Degree Of Parasitic Infection Research Articles

Multistage Inhibition of the Myosin XIV-Based Invasion Motor in the Malaria Parasite and Related Pathogens

Myosins have become attractive targets for a directed small molecule-based modulation of their physiological function. A number of chemical inhibitors and activators have been reported and proven valuable tools for studying myosin function in healthy and diseased cells, and served as lead candidates towards new therapeutic treatments. Given the large number of myosin classes and isoforms directly linked to human pathologies, the current set of myosin modulators has proven specific for particular myosins, whereas the majority of classes remains inaccessible. Here we show the first small molecule inhibitors of apicomplexan class XIV myosins, developed using structure-based de novo design and thermodynamics-driven optimization. Apicomplexan class XIV myosins play critical roles in infectious diseases, such as toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, and malaria, with mortality rates of up to half million deaths every year. In particular, myosin A is a key component of the parasitic invasion motor, responsible for parasite motility and host cell invasion. Our compounds display low cytotoxicity and inhibit myosin ATPase and motor function in the submicromolar range. Crystallographic data confirm binding to an allosteric site in myosin. In blood stage malaria growth-inhibition assays, the compounds significantly reduce intracellular parasite growth and the degree of parasitic infection with comparable potencies both, against drug-sensitive parasite strains and multidrug-resistant strains. Functional assays of multiple life-cycle stages revealed a direct effect of the compounds on the myosin XIV-based invasion machinery and associated processes, including invasion of red blood cells and motility of blood and liver stage parasites. The present study confirms an essential role of Pf myosin A for parasite infection and opens new perspectives for a targeted modulation of specific myosin classes and associated diseases.

PARASITES OF THE CICHLID FISHES IN WATER RESERVOIR OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

A survey of parasites of Tilapia species (Family; Cichlidae) was carried out at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Reservoir. A total of 150 specimens belonging to four genera and species were examined for parasites. Of the total number examined 16.0% were infected with various types of parasites. Parasites encountered during the study included flagellate protozoan, Ichtyobodonecatrix (96.0%), species of annelid, Piscicola sp.(1.6%), species of nematode, Cucullanus sp.(1.6%), and species of cestode, Caryophyllaeidessp (0.8%). This result showed low prevalence of infection as well as low parasites diversity. The prevalence of infection was highest in Oreochromis niloticus (29.0%) and followed in descending order by Hemichromis fasciatus (16.7%), Sarotherodon galilaeus (14.3%)and Tilapia zillii (10.5%). The skin (60.7%), gills (36.9%), stomach (1.6%) and intestine (0.8%) were the locations infected and the skin supported the highest burden. The result also revealed that there were no significant differences between the size/age (X2=0.44; p>0.05)and sex (X2=1.38; p>0.05) and the degree of parasitic infection in this group of fishes. The economic and public health implications of these results in relation to fish-man interactions were discussed.

EFEITO DO PARASITISMO POR Haemonchus contortus SOBRE O METABOLISMO OXIDATIVO DE LEUCÓCITOS DE OVINOS

Resumo A resposta imune tardia direcionada para eliminação da hemoncose pode ser modulada pelo perfil Th2, sendo os eosinófilos as principais células efetoras responsáveis pela eficiente eliminação do parasita; ou modulada pelo perfil Th1, sendo os neutrófilos as principais células efetoras, que promovem eliminação parasitária mais deficiente, pois testes in vitro demonstraram que o parasita deprime o metabolismo oxidativo dos fagócitos. Desta maneira, este trabalho objetivou avaliar se o grau de infecção parasitária observado pela quantidade de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) de Haemonchus contortus interfere no leucograma e se impacta no metabolismo oxidativo leucocitário em ovino naturalmente acometido por hemoncose. Para tanto, 39 ovinos machos adultos e sem alterações no exame físico, excetuando-se a coloração das mucosas, foram separados em 4 grupos conforme a infecção parasitária 0-350 (n=15), 400 a 1000 (n=10), 1100-2000 (n=7) e 2100-4700 (n=7). Notou-se correlação significativa positiva entre OPG e neutrófilos (r=0,56; P=0,0003) e significativa negativa entre OPG e eosinófilos (r=-0,50; P=0,0012) e OPG e metabolismo oxidativo leucocitário (P=0,0001), permitindo concluir que há relação entre as células efetoras e a severidade de infecção parasitária em ovinos naturalmente infectados por hemoncose. Também se verificou que a alta infecção parasitária promove diminuição do metabolismo oxidativo de leucócitos.

Aplicación del método Famacha© en dos tipos de explotación caprina en Popayán (Cauca, Colombia)

La capricultura en Colombia es un sector productivo en desarrollo; por lo tanto, es importante evaluar e implementar estrategias para el control de las parasitosis, una de las principales problemáticas en este tipo de explotación. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar la aplicación del método Famacha© para el control de parásitos en dos sistemas de explotación caprina. Dicho método se aplicó a diez caprinos en un sistema de manejo estabulado y en uno semiestabulado, y se evaluó carga parasitaria, hematocrito, puntaje Famacha© y número de desparasitaciones, mensualmente, durante seis meses. Los dos sistemas de explotación caprina tuvieron el mismo grado de infección parasitaria, y no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p > 0,05) respecto a hematocrito, recuento de huevos por gramo de heces, puntaje Famacha© y número de desparasitaciones durante el periodo de estudio.

Comparison of parasite infection degree in cattle (Bos sp.) using faecal egg counting method in two East Java regions, Lamongan and Gresik

ObjectiveTo investigate the type of parasites in cattle in Lamongan and Gresik, East Java, Indonesia and their infection degree using faecal egg counting. MethodsParasite egg analysis was performed using Whitlock method and sedimentation technique. ResultsThe results revealed that 18 out of 134 samples were infected. Cattle from both regions were infected mainly by Strongyle sp. In Gresik, this was the only parasite causing infection in cattle. ConclusionsAfter faecal egg counting, it is concluded that the degree of parasitic infection in cattle in Gresik is moderate and in Lamongan is mild.

ANALISA TINGKAT PREVALENSI DAN DERAJAT INFEKSI PARASIT PADA IKAN KERAPU MACAN (Ephinephilus fuscoguttatus) DI LOKASI BUDIDAYA BERBEDA

Fish is the potential protein source for human. People consumption of fish requires attention related to whether the fish is safe to consume. This research is aimed at finding kind of parasite attack Groupers (E. fuscoguttatus) and the prevalence and the infection level in the different farming location. The research method used that is by taking Groupers size between 10 cm - 35 cm as many fish from all population in each location with the assumption of percentage the prevalence used was 10%. Sample then analyzed for amount and type of parasite attacked and determined level of prevalence and degree of parasite infection. Result showed the type of parasite attack Groupers are Anasakis sp., Diphyllobothrium sp., Caligus sp., Diplectanum sp., Ergasillus sp., and Argulus sp. The different location of farming didn’t influence the parasite prevalence degree in Groupers. It is known that in location 1 in Lamongan, the prevalence level is 60% and the amount of fish attacked is 12, while in location 2 which is in Situbondo regency the prevalence degree is 50% with 10 fish attacked. t-test result showed that the level of infection degree did not differ perhaps because of the water condition quality between two location was relatively similar and still in the normal category, and also farmers have known the farming techniques well. Key Words : Prevalence, Degree of parasite infection, Groupers

Further Obervations on the Use of the Medicinal Plant, Vernonia amygdalina (Del). By a Wild Chimpanzee, Its Possible Effect on Parasote Load, and Its Phytochemistry

This is the second detailed case study of the use of V. amygdalina (Del) by a wild chimpanzee suffering from gastrointestinal upset (flatulence and diarrhea). The female, who was followed for approximately 5 hours over a two-day period, recovered from her symptoms by the afternoon of the second day. Laborawry examination of two fecal samples, one collected approximately 1 hour and another 20.5 hours after ingestion of the plant's bitter pith, revealed a notable drop in the degree of parasitic infection by a Ternidens sp. Bioassay of the plant consumed by the female confirmed that the two most abundant and bioactive constituents, vernodalin and vernonioside BI , were present. Vernonioside B1 was found to occur at significant levels in both the leaves and pith, but the cytotoxic vernodalin was found only in the leaves. This suggests that vernonioside BI and its naturally occurring aglycones are likely to be the bioactive constituents ingested by chimpanzees. The estimated amount of vernonioside B1 ingested by this female was found to be approximately equal to the amount contained in a traditional Tongwe medicinal preparation from a cold water extract of the leaves to treat similar gastrointestinal disorders in adult human patients. This report provides new evidence for the effectiveness of medicinal plant use in primates and strongly supports the current hypothesis regarding the use of V. amygdalina for the control of symptoms from parasitic and gastrointestinal illness by wild chimpanzees.

Allergic reactivity and socio-economic level in a tropical environment.

As some factors associated with the tropical environment can modify the expression of atopic disease, various indicators of allergic reactivity were compared between allergic and non-allergic subjects of different socio-economic level in Caracas, Venezuela (Lat. 10 degrees N). The socio-economic levels considered were high (HSEL), medium-high (MSEL) or low (LSEL). As generally found in temperature climates, in the HSEL the total serum IgE levels of allergic patients were significantly greater than those of non-allergic individuals (geometric means of 274 vs 126 IU/ml, respectively), as were also the specific serum IgE antibody levels (55.6 vs 23.8% positive, respectively, for house dust). These results correlated closely with the skin-test reactivity of these subjects (60.3 vs 17.5% positive for house dust). In this group, the degree of intestinal helminthic infection was low (5.6% positive for Ascaris). In contrast, for the MSEL where the degree of parasitic infection was higher (13.0%), the total serum IgE levels were elevated in both allergic and non-allergic subjects (602 vs 363 IU/ml). Similarly, positivity for specific IgE antibody was high, and comparable between allergics and non-allergics of this group (61.5 vs 54.2%), as was also the case for skin-test reactivity (71.9 vs 60.4%). In the LSEL, parasitic infection was prevalent (47.6%), and the total serum IgE levels were markedly elevated, with little difference occurring between allergic and non-allergic individuals (2269 vs 1981 IU/ml). The positivity for specific IgE antibody was high, and effectively independent of the allergic state (75.6 vs 53.7%), but in contrast the skin test reactivity was relatively low (22.0 vs 9.8%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Within-flock variations in strongyle worm infections in sheep: the need for adequate diagnostic samples.

Abstract Extract The results of several recent studies have emphasized the pitfalls inherent in the use of faecal worm-egg counts for the quantitative diagnosis of strongyle worm infections in ruminants (Kingsbury, 1965; Gibson, 1965; Gordon, 1967; Rubin, 1967; Michel, 1968). However, in these studies, most consideration has been given to the various factors which affect the accuracy per se of the individual egg count. In the case of strongyle infections in sheep, little attention has been given to the within-flock variationsin level and relative generic cornposition of worm burdens which affect the interpretation and diagnostic validity of both faecal egg counts and worm counts, on a flock basis. While it is sometimes necessary to diagnose the presence or degree of parasitic infection in an individual animal, the flockis usually the unit concerned.