PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Pablo Maravilla

Publications and source records attributed to Pablo Maravilla.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Laboratory animal models for human Taenia solium.

Human beings are the only hosts of adult Taenia solium; thus, many aspects of the host-parasite relationship are unknown. The development of successful experimental models of taeniasis allows in-depth investigations of the host-parasite relationship. We established experimental models in hamsters, gerbils and chinchillas. Here we review our findings regarding the characteristics of the tapeworms, their anchoring site and development, as well as the humoral and cellular immune response they elicit. We also used statistics to analyze the data obtained in different infections performed along several years. Furthermore, we compared the size of T. solium rostellum and strobila recovered from hamsters and gerbils to those obtained from humans. Our data indicate that these rodents are adequate experimental models for studying T. solium in its adult stage; that parasites induce immune responses and that hamsters seem to be more permissive hosts than gerbils, since parasites survive for longer times, grow longer and develop more, and the inflammatory response in the intestinal mucosa against T. solium is moderate. Finally, chinchillas are the most successful experimental definitive model for adult T. solium, since tapeworms with gravid proglottids are obtained, and the life cycle can be continued to the intermediate host.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Isozyme analysis of Taenia solium isolates from Mexico and Colombia.

Mexican and Colombian Taenia solium cysticerci and some species of Taenia adults were assayed using cellulose acetate electrophoresis to distinguish between isolates. Isozyme patterns for ARK, GOT, G3PD, GPI, and MPI were identical in all cysticerci suggesting homozygotic profiles. G6PD and MDH showed different patterns between Mexican and Colombian cysticerci, suggesting regional differences. ME activity was mainly detected in the adult stage suggesting that this enzyme is active in anaerobic environment, while MDH, detected in cysticerci, could be related to an environment that contains oxygen. Finally, the species of taeniid adults analyzed showed different patterns among them.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Induction of protection against porcine cysticercosis by vaccination with recombinant oncosphere antigens.

Two recombinant Taenia solium oncosphere antigens, designated TSOL18 and TSOL45-1A, were investigated as vaccines to prevent transmission of the zoonotic disease cysticercosis through pigs. Both antigens were effective in inducing very high levels of protection (up to 100%) in three independent vaccine trials in pigs against experimental challenge infection with T. solium eggs, which were undertaken in Mexico and Cameroon. This is the highest level of protection that has been achieved against T. solium infection in pigs by vaccination with a defined antigen. TSOL18 and TSOL45-1A provide the basis for development of a highly effective practical vaccine that could assist in the control and, potentially, the eradication of human neurocysticercosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Portrait of human tapeworms.

The tapeworms of the genus Taenia that infect human beings are T. solium, T. saginata and T. saginata asiatica. Taenia solium and T. saginata exhibit unequivocal features that characterize them; in contrast, only recent DNA studies, morphological characteristics, and epidemiological and sanitary aspects indicate that T. saginata asiatica is a subspecies of T. saginata. These 3 tapeworms occur in humans in their adult stage, and the intermediate hosts are pigs for T. solium and T. saginata asiatica and cows for T. saginata. Their identification is crucial considering the migratory increase from Asia to the Western Hemisphere and the fact that these tapeworms coexist in the same environment in Asia; furthermore, it is estimated that movement in both directions across the United States-Mexico border exceeds 200 million persons per yr, and thus, opportunities for acquiring and transporting T. solium infections are multiplied. It is not easy to distinguish among these tapeworms; therefore, a comparative diagram of the 3 parasites is shown in this article, which will facilitate their identification. All morphological features, some of which allow for identification, are clear and can be easily distinguished among the 3 tapeworms.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Detection of genetic variation in Taenia solium.

Genetic variability among Taenia solium isolates was studied in 160 cysticerci from 6 pigs, 4 from Mexico, 1 from Honduras, and 1 from Tanzania. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis performed with 4 commercial primers showed 88% polymorphic loci and an average heterozygosity of 0.077; however, several alleles were fixed within each isolate. Linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated that 3 of the 6 isolates had a random association of alleles, whereas the other 3 had a clonal structure. These results suggest the existence of local lineages in T. solium, with events of genetic recombination within them.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Echinococcus granulosus cattle strain identification in an autochthonous case of cystic echinococcosis in central Mexico.

Echinococcosis is a frequent hepatic parasitic disease in several countries but it is practically absent in Mexico. A cattle strain of Echinococcus granulosus was identified by RAPD, PCR-RFLP and mitochondrial CO1 gene analysis in an autochthonous case. The parasite was obtained after a laparoscopic excision of a liver cyst from a patient that was symptomatic for 6 years but mis-diagnosed before hospitalization.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Identification and integral management of a case of autochthonous hydatidosis in Mexico].

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of hydatid disease in Mexico. BACKGROUND: Liver hydatid disease is the most frequent hepatic parasitic disease in developed countries and is considered practically absent in Mexico. METHODS: In this paper we report identification, clinical management, and epidemiologic parasitologic, and molecular biological studies of an autochthonous case of hydatid disease in Mexico. RESULTS: Hepatic cyst was identified by imaging techniques. The patient received cestocidal treatment and the parasite was excised by laparoscopy. It was not possible to identify the origin of the Echinococcus strain neither by epidemiologic studies performed in the patient's household nor by RAPD pattern obtained with DNA of the protoscolices. Infection of a dog with protoscolices was not successful probably because they were damaged by the cestocidal drug. CONCLUSIONS: Care should be taken in the future to identify other possible autochthonous patients harboring liver hydatid cysts to treat them in an adequate and timely fashion, and to identify the strain of Echinococcus granulosus that infects patients in Mexico.

Animals↗