Search results for "Parasite hosting"

Parasite communities in two sparid fishes from the western Mediterranean: a comparative analysis based on samples from three localities off the Alger…

2017

Summary We provide the first known comparative assessment of metazoan parasite communities in two taxonomically and ecologically related sparids, Boops boops and Spicara maena, that are common in the coastal infralittoral habitats in the Mediterranean. Using abundant data for infracommunities in three localities off the Algerian coasts of the Mediterranean, we tested the general prediction that the phylogenetic proximity of the two hosts, their overlapping geographical distribution and habitat occupation, as well as the similar feeding habits and diet would contribute to a homogenization of their parasite community composition and structure. The regional fauna of parasites of B. boops and S…

Invasive Species as Hosts of Zoonotic Infections: The Case of American Mink (Neovison vison) and Leishmania infantum

2021

Leishmania infantum produces an endemic disease in the Mediterranean Basin that affects humans and domestic and wild mammals, which can act as reservoir or minor host. In this study, we analyzed the presence of the parasite in wild American minks, an invasive species in Spain. We screened for L. infantum DNA by PCR using five primer pairs: Two targeting kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), and the rest targeting the ITS1 region, the small subunit of ribosomal RNA (SSU) and a repetitive sequence (Repeat region). The detection limit was determined for each method using a strain of L. infantum and a bone marrow sample from an infected dog. PCR approaches employing the Repeat region and kDNA (RV1/RV2 primer…

Parasite Clearance in Leishmaniasis in Resistant Animals Is Independent of the IL-23/IL-17A Axis

2015

Potential Influence of Helminth Molecules on COVID-19 Pathology

2020

In recent months, the parasitology research community has been tasked with investigation of the influence of parasite coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Herein, we share our approach to analyze the effect of the trematode Fasciola hepatica as a modulator of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and of COVID-19 pathology.

Parasites Dampen Dendritic Cell Activation to Ensure Their Survival

2017

Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical for induction of protective immunity against Leishmania major. However, DC activation occurs only several weeks after parasite transmission. Parasites synthesize a macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) ligand. Engagement of Mincle by the parasite ligand dampens DC activation, thus delaying induction of interferon-γ-producing T cells responsible for parasite eradication.

In cutaneous leishmaniasis, induction of retinoic acid in skin-derived Langerhans cells is not sufficient for induction of parasite persistence-media…

2017

Trichomonicidal and parasite membrane damaging activity of bidesmosic saponins from Manilkara rufula.

2017

The infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common but overlooked non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Treatment relies on one class of drugs, the 5-nitroimidazoles, but resistance is widespread. New drugs are urgently needed. We reported the effect of crude and purified saponin fractions of Manilkara rufula against Trichomonas vaginalis. The compound responsible for antitrichomonal activity was isolated and identified as an uncommon bidesmosic saponin, Mi-saponin C. This saponin eliminated parasite viability without toxicity against the human vaginal epithelial line (HMVII). In addition, the isolated saponin fraction improved the metronidazole effect against a me…

Humanized mice in cutaneous leishmaniasis—Suitability analysis of human PBMC transfer into immunodeficient mice

2019

Humanized mice represent a suitable preclinical test system for example therapeutic interventions in various disease settings, including infections. Here, we intended to establish such system for cutaneous leishmaniasis by infecting T, B and NK cell-deficient mice adoptively transferred with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). L major infection led to the establishment of parasite lesions harbouring viable parasites and human T cells, but parasite elimination was not seen due to a species-specific activity of T cell-derived human IFNγ. In addition, up to 50% of infected mice succumbed to severe graft-versus-host disease. In summary, even though long-term disease outcome assessm…

Food quality affects the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes upon simulated parasite attack in the larvae of greater wax moth

2017

Predator‐prey interactions are an important evolutionary force affecting the immunity of the prey. Parasitoids and mites pierce the cuticle of their prey, which respond by activating their immune system against predatory attacks. Immunity is a costly function for the organism, as it often competes with other life‐history traits for limited nutrients. We tested whether the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) of the larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) changes as a consequence of insertion of a nylon monofilament, which acts like a synthetic parasite. The treatment was done for larvae grown on a high‐quality vs. a low‐quality diet. The expres…

Isolation and Analysis of Fasciola hepatica Extracellular Vesicles

2020

The finding of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as important players in parasite-parasite and host-parasite communications has led to an increasing number of reports in the literature. Different protocols have been developed for isolation and further characterization of EVs from parasitic helminths. In this chapter, we describe step by step procedures to isolate EVs secreted by Fasciola hepatica adults in culture, which could be also applied for other developmental stages of the parasite, as well as EVs present in plasma and urine. Along with classical isolation methods like differential ultracentrifugation, and more recent techniques like size exclusion chromatography (SEC), here we also refer…