Prevalence, intensity, longevity, and persistence of Anisakis sp. larvae and Lacistorhynchus tenuis metacestodes in San Francisco striped bass

Thirteen hundred and seventy-three striped bass, Marone saxatilis, were collected from the San Francisco Bay-Delta area to correlate host diet with parasitic infections and to determine the prevalence, intensity, longevity, and persistence of larval Anisakis sp. nematodes and the metacestode Lacistorhynchus tenuis. There is an increase in the prevalence and intensity of Anisakis sp. and in the intensity of L. tenuis with increase of age of the host. These increases are probably related to the diet and the persistence of tbe parasites. The infections of both species are overdispersed. San Francisco Bay striped bass are an incompatible host for both species of parasites. Degenerated Anisakis sp. will remain in lhe host for at least 8 months and L. tenuis metacestodes for 22 months. The occurrence of several other species of parasites and a tumor are also reported. (PDF file contains 10 pages.

Areas of metabolomic exploration for helminth infections

Helminths represent a diverse category of parasitic organisms that can thrive within a host for years, if not decades, in the absence of treatment. As such, they must establish mechanisms to subsist off their hosts, evade the immune system, and develop a niche among the other cohabiting microbial communities. The complex interplay of biologically small molecules (collectively known as the metabolome) derived from, utilized by, or in response to the presence of helminths within a host is an emerging field of study. In this Perspective, we briefly summarize the current existing literature, categorize key host-pathogen-microbiome interfaces that could be studied in the context of the metabolome, and provide background on mass spectrometry-based metabolomic methodology. Overall, we hope to provide a comprehensive guide for utilizing metabolomics in the context of helminthic disease

Molecular Phylogenetics and Diagnosis of \u3ci\u3eAnisakis\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3ePseudoterranova\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eContracaecum\u3c/i\u3e from Northern Pacific Marine Mammals

Individual specimens of Anisakis, Pseudoterranova, and Contracaecum collected from marine mammals inhabiting northern Pacific waters were used for comparative diagnostic and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Forty-eight new sequences were obtained for this study of 14 Anisakis taxa, 8 Pseudoterranova taxa, 4 Contracaecum taxa, and 4 outgroup species. Partial 28S (LSU) and complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2) ribosomal DNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Sequences of ITS indicated that Pseudoterranova specimens from Zalophus californianus (California sea lion), Mirounga angustirostris (northern elephant seal), Phoca vitulina (harbor seal), Enhydra lutris (sea otter), and Eumetopias jubatus (Steller’s sea lion) exactly matched P. decipiens s. str., extending the host and geographic range of this species. Anisakis from northern Pacific marine mammals were most closely related to members of the A. simplex species complex. Comparison of Anisakis ITS sequences diagnosed the presence of A. simplex C in 2 M. angustirostris hosts, which is a new host record. Anisakis specimens from Phocoena phocoena (harbor porpoise), Lissodelphis borealis (Pacific rightwhale porpoise), and E. jubatus included 3 ITS sequences that did not match any known species. Contracaecum adults obtained from Z. californianus were most closely related to C. ogmorhini s.l. and C. rudolphii, but ITS sequences of these Contracaecum specimens did not match C. ogmorhini s. str. or C. margolisi. These novel Anisakis and Contracaecum ITS sequences may represent previously uncharacterized species. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU sequences revealed strong support for the monophyly of Anisakinae, Contracaecum plus Phocascaris, Pseudoterranova, and Anisakis. Phylogenetic trees inferred from ITS sequences yielded robustly supported relationships for Pseudoterranova and Anisakis species that are primarily consistent with previously published phenograms based on multilocus electrophoretic data

Expression and Characterization of α-Methylacyl CoA Racemase from Anisakis simplex Larvae

Larval excretory-secretory products of Anisakis simplex are known to cause allergic reactions in humans. A cDNA library of A. simplex 3rd-stage larvae (L3) was immunoscreened with polyclonal rabbit serum raised against A. simplex L3 excretory-secretory products to identify an antigen that elicits the immune response. One cDNA clone, designated as α-methylacyl CoA racemase (Amacr) contained a 1,412 bp cDNA transcript with a single open reading frame that encoded 418 amino acids. A. simplex Amacr showed a high degree of homology compared to Amacr orthologs from other species. Amacr mRNA was highly and constitutively expressed regardless of temperature (10-40℃) and time (24-48 hr). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Amacr was expressed mainly in the ventriculus of A. simplex larvae. The Amacr protein produced in large quantities from the ventriculus is probably responsible for many functions in the development and growth of A. simplex larvae

Investigation of the Proteolytic Functions of an Expanded Cercarial Elastase Gene Family in Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosome parasites are a major cause of disease in the developing world. The larval stage of the parasite transitions between an intermediate snail host and a definitive human host in a dramatic fashion, burrowing out of the snail and subsequently penetrating human skin. This process is facilitated by secreted proteases. In Schistosoma mansoni, cercarial elastase is the predominant secreted protease and essential for host skin invasion. Genomic analysis reveals a greatly expanded cercarial elastase gene family in S. mansoni. Despite sequence divergence, SmCE isoforms show similar expression profiles throughout the S. mansoni life cycle and have largely similar substrate specificities, suggesting that the majority of protease isoforms are functionally redundant and therefore their expansion is an example of gene dosage. However, activity-based profiling also indicates that a subset of SmCE isoforms are activated prior to the parasite's exit from its intermediate snail host, suggesting that the protease may also have a role in this process

An integrated approach to identify new anti-filarial leads to treat river blindness, a neglected tropical disease

Filarial worms cause multiple debilitating diseases in millions of people worldwide, including river blindness. Currently available drugs reduce transmission by killing larvae (microfilariae), but there are no effective cures targeting the adult parasites (macrofilaricides) which survive and reproduce in the host for very long periods. To identify effective macrofilaricides, we carried out phenotypic screening of a library of 2121 approved drugs for clinical use against adul

Small Molecule Inhibitors of Metabolic Enzymes Repurposed as a New Class of Anthelmintics

We thank Qi Wang for her technical assistance related to clustering compounds and identifying representatives for screening. This work was supported by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) grant AI081803 to M.M. The study was also partly supported by NIAID grant AI056189 to R.V.A.Peer reviewedPostprin