Assessment of the experimental infection by Echinostoma paraensei (Lie & Basch, 1967) (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in two Biomphalaria tenagophila (D’Orbigny, 1835) (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) isolates resistant and susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni (Sambon, 1907) (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae)

Different isolates of Biomphalaria tenagophila show a large spectrum of compatibility to the trematode Schistosoma mansoni, ranging from entirely refractory to highly susceptible. The aim of this study was to verify the pattern of compatibility of two B. tenagophila geographical isolates, resistant and susceptible to S. mansoni, when infected with Echinostoma paraensei. The snails were exposed to different numbers of miracidia, and mortality, histopathological characteristics and the number of cercariae released were evaluated. A correlation between the number of miracidia and the infectivity rate of B. tenagophila (TAIM) was observed. There was no correlation between the number of miracidia used and the number of cercariae released for both B. tenagophila isolates. Biomphalaria tenagophila (SJC) showed little susceptibility to the E. paraensei infection. The results demonstrate different degrees of compatibility for the two B. tenagophila isolates when infected with E. paraensei, and may contribute to studies about host-parasite relationships

Efficacy and safety of artemether–lumefantrine, artesunate–amodiaquine, and dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in three provinces in Angola, 2017

Background The Angolan government recommends three artemisinin-based combinations for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria: artemether–lumefantrine (AL), artesunate–amodiaquine (ASAQ), and dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DP). Due to the threat of emerging anti-malarial drug resistance, it is important to periodically monitor the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). This study evaluated these medications’ therapeutic efficacy in Benguela, Lunda Sul, and Zaire Provinces. Methods Enrollment occurred between March and July 2017. Study participants were children with P. falciparum monoinfection from each provincial capital. Participants received a 3-day course of a quality-assured artemisinin-based combination and were monitored for 28 (AL and ASAQ arms) or 42 days (DP arm). Each ACT was assessed in two provinces. The primary study endpoints were: (1) follow-up without complications and (2) failure to respond to treatment or development of recurrent P. falciparum infection. Parasites from each patient experiencing recurrent infection were genotyped to differentiate new infection from recrudescence of persistent parasitaemia. These parasites were also analysed for molecular markers associated with ACT resistance. Results Of 608 children enrolled in the study, 540 (89%) reached a primary study endpoint. Parasitaemia was cleared within 3 days of medication administration in all participants, and no early treatment failures were observed. After exclusion of reinfections, the corrected efficacy of AL was 96% (91–100%, 95% confidence interval) in Zaire and 97% (93–100%) in Lunda Sul. The corrected efficacy of ASAQ was 100% (97–100%) in Benguela and 93% (88–99%) in Zaire. The corrected efficacy of DP was 100% (96–100%) in Benguela and 100% in Lunda Sul. No mutations associated with artemisinin resistance were identified in the pfk13 gene in the 38 cases of recurrent P. falciparum infection. All 33 treatment failures in the AL and ASAQ arms carried pfmdr1 or pfcrt mutations associated with lumefantrine and amodiaquine resistance, respectively, on day of failure. Conclusions AL, ASAQ, and DP continue to be efficacious against P. falciparum malaria in these provinces of Angola. Rapid parasite clearance and the absence of genetic evidence of artemisinin resistance are consistent with full susceptibility to artemisinin derivatives. Periodic monitoring of in vivo drug efficacy remains a priority routine activity for Angola

The significance of the amoebocyte-producing organ in Biomphalaria glabrata

In molluscs, internal defence against microorganisms is performed by a single cell type, i.e., the haemocyte or amoebocyte. The origin of these cells in Biomphalaria glabrata was initially thought to be localised within the vasculo-connective tissue. More recently, origin from a single organ, termed the amoebocyte-producing organ (APO), has been postulated based on the occurrence of hyperplasia and mitoses during Schistosoma mansoni infection. The present investigation represents a histological, immuno-histochemical and ultra-structural study of the B. glabrata APO, whereby histological identification was facilitated by means of collecting epithelial basophilic cells. These cells were comprised of single-cell layers that cover a portion of the stroma, which contains many small, round cells and haemolymph sinuses, as well as a small area of the pericardial surface of the reno-pericardial region. On occasion, this epithelial component vaguely resembled the vertebrate juxtaglomerular apparatus, which reinforces its presumed relationship to the kidney. Both in normal and infected molluscs, mitoses were only occasionally found. The present quantitative studies failed to demonstrate the presence of APO cellular hyperplasia, either in normal or schistosome-infected B. glabrata. Conversely, several structural details from the APO region in B. glabrata were found to be consistent with the hypothesis that the APO is a filtration organ, i.e., it is more closely related to the kidney rather than the bone marrow, as has been suggested in the literature

On the origin of the Biomphalaria glabrata hemocytes

A histologic, morphometric and ultrastructural study performed on Biomphalaria glabrata submitted to infection with Schistosoma mansoni miracidia failed to provide significant evidences that the so-called amebocyte-producing organ (APO) is really the central organ for hemocyte production. In infected snails no general reactive changes appeared in the APO, the mitoses were seen only occasionally, and the possibility of cellular hyperplasia was ruled out by morphometric measurements. Under the electron microscope the APO cells presented an essentially epithelial structure, without features indicative of transition toward hemocytes. On the other hand, the present findings pointed to a multicentric origin for the mollusck hemocytes, as earlier studies had indicated. Dense foci of hemocyte collections appeared sometimes around disintegrating sporocysts and cercariae in several organs and tissues of the infected snails, including a curious accumulation of such cells inside the ventricular cavity of the heart. In the heart and other sites, features suggestive of transformation of vascular space endothelial lining cells into hemocytes were apparent. To some extent, the postulated multicentric origin for B. glabrata hemocytes recapitulates earlier embryologic findings in vertebrates, when mesenchymal vascular spaces generate the circulating and phagocytic blood cells

Pulmonary changes during acute experimental murine manson schistosomiasis

Dry cough, dyspnea and manifestations of bronchial asthma have recently been observed in patients with acute schistosomiasis. To investigate the type and pathogenesis of these conditions, an experimental mouse model for acute schistosomiasis was used. Forty mice were divided into four groups of ten each: three infected groups and a non-infected control group. The animals were examined 7, 28-35 and 40 days after exposure to cercariae. During the acute phase of the infection (28-35 days), a process of multifocal interstitial pneumonitis involving the peribronchial, peribronchiolar and subpleural tissues was found. This process was not seen during the other phases of the infection. Indirect immunofluorescence failed to demonstrate the presence of schistosomal antigens in the acute-phase lesions. The pneumonitis was attributed to products (inflammatory mediators) from acute-phase periovular necrotic-inflammatory lesions in the liver that were transported to the lungs by the bloodstream

Ki-67 is expressed in multiplying forms of Schistosoma mansoni , but not in snail host tissues

Ki-67 is a protein expressed in the nucleus of several species during cell-division, being absent during the GO resting phase of the cellular cycle. During attempts to disclose mitosis in the so-called "amebocyte-producing organ" in Biomphalaria glabrata   infected with Schistosoma mansoni, the parasite multiplying forms appeared strongly marked for Ki-67, while the snail tissues were completely negative. These data are worth registering to complement general data on Ki-67, and to help future studies on the relationship of the parasite and of its intermediate host

Assessment of the experimental infection by Echinostoma paraensei (Lie & Basch, 1967) (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in two Biomphalaria tenagophila (D’Orbigny, 1835) (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) isolates resistant and susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni (Sambon, 1907) (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae)

Different isolates of Biomphalaria tenagophila show a large spectrum of compatibility to the trematode Schistosoma mansoni, ranging from entirely refractory to highly susceptible. The aim of this study was to verify the pattern of compatibility of two B. tenagophila geographical isolates, resistant and susceptible to S. mansoni, when infected with Echinostoma paraensei. The snails were exposed to different numbers of miracidia, and mortality, histopathological characteristics and the number of cercariae released were evaluated. A correlation between the number of miracidia and the infectivity rate of B. tenagophila (TAIM) was observed. There was no correlation between the number of miracidia used and the number of cercariae released for both B. tenagophila isolates. Biomphalaria tenagophila (SJC) showed little susceptibility to the E. paraensei infection. The results demonstrate different degrees of compatibility for the two B. tenagophila isolates when infected with E. paraensei, and may contribute to studies about host-parasite relationships.Diferentes linhagens de Biomphalaria tenagophila mostram amplo espectro de compatibilidade para Schistosoma mansoni, que vai desde refratária a altamente suscetível. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o padrão de compatibilidade de duas linhagens geográficas de B. tenagophila, resistentes e suscetíveis ao S. mansoni, para a infecção com Echinostoma paraensei. Foram utilizadas diferentes cargas miracidianas onde se avaliou a mortalidade, características histopatológicas e emissão de cercárias. Observou-se correlação entre o número de miracídios e a taxa de infecção em B. tenagophila (TAIM). Não houve correlação entre a carga de miracídios utilizados e a emissão cercariana em ambas as linhagens de B. tenagophila. Biomphalaria tenagophila (SJC) mostrou pouca susceptibilidade à infecção por E. paraensei. Os resultados demonstraram diferentes graus de compatibilidade das duas linhagens de B. tenagophila ao E. paraensei, podendo contribuir para os estudos de relação parasito-hospedeiro

Genetic population structure of cercariae from an urban foci of Schistosoma mansoni, Brazil

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2013-11-14T17:37:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Samaly SS Genetic population....pdf: 670987 bytes, checksum: bd39a7f2256865624b50b79390bec3a9 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2013-11-14T17:37:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Samaly SS Genetic population....pdf: 670987 bytes, checksum: bd39a7f2256865624b50b79390bec3a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilMunicipal Secretariat of Health. Center for Control of Zoonoses. Salvador, BA, BrasilCenter for Global Health and Diseases. Case Western Reserve University. Biomedical Research Building. Cleveland, OHFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilCenter for Global Health and Diseases. Case Western Reserve University. Biomedical Research Building. Cleveland, OHFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilRapid urbanization in Brazil has meant that many persons from rural areas where Schistosoma mansoni is endemic have migrated to cities. Discovery of a focus of active transmission in the city of Salvador prompted a citywide survey for active and potential transmission sites. Cercariae shed from infected snails collected from four locations were used to determine how these samples were related and if they were representative of the parasite population infecting humans. Each cercarial collection was greatly differentiated from the others, and diversity was significantly lower when compared with eggs from natural human infections in one site. Egg samples collected 7 years apart in one neighborhood showed little differentiation (Jost’s D = 0.01–0.03). Given the clonal nature of parasite reproduction in the snail host and the short-term acquisition of parasites, cercariae from collections at one time point are unlikely to be representative of the diversity in the human population

A comparative evaluation of mobile medical APPS (MMAS) for reading and interpreting malaria rapid diagnostic tests

Background: The World Health Organization recommends confirmatory diagnosis by microscopy or malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) in patients with suspected malaria. In recent years, mobile medical applications (MMAs), which can interpret RDT test results have entered the market. To evaluate the performance of commercially available MMAs, an evaluation was conducted by comparing RDT results read by MMAs to RDT results read by the human eye. Methods: Five different MMAs were evaluated on six different RDT products using cultured Plasmodium falciparum blood samples at five dilutions ranging from 20 to 1000 parasites (p)/microlitre (µl) and malaria negative blood samples. The RDTs were performed in a controlled, laboratory setting by a trained operator who visually read the RDT results. A second trained operator then used the MMAs to read the RDT results. Sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp) for the RDTs were calculated in a Bayesian framework using mixed models. Results: The RDT Sn of the P. falciparum (Pf) test line, when read by the trained human eye was significantly higher compared to when read by MMAs (74% vs. average 47%) at samples of 20 p/µl. In higher density samples, the Sn was comparable to the human eye (97%) for three MMAs. The RDT Sn of test lines that detect all Plasmodium species (Pan line), when read by the trained human eye was significantly higher compared to when read by MMAs (79% vs. average 56%) across all densities. The RDT Sp, when read by the human eye or MMAs was 99% for both the Pf and Pan test lines across all densities. Conclusions: The study results show that in a laboratory setting, most MMAs produced similar results interpreting the Pf test line of RDTs at parasite densities typically found in patients that experience malaria symptoms (> 100 p/µl) compared to the human eye. At low parasite densities for the Pf line and across all parasite densities for the Pan line, MMAs were less accurate than the human eye. Future efforts should focus on improving the band/line detection at lower band intensities and evaluating additional MMA functionalities like the ability to identify and classify RDT errors or anomalies.</p