Parasitology international
-
An estimated 229 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide in 2019. Both, Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax are responsible for most of the malaria disease burden in the world. Despite difficulties in obtaining an accurate number, the global estimates of cases in 2019 are approximately 229 million of which 2.8% are due to P. vivax, and the total number of malaria deaths are approximately 409 million. ⋯ This is caused by the mechanism that the parasite has evolved to remain dormant in the liver forming hypnozoites. Furthermore, while clinical trials of vaccines against P. falciparum are making fast progress, a very different picture is seen with P. vivax, where only few candidates are currently active in clinical trials. We discuss the challenge that represent the hypnozoite for P. vivax vaccine development, the potential of Controlled Human Malaria Challenges (CHMI) and the leading vaccine candidates assessed in clinical trials.
-
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been declared eliminated in Sri Lanka in September 2016. To maintain elimination status, a surveillance system to detect hidden endemic foci or LF resurgence is of highest priority. In this paper, we have reported an investigation of LF transmission in Trincomalee district where a surveillance program was not carried out due to 30 years of civil unrest. ⋯ Highest antibody titres in an area correlated with the prevalences of urine antibodies and CFA. Spatial analysis showed LF transmission foci. Therefore, a combination of the non-invasive methods, urine ELISA and GPS mapping, will be a new effective surveillance system to identify hidden LF transmission foci.
-
Trypanosoma cruzi infection stimulates inflammatory mediators which cause oxidative stress, and the use of antioxidants can minimize the sequelae of Chagas disease. In order to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C in minimizing oxidative damage in Chagas disease, we orally administered ascorbic acid to Swiss mice infected with 5.0 × 104 trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi QM2 strain. These animals were treated for 60 days to investigate the acute phase and 180 days for the chronic phase. ⋯ During the chronic phase, the animals in the infected and treated group showed a decrease in ferric reducing ability of plasma and uric acid concentrations as well as mobilization of bilirubin (which had higher plasma concentration), demonstrating cooperation between endogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants to combat increased oxidative stress. However, lower ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange concentrations was found in the infected and treated group, suggesting that vitamin C provided biological protection by clearing the peroxynitrite, attenuating the chronic inflammatory process in the tissues and favoring greater survival in these animals. Complex interactions were observed between the antioxidant systems of the host and parasite, with paradoxical actions of vitamin C.
-
Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan that infects many domestic and wild animals. Domestic dogs and other canids function as definitive hosts, while other mammals serve as natural intermediate hosts. ⋯ N. caninum DNA was detected in 1.8% (4/227) of bats, i.e., 1.7% (1/60) in Rousettus leschenaultia, 1.7% (1/58) in Hipposideros pomona, 2.9% (2/69) in Rhinolophus pusillus, and none (0/40) in Myotis daubentoniid. The findings of the present study are only the first indication that bats could serve as an intermediate host, and further studies are necessary to confirm whether bats are involved in the transmission of N. caninum infections.
-
Review Case Reports
A rare case of paragonimiasis miyazakii with lung involvement diagnosed 7 years after infection: A case report and literature review.
We report a rare case of pulmonary paragonimiasis caused by Paragonimus miyazakii that showed pulmonary manifestations and a long-term clinical course after infection. A 45-year-old Japanese male developed cough and dyspnea in 2004 and was diagnosed with eosinophilic pneumonia. He had been treated with low-dose oral corticosteroid for 7 years. ⋯ The morphological examination of the ova and immunoserological examination yielded typical findings of P. miyazakii. Treatment with praziquantel improved his chest radiographic findings and a decrease of serum total IgE, as well as the values of immunoserological examination for P. miyazakii. The clinical course of this patient indicated that he had been infected with P. miyazakii for 7 years at least, which is unusual for paragonimiasis miyazakii.