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Štrkolcová G, Fiľakovská Bobáková D, Kaduková M, Schreiberová A, Klein D, Halán M, Urbančíková I. Intestinal parasitic infections in children from marginalised Roma communities: prevalence and risk factors. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:596. [PMID: 38890608 PMCID: PMC11184866 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09500-z] [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: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal parasitic infections remain a significant global health issue, particularly affecting poor and marginalised populations. These infections significantly contribute to children's diseases, malnutrition, poor school performance, cognitive disorders, and future economic losses. This study aimed to explore and compare the occurrence of intestinal parasites in early childhood among the group of infants from the Slovak majority population and from marginalised Roma communities (MRCs). Furthermore, it aimed to explore the health complaints of children with and without intestinal parasitic infection in the past month and assess the effect of various risk factors on the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infection in infants from MRCs. METHODS We obtained cross-sectional data from mothers and stool samples of their children aged 13-21 months using the first wave of the longitudinal RomaREACH study. A total of 181 stools from infants were analysed: 105 infants from the Slovak majority population and 76 from MRCs. RESULTS Infants from MRCs are significantly more often infected by Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Giardia duodenalis than their better-off peers from the majority population. Infection rates are 30% in infants from MRCs vs. 0% in the majority population (p < 0.001). Single and mixed infections were observed in children from MRCs. Infants with intestinal parasitic infections suffer significantly more often from various health complaints, particularly cough, stomach ache, irritability, and diarrhoea. Within MRCs, the risk of parasitic infections in infants is significantly increased by risk factors such as the absence of flushing toilets in households (OR = 4.17, p < 0.05) and contact with un-dewormed animals (OR = 3.61, p < 0.05). Together with the absence of running water in the household, these three factors combined increase the risk more than ten times (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Maintaining hygienic standards in conditions of socioeconomic deprivation in MRCs without running water and sewage in the presence of un-dewormed animals is problematic. These living conditions contribute to the higher prevalence of parasitic infections in children from MRCs, causing various health complaints and thus threatening their health and healthy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Štrkolcová
- Department of Epizootiology and Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Fiľakovská Bobáková
- Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, PJ Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia.
- Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacky University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia, Czechia.
| | - Michaela Kaduková
- Department of Epizootiology and Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Schreiberová
- Department of Epizootiology and Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Daniel Klein
- Institute of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, PJ Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Miloš Halán
- Department of Epizootiology and Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Ingrid Urbančíková
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, PJ Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
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Alhindawi M, Rhouati A, Noordin R, Cialla-May D, Popp J, Zourob M. Selection of ssDNA aptamers and construction of aptameric electrochemical biosensor for the detection of Giardia intestinalis trophozoite protein. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 267:131509. [PMID: 38608978 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131509] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Giardia intestinalis is one of the most widespread intestinal parasites and is considered a major cause of epidemic or sporadic diarrhea worldwide. In this study, we aimed to develop a rapid aptameric diagnostic technique for G. intestinalis infection. First, the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) process generated DNA aptamers specific to a recombinant protein of the parasite's trophozoite. Ten selection rounds were performed; each round, the DNA library was incubated with the target protein conjugated to Sepharose beads. Then, the unbound sequences were removed by washing and the specific sequences were eluted and amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Two aptamers were selected, and the dissociation constants (Kd), were determined as 2.45 and 16.95 nM, showed their high affinity for the G. intestinalis trophozoite protein. Subsequently, the aptamer sequence T1, which exhibited better affinity, was employed to develop a label-free electrochemical biosensor. A thiolated aptamer was covalently immobilized onto a gold screen-printed electrode (SPGE), and the binding of the targeted protein was monitored using square wave voltammetry (SWV). The developed aptasensor enabled accurate detection of the G. intestinalis recombinant protein within the range of 0.1 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL, with an excellent sensitivity (LOD of 0.35 pg/mL). Moreover, selectivity studies showed a negligible cross-reactivity toward other proteins such as bovine serum albumin, globulin, and G. intestinalis cyst protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alhindawi
- Department of Chemistry, Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, Al Takhassusi Rd, Riyadh 11355, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amina Rhouati
- Department of Chemistry, Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, Al Takhassusi Rd, Riyadh 11355, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rahmah Noordin
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Dana Cialla-May
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen Popp
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Mohammed Zourob
- Department of Chemistry, Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, Al Takhassusi Rd, Riyadh 11355, Saudi Arabia.
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Ibrahim A, Kamel NO, Rageh F, Elgamal R, Mansour Salama B, Sakr MA, Elhoseeny MM, Osman EM, Sayed S, Ramadan ME. The involvement of cytokine gene polymorphism in determining the vulnerability to Blastocystis and Helicobacter pylori co-infection in the Egyptian population. Acta Trop 2024; 252:107137. [PMID: 38364930 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107137] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
AIMS The present study aimed to identify any potential association between IL-1β and TNF-α gene polymorphism and the risk of Blastocystis infection as well as co-infection of Blastocystis with Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). METHODOLOGY A total of 314 stool samples were collected and examined microscopically for the detection of parasitic infection. DNA was extracted from all samples and utilized to identify Blastocystis molecularly. Positive samples were used for H. pylori detection by rapid tests and PCR. Moreover, we investigate polymorphism in the TNF-α gene at position -1031T/C, -308 G/A, and IL-1β at position +3954C/T using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. RESULTS Out of the 314 stool samples, Blastocystis was detected in 93 (29.6 %); among them, 54 (58.1 %) had a mixed infection of Blastocystis with H. pylori. The TT genotype of the IL-1β gene at position +3954 was significantly higher in Blasocystis-infected patients than in uninfected patients (17.2% vs. 6.3 %, P = 0.02), which might be considered a risk factor (OR = 3.2; CI =1.21-8.52). The TNF-α at position -1031 TT genotype was significantly higher in Blastocystis-infected patients than uninfected patients (44.1% vs. 10.8 %, P< 0.0001). The T allele (OR= 2.67; CI=1.51-4.72, P = 0.0008) might be considered a risk factor. The TNF- α at position -308 AA genotype is higher in Blasocystis infected than uninfected (17.2% vs 7.2 %, P = 0.03). TNF-α -308 AA (OR = 2.72; CI = 1.08-6.89) and A allele (OR= 1.46; CI= 0.797-2.66) might be considered risk factors. The TNF- α at position -308 G/A showed that the GG is the most frequent genotype in Blastocystis with H. pylori-positive patients with a significant association (P = 0.004), as well as the G allele (P = 0.02). The G allele (OR=1.924; CI= 1.071-3.454) might be considered a risk factor for co-infection of Blastocystis and H. pylori. CONCLUSION SNPs (-1031 T/C and -308 G/A) of the TNF-α and (+3954 C/T) of the IL-1β may be a useful marker in the assessment of the risk of Blastocystis infection, and TNF-α at position -308 G/A) may be a predictor for co-infection of Blastocystis with H. pylori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Ibrahim
- Genetic engineering and Biotechnology research institute, University of Sadat City (GEBRI, USC), Egypt; Departments of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University (Laboratory of Molecular Medical Parasitology, LMMP), Egypt.
| | - Nancy O Kamel
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Egypt
| | - Fatma Rageh
- Infectious disease, Gastroenterology and hepatology department, Suez University, Egypt
| | - Rasha Elgamal
- Clinical pathology department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez University, Egypt
| | - Bassam Mansour Salama
- Infectious and Endemic Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine Suez Canal University, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Sakr
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez University, P.O. Box:43221, Suez, Egypt
| | | | - Eman M Osman
- Immunology and allergy department, Medical Research Institute Alexandria University, Egypt
| | - Samar Sayed
- Community Medicine Faculty of Medicine, Suez University, Egypt
| | - Manar Ezzelarab Ramadan
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez University, P.O. Box:43221, Suez, Egypt
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Banerjee N, Gang SS, Castelletto ML, Ruiz F, Hallem EA. Carbon dioxide shapes parasite-host interactions in a human-infective nematode. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.28.587273. [PMID: 38585813 PMCID: PMC10996684 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.28.587273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Skin-penetrating nematodes infect nearly one billion people worldwide. The developmentally arrested infective larvae (iL3s) seek out hosts, invade hosts via skin penetration, and resume development inside the host in a process called activation. Activated infective larvae (iL3as) traverse the host body, ending up as parasitic adults in the small intestine. Skin-penetrating nematodes respond to many chemosensory cues, but how chemosensation contributes to host seeking, intra-host development, and intra-host navigation - three crucial steps of the parasite-host interaction - remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) in promoting parasite-host interactions in the human-infective threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis. We show that S. stercoralis exhibits life-stage-specific preferences for CO2: iL3s are repelled, non-infective larvae and adults are neutral, and iL3as are attracted. CO2 repulsion in iL3s may prime them for host seeking by stimulating dispersal from host feces, while CO2 attraction in iL3as may direct worms toward high-CO2 areas of the body such as the lungs and intestine. We also identify sensory neurons that detect CO2; these neurons are depolarized by CO2 in iL3s and iL3as. In addition, we demonstrate that the receptor guanylate cyclase Ss-GCY-9 is expressed specifically in CO2-sensing neurons and is required for CO2-evoked behavior. Ss-GCY-9 also promotes activation, indicating that a single receptor can mediate both behavioral and physiological responses to CO2. Our results illuminate chemosensory mechanisms that shape the interaction between parasitic nematodes and their human hosts and may aid in the design of novel anthelmintics that target the CO2-sensing pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navonil Banerjee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Spencer S. Gang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Michelle L. Castelletto
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Felicitas Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Elissa A. Hallem
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Lead contact
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Ugwuoke GM, Obi CF, Onu IJ, Idika IK. Therapeutic efficacy of Citrus aurantifolia (lime) juice in experimental Eimeria tenella-infected broiler chickens. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 56:8. [PMID: 38072881 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03840-9] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the present experiment was to explore the therapeutic effect of the crude fruit juice of Citrus aurantifolia (CAJ) on Eimeria tenella disorder in chickens. One hundred twenty 3-week-old Ross 308 broilers of equal sexes were assigned to six experimental groups of 20 birds each. Groups A, B, C, D, and E were experimentally infected with 20,000 sporulated Eimeria tenella oocysts. Broilers in groups A, B, and C were infected and allocated to three treatment-graded doses of C. aurantifolia fruit juice (20, 10, and 5 mL/kg body weight, respectively) which were administered orally for 7 consecutive days of the trial. Group D was infected and treated with a reference drug, Amprolium 1.5 g/L of drinking water (positive control), group E served as infected-untreated control, and group F was uninfected and non-treated (negative control). Oocysts per gram of feces were counted using the McMaster counting device, weight gain was calculated, and blood samples from each experimental group were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 post-infection for hematological evaluation. Results revealed that medication of broilers with C. aurantifolia fruit juice dose-dependently increased body weight, improved cecal lesion, decreased the E. tenella oocyst production rate, and significantly (P<0.05) increased the PCV of the infected broilers. C. aurantifolia provided valuable therapeutic effects against E. tenella-induced coccidiosis in broiler chickens. The plant fruit juice should be further validated to explore the vital compounds responsible for the anticoccidial efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garba Matthias Ugwuoke
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
| | - Chukwunonso Francis Obi
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Ifeoma Juliet Onu
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Idika Kalu Idika
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
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