Immune responses during helminth-malaria co-infection: a pilot study in Ghanaian school children

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (7) ◽  
pp. 855-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCA C. HARTGERS ◽  
BENEDICTA B. OBENG ◽  
DANIEL BOAKYE ◽  
MARIA YAZDANBAKHSH
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
School Children ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

SUMMARYMalaria and helminth infections have a shared geographical distribution and therefore co-infections are frequent in tropical areas of the world. Human populations of helminth and malaria co-infection have shown contradictory results for the course of malarial infection and disease, possibly depending on the type of helminth studied, the intensity of helminth infection and the age of the study population. Although immunological studies might clarify the underlying mechanisms of protection or increased susceptibility, there are very few studies that have looked at immunological parameters in helminth and malaria co-infection. After discussing the available immunological data on co-infection, we describe a pilot study performed in Ghanaian school children where we compare anti-malarial responses in children living in an urban area, where the prevalence of helminth andPlasmodium falciparuminfections was low, with that of children living in a rural area with high prevalence of helminth andPlasmodium falciparuminfections.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Pattern of Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infection among Primary School Children in a Rural Community in Imo State, Nigeria

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelechi Kenneth Odinaka ◽  
Emeka Charles Nwolisa ◽  
Francis Mbanefo ◽  
Alfreda Chinekwu Iheakaram ◽  
Seline Okolo
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Imo State ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Helminthic Infection ◽  
Study Population

Background.Soil-transmitted helminthic infection is a common public health challenge of primary school children in resource challenged and developing countries. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and pattern of soil-transmitted helminthic infection among primary school children in a rural community in Imo State, Nigeria.Method.The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 284 primary school children in a rural community.Results.The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) was 30.3%. Of all STHIs, hookworm was the commonest geohelminth observed, 81 (94.2%). The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection was more in males, 58 (38.4%), than in females, 28 (21.1%). This difference was statistically significant (P=0.001).Conclusion.The high prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst the study population is worrisome. There is need for organized and routine deworming among school children in the community.

scholarly journals Sickle Cell Trait Modulates the Proteome and Phosphoproteome of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaux Chauvet ◽  
Cerina Chhuon ◽  
Joanna Lipecka ◽  
Sébastien Dechavanne ◽  
Célia Dechavanne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Trait ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Red Cell Membrane ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Erythrocyte Surface ◽  
Human Proteins

The high prevalence of sickle cell disease in some human populations likely results from the protection afforded against severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria and death by heterozygous carriage of HbS. P. falciparum remodels the erythrocyte membrane and skeleton, displaying parasite proteins at the erythrocyte surface that interact with key human proteins in the Ankyrin R and 4.1R complexes. Oxidative stress generated by HbS, as well as by parasite invasion, disrupts the kinase/phosphatase balance, potentially interfering with the molecular interactions between human and parasite proteins. HbS is known to be associated with abnormal membrane display of parasite antigens. Studying the proteome and the phosphoproteome of red cell membrane extracts from P. falciparum infected and non-infected erythrocytes, we show here that HbS heterozygous carriage, combined with infection, modulates the phosphorylation of erythrocyte membrane transporters and skeletal proteins as well as of parasite proteins. Our results highlight modifications of Ser-/Thr- and/or Tyr- phosphorylation in key human proteins, such as ankyrin, β-adducin, β-spectrin and Band 3, and key parasite proteins, such as RESA or MESA. Altered phosphorylation patterns could disturb the interactions within membrane protein complexes, affect nutrient uptake and the infected erythrocyte cytoadherence phenomenon, thus lessening the severity of malaria symptoms.

scholarly journals Prevalence and follow-up of subclinical rheumatic heart disease amongst asymptomatic school children in a north-western district of India based on the World Heart Federation echocardiographic criteria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinesh Choudhary ◽  
Sadik Panwar ◽  
Balkishan Gupta ◽  
Raja Panwar ◽  
Rajeev Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ◽  
Active Surveillance ◽  
School Children ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Rheumatic Heart

Background Past active surveillance have reported prevalence of subclinical RHD amongst school children which are not comparable because of major differences in screening methods. The present study is based on the WHF criteria to assess the prevalence of subclinical carditis due to RHD and elucidate evolution of the disease when these children were placed on appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis and regular follow-up. This is the first large active surveillance study which has been conducted in a single district of India after the publication of WHF criteria and is reporting short-medium term follow-up data. Methods For active surveillance of RHD among urban and rural school children of Bikaner, a random inclusion strategy was adopted. The diagnostic labelling based on the echocardiographic criteria proposed by World Heart Federation was done by a group of experienced cardiologists. The follow up of the patients recruited in to the study was done to ascertain the early evolution of the disease in the presence of appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis. Results A high prevalence of subclinical RHD was noted in the study population. Pathological mitral and/or aortic valves regurgitation was the commonest lesion and significant proportion of cases improved on regular antibiotic prophylaxis. There was no case of fixity of leaflets/ stenosis. Conclusion The prevalence of subclinical RHD and these cases are reversible if appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis is instituted at an early stage.

scholarly journals High cases of submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum infections in a suburban population of Lagos, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence A. Umunnakwe ◽  
Emmanuel T. Idowu ◽  
Olusola Ajibaye ◽  
Blessed Etoketim ◽  
Samuel Akindele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Malaria Diagnosis ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Low Sensitivity

Abstract Background Asymptomatic malaria parasites are significant sources of infections for onward malaria transmission. Conventional tools for malaria diagnosis such as microscopy and rapid diagnostic test kits (RDT) have relatively low sensitivity, hence the need for alternative tools for active screening of such low-density infections. Methods This study tested var acidic terminal sequence-based (varATS) quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for screening asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections among dwellers of a sub-urban community in Lagos, Nigeria. Clinically healthy participants were screened for malaria using microscopy, RDT and varATS qPCR techniques. Participants were stratified into three age groups: 1–5, 6–14 and > 14 years old. Results Of the 316 participants screened for asymptomatic malaria infection, 78 (24.68%) were positive by microscopy, 99 (31.33%) were positive by RDT and 112 (35.44%) by varATS qPCR. Participants aged 6–14 years had the highest prevalence of asymptomatic malaria, with geometric means of ~ 116 parasites/µL and ~ 6689 parasites/µL as detected by microscopy and varATS, respectively. Conclusion This study has revealed high prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in the study population, with varATS detecting additional sub-microscopic infections. The highest concentration of asymptomatic malaria was observed among school-age children between 6 and 14 years old. A large-scale screening to identify other potential hotspots of asymptomatic parasites in the country is recommended.

scholarly journals Treatment with anthelminthics during pregnancy: what gains and what risks for the mother and child?

Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (12) ◽  
pp. 1499-1507 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALISON M. ELLIOTT ◽  
JULIET NDIBAZZA ◽  
HARRIET MPAIRWE ◽  
LAWRENCE MUHANGI ◽  
EMILY L. WEBB ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Maternal Anaemia ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Mother And Child ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
Adequate Provision ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

SUMMARYIn 1994 and 2002, respectively, the World Health Organisation proposed that treatment for hookworm and schistosomiasis could be provided during pregnancy. It was hoped that this might have benefits for maternal anaemia, fetal growth and perinatal mortality; a beneficial effect on the infant response to immunisation was also hypothesised. Three trials have now been conducted. Two have examined the effects of benzimidazoles; one (the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study) the effects of albendazole and praziquantel. All three were conducted in settings of high prevalence but low intensity helminth infection. Results suggest that, in such settings and given adequate provision of haematinics, the benefit of routine anthelminthics during pregnancy for maternal anaemia may be small; none of the other expected benefits has yet been demonstrated. The Entebbe Mother and Baby Study found a significant adverse effect of albendazole on the incidence of infantile eczema in the whole study population, and of praziquantel on the incidence of eczema among infants of mothers with Schistosoma mansoni. Further studies are required in settings that differ in helminth species and infection intensities. Further research is required to determine whether increased rates of infantile eczema translate to long-term susceptibility to allergy, and to explore the underlying mechanisms of these effects. The risks and benefits of routine anthelminthic treatment in antenatal clinics may need to be reconsidered.

scholarly journals High prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections among primary school children, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2015

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandipan Ganguly ◽  
Sharad Barkataki ◽  
Sumallya Karmakar ◽  
Prerna Sanga ◽  
K. Boopathi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
High Prevalence

scholarly journals Concomitant Plasmodium falciparum and intestinal helminth infections in a rural community of southern Côte d’lvoire

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B Yapi ◽  
Eveline Hürlimann ◽  
Kigbafori D Silué ◽  
Clarisse A Houngbedji ◽  
Chammartin Frédérigue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Intestinal Helminth ◽  
Helminth Infections

scholarly journals Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of Arisaema (Areaceae): a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heena Ali ◽  
Ubaid Yaqoob
Keyword(s):  
Skin Irritation ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Medicinal Uses ◽  
The World ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Medicinal Properties

Abstract Background The genus Arisaema (Areaceae), popularly known as cobra lilies and jack in pulpit is mainly found in temperate to tropical areas of all continents except South America, Europe and Australia and contain about more than 250 species. Arisaema genus is being used by the different folks of human populations for medicinal as well as food purposes. Arisaema plants are used for the treatment of different types of diseases. There have been several attempts to highlight different aspects of genus Arisaema by describing it in terms of phytochemistry and medicinal uses. The present study is, however, an attempt to put together all the former data available related to the phytochemistry and medicinal uses of genus Arisaema. Main body The phytochemicals of the plant include alkaloids, phenols, terpenes, flavonoids, lectins, saponins, glycosides, triterpenoids, stigmasterols, n-alkanes, n-alkanols sitosterols, campesterol, oxalates, coumarins, tannins etc. Moreover, the properties such as antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, insecticidal, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, nematocidal, antiallergic antitumour and anticancer activities are also shown by the plants belonging to genus Arisaema. Arisaema plants have been traditionally used to treat various ailments such as resolving phlegm, dampness, and to treat asthma, bronchitis, cold, cough, and laryngitis etc. It has been found that there are several species which are toxic by nature. The development of clinical applications of arisaematis rhizomes had been seriously constrained due to its toxic properties like, mouth and lingua pain, even respiration slowing and suffocation, mucous membrane and skin irritation etc. and this toxicity of arisaematis rhizomes is due to raphide components. Conclusions The collection of data available on the phytochemistry of genus Arisaema is not sufficient as further work is required to do on phytochemical and medicinal basis. The data available on phytochemistry and medicinal properties of the plants belonging to genus Arisaema throws light on various species of Arisaema which are medicinally important and have been exploited to treat different types of diseases in the world.

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