Subject(s)
Diarrhea/parasitology , Gastrointestinal Tract/parasitology , Trichomonas/isolation & purification , Antiprotozoal Agents/therapeutic use , Base Sequence , DNA, Protozoan/isolation & purification , Diarrhea/drug therapy , Feces/parasitology , Humans , Metronidazole/therapeutic use , Molecular Sequence Data , Predictive Value of Tests , Ribotyping , Trichomonas/classification , Trichomonas/geneticsABSTRACT
Netrins are a family of proteins that mediate axonal guidance in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to the CNS, netrins are involved in cell adhesion, motility, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Because these processes occur in the placenta, we raised the question of whether netrin-1 is expressed by placental cells during development. In the present study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of netrin-1 and its two receptors, DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer) and UNC5B (uncoordinated-5 homolog) in human placenta using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry analysis. We demonstrated the presence of the proteins and transcripts of netrin-1 and its receptors in placenta and cytotrophoblasts. Furthermore, using immunohistochemistry, we localized endogenous netrin-1 protein staining to villous and extravillous cytotrophoblasts, and secreted netrin-1 outside the syncytiotrophoblasts. The DCC receptor was localized to syncytiotrophoblasts and invasive extravillous cytotrophoblasts during the first trimester and at term. On the other hand, the UNC5B receptor was localized to villous and extravillous cytotrophoblasts proximal to anchoring areas during the first trimester. At term, UNC5B was observed in decidual cells and weakly in extravillous cells. The discrete pattern of netrin-1 and netrin-1 receptor distribution suggested that netrin-1 protein functions might vary with its localization in the placenta and probably with time of gestation.
Subject(s)
Nerve Growth Factors/genetics , Placenta/physiology , Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics , Abortion, Induced , Cell Adhesion , Cell Differentiation , Cell Division , Cell Movement , Cell Survival , DCC Receptor , DNA Primers , DNA, Complementary/genetics , Female , Gene Amplification , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Nerve Growth Factors/metabolism , Netrin Receptors , Netrin-1 , Placenta/cytology , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Pregnancy Trimester, Second , Trophoblasts/cytology , Trophoblasts/physiology , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
A new Tetratrichomonas species was identified by molecular and phylogenetic approaches in the pleural fluid from a patient with encysted empyema leading to dyspnea. This observation raised the questions of the real prevalence of pulmonary trichomonosis in humans, the zoonotic potential of trichomonads, and the existence of human-host-adapted strains.
Subject(s)
Empyema, Pleural/parasitology , Protozoan Infections/diagnosis , Protozoan Infections/parasitology , Trichomonadida/classification , Trichomonadida/isolation & purification , Adult , Animals , Cluster Analysis , DNA, Protozoan/chemistry , DNA, Protozoan/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics , Female , Genes, rRNA , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , RNA, Protozoan/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S/genetics , Radiography, Thoracic , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Trichomonadida/geneticsABSTRACT
The finding of trichomonads in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patient, never previously reported, incited us to search for these parasites retrospectively in the BALF of patients with ARDS or related pathologies. Eighty-four consecutive BALF samples have been reviewed. Results were compared with data from clinical files of patients included in this study. Detection and identification of trichomonads were based on cytologic characteristics. Subsequently, immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization were performed in the last case of the series. Our results were as follows: (1) Trichomonads were detected in 25/84 BALFs (20/77 patients). Among the patients testing positive, 17 suffered from ARDS, about 30% of the ARDS patients included in the study. (2) Trichomonads were detected more frequently at a late ARDS stage. (3) No correlation was found between trichomonad detection and other data. (4) Within the group of trichomonad-infected ARDS patients, density of infection correlated with higher mortality. The late detection of these microorganisms in the course of ARDS suggested that trichomonad development is a secondary event. As BALFs obtained early in the course of ARDS were also included in the study, trichomonad incidence could be underestimated. The significance of trichomonad lung colonization in ARDS and its potential pathogenic role are unclear. Nevertheless, the question of an active role of trichomonads in the extension of alveolar lesions or in the limitation of recovery is clearly raised.
Subject(s)
Respiratory Distress Syndrome/parasitology , Respiratory Tract Infections/parasitology , Superinfection/parasitology , Trichomonas Infections/parasitology , Trichomonas/isolation & purification , Animals , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/parasitology , Cytodiagnosis , Disease Progression , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Hybridization , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Colonization of human lungs by various Trichomonas species is a frequent occurrence, but is unknown to most physicians. At this site of infection, the parasite develops into an amoeboid form that renders it unrecognizable. For this reason it has been overlooked until recently. Morphological identification is not feasible under these conditions and molecular tools provide the only means of identification. The species involved are not restricted to Trichomonas tenax, a saprophyte of the mouth that is usually cited in the rare cases of pleuropulmonary trichomoniasis reported in the literature. The recent discovery of species previously unknown in humans raises further questions, including the zoonotic potential of these microorganisms and the existence of species of animal origin that have adapted to humans. Anaerobiosis in poorly ventilated alveolar lumen, rather than immunodepression, seems to be the factor that promotes proliferation of this parasite. The diagnosis of trichomoniasis and its treatment by specific drugs will make it possible to evaluate the pathogenicity of these parasites.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases, Parasitic , Trichomonas Infections , Trichomonas/physiology , Anaerobiosis , Animals , Cats , Cattle , Haplorhini , Host-Parasite Interactions , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Hybridization , Lung Abscess/diagnosis , Lung Abscess/parasitology , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/complications , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis , Lung Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Pneumocystis carinii/isolation & purification , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/complications , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Pulmonary Alveoli/metabolism , Pulmonary Alveoli/parasitology , RNA, Protozoan/analysis , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/parasitology , Retrospective Studies , Swine , Trichomonas/genetics , Trichomonas/isolation & purification , Trichomonas/pathogenicity , Trichomonas Infections/complications , Trichomonas Infections/diagnosis , Trichomonas Infections/parasitology , Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics , Trichomonas vaginalis/isolation & purification , Trichomonas vaginalis/pathogenicity , Trichomonas vaginalis/physiology , ZoonosesSubject(s)
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/parasitology , Trichomonas/isolation & purification , Animals , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/microbiology , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/parasitology , Humans , Immune Tolerance , Pulmonary Alveoli/parasitology , Pulmonary Alveoli/pathology , Trichomonas/pathogenicitySubject(s)
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/complications , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/complications , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/parasitology , Trichomonadida/isolation & purification , Trichomonas Infections/parasitology , Animals , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/parasitology , Bronchoscopy , Histocytochemistry , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Hybridization , Lung/parasitology , Lung/pathologyABSTRACT
Trichomonads closely related to the bovid parasite Tritrichomonas foetus were identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage sample from a patient with AIDS in association with Pneumocystis pneumonia. This human case of T. foetus-like infection emphasizes the zoonotic potential of trichomonads, although the existence of a human-host-adapted T. foetus strain cannot be excluded.
Subject(s)
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/complications , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/complications , Protozoan Infections/complications , Tritrichomonas foetus/isolation & purification , AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/parasitology , Animals , Base Sequence , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/parasitology , DNA, Protozoan/genetics , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Molecular Sequence Data , Protozoan Infections/parasitology , Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid , Tritrichomonas foetus/genetics , Tritrichomonas foetus/pathogenicity , Zoonoses/parasitologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of the association of Trichomonas and Pneumocystis in the lung. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-six bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from immunocompromised patients with pneumocystosis were retrospectively examined microscopically. RESULTS: Trichomonads were found as coinfecting agents in 60% of BALF samples. The frequency and abundance of trichomonads was increased, up to 100%, in cases rich in Pneumocystis. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that pulmonary Trichomonas infection occurs frequently in the course of Pneumocystis pneumonia. The role of trichomonads in causing alveolar damage during Pneumocystis pneumonia is hypothetical.
Subject(s)
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/microbiology , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/microbiology , Trichomonas Infections/microbiology , Trichomonas/isolation & purification , Animals , HumansABSTRACT
The association of second malignancies in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is well recognized. Most of these malignancies are either solid tumors or lymphoproliferative disorders rather than myeloproliferative disorders. But these malignancies are usually related to a complication of the drug treatment for HCL. The chronological sequence of HCL occurring after a hematological disorder is very rarely described. This report describes the first case, to our knowledge, of a patient who developed HCL five years after essential thrombocythemia that was treated with oral cytoreductive agents. Pathogenesis of the coexistence of both diseases is discussed.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Hydroxyurea/adverse effects , Leukemia, Hairy Cell/chemically induced , Thrombocythemia, Essential/drug therapy , Aged , Antigens, CD/blood , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Bone Marrow Cells/pathology , Cladribine/therapeutic use , Humans , Leukemia, Hairy Cell/immunology , Leukemia, Hairy Cell/pathology , Male , Thrombocythemia, Essential/pathologyABSTRACT
A 41-year-old man was hospitalized, presenting increasing dyspnea and extensive ground-glass opacities on chest X-ray. Infection by human immunodeficiency virus was confirmed. Cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed numerous trichomonads and aggregates of Pneumocystis sp. Treatment was followed by rapid improvement of respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray. The trichomonad species found in the lungs was identified as Trichomonas vaginalis by small-subunit rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. With the exception of rare cases of contamination of newborn babies during delivery, T. vaginalis has never been found in lungs in healthy or immunocompromised adults. In the present case, T. vaginalis is found as coinfecting agent. Our data, like those found in the literature, suggest that trichomonads are overlooked parasites that may be regularly implicated in diverse human pathologies.