Genotoxicity of Paragonimus heterotremus Infection in a Rat Model of Simultaneous Pulmonary and Hepatic Paragonimiasis.

Galina N Chelomina,Sergey P Kukla,Viktor P Chelomin,Pham N Doanh

doi:10.3390/biomedicines9091180

Abstract

Parasites cause numerous health issues in humans, eventually leading to significant social and economic damage; however, the mechanisms of parasite-mediated pathogenesis are not well understood. Nevertheless, it is clearly evidenced that cancerogenic fluke-induced chronic inflammations and cancer are closely associated with oxidative stress. (1) Methods: The Paragonimus heterotremus infection’s genotoxic potential was assessed in a rat model of simultaneous pulmonary and hepatic paragonimiasis by the alkaline version of single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Statistical analysis of comet parameters was based on the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. (2) Results: A clear and statistically significant increase in DNA damage was detected in the helminth-exposed group versus the control rats and the tissue areas adjacent to the parasite capsule versus remote ones; however, differences in DNA damage patterns between different tissues were not statistically significant. Infection resulted in up to 40% cells with DNA damage and an increased genetic damage index. (3) Conclusions: The data obtained contribute to understanding the pathogenesis mechanisms of paragonimiasis, suggesting oxidative stress as the most likely reason for DNA breaks; these findings allow us to consider P. heterotremus as a potentially cancerogenic species, and they are important for the monitoring and treatment of paragonimiasis.

Highlights

As a result of their global distribution, parasites cause numerous health issues in humans and animals, eventually leading to significant social and economic damage in all countries
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Almost 23 million people worldwide are infected by these species, which creates a global burden of 1,048,937 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with 292 million people being at risk

Summary

Introduction

As a result of their global distribution, parasites cause numerous health issues in humans and animals, eventually leading to significant social and economic damage in all countries. About 15–18% of malignancies worldwide are attributed to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, including helminth infection On the whole, the role of parasitic infection in the development of human cancer diseases remains underestimated, and its dual impact (an induction and suppression) on tumorigenesis is possible [4,5,6,7]. Almost 23 million people worldwide are infected by these species, which creates a global burden of 1,048,937 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with 292 million people being at risk. Paragonimus heterotremus is the most significant species as a causative agent of paragonimiasis in Vietnam, Thailand, Lao PDR, and some regions of China [9,10].

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Discussion

Conclusion