Journal of Parasitic Diseases最新文献

Freshwater crabs (Potamiscus manipuriensis), commonly consumed as local delicacies by the native people in the state of Manipur, were found to harbour metacercariae of Microphallus sp. (Family Microphyllidae), which were morphologically different from metacercariae of Microphallus spp reported earlier from different regions. So, PCR-based molecular characterization of this metacercaria was done utilizing rDNA marker regions: larger subunit (LSU) or 28S (D1-D3 region) and inter-transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the taxon under study belonged to family Microphyllidae of genus Microphallus.

This study investigates the medicinal potential of Mitragyna parvifolia (M. parvifolia) leaves for the management of Lymphatic filariasis (LF). Phytochemical screening of the methanolic leaf extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, phenols, tannins, and flavonoids. The GC-MS analysis identified 24 phytoconstituents, including the major alkaloid "mitraphylline." Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of various functional groups corresponding to the identified compounds. The extract exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella typhi. In vitro macrofilaricidal screening demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of worm motility and MTT reduction, indicating its potential as a macrofilaricidal agent. The larvicidal bioassay showed notable effectiveness against Culex quinquifasciatus larvae, with 1% concentration displaying the highest larvicidal activity. Concentration-dependent antioxidant activity was observed using the DPPH assay, with 100 µg/ml showing the highest antioxidant potential. The findings suggest the potential of M. parvifolia leaves for LF management, supporting further research to identify active compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action. The study highlights the plant's diverse bioactive compounds, antibacterial and macrofilaricidal activities, larvicidal efficacy, and significant antioxidant properties. Future investigations, including in vivo experiments and clinical trials, are warranted to validate the safety and efficacy of M. parvifolia as a potential therapeutic agent for LF.

The high genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) is a big obstacle to successful vaccine development programs. Here, the geographical and temporal dynamics of the genetic diversity of Indian Pf isolates from patients living in Ranchi, Raipur, Mewat, and Rourkela were analyzed. Typing and frequency of merozoite surface protein 1 and 2 genes (pfmsp1/2), their genotypes, clonality, heterozygosity, multiplicity of infection, and neutral evolution metrics were computed. A phylogenetic analysis was also performed for these two genes. The dominant allelic types were K1 (55%) and MAD20 (55%) for msp1, and FC27 (64.7%) for msp2. Infections were mainly monoclonal in Ranchi and Mewat while polyclonal in Raipur and Rourkela. Polyclonal infections dropped from 57.1 to 71.3% in 2013 to 33.3-33.4% in 2016 in Raipur. K1 and MAD20 sequences were highly diverse due to the organization of the amino acid units SGG, SVA, SVT, and SGN. The IC/3D7-related G,S,A-rich region showed a large variation of four to eight amino acid repeats, including mostly GAVASA (81.8%), GSGA (54.5%), and GASGSA (45.5%). The 32-amino acid sequence of the FC27 type was present in all isolates with several mutations. The msp1/2 sequences were not under neutral evolution, except the K1 family, which is under balancing selection. The msp1/2 sequences are phylogenetically closer to previous Indian sequences than those from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. This study outlines a high genetic diversity of Pf infections with complex structure, and evolutionary signature changed with time.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-024-01698-8.

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, remains a pressing global health concern. Advancements in combating this parasite involve the development of a protein vaccine. This study employs immunoinformatics to identify potential vaccine candidates within the repertoire of 218 P. falciparum exported essential proteins identified through saturaturation mutagenesis study. Our screening approach narrows down to 65 Plasmodium-exported proteins with uncharacterized functions while exhibiting non-mutability in CDS (coding sequences). The transmembrane helix, antigenicity, allergenicity of the shortlisted proteins was assessed through diverse prediction algorithm, culminating in the identification of five promising vaccination contenders, based on probability scores. We discerned B-cell, helper T-lymphocyte, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes. Two proteins with the most favorable epitope were harnessed to construct a multi-subunit vaccine, through judicious linker integration. Employing the I-TASSER software, three-dimensional models of the constituent proteins was obtained and was validated using diverse tools like ProSA, VERIFY3D, and ERRAT. The modelled proteins underwent Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation in a solvent environment to evaluate the stability of the multi-subunit vaccine. Furthermore, we conducted molecular docking through the ClusPro web server to elucidate potential interactions with Toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4). Docking scores revealed a pronounced affinity of the multi-subunit vaccine for TLR2. Significantly, 100 ns MD simulation of the protein-receptor complex unveiled a persistent hydrogen bond linkage between the ARG63 residue of the sub-unit vaccine and the GLU32 residue of the TLR2 receptor. These findings collectively advocate the potential efficacy of the first multi-subunit vaccine from the potential hypothetical proteins of P. falciparum.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-024-01696-w.

This paper review about probiotic effects and mechanism of action against the gut and non-gut helminths and protozoan parasites. Gastrointestinal parasitic infections are considered a serious health problem and are widely distributed globally. The disease process which emanates from this parasite infection provides some of the many public and veterinary health problems in the tropical and sub-tropical countries. Prevention and control of the parasite disease is through antihelmintic and anti-protozoan drugs, but, due to the increasing emergence of such drug resistance, eradication of parasite infestation in human and livestock still lingers a challenge, which requires the development of new alternative strategies. The use of beneficial microorganisms i.e. probiotics is becoming interesting due to their prophylactic application against several diseases including parasite infections. Recent studies on the interactions between probiotics, parasites and host immune cells using animal models and in vitro culture systems has increased considerably and draw much attention, yet the mechanisms of actions mediating the positive effects of these beneficial microorganisms on the hosts remain unexplored. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to summarize the latest findings on the probiotic research against the gut and non-gut parasites of significance.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with considerable morbidity. The lone effective drug, praziquantel (PZQ), is showing emergence of drug resistance hence, searching for new supportive treatment is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mucus and nucleoproteins (NPs) extracted from Biomphalaria alexandrina (B. alexandrina) snails on miracidia, cercariae and Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) adults in vitro and assess their experimental in vivo effect through parasitological, histopathological, and biochemical parameters. The in vivo study included 90 male Swiss albino mice. Mice were grouped into 9 groups; G1-G5 were infected and treated with; GI: PZQ, GII: mucus, GIII: combined PZQ and mucus, GIV: NPs, GV: combined PZQ and NPs. Control groups; C₁: Non infected non treated (negative control), C₂: Infected non treated (positive control), C₃: Non infected mucus treated and C₄: Non infected NPs treated. The in vitro study proved that the mucus had a better lethal effect on cercariae than miracidia, while NPs had better lethal effect on miracidia. The mucus lethal effect on adults surpassed the NPs as 100% and 60%, respectively. The in vivo study proved that the combined NPs or mucus with PZQ added to the effect of individual PZQ resulting in 100% total worm burden (TWB) reduction. As regard oxidative stress markers, the lowest level of nitric oxide (NO) was shown with combined PZQ and NPs. While, the highest glutathione (GSH) level was produced by individual PZQ. The study concluded that mucus and NPs of B. alexandrina had cercaricidal, miracidicidal and anti-schistosomal effect in vitro and that their combination could be considered a contribution to PZQ potentiality in vivo.

Lake Burullus is an important source of fish production in Egypt; it produces 20.5% of the Egyptian fisheries' production. There is intense controversy about the heavy metal pollution in Burullus water and its effects on fish health and safety for human consumption. Heavy metals represent a major concern for aquatic life and could negatively affect fish health. Agricultural and industrial water drainage represents a considerable part of the lake water supply. The present work was conducted to determine heavy metal concentrations in lake water and blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus musculature. Water samples were collected from six locations to determine cadmium, copper, lead, zinc and iron. Sixty O. aureus fish samples were also collected from the same sampling points to assess the prevalent parasites infesting fish and to determine the heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe) concentrations in fish musculature then study the relationship between heavy metals concentration and prevailing fish parasites. Results indicated that 53.34% of the examined fish were infested with encysted metacercaria. Centrocestus formosanus, Prohemistomum vivax, and Euclinostomum heterostomum were retrieved from gills, musculature, hepatopancreas and the posterior kidney. The parasitic intensity in fish tissues was between 1 and 9 cyst g^-1. Centrocestus formosanus was identified using the polymerase chain reaction in the gill tissues of 16 fish. The gill parasitic copepod Lamproglena monodi was identified in one fish. Degenerative changes such as thickening, corrugation, and destruction of gill filament are the most dominant pathological changes in infested fish gills. Heavy metal concentrations in water samples were at normal levels, except for copper and iron in the southern part of the lake. All heavy metals in fish musculature were below the permissible limits. The parasitic infestation was more dominant in the northern part of the lake than in the southern region; this could be due to elevated copper concentration in the southern part of the lake that could negatively affect the survival of the first intermediate host and parasite cercaria. In conclusion, captured fish from Lake Burullus were safe for human consumption, and heavy metal pollution in lake water does not represent a severe risk.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01613-7.].