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PubMed1991

Molecular cloning and characterization of the ribosomal RNA genes of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus.

1. The analysis of total protoscolex DNA and some rDNA recombinants of Echinococcus granulosus by restriction endonuclease mapping and hybridization to rDNA probes indicated the complex organization of the ribosomal RNA genes and that some repeat units are larger than 15 kb. The non-transcribed spacer can be up to 13 kb in length in some repeat units. 2. Restriction site polymorphism was detected mainly in the nontranscribed spacer regions although some polymorphism was also observed in the 28S rRNA coding region. 3. On the basis of Southern blot hybridization using EcoRI-digested genomic DNA, we conclude that the repeat units containing an extra EcoRI site are present almost in the same proportion as the repeat units without the extra EcoRI site in the 28S rRNA coding region.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Ecology and epidemiology of Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe.

Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis has a high mortality rate in untreated patients. The life-cycle of E. multilocularis in Europe predominantly involves foxes as definitive hosts. However, experimental studies demonstrated a comparable biotic potential of E. multilocularis in dogs and raccoon dogs but an insignificant potential in cats. AE occurs in central and eastern Europe at low incidence rates. Recent studies in foxes have shown that E. multilocularis has a wider geographic range (including Italy) than previously thought. In recent years, increases in fox populations have been observed in many European countries, especially in urban areas. As a result, the E. multilocularis cycle is now established in the urban environment. This presents an increased risk of infection for a large human population. Based on these facts and new epidemiological data, possible intervention strategies are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Echinococcus multilocularis in north Italy.

Alveolar echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the metacestode of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Fox populations living in the Alpine regions of Italy had been considered free from this parasite until 2002, when two infected foxes were detected in Bolzano province (Trentino Alto Adige region) near Austrian border. A modified nested PCR analysis was used to detect E. multilocularis DNA in faecal samples belonging to red fox populations from five Italian regions. A total of 522 faecal samples were analysed from foxes shot in Valle d'Aosta (N = 65), Liguria (N = 44), Lombardy (N = 105), Veneto (N = 67), and Trentino Alto Adige (N = 241) regions. Among these, 24 samples, all from the Trentino Alto Adige region, were found positive. Moreoever, 1406 faecal samples of red foxes were analyzed by CA-ELISAs commercial test kit. This paper provides an update of the epidemiological knowledge of this parasite in north Italy.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Epidemiological studies on Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes in north-west Poland].

The studies were carried out in 15 provinces of North-West part of Poland in the years 1994 - 1997 under a regime of strict laboratory safety regulation. The intestine of 1909 red foxes were examined for the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis according to the method of Eckert et al (1991). The intestines were divided finto four to six sections and fifteen smears were prepared from each animal under study. Foxes infected with E. multilocularis were detected in 8 provinces. The average prevalence rate in these provinces was 1.20 per cent. Of special interest fis the finding in Slupsk and Gdafisk regions, where 9.6 per cent of foxes were infected with E. multilocularis. In comparison with some other European endemic regions the prevalence rates of E. multilocularis in Poland was low, except for the Stupsk-Gdańsk area.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Studies on the incidence of echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in north-east, central and south of Poland].

During the year 1994-1997, a total number of 1042 red foxes orginating from the 33 provinces North-East, Central and South of Poland under special safety procautions for intestinal stages of Echinococcus multilocularis using the mucosal-smer technique were examined. An average of 5.09% (53 foxes) from 10 provinces was infected. In those provinces, the prevalance varied between 1.19% to 35.71%. The infection varied from low to very high but mostly harboured gravid E. multilocularis parasites with thick-shelled eggs. Our data indicate that E. multilocularis in foxes has a surprisingly wide distribution in Poland. These new epidemiological data indicate that a potential risk of infection for humans may exists in all areas where foxes infected with E. multilocularis have been identified. It has been assumed that E. multilocularis might also occur in other provinces in which foxes examination have not yet been undertaken or number examined of animals was low. This study was supported by a two grands from the Swiss National Foundation (projects No 7PLPJ038414 and 7PLPJ041302).

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Evaluation of functional state of blood platelets in patients infected with Echinococcus granulosus].

Blood platelets actively participate in defense mechanisms of the organism. eg. in antiparasitic immunology. The study involved 17 patients infected with Echinococcus granulosus. Blood for analysis was collected twice, before treatment (E1) and after it (E2). Control group consisted of 30 healthy people. The concentrations of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 were assayed using a set of ASSERACHROM (Boehringer Mannheim) according to the immunoenzymatic method with labelled antibodies. The level of platelet factor 4 (before and after the antiparasitic treatment) indicates platelet activation by parasite.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Echinococcus multilocularis in the red fox Vulpes vulpes from the East Carpathian region of Poland and the Slovak Republic.

The occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the Poland-Slovak frontier zone of the East Carpathian region was assessed, for comparison with that in adjacent regions in both countries. A total of 392 red foxes from Poland and 427 red foxes from the Slovak Republic were examined from 2001 to 2004. Significant differences in prevalences were observed in foxes captured from the borderland and adjacent zones in both countries. The mean prevalence of E. multilocularis in the Polish borderland reached 45.7+/-18.6% and in the Slovak border 35.0+/-10.7%. In both countries, the prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes from adjacent districts, outside the frontier Carpathian region, was considerably lower (18.9+/-9.2% in Poland and 20.8+/-9.0% in Slovakia). These differences are probably due to geomorphological and ecological factors, which contribute to the survival of the tapeworm eggs and the subsequent spread of infection. The Carpathian regions of northeast Slovakia and southeast Poland are characterized by specific climatic conditions such as low mean annual air temperatures, low temperatures in active soil surfaces, high soil humidities and a high mean annual rainfall.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of Echinococcus granulosus species or subspecies at the level of nucleic acid contents.

The present study is an attempt to clarify the nature of the differences in the subspecies of Echinococcus granulosus in Egypt by comparing the contents of the nucleic acid in the cysts obtained from livers and lungs of camel, pig and sheep, intermediate hosts, as well as in the adult worms obtained by experimentally feeding of these cysts to puppies. The biochemical study revealed that the mean values of DNA and RNA in fertile camel lung-cysts as well as in its adult worms were significantly lower (p less than 0.01) than those of pigs. On the other hand, it was found that the contents of DNA in adult worms were 4 times more than in protoscolices, in both camel and pig strain, a result which may suggest a duplication of the genomic contents of the adult worm.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Detection of genetic polymorphism among and within Echinococcus granulosus strains by heteroduplex analysis of a microsatellite from the U1 snRNA genes.

Polymerase chain reaction of a pentanucleotide microsatellite in the U1 snRNA gene complex generated a multiple band pattern due to the priming of paralogous sequences. Denaturation and slow renaturation of polymerase chain reaction products allow the formation of heteroduplex DNA that can be detected by its differential mobility in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Heteroduplex analysis was used to determine if the U1 snRNA microsatellite could be a useful genetic marker in Echinococcus granulosus. A U1 snRNA microsatellite fragment from E. granulosus was isolated and characterized by Southern blot and sequencing. Four E. granulosus strains were analyzed: sheep, Tasmanian sheep, cattle, and camel strains. The former two showed polymorphism and shared three of the six patterns found for sheep strain. The cattle strain displayed two patterns, and the camel strain was monomorphic. The electrophoretic profiles were used for statistical analysis in order to determine genetic distance and the relationship among strains. Heteroduplex analysis can be helpful in genotyping E. granulosus strains and is useful in detecting polymorphism within strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Echinococcus multilocularis antigens modify accessory cell function of macrophages.

Peritoneal macrophages and splenic lymphocytes were collected from BALB/c mice, normal or previously infected with Echinococcus multilocularis. In an accessory cell function assay, peritoneal macrophages, in increasing numbers, were added to cultures of splenic lymphocytes. Cultures were stimulated by concanavalin A (Con A) or E. multilocularis culture supernatant (EMSN). Post-infection macrophages, unlike normal macrophages, suppressed Con A- and EMSN-driven lymphocyte transformation. Modification of accessory cells could also be repeatedly induced in vivo by EMSN or a single FPLC fraction of EMSN. Lymphocytes were made more sensitive to accessory cell signals following incubation with EMSN.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Uptake and release of mebendazole, albendazole and albendazole sulfoxide by secondary cysts of Echinococcus granulosus in vitro].

Mebendazole (Meb), albendazole (Alb) or albendazole sulfoxide (AlbSO) were taken rapidly in vitro by secondary cysts of Echinococcus granulosus removed out from mice infected with protoscoleces 8-9 months previously. The amounts of the drugs taken by the cysts were apparently increased followed by exposure of the cysts to the drugs at 10 micrograms.ml-1. The Alb penetrated into the cysts was distributed mainly in cyst wall, whereas the content of Meb in cyst wall was twice as much as that in cyst fluid. The distributions of AlbSO in cyst wall and cyst fluid were similar. When the cysts in the medium were exposed to Alb, some AlbSO and albendazole sulphone were detected in both cyst wall and cyst fluid, indicating that a part of Alb was metabolized by the cysts. In another experiment cysts exposed to the drug for 2 h were transferred to the medium without the drug for another 24 h. The release rates of the 3 drugs from the cysts were alike. In 1-2 h after transfer about 65-70% of the drugs absorbed by the cysts previously were released. Twenty-four hours after exposure the release rates increased to 75-85%, and the release of the drugs from the cyst wall was somewhat faster than that from cyst fluid.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1991

Some recent advances in the molecular characterization of Echinococcus and Taenia solium.

Some recently obtained data from our laboratory on the molecular characterization of Echinococcus and Taenia solium are described and are complimented by relevant new information obtained by other groups. Progress made in the development of satisfactory immunodiagnostic assays and in the production of recombinant molecules, suitable for application in serology of hydatid disease and cysticercosis, is highlighted. Results arising from the application of polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing, using primers homologous to evolutionarily conserved sequences, in phylogenetic studies and for distinguishing individual taeniid species are also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The immunohomeostatic role of hydatid cyst toxins (Echinococcus granulosus).

It is obvious that during the evolution of a host-parasite relationship, in which one animal is needing the other, while the latter is trying to expel or destroy the former, both partners tend to reach an equilibrium. In many cases they are still far off, but in hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus) it would appear that a lot has been achieved. As the near equilibrium is mainly related to the state of the immunological relationship, it is in fact a case of immunohomeostasis. The immunological reactions of the host involve both humoral and cellular phenomena. The nature of the humoral response varies greatly according to host species, parasite strain and several factors of the infection and analysis procedures. The cell-mediated defense mechanism involves various types of cells, but activated macrophages appear to be most important. With regards to the modes of immunoevasion, attention is paid to the barrier role of the laminated layer, the inactivation of complement and the interference with the activities of host immune cells. The role of toxic substances released by protoscoleces and cysts is especially emphasized. The toxins appear extremely vulnerable to host macrophages and play a very important role in the establishment of a hydatid cyst. However, they have only a local influence and do not jeopardize the development of concomitant immunity. Observations in experimental secondary echinococcosis led to the conclusion that the establishment of a hydatid cyst depends on the speed of the parasite's toxic effect versus the host immunological reaction. Survival of the parasite is based on the continued balancing effects of both.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Echinococcus multilocularis--a model for imaging research.

Magnetic resonance images of transverse, sagittal, and coronal sections of Meriones unguiculatus abdomens experimentally infected with Echinococcus multilocularis revealed alveolar cyst masses that were especially prominent in the late phase of infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Life cycles of Echinococcus multilocularis in relation to human infection.

The cycle of Echinococcus multilocularus in natural and synanthropic hosts was investigated during 10 yr in an endemic focus of alveolar hydatid disease in the Massif Central of France. The natural cycle, involving red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, and voles, Arvicola terrestris, existed immediately surrounding a village in which human cases of alveolar hydatid disease occurred. Both foxes and free-ranging dogs could serve as the source of infection for the human population.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Relationship between the efficacy of mebendazole and immune level of mice infected with secondary cysts of Echinococcus granulosus].

The proliferative response of lymphocytes to Con A and enzyme-linked absorbent assay were used to determine the levels of cellular and humoral immunity of mice infected with ip 2000 protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus for 2, 4 or 8 months and treated twice with ip BCG 0.2 mg/mouse at an interval of 10 d, or with ip cyclophosphamide (Cy) 10 mg/(kg.d) x 5 d. The results showed that the immune levels of the host were stimulated by BCG, but depressed by Cy significantly. When the mice were treated with ip mebendazole (Meb) 25 mg/(kg.d) x 10 d in combination with ip BCG 0.2 mg/mouse on d 3 before Meb treatment and on d 7 after the beginning of Meb treatment, or with ip Cy 10 mg/(kg.d) x 5 d before Meb treatment, the inhibition rates of cyst weight and the alterations of germinal layers induced by the drugs were similar to those of corresponding groups treated with Meb alone. Cy also exhibited an apparent effect on mice infected with protoscolices for 2 months. Even so, no apparent synergic effect was seen after combined treatment with Cy and Meb. The results suggest that the effect of Meb on secondary cysts of E granulosus was not affected by the host immune level.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of mebendazole, albendazole and albendazole sulfoxide on glycogen contents of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in infected mice].

Mice infected with protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus for 8-9 months were treated ig with mebendazole (Meb) 50 mg.kg-1.d-1, albendazole (Alb) 300 mg.kg-1.d-1 or albendazole sulfoxide (AlbSO) 150 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 1-7 d. The glycogen contents of cyst wall in each drug groups were 1.0 +/- 0.6 - 1.8 +/- 0.9 mg/g, 1.1 +/- 0.9 - 1.8 +/- 0.8 mg/g and 0.8 +/- 0.5 - 1.5 +/- 0.9 mg/g, respectively, which were less than those 2.2 +/- 1.3 - 2.8 +/- 1.3 mg/g of corresponding control groups with respective glycogen reduction rates of 38-55%, 36-51% and 46-62%. After prolongation of treatment course to 10-14 d, the glycogen contents of cyst wall in Meb and AlbSO groups were further decreased, which resulted in glycogen reduction rates of 73% and 69%, respectively. No further decrease of glycogen contents in Alb groups was seen as the glycogen reduction rates sustained in 32%. Histochemical observation showed that the glycogen contents in germinal layer of the cysts decreased significantly or even disappeared during the treatment of Meb, Alb or AlbSO. The results suggested that the effects of Meb and AlbSO on mice infected with secondary cysts of E granulosus were superior to Alb as evaluated by glycogen reduction rate of cyst wall.

Albendazole↗