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Lethal invasive cestodiasis in immunosuppressed patients.

Using both traditional methods and broad-range 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) polymerase chain reaction, we examined 2 cases of lethal cestodiasis, in which the disease agent had been poorly identified or misidentified. In one case, involving a patient with AIDS, we identified the human dwarf tapeworm, Hymenolepis nana, as a cause of aberrant metastatic larval disease. In the second case with similar pathologic abnormalities, involving a patient with Hodgkin disease, we identified a larval cestode with a previously uncharacterized 18S rDNA sequence. A prior report of this case nearly 30 years ago, based on tissue examination, had suggested that the parasite was a sparganum.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Human coenurosis in North America: case reports and review.

Coenurosis is a zoonotic disease of humans caused by the larval stage of Taenia (Multiceps) species. In North America, the adult tapeworm of Taenia (Multiceps) serialis is found in canids. The cystic larval forms (coenuri) are found in hares, rabbits, squirrels, and, rarely, in humans. We review in clinical detail the fifth case reported from North America, involving a child with extensive central nervous system involvement. We also report a sixth case, involving an adult with an intramuscular coenurus. The latter case was diagnosed by needle aspiration of the cyst. Although praziquantel administration may have been effective in killing the parasite in both patients, we are concerned about the production of marked inflammation as a result of treatment. The four other North American cases are reviewed, and the epidemiology of the infection in animals is discussed.

Adult↗

Cysticercosis/taeniasis in Asia and the Pacific.

Three taeniid tapeworms infect humans in Asia and the Pacific: Taenia solim, Taenia saginata, and Taenia asiatica. Although there is continuing debate about the definition of a new species, phylogenetic analyses of these parasites have provided multiple lines of evidence that T. asiatica is an independent species and the sister species of T. saginata. Here we review briefly the morphology, pathology, molecular biology, distribution and control options of taeniasis/cysticercosis in Asia and the Pacific and comment on the potential role which dogs may play in the transmission of T. solium. Special attention is focused on Indonesia: taeniasis caused by T. asiatica in North Sumatra, taeniasis/cysticercosis of T. solium and taeniasis of T. saginata in Bali, and taeniasis/cysticercosis of T. solium in Papua (formerly Irian Jaya). Issues relating to the spread of taeniasis/cysticercosis caused by T. solium in Papua New Guinea are highlighted, since serological evidence suggests that cysticercosis occurs among the local residents. The use of modern techniques for detection of taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in humans, pigs and dogs, with the possible adoption of new control measures will provide a better understanding of the epidemiology of taeniasis/cysticercosis in Asia and the Pacific and lead to improved control of zoonotic and simultaneously meat-borne disease transmission.

Animals↗

Sparganosis in the United States. Report of a case.

A 20-year-old Philadelphia woman (recently moved from South Carolina) had sparganosis of her lower anterior abdominal wall. In the United States sparganosis occurs when man enters the life cycle of dog or cat tapeworms of the genus Spirometra. Most of the American cases have been reported from the southeastern United States, and the most probable source of infection is contaminated drinking water. Sporadic cases have also been seen in other parts of the country. If the pathologist is familiar with the morphology of spargana, the gross and histologic features are sufficient for identification of genus Spirometra.

Adult↗

Hematopoietic and gastric uracil-DNA glycosylase activity in megaloblastic anemia and in atrophic gastritis with special reference to pernicious anemia.

The activity of the DNA excision repair enzyme uracil-DNA glycosylase was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in bone marrow aspiration samples obtained from patients with pernicious anemia (PA) or other types of megaloblastic anemia (one case of tapeworm anemia and three cases of myelodysplastic syndromes). In addition, the expression of uracil-DNA glycosylase was investigated in biopsies from the antrum and body of the stomach obtained from nine PA patients, from five patients having atrophic gastritis (AG) not associated with PA, and from six control patients having transient upper abdominal complaints without AG. Our results revealed that there was a considerable interindividual variation in gastric uracil-DNA glycosylase activity. No clear correlation between the enzyme level and the level of gastric atrophy was noted, although AG is generally regarded as a risk factor of gastric cancer. Furthermore, uracil-DNA glycosylase activities in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in bone marrow cells in PA and in myelodysplastic syndromes were similar to the activities observed previously in non-hematological patients and healthy persons. Transient uracil incorporation into DNA may have a role in the cellular abnormalities associated with megaloblastic hematopoiesis. The present findings demonstrated that the enzymatic activity required for rapid removal of uracil from DNA is also expressed in the megaloblastic state.

Adult↗

Cerebral sparganosis: case report and review.

Sparganosis is a rare infection caused by a tapeworm larva from the genus Spirometra. A 21-year-old Indian man presented with an 18-month history of episodic confusion followed by a grand mal seizure. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain confirmed the presence of a lesion of the left occipital lobe. Subsequent stereotactic biopsy revealed a plerocercoid larva or sparganum. Surgical resection resulted in cure. This case prompted a review of the literature on central nervous system sparganosis. Altogether, 17 other cases of primary cerebral sparganosis have been reported previously. Seizures, headache, and focal neurologic signs are common at presentation. Neuroradiologic imaging is sensitive but not specific for the identification of lesions. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of cerebrospinal fluid or serum may be diagnostically helpful. However, the diagnosis is generally made after surgical resection, which is usually curative.

Adult↗

Prevalence and biology of endosymbionts of fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) from dogs and cats in Alachua County, Florida.

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and biology of endosymbionts in local populations of fleas collected from dogs and cats in Alachua Co., Florida. Four hundred three Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché), 194 Pulex simulans Baker, and 44 Echidnophaga gallinacea (Westwood) were examined. Fleas were collected from 52 dogs and 51 cats. From 1 to 20 fleas were dissected from each host. A variety of microorganisms and metazoa was observed, including a baculovirus, gram-negative bacteria, rickettsia-like organisms, amoebae, trypanosomatid flagellates, cephaline gregarines, and microsporidia. Microfilariae of the dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, entomophilic nematodes, and metacestodes of the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum were also observed.

Animals↗

Host-Associated Genetic Differentiation in the Face of Ongoing Gene Flow: Ecological Speciation in a Pathogenic Parasite of Freshwater Fish.

Adaptive evolution in response to varying environments, leading to population divergence, is among the most intriguing processes of speciation. However, the extent to which these adaptive processes effectively drive population divergence amidst ongoing gene flow remains controversial. Our study addresses this by analyzing population genetic structure, gene flow, and genomic divergence between lineages of a tapeworm parasite (Ligula intestinalis) isolated from sympatric fish hosts. This parasite, which must overcome host immunological defenses for successful infection, significantly impacts host health. Utilizing genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and transcriptome data, we investigated whether host species impose distinct selection pressures on parasite populations. Genetic clustering analyses revealed clear divergence, with parasites from bream (Abramis brama) forming a distinct genetic cluster separate from those infecting roach (Rutilus rutilus), rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), and bleak (Alburnus alburnus). Demographic modeling indicated isolation with continuous gene flow as the most plausible scenario for this divergence. Selection analyses identified 896 SNPs under selection, displaying low to moderate nucleotide diversity and genetic divergence compared with neutral loci. Transcriptome profiling supported these findings, revealing distinct gene expression profiles between parasite populations. Examination of selected SNPs and differentially expressed genes identified candidate genes linked to immune evasion mechanisms, potentially driving ecological speciation. This research highlights the interplay of host specificity, population demography, and disruptive selection in ecological speciation. By dissecting genomic factors, our study improves the understanding of mechanisms facilitating population divergence despite ongoing gene flow.

Animals↗

Comparasite: a database for comparative study of transcriptomes of parasites defined by full-length cDNAs.

Comparasite is a database for comparative studies of transcriptomes of parasites. In this database, each data is defined by the full-length cDNAs from various apicomplexan parasites. It integrates seven individual databases, Full-Parasites, consisting of numerous full-length cDNA clones that we have produced and sequenced: 12,484 cDNA sequences from Plasmodium falciparum, 11,262 from Plasmodium yoelii, 9633 from Plasmodium vivax, 1518 from Plasmodium berghei, 7400 from Toxoplasma gondii, 5921 from Cryptosporidium parvum and 10,966 from the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Putatively counterpart gene groups are clustered and comparative analysis of any combination of six apicomplexa species is implemented, such as interspecies comparisons regarding protein motifs (InterPro), predicted subcellular localization signals (PSORT), transmembrane regions (SOSUI) or upstream promoter elements. By specifying keywords and other search conditions, Comparasite retrieves putative counterpart gene groups containing a given feature in common or in a species-specific manner. By enabling multi-faceted comparative analyses of genes of apicomplexa protozoa, monophyletic organisms that have evolved to diversify to parasitize various hosts by adopting complex life cycles, Comparasite should help elucidate the mechanism behind parasitism. Our full-length cDNA databases and Comparasite are accessible from http://fullmal.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

Animals↗

A novel fucosylated glycosphingolipid with a Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-3Gal sequence in plerocercoids of the parasite, Spirometra erinacei.

A novel glycosphingolipid (SEGLx) has been isolated from the plerocercoids of a tapeworm, Spirometra erinacei. From the results of compositional analysis, methylation analysis, exoglycosidase hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, its structure was concluded to be [formula: see text] This is the first report of a glycosphingolipid with a novel carbohydrate structure which is characterized by i) the occurrence of a penultimate glucose molecule attached to the reducing end galactose through a beta 1-3 linkage and ii) the presence of a fucose attached to a glucose through an alpha 1-3 linkage. The ceramide contained sphinganine or 4-D-hydroxy-sphinganine, and either a nonhydroxy fatty acid with 16, 18, 26, or 28 carbon atoms, or hydroxystearic acid. Proton NMR analysis revealed that the chemical species of both the long chain base and fatty acid moieties affect the chemical shifts of the anomeric proton resonances of not only the reducing terminal galactose but also the penultimate glucose.

Animals↗

Neurocysticercosis.

Neurocysticercosis results when the ingested eggs of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, hatch into larval forms that penetrate the gut wall, disseminate hematogenously, and then encyst in the brain. The subsequent symptoms and associated morbidity are variable. Worldwide, cysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease affecting the central nervous system, but it is not a common autopsy finding in the United States. Neurocysticercosis may be an incidental finding, a contributing cause of death, or the underlying cause of death. It is also important for the forensic pathologist to be aware of the possibility of neurocysticercosis in the autopsy population for purposes of epidemiology studies and infection control. The authors use cases of neurocysticercosis found at autopsy at their institution to give examples of each scenario and to review the clinical and pathologic features of this parasitic disease.

Adult↗

Taenia crassiceps invasive cysticercosis: a new human pathogen in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome?

A fluctuant, painful, subcutaneous, and intermuscular tumor developed in a 38-year-old man with severe acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in which immunodeficiency was severe. Surgery revealed lesions that formed a multilocular pouch embedded in deep tissues in the forearm filled with tapiocalike material containing a viscous fluid, granules, and cysticercilike small vesicles. Pathologic and parasitologic evaluation showed cysticerci embedded in a fibrocollagen reaction with inflammatory granulomatous reaction. Each cysticercus contained an invaginated scolex with two rows of small (i.e., 80 microm) and large (i.e., 114 microm) rostellar hooks, identical to larva of Taenia crassiceps. All clinical, parasitologic, and pathologic features of these cysticerci were very different from those of all other larval cestode (i.e., Taenia solium cysticercosis, coenurosis, sparganosis, cysticercosis due to Taenia saginata [Cysticercus bovis], primary and secondary hydatidosis [Echinococcus species]). T crassiceps cysticerci usually develop in subcutis and pleuroperitoneal cavities of rodents, whereas the adult tapeworm is commonly found in the digestive tract of foxes. Biologic properties of T crassiceps cysticerci and epidemiologic characteristics of pandemic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could eventually indicate new potential cases of T crassiceps cysticercosis in humans.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Diagnosis, treatment and control of Taenia solium cysticercosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is now recognized as a major public health problem in most developing countries because of its association with seizures. Major advances in the diagnosis and epidemiology of taeniasis/cysticercosis have occurred in recent years. However, despite abundant literature on the subject, many questions remain unanswered including the role of anti-parasitic therapy and the potential for long-term control or elimination of the disease in field conditions following active interventions. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advances have included improved knowledge of the availability and optimization of diagnostic tools for the tapeworm stage, a better understanding of the meaning of antibody serology, the introduction of antigen detection assays, a consensus on the use of antiparasitic medication, awareness of inflammation and chronic scars around calcified cysts, population-based neuroimaging studies, application of control measures, and progress in the development of a pig vaccine. SUMMARY: Neurocysticercosis is now much better understood than it was a few years ago. Infection and disease are now classified in terms of parasite viability, resulting in multiple and diverse clinical entities, each of which has a proper prognosis and management. As a result of this, the interpretation of diagnostic assays and imaging examinations is much more coherent. New aspects of this interesting disease have been recognized, mainly in relation to the frequency of calcified neurocysticercosis and its potential association with symptomatic relapses. Consensus diagnostic and treatment schemes have been proposed, and promising alternatives for control are currently being tested in several countries.

Animals↗

Echinococcus multilocularis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm of foxes that may cause a zoonotic infection resulting in a highly pathogenic and potentially fatal chronic liver infestation called human alveolar echinococcosis. Radical liver resection currently offers the only potential cure. Although alveolar echinococcosis is a rare parasitic disease that is restricted to transmission in the northern hemisphere, the parasite is geographically widespread being distributed from Alaska, across Canada and north central USA, through northern Europe and Eurasia to Japan. The present review summarizes the background to this helminthic infection and recent contributions in areas of pathology, diagnosis, treatment and transmission. RECENT FINDINGS: Concern is growing in Europe that the prevalence and distribution of E. multilocularis in red foxes has increased significantly in the last 10-15 years. A retrospective analysis revealed >550 cases of human alveolar echinococcosis diagnosed between 1982-2000, with the majority in France, Germany and Switzerland. Human prevalence rates >3% occur in central northwest China and the disease is of public health concern in northern Japan. Improvements in immunodiagnosis with native and recombinant antigens have enabled more accurate confirmation of hepatic image findings, while development of in-vitro culture of metacestode tissues provides a useful model for screening new anti-alveolar echinococcosis drugs as alternatives to albendazole and surgery. Recombinant molecules from the oncosphere and metacestode stages have shown potential as vaccine candidates. New tools of coproantigen and copro-DNA detection for vulpine infections have proved highly beneficial in epidemiological and transmission ecology studies, as has a landscape ecology approach to develop risk models for communities in endemic areas. SUMMARY: It is possible that human AE will become an emergent zoonosis in some regions of Europe and Eurasia. Improvements in diagnostic and treatment approaches are being investigated. Further understanding of host immune responses will aid in characterization of disease pathology. Control of E. multilocularis in its natural cycles will be difficult due to the involvement of wild animal hosts, however use of anthelminthic baits and dosing of domestic dogs may reduce transmission at local scales.

Animals↗

Cysticercosis of the triceps--an unusual pseudotumor: case report and review.

Cysticercosis is a disease caused by encysted larvae of the tapeworm Taenia solium. Most muscular disease presents with central nervous system involvement or multiple cysts or both. The authors report a 25-year-old woman with a rare single muscle cyst presenting as a tender hard triceps mass. Results of clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging were indicative of a soft tissue tumor. Excision of the mass revealed purulence, and the histologic diagnosis was cysticercosis. In the differential diagnosis of isolated muscular masses, a rare isolated cysticercus presenting as a pseudotumor should be considered.

Adult↗

Pictorial essay. Various locations of cystic and alveolar hydatid disease: CT appearances.

Hydatid disease (echinococcosis) is a parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus. In humans, the two main forms are cystic hydatid disease, caused by E. granulosus, and less frequently alveolar hydatid disease, caused by E. multilocularis. They can be found in various sites in the body. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate the CT appearances of cystic and alveolar hydatid disease in various locations.

Adolescent↗

New perspectives in the diagnosis of Echinococcus disease.

Echinococcosis, an endemic disease on the Asian continent, is caused by the tapeworm Tenia Echinococcus, which produces cysts in the liver and other organs. I reviewed 157 patients with hydatid disease of the liver. The hydatid cysts were single in 125 patients and predominantly in the right lobe, but multiple in 31 patients, localized in both lobes or in the lung, spleen, pancreas, heart, or peritoneum. In 14 patients, early complications were manifested by rupture of the cyst into the biliary tract, the lung, or the peritoneum. Infection of the cysts was rare. Late postsurgical complications, noted in 10, were the development of an abscess or cirrhosis. I evaluated the importance of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of hydatidosis of the liver and other visceral organs: It made a correct and accurate diagnosis in 96% of 157 patients. But, in ruptured or infected cysts, CT scans could not distinguish between a hydatid cyst and an abscess. Surgery is still the treatment of choice in hydatid disease. It is absolutely indicated in complicated cases, and is easy and curative in uncomplicated ones. I have used Mebendazole in 18 patients for 2 years without significant benefit, except in two patients with disseminated hydatidosis. Mebendazole stabilized the disease.

Adolescent↗