MicroRNA-125b-5p is a promising novel plasma biomarker for alveolar echinococcosis in patients from the southern province of Qinghai

Cao Deping,Jiang Bofan,Pang Mingquan,Zhang Yaogang

doi:10.1186/s12879-021-05940-z

Abstract

BackgroundAlveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by parasitic infection by Echinococcus multilocularis. Its diagnosis is usually based on clinical symptoms, ultrasound, and other imaging methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in disease processes and can exist in a highly stable cell-free form in body fluids. It is important to identify specific, sensitive diagnostic markers for early diagnosis and evaluation of AE. In this study, we examined hsa-miR-125b-5p as a potential plasma biomarker of E. multilocularis infection.MethodsPlasma samples from patients with AE and healthy individuals were screened for the presence of five miRNAs using miRNA chips. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to measure miRNA expression levels in plasma and liver tissue samples from patients with AE.Resultshsa-miR-125b-5p was stably upregulated in the plasma and liver tissue samples from patients with AE.ConclusionsThe results suggest that hsa-miR-125b-5p may be a promising biomarker for early, non-invasive diagnosis of AE.

Highlights

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by parasitic infection by Echinococcus multilocularis
Results microRNA expression in plasma samples Using a cutoff of P < 0.01 and |log2foldchange| ≥ 2 [13], we chose to investigate the expression of five miRNAs in the plasma of patients with AE
Has-miR-125b-5p was stably upregulated in the plasma of AE patients. hsamiR-520e was not detected in plasma from patients with AE

Summary

Introduction

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by parasitic infection by Echinococcus multilocularis. Its diagnosis is usually based on clinical symptoms, ultrasound, and other imaging methods. It is important to identify specific, sensitive diagnostic markers for early diagnosis and evaluation of AE. We examined hsa-miR-125b-5p as a potential plasma biomarker of E. multilocularis infection. Echinococcus multilocularis is a small tapeworm belonging to the family Taeniidae of the class Cestoda. The worms produce a large number of eggs that are released into the environment via the feces of the host. These eggs are ingested from contaminated food or drink by intermediate hosts, such as ruminants, rodents, or humans [1,2,3].

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