scholarly journals First Report of Sarcocystis Masoni in a Captive Alpaca (Vicugna Pacos) From China

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Shilin Xin ◽  
Niuping Zhu ◽  
Liulu Yang ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Parasitic Disease ◽  
High Similarity ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Pepsin Digestion ◽  
Molecular Assays ◽  
Vicugna Pacos ◽  
Lung And Kidney ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Background: Sarcocystosis is a parasitic disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Sarcocystis. Tissue samples of alpacas (n = 4) from Henan province (China) were screened for Sarcocystis spp. infection by histological examination, pepsin digestion, and molecular assays.Results:Sarcocystis spp. was detected in heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney of an alpaca by molecular assays. Many sarcocysts with inflammation responses were observed in this alpaca myocardium, and they showed a high similarity to Sarcocystis masoni by sequence analysis.Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate Sarcocystis spp. infection in alpaca from China. The higher parasite load in the alpaca myocardium indicated that it had contact with an environment contaminated with sporocysts, and that the alpaca was susceptible to Sarcocystis spp.

Temperature, Mitochondria, and Reye's Syndrome

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 985-985
Author(s):  
RIF S. EL-MALLAKH
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Mitochondrial Enzyme ◽  
Reye's Syndrome ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Mitochondrial Defect ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

To the Editor.— Mitochondrial failure, manifest by changes in mitochondrial enzyme activity1-3 and morphology,4-5 is central to Reye's syndrome (RS).6 Although it has been variously hypothesized that the mitochondrial changes are secondary to an exogenous toxin,7-12 or an intrinsic mitochondrial defect,6 the actual cause remains obscure. Electron microscopic studies have shown sweelling and loss of cristate in mitochondria of patients with RS. It is interesting that very similar changes occur in Trypanosoma cruzi.13-16 T cruzi is an extracellular/intracellular protozoan parasite which causes Chagas' disease.17

scholarly journals Ability of Real-time PCR in diagnose Differentiation Various Forms of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Comparative Study with Histopathology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Fekri Soofi Abadi ◽  
Meisam Fekri ◽  
alireza moradabadi ◽  
Reza Vahidi ◽  
Simin Shamsi Meymandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Microscopic Evaluation ◽  
Histopathological Evaluation ◽  
Histopathological Studies

Abstract objective: Histopathological studies suggest that parasite load is different between acute and chronic forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). However, highly sensitive detection methods are still needed to distinguish different forms of leishmaniasis. In the present study, we developed a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect and quantify leishmania tropica parasites in paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Results: The ability of real-time PCR for leishmania detection was higher than histopathological evaluation. The parasite loads were quantified by qPCR assay and microscopic evaluation were highly correlated ( r =0.598; P <0.001). Among patients, the parasite load was inversely correlated with disease duration (acute CL lesions had very higher parasite loads than chronic CL lesions), but there was no difference in parasite load according to the patients’ age and sex as well as location of the lesions. In contrast to Ridley scoring system (P<0.001), there were no statistically significant differences in the relative number of parasites among the lupoid and non-lupoid forms of chronic lesions in real-time PCR (P=0.549), which indicates the superiority of histopathological evaluation in CL forms differentiation.

Infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria parva induces constitutively high levels of NF-kappa B in bovine T lymphocytes

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 4677-4686
Author(s):  
V Ivanov ◽  
B Stein ◽  
I Baumann ◽  
D A Dobbelaere ◽  
P Herrlich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Phorbol Esters ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Lymphoproliferative Disease ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Theileria Parva ◽  
Nf Kappa B ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

The intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria parva causes a lymphoproliferative disease of T cells in cattle and uncontrolled lymphocyte proliferation in culture. We have identified and characterized in infected cells the transcriptional activator, NF-kappa B, whose recognition motifs have been identified in several gene enhancers important for lymphocyte-specific gene expression. NF-kappa B is normally constitutively activated in nuclear extracts derived from B cells and can be induced in T cells and nonlymphoid cells by phorbol esters. Theileria-infected lymphocytes contained constitutively high levels of activated NF-kappa B in nuclear fractions and inactive NF-kappa B in cytoplasmic fractions. The inactive cytoplasmic precursor could be activated by treatment of extracts with deoxycholate, which was shown previously to dissociate NF-kappa B from an inhibitor, I kappa B. Treatment of lymphocyte extracts with 3 mM GTP stimulated NF-kappa B binding to its recognition motif in vitro, thereby distinguishing it from a related nuclear factor, H2-TF1. Selective killing of the parasite, which left the host cells intact, resulted in a rapid loss of NF-kappa B from the nuclear fractions and a slower loss from the cytoplasmic fractions. In parasitized cells, NF-kappa B could not be further stimulated by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate whereas in cells treated to remove the parasite, this compound stimulated elevated levels of NF-kappa B. We propose that high levels of activated NF-kappa B are maintained by the presence of the parasite in infected T cells. Similarly, we propose that the high levels of inactive cytoplasmic precursor are a result of increased synthesis due to the presence of the parasite.

Unique report of two Sarcocystis species from Egyptian domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) – new host and locality

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-158
Author(s):  
E. M. Galila ◽  
E. K. A. Bazh ◽  
N. Elhawary ◽  
H. A. Abdellatif ◽  
A.-R. A. Abou-Rawash
Keyword(s):  
Nile Delta ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Intestinal Wall ◽  
Sarcocystis Species ◽  
Middle Region ◽  
New Host ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp ◽  
Hexagonal Shape ◽  
The World ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Sarcocystis is an intracellular protozoan parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa. It is widely distributed all over the world. There are scarce reports about chicken Sarcocystis. From February 2016 to January 2018, a total number of 630 chicken carcasses, intestines and viscera were collected from different chicken markets in Menoufia and Gharbia Governorates, Middle region of the Nile Delta, Egypt and carefully inspected. Macroscopic and microscopic cysts of Sarcocystis spp. were found in the intestinal wall and mesentery of 5 birds. Histopathological sections revealed the presence of two shapes of the macroscopic cysts (oval and kidney shape). Their wall was striated and characterised by the presence of radial septa. It had compartments mostly of hexagonal shape, containing both bradyzoites and metrocytes in the periphery. The bradyzoites were banana-shaped and measured 20–30 × 8–10 μm with centrally or posteriorly located nuclei. Microscopic cysts of Sarcocystis spp. were detected in-between muscle bundles, with variable shapes (spindle and oval).

scholarly journals Cryptosporidium spp. Infections in Livestock and Wild Animals in Azerbaijan Territory

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Simuzer Mamedova ◽  
Panagiotis Karanis
Keyword(s):  
Staining Method ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Cryptosporidium Oocysts ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Acid Fast Staining

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular protozoan parasite and is increasingly gaining attention as a human and an animal pathogen, mainly due to its predominant involvement in worldwide waterborne outbreaks. This paper reviews the current knowledge and understanding of Cryptosporidium spp. in terrestrial and aquatic animals in Azerbaijan. The diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis relies on the identification of oocysts in faecal samples released by the infected host. Stool specimens were processed using the modified acid-fast staining method (Ziehl-Neelsen) and microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Thirteen species of Cryptosporidium (C. fragile, C. ducismarci, C. serpentis, C. varani, C. baileyi, C. meleagridis, C. muris, C. parvum, C. ubiquitum, C. andersoni, C. bovis, C. hominis, C. suis) from amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals have been identified as a result of studies conducted between 1987 and 2019 on the structural features of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Azerbaijan territory.

Ambiguous skin ulcer on the ear pinna

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-143
Author(s):  
Nazar Abdalla
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Isozyme Pattern ◽  
Parasitic Disease ◽  
Animal Reservoir ◽  
Kala Azar ◽  
Biphasic Life Cycle ◽  
Human Leishmaniasis ◽  
Cutaneous Form

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease which has a biphasic life cycle; infection by promastigotes from the sandfly reaches a wound where it is phagocytosed by macrophages, producing the amastigote (the Leishmania donovani body) in the host. A protozoan parasite transmitted by the phlebotomous sandfly causes human leishmaniasis. Cutaneous forms include classical cutaneous, mucocutaneous and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. It affects c. 300 million individuals in more than 90 nations around the globe. The cutaneous form in the Old World is caused at low altitudes mainly by L. major (which has an animal reservoir, rodents such as mouse) and in swampy regions and high altitudes by L. tropica (which has no animal reservoir). L. aethiopica and L. major lead to disseminated ulcers in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, Tunisia, Sudan and Ethiopia, whose main electrophoretic isozyme pattern Zymodeme in Saudi Arabia is LON-4.

scholarly journals Intranasal Vaccinations with the trans-Sialidase Antigen plus CpG Adjuvant Induce Mucosal Immunity Protective against Conjunctival Trypanosoma cruzi Challenges

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1333-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. K. Giddings ◽  
C. S. Eickhoff ◽  
N. L. Sullivan ◽  
D. F. Hoft
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Body Fluid ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Secretory Iga ◽  
Parasite Invasion ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces ◽  
Parasite Replication ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

ABSTRACT Trypanosoma cruzi is an intracellular protozoan parasite capable of infecting through mucosal surfaces. Our laboratory has previously elucidated the anatomical routes of infection after both conjunctival and gastric challenge in mice. We have shown that chronically infected mice develop strong immune responses capable of protecting against subsequent rechallenge with virulent parasites through gastric, conjunctival, and systemic routes of infection. We have also shown that intranasal immunizations with the unique T. cruzi trans-sialidase (TS) antigen protect against gastric and systemic T. cruzi challenge. In the current work we have investigated the ability of purified TS adjuvanted with CpG-containing oligonucleotides to induce immunity against conjunctival T. cruzi challenge. We confirm that intranasal vaccinations with TS plus CpG induce TS-specific T-cell and secretory IgA responses. TS-specific secretory IgA was detectable in the tears of vaccinated mice, the initial body fluid that contacts the parasite during infectious conjunctival exposures. We further show that intranasal vaccinations with TS plus CpG protect against conjunctival T. cruzi challenge, limiting local parasite replication at the site of mucosal invasion and systemic parasite dissemination. We also provide the first direct evidence that mucosal antibodies induced by intranasal TS vaccination can inhibit parasite invasion.

scholarly journals The antifungal Aureobasidin A and an analogue are active against the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii but do not inhibit sphingolipid biosynthesis

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Q. I. ALQAISI ◽  
A. J. MBEKEANI ◽  
M. BASSAS LLORENS ◽  
A. P. ELHAMMER ◽  
P. W. DENNY
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Cyclic Depsipeptide ◽  
Aureobasidin A ◽  
Therapeutic Compounds ◽  
Sphingolipid Biosynthesis ◽  
Important Disease ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

SUMMARYToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, and toxoplasmosis is an important disease of both humans and economically important animals. With a limited array of drugs available there is a need to identify new therapeutic compounds. Aureobasidin A (AbA) is an antifungal that targets the essential inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC, sphingolipid) synthase in pathogenic fungi. This natural cyclic depsipeptide also inhibits Toxoplasma proliforation, with the protozoan IPC synthase orthologue proposed as the target. The data presented here show that neither AbA nor an analogue (Compound 20), target the protozoan IPC synthase orthologue or total parasite sphingolipid synthesis. However, further analyses confirm that AbA exhibits significant activity against the proliferative tachyzoite form of Toxoplasma, and Compound 20, whilst effective, has reduced efficacy. This difference was more evident on analyses of the direct effect of these compounds against isolated Toxoplasma, indicating that AbA is rapidly microbicidal. Importantly, the possibility of targeting the encysted, bradyzoite, form of the parasite with AbA and Compound 20 was demonstrated, indicating that this class of compounds may provide the basis for the first effective treatment for chronic toxoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Activity of epigenetic inhibitors against Babesia divergens

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leen N. Vanheer ◽  
Björn F.C. Kafsack
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Structure ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Parasitic Disease ◽  
High Similarity ◽  
The Past ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Babesia Divergens ◽  
Nanomolar Range

ABSTRACTBabesiosis in a tick-borne parasitic disease of humans and livestock, that has dramatically increased in frequency and geographical range over the past few decades. Infection of cattle often causes large economic losses, and human infection can be fatal in immunocompromised patients. Unlike for malaria, another disease caused by hemoprotozoan parasites, limited treatment options exist for Babesia infections. As epigenetic regulation is a promising target for new anti-parasitic drugs, we screened 324 epigenetic inhibitors against Babesia divergens blood stages and identified 75 (23%) and 17 (5%) compounds that displayed ≥90% inhibition at 10 µM and 1 µM, respectively, including over a dozen compounds with activity in the low nanomolar range. We observed differential activity of some inhibitor classes against Babesia divergens and Plasmodium falciparum parasites and identified pairs of compounds with a high difference in activity, despite a high similarity in chemical structure, highlighting new insights into the development of epigenetic inhibitors as anti-parasitic drugs.

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