Case Report: Disseminated Cysticercosis due to Intentional Ingestion of Parasitic Worm Eggs for Weight Loss

A 20-year-old female resident of Beijing intended to consume the eggs of the parasitic worm, Taenia saginata, for weight loss; however, she apparently inadvertently ingested Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) eggs, which resulted in disseminated cysticercosis. Cysticerci developed in the brain, tongue, muscles, liver, peritoneum, and subcutaneous tissues. She was administered oral albendazole and praziquantel. After four 10-day courses of treatment, most of the cysts disappeared and she recovered. After 3 years, the patient remains in good health.

Suppression of inflammatory arthritis by the parasitic worm product ES-62 is associated with epigenetic changes in synovial fibroblasts

ES-62 is the major secreted protein of the parasitic filarial nematode, Acanthocheilonema viteae. The molecule exists as a large tetramer (MW, ~240kD), which possesses immunomodulatory properties by virtue of multiple phosphorylcholine (PC) moieties attached to N-type glycans. By suppressing inflammatory immune responses, ES-62 can prevent disease development in certain mouse models of allergic and autoimmune conditions, including joint pathology in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Such protection is associated with functional suppression of “pathogenic” hyper-responsive synovial fibroblasts (SFs), which exhibit an aggressive inflammatory and bone-damaging phenotype induced by their epigenetic rewiring in response to the inflammatory microenvironment of the arthritic joint. Critically, exposure to ES-62 in vivo induces a stably-imprinted CIA-SF phenotype that exhibits functional responses more typical of healthy, Naïve-SFs. Consistent with this, ES-62 “rewiring” of SFs away from the hyper-responsive phenotype is associated with suppression of ERK and STAT3 activation and miR-155 upregulation, signals widely associated with SF pathogenesis. Surprisingly however, DNA methylome analysis of Naïve-, CIA- and ES-62-CIA-SF cohorts reveals that rather than simply preventing pathogenic rewiring of SFs, ES-62 induces further changes in DNA methylation under the inflammatory conditions pertaining in the inflamed joint, including targeting genes associated with ciliogenesis, to programme a novel “resolving” CIA-SF phenotype. In addition to introducing a previously unsuspected aspect of ES-62’s mechanism of action, such unique behaviour signposts the potential for developing DNA methylation signatures predictive of pathogenesis and its resolution and hence, candidate mechanisms by which novel therapeutic interventions could prevent SFs from perpetuating joint inflammation and destruction in RA. Pertinent to these translational aspects of ES-62-behavior, small molecule analogues (SMAs) based on ES-62’s active PC-moiety mimic the rewiring of SFs as well as the protection against joint disease in CIA afforded by the parasitic worm product.

PREVALENC OF LOIASIS, AND ITS DISTRIBUTION IN NDOKWE WEST L.G.A, DELTA STATE

Loa Loa is transmitted to humans by deer vectors, the vectors are bloodsucking and diurnal bites, and are found in rainforest areas in western and central Africa. After infection, a human will mate and produce more microfilariae, assuming the presence of mature male and female worms in the host. Although it has no major complications, the high microfilariae load may cause some neurological symptoms and discomfort in the ocular system may make patients uneasy. Loiasis, also known as African eyeworm, is caused by the parasitic worm Loa-Loa. Infection with this microfilaria worm causes an itchy swelling on the body, also known as Calabar bumps which prefers the rainforest-like environment of western and central Africa. Endemicity is particularly high in Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria, Gabon and the Central African Republic. One area of great concern is the fact that the endemicity of Onchocerciasis with Onchocerciasis as a bulk ivermectin therapy can lead to serious adverse effects in patients with high Loa Loa microfilariae densities and loads. This fact requires the development of more specific diagnostic tests for loa-loa so that areas or individuals at higher risk for neurological outcomes can be identified prior to microfilaricidal therapy. Although diethylcarbamazine, the standard treatment method, gives good results, it can cause serious complications when administered in standard doses to patients with high microfilariae load. A few years later, in 1778, Francois Guyost noticed worms in the eyes of West African slaves on a French ship bound for America and successfully removed the worm from a man's eye. Treatment of loiasis includes chemotherapy, in some cases surgical removal of adult worms, followed by systemic therapy.

Targeting the Nervous System of the Parasitic Worm, Haemonchus Contortus, With Quercetin.

Prevalence of infection, limited choice of drugs, and emerging resistance against contemporary drugs lead to a pressing need to develop new anthelmintic drugs and drug targets. However, limited understanding of the physiology of worms has delayed the process substantially. Here, for the first time, we are reporting the tissue morphology of Haemonchus contortus and targeting its nervous system with quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid. Quercetin showed anthelmintic activity against all of the developmental stages of the H. contortus. Further, histological analysis demonstrated damage of various body parts, including isthmus, brut, pseudocoele, and other organs due to quercetin treatment. Mechanistic studies revealed the generation of oxidative stress and alterations in activities of the stress response enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Moreover, the time-dependent imaging of ROS-generation disclosed neuropils as the primary targets of quercetin in the adult worms, which eventually lead to the paralysis and death of the worms. Thus, altogether, this work demonstrates that the nervous system of the parasitic helminth, H. contortus, is a novel target of the drug quercetin.

Identifikasi Telur Cacing pada Saluran Pencernaan Satwa Liar yang Dipelihara Masyarakat di Manokwari, Papua Barat

Investment of parasitic worms of captive wildlife was an impact on their health condition. This study was conducted to determine the intensity of parasitic worm infection in wild animals kept by communities in Manokwari, West Papua. The Natif method was used, by centrifuge of 20 birds and 20 mammals (Kangaroo and Deer) faeces collected from the sites. Sampling was carried out from October to November 2016. The analysis of collected faecal samples showed that bird species were not indicated (negatively infected by worm). In mammals, Nematodes and cestodes were found. Identification of existing findings showed that 3 (three) types of worm eggs were found, namely Taenia sp in kangaroos (Macropodidae), Ascaris sp (berembrio), and stronyle sp in deer (Cervus timorensis). The highest parasites intensity was stronyle sp (10 worm eggs) and the lowest intensity was Ascaris sp (3 worm eggs) .The rate of infection and investment of parasitic worm eggs in wild animals in Manokwari was categorised relatively low.

Antiparasitic Properties of Cardiovascular Agents against Human Intravascular Parasite Schistosoma mansoni

The intravascular parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni is a causative agent of schistosomiasis, a disease of great global public health significance. Praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis and there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Adopting a phenotypic drug screening strategy, here, we evaluated the antiparasitic properties of 46 commercially available cardiovascular drugs against S. mansoni. From these screenings, we found that amiodarone, telmisartan, propafenone, methyldopa, and doxazosin affected the viability of schistosomes in vitro, with effective concentrations of 50% (EC50) and 90% (EC90) values ranging from 8 to 50 µM. These results were further supported by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Subsequently, the most effective drug (amiodarone) was further tested in a murine model of schistosomiasis for both early and chronic S. mansoni infections using a single oral dose of 400 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg daily for five consecutive days. Amiodarone had a low efficacy in chronic infection, with the worm and egg burden reduction ranging from 10 to 30%. In contrast, amiodarone caused a significant reduction in worm and egg burden in early infection (>50%). Comparatively, treatment with amiodarone is more effective in early infection than praziquantel, demonstrating the potential role of this cardiovascular drug as an antischistosomal agent.

Targeting the nervous system of the parasitic worm, Haemonchus contortus, with quercetin.

High Prevalence of infection rate, limited choice of drugs, and emerging resistance against these leads to a pressing need for the development of new antihelminthic drugs and drug targets. However, limited understanding of the physiology of worms has delayed the process substantially. Here, for the first time, we are reporting the tissue morphology of Haemonchus contortus, and target its nervous system with quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid. Quercetin showed anthelmintic activity against all developmental stages of the nematode. Histological analysis demonstrated damage of various body parts including isthmus, brut, pseudocoele, and other organs. Mechanistic studies revealed the generation of oxidative stress and alteration of the stress response enzyme activities. Importantly, the time-dependent imaging of ROS generation revealed the neuronal system as the primary target of quercetin in adult worms, which eventually leads to the paralysis and death of the worms. This work demonstrates the neuronal system as a novel drug target for quercetin.

A review of the effect of medicinal plant on helminthic infections

Nowadays, parasitic worm infection is one of the most critical global health problems. Worm infections cause severe detriments to the livestock industry and also it can cause irreparable damages to immunocompromised persons. Therefore, the present study aimed to review conducted research on the treatment of worm diseases using medicinal plants’ extract. In this systematic review, seven databases including 4 English (Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar) and 3 Persian databases (Magiran, ISC, SID) were obtained between 2008 and 2020 to evaluate conducted studies related to the aim of the current review. Most of the studies focused on the Balanites aegyptiaca and Carica papaya plant. Water was the most common solvent (38.1%) and then it was methanol. The most studied parasite was Haemonchus contortus (35.5%), followed by Aacharidia galli (10.5%). Studies showed that plant extracts could reduce effect of worm infections in the host compared to synthetic drugs. Plant extracts can produce a medicine based on natural compounds and effective on worms with fewer side effects than synthetic drugs.

Prevalence and Intensity of Parasitic Worms on Free-Range Chickens and Egg-Laying Chickens in Muara Badak sub-District, Kutai Kartanegara

One of the diseases often threatens the health of free-range chickens and egg-laying chickens are worm parasites (endoparasites). Parasites can be transmitted through food, drinks and the cage environment. Sanitation is one of the preventive steps carry out by farmers to protect livestock against infection from the environment. The objective of study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of parasitic worm eggs that infect the digestive tracts of free-range chickens and egg- laying hens in Muara Badak District. Research was done by observing worm eggs in fecal samples. A total of 60 samples consisting of 30 samples of egg-laying hens in Tanjung Village and 30 samples of free-range chickens in Badak Baru Village, Muara Badak. For the sample analysis technique used 2 methods are namely the floating method and the sedimentation method. The results has showed the type of worm eggs are infected the digestive tract found in free-range chickens and egg-laying chickens had consisted of Echinostoma revolutum, Raillietina echinobothrida, Raillietina tetragona, Davainea proglotina, Amoebotaenia sphenoides, Ascaridia galli, Capillaria annulata and Trichostrongylus tenuis. The highest prevalence in free- range chickens and egg-laying chickens were found in Ascaridia galli was 53.33% and 40%. While the lowest prevalence in free-range chickens against Raillietina echinobothrida and Amoebotaenia sphenoides 3.33%. egg-laying chickens are against Echinostoma revolutum, Raillietina tetragona and Trichostrongylus tenuis 6.67%. The highest intensity in free-range chickens and against Ascaridia galli was 141 eggs/individual and in egg-laying chickens was 139 eggs/individuals. The lowest intensity in this research was found in free-range chickens against Amoebotaenia sphenoides and Raillietina echinobothrida 3 eggs/individuals and egg-laying chickens against Echinostoma revolutum 5 eggs/individuals. Keywords: Endoparasites, Prevalence, Intensity, Chicken, hen.