Pub Date : 2019-04-01DOI: 10.21608/puj.2019.6449.1026
Monika Gulia-Nuss
It is estimated that the planet earth is host to approximately ten million species of plants and animals with only approximately 1.5 million documented in the Catalogue of Life. However, our knowledge of biochemical, molecular, genetics, and cellular processes comes from the studies of fewer than a dozen organisms. Although focusing our research on these "model" organisms has paid off, the downside is that we know very little about the biology of the vast majority of organisms, the non-model organisms. Non-model organisms are organisms that have not been selected by the research community for extensive study mostly because they lack the features that make model organisms easy to investigate e.g. they cannot grow in the laboratory, have a long life cycle, low fecundity or poor genetics.
{"title":"Non-model organism research in the changing genomic landscape.","authors":"Monika Gulia-Nuss","doi":"10.21608/puj.2019.6449.1026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/puj.2019.6449.1026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is estimated that the planet earth is host to approximately ten million species of plants and animals with only approximately 1.5 million documented in the Catalogue of Life. However, our knowledge of biochemical, molecular, genetics, and cellular processes comes from the studies of fewer than a dozen organisms. Although focusing our research on these \"model\" organisms has paid off, the downside is that we know very little about the biology of the vast majority of organisms, the non-model organisms. Non-model organisms are organisms that have not been selected by the research community for extensive study mostly because they lack the features that make model organisms easy to investigate e.g. they cannot grow in the laboratory, have a long life cycle, low fecundity or poor genetics.</p>","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":"12 1","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8081395/pdf/nihms-1691561.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38933177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-04-01DOI: 10.21608/PUJ.2019.7541.1030
S. Etewa, A. Al-Hoot, S. Abdelmoaty, S. Mohammad, H. Moawad, M. Sarhan, Sara Ahmed Abd El-Rahman, M. El-Shafey, Eman Zakaria Abd El-Monem
Background: Toxoplasmosis is considered of the widest spread parasitic infections that affects approximately one third of human population. The formation of resident tissue cysts in chronically infected hosts is a challenge; none of the available drugs is capable of eradicating encysted forms of the parasite. It could be disastrous in immunosuppression due to reactivation of the dormant infection. The application of stem cells as promising therapy was tried in some parasitic diseases. Objective: In this work, stem cells therapy was investigated as a therapeutic line in treatment of murine toxoplasmosis. Materials and Methods: Parasitological, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed to investigate the curable role of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM MSCs).Results: The outcomes revealed high significant decrease of the number and size of brain tissue cysts on combining BM MSCs with spiramycin, pyrimethamine and folinic acid. The tested group by BM MSCs as mono-theraputic line of treatment showed poor curable role, as cleared by the results of liver, spleen, eye and brain tissues studies; some improvement was noticed by the recruitment of CD8+ that was cleared by the immunohistochemical study of brain and spleen sections.Conclusion: BM MSCs alone have a poor therapeutic role, otherwise combined with spiramycin, pyrimethamine and folinic acid for treatment of toxoplasmosis.
{"title":"The Outcomes of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapy for Experimental Toxoplasmosis","authors":"S. Etewa, A. Al-Hoot, S. Abdelmoaty, S. Mohammad, H. Moawad, M. Sarhan, Sara Ahmed Abd El-Rahman, M. El-Shafey, Eman Zakaria Abd El-Monem","doi":"10.21608/PUJ.2019.7541.1030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/PUJ.2019.7541.1030","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Toxoplasmosis is considered of the widest spread parasitic infections that affects approximately one third of human population. The formation of resident tissue cysts in chronically infected hosts is a challenge; none of the available drugs is capable of eradicating encysted forms of the parasite. It could be disastrous in immunosuppression due to reactivation of the dormant infection. The application of stem cells as promising therapy was tried in some parasitic diseases. Objective: In this work, stem cells therapy was investigated as a therapeutic line in treatment of murine toxoplasmosis. Materials and Methods: Parasitological, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed to investigate the curable role of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM MSCs).Results: The outcomes revealed high significant decrease of the number and size of brain tissue cysts on combining BM MSCs with spiramycin, pyrimethamine and folinic acid. The tested group by BM MSCs as mono-theraputic line of treatment showed poor curable role, as cleared by the results of liver, spleen, eye and brain tissues studies; some improvement was noticed by the recruitment of CD8+ that was cleared by the immunohistochemical study of brain and spleen sections.Conclusion: BM MSCs alone have a poor therapeutic role, otherwise combined with spiramycin, pyrimethamine and folinic acid for treatment of toxoplasmosis.","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68554051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Helminth infections, particularly S.mansoni, are known to induce a protective role against various forms of autoimmune diseases, including type 1diabetes (TID). The observed S.mansoni significant inhibition or delay of diabetes development in non-obese diabetic mice (NOD), appeared to be due to a modulation of the diabetes-associated th1response towards protective th2 responses through IL-10 production. Objective: To study the effect of S. mansoni SEA on the immune response in induced TIDmouse moduel. Material and Methods: In this study, 90 male Swiss Albino mice of 6 weeks old, weighing between 90 and 100g were divided into 5 groups; control group (I): Streptozontocin (STZ)-treated group (II); soluble egg antigen (SEA)-immunized group (III); (STZ+SEA) group (IV); (SEA+STZ) group (V). Mice were subjected to measurement of blood glucose levels at two and four weeks by colorimetric method, and measurement of IL-10 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological examination of pancreatic sections of the five groups investigated signs suggesting presence or absence of pancreatic inflammation. Results: Significant lowering of blood glucose level occurred at 2-weeks in groups III and V compared to group II and at 4-weeks in groups III, IV and V compared to group II, and in group V compared to group IV. Significant higher IL-10 level occurred at 2-weeks in groups IV and V compared to group II, and in groups IV and V compared to group III and in group V compared to group IV. In 4-weeks, significant increase in IL-10 level occurred in groups II, IV, V compared to group I, and in group V compared to group IV. No significant difference between groups III and I was recorded. Histopathological changes of pancreatic sections of groups I and III showed normal architecture of pancreatic cells; While groups II and IV coinciding with STZ treatment showed vacuolation and necrosis of islets of Langerhans at 2-weeks the inflammation subsided in group IV. In group V there was dilation of blood vessels with inflammatory cells at both weeks. Conclusion: S.mansoni derived SEA proved to be protective against TID leading to improvement of blood sugar control and indicating the protective role of S.mansoni infection.
{"title":"Immunomodulating effect of Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen on course of induced diabetes mellitus in experimental mice","authors":"Naglaa S. M. El-Gebaly, M. Rehan, D. Abdelfattah","doi":"10.21608/PUJ.10929.1036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/PUJ.10929.1036","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Helminth infections, particularly S.mansoni, are known to induce a protective role against various forms of autoimmune diseases, including type 1diabetes (TID). The observed S.mansoni significant inhibition or delay of diabetes development in non-obese diabetic mice (NOD), appeared to be due to a modulation of the diabetes-associated th1response towards protective th2 responses through IL-10 production. Objective: To study the effect of S. mansoni SEA on the immune response in induced TIDmouse moduel. Material and Methods: In this study, 90 male Swiss Albino mice of 6 weeks old, weighing between 90 and 100g were divided into 5 groups; control group (I): Streptozontocin (STZ)-treated group (II); soluble egg antigen (SEA)-immunized group (III); (STZ+SEA) group (IV); (SEA+STZ) group (V). Mice were subjected to measurement of blood glucose levels at two and four weeks by colorimetric method, and measurement of IL-10 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histopathological examination of pancreatic sections of the five groups investigated signs suggesting presence or absence of pancreatic inflammation. \u0000 \u0000Results: Significant lowering of blood glucose level occurred at 2-weeks in groups III and V compared to group II and at 4-weeks in groups III, IV and V compared to group II, and in group V compared to group IV. Significant higher IL-10 level occurred at 2-weeks in groups IV and V compared to group II, and in groups IV and V compared to group III and in group V compared to group IV. In 4-weeks, significant increase in IL-10 level occurred in groups II, IV, V compared to group I, and in group V compared to group IV. No significant difference between groups III and I was recorded. Histopathological changes of pancreatic sections of groups I and III showed normal architecture of pancreatic cells; While groups II and IV coinciding with STZ treatment showed vacuolation and necrosis of islets of Langerhans at 2-weeks the inflammation subsided in group IV. In group V there was dilation of blood vessels with inflammatory cells at both weeks. Conclusion: S.mansoni derived SEA proved to be protective against TID leading to improvement of blood sugar control and indicating the protective role of S.mansoni infection.","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47675631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-04-01DOI: 10.21608/PUJ.2019.10650.1035
E. Eldin, M Hayam
ABSTRACT Background: Blastocystis spp. Are protozoan parasites that cause a wide range of gastrointestinal manifestations and in is incriminated of being a possible element in the development of irritable bowel diseases as well as colorectal carcinoma. Metronidazole (MTZ) is commonly prescribed for treatment of blastocystosis. However, the reported increase in MTZ resistance parasites and undesirable side effects make the search for an alternative a priority. Syzygium aromaticum-eugenol rich essential oil has been wiedly investigated for its medicinal properties. Objective: The present study was carried out to investigated the vitro effects of S.aromaticum-eugeonl rich essential oil on Blastocystis spp.in vitro. Material and Methods: Stool samples were collected from patients complaining of diarrhea, referred for stool examination to the research and diagnostic laboratory unit of the parasitology department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University. Microscopically, positive stool samples for Blastocystis spp. Were cultured. Compared with MTZ, the effects of different concentrations of S.aromaticum essential oil on the viability of Blastocystis spp., tested essential oil, MTZand untreated parasite control was measured. Results: The minimal lethal concentrations for S.aromaticum were 300 μg/ml at 24h, 200 μg/ml at 48h, 100 μg/ml at 72h and 50 μg/ml at 96h, as compared to MTZ 1mg/ml that did not induce complete inhibition till the end of the studied intervals. Notable shrinkage in the size of Blastocystis-treated with S.aromaticum, was significantly smaller than that of parasite control. Conclusion: These results highly suggest that S.aromaticum essential oil may be a promising and safe agent for treatment of blastocystis.
{"title":"Potent lethal effect of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil on Blastocystis spp.: An in vitro study","authors":"E. Eldin, M Hayam","doi":"10.21608/PUJ.2019.10650.1035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/PUJ.2019.10650.1035","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background: Blastocystis spp. Are protozoan parasites that cause a wide range of gastrointestinal manifestations and in is incriminated of being a possible element in the development of irritable bowel diseases as well as colorectal carcinoma. Metronidazole (MTZ) is commonly prescribed for treatment of blastocystosis. However, the reported increase in MTZ resistance parasites and undesirable side effects make the search for an alternative a priority. Syzygium aromaticum-eugenol rich essential oil has been wiedly investigated for its medicinal properties. Objective: The present study was carried out to investigated the vitro effects of S.aromaticum-eugeonl rich essential oil on Blastocystis spp.in vitro. Material and Methods: Stool samples were collected from patients complaining of diarrhea, referred for stool examination to the research and diagnostic laboratory unit of the parasitology department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University. Microscopically, positive stool samples for Blastocystis spp. Were cultured. Compared with MTZ, the effects of different concentrations of S.aromaticum essential oil on the viability of Blastocystis spp., tested essential oil, MTZand untreated parasite control was measured. Results: The minimal lethal concentrations for S.aromaticum were 300 μg/ml at 24h, 200 μg/ml at 48h, 100 μg/ml at 72h and 50 μg/ml at 96h, as compared to MTZ 1mg/ml that did not induce complete inhibition till the end of the studied intervals. Notable shrinkage in the size of Blastocystis-treated with S.aromaticum, was significantly smaller than that of parasite control. Conclusion: These results highly suggest that S.aromaticum essential oil may be a promising and safe agent for treatment of blastocystis.","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48375048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-02-23DOI: 10.21608/PUJ.2019.7917.1031
Wafaa M. Zaki, H. Salem, H. M. Elazizy, Maryam Ebido Ajeeby
Background: House dust mite (HDM) constitutes a major cause of allergic disease all over the world; meanwhile interaction between genetic control, environmental factors in the context of allergen exposure may affect allergic phenotype. Cluster of Differentiation 14 (CD14) polymorphisms play a major role in genetic control of allergic phenotype.Objective: We aimed to assess the role of CD14 genetic polymorphisms at two loci A(-1,145)G, and G(-1,359)T in expression of atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis in the context of HDM exposure in Jazan, KSA.Subjects and Methods: Through a case control study, 160 subjects served as 60 atopic asthmatic patients, 40 allergic rhinitis patients and 60 healthy non-allergic controls. Clinical and immunological parameters for the studied subjects were assessed. Then, genotyping of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at A(-1,145)G, and G(-1,359)T, in the promoter region of the CD14 gene was conducted using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP-PCR).Results: The present study showed that in HDM sensitive subjects there was a significant association between GG genotype variant at A(-1,145)G with atopic asthma patients and another significant association between TT genotype variant at G(-1,359)T with allergic rhinitis patients.Conclusion: The impact of allergy induced by HDMs may be enhanced in individuals with specific CD14 gene variants resulting in exaggerated allergic phenotype.
{"title":"CD14 promotor polymorphisms associated with different allergic phenotypes and modulated with house dust mite allergy","authors":"Wafaa M. Zaki, H. Salem, H. M. Elazizy, Maryam Ebido Ajeeby","doi":"10.21608/PUJ.2019.7917.1031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/PUJ.2019.7917.1031","url":null,"abstract":"Background: House dust mite (HDM) constitutes a major cause of allergic disease all over the world; meanwhile interaction between genetic control, environmental factors in the context of allergen exposure may affect allergic phenotype. Cluster of Differentiation 14 (CD14) polymorphisms play a major role in genetic control of allergic phenotype.Objective: We aimed to assess the role of CD14 genetic polymorphisms at two loci A(-1,145)G, and G(-1,359)T in expression of atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis in the context of HDM exposure in Jazan, KSA.Subjects and Methods: Through a case control study, 160 subjects served as 60 atopic asthmatic patients, 40 allergic rhinitis patients and 60 healthy non-allergic controls. Clinical and immunological parameters for the studied subjects were assessed. Then, genotyping of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at A(-1,145)G, and G(-1,359)T, in the promoter region of the CD14 gene was conducted using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP-PCR).Results: The present study showed that in HDM sensitive subjects there was a significant association between GG genotype variant at A(-1,145)G with atopic asthma patients and another significant association between TT genotype variant at G(-1,359)T with allergic rhinitis patients.Conclusion: The impact of allergy induced by HDMs may be enhanced in individuals with specific CD14 gene variants resulting in exaggerated allergic phenotype.","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2019-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48544608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-01DOI: 10.21608/puj.2019.14599.1049
S. Abaza
Genomic analysis of P. falciparum revealed more than thirty cysteine proteases (CPs). However, the most studied CPs are four falcipains (FPs), three dipeptidyl peptidases, a calpain and a metacaspase. Beside the main function of hemoglobin degradation, CPs are not only essential for protein trafficking, but they are also involved in egress cascade, i.e. rupture of infected erythrocytes as well as de novo RBCs invasion. In addition, studies showed their essential role in exo-erythrocytic hepatic stages, as well as oocyst production and gamete egress in mosquitoes. Accordingly, CPs inhibitors (CPIs) are of great interest in development of novel anti-malarial drugs as well as a new strategy to eliminate malaria transmission. Several compounds were investigated as CPIs including herbal extracts, known proteases with reported inhibitory potency against papain-like family, chemical compounds and synthesized derivatives as well as commercially available drugs approved for human use for other diseases. However, no commercial drug-targeting FPs has been developed yet. On the other hand, endogenous parasites cystatins (CYSs) regulate CPs and prevent inappropriate effects of host enzymes. The present review will discuss the role of essential plasmodial CPs and the importance of search for or development of potent specific selective CPI as a novel anti-marital drug. Hopefully the rapid development of highly efficient technology promises advances of expression systems using genetic tools for metabolic regulation of protein expression. This is in addition to recent technology for advanced screening directed with molecular modeling using three-dimensional construction of the target CP. Abbreviations: ADMET: Computational tool to evaluate drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity; CALP: Calpain; CP: Cysteine proteinase; CPI: Cysteine proteinase inhibitor; CSP: Circumsporozoite protein; CYS: Cystatin; DPAP: Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase; E-64: A broad spectrum CPI; FP: Falcipain; HTS: High throughput screening; MCA: Metacaspase; MSP: Merozoite surface protein; PV: Parasitophorus vacuole; SAR: Structure activity relationship; SERA: Serine-repeat antigen; VP: Vivapain; VS: Virtual screening. CPs, CYSs, CPIs and Plasmodium spp. Abaza 73 [I] Cysteine proteinases (CPs) In three review articles published by Rosenthal[1-3], the important roles of malarial proteases in the erythrocytic life cycle stages were designated. These stages account for malarial clinical manifestations, passing from merozoites invasion to mature schizonts, rupture of infected RBCs and release of numerous invasive merozoites. The reviewer discussed all types of proteases, including CPs, required for hemoglobin degradation in the trophozoite stag and for synthesis in subsequent stages, as well as their roles in rupture and subsequent reinvasion of new RBCs. He also claimed that knockout gene encoding falcipain 2 (FP-2) led to a transient block in hemoglobin breakdown with signif
{"title":"Expression of cysteine proteinases and cystatins in parasites and use of cysteine proteinase inhibitors in parasitic diseases. Part III: Protozoa (2): Plasmodium spp.","authors":"S. Abaza","doi":"10.21608/puj.2019.14599.1049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/puj.2019.14599.1049","url":null,"abstract":"Genomic analysis of P. falciparum revealed more than thirty cysteine proteases (CPs). However, the most studied CPs are four falcipains (FPs), three dipeptidyl peptidases, a calpain and a metacaspase. Beside the main function of hemoglobin degradation, CPs are not only essential for protein trafficking, but they are also involved in egress cascade, i.e. rupture of infected erythrocytes as well as de novo RBCs invasion. In addition, studies showed their essential role in exo-erythrocytic hepatic stages, as well as oocyst production and gamete egress in mosquitoes. Accordingly, CPs inhibitors (CPIs) are of great interest in development of novel anti-malarial drugs as well as a new strategy to eliminate malaria transmission. Several compounds were investigated as CPIs including herbal extracts, known proteases with reported inhibitory potency against papain-like family, chemical compounds and synthesized derivatives as well as commercially available drugs approved for human use for other diseases. However, no commercial drug-targeting FPs has been developed yet. On the other hand, endogenous parasites cystatins (CYSs) regulate CPs and prevent inappropriate effects of host enzymes. The present review will discuss the role of essential plasmodial CPs and the importance of search for or development of potent specific selective CPI as a novel anti-marital drug. Hopefully the rapid development of highly efficient technology promises advances of expression systems using genetic tools for metabolic regulation of protein expression. This is in addition to recent technology for advanced screening directed with molecular modeling using three-dimensional construction of the target CP. Abbreviations: ADMET: Computational tool to evaluate drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity; CALP: Calpain; CP: Cysteine proteinase; CPI: Cysteine proteinase inhibitor; CSP: Circumsporozoite protein; CYS: Cystatin; DPAP: Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase; E-64: A broad spectrum CPI; FP: Falcipain; HTS: High throughput screening; MCA: Metacaspase; MSP: Merozoite surface protein; PV: Parasitophorus vacuole; SAR: Structure activity relationship; SERA: Serine-repeat antigen; VP: Vivapain; VS: Virtual screening. CPs, CYSs, CPIs and Plasmodium spp. Abaza 73 [I] Cysteine proteinases (CPs) In three review articles published by Rosenthal[1-3], the important roles of malarial proteases in the erythrocytic life cycle stages were designated. These stages account for malarial clinical manifestations, passing from merozoites invasion to mature schizonts, rupture of infected RBCs and release of numerous invasive merozoites. The reviewer discussed all types of proteases, including CPs, required for hemoglobin degradation in the trophozoite stag and for synthesis in subsequent stages, as well as their roles in rupture and subsequent reinvasion of new RBCs. He also claimed that knockout gene encoding falcipain 2 (FP-2) led to a transient block in hemoglobin breakdown with signif","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68553993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-01DOI: 10.21608/puj.2019.11168.1037
S. Abaza
Out of five classes of proteases (cysteine, serine, threonine, aspartate and glutamate), cysteine proteases (CPs) are responsible for hydrolysis of peptide bonds essential in several biological activities. In protozoa, as with helminths, not only do CPs play the major role in nutrients digestion, but they also have several functions for parasite survival such as differentiation of life cycle stages, immunomodulation of host immune response, and autophagy. Most wellcharacterized CPs in protozoa that were investigated in the last two decades belong to papain-family enzymes (clan CA, family C1). The present review highlights, in general, several aspects of CPs functions in protozoal survival and different strategies utilized in development of potent CPIs. The review also includes detailed data regarding T. gondii CPs, and their inhibitors wether exogenous (CPIs) or endogenous cystatins (CYSs). Abbreviations CALP: calpain; CATH: Cathepsin; CP: Cysteine proteinase; CPB: Cathepsin B; CPC: Cathepsin C; CPI: Cysteine proteinase inhibitor; CPL: Cathepsin L; CYS: Cystatin; MCA: Metacaspase; MIC: Microneme; PCD: Programmed cell death; PV: Parasitophorous vacuole; ROP: Rhoptry; VAC: Vacuolar compartment. CPs, CYSs, CPIs and T. gondii Abaza 9 succeeded to define 27, 24 and 18 genes, respectively. Amino acid sequences of the defined genes revealed high modular structure, suggesting the feasibility to utilize specific primers as diagnostic markers[5]. Recently, Siqueira-Neto et al.,[6] reviewed the proposed functions of the most characterized 29 CPs only in seven protozoa; E. histolytica (six), Leishmania spp. (six), Plasmodium spp. (five), T. gondii (five), T. cruzi (three), T. brucei (two), and Cryptosporidium spp. (two). It is evident that the most common proposed character of these CPs is a virulence factor to facilitate parasite survival and invasion. For each CP, the reviewers presented the mechanism(s) to achieve parasite invasion including induction of macrophage pro-inflammatory response, degradation of extracellular matrix, differentiation of life cycle stages, modulation of parasite metabolism, and autophagy. Mechanisms involved in immunoevasion and immunomodulation of host immune response are also proposed in all reviewed protozoa. There are other proposed mechanisms specified for some protozoa such as encystation-excystation transformation, and degradation of host IgA and IgG (E. histolytica), crossing blood brain barrier (T. brucei), hemoglobin degradation, enhancement of oocysts production, sporozoites invasion of hepatocytes, and apicoplast development and homeostasis (Plasmodium spp.), and high expression in tachyzoites for digestion of cytosolic proteins (T. gondii). Beside their role in parasite invasion, CPs of apicomplexan protozoa are required for pathogen exit from the infected cells to invade other cells and continue the infection. In Plasmodium spp. and T. gondii, being obligate intracellular pathogens, schizogony or endodyogeny, involv
{"title":"Expression of cysteine proteinases and cystatins in parasites and use of cysteine proteinase inhibitors in parasitic diseases. Part III: Protozoa (1)","authors":"S. Abaza","doi":"10.21608/puj.2019.11168.1037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/puj.2019.11168.1037","url":null,"abstract":"Out of five classes of proteases (cysteine, serine, threonine, aspartate and glutamate), cysteine proteases (CPs) are responsible for hydrolysis of peptide bonds essential in several biological activities. In protozoa, as with helminths, not only do CPs play the major role in nutrients digestion, but they also have several functions for parasite survival such as differentiation of life cycle stages, immunomodulation of host immune response, and autophagy. Most wellcharacterized CPs in protozoa that were investigated in the last two decades belong to papain-family enzymes (clan CA, family C1). The present review highlights, in general, several aspects of CPs functions in protozoal survival and different strategies utilized in development of potent CPIs. The review also includes detailed data regarding T. gondii CPs, and their inhibitors wether exogenous (CPIs) or endogenous cystatins (CYSs). Abbreviations CALP: calpain; CATH: Cathepsin; CP: Cysteine proteinase; CPB: Cathepsin B; CPC: Cathepsin C; CPI: Cysteine proteinase inhibitor; CPL: Cathepsin L; CYS: Cystatin; MCA: Metacaspase; MIC: Microneme; PCD: Programmed cell death; PV: Parasitophorous vacuole; ROP: Rhoptry; VAC: Vacuolar compartment. CPs, CYSs, CPIs and T. gondii Abaza 9 succeeded to define 27, 24 and 18 genes, respectively. Amino acid sequences of the defined genes revealed high modular structure, suggesting the feasibility to utilize specific primers as diagnostic markers[5]. Recently, Siqueira-Neto et al.,[6] reviewed the proposed functions of the most characterized 29 CPs only in seven protozoa; E. histolytica (six), Leishmania spp. (six), Plasmodium spp. (five), T. gondii (five), T. cruzi (three), T. brucei (two), and Cryptosporidium spp. (two). It is evident that the most common proposed character of these CPs is a virulence factor to facilitate parasite survival and invasion. For each CP, the reviewers presented the mechanism(s) to achieve parasite invasion including induction of macrophage pro-inflammatory response, degradation of extracellular matrix, differentiation of life cycle stages, modulation of parasite metabolism, and autophagy. Mechanisms involved in immunoevasion and immunomodulation of host immune response are also proposed in all reviewed protozoa. There are other proposed mechanisms specified for some protozoa such as encystation-excystation transformation, and degradation of host IgA and IgG (E. histolytica), crossing blood brain barrier (T. brucei), hemoglobin degradation, enhancement of oocysts production, sporozoites invasion of hepatocytes, and apicoplast development and homeostasis (Plasmodium spp.), and high expression in tachyzoites for digestion of cytosolic proteins (T. gondii). Beside their role in parasite invasion, CPs of apicomplexan protozoa are required for pathogen exit from the infected cells to invade other cells and continue the infection. In Plasmodium spp. and T. gondii, being obligate intracellular pathogens, schizogony or endodyogeny, involv","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":"62 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68553426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-12-01DOI: 10.21608/puj.2018.5257.1019
M. Ghobashy, Hewaydah E. Abou Shafeey, A. Taeleb
Background: The ornamental fish guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a small colorful tropical cyprinid teleost fish. Lernaea cyprinacea (Anchor worm) are worldwide, crustacean copepod parasites that cause disease and mortality in several fish species of cultured or natural populations, especially wild-caught and pond-raised species of Poecilia. This study may be considered as a novel report from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Objective: The present study is an investigation of Lernaea isolates infecting apparently healthy Poecilia reticulate from KSA. Material and Methods: Guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) were purchased two weeks prior to experiments. They were examined for parasitic infection and allowed to breed in the laboratory. They were observed for 15 days for appearance of infection by Lernaea spp. larva and adult parasites. The copepod specimens were removed by forceps, from different parts of the infected fish. Specimens were fixed in 70% alcohol, cleared in 90% lactic acid, mounted, and microscopically examined to identify the morphological features of L. cyprinacea. Results: After 15 days, L. cyprinacea were detected in the ventral, anal and caudal fins of several P. reticulata. Intense focal inflammation and hemorrhage was easily observed at the attachment site, which appeared red and ulcerated. Total prevalence of infection was 68.1% (32/47). The prevalence of infection in females (29/38; 76.3%) was greater than in males (3/9; 33.3%). Conclusion: P. reticulata may be considered as a newly recorded host of L. cyprinacea from KSA. PARASITOLOGISTS UNITED JOURNAL 142 Guppy (P. reticulata) is a small and colorful tropical ornamental teleost. It is a member of the family Poeciliidae(15) that undergo internal fertilization(16). Guppies, whose natural habitat is in northeast South America, were introduced to many countries and are now found all over the world. They are highly adaptable and thrive in many different environmental and ecological conditions(15). Male guppies, which are smaller than females, have ornamental caudal and dorsal fins, while females are duller in color. In several tropical countries they were used for biological control of mosquito larvae, the vectors of infectious malaria disease(17,18) and filariasis(19-21). The guppy became a model for biological studies because of its short generation interval, ease of breeding in laboratories, and the availability of many different strains(22-24). Although L. cyprinacea parasites infect a wide range of both fish culture and natural populations fishes, few species of Lernaea were described especially those infecting ornamental fishes that still require further research. This study investigates Lernaea infections in guppy (P. reticulata), the ornamental, small and colorful fish, in a sample from KSA. MAtEriAl And MEtHodS The present study was carried out in the laboratory of Zoological Research, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Taif University, KSA. From a local breeder in El-Ta
{"title":"Guppy (Poecilia) Poeciliidae fish naturally infected with Lernaea cyprinacea parasites (Linnaeus 1758) in KSA","authors":"M. Ghobashy, Hewaydah E. Abou Shafeey, A. Taeleb","doi":"10.21608/puj.2018.5257.1019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/puj.2018.5257.1019","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The ornamental fish guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a small colorful tropical cyprinid teleost fish. Lernaea cyprinacea (Anchor worm) are worldwide, crustacean copepod parasites that cause disease and mortality in several fish species of cultured or natural populations, especially wild-caught and pond-raised species of Poecilia. This study may be considered as a novel report from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Objective: The present study is an investigation of Lernaea isolates infecting apparently healthy Poecilia reticulate from KSA. Material and Methods: Guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) were purchased two weeks prior to experiments. They were examined for parasitic infection and allowed to breed in the laboratory. They were observed for 15 days for appearance of infection by Lernaea spp. larva and adult parasites. The copepod specimens were removed by forceps, from different parts of the infected fish. Specimens were fixed in 70% alcohol, cleared in 90% lactic acid, mounted, and microscopically examined to identify the morphological features of L. cyprinacea. Results: After 15 days, L. cyprinacea were detected in the ventral, anal and caudal fins of several P. reticulata. Intense focal inflammation and hemorrhage was easily observed at the attachment site, which appeared red and ulcerated. Total prevalence of infection was 68.1% (32/47). The prevalence of infection in females (29/38; 76.3%) was greater than in males (3/9; 33.3%). Conclusion: P. reticulata may be considered as a newly recorded host of L. cyprinacea from KSA. PARASITOLOGISTS UNITED JOURNAL 142 Guppy (P. reticulata) is a small and colorful tropical ornamental teleost. It is a member of the family Poeciliidae(15) that undergo internal fertilization(16). Guppies, whose natural habitat is in northeast South America, were introduced to many countries and are now found all over the world. They are highly adaptable and thrive in many different environmental and ecological conditions(15). Male guppies, which are smaller than females, have ornamental caudal and dorsal fins, while females are duller in color. In several tropical countries they were used for biological control of mosquito larvae, the vectors of infectious malaria disease(17,18) and filariasis(19-21). The guppy became a model for biological studies because of its short generation interval, ease of breeding in laboratories, and the availability of many different strains(22-24). Although L. cyprinacea parasites infect a wide range of both fish culture and natural populations fishes, few species of Lernaea were described especially those infecting ornamental fishes that still require further research. This study investigates Lernaea infections in guppy (P. reticulata), the ornamental, small and colorful fish, in a sample from KSA. MAtEriAl And MEtHodS The present study was carried out in the laboratory of Zoological Research, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Taif University, KSA. From a local breeder in El-Ta","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46330163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-12-01DOI: 10.21608/PUJ.2018.6308.1025
H. Elwakil
Helminth infection modifies intestinal microflora: The changes in the composition of the gut microbiota that associate helminths infection may be due to the secretion of anti-microbial components by the parasite, the disruption of the epithelial barrier by the parasite that alters the intestinal environment or the stimulation of specific immune responses(2). Indeed, alterations in composition of bacterial communities were found in stool samples of school children with nematodes infection living in rural Ecuador(3). This study found decreased abundance of Clostridia, with reduction in overall bacterial diversity in stool samples of children co-infected with T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides. In a comparative study between fecal stool samples from helminthinfected or non-infected individuals living in rural Malaysia, Lee et al.,(4) reported a significant increase in bacterial diversity among individuals infected with any helminth species, and an increased abundance of Paraprevotellaceae family in those individuals infected only with T. trichiura.
{"title":"Parasites and microbiota: A complex relationship","authors":"H. Elwakil","doi":"10.21608/PUJ.2018.6308.1025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/PUJ.2018.6308.1025","url":null,"abstract":"Helminth infection modifies intestinal microflora: The changes in the composition of the gut microbiota that associate helminths infection may be due to the secretion of anti-microbial components by the parasite, the disruption of the epithelial barrier by the parasite that alters the intestinal environment or the stimulation of specific immune responses(2). Indeed, alterations in composition of bacterial communities were found in stool samples of school children with nematodes infection living in rural Ecuador(3). This study found decreased abundance of Clostridia, with reduction in overall bacterial diversity in stool samples of children co-infected with T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides. In a comparative study between fecal stool samples from helminthinfected or non-infected individuals living in rural Malaysia, Lee et al.,(4) reported a significant increase in bacterial diversity among individuals infected with any helminth species, and an increased abundance of Paraprevotellaceae family in those individuals infected only with T. trichiura.","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48913062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-12-01DOI: 10.21608/PUJ.2018.5929.1022
Alshaimaa Hamed, N. El-Gebaly, Azza Abdel megeid, E. Elsebaei
Background:Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common causes of latent infections in humans and animals. Its important clinical aspect is the probable danger of congenital transmission and its severe effects on the fetus. Infection is typically asymptomatic at birth, or is associated with serious neurological or ocular sequelae later in life with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. Serologic screening detects acute infection in pregnant women which if unrecognized may be transmitted to the unborn. Objective:To investigateserologically the prevalence of toxoplasmosis as a hidden cause of mental retardation (MR) in a sample of children from urban and surrounding rural areas attending the New Children Hospital of Cairo University (Abu Reesh Hospital), Cairo. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 200 children diagnosed as MR attending neurology outpatient clinics as a case group; and 200 samples as a control group fromnon-MR children attending other outpatient clinics with minor complaints like skin manifestations in dermatology clinic, upper respiratory infections and minor gastrointestinal complaints.Venous blood samples from the two groups of children were serologically tested for specific IgG by indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). Relevant sociodemographic and clinical data related to the children and their mothers was collected using a designed sheet. Results: Our results showedthat the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the MR children was significantly positive in 84/200 (42.0%) of the case group (P<0.001).The number of positive sera was 35/200 (17.5%) among control group. Associated clinical manifestations in the case group (MR) included convulsions in 53.5%, eye problems in 22.5%, splenomegaly in 16.5% and hepatomegaly in 9.5% of cases. There was no significant difference between urban and rural residences; and relevant risk factors in mothers included history of previous Toxoplasma infection (13.5%), history of abortion and still birth (each 36.5%) and premature deliveries (19.5%). History of contact with cats and consumption of undercooked meat rated 58% and 77.7% respectively. Conclusion: Screening females who are at risk for acquired toxoplasmosis is essential, before and during pregnancy to detect Toxoplasma seroconversion. Conversion from negative to positive testing would indicate exposure to infection, requiring the implementation of early treatment of infection to protect the unborn fetuses from trans-placental transmission.
{"title":"Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in mentally retarded children in Egypt","authors":"Alshaimaa Hamed, N. El-Gebaly, Azza Abdel megeid, E. Elsebaei","doi":"10.21608/PUJ.2018.5929.1022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21608/PUJ.2018.5929.1022","url":null,"abstract":"Background:Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common causes of latent infections in humans and animals. Its important clinical aspect is the probable danger of congenital transmission and its severe effects on the fetus. Infection is typically asymptomatic at birth, or is associated with serious neurological or ocular sequelae later in life with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. Serologic screening detects acute infection in pregnant women which if unrecognized may be transmitted to the unborn. \u0000Objective:To investigateserologically the prevalence of toxoplasmosis as a hidden cause of mental retardation (MR) in a sample of children from urban and surrounding rural areas attending the New Children Hospital of Cairo University (Abu Reesh Hospital), Cairo. \u0000Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 200 children diagnosed as MR attending neurology outpatient clinics as a case group; and 200 samples as a control group fromnon-MR children attending other outpatient clinics with minor complaints like skin manifestations in dermatology clinic, upper respiratory infections and minor gastrointestinal complaints.Venous blood samples from the two groups of children were serologically tested for specific IgG by indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). Relevant sociodemographic and clinical data related to the children and their mothers was collected using a designed sheet. \u0000Results: Our results showedthat the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the MR children was significantly positive in 84/200 (42.0%) of the case group (P<0.001).The number of positive sera was 35/200 (17.5%) among control group. Associated clinical manifestations in the case group (MR) included convulsions in 53.5%, eye problems in 22.5%, splenomegaly in 16.5% and hepatomegaly in 9.5% of cases. There was no significant difference between urban and rural residences; and relevant risk factors in mothers included history of previous Toxoplasma infection (13.5%), history of abortion and still birth (each 36.5%) and premature deliveries (19.5%). History of contact with cats and consumption of undercooked meat rated 58% and 77.7% respectively. \u0000Conclusion: Screening females who are at risk for acquired toxoplasmosis is essential, before and during pregnancy to detect Toxoplasma seroconversion. Conversion from negative to positive testing would indicate exposure to infection, requiring the implementation of early treatment of infection to protect the unborn fetuses from trans-placental transmission.","PeriodicalId":41408,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologists United Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43211621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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