Article
Infectious Diseases
Eindra Aung, Kay Thwe Han, Catherine A. Gordon, Nyein Nyein Hlaing, Moe Moe Aye, Myo Win Htun, Khin Thet Wai, Su Mon Myat, Thida Lay Thwe, Aung Tun, Kinley Wangdi, Yuesheng Li, Gail M. Williams, Archie C. A. Clements, Susana Vaz Nery, Donald P. McManus, Darren J. Gray
Summary: This study aimed to examine the status of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Myanmar and found a high prevalence of STH despite bi-annual deworming. The results prompted the expansion of the national STH control program to include all school-aged children, and the need for improving sanitation and hygiene measures.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ivet A. Yordanova, Friederike Ebner, Axel Ronald Schulz, Svenja Steinfelder, Berit Rosche, Anna Bolze, Friedemann Paul, Henrik E. Mei, Susanne Hartmann
Summary: Studies have shown that multiple sclerosis patients receiving Trichuris suis ova treatment establish a specific T- and B-cell response, but there are variations in T cell responses and cellular functionality across individuals, potentially accounting for the diverse clinical efficacy observed in the studied patients.
Article
Parasitology
Fang Fang Xu, Yu Fei Niu, Wen Qing Chen, Sha Sha Liu, Jing Ru Li, Peng Jiang, Zhong Quan Wang, Jing Cui, Xi Zhang
Summary: The study reported a case of ancylostomiasis in Zhengzhou city of Henan Province and reviewed the epidemiology of ancylostomiasis in Henan Province from 1949 to 2020. The complete mitochondrial genome of one clinical isolate of Necator americanus was fully characterized, showing high sequence variability in the nad1 gene among isolates. Phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of hookworm isolates from different hosts and geographical locations, with implications for future genetic studies of N. americanus and the necessity of preventive measures in Henan Province.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
M. V. Prosberg, H. Kringel, J. S. Kapel, B. S. Kapel, B. L. Fredensborg, A. M. Petersen, L. H. Hansen, D. S. Nielsen, H. S. Kapel, K. R. Jacobsen, L. F. Mikkelsen, C. M. O. Kapel
Summary: In an ongoing clinical trial on ulcerative colitis patients, the probiotic medicinal product TSO is being administered with steroids and antibiotics. A pre-clinical study on Gottingen Minipigs evaluated the effects of these medications on the biological activity of TSO, showing that oral steroids did not affect TSO but oral antibiotics did. Fecal calprotectin levels, a marker of intestinal inflammation, did not show significant differences among groups.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Phurpa Wangchuk, Dovile Anderson, Karma Yeshi, Alex Loukas
Summary: Hookworm infections have a significant impact on millions of people worldwide, with impaired mental and physical growth in children and anemias being common outcomes. This study conducted the first metabolomic and lipidomic analysis of infective third-stage larvae of the predominant human hookworm, identifying a large number of small molecules produced mainly through amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. These metabolites, some of which exhibit anti-inflammatory activities, potentially play a role in facilitating skin penetration, tissue passage, and immune regulation in host tissues upon exposure to the parasite.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Erin Easland, Stefan Biendl, Jennifer Keiser
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the effects of anthelminthic drugs on the egg stage of hookworms and found that benzimidazole anthelminthics, particularly albendazole and thiabendazole, had potent inhibitory effects. The results of this study contribute to the development of parasitic drugs and highlight the importance of evaluating drug activity against all life stages of parasites.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
P'ng Loke, Soo Ching Lee, Oyebola O. Oyesola
Summary: Helminths have developed immune regulatory mechanisms to avoid host rejection, but our understanding of human immune response to these parasites is limited. Recent studies on individuals infected with helminths have improved our understanding of human type 2 immunity and its effects on the microbiome. Challenges in studying human helminth infections, such as heterogeneity of responses and limited access to tissue samples, also provide opportunities for advancing human immunology. Organoids and single-cell sequencing are promising tools for immunological analysis. This research may uncover mechanisms that can be used for therapeutic purposes.
MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clement Ameh Yaro, Ezekiel Kogi, Sodangi Abdulkarim Luka, Mohamed A. Nassan, Junaidu Kabir, Kenneth Nnamdi Opara, Helal F. Hetta, Gaber El-Saber Batiha
Summary: This study focused on determining the impact of environmental risk factors on the geospatial distribution of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in Kogi East, North Central Nigeria. It identified temperature, precipitation, and soil clay content as the key factors influencing the distribution of STHs in the region. Public health control programs targeting high-risk areas were recommended to include mass drug administration, health education, and improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kristy Azzopardi, Myra Hardy, Ciara Baker, Rhian Bonnici, Stacey Llewellyn, James S. McCarthy, Rebecca J. Traub, Andrew C. Steer
Summary: A scalable system for stool STH multiplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) was established in this study. Stool samples collected in Fiji were transferred to Melbourne and DNA was extracted using washing and extraction tools. The research successfully detected multiple species of STH, and stored stool for up to 15 weeks without compromising DNA.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Euripide F. G. A. Avokpaho, Parfait Houngbegnon, Manfred Accrombessi, Eloic Atindegla, Elodie Yard, Arianna Rubin Means, David S. Kennedy, D. Timothy J. Littlewood, Andre Garcia, Achille Massougbodji, Sean R. Galagan, Judd L. Walson, Gilles Cottrell, Moudachirou Ibikounle, Kristjana Hronn Asbjornsdottir, Adrian J. F. Luty
Summary: Despite previous deworming campaigns targeting school-aged children, there is still a persistent reservoir of soil-transmitted helminth infections in adults and pre-school aged children that require targeted control measures. Expanding mass drug administration to target the whole community, instead of just school-aged children, may be necessary to achieve the goal of eliminating soil-transmitted helminths as a public health problem.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xin Ding, Yougui Yang, Yingshu Zhang, Qiang Zhang, Fanzhen Mao, Yang Dai
Summary: This study established and evaluated a novel nucleic acid detection method based on recombinase-aided isothermal amplification (RAA) for the detection and species identification of hookworm infections. Results showed that the RAA method had high sensitivity and specificity, and was faster and simpler than traditional microscopic techniques.
Article
Immunology
David J. Diemert, Maria Zumer, Doreen Campbell, Shannon Grahek, Guangzhao Li, Jin Peng, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Peter Hotez, Jeffrey Bethony
Summary: The hemoglobinase vaccine for Necator americanus demonstrated good tolerability and safety in clinical trials, inducing significant increases in antigen-specific IgG antibody levels. Additionally, the addition of specific adjuvants enhanced immune responses to the vaccine antigen.
Article
Parasitology
Tokio Hoshina, Tatsuya Sakurai, Hidetoshi Ichimura, Kenji Ishiwata, Shitan En, Takahiro Yamada, Lee Kwangyole, Akihiro Shimizu, Koji Hase, Hirotaka Kanuka
Summary: The study demonstrated that healthy Japanese individuals tolerated all doses of TSO without any severe adverse events. However, mild to moderate abdominal symptoms were observed in some participants, and higher doses of TSO led to elevated eosinophil count. Close follow-up is recommended for sustainable medicinal use of TSO in Japan.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Thomas C. Mules, Brittany Lavender, Kate Maclean, Francesco Vacca, Sophia-Louise Noble, Bibek Yumnam, Tama Te Kawa, Alissa Cait, Jeffry Tang, David O'Sullivan, Olivier Gasser, James Stanley, Graham Le Gros, Mali Camberis, Stephen Inns
Summary: This pilot study demonstrated that a full-scale randomized control trial investigating hookworm therapy as maintenance treatment in patients with ulcerative colitis is feasible, safe, and well-tolerated.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Charity Wiafe Akenten, Felix Weinreich, Ellis Kobina Paintsil, John Amuasi, Dennis Fosu, Ulrike Loderstadt, Juergen May, Hagen Frickmann, Denise Dekker
Summary: Despite eradication programs, helminth infections remain a medical issue in Ghana. A retrospective study conducted between 2007 and 2008 in the Ashanti region found a low prevalence of enteric helminth infections in Ghanaian children.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Allergy
E. Scala, S. J. Till, R. Asero, D. Abeni, E. C. Guerra, L. Pirrotta, R. Paganelli, D. Pomponi, M. Giani, O. De Pita, L. Cecchi
Article
Allergy
R. J. Powell, S. C. Leech, S. Till, P. A. J. Huber, S. M. Nasser, A. T. Clark
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY
(2015)
Review
Allergy
Louisa K. James, Stephen J. Till
CURRENT ALLERGY AND ASTHMA REPORTS
(2016)
Meeting Abstract
Allergy
Anna D. Slovick, Abdel Douiri, Rachel Muir, Andrea Guerra, Kostas Tsioulos, Evie Haye, Emily Lam, Joanna Kelly, Janet Peacock, S. Ying, Mohamed H. Shamji, David Cousins, Stephen R. Durham, Stephen Till
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Allergy
Emily P. S. Lam, Harsha H. Kariyawasam, Batika M. J. Rana, Stephen R. Durham, Andrew N. J. McKenzie, Nicholas Powell, Nara Orban, Melissa Lennartz-Walker, Claire Hopkins, Sun Ying, Joanne Rimmer, Valerie J. Lund, David J. Cousins, Stephen J. Till
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2016)
Review
Allergy
Teresa Tsakok, Tom Marrs, Mahrose Mohsin, Susannah Baron, George du Toit, Stephen Till, Carsten Flohr
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Allergy
Anna Slovick, Abdel Douiri, Rachel Muir, Andrea Guerra, Konstantinos Tsioulos, Evie Hay, Emily P. S. Lam, Joanna Kelly, Janet L. Peacock, Sun Ying, Mohamed H. Shamji, David J. Cousins, Stephen R. Durham, Stephen J. Till
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2017)
Letter
Allergy
Mohamed H. Shamji, James N. Francis, Peter A. Wuertzen, Kaare Lund, Stephen R. Durham, Stephen J. Till
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2013)
Article
Allergy
Erik Wambre, Jonathan H. DeLong, Eddie A. James, Nadia Torres-Chinn, Wolfgang Pfuetzner, Christian Moebs, Stephen R. Durham, Stephen J. Till, David Robinson, William W. Kwok
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Respiratory System
Stephen J. Till, Eleanor J. Raynsford, Catherine J. Reynolds, Kathryn J. Quigley, Agnieszka Grzybowska-Kowalczyk, Lavina R. Saggar, Andrea Goldstone, Bernard Maillere, William W. Kwok, Daniel M. Altmann, Stephen R. Durham, Rosemary J. Boyton
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Anna Slovick, Stephen R. Durham, Stephen J. Till
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2014)
Article
Allergy
Isabel J. Skypala, Lorenzo Cecchi, Mohamed H. Shamji, Enrico Scala, Stephen Till
Review
Allergy
Isabel J. Skypala, Joan Bartra, Didier G. Ebo, Margaretha Antje Faber, Montserrat Fernandez-Rivas, Francisca Gomez, Olga Luengo, Stephen J. Till, Riccardo Asero, Domingo Barber, Lorenzo Cecchi, Araceli Diaz Perales, Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber, Elide Anna Pastorello, Ines Swoboda, Anastasios. P. Konstantinopoulos, Ronald van Ree, Enrico Scala
Summary: Sensitization to nsLTPs can cause allergic reactions to plant foods, often requiring a cofactor for the reaction to occur. Diagnosis involves allergy-focused diet and clinical history, along with testing for nsLTP sensitization using allergens like Pru p 3. The main management is avoiding trigger foods and providing advice on cofactors, with promising studies on immunotherapy for this condition.
Article
Allergy
Isabel J. Skypala, Hannah Hunter, Mamidipudi Thirumala Krishna, Helena Rey-Garcia, Stephen J. Till, George du Toit, Elizabeth Angier, Sarah Baker, Kostadin V. Stoenchev, David K. Luyt
Summary: Pollen food syndrome (PFS) is a common food allergy caused by the homology between pollen allergens and proteins in certain foods. Diagnosing PFS can usually be done based on clinical history, but additional tests may be needed in some cases. Management involves avoiding trigger foods, which can be challenging for individuals with other food allergies or those on a vegetarian/vegan diet. Currently, there is no effective treatment for PFS, but oral or sublingual immunotherapy may hold promise.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY
(2022)
Article
Allergy
M. H. Shamji, J. H. Kappen, M. Akdis, E. Jensen-Jarolim, E. F. Knol, J. Kleine-Tebbe, B. Bohle, A. M. Chaker, S. J. Till, R. Valenta, L. K. Poulsen, M. A. Calderon, P. Demoly, O. Pfaar, L. Jacobsen, S. R. Durham, C. B. Schmidt-Weber