Article
Parasitology
Tugce Unalan-Altintop, Cavansir Vahabov, Koray Ergunay, Ozgur Kurt, Taylan Kav, Yakut Akyon, Sibel Erguven
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ulcerative colitis (UC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis. The results showed that D. fragilis was related to older age, but no significant difference was found between patient groups. Additionally, Blastocystis sp. Subtype 3 was detected in some patients. More research is needed to unveil the pathogenicity of both protists.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Michael Ganci, Henry Butt, Jean Tyrrell, Emra Suleyman, Michelle Ball
Summary: This study investigated the effect of protozoan carriage on psychological symptom severity, and found that there was no significant difference in symptom severity based on the presence of Blastocystis sp. or Dientamoeba fragilis. However, females reported more severe symptoms compared to males across all psychological domains.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ibrahim Yildiz, Zeynep Erdem Aynur
Summary: This study determined for the first time that cattle are suitable hosts for D. fragilis, and the detected parasite belongs to genotype 1, which is the most common type in humans, suggesting a possible zoonotic character.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Adriana Calderaro, Mirko Buttrini, Sara Montecchini, Sabina Rossi, Benedetta Farina, Maria Cristina Arcangeletti, Flora De Conto, Carlo Chezzi
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence and prevalence of intestinal parasites, with a focus on Dientamoeba fragilis, in a hospital in Northern Italy over a 10-year period. The study found that D. fragilis is a common intestinal parasite, especially in foreigners and children. Anal pruritus was the only symptom statistically related to dientamoebiasis. The findings highlight the importance of considering D. fragilis in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gamze Yetismis, Alparslan Yildirim, Didem Pekmezci, Onder Duzlu, Arif Ciloglu, Zuhal Onder, Emrah Simsek, Nuri Ercan, Gokmen Zafer Pekmezci, Abdullah Inci
Summary: This study provides the first evidence of pet budgerigars as the natural host for D. fragilis and contributes to the knowledge of the epidemiology of this parasite. The high prevalence of genotype 1 of D. fragilis suggests that pet budgerigars may serve as suitable reservoirs for zoonotic transmission.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Michael W. van Kalleveen, Merel van Bergen, Marc A. Benninga, Paul H. M. Savelkoul, Frans B. Plotz, Tim G. J. de Meij
Summary: This study reveals heterogeneity in clinical practice among Dutch physicians regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to Dientamoeba fragilis in children. Variations in attitudes towards pathogenicity and inconsistent guidelines are possible causative factors.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY AND NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jana Caudet, Maria Trelis, Susana Cifre, Gabriela Tapia, Jose M. Soriano, Regina Rodrigo, Juan F. Merino-Torres
Summary: The diagnosis of obesity and the development of insulin resistance and metabolic comorbidities are linked. Enteric eukaryotic unicellular parasites may play an important role in modulating the antioxidant defenses of an obese host, thus potentially beneficial in the development of systemic metabolic disorders.
Article
Immunology
Michael W. van Kalleveen, Andries E. Budding, Marc A. Benninga, Paul H. M. Savelkoul, Tom van Gool, Iris van Maldeghem, J. W. Dorigo-Zetsma, Aldert Bart, Frans B. Ploetz, Tim G. J. de Meij
Summary: This study found no significant differences in intestinal microbiota composition and diversity between children with D. fragilis infection and gastrointestinal symptoms compared to healthy controls. Despite a high prevalence of positive fecal PCR for D. fragilis in asymptomatic children, the role of microbiota in the presence of clinical symptoms in children with D. fragilis remains unclear. Further research is needed to clarify the pathogenicity of D. fragilis and the mechanisms underlying the development of gastrointestinal symptoms.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milan Jirku, Andrea Kasparova, Zuzana Lhotska, Miroslav Obornik, Kristyna Brozova, Klara J. Petrzelkova, Peter Samas, Oldriska Kadlecova, Christen Rune Stensvold, Katerina Jirku
Summary: This study focuses on the epidemiology of Dientamoeba fragilis in humans and animals, and the analysis of samples reveals the prevalence rates and related factors of this protist in healthy individuals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ayse Semra Gureser, Djursun Karasartova, Fakhiriddin Sarzhanov, Nezahat Kosar, Aysegul Taylan-Ozkan, Funda Dogruman-Al
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Blastocystis and Dientamoeba fragilis in diarrhea patients and healthy individuals in Corum, Turkiye. The results showed that the prevalence of Blastocystis was 24.6%, with higher rates in the healthy group. The most common subtype of Blastocystis detected was ST3. Co-infection with Blastocystis and Dientamoeba fragilis was found in 58.3% of the population.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Libera Clemente, Mariangela Pasut, Romina Carlet, Maurizio Ruscio, Francesco Fontana
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of D. fragilis in North-East Italy and the clinical improvement of symptoms after treatment, finding unexpected results such as a high rate of anal itching. Paromomycin showed high efficacy for treating D. fragilis infections, recommending its use for empirical treatment.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
M. -R. Muhsin-Sharafaldine, L. Abdel Rahman, R. Suwanarusk, J. Grant, G. Parslow, N. French, K. S. W. Tan, B. Russell, X. C. Morgan, J. E. Ussher
Summary: This study investigated the correlation between intestinal protozoans and the bacterial microbiome in the faecal samples of 463 patients diagnosed with gastroenteritis in New Zealand. Multiplexed-tandem PCR was found to be more effective in detecting intestinal parasites compared to traditional microscopic diagnosis methods. Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis were the most prevalent protozoans identified. Notably, D. fragilis was significantly associated with an increase in the alpha-diversity of host prokaryotic microbes. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the contributions of intestinal protozoans, particularly D. fragilis, to the development of gastroenteritis and their potential implications for disease management.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
J. Caudet, M. Trelis, S. Cifre, J. M. Soriano, J. F. Merino-Torres
Summary: Obese individuals frequently carry unicellular enteric parasites, which do not seem to cause clinical or nutritional harm. In fact, the presence of these parasites appears to have a beneficial effect, particularly on insulin resistance and possibly on the development of related comorbidities. Contrary to previous studies, colonization with parasite species is significantly associated with fewer abdominal symptoms and bowel movements per day.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ana Paula Oliveira-Arbex, Erica Boarato David, Simone Mario Caccio, Catia Regina Branco da Fonseca, Joelma Goncalves Martin, Cilmery Suemi Kurokawa, Fabio Tosini, Jayme Augusto Souza-Neto, Semiramis Guimaraes
Summary: This study found that asymptomatic children can carry Dientamoeba in communities where environmental conditions facilitate parasite transmission, and that there is an association between Dientamoeba infection in young children and coinfection with other enteric parasites.
REVISTA DO INSTITUTO DE MEDICINA TROPICAL DE SAO PAULO
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jana Caudet, Maria Trelis, Susana Cifre, Jose M. Soriano, Hortensia Rico, Juan F. Merino-Torres
Summary: This study examines the interactions between gut prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities, metabolic comorbidities, and diet in obese individuals. The presence of certain parasites is found to be associated with changes in bacterial diversity and composition, potentially impacting metabolic disorders.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Brooke Clemons, Joel Barratt, Meredith Lane, Yvonne Qvarnstrom, Allen E. Teal, Greicy Zayas, Susan Madison-Antenucci
Summary: For complex clinical cases where a parasitic infection is suspected, it can be difficult for clinicians to recommend an appropriate laboratory test. However, a recently described assay called universal parasite diagnostic (UPDx) has shown promise for the detection of various blood parasites, with results largely concordant to real-time PCR assays. This suggests that as next-generation sequencing (NGS) becomes more affordable, assays like UPDx can become increasingly useful in clinical settings.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Joel Barratt, Lauren Ahart, Marion Rice, Katelyn Houghton, Travis Richins, Vitaliano Cama, Michael Arrowood, Yvonne Qvarnstrom, Anne Straily
Summary: The CDC's developed Cyclosporagenotyping method was used to investigate cyclosporiasis outbreaks in 2020, detecting clusters related to the largest outbreak. Opportunities for improving the tool were also highlighted. Cyclosporiasis, caused by the foodborne parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, has been increasing in the US, leading to the development of genotyping tools. The recently developed Cyclospora genotyping system showed good performance in epidemiologic investigations, but there is potential for enhancing cluster detection by including additional markers.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Tsung Yu Pai, Wieland Meyer, Fraser R. Torpy, Shannon L. Donahoe, John Ellis, Richard Malik, Rogan Lee
Summary: This study investigates the transmission dynamics of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a parasitic nematode, focusing on the migration and distribution of larvae within the snail host. The results show that infective larvae are mainly distributed in the anterior cephalopedal mass and the mantle skirt of the snail. Additionally, the study finds that free-swimming third-stage larvae can retain viability for 4 to 8 weeks under laboratory conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David Jacobson, Yueli Zheng, Mateusz M. Plucinski, Yvonne Qvarnstrom, Joel L. N. Barratt
Summary: Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) is widely used to investigate genetic relationships among eukaryotic taxa. Alignment-based phylogenetic methods have some limitations, and haplotype-based methods may be an alternative. This study evaluated seven distance statistics and found that Barratt's heuristic definition of genetic distance was the most robust. Barratt's heuristic represents a useful approach for challenging MLST datasets.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephen J. Goodswen, Paul J. Kennedy, John T. Ellis
Summary: The article discusses the significant impact of parasitic infections as a top cause of death in low-income countries. It emphasizes the importance of vaccination as an effective tool to prevent infectious diseases and highlights the potential of immunogenic proteins sourced from disease-causing parasites as vaccine components. The study aims to identify parasite proteins that induce a protective response in animal models using machine learning and natural language processing.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
J. R. Stothard, J. T. Ellis
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ineka Gow, Nicholas Smith, Damien Stark, John Ellis
Summary: Neglected tropical diseases, such as leishmaniasis, disproportionately affect people in poorer nations around the world. Molecular detection provides accurate and fast diagnosis, and advancements in technology have made it accessible in various healthcare settings. Overcoming traditional limitations, new technologies and techniques are ensuring that molecular diagnostics are available to resource-limited nations. The current pandemic presents an opportunity to further progress in this field.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Ineka Gow, Nicholas C. Smith, Damien Stark, John Ellis
Summary: Leishmania infections pose a significant health issue, primarily affecting impoverished regions. Research on accurate diagnosis and prevention using molecular methods like polymerase chain reaction is of great importance.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Joel Leonard Nicholas Barratt, John Shen, Katelyn Houghton, Travis Richins, Sarah G. H. Sapp, Vitaliano Cama, Michael J. Arrowood, Anne Straily, Yvonne Qvarnstrom
Summary: A study on the genotypes of Cyclospora cayetanensis in the United States and China revealed two lineages, A and B, and discovered a new lineage in China, named lineage C. Retrospective analysis of epidemiological data also showed associations between different lineages and the geographic distribution and timing of infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephen J. Goodswen, Paul J. Kennedy, John T. Ellis
Summary: Discovering vaccines against eukaryotic parasites, especially subunit vaccines, is challenging. In silico vaccine discovery, which predicts vaccine candidates using computer algorithms, is a promising approach but lacks standardized guidelines. This study integrates knowledge on protozoan parasites to develop a workflow representing a state-of-the-art approach.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Meredith Lane, Mitra Kashani, Joel LN. Barratt, Yvonne Qvarnstrom, Michael J. Yabsley, Kayla B. Garrett, Richard S. Bradbury
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of nUPDx in detecting parasitic infections in animals. nUPDx was able to detect parasitic infections in various animal samples, and identified co-infections that were not detected by other methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
L. A. de Couvreur, M. J. Cobo, P. J. Kennedy, J. T. Ellis
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of parasite vaccinology using bibliometric tools, revealing the research themes and future directions in this field.
Review
Microbiology
Stephen J. Goodswen, Paul J. Kennedy, John T. Ellis
Summary: Reverse vaccinology is a computational approach to predict vaccine candidates by starting from the pathogen's genomic sequence and ending with a list of potential proteins or peptides. This process has evolved over the years and now involves multiple steps and numerous bioinformatics tools. It can be challenging for new practitioners to determine the appropriate workflow steps and tools. This review provides an overview of the current understanding and usage of reverse vaccinology, serving as a valuable guideline for researchers in the field.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
John T. Ellis, Michael P. Reichel
Summary: This study explored the use of Twitter as the main platform for social media communication in parasitology. A dataset of tweets was collected using keyword searches, and exploratory data analysis was conducted on tweet content, including language, usernames, and hashtags. The study found an increase in the number of tweets mentioning parasitology keywords from 2011 to 2020, with English as the most commonly used language. Various individuals and organizations were associated with Twitter activity, including journals and professional societies. The study also raised concerns about the quality of information disseminated by social media influencers who may lack scientific training.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Christiane Prosser, Karryn Gresty, John Ellis, Wieland Meyer, Karen Anderson, Rogan Lee, Qin Cheng
Summary: Deletion of histidine-rich protein genes pfhrp2/3 in Plasmodium falciparum leads to false-negative results in HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests. This study found high proportions of pfhrp2 deletion in P. falciparum infections from Nigeria, Sudan, and South Sudan, indicating a risk of false negatives. Low relatedness among gene-deleted parasites suggests independent emergence of deletions.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
