Parasitic Diseases Commons^™

Newer Surveillance Data Extends Our Understanding Of The Niche Of Rickettsia Montanensis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) Infection Of The American Dog Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) In The United States, Catherine A. Lippi, Holly D. Gaff, Robyn M. Nadolny, Sadie J. Ryan

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Understanding the geographic distribution of Rickettsia montanensis infections in Dermacentor variabilis is important for tick-borne disease management in the United States, as both a tick-borne agent of interest and a potential confounder in surveillance of other rickettsial diseases. Two previous studies modeled niche suitability for D. variabilis with and without R. montanensis, from 2002-2012, indicating that the D. variabilis niche overestimates the infected niche. This study updates these, adding data since 2012.

Methods: Newer surveillance and testing data were used to update Species Distribution Models (SDMs) of D. variabilis, and R. montanensis infected D. variabilis, in …

A Randomized, Open-Label Study Of The Tolerability And Efficacy Of One Or Three Daily Doses Of Ivermectin Plus Diethylcarbamazine And Albendazole (Ida) Versus One Dose Of Ivermectin Plus Albendazole (Ia) For Treatment Of Onchocerciasis, Gary J. Weil, Peter U. Fischer, Nicholas O. Opoku, Felix Doe, Nicole Fetcho, Bettina Dubben, Kerstin Fischer, Shelter Gordor, Charles W. Goss, Michael Ekuoba-Gyasi, Achim Hoerauf, Augustine R. Hong, Eric Kanza, Christopher L. King, Rukaya Laryea, Daphne Lew, Mahama Seidu Alhassan

Data and Supporting Files

Data collected from participants at during a clinical trial in Hohoe, Ghana where participants are identified by a unique participant ID. There are two datasets. The Safety dataset includes demographics, skin snip results, adverse event results, and ophthalmological data from baseline, day of treatment, Day 1-7, Month 3, Month 12, and Month 18. The Nodulectomy data set contains data pertaining to sectioned nodules read by scientists at 18 months which indicate embryogenesis in female worms, number of male and female worms, and worm calcification.

A Systematic Review Of Research On Treatment & Prevention Of The Neglected Tropical Disease Leishmaniasis, Aryn Akerberg

All Theses

Leishmaniasis is a life-threatening neglected tropical disease that is caused by the protozoa parasite, Leishmania. Over one million new human leishmaniasis cases occur each all over the world, affecting most the deeply impoverished regions of the world. The disease presents in three different forms: cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous (mucosal) leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis. Symptoms can range from self-limiting lesion to more life-threatening conditions such as fever, kidney disease, and anemia. The Leishmania parasite is transmitted via the bite of the female phlebotomine sandfly and can infect many other mammals such as canines, rodents, bats, etc. The canine leishmaniasis epidemic is also …

Characterization Of Toxoplasma Gondii Calcium Regulator Proteins Tggt1_253640 And Tggt1_222060 For Toxoplasma Gondii Growth And Invasion, Abigail Delapenha

Student Research Submissions

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic apicomplexan parasite infecting humans and livestock. Infection in immunocompromised individuals can cause neurological damage and infection during pregnancy can lead to fetal death. These parasites engage in a complex life cycle, involving repeated invasion of the host cell and egress from the host cell. Calcium signaling is an important regulatory mechanism for many essential processes in the parasite, including gliding motility (actomyosin-dependent mode of motion), invasion, and egress. Our work here focuses on two previously uncharacterized calcium regulator proteins (TGGT1_253640 and TGGT1_222060). To characterize the role of these proteins in parasite viability and calcium regulation, …

A Systematic Review: Toxoplasma Gondii Infection And Drugs Of Abuse, Amani Sastry

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

First Bovine Vaccine To Prevent Human Schistosomiasis - A Cluster Randomised Phase 3 Clinical Trial, Allen G. Ross, Donald A. Harn, Delia Chy, Marianette Inobaya, Jerric R. Guevarra, Lisa Shollenberger, Yuesheng Li, Donald P. Mcmanus, Darren J. Gray, Gail M. Williams

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Objective

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. Schistosoma japonicum is zoonotic in China, the Philippines, and Indonesia, with bovines acting as major reservoirs of human infection. The primary objective of the trial was to examine the impact of a combination of human mass chemotherapy, snail control through mollusciciding, and SjCTPI bovine vaccination on the rate of human infection.

Methods

A 5-year phase IIIa cluster randomized control trial was conducted among 18 schistosomiasis-endemic villages comprising 18,221 residents in Northern Samar, The Philippines.

Results

Overall, bovine vaccination resulted in a statistically significant decrease …

Estimating The Distribution Of Oryzomys Palustris, A Potential Key Host In Expanding Rickettsial Tick-Borne Disease Risk, Catherine A. Lippi, Samuel Canfield, Christina Espada, Holly D. Gaff, Sadie J. Ryan

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Increasingly, geographic approaches to assessing the risk of tick-borne diseases are being used to inform public health decision-making and surveillance efforts. The distributions of key tick species of medical importance are often modeled as a function of environmental factors, using niche modeling approaches to capture habitat suitability. However, this is often disconnected from the potential distribution of key host species, which may play an important role in the actual transmission cycle and risk potential in expanding tick-borne disease risk. Using species distribution modeling, we explore the potential geographic range of Oryzomys palustris, the marsh rice rat, which has been …

A Short Introduction To Marine Parasitology: Marine Parasites Of Economic And Medical Importance, Klaus Rohde, Robin Overstreet

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

Introduction

Parasitism, in this chapter, is defined as “a close association of two organisms, in which one—the parasite—depends on the other—the host—deriving some benefit from it. The benefit is often food” (Rohde, 2005b). Many bacteria, viruses, and fungi are parasitic but usually not studied by parasitologists sensu stricto; they are the domain of microbiologists. Parasites as defined here do not always harm their host; the border between so-called genuine parasites and other symbionts such as commensals is often blurred, and investigators who work on disease aspects tend to emphasis the pathogenic aspects and may not consider non-pathogenic species as truly …

Anthelmintic Resistance In Sheep Across Ireland And The Uk: A Literature Review Of The In Vivo Versus In Vitro Methods, Megan Tumulty

SURE_J: Science Undergraduate Research Journal

Background: The animal welfare and production consequences of gastrointestinal nematode infections, namely Nematodirus battus, on sheep are compelling. The control of gastrointestinal infections has been heavily reliant on the administration of anthelmintics since their introduction into mainstream use in 1960. However, their frequent and often excessive use has resulted in anthelmintic resistance being reported extensively in several gastrointestinal nematode species. The prevalence of anthelmintic resistance as well as the increase in the number of cases of multiple-drug resistance in nematode populations now poses substantial hindrance on the viability of sheep production systems. However, despite the threat N. battus poses …

An Epidemiological Synthesis Of Emerging And Re-Emerging Zoonotic Disease Threats In Cameroon, 2000-2022 And Community Stakeholder Mapping, Nancy Tahmo

Capstone Experience

Introduction: Population factors such as urbanization, socio-economic, and environmental factors are driving forces for emerging/re-emerging diseases in Cameroon, and the effects of these are experienced differently across demographics. Indigenous rainforest communities in the Congo Basin, for example, suffer worse health outcomes compared to neighboring communities, like the Pygmies, who have a life expectancy of 22 years less than neighboring Bantus. It is important to characterize the risk of exposure of these vulnerable communities and map out, through a systematic review, descriptive epidemiological data around zoonoses, to inform preparedness and research efforts.

Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a protocol was registered …

A Reactivation Of Ocular Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy, Brett Garee Od, Ms, Sarah Dieter Od, Pete Liette Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite estimated to affect over 500 million people worldwide. The feline is the definitive host for the parasite and infection may be acquired or congenital via maternal transmission. Humans may acquire the infection by ingestion of raw or undercooked meats and vegetables, contaminated water, or exposure to infected cat feces. The infection is often benign, self-limiting, and asymptomatic for humans, but potentially life threatening to infants or the immunocompromised patient.

Case Report: A 22 year-old Caucasian female, pregnant at 12 weeks gestation, presented to the optometry service with acute symptoms of hazy vision …

Comparing Antigenaemia - And Microfilaraemia As Criteria For Stopping Decisions In Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programmes In Africa, Wilma A. Stolk, Luc E. Coffeng, Fatorma K. Bolay, Obiora A. Eneanya, Peter U. Fischer, T Deirdre Hollingsworth, Benjamin G. Koudou, Aboulaye Meite, Edwin Michael, Joaquin M. Prada, Rocio M. Caja Rivera, Swarnali Sharma, Panayiota Touloupou, Gary J. Weil, Sake J. De Vlas

Data and Supporting Files

Data collected from participants at four separate timepoints in Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia identified by a unique participant ID. There are four timepoints collected from each country: Baseline, Follow-up Year 1, Follow-Up Year 2, and Follow-up Year 3. Each dataset includes the participant ID, gender, age, the microfilarae (MF) count collected through blood smear, and circulating filarial antigen (CFA) result from a strip test.

Human Cryptosporidiosis: A Review And Staining Method, Amatullah Ahmad

Honors College

Cryptosporidiosis is increasingly emerging as the most significant cause of infectious diarrhea in humans and livestock. In humans, studies show that Cryptosporidiosis disease is more prevalent in the immunocompromised and young ones. However, outbreaks from contaminated water sources have caused disease in healthy adults, too. Two main species of the protozoan causative agent,Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are responsible for most human infections. Cattle, pets, mice, and other livestock can transmit theCryptosporidiumparvumvariantsto humans through fecal transmission. Other species of Cryptosporidium can infect domestic animals, but their host range is narrow; therefore, they are not of significant concern to human health. …

Infection And Transmission Determinants Of Flea-Borne Rickettsioses, Hanna J. Laukaitis

Theses and Dissertations

The genus Rickettsia is comprised of Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria that are spread by hematophagous arthropods. Elucidating the factors conferring rickettsial virulence has perplexed investigators for decades, complicated by the lack of efficient genetic tools necessary to uncover rickettsial- and vector-specific factors contributing to persistence. The advent of transposon mutagenesis has enabled the field to make vast developments in uncovering novel rickettsial mechanisms utilized in various host backgrounds. Thus, the aim of this study was to generate Rickettsia felis transposon mutants and characterize novel phenotypes associated with genetic disruption in an arthropod background. Distribution of rickettsiae is reliant on the …

Control Of Scabies In A Boarding School Using 5% Permethrin Applied On Lesion Only, Saleha Sungkar, Sri Wahdini, Aria Kekalih, Risa Rilanda, Hansen Angkasa, Sandra Widaty

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

Scabies is one of the most neglected tropical skin diseases in Indonesia. It is usually found in overcrowded communities with poor hygiene. The gold standard for scabies treatment is the whole-body topical application of 5% permethrin cream. However, the treatment causes inconvenience and stickiness for a prolonged period. The modification of topical treatment by applying only to the lesion yielded results similar with whole-body topical application. We consider using this mode of treatment to control the disease in a boarding school. The study was conducted from June to August 2019. All students were examined by dermatologists, and individuals who were …

Total Prevention: A History Of Schistosomiasis In Japan, Alexander Bay

History Faculty Articles and Research

In Japan, schistosomiasis was endemic in Yamanashi Prefecture and a few other hotspot areas where the Miya’iri snail lived. The parasite’s lifecycle relied on the intermediary Miya’iri snail as well as the human host. Parasite eggs passed into the agrarian environment through untreated night soil used as fertiliser or through the culture of open defecation in rural Japan. Manmade rice fields and irrigation ditches, night soil covered paddies and highly refined growing seasons put people in flooded rice paddies to intensively work the land in the spring and summer. The disease was equally dependent on human intervention in the natural …

Malaria: Existence Perpetuated By A Counterfeit Drug Industry, Nicholas Black

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that has plagued society for thousands of years. Malaria is often overlooked from the perspective of wealthier industrialized countries due to prevention efforts largely eliminating malaria from these locations. However, overlooking malaria’s continued global relevance is misinformed to the fact that nearly half the global population lives in regions at risk of malarial transmission. According to the CDC and WHO, such a high number of people at risk has subsequently led to an estimated 241 million cases and over 627 thousand deaths in 2020 alone. The purpose for the present research is to examine the …

Transmission Risk Of Malaria Via Gas Flares In Africa, Elle Blake

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Gas flaring occurs at oil drilling sites around the world. It is a method to get rid of the extra gas, as well as to release pressure in emergency situations. The pollutants that are contributed to the air through routine gas flaring can be extremely harmful. Chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and methane are burned into the air we breathe (Baker Hughes, 2019). Not only does this have a direct impact on our health, but also on greenhouse gas emissions. The effects on greenhouse gas emissions impact diseases such as Malaria by increasing the temperature of our planet. The purpose …

Disrupting Monoallelic Expression Of Variant Surface Glycoprotein In Trypanosoma Brucei By A Non-Lethal Mutation In Class I Transcription Factor A, Sarah Platt

Honors Scholar Theses

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a lethal disease caused by protozoan hemoflagellates of the genus Trypanosoma. Humans are vulnerable to two subspecies, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. At the crux of HAT lethality lie two uncommon genetic expression phenomena: monoallelic expression and antigenic variation. Combined, these mechanisms effectively shield trypanosomes from host immune systems, prolonging infections. Variant Surface Glycoproteins (VSGs) are the key outer membrane proteins involved in antigenic variation. By continuously changing the composition of cell surface antigens, trypanosomes can survive bouts of immunological detection and eventually traverse the blood-brain barrier. There are over two …

Preclinical Characterization And Target Validation Of The Antimalarial Pantothenamide Mmv693183., Laura E. De Vries, Patrick A M Jansen, Catalina Barcelo, Justin Munro, Julie M J Verhoef, Charisse Flerida A Pasaje, Kelly Rubiano, Josefine Striepen, Nada Abla, Luuk Berning, Judith M Bolscher, Claudia Demarta-Gatsi, Rob W M Henderson, Tonnie Huijs, Karin M J Koolen, Patrick K Tumwebaze, Tomas Yeo, Anna C C Aguiar, Iñigo Angulo-Barturen, Alisje Churchyard, Jake Baum, Benigno Crespo Fernández, Aline Fuchs, Francisco-Javier Gamo, Rafael V C Guido, María Belén Jiménez-Diaz, Dhelio B Pereira, Rosemary Rochford, Camille Roesch, Laura M Sanz, Graham Trevitt, Benoit Witkowski, Sergio Wittlin, Roland A. Cooper, Philip J. Rosenthal, Robert W Sauerwein, Joost Schalkwijk, Pedro H H Hermkens, Roger V Bonnert, Brice Campo, David A Fidock, Manuel Llinás, Jacquin C Niles, Taco W A Kooij, Koen J Dechering

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Faculty Scholarship

Drug resistance and a dire lack of transmission-blocking antimalarials hamper malaria elimination. Here, we present the pantothenamide MMV693183 as a first-in-class acetyl-CoA synthetase (AcAS) inhibitor to enter preclinical development. Our studies demonstrate attractive drug-like properties and in vivo efficacy in a humanized mouse model of Plasmodium falciparum infection. The compound shows single digit nanomolar in vitro activity against P. falciparum and P. vivax clinical isolates, and potently blocks P. falciparum transmission to Anopheles mosquitoes. Genetic and biochemical studies identify AcAS as the target of the MMV693183-derived antimetabolite, CoA-MMV693183. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling predict that a single 30 mg oral dose is sufficient …