Galectin-Receptor Interactions Regulates Cardiac Pathology Caused by Trichinella spiralis Infection.

The parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis causes trichinellosis, a serious food-borne parasitic zoonosis worldwide. Infection with T. spiralis may also cause myocarditis. In the present study, we used mouse models to assess the impact of blockage of galectin-receptor interactions by α-lactose on cardiac immunopathology during acute T. spiralis experimental infection. Our data demonstrated that, after T. spiralis infection, blockage of galectin-receptor interactions resulted in cardiac dysfunction detected by transthoracic conventional echocardiography, and increased serum Gal-3 level, a biomarker of myocardial damage. In addition, there were increased eosinophil number in peripheral blood, and increased eosinophil infiltration in the heart and spleen tissues accompanied with increased mRNA levels of eosinophil granule proteins (including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO)) and IL-5 in these organs; increased cardiac fibrosis accompanied with increased Gal-3 and collagen 1 expressions in the hearts of mice with blockage of galectin-receptor interactions after T. spiralis infection. Correlation analysis showed that significant positive correlations existed between the mRNA levels of Gal-3 and ECP/EPO/eosinophil major basic protein/IL-5/CCL11/CCR3/α-SMA/collagen 1 in the hearts of both T. spiralis-infected mice and T. spiralis-infected mice with blockage of galectin-receptor interactions. Our data suggest that galectin-receptor interactions play a pivotal role during acute T. spiralis infection, and lack of galectin-receptor interactions upregulates Gal-3 which, in turn, leads to elevated heart eosinophil recruitment, exacerbated heart pathology and fibrosis, and heart functional damage.

Comparative multi-omics analyses reveal differential expression of key genes relevant for parasitism between non-encapsulated and encapsulated Trichinella.

Genome assemblies provide a powerful basis of comparative multi-omics analyses that offer insight into parasite pathogenicity, host-parasite interactions, and invasion biology. As a unique intracellular nematode, Trichinella consists of two clades, encapsulated and non-encapsulated. Genomic correlation of the distinct differences between the two clades is still unclear. Here, we report an annotated draft reference genome of non-encapsulated Trichinella, T. pseudospiralis, and perform comparative multi-omics analyses with encapsulated T. spiralis. Genome and methylome analyses indicate that, during Trichinella evolution, the two clades of Trichinella exhibit differential expansion and methylation of parasitism-related multi-copy gene families, especially for the DNase II members of the phospholipase D superfamily and Glutathione S-transferases. Further, methylome and transcriptome analyses revealed divergent key excretory/secretory (E/S) genes between the two clades. Among these key E/S genes, TP12446 is significantly more expressed across three life stages in T. pseudospiralis. Overexpression of TP12446 in the mouse C2C12 skeletal muscle cell line could induce inhibition of myotube formation and differentiation, further indicating its key role in parasitism of T. pseudospiralis. This multi-omics study provides a foundation for further elucidation of the mechanism of nurse cell formation and immunoevasion, as well as the identification of pharmacological and diagnostic targets of trichinellosis.

Trichinella spiralis y Trichinella patagoniensis: cinética de desialización eritrocitaria / Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella patagoniensis: kinetics of erythrocyte desialization / Trichinella spiralis e Trichinella patagoniensis: cinética de dessialização eritrocitária

El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar la cinética de desialización eritrocitaria producida por larvas infectantes de Trichinella spiralis y Trichinella patagoniensis. Se trabajó con 7 suspensiones eritrocitarias incubadas con 1.000±200 larvas musculares/mL, durante 2 horas, tomando muestra al tiempo inicial y cada 15 minutos. Los respectivos eritrocitos controles se incubaron de la misma manera con solución salina. Se aplicaron el método de titulación por Polibrene calculando el CexpST y un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) con las comparaciones múltiples según Tukey. Los resultados mostraron que el valor promedio de CexpST disminuyó con el aumento del tiempo de incubación, para ambas especies. En el tratamiento con T. spiralis no hubo diferencias significativas entre el valor medio del coeficiente a tiempo 60 y 75 minutos, mientras que con T. patagoniensis, a 45 y 60 minutos. Todas las restantes diferencias fueron significativas. La comparación entre los tratamientos, para cada uno de los tiempos, mostró que al tiempo inicial el coeficiente promedio no difirió entre las especies, pero que a todos los otros tiempos fue significativamente menor en la incubación de los eritrocitos con T. spiralis. Se concluye que la relación hospedador-parásito que se establece en ambos casos es distinta y probablemente también la capacidad de adaptación y de daño al hombre.

The objective of this work was to study the kinetics of erythrocyte desialization produced by infective larvae of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella patagoniensis. It was performed on 7 erythrocyte suspensions incubated with 1,000±200 muscle larvae/ mL for 120 minutes, taking samples at the initial time and every 15 minutes. The respective control erythrocytes were incubated in the same way with saline solution. The Polybrene Titration method calculating the CexpST and variance analysis (ANOVA) with the multiple comparisons according to Tukey were applied. The results showed that the average value of CexpST decreased with the increase in incubation time, for both species. There were no significant differences between the mean value of the coefficient at 60 and 75 minutes in the treatment with T. spiralis, while neither were there any differences between 45 and 60 minutes in the incubation with T. patagoniensis. All other differences were significant. The comparison between the two treatments, for each of the times, showed that at the initial time the average coefficient did not differ between the species, but at all other times it was significantly lower in the incubation of the erythrocytes with T. spiralis. It is concluded that the parasite host relationship that is established in both cases is different and probably also is the ability to adapt and cause harm to man.

O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a cinética de dessialização eritrocitária. produzida por larvas infectantes de Trichinella spiralis e Trichinella patagoniensis. O trabalho foi feito com 7 suspensões eritrocitárias incubadas com 1.000±200 larvas musculares/mL por 2 horas, colhendo amostras no tempo inicial e a cada 15 minutos. Os respectivos eritrócitos-controle foram incubados da mesma forma com solução salina. Foi aplicado o método de titulação por Polibreno calculando o CexpST e também uma análise da variância (ANOVA) com as comparações múltiplas de acordo com Tukey. Os resultados mostraram que o valor médio de CexpST diminuiu com o aumento do tempo de incubação para ambas as espécies. No tratamento com T. spiralis não houve diferenças significativas entre o valor médio do coeficiente no tempo 60 e 75 minutos, ao passo que com T. patagoniensis, aos 45 e 60 minutos. Todas as diferenças restantes foram significativas. A comparação entre os tratamentos, para cada um dos tempos, mostrou que no tempo inicial o coeficiente médio não diferiu entre as espécies, mas que em todos os outros tempos foi significativamente menor na incubação dos eritrócitos com T. spiralis. A conclusão é que a relação hospedeiro-parasita, estabelecida em ambos os casos, é diferente e provavelmente também a capacidade de adaptação e dano ao homem.

Larvas recién nacidas de Trichinella spiralis: cinética de agregación eritrocitaria / Newborn larvae of Trichinella spiralis: erythrocyte aggregation kinetics

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la cinética de agregación eritrocitaria producida por dos concentraciones de larvas recién nacidas (LRN) de Trichinella spiralis. Se trabajó con 5 suspensiones eritrocitarias incubadas con 500 y 1.000±100 LRN/mL durante 120 minutos, con tomas de muestra al tiempo inicial y cada 15 minutos. Los respectivos controles se incubaron de la misma manera con solución salina. Se aplicaron el método de titulación por Polibrene calculando el CexpST y la técnica de análisis de la variancia con las comparaciones múltiples según Tukey. Los resultados mostraron para ambas concentraciones de LRN, que el coeficiente promedio disminuyó con el aumento del tiempo de incubación. En el tratamiento con 1.000 LRN/mL, el coeficiente promedio no presentó diferencias significativas a tiempo 0 y 15 minutos, ni entre 60 y 75 minutos, mientras que con 500 LRN/mL no hubo diferencias entre los tiempos 0, 15 y 30 minutos. Todas las restantes diferencias fueron significativas para ambas concentraciones larvales. El valor promedio de CexpST no difirió significativamente entre los dos tratamientos a tiempo 0 y 15 minutos, pero a todos los otros tiempos fue menor a mayor concentración de larvas. La experiencia realizada indicaría que in vivo, la cantidad de LRN y el tiempo que permanecen en circulación determinan el grado de desializacion eritrocitaria, y por lo tanto el riesgo de activación T y de alteraciones hemorreológicas en el hospedador.

The aim of this work was to study the kinetics of erythrocyte aggregation produced by two concentrations of Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae (NL). Work was performed with 5 erythrocyte suspensions incubated with 500 and 1000 ± 100 NL/mL for 120 minutes, taking samples at the initial time and every 15 minutes. The respective controls were incubated in the same way with saline solution. The Polybrene titration method calculating the CexpST and the variance analysis technique with the multiple comparisons according to Tukey were applied. The results showed that the average coefficient decreased with the rise in incubation time for both NL concentrations. The average coefficient did not present significant differences between the initial time and 15 minutes, nor between 60 and 75 minutes in the treatment with 1000 NL/mL, while there were no differences between 0,15 and 30 minutes in the treatment with 500 NL/mL. All other differences were significant for both larval concentrations. The average value of CexpST did not differ significantly between the two time treatments at zero time and 15 minutes, but at all other times it was less at a higher concentration of larvae. The experience carried out would indicate that in vivo, the amount of NL and the time that they remain in circulation determines the degree of erythrocyte desialylation, and therefore, the risk of T activation and hemorrheological alterations in the host.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar a cinética de agregação eritrocitária produzida por duas concentrações de larvas recém nascidas (LRN) de Trichinella spiralis. O trabalho foi feito com 5 suspensões eritrocitárias incubadas com 500 e 1.000 ± 100 LRN/mL por 120 minutos, colhendo amostras no tempo inicial e a cada 15 minutos. Os respectivos controles foram incubados da mesma forma com solução salina. Foi aplicado o método de titulação por Polibreno e se calculou CexpST. e a técnica de análise da variância com as comparações múltiplas de acordo com Tukey. Os resultados mostraram, para ambas as concentrações de LRN, que o o coeficiente médio diminuiu com o aumento do tempo de incubação. No tratamento com 1.000 LRN/mL o coeficiente médio não mostrou diferenças significativas no tempo 0 e 15 minutos ou entre 60 e 75 minutos, ao passo que não houve diferenças com 500 LRN/mL entre tempos 0, 15 e 30 minutos. Todas as restantes diferenças foram significativas para ambas as concentrações de larvas. O valor médio de CexpST não diferiu significativamente entre os dois tratamentos no tempo de 0 e 15 minutos, mas em todos os outros tempos foi menor em maior concentração de larvas. A experiência realizada indicaria que in vivo a quantidade de LRN e o tempo que permanecem em circulação determina o grau de dessialização dos eritrócitos e, portanto, o risco de ativação T e de alterações hemorreológicas no hospedeiro.

Exposición de criptoantígeno eritrocitario por larvas recién nacidas de Trichinella spiralis / Exposure of erythrocyte cryptic antigen by Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae / Exposição do cripto antígeno eritrocitário por larvas recém-nascidas de Trichinella spiralis

La desialización del eritrocito puede exponer determinantes antigénicas crípticas de la membrana, entre las cuales se encuentra el antígeno T. Se ha comunicado que las larvas recién nacidas de Trichinella spiralis (LRN), las cuales circulan por el torrente sanguíneo del hospedador, captan el ácido siálico eritrocitario. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar in vitro la exposición del criptoantígeno T por la desialización producida por distintas concentraciones de LRN. Se trabajó con 30 suspensiones eritrocitarias en medio enzimático, que fueron incubadas en partes iguales con concentrados de LRN (GR Tratados) durante 2 horas a 37 ºC con agitación continua. Los respectivos GR Controles se pusieron en contacto con solución salina. El tratamiento de 10/30 suspensiones globulares se realizó con 500 LRN/mL, 10 con 300 LRN/mL y las últimas 10 con 150 LRN/mL. Se aplicó el Método de Aglutinación anti-T con antígeno T (en Placa y Tubo) enfrentando las suspensiones a suero de adulto y suero de cordón. El tratamiento de 9/10 de las suspensiones con 500 LRN/mL, el de 7/10 con 300 LRN/mL y el de 2/10 con 150 LRN/mL las expuso al criptoantígeno. Se concluye que en pacientes diabéticos, hipertensos o con otra patología que produzca disminución de ácido siálico eritrocitario y que cursen simultáneamente una infección por T. spiralis, en la etapa de circulación de larvas por el torrente sanguíneo podría producirse la activación T con la consecuente hemólisis, trombocitopenia y trombosis.

Erythrocyte desialylation can expose cryptic antigenic determinants of the membrane, among which is the T antigen. It has been reported that newborn larvae (NL), which circulate in the bloodstream of the host, capture erythrocyte sialic acid. The aim of this study was to study in vitro exposure of cryptic T antigen by the desialylation produced by different concentrations of NL. Work was carried out on 30 red cell suspensions in enzymatic medium, which were incubated in equal parts with NL concentrates (Treated RBC) for 2 hours at 37 ºC with continued agitation. The respective Control RBC was incubated with saline solution. Treatment of 10/30 globular suspensions was performed with 500 NL/mL, 10 with 300 NL/mL and the last 10 with 150 NL/mL. Anti T- antigen T Agglutination Tests (Plate and Tube) were made, facing the globular suspensions against adult and cord human sera. Treatment of 9/10 suspensions with 500 NL/mL, 7/10 with 300 NL/mL and 2/10 with 150 NL/mL exposed T antigen. It is concluded that in patients with diabetes, hypertension or other diseases with lower content of erythrocyte sialic acid and who simultaneously have a T. spiralis infection, T activation may occur in the stage of larvae circulating through the bloodstream, with consequent haemolysis, thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.

A dessialização do eritrócito pode expor determinantes antigênicos crípticos da membrana, entre os quais se encontra o antígeno T. Foi comunicado que as larvas recém-nascidas de Trichinella spiralis (LRN), as quais circulam na corrente sanguínea do hospedeiro, capturam o ácido siálico eritrocitário. O objetivo foi estudar in vitro a exposição do cripto antígeno T pela dessialização produzida por diferentes concentrações de LRN. Trabalhou-se com 30 suspensões eritrocitárias em meio enzimático, incubadas em partes iguais com concentrados de LRN (GV Tratados) durante 2 horas a 37 °C com agitação contínua. Os respectivos GV Controles entraram em contato com solução salina. Tratamento de 10/30 suspensões globulares foi realizado com 500 LRN/mL, 10 com 300 LRN/mL e as últimas 10 com 150 LRN/mL. Foi aplicado o Método de aglutinação anti T-antígeno T (em Placa e Tubo) enfrentando as suspensões a soro de adulto e soro de cordão. O tratamento de 9/10 suspensões com 500 NRL / mL, o de 7/10 com 300 LRN/mL e o de 2/10 com 150 LRN/mL expuseram o cripto antígeno. Conclui-se que em pacientes diabéticos, hipertensos ou com outra patologia que produza diminuição do ácido siálico eritrocitário, e que padeçam simultaneamente uma infecção por T. spiralis, na fase de circulação de larvas pela corrente sanguínea, poderia ocorrer a ativação T com a consequente hemólise, trombocitopenia e trombose.

Avaliação da presença de Trichinella spiralis em equinos abatidos em Araguari, MG / Evaluation of the presence of Trichinella spiralis in horses slaughtered in Araguari, MG

A larva do nematódeo Trichinella spiralis é responsável por infectar animais como porcos, javalis e cavalos e por causar grave doença em seres humanos. Surtos devido ao consumo da carne de cavalo são mais comuns na Europa, principalmente na França e Itália, onde existe a cultura de ingeri-la crua. Apesar de no Brasil não ter relatos sobre a infecção desse parasita em animais e seres humanos, os abatedouros exportadores para alguns mercados, como Europa e Estados Unidos, são obrigados a pesquisar o parasita. No presente estudo, a presença de larvas de Trichinella spiralis foi avaliada em 14.852 cavalos abatidos entre dezembro de 2014 a julho de 2016 em um frigorífico de Araguari sob inspeção federal. Os animais eram procedentes dos estados de Minas Gerais, Goiás e Bahia. A técnica empregada foi a de digestão artificial, em que se utilizou o músculo masseter, seguindo as legislações da União Europeia: Diretiva 91/497/CEE, Diretiva 77/96/CEE, Regulamento (CE) N° 2075/2005 e suas alterações. A larva não foi encontrada em nenhuma amostra analisada.

Utilidad del albendazol/quinfamida en el tratamiento de la fase intestinal de la infección por Trichinella spiralis en modelo murio / Utility of abendazole/quinfamide in the treatment ofintestinal phase of infection in murine model Trichinella spiralis

La triquinelosis es una enfermedad parasitaria ocasionada por el nematodo Trichinella spiralis. Actualmente el tratamiento utilizado para la triquinelosis es la administración de albendazol o mebendazol. Estos medicamentos son efectivos contra el parásito, solo si se administran por periodos prolongados; sin embargo existe el inconveniente de que pueden causar efectos adversos en el hospedero. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto terapéutico del medicamento OXAL® (albendazol/quinfamida) contra la infección por T. spiralis en modelo murino, durante la fase intestinal de la infección (1 y 7 días) por un periodo de 3 días. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que la administración de OXAL® durante 3 días, tuvo eficacia terapéutica durante la fase intestinal, ya que no se obtuvo carga parasitaria en el grupo con 1 día de infección, y la obtenida en el grupo con 7 días de infección tuvo una disminución significativa respecto al control, p < 0.05

Trichinellosis is a parasitic disease caused by the nematode Trichinella spiralis. Currently the treatment for Trichinellosis includes the administration of albendazole or mebendazole. These drugs are effective against the parasite, only if administered for prolonged periods; however there is a drawback that can cause adverse effects on the host. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy OXAL® (albendazole/quinfamide) against infection by T. spiralis in mice during the intestinal phase of the infection (1, and 7 days) for a period of 3 days. The results showed that administration of OXAL® for 3 days, had effective therapy for intestinal phase, since there was no parasitic load in the group with 1 day of infection, and the obtained in the group with 7 days of infection showed a significant decrease with regard to control, p <0.05

A comparison of regional and systemic humoral immune responses to a nematode infection.

The kinetics of humoral immune response against Trichinella spiralis (TS) was characterized with immunofluorescence assay. The mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and the spleen of infected rats were examined for concurrent expression of multiple antibody (Ab) isotypes from day 1 to day 15 after infection. The tissues were processed and stained with either a pan-B cell marker (OX33) conjugated with rhodamine (XRITC) or combinations of dual monoclonal Ab probes plus A secondary Ab conjugated with XRITC or fluorescein (FITC). As compared to the uninfected controls, the spleen and the MLN showed significant proliferation of dual-Ab expressing B cells (Debc) on days 5 and 7, respectively. During the immune response, only minimal numbers of B cells expressed single Ab isotype while most B cells expressed more than one isotypes of Ab. When combining all the numbers of Debc within each tissue for each respective days, and comparing those numbers with the total numbers of B cells that were OX33+ in the serial sections of the same tissue specimens, the combined Debc in the spleen were > 6 times higher than the OX33 labeled B cells on day 10, and the Debc in MLN were > 3 times higher than the OX33+ B cells on day 10. Our results thus indicate that the Debc most likely expressed more than two Ab isotypes during the peak days of the humoral immune response to the parasite and this phenomenon occurred in both regional and systemic lymphoid tissues.

Evaluación del albendazol, ivermectina y nitazoxanida en infección causada por trichinella spiralis en modelo suino / Evaluation of the abendazol, ivermectina and nitazoxanida in infecion caused by trichinella spiralis in model suino

La Trichinellosis es una enfermedad parasitaria zoonótica que se trasmite de modo accidental al hombre por ingestión de productos cárnicos insuficientemente cocidos, procedentes de animales infectados. En México el cerdo actúa como principal fuente de contaminación, los tratamientos aplicados han sido inespecíficos. Desconocemos a ciencia cierta el tratamiento efectivo para esta enfermedad. Este estudio esta dirigido a conocer si el Albendazol (ABZ), la Nitazoxanida (NZX) y la Ivermectina (IVM) son efectivos en el tratamiento de la fase intestinal (FI) y fase muscular (FM) de la Trichinellosis. Así mismo consideramos conveniente conocer, cual de los tres fármacos es más efectivo contra el parásito T. spiralis en ambas fases. Se utilizaron 18 cerdos raza York, se formaron 10 grupos: 1- Control sano en FI, 2-Control infectado en FI, 3- Infectado tratado con ABZ en FI, 4- Infectado y tratado con NZX en FI, 5- Infectado y tratado con IVM en FI, 6-Control sano en FM, 7-Control infectado en FM, 8- Infectado y tratado con ABZ en FM, 9- Infectado y tratado con NZX en FM, 10- Infectado y tratado con IVM en FM. El grupo 1 y 6 fueron las mismas cifras y de igual forma el 2 y 7 para la realización del análisis estadístico que fue, un diseño experimental completamente al azar y un diseño de tratamientos factorial. Concluyendo que el ABZ además de ser más efectivo en fase intestinal, en fase muscular presenta una eficacia del 100 por ciento contra la infección.

Will corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory agents be effective for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of several functional gastrointestinal disorders commonly encountered in both the clinical setting and the general population. The biopsychosocial model is currently believed to be a more complete explanatory mechanism of IBS symptom genesis and propagation. Gut inflammation and immune activation is one of the biological mechanisms for which evidence is emerging. Experimental parasitic infection of mice bowel resulted in elevated substance P levels and increased expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) enzyme, prostaglandin E2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. In IBS patients, increased cellularity and proximity of the inflammatory or immune cells to the nerve trunks of the bowel, elevated interleukin-1beta mRNA expression in mucosal biopsies, and increased inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitrotyrosine elaboration (indicative of lymphocyte activation) were observed. Corticosteroids given after the elimination of an experimentally applied parasite from the bowel of mice resulted in the reversal of persistent gut muscle dysfunction. Selective COX-2 inhibitors attenuated the increased bowel smooth muscle contractility resulting from parasite infection of mice gut. In humans, it has been observed that the relative risk of developing IBS in asthma patients was reduced by 60% by the use of oral steroids. Despite such preclinical and human evidence for the role of inflammation and immune activation in IBS, the efficacy of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents has not been adequately investigated. Budesonide, a corticosteroid with a high mucosal activity and a low bioavailability, is an anti-inflammatory agent that may be worth investigating for its utility in diarrhea-predominant IBS.

CCR3 is required for tissue eosinophilia and larval cytotoxicity after infection with Trichinella spiralis.

The CCR3 binds at least seven different CC chemokines and is expressed on eosinophils, mast cells (MC), and a subset of Th cells (Th2) that generate cytokines implicated in mucosal immune responses. Using mice with a targeted disruption of CCR3 (CCR3(-/-)) and their +/+ littermates, we investigated the role of CCR3 in the amplification of tissue eosinophilia and MC hyperplasia in the mouse after infection with Trichinella spiralis. In CCR3(-/-) mice, eosinophils are not recruited to the jejunal mucosa after infection and are not present in the skeletal muscle adjacent to encysting larvae. In addition, the number of cysts in the skeletal muscle is increased and the frequency of encysted larvae exhibiting necrosis is reduced. The CCR3(-/-) mice exhibit the expected MC hyperplasia in the jejunum and caecum and reject the adult worms from the small intestine at a normal rate. This study is consistent with distinct functions for MC (adult worm expulsion) and eosinophils (toxicity to larvae) in immunity to a helminth, T. spiralis, and defines the essential requirement for CCR3 in eosinophil, but not MC recruitment to tissues.

Induction of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and TNF alpha by Trichinella spiralis in serum of mice in vivo.

MCP-1 is a small (8-10 KDa) protein and a prototype member of the CC chemokine beta subfamily, which plays a critical role in acute and chronic inflammation. Recent evidence suggests an important role for MCP- 1, MCP-2 and MCP-3 in a number of pathological states, including delayed type hypersensitivity conditions, parasitic infections and rheumatoid arthritis. Forty BALB-c mice were treated with the parasite Trichinella spiralis. After the infection the animals were sacrificed at different periods from the initial infection and MCP-1 and TNFalpha were quantified in the mouse serum. The level of MCP-1 in the serum of mice infected with 100 larvae increases from 27.5+/-7.0 pg/ml at day 23, to a maximum level of 31.5+/-5.0 pg/ml at day 33, then decreased to 14.6+/-2.0 pg/ml at day 47. When the mice were infected with 200 larvae of T. spiralis the maximum increase was 34.4+/-2.5 pg/ml found on day 23. From day 33 to day 47 MCP-1 levels were decreased. In addition, in infected mice levels of TNFalpha were detectable in the serum as early as day 1. The level of TNFalpha was maximum at day 35 (3812+/-224 pg/ml). Serum from non-infected mice contained no detectable levels of either MCP-1 or TNFalpha. However, even if MCP-1 seems to be implicated in Trichinellosis, its exact role and function in inflammatory parasitic diseases remains to be determined.

Case report: locally acquired trichinosis in an immigrant from Southeast Asia.

The authors report a case of trichinosis acquired in Oklahoma City by an immigrant from Southeast Asia. The 49-year-old female reported having abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting, and had purchased and eaten lightly cooked pork. She also complained of fatigue, anorexia, and muscle aches for several months. An immigrant from Laos, she stated that she regularly eats pork and prefers it rare or mildly cooked. The authors caution local physicians to be aware of the increased risk of trichinosis among Southeast Asian immigrants in the area, particularly those from Laos and Cambodia. Continued emphasis on the need to thoroughly cook all pork products is necessary if the incidence of trichinosis in the U.S. is to be controlled.

Purification and preliminary characterization of a protease from the excretion-secretion products of Trichinella spiralis muscle-stage larvae.

A protease from excretion-secretion products of Trichinella spiralis muscle-stage larvae was purified by continuous elution electrophoresis. The state of purification was analyzed electrophoretically using one- and two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme was shown to be a single polypeptide with an estimated molecular mass of 35 kDa and isoelectric point of 6.2. Following purification, the enzyme activity was measured by hydrolysis of gelatin, azocoll, azoalbumin, azocasein and collagen as substrates. Maximal azocollytic activity was at pH 5 and a temperature of 37 degrees C. Finally, the proteolytic activity was partially inhibited by N-alpha-p-tosyl-lysine chloromethyl ketone, chymostatin and E-64.