Parasitology International最新文献

{"title":"Parasitic helminths and protozoa: Treasure boxes of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs","authors":"Yoshio Osada ,&nbsp;Shoichi Shimizu,&nbsp;Kentaro Morita","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103000","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.103000","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parasites generally survive in their hosts by employing various immunomodulation and immune evasion mechanisms. “helminth therapy” is one strategy that harnesses these parasite-specific beneficial properties for the therapeutic treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases. Although numerous experimental reports have documented the anti-autoimmune activities of parasitic infections and parasite-derived products, the underlying mechanisms remain insufficiently elucidated due to the significant diversity among parasite species and autoimmune conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders, presenting a substantial opportunity for the therapeutic use of parasites as novel disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In this paper, we summarize the immunomodulatory properties of parasites, focusing on their anti-arthritic mechanisms, and discuss the potential of parasite-derived products for the treatment of RA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 103000"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142731812","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":"A new focus of Taenia asiatica taeniasis in North Sumatra, Indonesia: Molecular confirmation and prevalence","authors":"Dewi Masyithah Darlan ,&nbsp;Hemma Yulfi ,&nbsp;Sunna Vyatra Hutagalung ,&nbsp;Merina Pangabean ,&nbsp;Yunilda Andriyani ,&nbsp;Irma Sepala Sari Siregar ,&nbsp;Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis ,&nbsp;Toni Wandra ,&nbsp;Ivan Elisabeth Purba ,&nbsp;Hiroshi Yamasaki ,&nbsp;Yasuhito Sako","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102996","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102996","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the Samosir Island of North Sumatra, Indonesia, the prevalence of taeniasis caused by <em>Taenia asiatica</em> was reported as 2.2 %–20.7 % during 1972–2005. In 2014, another <em>T. asiatica</em>-endemic area was confirmed in the Silau Kahean sub-district of Simalungun District, which is geographically distant from Samosir Island. This study was conducted in the Raya Kahean sub-district of Simalungun District adjacent to the Silau Kahean sub-district in September 2023. The aim was to identify a new <em>T. asiatica</em>-endemic area based on molecular confirmation in addition to determining the prevalence of taeniasis. Men aged ≥18 years and palm plantation male farmers showed a higher prevalence of taeniasis, with an overall prevalence of 21.7 % (93/428). A total of 14 proglottids obtained from 14 tapeworm carriers were identified as <em>T. asiatica</em> by COX1-multiplex PCR analysis, and a new <em>T. asiatica</em>-endemic area was detected in the Raya Kahean sub-district. Genetic analyses of COX1 and <em>pold</em> revealed that <em>T. asiatica</em> from North Sumatra has a poor genetic diversity and is a descendant of the hybrids of <em>T. asiatica</em> and <em>T. saginata</em>. Infections were associated with a habitual consumption of raw pig and wild boar livers. Basic sanitary education, improvement of traditional food habits, and implementation of sentinel surveillance and treatment for tapeworm carriers in endemic areas are required to prevent and control this parasitic disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 102996"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142710867","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":"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in sand fly saliva","authors":"Hirotomo Kato","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102998","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102998","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phlebotomine sand flies are very small hematophagous insects, and some species transmit human pathogens, such as <em>Leishmania</em> protozoa. Similar to other hematophagous insects, sand flies possess unique bioactive substances in their saliva to facilitate blood feeding. Active transcriptome and proteome analyses revealed that sand flies have unique molecules in their saliva that are structurally different from those of other arthropods. These components exert anticoagulant, antiplatelet, vasodilator, and anti-inflammatory effects on the host, and the unique bioactivities of each molecule are currently being characterized. Several bioactivities of salivary components have been associated with the exacerbation of <em>Leishmania</em> infection, and investigations on the molecular mechanisms responsible are underway. On the other hand, host immunity to some salivary components has been shown to confer protection against <em>Leishmania</em> infection, suggesting the potential of salivary components as vaccine candidates. Although some negative effects of protection by sand fly saliva have been reported, the identification of suitable immunogens and elucidation of appropriate protective immunity are expected for the development of a sand fly saliva vaccine against <em>Leishmania</em> infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 102998"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142710868","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":"Recent advances in identifying and characterizing secretory proteins of Toxoplasma gondii by CRISPR-based screening","authors":"Yuta Tachibana ,&nbsp;Masahiro Yamamoto","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102997","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102997","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The apicomplexan parasite, <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>, develops unique secretory organelles, such as micronemes, rhoptries, and dense granules, which do not exist in other well-studied eukaryotic organisms. These secretory organelles are key features of apicomplexan parasites and discharge various proteins that are essential for invasion, replication, egress, host-parasite interactions, and virulence. Many studies have therefore focused on identifying and characterizing the proteins secreted by <em>T. gondii</em> that play essential roles in pathology and that can be targeted for therapeutics and vaccine development. The recent development of functional genetic screens based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized this field and has enabled the identification of genes that contribute to parasite fitness <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>. Consequently, characterization of genes identified by unbiased CRISPR screens has revealed novel aspects of apicomplexan biology. In this review, we describe the development of CRIPSR-based screening technology for <em>T. gondii</em>, and recent advances in our understanding of secretory proteins identified and characterized by CRISPR-based screening.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 102997"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142716815","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":"Toxoplasma GRA15 expression on dendritic cells inhibits B cell differentiation and antibody production","authors":"Yuki Nakayama ,&nbsp;Fumiaki Ihara ,&nbsp;Daisuke Okuzaki ,&nbsp;Yoshifumi Nishikawa ,&nbsp;Miwa Sasai ,&nbsp;Masahiro Yamamoto","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102995","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102995","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One of the dense granule proteins named GRA15 in <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> (<em>T. gondii</em>), is known to support an innate immune response in host through activation of NF-κB. However, little is known about advantages of GRA15 for parasites. By examining the role of GRA15 in the host-parasite interactions, it was clarified that GRA15 in <em>T. gondii</em> suppressed acquired immune responses in host. Wild-type parasite infection to C57BL/6 mice resulted in lower titers of <em>T. gondii</em> antibody and lower plasma cell counts compared to Δgra15 <em>T. gondii</em>. To identify host cells in which GRA15 acts to suppress antibody production, we generated conditional knock-in mice that express GRA15 in specific cell lineages. Anti-<em>T. gondii</em> antibodies were not reduced in macrophages of conditional knock-in mice after infection with Δgra15 <em>T. gondii</em>, while the production of <em>T. gondii</em> antibody was suppressed in dendritic cells of the conditional knock-in mice (CD11c-Cre/GRA15cKI). In the CD11c-Cre/GRA15cKI immunized with ovalbumin (OVA), the titers of anti-OVA antibody were reduced compared to control mice. Furthermore, the number of OVA antigen-specific T cells was also decreased in CD11c-Cre/GRA15cKI. These data showed that GRA15 in dendritic cells suppressed T cell-mediated humoral immunity. These findings might implicate the pathological significance of GRA15 and facilitate <em>Toxoplasma</em> vaccines production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 102995"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142668592","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":"IL-10 is not required for the alleviation of collagen-induced arthritis by non-lethal malarial infection in mice","authors":"Shoichi Shimizu ,&nbsp;Junko Shin ,&nbsp;Takuma Ota ,&nbsp;Hirofumi Kondo ,&nbsp;Susumu Nakae ,&nbsp;Katsuko Sudo ,&nbsp;Eman M. Gaballah ,&nbsp;Kentaro Morita ,&nbsp;Yoshio Osada","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102993","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102993","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We previously reported that <em>Plasmodium yoelii</em> 17XNL (Py), a non-lethal rodent malarial parasite, could suppress collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and increase the production of T cell-derived interleukin (IL)-10. However, it remained unclear whether IL-10 is essential for the Py-induced suppression of CIA. Male IL-10 knockout (KO) DBA/1 J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (CII) and subsequently infected with Py at one week post-immunization. The development of arthritis was evaluated by an arthritis score up to 6 weeks post-immunization. At 3 weeks post-immunization, cytokine production from splenocytes and serum anti-CII IgG/IgG1/IgG2a levels were compared between non-infected control mice and Py-infected mice. Py infection inhibited the development of CIA in IL-10KO mice until 4 weeks post-immunization, after which the arthritis score reached levels comparable with the control mice. Both pro-arthritic (IL-17 and TNF-α) and anti-arthritic (IFN-γ and IL-4) cytokines were down-regulated during the periods of parasitemia, while no significant differences were observed in levels of anti-CII IgG antibodies. Our findings indicate that Py alleviates CIA via IL-10-independent mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 102993"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676259","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":"Labeling of miracidium using fluorescent agents to visualize infection of schistosome in intermediate host snails","authors":"Yukiteru Ouji ,&nbsp;Megumi Hamasaki ,&nbsp;Masayasu Misu ,&nbsp;Masahide Yoshikawa ,&nbsp;Shinjiro Hamano","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102994","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102994","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease affecting more than 250 million people worldwide. Schistosomes infect humans by cercariae penetrating the skin in a freshwater environment. Findings obtained more than 100 years prior showed that miracidium develops into cercaria in freshwater snails, though detailed development dynamics have not been elucidated. Although results of histological analyses of development of schistosomes in snails were presented in our previous studies, findings obtained with dynamic imaging have yet to be reported. In the present study, imaging of schistosome infection and dynamics in snails occuring within a short period was performed using fluorescent labeling agents. Labeling of <em>S. mansoni</em> cercariae with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) caused no toxicity, and allowed for monitoring of schistosome dynamics in snails for up to 10 days and release of infective cercariae without fluorescence in 40 days following infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 102994"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676394","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":"Infection status of Baylisascaris transfuga in captive Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) from three bile farms in South Korea, with molecular analyses","authors":"Nari Kim ,&nbsp;Tilak Chandra Nath ,&nbsp;Taegyu Choi ,&nbsp;Sunmin Kim ,&nbsp;Seongjun Choe","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102992","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102992","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bears harbor various endoparasites that pose risks to humans and other animals. However, information on parasitic infections in Asiatic black bears in South Korea (Korea) is limited, and potential hazards still exist because of the close contact between bears and humans on bile farms. The present study was conducted to assess the gastrointestinal parasite infection status in captive Asiatic black bears (<em>Ursus thibetanus</em>) at bile farms in Korea. Additionally, we aimed to characterize the molecular aspects of <em>Baylisascaris transfuga</em> (Nematoda: Ascarididae), the sole species investigated throughout the study. Fecal examinations were performed on a total of 84 fecal samples collected from three bear farms in Hwacheon-gun (gun = County) and Donghae-si (si = City), Gangwon-do (do = Province), and Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Eggs were identified morphologically, and an adult worm expelled in the feces was analyzed molecularly using the partial cytochrome <em>c</em> oxidase subunit 1 and 2 (<em>cox1</em> and <em>cox2</em>) gene markers. The prevalence of helminthic eggs was 10.7 %, identified as <em>B</em>. <em>transfuga</em> based on morphological characteristics. The eggs, which were oval and brown with thick shells, had a mean length of 87.3 ± 8.9 μm on the long axis and 70.7 ± 6.1 μm on the short axis (<em>n</em> = 30). An adult female roundworm found in the feces of one individual, measuring 27 cm in length and 0.4 cm in width, was also identified as same species through genetic methods. Herein, we described the prevalence of <em>B. transfuga</em> in captive bears in Korea and its molecular characteristics for the first time. Additionally, we reviewed the sequences of the genus <em>Baylisascaris</em> available in the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collection, noting that many of these sequences often have ambiguous or potentially incorrect identifications, complicating the understanding of their phylogenetic status. This investigation is part of disease screening efforts aimed at enhancing the welfare of captive bears prior to their imminent relocation to sanctuaries. Health monitoring and endoparasite control in farmed bears should be carried out in both veterinary and public health contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 102992"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142625977","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":"Emergence of genetic diversity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from snakes in China","authors":"Guodong Xiao ,&nbsp;Yilei Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhouchun Li ,&nbsp;Lingru He ,&nbsp;Lijie Tian ,&nbsp;Ayanniyi Olalekan Opeyemi ,&nbsp;Xinglong Song ,&nbsp;Qingxun Zhang ,&nbsp;Congshan Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102991","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102991","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</em> belongs to the phylum Microsporidia, a parasite reported to infect various domestic animals, wildlife and humans, thereby causing an intestinal disease characterized by severe or chronic diarrhea and malabsorption. The typical mode of transmission is contaminated water and food. Few studies on <em>E. bieneusi</em> infections have been reported in reptiles, however, our report focuses on the molecular characterization of <em>E. bieneusi</em> infection in snakes in China. We collected a total of 603 fecal samples from snakes in China. The samples were tested for the presence of <em>E. bieneusi</em> through PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) locus. Our analysis showed <em>E. bieneusi</em> overall prevalence rate of 15.59 %, the highest prevalence was recorded in Eastern rat snake (21.99 %), followed by Corn snake (19.63 %) while the prevalence of 18.39 %, 15.79 %, 13.56 % were recorded in Common garter snake, Pine snake, Hognose snake respectively. Eastern kingsnake has the lowest infection rate of 5.71 %. Genotype analysis identified 26 distinct genotypes: 8 known and 18 novel. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 25 genotypes belonged to Group 1, which includes isolates from various animal hosts and humans. However, genotype GX29 was classified under Group 9. Our study indicates that pet snakes are one of the potential sources of transmission of zoonotic microsporidiosis in China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 102991"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142625983","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":"Immunomodulation by Leishmania parasites: Potential for controlling other diseases","authors":"Yasuyuki Goto","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102987","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2024.102987","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the mammalian hosts, <em>Leishmania</em> parasites survive and proliferate within phagolysosomes of macrophages. To avoid being killed by the immune cells, <em>Leishmania</em> parasites utilize their molecules to manipulate macrophages' functions for survival. Targets of such immunomodulatory molecules are not limited to macrophages, as <em>Leishmania</em>-derived molecules sometimes show influence on other immune cells such as neutrophils, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells. This review covers research on immunomodulation of host immunity by <em>Leishmania</em> parasites and introduces some examples of parasite-derived molecules participating in the immunomodulation. For example, <em>Leishmania</em> cell surface lipophosphoglycan (LPG) can modulate TLR2 signaling and PI3K/Akt axis in macrophages leading to induction of Th2 cells. Because chronic secretion of inflammatory cytokines is one of the causes of immune-mediated diseases such as atherosclerosis, Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, LPG may be useful as a drug to suppress the inflammatory conditions. The unique characteristics of leishmanial molecules pose a promise as a source of immunomodulatory drugs for controlling diseases other than leishmaniasis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 102987"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142625985","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}