{"title":"Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a patient initiating corticosteroid therapy for hypereosinophilia: A case report","authors":"Ömer Uslu , Filiz Demirel , Gülden Aydoğ , Bedia Dinç , Ayşegül Taylan Özkan","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis)</em> is a soil-transmitted nematode that is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions. <em>S. stercoralis</em> has the ability to cause autoinfection, potentially leading to a chronic disease that can last for decades or result in severe hyperinfection especially in individuals who are taking corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications. Here, we report the case of a patient presenting a two-week history of symptoms including cough, fatigue, weight loss, pruritus, and rash. Due to a significant increase in the percentage of eosinophils, the patient was referred to the hematology clinic. The patient underwent a comprehensive evaluation that included an autoimmune panel, genetic testing, and imaging methods. The results of these investigations were found to be normal. The upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy revealed eosinophilic duodenitis and corticosteroid treatment was initiated. The commencement of corticosteroid therapy resulted in a worsening of the patient's symptoms. In the repeated endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract, the presence <em>of S. stercoralis</em> larvae was observed between the crypts. Subsequently, stool tests for <em>S. stercoralis</em> diagnosis were also found to be positive. The patient was at risk of developing a hyperinfection syndrome. Corticosteroids are commonly used to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms associated with eosinophilic disorders. The immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids are known to precipitate <em>S. stercoralis</em> hyperinfection syndrome, which can result in significant morbidity and mortality. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for <em>S. stercoralis</em> in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, particularly when presenting with unexplained eosinophilia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103024"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142922523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The antimalarial activity of transdermal N-89 mediated by inhibiting ERC gene expression in P. Berghei-infected mice","authors":"Hiroaki Matsumori , Thi Quyen Dinh , Shin-ichi Miyoshi , Masayuki Morita , Hye-Sook Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103026","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103026","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Through studies of new antimalarial drugs, we identified 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) as a potential drug candidate. Here, we analyzed the antimalarial action of a transdermal formulation (td) of N-89, designed for easy use by children, using <em>Plasmodium berghei</em>-infected mice as a model for malaria patients. The td N-89 or artemisinin (ART) formulation was transdermally administered to <em>P. berghei</em>-infected mice with 0.2–0.4 % parasitemia, twice daily for four days, at an effective dose of 90 % for malaria. Parasitemia was decreased in td N-89 and td ART groups during the drug treatment; then, three of the eight mice in td N-89 group were completely cured without relapse. Additionally, abnormal trophozoites in td N-89 group were observed 8 h after administration and increased up to 24 h. To study the change in endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) gene expression with td N-89, we investigated the gene expression of <em>P. berghei</em> ERC (<em>Pb</em>ERC) after td N-89 treatment. <em>Pb</em>ERC gene expression was increased time-dependently in control group, and was statistically decreased at 4 and 8 h and then increased similar to that of control group at 12 h in td ART group. In contrast, the expression in td N-89 group was almost steady starting from 0 h. We also studied parasite egress-related genes expression after td N-89 treatment, plasmepsin X, subtilisin-like protease 1 and merozoite surface protein 1, were suppressed at 12 h compared to control group. These results suggest that N-89 affects function of endoplasmic reticulum <em>via</em> regulating gene suppression and subsequently parasite growth is inhibited.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103026"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142909974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recommendations for protecting against epidemic diseases in Morocco following recent flooding","authors":"Mohamed Amine Baba","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The recent floods in Morocco, occurring from September 16 to September 30, 2024, have created significant public health challenges, particularly in the regions of Tata, Ouarzazate, and Errachidia. These flooding events have heightened the risk of epidemic diseases, including vector-borne diseases like malaria and leishmaniasis, as well as waterborne infections. This letter outlines critical recommendations to mitigate these risks, including enhanced epidemiological surveillance, distribution of insecticidetreated nets, targeted vector control programs, and community engagement. Additionally, improving sanitation and water access, along with promoting vaccination campaigns, will be essential in protecting public health in the affected areas. Implementing these strategies will strengthen Morocco's preparedness for future epidemic threats following natural disasters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103025"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ultrastructural expansion microscopy (U-ExM) visualization of malaria parasite dense granules using RESA as a representative marker protein","authors":"Junpei Fukumoto , Takafumi Tsuboi , Eizo Takashima","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dense granules (DG) are understudied apical organelles in merozoites, the malaria parasite stage that invades erythrocytes. Only six proteins have been identified which localize to DGs, despite that DG proteins play crucial roles in multiple steps of intraerythrocytic parasite development. To develop a tool for investigating DG structure and function, this study applied ultrastructural expansion microscopy (U-ExM) to visualize the ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) in <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> merozoites. Merozoites were expanded to approximately four times their original size, allowing the identification of DGs without the need for electron microscopy. RESA localization in merozoite DGs was confirmed by staining with a combination of anti-RESA mAb and protein staining by NHS-ester. The translocation of RESA to the infected erythrocyte membrane was also observed in early ring-stage parasites. These results are in good agreement with the RESA localization reported using immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). By using U-ExM, the identification of novel DG proteins will be facilitated without time-consuming IEM, thereby enhancing our understanding of erythrocyte parasitism by <em>P. falciparum.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103023"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142896695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmet Yıldırım, Tülay Aksoy, İbrahim Cüneyt Balcıoğlu
{"title":"Comparative Assessment of colorimetric assays in evaluating intracellular drug susceptibility of Leishmania tropica against conventional antileishmanial drugs","authors":"Ahmet Yıldırım, Tülay Aksoy, İbrahim Cüneyt Balcıoğlu","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to identify the most sensitive colorimetric test for assessing intracellular drug susceptibility of <em>Leishmania tropica</em> to conventional antileishmanial drugs. To this end, the efficacy of four colorimetric methods—MTT, XTT, MTS, and WST-8—was compared using reference <em>L. tropica</em> promastigotes. The intracellular drug susceptibility was further evaluated using the test with the widest absorbance range on isolates from Türkiye CL patients: two responsive to a single course of meglumine antimoniate (MA) and two that showed no clinical improvement after two treatments. CL isolates were identified via real-time PCR targeting the ITS1 region. Promastigote suspensions at standardized densities (0.08 × 10<sup>6</sup> to 10 × 10<sup>6</sup> promastigotes/well) were prepared in both RPMI (phenol red-containing) and RPMIØRP (phenol red-free) media, then analyzed with ELISA-based MTT, XTT, MTS, and WST-8 to identify the method with the broadest specific absorbance range. Intracellular drug susceptibility of CL isolates was subsequently assessed in a macrophage/amastigote model by infecting THP-1 macrophages with promastigotes from both reference and patient isolates, followed by treatment with MA, sodium stibogluconate (SSG), miltefosine (MTF), pentamidine (PMD), and amphotericin B (AmB). Promastigotes obtained from parasite rescue and transformation assays were analyzed using the most sensitive colorimetric method to determine IC₅₀ values. Species identification confirmed all four CL isolates as L. <em>tropica</em>, and the XTT assay provided the widest absorbance range in RPMIØRP media. IC₅₀ values for both treatment-responsive and unresponsive isolates were similar to those of the reference isolate, showing susceptibility to all tested drugs without statistically significant differences. Expanding the isolate set is necessary to further evaluate the predictive value of Sb<sup>V</sup> (pentavalent antimonials) susceptibility for treatment outcomes. The identification of XTT as the most sensitive method for intracellular antileishmanial susceptibility testing is expected to aid in standardizing laboratory models and provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians managing treatment-unresponsive CL cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103021"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142885760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Simple preservation of schistosome eggs with high infectivity up to 12 weeks","authors":"Yukiteru Ouji , Megumi Hamasaki , Masayasu Misu , Masahide Yoshikawa , Shinjiro Hamano","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lifecycle of schistosomes must be continuously maintained to clarify and understand this parasite in various aspects in laboratory settings. In the previous studies by other researchers, preservation of schistosome larvae or eggs was attempted by freezing with liquid nitrogen or organic chemicals, but frozen schistosomes were substantially impaired. The present study was conducted to determine whether schistosome eggs can be preserved under a non-frozen condition. The results showed that <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> eggs could be maintained in phosphate-buffered saline at 4 °C, with a high level of infectivity of miracidia to freshwater snails thereafter. Furthermore, the egg hatchability was maintained for up to 12 weeks with weekly exchanges of the medium. The cercariae derived from snails infected with miracidia from preserved eggs were highly infective to mice. This simple schistosome egg preservation method allow researchers to maintain the schistosome lifecycle without freezing or other special procedures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103020"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142877599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eliz Oliveira Franco , Laryssa Borges de Oliveira , Ana Cláudia Calchi , Victória Valente Califre de Mello , Daniel Antonio Braga Lee , Paulo Vitor Cadina Arantes , Gustavo Graciolli , Rosangela Zacarias Machado , Taciana Fernandes Souza Barbosa Coelho , Marcos Rogério André
{"title":"Genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in vampire bats and associated Streblidae bat flies in the Brazilian Amazon","authors":"Eliz Oliveira Franco , Laryssa Borges de Oliveira , Ana Cláudia Calchi , Victória Valente Califre de Mello , Daniel Antonio Braga Lee , Paulo Vitor Cadina Arantes , Gustavo Graciolli , Rosangela Zacarias Machado , Taciana Fernandes Souza Barbosa Coelho , Marcos Rogério André","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Among mammals, bats stand out as important reservoirs for <em>Bartonella</em> spp., second only to rodents. In Brazil, out of the 182 species of bats described, three are hematophagous: <em>Desmodus rotundus</em>, <em>Diphylla ecaudata</em> and <em>Diaemus youngii</em>. Considering that <em>Bartonella</em> species have been increasingly associated to disease in humans, the search for such agents in animal reservoirs and ectoparasites is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of bartonelloses. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in vampire bats and Streblidae bat flies in the Brazilian Amazon. For this purpose, 228 spleen samples of <em>D. rotundus</em> and 1 of <em>D. youngi</em> were collected from four states in the northern region of Brazil (Pará (<em>n</em> = 206/<em>D. rotundus</em>; <em>n</em> = 1/<em>D. youngii</em>), Roraima (<em>n</em> = 18/ <em>D. rotundus</em>), Amapá (<em>n</em> = 3/<em>D. rotundus</em>) and Amazonas (n = 1/<em>D. rotundus</em>). Additionally, 142 Streblidae bat flies were collected from 54 <em>D. rotundus</em> (23 <em>Strebla wiedemanni</em> and 118 <em>Trichobius parasiticus</em>) and one <em>D. youngii</em> (1 <em>Trichobius diaemi</em>). Seventy-three (31.9 %; 73/228) spleen samples of <em>D. rotundus</em> (62 from Pará, 9 from Roraima and 2 from Amapá) and 45/142 (31.7 %) Streblidae bat flies (1 <em>T. diaemi</em>, 8 <em>S. wiedemanni</em> and 36 <em>T. parasiticus</em>) were positive in qPCR for <em>Bartonella</em> spp. based on the <em>nuoG</em> gene. Phylogenetic analyses based on the <em>gltA</em> and <em>rpoB</em> genes positioned the sequences obtained together with genotypes previously detected in <em>D. rotundus</em> and bat-associated flies. High genotypic diversity was found among sequences obtained from bats and Streblidae flies (6 <em>gtlA</em> and 11 <em>rpoB</em> genotypes). The genotypes identified in <em>D. rotundus</em> in the present study were exclusively shared with sequences from <em>Bartonella</em> spp. detected in vampire bats, not overlapping with genotypes previously detected in non-hematophagous bats from Brazil. Most of the sequences detected in Streblidae bat flies formed unique genotypes for each dipteran species analyzed. The present study expanded the knowledge regarding the diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> genotypes in vampire bats and associated Streblidae flies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103019"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142847073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Population structure and temporal variation of Oncomelania hupensis snails in a currently Schistosoma japonicum-eliminated area of China using microsatellite analyses","authors":"Yu-Xin Qi , Han-Qi Peng , Meng-Rui Huang , Hui-Ying Sun , Qing Xu , Han-Xiang Zhang , Wei-Ling Gu , Da-Bing Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Schistosomiasis is the second most important tropical disease in terms of socio-economic and public health impact among human parasitic diseases. In China, <em>Oncomelania hupensis</em> is the only intermediate host of <em>Schistosoma japonicum</em>. Despite the significant progress made, the wide distribution of <em>O. hupensis</em> habitats remains a major challenge to eliminating <em>S. japonicum</em> across China. Therefore, it is important to understand the population genetics of <em>O. hupensis</em> in given environment in order to guide local snail control. In this study, <em>O. hupensis</em> snails were collected from five snail habitats/sites (i.e., DT, JC, XG, XP and YH) in Jiaxing city in Zhejiang province of China between 2022 and 2023, and population genetic analyses were conducted based on nine microsatellites. Results showed that four <em>O. hupensis</em> snail populations (i.e., JC, XP and YHs) from two proximity geographically distant districts clustered together, indicating genetic exchange. Snails collected in XG and YH showed significant temporal genetic variation between two years. However, bottleneck effects were only observed in snails from two sites (JC and YH). Although the hypothesis that snail control would greatly reduce the effective population size was not completely supported by our evidence, completely eradicating snails from XG site is possible. These findings will aid in the development of more practical guidelines for local snail monitoring and control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103018"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142818888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arsalan Said , Irfan Khattak , Rao Zahid Abbas , Tahir Usman , Sher Bahadar Khan , Rahat Ullah Khan , Christine M. Budke , Guilherme G. Verocai
{"title":"ELISA based seroprevalence and risk factors for three zoonotic parasites (Toxoplasma gondii, Echinococcus granulosus and Trichinella spiralis) in humans in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan","authors":"Arsalan Said , Irfan Khattak , Rao Zahid Abbas , Tahir Usman , Sher Bahadar Khan , Rahat Ullah Khan , Christine M. Budke , Guilherme G. Verocai","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Zoonotic parasitic infections can affect both animal and human health, while also having food safety and economic implications. These pathogens can also pose occupational risks for certain groups, including veterinary professionals, animal handlers, and butchers. This study was conducted in the district of Swabi located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of northwestern Pakistan. Serum samples from 187 males 15 years of age and older representing four different exposure groups were tested for the presence of specific antibodies to <em>Toxoplasma gondii, Echinococcus granulosus</em>, and <em>Trichinella spiralis</em> antigen using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The exposure groups were no current animal ownership, livestock ownership, dogs and/or cats in the household, and the occupation groups butchers, and veterinarians or para-veterinarians. Seropositivity for each parasite was evaluated by subgroup. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate possible associations between seropositivity, and potential categorical variables obtained through administration of a questionnaire. Anti-<em>Toxoplasma</em> antibodies were detected in 55 (29.4 %) of the 187 samples. In addition, 26.8 % (47/175) of individuals with available samples had antibodies to <em>E. granulosus</em>, and a single (0.5 %; 1/187) individual had antibodies to <em>T. spiralis</em>. One individual was seropositive for all three parasites and 9 individuals were seropositive for two parasites. The only significant factor was that <em>Echinococcus</em> seropositivity was associated with age group (<em>p</em> = 0.023) among butchers. The knowledge obtained through this study will be informative for the implementation of prevention and control strategies against these parasites at a local scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 103017"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142807593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}