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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Cytokines in parasitic diseases: the example of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The essential role of cytokines in parasitic diseases has been emphasised since the in vivo description of the importance of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) CD4+ T cell responses in resistance and susceptibility to infection with L. major in mice. Th1 cells produced IL-2, IFN-gamma and Lymphotoxin T (LT) and Th2 cells produce IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. In this model of infection the correlation between on the one hand resistance to infection and the development of a Th1 response and on the other hand susceptibility and Th2 cell development allowed the identification of the mechanisms directing the differentiation of CD4+ T cell precursors towards either Th1 type or Th2 type responses. Cytokines are the crucial inducer of functional CD4+ T cell subset differentiation during infection with L. major. IL-12 and IFN-gamma direct the differentiation of Th1 response and IL-4 of a Th2 response. In susceptible mice, careful analysis of IL-4 production during the first days of infection has shown that the IL-4 produced as a result of a very early burst of IL-4 mRNA expression (16 hours) plays a essential role in the maturation of a Th2 CD4+ T cell response by rendering the CD4+ T cell precursors unresponsive to IL-12. Activation of a restricted population of CD4+ T cells expressing the V beta 4 V alpha 8 TCR heterodimer after recognition of a single antigen, the LACK (Leishmania Activated c Kinase) antigen, resulted in this rapid production of IL-4 required for the subsequent CD4+ T cell differentiation. Thus, tolerization of these cells might contribute a strategy for preventing infection with L. major.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The role of parasitic diseases as causes of mortality in cattle in a high potential area of central Kenya: a quantitative analysis.

Postmortem records of cattle brought to the Veterinary School in Kabete near Nairobi were examined for a period of 15 years (1984-1998, inclusive) in order to establish the role that parasitic diseases played as causes of death. The cattle were mainly of exotic breeds but a few were crosses or of indigenous breeds. There was a total of 1413 cases of deaths from various diseases of which 177 (13%) were due to parasites. The tick-borne diseases were in high proportions and accounted for 84,7% among the parasitic causes, which represented 10,6% of all the deaths recorded. The main tick-borne disease was East Coast fever (ECF) (65%) followed by heartwater (10,2%), babesiosis (5,1%) and anaplasmosis (4,5%). Hydatidosis was responsible for 7,3% of deaths from parasitic causes. Deaths from ECF were recorded in all the 15 years and in high proportions compared to those due to heartwater (8/15), babesiosis (7/15) and anaplasmosis 5/15). Over the period under consideration, no decline was noted among various disease conditions despite advances made in controlling tick vectors and in the treatment of various parasitic conditions. The area covered by this study has the advantage of having several veterinary-related institutions close by. Hence knowledge and awareness about livestock diseases is relatively high compared to other parts of the country. It is therefore challenging to the Veterinary Department to examine the service delivery systems and other factors that may contribute to the persistent presence of these fatal parasitic conditions of cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Reports of parasitic diseases and entomological cases in the Department of Medical Zoology, Jichi Medical School: accumulated cases from five years.

We summarized the consultation cases of parasitic diseases and entomological cases presented at the Department of Medical Zoology, Jichi Medical School. Among 173 consultations from January 1996 to December 2000, 64 cases were parasitologically or entomologically positive. We primarily diagnosed the cases morphologically and intermittently used sero-diagnosis methods. Ascariasis and diphyllobothriasis due to foods comprised the major consultation cases. Cases of malaria, second in frequency, were all imported from tropical countries. Some rare but important cases, including entomological cases, are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Travel medicine of parasitic diseases in the dog].

Companion animals are increasingly brought along by their owners to foreign countries. Thus, small animal travel medicine is becoming more important. The field includes both prophylaxis and metaphylaxis against various infectious diseases, as well as their diagnosis and treatment. Dogs returning from Southern Europe, but also from more tropical regions, may be infected with exotic pathogens. In addition, imported pedigree or working dogs, and especially stray dogs imported through welfare organisations, are at high risk. The present overview summarises the clinical and practical aspects of exotic parasitic diseases that may affect such dogs, and the risk of such diseases becoming autochthonously transmitted in Switzerland. Furthermore, the zoonotic potential of these infections will be considered.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1990

Ten-year profile of infectious and parasitic disease hospitalizations in the U.S. Navy.

Age-adjusted rates of total first hospital admissions of U.S. Navy enlisted personnel with diagnoses of infectious and parasitic diseases declined from a high of 112.9 per 10,000 person-years in 1977 to a low of 50.3 per 10,000 person-years in 1982. Ten specific diagnoses accounted for 78% of these hospitalizations. Eight diagnoses exhibited significant increases in rates over the study period. Improved medical care and prophylaxis, greater emphasis on outpatient care, changing social characteristics of Navy personnel, and changes in deployment theaters may account for the observed trends in hospitalization.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1976

Clinical trial methodology in intestinal parasitic diseases.

The high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections as an index of underdevelopment, especially in tropical countries, is related to poverty, poor housing, lack of sanitation, malnutrition, and ignorance. The effects are lowered work capacity, physical and mental retardation, leading to recurrences and exacerbations of the parasitism and malnutrition. The most prevalent parasites, methods of detection by specific tests in patients in clinical trials involving antiparasitic drugs are dealt with. How and by whom investigations of new drugs should be undertaken, the need for a basic knowledge of parasitology and techniques of the discipline, of biostatistics, and use of such controls as randomized allotment to treatment groups, placebo administration, and double-blind assessments are emphasized. The justification for undertaking an evaluation of an antiparasitic drug is predicated on the demonstration of safety in exhaustive in vitro and animal studies and of the drug's potential superiority as to efficacy and lower incidence of unwanted side effects, as compared with existing agents. Tolerance and dose-range studies should be conducted in male adult hospitalized patients under close supervision. The evaluation of amebicides in clinical trials, as well as of anthelmintics, is considered in terms of differentiation and reproductive habits of specific causative agents and tests for detecting their elimination to determine improvement under drug therapy. The problem of reinfection, particuarly of nonhospitalized patients under the adverse conditions of life, is stressed.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed1995

[Imported parasitic diseases].

A review is given on parasitic infections imported to Germany. A complete history of travel into foreign countries is of particular importance for the determination of necessary diagnostic parameters. The possibilities of the laboratory diagnosis are described.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1991

Control of parasitic diseases: a complementary role for vaccines and drugs.

This paper seeks to substantiate its title by discussion of three key questions: why are we attempting to develop parasite vaccines? Will we be successful? If we are, will there still be a need for chemotherapy? It concludes that: parasite vaccines are likely to be safer, cheaper and more efficacious as prophylactics than antiparasite drugs; in time vaccines will be developed for some but not all human parasitic diseases; at least in the short and medium term, drugs will be needed for those already infected and for those for whom, for whatever reason, a vaccination strategy fails.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Redox processes in malaria and other parasitic diseases. Determination of intracellular glutathione.

The role of oxidative stress resulting from production of reactive oxygen species and/or from suppression of the cellular antioxidant capacity in parasitic infections is shortly reviewed. The experimental part of the paper deals with the glutathione (GSH)--glutathione reductase (GR) system, a cornerstone of intracellular antioxidant defence mechanisms. For studying this system in parasitic diseases such as malaria new or modified methods are required. Total glutathione comprising GSH and glutathione disulphide (GSSG) in blood samples was assayed as follows. One volume of blood (> or = 10 microliters) is mixed with two volumes of 5% sulphosalicylic acid; after centrifugation (5 min, 10000 g), 10 microliters of supernatant is taken for spectrophotometric analysis using the 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) (DTNB)-glutathione recycling assay. When compared with the original method, the procedure reported here is more sensitive, less time-consuming, avoids unfavourable pH-values and leads to a sample which when frozen is stable for months. In a pilot study, the method was applied to 14 patients suffering from malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The concentrations of erythrocyte glutathione were significantly decreased in the patients (1.42 +/- 0.47 mM, mean +/- SD) when compared to age- and sex-matched controls (2.11 +/- 0.45 mM, P < 0.01). The findings are contrasted with P. falciparum cultures in vitro where glutathione levels are known to be elevated. Based on the characteristics of GR a concept of determining the redox state of single cells is introduced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗