The Transcriptome Analysis of Strongyloides stercoralis L3i Larvae Reveals Targets for Intervention in a Neglected Disease

BackgroundStrongyloidiasis is one of the most neglected diseases distributed worldwide with endemic areas in developed countries, where chronic infections are life threatening. Despite its impact, very little is known about the molecular biology of the parasite involved and its interplay with its hosts. Next generation sequencing technologies now provide unique opportunities to rapidly address these questions.Principal FindingsHere we present the first transcriptome of the third larval stage of S. stercoralis using 454 sequencing coupled with semi-automated bioinformatic analyses. 253,266 raw sequence reads were assembled into 11,250 contiguous sequences, most of which were novel. 8037 putative proteins were characterized based on homology, gene ontology and/or biochemical pathways. Comparison of the transcriptome of S. strongyloides with those of other nematodes, including S. ratti, revealed similarities in transcription of molecules inferred to have key roles in parasite-host interactions. Enzymatic proteins, like kinases and proteases, were abundant. 1213 putative excretory/secretory proteins were compiled using a new pipeline which included non-classical secretory proteins. Potential drug targets were also identified.ConclusionsOverall, the present dataset should provide a solid foundation for future fundamental genomic, proteomic and metabolomic explorations of S. stercoralis, as well as a basis for applied outcomes, such as the development of novel methods of intervention against this neglected parasite

Métodos de laboratorio para el estudio de la bilirrubina libre en ictericia del recién nacido / Mª Lourdes Igual Adell ; dirigida por Augusto Corominas Vilardell, Ernesto Molina Andreu.

Tesis - Universidad de Murcia.MEDICINA ESPINARDO. DEPOSITO. MU-Tesis 7.Consulte la tesis en: BCA. GENERAL. ARCHIVO UNIVERSITARIO. TM 3229

Characteristics and geographical profile of strongyloidiasis in healthcare area 11 of the Valencian community (Spain)

This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of all cases of strongyloidiasis diagnosed in the period 1995-1999 (both years included) in Area 11 of the Valencian Community (Spain) and their possible correlation to certain geographical and environmental conditions. Material and methods. This is a retrospective, descriptive study. Information was collected using a telephone survey. Results. A total of 473 cases of strongyloidiasis were diagnosed. Of the total patients, 282 (60%) answered to the survey. There were 342 males (72%) and 131 females (28%). Ninety-four percent of the patients were in the 51-91 years age interval. Only three patients had been born abroad, while 15 had been on brief holidays to countries where the disease is endemic. The largest concentration of cases was found in zones 1 (0.49%) and 6 (0.9%), both having similar geomorphic characteristics. The professional activity of patients was recorded in 215 cases. The most frequent occupation was agriculture, with 124 cases (58%). Risk activities were recorded in 184 cases, the growing of rice in 145 patients (79%) being the most important. Discussion. Strongyloides stercoralis infestation is endemic and possibly related to agricultural activities performed in previous years, and to the geographical characteristics of some parts of the are

Proteomic analysis of Strongyloides stercoralis L3 larvae

Strongyloidiasis can be perpetuated by autoinfection with the filariform larvae L3, causing asymptomatic chronic infections and creating a population of carriers, affecting not only developing countries. So far, very little is known about the proteins that interact with the human host, and few proteins from the infective Strongyloides stercoralis L3 have been characterized. Here, we report results obtained from a proteomic analysis of the proteins from S. stercoralis L3 larvae obtained from patients. Since the genome of S. stercoralis is not yet available, we used proteomic analysis to identify 26 different proteins, 13 of them released by short digestion with trypsin, which could represent surface-associated proteins. The present work extends our knowledge of host-parasite interactions by identifying proteins that could be of interest in the development of diagnostic tools, vaccines, or treatments for a neglected disease like strongyloidiasis