Anti-schistosome Antibodies Research Articles

Spatial distribution characteristics of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020

To investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody, and to examine the correlation between the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020, so as to provide insights into advanced schistosomiais control in the province. The epidemiological data of schistosomiasis in Hunan Province in 2020 were collected, including number of permanent residents in survey villages, number of advanced schistosomiasis patients, number of residents receiving serological tests and number of residents seropositive for anti-Schistosoma antibody, and the prevalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody were descriptively analyzed. Village-based spatial distribution characteristics of prevalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody were identified in Hunan Province in 2020, and the correlation between the revalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody was examined using Spearman correlation analysis. The prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis was 0 to 2.72% and the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody was 0 to 20.25% in 1 153 schistosomiasis-endemic villages in Hunan Province in 2020. Spatial clusters were identified in both the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis (global Moran's I = 0.416, P < 0.01) and the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody (global Moran's I = 0.711, P < 0.01) in Hunan Province. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis identified 98 schistosomiasis-endemic villages with high-high clusters of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis, 134 endemic villages with high-high clusters of the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody and 36 endemic villages with high-high clusters of both the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province. In addition, spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody (rs = 0.235, P < 0.05). There were spatial clusters of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020, which were predominantly located in areas neighboring the Dongting Lake. These clusters should be given a high priority in the schistosomiasis control programs.

Diagnosis and treatment of two imported cases with schistosomiasis haematobia in Fujian Province

To analyze the diagnosis and treatment of two imported cases with schistosomiasis haematobia, so as to provide insights into improving the diagnosis and treatment and avoiding misdiagnosis and mistreatment of imported schistosomiasis haematobia. The medical records and epidemiological data pertaining to the two cases were collected. The stool and urine samples were collected for identification of Schistosoma eggs using the Kato-Katz technique and direct smear method after centrifugal precipitation, and blood samples were collected for detection of anti-Schistosoma antibody. Following definitive diagnosis, the patients were given praziquantel therapy. The patient 1, a Malagasy, was infected in Madagascar and returned to China for delivery. The case presented intermittent painless terminal hematuria symptoms, and showed no remarkable improvements following multiple-round treatments in several hospitals. In January 2017, she was found to be positive for anti-Schistosoma antibody, negative for feces test, and positive for S. haematobium eggs in urine test, and miracidia were hatched from eggs. Then, the case was diagnosed as schistosomiasis haematobia. Patient 2 worked in Republic of Malawi for many years, and presented intermittent painless terminal hematuria since October 2018; however, no definite diagnosis or effective treatment was received after admission to multiple hospitals. In March 2019, pathological examinations showed a number of eggs in the interstitium of the bladder mass, accompanied by a large number of eosinophils, which was consistent with schistosomiasis cystitis. In April 2019, he was tested positive for serum anti-Schistosoma antibody, negative for the fecal test, and had S. haematobium eggs in urine samples, with miracidia hatched from eggs. Then, the case was diagnosed as schistosomiasis haematobia. Following treatment with praziquantel at a dose of 60 mg/kg, all symptoms disappeared. Overseas imported schistosomiasis haematobia is likely to be misdiagnosed. The training pertaining to schistosomiasis control knowledge requires to be improved among clinical professionals, in order to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

EVIDENCE OF ANTI-DOUBLE STRANDED DNA ANTIBODIES AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN EGYPTIAN PATIENTS WITH HIGH ANTI-SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI ANTIBODY TITER

Schistosomiasis is one of the major public health diseases that induced a diversity of immunologicreactions. Significant association between autoreactive antibodies and autoimmune disorderswas suggested. This study investigated the presence of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies and inflammatory biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP) in 89 Egyptian patients,with Schistosoma mansoni clinical evidence and high anti-Schistosoma antibody titer. Theresults showed positive serum anti-ds DNA antibodies in 11/89(12.4%) of them, without significanceto age, sex or anti-Schistosoma antibody titers. CRP was positive in 20/89(22.5%) of patients,with significant correlation with anti-ds DNA antibodies (P=0.000).

Superiority of rectal snip over serology in detection of schistosomiasis eradication: A pilot study

Background and study aimsThe diagnosis of schistosomiasis is based on serological determination of anti-schistosoma antibody and schistosoma antigen in serum and urine but the gold standard test is the microscopic detection of schistosoma eggs in urine and stool. However, there is an urgent demand to reach the elimination goal with higher sensitivity and specificity tools. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of anti-schistosoma antibody and schistosoma antigen in comparaison with rectal snip in the detection and prediction of eradication of schistosomiasis in previously and/or incidentaly diagnosed patients. Patients and methodsSixty patients were divided into 48 patients with ultrasound evidence of periportal fibrosis and non-calcified Schistosoma eggs detected microscopically in rectal snip biopsy and 12 control subjects with ultrasound evidence of periportal fibrosis only. ResultsRectal snip was more sensitive than standard serological tests in the investigation for detection and eradication of schistosomiasis infection with 100% sensitivity when compared to the sensitivity of Schistosoma antigen (45.8%) and that of Schistosoma antibody (31.2%). ConclusionPatients presenting to tropical medicine clinics with periportal fibrosis and/or abdominal symptoms with history of close proximity to fresh water bodies should be assessed by serology for schistosomiasis infection especially in highly endemic area. Rectal snip sampling should be done for negative or relapsed cases to exclude infection and confirm schistosomiasis clearance.

Effective diagnosis of schistosomiasis haematobium by Silver beads Sandwich ELISA

Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem. Diagnosis by simple and rapid immunoassays is a priority. The magnetic bead immunoassay using magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with anti-schistosomal antibody was evaluated for di­agnosing human schistosomiasis infection. The present study was to evaluate the sandwich ELISA as a simple test for the detection of schistosomal antigen (CSA) in serum and urine samples of S. haematobium patients and compare it with ELISA. Investigation conducted on eighty six cases divided to three groups, 34 were positively for Schistosoma haematobium, 32 were positively for intestinal parasites ova and negative for S. haematobium ova in urine and 20 were negative urine and stool examination (Control). Immunomagnetical bead based Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using for detected for antigen in sera and urine infected by S. haematobium. Sandwich ELISA sensitivities was 79.4% (serum) and 73.5% (urine) and which increase by used nano-sandwich ELISA to 88.2% (serum) and 82.4% (urine), respectively. Sandwich ELISA specificities was 86.4% (serum) and 80.8% (urine) and which increase by used nano-sandwich ELISA to 93.3% (serum) and 88.5% (urine). We found that, nano-sandwich ELISA assay had highly sensitive and specifically and technical method was applicably, fast, cheaper, accurate and promising diagnostic method for schistosomiasis.

Validity of urine-CCA cassette test and indirect haem-agglutination assay (IHA) in the detection of schistosomiasis-mansoni infection relative to microscopic examination.

Several immunodiagnostic assays have been commercially presented over the last years as easy diagnostic methods for schistosomiasis using serum or urine samples. The performance of immunochromatographic test (ICT) and indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) was validated in the identification of active schistosomiasis infection. Detection of circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) of the parasite in urine samples and anti-Schistosoma antibodies in serum using ICT (Urine-CCA Cassette test) and IHA respectively. Proved diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection was defined by the sum of positive results from microscopic examination (Gold standard) and Kato-Katz method. Out of 173 (mean age, 45 ± 10years; 70 from Giza, 103 from different Egyptian governorates), 9 4 adult patients were infected. Urine-CCA cassette test despite showing high specificity (91.14%) it was of low sensitivity (23.40%). PPVs was 75.86% and NPV was 50.00% and diagnostic accuracy of 54.34%. The IHA showed a sensitivity of 57.45% and specificity of 48.10%. PPVs was 56.84% whereas NPVs was 48.72%. As for diagnostic accuracy, it was 53.18%. Urine-CCA Cassette test had lower sensitivity than expected for detection of circulating antigen and the IHA kit is generally more expensive than microscopic examination and Urine-CCA cassette test with low sensitivity and specificity. On the basis of this diagnostic performance none of the two tested immune-assays can be a sole tool in the principal diagnosis of active schistosomiasis infections.

Micro Array-Assisted Analysis of Anti-Schistosome Glycan Antibodies Elicited by Protective Vaccination With Irradiated Cercariae.

Baboons vaccinated with radiation-attenuated cercariae develop high levels of protection against schistosome infection, correlating to high antibody titres towards schistosome antigens with unknown molecular identity. Using a microarray consisting of glycans isolated from different life-stages of schistosomes, we studied the anti-glycan immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM responses in vaccinated and challenged baboons over a time course of 25 weeks. Anti-glycan IgM responses developed early after vaccination, but did not rise in response to later vaccinations. In contrast, anti-glycan IgG developed more slowly, but was boosted by all five subsequent vaccinations. High IgM and IgG levels against O-glycans and glycosphingolipid glycans of cercariae were observed. At the time of challenge, while most antibody levels decreased in the absence of vaccination, IgG towards a subset of glycans containing multiple-fucosylated motifs remained high until 6 weeks post-challenge during challenge parasite elimination, suggesting a possible role of this IgG in protection.

Seroprevalence of bovine intestinal schistosomosis in different agro- ecological zones of south India using excretory-secretory antigen based ELISA

Intestinal schistosmosis caused by Schistosoma spindale and S. indicum is an important snail borne trematode infection that adversely affects the production and productivity of bovines in India. The present communication reports the high seroprevalence of infection among dairy cattle and buffaloes, under field conditions, utilizing a sensitive and specific excretory-secretory antigen based ELISA. Comparison of ELISA with copro-PCR, microscopy and post-mortem mesentery examination revealed the diagnostic superiority of ELISA. Seroprevalence of infection was mapped for the first time in India with special emphasis to agro- ecological zones. Anti-schistosome antibodies were detected in 34.96% of dairy cattle and buffaloes in the state with the evidence of significant influence of topography on the prevalence of infection. The study also highlighted the need to trace endemic pockets of infection in the country through efficient ante-mortem surveillance and to initiate anti-schistosome therapy prior to animal transport.

Diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni: an evaluation of existing methods and research towards single worm pair detection.

The inadequacy of current diagnostics for the detection of low worm burdens in humans means that schistosomiasis mansoni is more widespread than previously acknowledged. With the inception of mass drug treatment programmes aimed at disease elimination and the advent of human vaccine trials, the need for more sensitive diagnostics is evident. In this review, we evaluate the merits and limitations of the principal diagnostic methods, namely detection of eggs in faeces; anti-schistosome antibodies in serum; parasite-derived proteins and glycans in serum or urine; parasite DNA in blood, faeces or urine. Only in the baboon model, where actual worm burden is determined by portal perfusion, have faecal smear and circulating antigen methods been calibrated, and shown to have thresholds of detection of 10-19 worm pairs. There is scope for improvement in all the four methods of detection, e.g. the identification of single targets for host antibodies to improve the specificity of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Despite recent advances in the definition of the schistosome secretome, there have been no comprehensive biomarker investigations of parasite products in the urine of infected patients. Certainly, the admirable goal of eliminating schistosomiasis will not be achieved unless individuals with low worm burdens can be diagnosed.

Changes of serum anti-schistosome antibody levels in schistosomiasis japonica patients after treatment

To investigate the changes of serum anti-schistosome antibody titers in schistosomiasis japonica patients after treatment, in order to provide the evidence for formulating the schistosomiasis surveillance program in marshland and lake regions. Upon prospective cohort study, the stool examination positive schistosomiasis patients and blood examination positive suspected patients (the titer was more than 1:80, including 1:80) were selected as the research objects in Jiangling County in 2014, and they received the 2-day praziquantel therapy. Half year, one year and two years after the treatment, their blood samples and fecal samples were collected for IHA anti-schistosome antibody detections and schistosome egg and miracidium detections. In 2014, the stool examination positives were 251, and the majority of them were over 41 years old, accounting for 93.23% (234/251) ; 581 cases of high antibody titers were detected by the IHA method, and the majority of them were over 41 years old, accounting for 89.16% (518/581) . Half year, one year and two years after the treatment, among the stool examination positives, the negative conversion rates of stool positives were 99.60% (250/251), 100% (239/239) and 100% (234/234) respectively and the negative conversion rates of antibody positives were 21.91% (55/251), 64.11% (156/239) and 76.89% (193/234) respectively. In the high antibody titer positives, the negative conversion rates were 38.04% (221/581), 64.11% (359/560), and 77.86% (429/551) respectively, Half year, one year and two years after the treatment. There were statistically significant differences among the antibody negative conversion rates by χ2 test (χ2 = 77.538, 183.412, 25.469 respectively, all P < 0.001) . The geometric mean values of antibody titers of different durations between 2 groups were analyzed by 2-independent-samples T test, and the geometric mean values of antibody titers between the 2 groups were different before the treatment (t = 23.576, P < 0.01), but the geometric mean values of antibody titers between the 2 groups were not different 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after the treatment (t = -0.046, 1.165, -0.132, P = 0.964, 0.245, 0.895 respectively). The levels of serum anti-schistosome antibody degrade slowly in schistosomiasis japonica patients after the treatment, and the results of IHA tests cannot distinguish the current schistosome infection from previous schistosome infection. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the specific diagnostic technology for schistosome infection in order to meet the need of monitoring.

Impact of old Schistosomiasis infection on the use of transient elastography (Fibroscan) for staging of fibrosis in chronic HCV patients

Background and aimIn tropical regions, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) − Schistosomiasis coinfection remains one of the health problems. With the new era of HCV treatment and the variety of methods of assessment of liver fibrosis so we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FibroScan for staging hepatic fibrosis in HCV-Schistosomiasis coinfected patients. MethodologyThree groups of patients were enrolled. Group 1: chronic HCV with out antischistosomal antibody (122 patients), Group 2: chronic HCV with positive antischistosomal antibodies and without periportal tract thickening (122 patients), Group 3: chronic HCV with positive antischistosomal antibodies and ultrasonographic picture of periportal tract thickening (108 patients). Routine laboratory workup, serum Antischistosomal antibody, and Schistosomal antigen in serum were performed. Ultrasound guided liver biopsy with histopathological examination; abdominal ultrasound and fibroscan examination were done for all patients. ResultsThe agreement between results of liver biopsy and results of fibroscan in the staging of fibrosis was the best in group 1 (55.7%), Although the agreement was higher among those with no periportal tract thickening (70.7%) and the disagreement was higher among those with positive schistosomal serology (66.5%), yet this relation was not statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disagreement is significantly associated with older age, higher BMI (≥30), and increase in anti Schistosomal antibody titer. ConclusionFibroscan is a reliable, non-invasive tool for staging hepatic fibrosis among HCV-schistosomiasis co-infected patients with no effect of the induced periportal tract thickening on the readings. Only higher antischistosomal antibody titres may cause disagreement between liver biopsy and fibroscan.

The use of circulating cathodic antigen rapid test and serology for diagnosis of active Schistosoma mansoni infection in migrants in Italy, a non-endemic country: a cross sectional study.

ABSTRACTDiagnosis of schistosomiasis in migrants coming from endemic areas can be difficult, especially in asymptomatic subjects. Light-intensity disease, in fact, may be missed due to the low sensitivity of the stool microscopy and serologic testing cannot distinguish between a resolved infection and an active infection in patients who have been infected and treated in the past, because specific antibodies can persist despite cure. We describe a cross-sectional study conducted on 82 migrants tested for Schistosoma mansoni on single blood (anti-schistosome antibodies, total IgE) and urine [point-of-care (POC) circulating-cathodic-antigen (CCA) test] samples. A positive POC-CCA test (active infection) resulted in two untreated patients with a positive serology while all patients (n = 66) with a past infection showed a negative POC-CCA test. POC-CCA urine test in combination with serology may be helpful in rapidly differentiate active from past S. mansoni infection in migrants coming from endemic areas.

Selecting accurate post-elimination monitoring tools to prevent reemergence of urogenital schistosomiasis in Morocco: a pilot study

BackgroundAfter alleged stop of transmission of schistosomiasis and further down the line in post elimination settings, sensitive tools are required to monitor infection status to prevent potential re-emergence. In Rahala, where transmission cycle of Schistosoma haematobium is interrupted since 2004 but where 30% of snails are still infected by S. bovis, potential human S. bovis infection can’t be excluded. As methods based on egg-counts do not provide the required sensitivity, antibody or antigen assays are envisaged as the most appropriate tools for this type of monitoring.MethodsIn this pilot study, the performances of three assays were compared: two commercially available antibody tests (ELISA and haemagglutination format) indicating exposure, and an antigen test (lateral flow strip format) demonstrating active infection. All 37 recruited study participants resided in Rahala (Akka, province Tata, Morocco). Participants had been diagnosed and cured from schistosomiasis in the period between 1983 and 2003. In 2015 these asymptomatic participants provided fresh clinical samples (blood and urine) for analysis with the aforementioned diagnostics tests.ResultsNo eggs were identified in the urine of the 37 participants. The haemagglutination test indicated 6 antibody positives whereas the ELISA indicated 28 antibody positives, one indecisive and one false positive. ELISA and haemagglutination results matched for 18 individuals, amongst which 5 out of 6 haemagglutination positives. With the antigen test (performed on paired serum and urine samples), serum from two participants (cured 21 and 32 years ago) indicated the presence of low levels of the highly specific Schistosoma circulating anodic antigen (CAA), demonstrating low worm level infections (less than 5 pg/ml corresponding to probably single worm pair). One tested also CAA positive with urine. ELISA indicated the presence of human anti-Schistosoma antibodies in these two CAA positive cases, haemagglutination results were negative.ConclusionsTo prevent reemergence of schistosomiasis in Morocco current monitoring programs require specific protocols that include testing of antibody positives for active infection by the UCP-LF CAA test, the appropriate diagnostic tool to identify Schistosoma low grade infections in travelers, immigrants and assumed cured cases. The test is genus specific will also identify infections related to S. bovis.

Impact of schistosomiasis on increase incidence of occult hepatitis B in chronic hepatitis C patients in Egypt.

Co-infection of schistosomiasis, HBV and HCV is common in countries where schistosomiasis is endemic. Occult hepatitis B occurs in patients at high risk for HBV infection (e.g., patients on hemodialysis, patients receiving blood transfusions). Schistosomal infection is a risk factor of HBV infection that can increase the incidence of occult hepatitis B. We aimed to determine the prevalence of occult hepatitis B in chronic hepatitis C patients with and without schistosomiasis and to assess the effect of schistosomal infection on the increased risk of exposure to HBV infection and to occult hepatitis B. Two hundred chronic hepatitis C patients who were negative for HBsAg participated. All patients were tested for the following: Anti-schistosome antibodies, Anti-HBc, serum HBV DNA, CBC and liver function. The prevalence of occult hepatitis B in CHC patients with/without schistosomiasis were 12.8% and 8.5% (P=0.042), respectively. Next, 63.8% of CHC patients with schistosomiasis were exposed to HBV infection (Anti-HBc +ve) during their lifetime. In conclusion, the prevalence of occult hepatitis B is higher in CHC patients with schistosomiasis compared to those without schistosomiasis. Periodic laboratory investigations of Schistosoma mansoni, HBV and HCV are recommended for the early detection of the infection and, especially in endemic areas, to avoid infection complications.

Study of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) Gene Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world. Dickkopf -1 (DKK-1) protein is a new biomarker used in conjunction with Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) to differentiate HCC from "non-malignant" liver disease. DKK-1 is an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway which is involved in embryogenesis and has been implicated in tumorigenesis in many tissues. To investigate the level of DKK-1 gene expression in the peripheral blood of patients with HCC who had a history of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and schistosomal infections. This "cross-sectional" study was carried out in the Tropical Medicine Department of Tanta University Hospital on 50 patients with HCC and 10 healthy volunteers served as control. All patients were tested for HCV antibodies and "anti-schistosomal" antibodies. All groups were tested for DKK-1 gene expression which was measured with quantitative real-time PCR. DKK-1 gene was over-expressed in HCC patients than in the control group with mean 3.269±4.762 versus 1.00 in controls (p< 0.005). "Over- expression" of DKK-1 was found in: 8/20 of patients with negative serology for both infections (40%; p<0.001), 7/18 of patients with positive anti-HCV antibodies (38.89%; p<0.001) and 11/12 of patients with positive anti-schistosomal antibodies (91.66%; p<0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between DKK-1 expression and HCV infection (p=0.139) but there was significant correlation between the gene expression and schistosomal infection (p<0.001). These data suggest the role of DKK-1 over-expression in HCC development in patients with combined HCV and schistosomal infections and that induction of the Wnt pathway or using DKK-1 antagonist may represent a key advance in the area of genetic prevention of HCC in these "high-risk" patients.

Cross-Reactivity between Schistosoma mansoni Antigens and the Latex Allergen Hev b 7: Putative Implication of Cross-Reactive Carbohydrate Determinants (CCDs).

IgG antibodies produced by rabbits immunized against S. mansoni antigens cross-reacted with aqueous soluble constituents of a variety of allergens. The antibody cross-reactivity was largely sensitive to degradation by treatment of the target antigens with sodium meta-periodate, suggesting the cross-reactivity was due to carbohydrate determinants that were common to both the schistosome and the allergens (CCDs). The reaction between the rabbit antibodies and a 43 kDa molecule in a rubber latex extract was analysed further: tandem mass spectrometry identified the latex molecule as allergen Hev b 7. Rabbit anti-schistosome IgG antibodies purified by acid-elution from solid-phase latex Hev b 7 reacted with the S. mansoni egg antigens IPSE/alpha-1 and kappa-5 and cercarial antigens SPO-1 and a fatty acid-binding protein. Moreover, purified anti-S. mansoni egg, latex cross-reactive antibodies reacted with antigenic constituents of some fruits, a result of potential relevance to the latex-fruit syndrome of allergic reactions. We propose that IgG anti-schistosome antibodies that cross-react with allergens may be able to block IgE-induced allergic reactions and thus provide a possible explanation for the hygiene hypothesis.

Praziquantel efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni among HIV-1 infected and uninfected adults living in fishing villages along Lake Victoria, Northwest Tanzania.

BackgroundAnimal studies have demonstrated that functional immune responses, as determined by the levels of CD4+ cell counts and anti-schistosome antibodies responses, determine the efficacy of praziquantel. Based on this evidence, it has been hypothesised that the immunodeficiency effects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection may affect the efficacy of praziquantel in co-infected human hosts. Thus, the present study assessed the efficacy of praziquantel by comparing parasitological cure rates and the reduction in infection intensity in HIV-1 seronegative individuals infected with S. mansoni and HIV-1 seropositive individuals co-infected with S. mansoni, following treatment with a single oral dose of praziquantel.MethodsThis was a prospective longitudinal study which included, at baseline, 555 S. mansoni infected adults aged 21–55 years, who were either co-infected or not with HIV-1 and who lived in fishing villages along Lake Victoria in Northwest Tanzania. These individuals were treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg) and, at 12 weeks, single stool samples were obtained and examined for S. mansoni eggs using the Kato-Katz technique. Finger prick and venous blood samples were collected for HIV-1 screening and CD4+ cell quantification.ResultsThe parasitological cure rate did not differ significantly from the HIV-1 serostatus (P = 0.12): among the co-infected individuals, the cure rate was 48.3% (14/29), and among the individuals infected only with S. mansoni, the cure rate was 62.6% (329/526). The egg reduction rate did not vary with the HIV-1 serostatus (P = 0.22): 77.22% for HIV-1 seronegative and 75% for HIV-1 seropositive individuals. The level of CD4+ cell counts (median 228 cells/μL: range 202–380 cells) did not influence the cure rate (P = 0.23) or the reduction in the intensity of the infection (P = 0.37).ConclusionThe HIV-1 infection per se or its moderate immunodeficiency effects, demonstrated by the range of CD4+ cell counts observed in co-infected individuals, did not affect praziquantel efficacy, as measured by the parasitological cure rate and the reduction in intensity of infection in the present study cohort.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2049-9957-3-47) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Role of IL-28B polymorphisms in virologic response to combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy in genotype 4 chronic HCV infected patients with and without cirrhosis

BackgroundChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents one of the common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide with Egypt having the highest prevalence, namely genotype 4. The rs12979860 CC genotype of the interleukin 28B (IL28B) polymorphisms is associated with high rates of sustained virological response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HCV genotype-1 patients. Data on other genotypes are more limited. ObjectiveWe aim to evaluate the predictive power of the rs12979860 IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms for treatment response at 3 and 6months in chronic HCV genotype 4 Egyptian patients in relation to other predictors. Patients and methodsThe study included 60 chronic HCV Egyptian patients receiving pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. Patients were classified into 2 groups; 30 patients with compensated cirrhosis, and 30 patients without cirrhosis. We analyzed selected pretreatment factors such as age, sex, HCV viral load, anti-schistosomal antibodies, insulin resistance, alpha fetoprotein, low and high density lipoproteins and single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL28B and tried to find out which of them influence sustained virological response. ResultsIn univariate analysis, CC genotype showed a significant association with sustained virological response at 6months among the cirrhotic patients (81.8% responders had the CC genotype, 58.3% had the CT/TT genotype) (p=0.009). While in multivariate analysis, the presence of cirrhosis showed higher risk of failed response at 3 and 6months (p=0.016 and 0.020 respectively). Also, positive schistosoma serology was an important negative predictor of response at 3 and 6months in both groups (p=0.003 and 0.001 respectively). ConclusionIn Egypt, where chronic HCV genotype 4 and schistosoma coinfection predominate, both schistosoma infection and cirrhosis are more potent than IL28B polymorphisms as strong baseline negative predictors of hepatitis C treatment response.

Successful detection, expression and purification of the alternatively spliced truncated Sm14 antigen of an Egyptian strain ofSchistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni causes intestinal schistosomiasis, a disease that is prevalent in several regions worldwide. To date, a protective vaccine against S. mansoni is still lacking. Several promising antigens have been discovered and evaluated for vaccine protection, such as Sm14 and Sm28GST. In this short communication, we report the successful detection of an alternatively spliced truncated form of Sm14 which was highly expressed in an Egyptian strain of S. mansoni. This truncated Sm14 (TrSm14) protein was formerly reported to be practically non-existent and its complementary DNA (cDNA) was thought to be 'a rare misprocessing of mRNA precursor'. Our finding demonstrates that there is inter-strain variation in the S. mansoni transcriptome and subsequently in the role/function of the expressed proteins. We expressed TrSm14 successfully in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with the schistosomal antigen Sm28GST. The fusion protein was purified using metal affinity chromatography and was found to be reactive with serum from S. mansoni-infected patients. This suggests a possible diagnostic value for this protein in detection of anti-schistosomal antibodies. In addition, this fusion protein could offer a potential bivalent vaccine candidate against S. mansoni that is worthy of further investigation.

Efficacy of Dot-ELISA using different antigens in detecting anti-schistosome antibodies among bovines in field conditions.

Schistosomosis has been recognised as one of the major parasitic diseases of livestock and human beings. Schistosoma spindale is the major cause of visceral schistosomosis among bovines of Kerala State. Besides pathology in animals, it has been long known that cercariae of S. spindale are a common cause of dermatitis in human beings in Asia. However, detection of this disease based on coprology has underestimated the prevalence of this economically important disease among cattle of the State. An efficient diagnostic tool providing unequivocal evidence of infection in living animals is perhaps, the key to formulate and deliver control measures to the target population. It is also crucial for an enhanced understanding of parasite epidemiology. The utility of excretory-secretory proteins as diagnostic and vaccine candidates for schistosomosis has been a focus of medical research since long. There exists a paucity of information with regard to analysis of ES proteins of S. spindale and their incorporation to develop sensitive and specific serodiagnostic tool. Hence a study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Dot-ELISA incorporating different antigens of S. spindale and to validate the test under field conditions.