PMC10731898 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-023-00562-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preventive chemotherapy with a single dose of praziquantel given to an all-at-risk population through mass drug administration is the cornerstone intervention to control and eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem. This intervention mainly targets school age children, and pre-school age children (pre-SAC) are excluded from receiving preventive chemotherapy, partly due to scarcity of data on praziquantel treatment outcomes. METHODS We conducted active efficacy and safety surveillance of praziquantel treatment among 240 Schistosoma mansoni-infected pre-SAC who received a single dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg) in southern Ethiopia. The study outcomes were egg reduction rates (ERR) and cure rates (CRs) four weeks after treatment using the Kato-Katz technique and treatment-associated adverse events (AEs) that occurred within 8 days post-treatment. RESULTS The overall ERR was 93.3% (WHO reference threshold ≥ 90%), while the CR was 85.2% (95% CI = 80.0-89.5%). Baseline S. mansoni infection intensity was significantly associated with CRs, 100% among light infected than moderate (83.4%) or heavy (29.4%) infected children. An increase of 100 in baseline S. mansoni egg count per gram of stool resulted in a 26% (95% CI: 17%, 34%) reduction in the odds of cure. The incidence of experiencing at least one type of AE was 23.1% (95% CI: 18.0%, 29.0%). Stomachache, diarrhea, and nausea were the most common AEs. AEs were mild-to-moderate grade and transient. Pre-treatment moderate (ARR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.69, 6.14) or heavy infection intensity (ARR = 6.5, 95% CI: 3.62, 11.52) was a significant predictor of AEs (p < 0.001). Sex, age, or soil-transmitted helminth coinfections were not significant predictors of CR or AEs. CONCLUSIONS Single-dose praziquantel is tolerable and effective against S. mansoni infection among pre-SAC, and associated AEs are mostly mild-to-moderate and transient. However, the reduced CR in heavily infected and AEs in one-fourth of S. mansoni-infected pre-SAC underscores the need for safety and efficacy monitoring, especially in moderate-to-high infection settings. Integrating pre-SACs in the national deworming programs is recommended to accelerate the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tafese Tadele
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Ayalew Astatkie
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Eyasu Makonnen
- Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Eleni Aklillu
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Solomon Mequanente Abay
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Gelape FA, Couto CA, Cançado GGL. β-Blockers in Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis: A Narrative Review. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:1213-1219. [PMID: 37931294 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) is a serious complication of chronic schistosomiasis that can result in portal hypertension and variceal bleeding. β-blockers, a class of medications commonly used to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions, have been investigated for their potential use in preventing variceal bleeding in HSS. Several studies have shown that β-blockers can reduce portal pressure and prevent variceal bleeding effectively in these patients. However, there are limited data on the long-term efficacy and safety of β-blockers in this setting, and further research is needed to determine the optimal use of these medications. This review summarizes the evidence supporting current recommendations of β-blocker use in patients with HSS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Alves Couto
- Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Grossi Lopes Cançado
- Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Hospital da Polícia Militar de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Okoyo C, Orowe I, Onyango N, Montresor A, Mwandawiro C, Medley GF. Optimal control analysis of a transmission interruption model for the soil-transmitted helminth infections in Kenya. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 4:100162. [PMID: 38089690 PMCID: PMC10714213 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Kenya is among the countries endemic for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) with over 66 subcounties and over 6 million individuals being at-risk of infection. Currently, the country is implementing mass drug administration (MDA) to all the at-risk groups as the mainstay control strategy. This study aimed to develop and analyze an optimal control (OC) model, from a transmission interruption model, to obtain an optimal control strategy from a mix of three strategies evaluated. The study used the Pontryagin's maximum principle to solve, numerically, the OC model. The analysis results clearly demonstrated that water and sanitation when implemented together with the MDA programme offer the best chances of eliminating these tenacious and damaging parasites. Thus, we advocate for optimal implementation of the combined mix of the two interventions in order to achieve STH elimination in Kenya, and globally, in a short implementation period of less than eight years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collins Okoyo
- School of Mathematics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control (ESACIPAC), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Epidemiology, Statistics and Informatics (DESI), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Idah Orowe
- School of Mathematics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nelson Onyango
- School of Mathematics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Charles Mwandawiro
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control (ESACIPAC), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Graham F. Medley
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, United Kingdom
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Potes-Morales C, Crespo-Ortiz MDP. Molecular diagnosis of intestinal protozoa in young adults and their pets in Colombia, South America. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283824. [PMID: 37220135 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections have been considered a relevant public health problem due to the increased incidence worldwide. In developing countries, diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms cause impaired work capacity in adults and delayed rate growth in children. Enteric infections of unknown etiology can often lead to misdiagnosis, increased transmission, and morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in a young adult population and their pets. Stool samples from 139 university students and 44 companion animals were subjected to microscopy diagnosis using wet mounts, concentration by zinc sulphate flotation and staining techniques (Kinyoun and trichrome stain). Molecular diagnosis of protozoa was also performed by conventional PCR. The mean age was 24 years, 54% individuals were female, 46% were men, and 66% had at least one pet. The overall prevalence for at least one parasite was 74.8% and the rate of polyparasitism was 37.5%. Eighty-three patients (59.7%) were positive for Blastocystis spp., followed by Cryptosporidium spp. 24.5%, Endolimax nana 13.6%, Entamoeba dispar/E. moshkovskii 7.8% and Giardia intestinalis 1.4%. Molecular diagnosis substantially improved Cryptosporidium spp. and Blastocystis spp. detection and allowed to distinguish E. histolytica from commensals in the Entamoeba complex. Student's pets were also examined for parasitism. Samples from 27 dogs, 15 cats, one rabbit and one hen were analyzed, and parasites were detected in 30 (68.2%) as follows: Cryptosporidium spp. (24) Giardia spp. (4), hookworm (3), Endolimax nana (2) and Toxoplasma gondii (1). Overall, university students showed high prevalence of parasitism and polyparasitism suggesting exposure to parasite infected animals and contaminated environments. Cryptosporidium spp. was the predominant pathogen in human and domestic animals, and it was only detected by PCR, pointing out the need for sensitive tests in diagnosis and surveillance. Control strategies to prevent the effects of parasitic infections in young population should consider pets as reservoirs and transmission source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterine Potes-Morales
- Department of Microbiology, Section of Parasitology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
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Xu Y, Wang Y, Wang L, Kong X, Yan G, Li Y, Bu C, Zhang B. The prevalence of soil transmitted helminths and its influential factors in Shandong Province, China: an analysis of surveillance data from 2016 to 2020. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:54. [PMID: 37217956 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01100-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) were previously endemic in Shandong Province, China. This study aimed to analyze the STHs prevalence trend and the natural, social, and human cognitive and behavioural factors influencing the discrepancies between high and low infection levels from 2016 to 2020 in Shandong Province in eastern China. METHODS STHs surveillance data of Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020 were obtained from China Information Management System for Prevention and Control of Parasitic Diseases. STHs infections were detected by modified Kato-Katz method. Comprehensive information on the natural and social factors, STHs-related knowledge and behaviours were collected through questionnaire surveys. Retrospective spatial scan analysis was performed using SaTScan v10.1 to evaluate any identified spatial clusters of STHs infection for statistical significance and Bayes discriminant analysis was used to discriminate the high or low infection groups of the villages. RESULTS In total, 72,160 participants were involved in our survey from 2016 to 2020. The overall STHs prevalence rate was 1.13%, with the eastern region of Shandong Province having the highest rate (2.02%). The predominant species was T. trichiura, with the prevalence rate of 0.99% and the ≥ 70-year age group possessed the highest rate of 2.21%. The STHs prevalence rate showed an annual linear downward trend from 2016 to 2020 ([Formula: see text] = 127.600, P < 0.001). Respondents aged ≥ 60 years had the lowest awareness level of STHs-related prevention knowledge (all P < 0.05), and were the most likely to adopt the practice of fertilizing with fresh stool (χ2 = 28.354, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the southern region demonstrated the highest temperature and rainfall level and the lowest GNP and annual net income per capita (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a remarkable declining in STHs prevalence in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020. However, the prevalence rates of STHs especially T. trichiura in the southern and eastern regions were still high, and the elderly were more susceptible to be infected with STHs owning to their low awareness level of STHS-related prevention knowledge and high adoption rate of dangerous production and living behaviours. Integrated approaches of health education, environment improvement and behaviour change should be strengthened to obtain a further reduction of STHs prevalence in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.11 Taibai Middle Road, Rencheng District, Jining City, 272033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongbin Wang
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.11 Taibai Middle Road, Rencheng District, Jining City, 272033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Longjiang Wang
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.11 Taibai Middle Road, Rencheng District, Jining City, 272033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangli Kong
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.11 Taibai Middle Road, Rencheng District, Jining City, 272033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ge Yan
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.11 Taibai Middle Road, Rencheng District, Jining City, 272033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuejin Li
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.11 Taibai Middle Road, Rencheng District, Jining City, 272033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Cancan Bu
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.11 Taibai Middle Road, Rencheng District, Jining City, 272033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Benguang Zhang
- Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.11 Taibai Middle Road, Rencheng District, Jining City, 272033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
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Ismail HAHA, Cha S, Jin Y, Hong ST. Programmatic Implications for Schistosomiasis Elimination Based on Community-Based Survey in the Blue Nile, North Kordofan, and Sennar States, Sudan. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041049. [PMID: 37109578 PMCID: PMC10143570 DOI: 10.3390/life13041049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis prevalence has remained high in some areas due to reinfection despite repeated mass drug administration interventions. We aimed to explore its risk factors in order to help to design adequate interventions in such high-transmission areas. A total of 6225 individuals residing in 60 villages in 8 districts of North Kordofan, Blue Nile, or Sennar States, Sudan participated in the community-based survey in March 2018. First, we investigated Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni prevalences among school-aged children and adults. Second, the associations between risk factors and schistosomiasis were explored. Those without any type of latrine in their households had higher odds of being infected with schistosomiasis than those with a latrine (odds ratio (OR) = 1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-1.94; p = 0.001), and the odds of being positive for schistosomiasis among people living in a household without an improved latrine were higher than for their counterparts with an improved latrine (OR = 1.63; CI 1.05-2.55; p = 0.03). Furthermore, people with households or outside compounds found to contain human faeces had higher odds of being infected with schistosomiasis than their counterparts (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.01-1.83, p = 0.04). Installing an improved latrine and eliminating open defecation should be highlighted in schistosomiasis elimination projects in high-transmission areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seungman Cha
- Department of Global Development and Entrepreneurship, Graduate School of Global Development and Entrepreneurship, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Microbiology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Hong
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
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Adams SH, Endy TP, Larsen DA. Using Google Trends to Estimate the Geographic Distribution of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis in the United States from 2016 to 2021. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8040212. [PMID: 37104338 PMCID: PMC10145709 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth infections are assumed to be uncommon in the US, despite numerous studies in the past few decades showing high burdens in Appalachia and the southern states. We assessed trends of interest in the Google search engine to gauge spatiotemporal patterns of potential soil-transmitted helminth transmission. We conducted a further ecological study comparing Google search trends to risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth transmission. Google search trends for terms related to soil-transmitted helminths were clustered in Appalachia and the south, with seasonal surges suggestive of endemic transmission for hookworm, roundworm (Ascaris), and threadworm. Furthermore, lower access to plumbing, increased septic tank use, and more rural environments were associated with increased soil-transmitted helminth-related Google search terms. Together, these results suggest that soil-transmitted helminthiasis remains endemic in parts of Appalachia and the south.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven H. Adams
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Timothy P. Endy
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - David A. Larsen
- Department of Public Health, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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Reinholdt C, Winkelmann F, Koslowski N, Reisinger EC, Sombetzki M. Unisexual infection with Schistosoma mansoni in mice has the potential to boost the immune response against eggs after challenge infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1125912. [PMID: 36923416 PMCID: PMC10009330 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1125912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The complexity of the Schistosoma spp. life cycle and their effective immune evasion strategies, makes vaccine development challenging. Unisexual infection models, that excludes any immunomodulatory effects of the parasite eggs, may contribute to a better understanding of complex immunological processes and identification of new targets for vaccine research. We have recently shown that long-term unisexual infection with schistosomes in mice results in an unpolarized Th1/Th2 response associated with an abnormally enlarged spleen and diffuse liver inflammation. Herein, we investigated whether (i) unisexual worms can mate after three months of single sex infection and (ii) thus the Th2 response induced by oviposition can reverse or heal the described systemic inflammation. Methods Therefore, we infected 6-8 weeks old female C57BL/6j mice with 100 male or female cercariae and reinfected with the opposite sex for the same period after 12 weeks. At 24 weeks after initial infection, we histologically examined worm mating, as evidenced by the presence of parasite eggs, infection-related pathology associated with eggs, and characterization of fibrosis in the livers. Results Single worms are able to mate months after unisexual infection and start oviposition. Egg deposition has been associated with a typical Th2 immune response in the liver after unisexual reinfection, accompanied by increased recruitment of CD4+ T cells. Hepatic collagen levels were significantly increased in the reinfected groups compared to the naive and unisexually infected group. Discussion Our results indicate that the eggs are able to restore the Th1/Th2 immune balance of a previous unisexual infection. However, the organ damage caused by the unisexual worms does not subside, but rather provides the baseline for the emerging egg-triggered inflammation and fibrosis. Since single schistosomes can mate even several weeks after unisexual infection and then accumulate worm- and egg-related organ damage, infection status without positive egg detection is very important, especially in areas with low prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Reinholdt
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Franziska Winkelmann
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nicole Koslowski
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Emil C Reisinger
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martina Sombetzki
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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