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PubMed1991

Serodiagnosis of parasitic diseases.

In this review on serodiagnosis of parasitic diseases, antibody detection, antigen detection, use of monoclonal antibodies in parasitic serodiagnosis, molecular biological technology, and skin tests are discussed. The focus at the Centers for Disease Control on developing improved antigens, a truly quantitative FAST-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the very specific immunoblot assays for antibody detection is highlighted. The last two assays are suitable for field studies. Identification of patient response in terms of immunoglobulin class or immunoglobulin G subclass isotypes or both is discussed. Immunoglobulin isotypes may asist in defining the stage of some diseases. In other instances, use of a particular anti-isotype conjugate may increase the specificity of the assay. Monoclonal antibodies have played important roles in antigen purification and identification, in competitive antibody assays with increased sensitivity and specificity, and in assays for antigen detection in serum, body fluids, or excreta. Molecular biological technology has allowed significant advances in the production of defined parasitic serodiagnostic antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Eosinophilic response in parasitic diseases].

The increase of eosinophiles in peripheral blood and in the lesion is characteristic feature of many parasitic diseases. Those parasites which invade host organs generally cause eosinophilia of high degree. Thus, zoonotic parasites belonging to genuses gnathostoma, paragonimus and angiostrongylus etc. bring about continuous hypereosinophilic response due to lasting larval migration, but in contrast, those which migrate temporarily during the developmental stage in the host, cause transient eosinophilia, as in Loeffler's syndrome, due to round worms. In contrast, those parasites which live in the luminal organ and never invade tissues, may not cause eosinophilia. The variety of patterns in eosinophile response is outlined together with some clinical data.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Immunopathology of parasitic diseases: a conceptual approach.

These studies would indicate tremendous variations in the clinical manifestations of parasitic disease, resulting from characteristics of the parasite, the host, and their interaction. They further suggest that the conceptual mechanistic model described in the introduction is highly applicable. Previous evidence to substantiate the validity of such a model in schistosomiasis, a variety of protozoan diseases, and leprosy has already been presented (Phillips and Fox, 1982). This report would appear to lend additional credence to the postulates and suggests that upon scrutiny, the model represents a reasonable explanation for a wide variety of clinical manifestations of a parasitic disease. In addition, it may provide a working hypothesis for the interpretation of the immunopathology found in other diseases such as filariasis. Figure 3 compares and contrasts schistosomiasis and filariasis within the context of this hypothesis. Immunopathology results from the relative balance of host-parasite immunogenic factors and modulatory specific and nonspecific factors. The resultant immunopathology results from a number of immunologic mechanisms, but for the sake of comparison can be placed in certain analogous groups. Clearly, although a number of experimental questions still exist, vis-à-vis these analogies, it would appear that they are reasonable comparisons. It is hoped that such a conceptual approach might provide a useful framework for an understanding of the spectrum of immunopathology resulting from parasitic disease. These concepts might possibly lead to the eventual control of immunopathology.

Filariasis↗
PubMed1979

Parasitic disease in humans: the extent in Canada.

Much is being said, often dramatically, about the potential hazards of parasitic diseases in Canada, but little or no attempt has been made to determine the true extent of the problem. Indigenous parasite pathogens are recognized in resident Canadians, and pathogens are acquired by travellers abroad or reported from immigrants. The role of each of these categories is important in the characterization of the problem of parasitic diseases in Canada. From data provided by provincial laboratories and hospitals it is estimated that 1 person in 1000 will spend 1 day per year in hospital because of intestinal parasites, and 1 in 100 each year will have a diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infection made from examination of a stool sample.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed2005

[A national survey on current status of the important parasitic diseases in human population].

In order to understand the current status and trends of the important parasitic diseases in human population, to evaluate the effect of control activities in the past decade and provide scientific base for further developing control strategies, a national survey was carried out in the country (Taiwan, Hongkong and Macau not included) from June, 2001 to 2004 under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Health. The sample sizes of the nationwide survey and of the survey in each province (autonomous region and municipality, P/A/M) were determined following a calculating formula based on an estimation of the sample size of random sampling to the rate of population. A procedure of stratified cluster random sampling was conducted in each province based on geographical location and economical condition with three strata: county/city, township/town, and spot, each spot covered a sample of 500 people. Parasitological examinations were conducted for the infections of soil-transmitted nematodes, Taenia spp, and Clonorchis sinensis, including Kato-Katz thick smear method, scotch cellulose adhesive tape technique and test tube-filter paper culture (for larvae). At the same time, another sampled investigation for Clonorchis sinensis infection was carried out in the known endemic areas in 27 provinces. Serological tests combined with questionnaire and/or clinical diagnosis were applied for hydatid disease, cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, trichinosis, and toxoplasmosis. A total sampled population of 356 629 from the 31 P/A/M was examined by parasitological methods and 26 species of helminth were recorded. Among these helminth, human infections of Metorchis orientalis and Echinostoma aegypti were detected in Fujian Province which seemed to be the first report in the world, and Haplorchis taichui infection in Guangxi Region was the first human infection record in the country. The overall prevalence of helminth infections was 21.74%. The prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodes was 19.56% (including hookworm infection 6.12%, Ascaris infection 12.72% and Trichuris infection 4.63%), and the estimated number of population infected with soil-transmitted nematodes was 129 million (with 39.3, 85.93 and 29.09 million for hookworm, Ascaris and Trichuris infections respectively). The prevalence of Taenia infection was 0.28% with an infected population of 550 000. The prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis in the national survey was 0.58%. From the survey in the known Clonorchis endemic areas with a sample of 217 829, terobius vermicularis infection in children under 12 years old was 10.28%. The positive rate of serological tests for hydatid disease, cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, trichinosis, and toxoplasmosis was 12.04% (4 796/39 826), 0.58% (553/96 008), 1.71% (1 163/68 209), 3.38% (3 149/93 239) and 7.88% (3 737/47 444) respectively. In comparison to the last national survey in 1990, the prevalence of hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections has been reduced by 60.72%, 71.29% and 73.60% respectively, and the number of infected people by soil-transmitted nematodes has declined remarkably. However, the prevalence of Clonorchis infection significantly increased in the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi and Jilin by 182%, 164% and 630% respectively. A remarkable increase of the prevalence of Taenia infection was found in Sichuan and Tibet, by 98% and 97% respectively. Echinococcosis is important in the Western part of China. Many parasitic diseases are still highly prevalent in the rural and pastoral areas with higher prevalence, morbidity and certain case fatality in farmers and herdsmen, especially in women and children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Discussion on the usage of terminology of some parasites and parasitic diseases].

According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and the Standardized Nomenclature of Animal Parasitic Diseases (SNOAPAD), and considering the new advances in parasitology, the usage of the terminology of some parasites and parasitic diseases (such as Trichinella and trichinellosis, filariae and filariasis, Echinococcus and echinococcosis, etc.) was discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Synergism and antagonism of parasitic diseases and malnutrition.

Malnutrition may appear to increase or decrease the severity of a parasitic disease, but the fundamental mechanisms that influence such synergistic or antagonistic relationship have yet to be identified. Several factors must be considered in an evaluation of possible synergistic or antagonistic relationships. They include the species and virulence of the parasite; the nutritional requirements of the parasite; the severity, duration, and type of malnutrition in the host; and lastly, the competence of immune mechanisms and other resistance factors in the host. Because the immune system may be impaired by malnutrition, fails to provide protection against most parasitic infections, and has a known propensity for producing harmful as well as beneficial responses, the immunological functions of the host are undoubtedly key indicators of whether malnutrition will cause an increase or a decrease in the severity f a parasitic disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Nomenclature for parasitic diseases: cohabitation with inconsistency for how long and why?

The author surveys the early history of nomenclature for parasitic diseases or infections which led to the existing usage of synonymous names with diverse spellings for denominating the same disease entities. In order to diminish heterogeneity in nomenclatural usage, principles of the standardized nomenclature of parasitic diseases (SNOPAD) have been put forward by the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. Pros and cons regarding the SNOPAD concept are discussed in seeking consensus terminology. The need for a standard nomenclature may be judged differently. SNOPAD is just a guideline based on carefully reasoned and clearly defined principles for those authors and editors dissatisfied with the existing heterogeneous and inconsistent nomenclatural usage and wish to rely on a uniform and standard disease nomenclature. The major suggestion of SNOPAD is the use solely of suffix -osis when disease name is coined from the name of a parasite taxon. Meanwhile, the proposed principles were found sensible and accepted more in the field of veterinary, less in medical parasitology. In a recent survey it has been revealed that the majority (73.8%) of 126 national language parasitological textbooks or compendia from 21 countries of Europe published since 1990 adopted consistent '-osis' disease terminology and the rest (26.2%) used a mixture of disease names ending in '-osis' and '-iasis' inconsistently. For achieving substantial shift towards the use of more consistent disease terminology, the interest and support of the parasitologists' community is required. Editorials and database producers hold the key to further progress provided they see the advantages of the use of a single name of worldwide currency for each disease entity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

B-cell outgrowth and ligand-specific production of IL-10 correlate with Th2 dominance in certain parasitic diseases.

In many parasitic infections, dominant T helper cell (Th) type-2 CD4+ T cell responses exacerbate the disease. We have previously demonstrated that lacto-N-fucopentaose-III (LNFPIII), a sugar found on soluble egg antigens (SEA) of Schistosoma mansoni, stimulates splenic B cells from parasite-infected mice to proliferate and produce IL-10, a cytokine that promotes the generation of Th2 immune responses. In the present study, we extend our observations on ligand-specific activation of IL-10 producing B cells to leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis. We report here that infection with Leishmania major increases the splenic B220+ B cell subset in BALB/c mice, but not BALB/c. xid (lacking B-1 cells and carrying defective B-2 cells). In addition, these B cells secrete large amounts of IL-10 in vitro in response to stimulation with soluble leishmanial extract (LSE), LNFPIII, or SO4-Lewis(x). We also observed that injection of LSE increased the level of peritoneal exudate (PeC) B-1 cells (CD5+B220+) in BALB/c mice, but not C57BL/6, as compared to buffer-injected controls. Further, LSE elicited PeC B cells secreted IL-10 in response to LSE as well as to the sugars tested. A similar differential secretion of IL-10 by splenic B cells from BALB/c and BALB/c.xid was seen after S. mansoni infection. Likewise, injection of soluble microfilarial extract (MFX) resulted in an increase in percentage of PeC B-1 cells in BALB/c mice, but not C57BL/6, and these cells secreted IL-10 in response to stimulation with MFX or phosphorylcholine (PC). Collectively, these results suggest a correlation between expansion of ligand-specific IL-10 producing B and B-1 cells with dominance of Th2-type T cells in mice with the susceptible phenotype for these diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The distribution of the intestinal parasitic diseases in the Southeast Anatolian (GAP=SEAP) region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: The physical alterations put in place by the Southeastern Anatolia Project will undoubtedly provide a remarkable economical growth and a social development in the area. In addition, the influence that formation of dam ponds, enlargement of irrigation areas, change of product and the way of cultivation, urbanization and industrialization will have an impact on the environment. To minimize the adverse effects of this process on human beings, a Community Health Project was completed by the teams participated by Ege, Dicle, Gaziantep and Harran Universities under the Directorate of Turkish Parasitology Association and by Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration between 2001 and 2003. RESULTS: To identify individuals with parasite, feces samples were taken from a total of 4,470 individuals. Parasites were found in feces of 41.8% of men, 44.3% of women and 32.2% of children, 0-59 months old, who were included in the research and gave feces samples for parasites tests. These prevalence values indicate how widespread parasitic diseases are in the region. The high prevalence of parasitic diseases in this area is one of the causes of malnutrition in 40% of children. Parasites were detected in 44.2% of feces samples taken from rural areas and in 39.5% taken from urban areas. When the distribution of parasites detected in feces samples was studied, the most common parasites were Giardia intestinalis (18.1%), Entamoeba coli (11.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (4.8%), Trichuris trichiura (4.5%) and Hymenolepis nana (3.9%). Distribution of parasites according to cities varied widely. The most frequently seen parasites were T. trichiura in Gaziantep; G. intestinalis in Batman, Mardin, Diyarbakir, Sirnak and Sanliurfa; and E. coli in Siirt, Kilis and Adiyaman. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first investigation of intestinal parasite prevalence in a large region, specifically, in this GAP region and in Turkey, in general. There is no direct relationship between irrigating the cultivation areas and diffusion of parasitic diseases because the existence of intestinal parasites mentioned above is not related to the range of irrigation of cultivation areas, but is related to factors already discussed.

Adult↗