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PubMed2003

Taenia solium cysticercosis.

The larval stage of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) infects the human nervous system, causing neurocysticercosis. This disease is one of the main causes of epileptic seizures in many less developed countries and is also increasingly seen in more developed countries because of immigration from endemic areas. Little information is available on the natural evolution of taeniasis or cysticercosis. Available therapeutic measures include steroids, treatments for symptoms, surgery, and, more controversially, antiparasitic drugs to kill brain parasites. Efforts to control and eliminate this disease are underway through antiparasitic treatment of endemic populations, development of pig vaccines, and other measures.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Echinococcosis.

Hydatids, the intermediate stages, or metacestodes, of the tapeworm genus, Echinococcus, present a major immunological problem; they survive, grow and metastasize in immunized hosts which are protected against reinfection and possess effector mechanisms capable of killing the parasite. Explanations for this state of concomitant immunity have been made from investigations of avoidance strategies, genetics and quantitative hydatid growth. The latter study suggests that the host-parasite relationship is sustained as a dynamic equilibrium between parasite growth and acquired immunity, the balance being subject to mutual regulation and including the possibility of spontaneous rejection of the parasite. Two immunoregulatory, or cytokine-like, factors have been detected in hydatids of Echinococcus spp. One appears to be a mediator of the previously reported mitogenic effects of hydatids. Recent evidence has linked these effects to generation of T-suppressor populations. The second factor interferes with the interaction of macrophages and T-cells, mimics the effect of metacestode infection in impairing the accessory action of macrophages in lymphoproliferative responses, and is suppressive for rosette-forming cell responses against third-party antigens. It is suggested that these factors form part of a primary homeostatic mechanism regulating hydatid growth and immunity.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Multiple hydatid cysts of the neck, the nasopharynx and the skull base revealing cervical vertebral hydatid disease.

Hydatid disease is caused by the parasitic tapeworm Echinococcus. This parasite in larval stage can thrive in many parts of the body, most commonly in the liver and the lung. Hydatid disease in the head and neck is uncommon and hydatid cyst presents rarely as a cervical mass. Cervical vertebral echinococcosis is rare. We report a 14-year-old girl with multiple cervical spine hydatid cysts of the C1-C2 vertebrae that spread into the surrounding paravertebral tissues and involve the nasopharynx and the skull base particularly the left jugular foramen. This process has caused a progressive swelling in the left side of the neck located in the retrostyloid compartment of the parapharyngeal space with paralysis of cranial nerves (VI, IX, X, XI, XII). The diagnosis was made based on the image obtained from CT and MRI examinations. Characteristics of this rare disease, diagnosis and treatment difficulty are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Structure and antigenicity of the major glycolipid from Taenia solium cysticerci.

Lipids were extracted from cysticerci of the human tapeworm Taenia solium isolated from various infected pigs and analysed by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. These consisted of both alkali-labile and alkali-stable glycolipids, and phosphorylated non-glycosylated lipids. Because abundant and immunogenic glycolipids of parasites have been implicated in host-parasite interactions, the major lipid, an alkali-stable glycolipid, was purified by chromatography and its structure and antigenicity were determined. The structure of the major glycolipid of T. solium, GSL-I, was elucidated through a combination of chemical degradative methods, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses of the degradative products, matrix-assisted-laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This analytical strategy led to the identification of a family of beta-galactosylceramides composed mainly of phytosphinganine (2-hydroxylated sphinganine) N-acylated by C16-C24 fatty acids, with the predominance of 2-hydroxylated homologues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed no correlation between the antibody titres directed against GSL-I in the human sera and the infective status; in contrast, a very high specific immunoreactivity and a sensitivity above 50% were observed when GSL-I was tested with cerebrospinal fluids from well characterised infected humans. Thus, although these results do not support the use of GSL-I alone as an antigen for the detection of neurocysticercosis, its use as part of an antigen cocktail for the diagnosis of the disease in cerebrospinal fluids merits further investigations.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Structural characterization of the N-glycans from Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst membrane and protoscoleces.

Infection by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus in the intermediate host results in the development of a hydatid cyst which contains the protoscoleces within a fluid-filled cavity enclosed by the bilayered cyst membrane. N-glycans were enzymatically released from crude extracts of homogenates of hydatid cyst membranes and protoscoleces and their structures were defined by high sensitivity fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry in conjunction with sequential exoglycosidase digestions. The major N-glycans from the cyst membrane were found to be non-charged structures having complex-type antennae and core fucosylation. The antennae are either truncated at the first N-acetylglucosamine or are extended with beta-galactose to form N-acetyllactosamine (lacNAc). A significant proportion of the lacNAc backbones are capped by alpha-galactose. The resulting Gal alpha-Gal beta-terminal structures may account for the earlier observation that antibodies against the blood group P1 epitope recognise components of hydatid cyst extracts. The complex-type N-glycans identified in the protoscoleces extracts were the same as the neutral structures found in the cyst membrane but a small proportion of high mannose structures and truncated di- and trimannosyl core structures were also identified. Sialylated N-glycans were identified as minor constituents of the cyst membrane preparation but were not observed in protoscoleces extracts. Whether the sialylated glycans are host derived or endogenously synthesized by the parasite remains to be established. This is the first reported structural analysis of N-glycans from cestodes and provides new insights into protein glycosylation in helminths.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding a nonintegrin laminin-binding protein from Echinococcus granulosus with localization of the laminin-binding domain.

We have isolated a cDNA from the hydatid tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus, encoding a protein that binds laminin. This is the first report of a helminth parasite laminin-binding protein and the first description of a cDNA encoding a laminin-binding protein from a parasite. The cDNA clone (egmo3) was isolated from an E. granulosus protoscolex cDNA expression library, and identified on the basis of sequence homology to the nonintegrin mammalian metastasis-associated 67-kDa laminin receptor (67-LR). The amino acid sequence predicted from the cDNA sequence is 268 residues long with a calculated molecular mass of 29.9 kDa. Southern blot analysis suggested that many copies of the gene may occur in the E. granulosus genome. A Northern blot revealed that the gene is expressed as a single transcript of approximately 1 kb consistent with the size of the cDNA insert. Antibodies raised to the purified protein interacted with a 30 kDa protein in whole E. granulosus protoscoleces. A Western blot of the purified and refolded recombinant protein specifically bound 125I-labelled laminin, as did a synthetic peptide derived from the inferred amino acid sequence of egmo3 which is similar in homology to peptide G, the active ligand-binding site of 67-LR. We also isolated the 3' end of the cDNA encoding the homologous protein from the closely related species, E. multilocularis. The polypeptide encoded by egmo3 also shares substantial identity with the acidic class of ribosomal proteins which are involved in protein synthesis. As such, the egmo3 protein may be multifunctional in E. granulosus, acting as a laminin-binding molecule but also playing a role in cell division and growth.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Stage-specific expression of the 14-3-3 gene in Echinococcus multilocularis.

A cDNA expression library representing the metacestode developmental stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis was immunoscreened with monospecific antibodies affinity purified following differential immunoblot analysis. Using this procedure, a metacestode-specific clone was isolated representing a 14-3-3 gene of the parasite, which is present as a single copy in the parasite genome. The identity of this clone was demonstrated by cross-reactivity of the recombinant E. multilocularis 14-3-3 protein with antibodies raised against a heterologous 14-3-3 protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, expression of the E. multilocularis 14-3-3 gene in the mutant S. cerevisiae strain, DS9-22, resulted in complementation of the phenotypic deficiency of this strain, thus demonstrating the functionality of the respective gene product. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) we showed that the E. multilocularis 14-3-3 protein is about 10-fold overexpressed in the metacestode stage compared with the expression level in the adult stage. Immunolocalization of the 14-3-3 protein in E. multilocularis metacestodes revealed its predominant presence in the germinal layer of the parasite. The results of this study, taken together with the current knowledge on the 14-3-3 protein family, suggest that this parasite molecule may contribute to the promotion of the progressive, potentially unlimited growth behaviour of the E. multilocularis metacestode within the host tissue.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Human Taenia in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice.

A rodent model for the development of the larval stages of human taeniid tapeworms would help advance immunodiagnosis in human and domestic animals and vaccine development for cysticercosis cellulosae or bovis in domestic animals. Here, Akira Ito and Mamoru Ito review recent results demonstrating the potential of the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse for supporting development of the larval stages of Taenia saginata asiatica, T. saginata and T. solium.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Pediatric health care and management.

Pediatric health care is an integral part of providing for the general health needs of puppies and kittens from birth to 6 months of age. Successful rearing of puppies and kittens requires providing them with a suitable environment; the correct quantities and quality of nutrients for growth; a regular schedule of feeding, sleeping, grooming, and exercise; and the stimulus that provokes micturation and defecation. The intestinal parasites, such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium, occur commonly in puppies and kittens. The advantages of early-age spay/neuter far outweight the risks.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The Echinococcus multilocularis 14-3-3 protein protects mice against primary but not secondary alveolar echinococcosis.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval stage (metacestode) of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, exhibits very similar disease characteristics in humans and rodents. Recently, it has been shown that an over-expression of the parasite 14-3-3 protein could be associated to the proliferative growth of the E. multilocularis metacestode. We now demonstrate the expression of this protein at the E. multilocularis oncospheral stage as well. A recombinant E. multilocularis 14-3-3 protein (E14t) was used to vaccinate mice against either primary or secondary experimental E. multilocularis infection in BALB/c mice. Conversely to non-vaccinated but control infected mice, which developed a very weak anti-E14t response during infection, the response elicited in the E14t-vaccinated and subsequently infected animals exhibited a strong reactivity against the parasite 14-3-3 protein. Major differences became apparent between secondarily and primarily infected animals: whereas no protection against secondary infection was achieved by vaccination, vaccinated animals were protected by 97% against challenge primary infection with 2000 E. multilocularis eggs. Consequently, the parasite 14-3-3 molecule appears crucially involved in the early stage of the host-parasite interplay and exhibits potential to be used as target molecule for the development of protective tools against AE.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed2000

[Mediastinal hydatid cysts: 8 cases].

Hydatidosis in humans is a parasitic disease produced by cystic growth of the larvae of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, affecting mainly the liver and lung. Larvae are rarely present in the mediastinum, although approximately 100 cases have been described in the literature. We report eight cases of hydatid cysts of the mediastinum (HCM) treated surgically over a period of 21 years. The incidence was similar in males and females and ages ranged from 10 to 74 years. Symptoms depend on size, location and involvement of neighboring structures in HCM. The most serious complication is cyst rupture with consequent transfer of hydatid material to the blood, possibly causing anaphylactic shock and even death. Currently, sonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance images facilitate diagnosis. Treatment involves excision of the cyst and peri-cystic tissue. CHM should be suspected when mediastinal cysts are found in countries where the incidence of hydatidosis is high.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Vaccination against Taenia solium cysticercosis in underfed rustic pigs of México: roles of age, genetic background and antibody response.

Vaccination of pigs of mixed genetic make-up, raised as rustically as done in rural Mexico, resulted in effective protection to experimental challenge against Taenia solium cysticercosis. Maximum protection was achieved if pigs were immunized at 70 days of age. There was large variation of viable parasite load within vaccinated pigs and controls, which is suggestive of significant genetic factors influencing susceptibility, besides immunization. Our results strengthen the advisability of pig vaccination for control of T. solium cysticercosis, since it lowers the number of viable cysticerci capable of transforming into tapeworms.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

The prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in Eastern and Southern provinces of Zambia.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and importance of porcine cysticercosis in rural areas of Zambia. The study involved an abattoir survey of 1316 pigs at a slaughter slab in Lusaka and two field surveys in villages in Southern and Eastern provinces. Lingual examination of live pigs and visual inspection of their carcass as well as blood sampling for measuring circulating parasite antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) were used as parameters to measure infection. In the field surveys, a questionnaire was administered to every household whose pigs were examined to obtain information on pig husbandry practices and to study risk factors for the infection. Out of the 1316 pigs examined at the slaughter slab, 143 (10.9%) and 271 (20.6%) were positive by lingual examination and meat inspection, respectively. Most of the pigs were very heavily infected with predominantly live cysts. The field surveys revealed that eight (8.2%) out of 98 pigs from Southern province and eight (5.2%) out of 151 pigs from Eastern province were positive for cysticercosis by tongue palpation. Using the Ag-ELISA 20 (20.8%) and 14 (9.3%) pigs were positive in Southern and Eastern provinces, respectively. The questionnaire survey revealed poor pig husbandry practices, absence of meat inspection and control, poor knowledge of the disease and poor sanitation in the surveyed villages. The prevalence of pig cysticercosis found in this study ranks among the highest in the southern African region, in Africa and in the world. The current study suggests the presence of human tapeworm carriers and a high risk of human cysticercosis in the surveyed areas as well as in urban centres where pigs from rural areas are increasingly sold, slaughtered and consumed.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1996

A study (1977-1992) of population dynamics of endoparasites featuring benzimidazole-resistant small strongyles (population S) in Shetland ponies.

Critical tests (91) were done between 1977 and 1992 in Shetland ponies to evaluate drug susceptibility and population dynamics (present paper) of endoparasites. The test ponies, most less than 1 year old, were from a herd where older animals were treated every 8 weeks initially with cambendazole (CBZ) (1974-1978) and then with oxibendazole (OBZ) (1978-1992). Previous field test data (1974-1992) on older ponies in the breeding herd indicated the presence of benzimidazole (BZ) resistant small strongyles. Data on population dynamics from the present critical tests indicated that 28 species of small strongyles persisted over the study period in spite of initial susceptibility and later refractiveness of six species to both CBZ and OBZ. Changes in intensities and other aspects were observed for the six BZ-resistant species (Cyathostomum catinatium, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, and Cylicostephanus longibursatus). Variabilities, some striking, were found in prevalence and intensity in bots, stomach worms, ascarids, eyeworms, large strongyles, pinworms and tapeworms.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The distribution of Anoplocephala perfoliata in the intestine of the horse and associated pathological changes.

The intestinal tracts of 130 horses were examined for infection with Anoplocephala perfoliata at necropsy. Fifty horses (38.5%) harboured the tapeworm, and the site of attachment of each worm was recorded using predetermined anatomical landmarks. The worms were attached in four regions of the gastrointestinal tract: 17% of the worms were found at the ileocaecal junction, 81% on the caecal wall, 1.7% in the terminal ileum and 0.2% in the ventral colon. The severity of lesions produced at the sites of attachment was related to the number of worms attached. Due to the small area of the ileocaecal junction, worms at this site were attached in close proximity, resulting in more severe lesions. The major features of the lesions included ulceration, diphtheritic membranes and thickening of the mucosa, submucosa and lamina propria. There was an increase in the number of eosinophils and a decrease in the number of lymphocytes present at the sites of lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Comparative efficacy evaluation of moxidectin gel and ivermectin paste against internal parasites of equines in Brazil.

A total of 24 male and female equines of mixed breed, 10-20 months of age and naturally infected with internal parasites was utilized in a controlled test to evaluate the efficacy of a moxidectin 2% gel formulation at the dosage of 0.4 mg moxidectin per kg of live weight and an ivermectin 1.87% commercial paste formulation at the dosage 0.2 mg ivermectin per kg applied orally. Animals were allocated into three groups of eight horses each based on pre-treatment eggs per gram (EPG) counts and treatments were randomized among the groups. One group was kept as untreated controls. One animal in the moxidectin-treated group died before the end of the trial from a cause unrelated to treatment leaving a total of seven animals in this group. Fecal egg counts were performed three times post-treatment and the number of parasites remaining in each animal was determined. Statistical analyses using geometric means were performed at the 1% level of significance. Both moxidectin and ivermectin preparations reduced initial EPG from a mean of 1600 to 0 on Days 5, 7 and at the end of the trial on Day 14. Efficacy percentages of moxidectin and ivermectin against immature and adult nematodes were as follows: Trichostrongylus axei, Parascaris equorum, Strongylus edentatus, S. vulgaris, Triodontophorus spp. and Gyalocephalus capitatus, 100% for both products; Habronema muscae 99.5 and 99.6%, respectively, Strongyloides westeri, 100 and 99.2%, respectively; Oxyuris equi, 99.6 and 100%, respectively; small strongyles, 99.7% for both products. Of the latter, the most numerous were: Cylicocyclus insigne, Cylicostephanus longibursatus and Cyathostomum catinatum. No Gasterophilus nasalis were found in horses from either treated group, while two of eight control horses had infections with thisparasite. Moxidectin showed greater efficacy (84.9%) than ivermectin (67.8%) against Strongylus vulgaris larvae found in the mesenteric artery aneurisms, but the difference was not statistically significant. Total parasite counts for both treated groups were significantly lower (p<0.01) than in the non-treated group. No significant differences were noted between moxidectin and ivermectin. Efficacy against the 30 nematode species found in this study was very evident for both products. As expected, neither moxidectin nor ivermectin was effective in controlling the tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata. No adverse reactions were observed during the experimental period.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Parasites in cross-bred pigs in the Upper East region of Ghana.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Upper East Region (UER) of Ghana in order to estimate the prevalence of parasitic infections in local cross-bred pigs. Out of 60 villages with a human population of 200-1000 inhabitants, 10 villages were randomly selected for the study. The number of pigs varied from 50 to 200 pigs per village. In total 259 faecal samples from growers were collected and examined. Ninety-one percent of the animals excreted parasite eggs. Among these the prevalence of Eimeria spp. was 77.2%, Isospora suis (27%) and Balantidium coli (19.3%).The following helminth eggs were identified: Metastrongylus salmi (19.3%); Physocephalus sexalatus (17.4%); Oesophagostomum spp./Hyostrongylus rubidus (60.6%); Trichuris suis (4.6%); Ascaris suum (12.7%); Ascarops strongylina (8.1%); Brachylaemus suis (1.9%); Paragonimus suis (0.8%); Globocephalus urosubulatus (2.7%); and Schistosoma suis (0.4%). Furthermore, six growers were selected from each village for clinical and postmortem examinations, i.e. 60 in total. The clinical examinations revealed ectoparasites on 98.3% of the animals. The ectoparasites were: Haematopinus suis (66.7%); Boophilus spp. (58.3%); Amblyomma spp (45.0%); Sarcoptes suis (38.3%); and Rhipicephalus spp. (8.3%). All pigs were examined for the presence of haemoparasites. It was found that 23.3% of the animals had haemoparasites. These were: Babesia perroncitoi (23.3%); Babesia trautmanni (13.3%); and Eperytrozoon suis (1.7%). Based on postmortem examinations the following adult worms were identified: Metastrongylus salmi (83.3%); Oesophagostomum dentatum (63.3%); Oesophagostomum quadrispinulatum (38.3%); Hyostrongylus rubidus (23.3%); Ascarops strongylina (76.7%); Globocephalus urosubulatus (20.0%); Strongyloides spp. (1.7%); and Physocephalus sexalatus (65.0%). Cysts of the human tapeworm Taenia solium, Cysticercus cellulosae, were present in 11.7% of the animals. Small pieces of the diaphragm were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis spp.. The prevalence was 28.3%, but no larvae of Trichinella spp. were found. Furthermore, four of the animals (6.7%) had Taenia hydatigena cysts.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Septate-like junctions between cells of the immune system in vivo.

Septate-like junctions between lymphocytes, lymphocytes and macrophages, and macrophages were observed in cellular capsules surrounding larvae of the tapeworm Taenia crassiceps after intraperitoneal inoculation into immunized mice. The morphology of the junctions found in vivo is similar to that reported for septate-like junctions between cells of the immune system in vitro. These findings support the possibility that septate-like junctions may be involved in functional interactions between cells of the immune system both in vivo and in vitro.

Animals↗