Hepatobiliary morbidities detected by ultrasonography in Opisthorchis viverrini-infected patients before and after praziquantel treatment: a five-year follow up study.

Infection of the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) is an important public health problem in northeast Thailand and adjacent countries, where people have a habit of eating raw or undercooked fish. A community case-control study was carried out with 8,936 participants from 89 villages, in Khon Kaen province, Thailand. There were 3,359 OV-infected participants all of whom underwent ultrasonography of upper abdomen for the evaluation of hepatobiliary morbidity. The participants with advanced periductal fibrosis (APF) by ultrasound (n = 785) were invited to undergo annual follow-up ultrasonography for five years after praziquantel treatment. The sonographer was blinded with respect to status of OV infection at each visit. The study findings revealed variability in the study population profile of the hepatobiliary morbidities before and after praziquantel treatment over the follow up interval. At the end of the study, 32 (30.8%) out of 104 participants showed no relapse of APF whereas, by contrast, 39 (37.5%) participants showed relapse or persistent APF since the outset of the study (≥ two consecutive visits). The APF in most follow-up visits was significantly associated with male sex, with intrahepatic duct stones, with the width of the gallbladder "pre" minus "post" fatty meal, and with the ratio of left lobe of the liver to aorta. Five cases of suspected cholangiocarcinoma were observed over the five years of follow-up. This long-term ultrasound follow-up study demonstrates a significant incidence of persistent APF in over one-third of opisthorchiasis cases after praziquantel treatment, findings that support the prospect of ongoing cholangiocarcinogenesis long after successful elimination of liver fluke infection among the population.

Anatomopathological lesions of infection caused by Platynosomum illiciens (Braun, 1901) in Neotropical primates kept in captivity.

This study described the hepatobiliary anatomopathological lesions associated with trematode Platynosomum illiciens parasitism in Neotropical primates kept in captivity. In the evaluated organs, we observed portal fibrosis, biliary epithelial hyperplasia, and inflammatory reaction with a predominance of lymphocytes and plasmocytes, and in some cases infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils.

Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis of the hepatobiliary tract - the role of new imaging techniques for improved diagnosis.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis (hydatid cysts) is an infection with a wide spectrum of manifestations, from symptomatic infection to fatal disease. Ultrasound (US) allows screening, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment guidance and follow-up of CE under many circumstances. Hydatid cysts are predominantly observed in the liver. Herewith we present a review to demonstrate established and innovative imaging features of CE of the hepatobiliary tract.

Clonorchis sinensis MF6p/HDM (CsMF6p/HDM) induces pro-inflammatory immune response in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells via NF-κB-dependent MAPK pathways.

BACKGROUND: MF6p/host defense molecules (HDMs) are a broad family of small proteins secreted by helminth parasites. Although the physiological role of MF6p/HDMs in trematode parasites is not fully understood, their potential biological function in maintaining heme homeostasis and modulating host immune response has been proposed. METHODS: A gene encoding the MF6p/HDM of Clonorchis sinensis (CsMF6p/HDM) was cloned. Recombinant CsMF6p/HDM (rCsMF6p/HDM) was expressed in Escherichia coli. The biochemical and immunological properties of rCsMF6/HDM were analyzed. CsMF6p/HDM induced pro-inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells was analyzed by cytokine array assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The structural feature of CsMF6p/HDM was analyzed by three-dimensional modeling and molecular docking simulations. RESULTS: The CsMF6p/HDM shares a high level of amino acid sequence similarity with orthologs from other trematodes and is expressed in diverse developmental stages of the parasite. The rCsMF6p/HDM bound to bacteria-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS), without effectively neutralizing LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Rather, the rCsMF6p/HDM induced pro-inflammatory immune response, which is characterized by the expression of TNF-α and IL-6, in RAW 264.7 cells. The rCsMF6p/HDM-induced pro-inflammatory immune response was regulated by JNK and p38 MAPKs, and was effectively down-regulated via inhibition of NF-κB. The structural analysis of CsMF6p/HDM and the docking simulation with LPS suggested insufficient capture of LPS by CsMF6p/HDM, which suggested that rCsMF6p/HDM could not effectively neutralize LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Although rCsMF6p/HDM binds to LPS, the binding affinity may not be sufficient to maintain a stable complex of rCsMF6p/HDM and LPS. Moreover, the rCsMF6p/HDM-induced pro-inflammatory response is characterized by the release of IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The pro-inflammatory response induced by rCsMF6p/HDM is mediated via NF-κB-dependent MAPK signaling pathway. These results collectively suggest that CsMF6p/HDM mediates C. sinensis-induced inflammation cascades that eventually lead to hepatobiliary diseases.

Innate immune receptors over expression correlate with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy and digestive damage in patients.

Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is observed in 30% to 50% of the individuals infected by Trypanosoma cruzi and heart failure is the important cause of death among patients in the chronic phase of Chagas disease. Although some studies have elucidated the role of adaptive immune responses involving T and B lymphocytes in cardiac pathogenesis, the role of innate immunity receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and Nod-like receptors (NLRs) in CCC pathophysiology has not yet been determined. In this study, we evaluated the association among innate immune receptors (TLR1-9 and nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3/NLRP3), its adapter molecules (Myd88, TRIF, ASC and caspase-1) and cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-12, IL-18, IL-23, TNF-α, and IFN-ß) with clinical manifestation, digestive and cardiac function in patients with different clinical forms of chronic Chagas disease. The TLR8 mRNA expression levels were enhanced in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from digestive and cardiodigestive patients compared to indeterminate and cardiac patients. Furthermore, mRNA expression of IFN-ß (cytokine produced after TLR8 activation) was higher in digestive and cardiodigestive patients when compared to indeterminate. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between TLR8 and IFN-ß mRNA expression with sigmoid and rectum size. Cardiac and cardiodigestive patients presented higher TLR2, IL-12 and TNF-α mRNA expression than indeterminate and digestive patients. Moreover, cardiac patients also expressed higher levels of NLRP3, ASC and IL-1ß mRNAs than indeterminate patients. In addition, we showed a negative correlation among TLR2, IL-1ß, IL-12 and TNF-α levels with left ventricular ejection fraction, and positive correlation between NLRP3 with cardiothoracic index, and TLR2, IL-1ß and IL-12 with left ventricular mass index. Together, our data suggest that high expression of innate immune receptors in cardiac and digestive patients may induce an enhancement of cytokine expression and participate of cardiac and digestive dysfunction.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a non-endemic country: epidemiological and clinical profile.

Chagas disease has been increasingly diagnosed in non-endemic countries. This is a prospective observational study performed at the Tropical Medicine Units of the International Health Program of the Catalan Health Institute, Barcelona (PROgrama de Salud Internacional del Instituto Catalán de la Salud, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain), that includes all patients with Chagas disease who attended from June 2007 to May 2012. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected. Overall, 1274 patients were included, the mean age of the patients was 37.7 years, 67.5% were women and 97% came from Bolivia. Thirteen patients had immunosuppressive conditions. The prevalence of cardiac involvement was 16.9%, lower than in previous studies performed in endemic areas (20-60%). Cardiac alterations were found in 33.8% of symptomatic and 14.1% of asymptomatic patients. The prevalence of digestive involvement was 14.8%. The rate of digestive involvement is very different among previous studies because of different diagnostic tools and strategies used. Barium enema alterations were found in 21.4% of symptomatic and 10.3% of asymptomatic patients, and oesophageal alterations were found in 3.7% of symptomatic and in 2.3% of asymptomatic patients. As shown in previous studies, Chagas disease in non-endemic countries affects younger patients and has lower morbidity.

[Occurrence of parasites in the alimentary canal of cats from Szczecin area, Poland]. / Wystepowanie pasozytów przewodu pokarmowego u kotów z terenu miasta Szczecina.

The aim of this work was to determine the average prevalence of cats with parasites in their alimentary canal in the area of Szczecin and to identify the parasite species in the alimentary canal in these animals. This research was carried on: domestic cats, stray cats and cats from the Animal Shelter and from the Animal Protection Society. Approximately, 3 grams of weight faeces was collected, and each sample was homogenized with a glass rod, examined with microscope, and then processed by flotation method of Willis-Schlaf. The average prevalence of cats with parasites in their alimentary canal was 33.65%. The highest prevalence was observed among stray cats (i. e., 57.14%) and among cats from the Animal Shelter (i. e., 42.18%); the lowest among domestic cats (i. e., 5.68%). The prevalence of infection among cats from the Animal Protection Society was 29.62%. The following parasites were observed: Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Dipylidium caninum, Isospora sp. Toxocara cati was the most common parasite in cats from the Animal Shelter (i. e., 24.21%) and stray cats (i. e., 26.1%). The occurrence of this parasite was lowest among domestic cats (i. e., 1.13%). Toxascaris leonina occurred more frequently in domestic cats (i. e., 3.4%), while Dipylidium caninum was predominant in cats from the Animal Protection Society (i. e., 18.5%). The high prevalence of infections among cats from Animal Shelter was caused by the fact that these animals have been rarely de-wormed. De-worming of animals once a year is not effective. The low prevalence of infection among domestic cats can be explained by the facts that these cats were routinely de-wormed and had only limited access to outdoor environment. In order to prevent transmission of cat parasites it is mandatory to undertake preventive actions, such as: regular de-worming of animals, removal animals' faeces, and advertisement of de-worming among cat owners by distribution leaflets and brochures.

[Descriptive epidemiology of extrapulmonary hydatid cysts: a report of 265 Tunisian cases]. / Profil epidémiologique descriptif des kystes hydatiques extra pulmonaires: a propos d'une série tunisienne de 265 cas.

BACKGROUND: Hydatidosis is a parasitic endemic disease in Tunisia. The liver and lung are the most common sites of involvement; however, it can develop anywhere in the body. AIM: The aim of the present study was to analyse the epidemiological features of extrapulmonary hydatid cysts and compare our results with those reported in literature. METHODS: A retrospective study of 265 extrapulmonary hydatid cysts collected over the 18-year period from 1990 to 2007 was undertaken. RESULTS: There were 101 male and 164 female patients (sex ratio M/F = 0.61) ranging in age from 2 to 84 years (mean age = 38.7). In our series, hydatid cysts involved mainly the kidney (24.1%), the central nervous system (22.6%), the liver (19.6%) and the spleen (11.3%). The other less frequent sites included the peritoneum (n = 9), heart (n = 9), bone (n = 6), adrenal gland (n = 4), epiploon (n = 4), orbit (n = 4), ovary (n = 3), prostate (n = 2), bladder (n = 2), breast (n = 2), Douglas' cul-de-sac (n = 2), diaphragm (n = 1), testis (n = 1), broad ligament (n = 1), mediastinum (n = 1), nasal cavity (n = 1), soft tissue (n = 1), abdominal wall (n = 1), parotid gland (n = 1), psoas muscle (n = 1), synovia (n = 1), thymus (n = 1) et le pancreas (n = 1). CONCLUSION: In contrast to literature, our results show that hydatid cysts of the kidney and of the central nervous system are more frequent than hepatic location which occupies the 3rd rank.

Hydatid disease involving some rare locations in the body: a pictorial essay.

Hydatid disease (HD) is an endemic illness in many countries, and it poses an important public health problem that's influenced by peoples' socioeconomic status and migration that spreads this disease. Although rare, it may occur in any organ or tissue. The most common site is the liver (59-75%), followed in frequency by lung (27%), kidney (3%), bone (1-4%) and brain (1-2%). Other sites such as the heart, spleen, pancreas and muscles are very rarely affected. Unusual sites for this disease can cause diagnostic problems. This pictorial essay illustrates various radiological findings of HD in the liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas, peritoneal cavity, omentum, adrenal, ovary, lung, mediastinum and retroperitoneum. Familiarity with the imaging findings of HD may be helpful in making an accurate diagnosis and preventing potential complications.

The current status of parasitic diseases in Japan.

In Japan parasitic diseases have been considered to be successfully controlled in the last 30 years. However, some parasitic diseases, such as food-borne zoonoses and/or larva migrans, are emerging and/or re-emerging in Japan. Furthermore, imported parasitic diseases like malaria are also gradually increasing. Unfortunately accurate numbers of parasitic diseases other than echinococcosis, malaria, amebiasis, giardiasis, or cryptosporidiosis are obscure in Japan because of the lack of a legal registration system. Since symptoms and diagnostic imaging patterns of parasitic diseases are non-specific and have similarities with other infectious diseases or cancer, parasitic diseases are sometimes overlooked or left misdiagnosed. In this review, the current status of parasitic diseases in Japan is briefly summarized based on the analysis of the accumulated cases seen in our department. We also outline the clinical features, differential diagnosis and treatment of representative parasitic diseases for the better understanding and management of the parasitic diseases in Japan.

[Biochemical characteristics of hepatic functions in different clinical forms of chronic opisthorchiasis]. / Biokhimicheskaia kharakteristika funktsii pecheni pri razlichnykh klinicheskikh formakh khronicheskogo opistorkhoza.

The main biochemical indices of hepatic functions (the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, alpha-amylase, choline esterase and the concentrations of total bilirubin, cholesterol, and glucose) were studied in the sera of 256 patients with chronic opisthorchiasis. It was found that with diseases manifested in different clinical forms (cholangitis, cholecystitis, cholangiocholecystitis, cholangiohepatitis, cholecystitis in combination with pancreatitis), most study indices are within the normal ranges, but significantly differ from the means in a group of apparently healthy individuals. The findings suggest that such clinical forms of opisthorchiais as cholangiocholecystitis and cholangiohepatitis are characterized by manifestations of cytolysis and cholestasis, as cholecystitis is manifested by cytolysis, as cholecystitis in combination with pancreatitis, by cholestasis, and as cholangitis, by cholestasis and hepatic cell insufficiency. It is possible that further studies will provide evidence for how to correct detected disorders during pathogenetic therapy.

Infection with different Trypanosoma cruzi populations in rats: myocarditis, cardiac sympathetic denervation, and involvement of digestive organs.

We tested four isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi to assess parasite virulence and ability to cause myocarditis, cardiac sympathetic denervation, and histopathologic alterations in organs of the digestive system. The susceptibility of rats depends on the population of T. cruzi, with the ABC strain and the CL-Brener clone killing all animals, regardless of the parasitemic pattern. All tested T. cruzi populations caused acute myocarditis, but failed to induce histologic alterations in the intestine. The Cl-Brener and ABC isolates caused esophageal myositis. The myocarditis caused by the ABC, CL-Brener, and Y isolates was severe, but resolution started at the end of the acute phase. In contrast, the Col 1.7 G2 clone induced mild and sustained myocarditis. Our results also showed that T. cruzi populations able to induce severe acute myocarditis caused marked sympathetic denervation, but recovery of normal cardiac histology and innervation occurred. The sustained myocarditis induced by Col 1.7 G2 clone failed to cause sustained denervation.

Manifestaciones digestivas en la fase crónica de la enfermedad de Chagas / Digestive manifestation in chronic phase of Chaga's disease

Se describen dos casos de enfermedad de Chagas en fase crónica, con mega deformaciones del tubo digestivo, ambos casos residentes del municipio de San Martín de Hidalgo, Jalisco. Con una evolución de 12 y 8 años respectivamente; el diagnóstico en ambos fue de acalasia de etiología desconocida. El primer paciente presenta megaesófago, megaduodeno y megaíleon (manifestaciones asociadas poco frecuentes). Los signos y síntomas digestivos fueron: disfagia, dolor retroesternal, regurgitación, sensación de plenitud gástrica, dolor epigástrico, vómito, sialorrea y pérdida de peso. El segundo paciente presenta disfagia, vómito regurgitación, tos de predominio nocturno, sialorrea, hipertrofia de parótidas y pérdida de peso. Los signos y síntomas comunes observadas en ambos casos son: disfagia, vómitos, regurgitación, sialorrea y pérdida de peso. Los signos y síntomas no comunes y asociados al padecimiento son: tos de predominio nocturno, hipertrofia de parótidas, dolor retroesternal, sensación de plenitud gástrica y dolor epigástrico.

[Parasitic metazoans of Stenella coeruleoalba (Cetacea: Delphinidae) stranded along the coast of Latium, 1985-1991]. / Metazoi parassiti di Stenella coeruleoalba (Cetacea: Delphinidae) spiaggiata lungo le coste laziali dal 1985 al 1991.

The striped dolphin represents the most common species of cetacean stranded along the Italian coasts. A parasitological survey on 17 specimens of Stenella coerulecaiba stranded along coasts of Latium from 1985 to 1991, has been carried out. The morphological study enabled the identification of the following parasites. The sites are reported in brackets. DIGENEA: Campula rochebruni (liver), Campula palliata (liver), Pholeter gastrophilus (pyloric stomach). CESTODA: Tetrabothrium forsteri (intestine), Strobilocephalus triangularis (intestine), Monorygma grimaldii, larvae (abdominal cavity, mesentery, testes), Phyliobothrium delphini, larvae (subcutaneous fat). NEMATODA: Skrjabinalius sp. (lungs). COPEPODA: Pennella sp. (skin). ISOPODA: Ceratothoa parallela (mouth, stomach). AMPHIPODA: Syncyamus aequus (blowhole).

[Multiple digestive involvement in visceral leishmaniasis in a patient with HIV infection: favourable course with itraconazole]. / Atteinte digestive multiple au cours d'une leishmaniose viscérale chez un patient infecté par le VIH: évolution favorable sous itraconazole.

We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum in a 35 year-old patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who complained of chronic diarrhea. Biopsy specimens of gastric and duodenal mucosa and bone marrow aspirate led to the diagnosis. Enterocytozoon bieneusi, fortuitously found in the duodenal mucosa, did not seem to be the causative agent of diarrhea in this case, but its association with visceral leishmaniasis is rare. A treatment with itraconazole brought about a sustained clinical remission.