Intestinal Inflammation-Mediated Clearance of Amebic Parasites Is Dependent on IFN-γ.

Intestinal amebiasis is a major cause of diarrhea. However, research on host-amebae interactions has been hampered owing to a lack of appropriate animal models. Recently, a mouse model of intestinal amebiasis was established, and using it, we reported that Entamoeba moshkovskii colonized the intestine in a manner similar to that of the pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica In this study, we evaluated the protective mechanisms present against amebae using this model. CBA/J mice infected with E. histolytica had a persistent infection without apparent symptoms. In contrast, E. moshkovskii-infected mice rapidly expelled the ameba, which was associated with weight loss, diarrhea, and intestinal damage characterized by apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Expression of NKG2D on intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and IFN-γ-producing cells in Peyer's patches were significantly induced after infection with E. moshkovskii but not with E. histolytica IFN-γ-deficient mice infected with E. moshkovskii showed no obvious symptoms. Notably, none of these mice expelled E. moshkovskii, indicating that IFN-γ is responsible not only for intestinal symptoms but also for the expulsion of amebae. Furthermore, apoptosis of IECs and expression of NKG2D on IELs observed in E. moshkovskii-infected mice did not occur in the absence of IFN-γ. In vivo blocking of NKG2D in mice infected with E. moshkovskii enabled ameba to survive longer and remarkably reduced apoptotic IECs. Our results clearly demonstrate a novel protective mechanism exerted by IFN-γ against intestinal amebae, including induction of cytotoxicity of IELs toward IECs.

Elevated IL-17 levels in semi-immune anaemic mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in inflammatory cytokines and genetic background of the host contribute to the outcome of malaria infection. Despite the promising protective role of IL-17 in infections, little attention is given to further understand its importance in the pathogenesis of severe malaria anaemia in chronic/endemic situations. The objective of this study, therefore, was to evaluate IL-17 levels in anaemic condition and its association with host genetic factors. METHODS: Two mice strains (Balb/c and CBA) were crossed to get the F1 progeny, and were (F1, Balb/c, CBA) taken through 6 cycles of Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) infection and chloroquine/pyrimethamine treatment to generate semi-immune status. Cytokine levels and kinetics of antibody production, CD4+CD25+T regulatory cells were evaluated by bead-based multiplex assay kit, ELISA and FACs, respectively. RESULTS: High survival with high Hb loss at significantly low parasitaemia was observed in Balb/c and F1. Furthermore, IgG levels were two times higher in Balb/c, F1 than CBA. While CD4+CD25+ Treg cells were lower in CBA; IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-12α and IL-17 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Balb/c, F1. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, elevated IL-17 levels together with high IL-4, IL-12α and IFN-γ levels may be a marker of protection, and the mechanism may be controlled by host factor (s). Further studies of F2 between the F1 and Balb/c will be informative in evaluating if these genes are segregated or further apart.

Splenic CD11c+ cells derived from semi-immune mice protect naïve mice against experimental cerebral malaria.

BACKGROUND: Immunity to malaria requires innate, adaptive immune responses and Plasmodium-specific memory cells. Previously, mice semi-immune to malaria was developed. Three cycles of infection and cure ('three-cure') were required to protect mice against Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) infection. METHODS: C57BL/6 J mice underwent three cycles of P. berghei infection and drug-cure to become semi-immune. The spleens of infected semi-immune mice were collected for flow cytometry analysis. CD11c(+) cells of semi-immune mice were isolated and transferred into naïve mice which were subsequently challenged and followed up by survival and parasitaemia. RESULTS: The percentages of splenic CD4(+) and CD11c(+) cells were increased in semi-immune mice on day 7 post-infection. The proportion and number of B220(+)CD11c(+)low cells (plasmacytoid dendritic cells, DCs) was higher in semi-immune, three-cure mice than in their naïve littermates on day 7 post-infection (2.6 vs 1.1% and 491,031 vs 149,699, respectively). In adoptive transfer experiment, three months after the third cured P. berghei infection, splenic CD11c(+) DCs of non-infected, semi-immune, three-cure mice slowed Plasmodium proliferation and decreased the death rate due to neurological pathology in recipient mice. In addition, anti-P. berghei IgG1 level was higher in mice transferred with CD11c(+) cells of semi-immune, three-cure mice than mice transferred with CD11c(+) cells of naïve counterparts. CONCLUSION: CD11c(+) cells of semi-immune mice protect against experimental cerebral malaria three months after the third cured malaria, potentially through protective plasmacytoid DCs and enhanced production of malaria-specific antibody.

A SNP in the ABCC11 gene is the determinant of human earwax type.

Human earwax consists of wet and dry types. Dry earwax is frequent in East Asians, whereas wet earwax is common in other populations. Here we show that a SNP, 538G --> A (rs17822931), in the ABCC11 gene is responsible for determination of earwax type. The AA genotype corresponds to dry earwax, and GA and GG to wet type. A 27-bp deletion in ABCC11 exon 29 was also found in a few individuals of Asian ancestry. A functional assay demonstrated that cells with allele A show a lower excretory activity for cGMP than those with allele G. The allele A frequency shows a north-south and east-west downward geographical gradient; worldwide, it is highest in Chinese and Koreans, and a common dry-type haplotype is retained among various ethnic populations. These suggest that the allele A arose in northeast Asia and thereafter spread through the world. The 538G --> A SNP is the first example of DNA polymorphism determining a visible genetic trait.

Methodological assessment for efficient collection of Schistosoma mansoni environmental DNA and improved schistosomiasis surveillance in tropical wetlands.

Schistosomiasis, caused by trematodes of genus Schistosoma, is among the most seriously neglected tropical diseases. Although rapid surveillance of risk areas for Schistosoma transmission is vital to control schistosomiasis, the habitat and infection status of this parasite are difficult to assess. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, involving the detection of extra-organismal DNA in water samples, facilitates cost-efficient and sensitive biomonitoring of aquatic environments and is a promising tool to identify Schistosoma habitat and infection risk areas. However, in tropical wetlands, highly turbid water causes filter clogging, thereby decreasing the filtration volume and increasing the risk of false negatives. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to conduct laboratory experiments and field surveys in Lake Victoria, Mbita, to determine the appropriate filter pore size for S. mansoni eDNA collection in terms of particle size and filtration volume. In the laboratory experiment, aquarium water was sequentially filtered using different pore size filters. Targeting >3 µm size fraction was found to be sufficient to capture S. mansoni eDNA particles, regardless of their life cycle stage (egg, miracidia, and cercaria). In the field surveys, GF/D (2.7 µm nominal pore size) filter yielded 2.5-times the filtration volume obtained with a smaller pore size filter and pre-filtration methods under the same time constraints. Moreover, a site-occupancy model was applied to the field detection results to estimate S. mansoni eDNA occurrence and detection probabilities and assess the number of water samples and PCR replicates necessary for efficient eDNA detection. Overall, this study reveals an effective method for S. mansoni eDNA detection in turbid water, facilitating the rapid and sensitive monitoring of its distribution and cost-effective identification of schistosomiasis transmission risk areas.

Anti-erythropoietin antibody levels and its association with anaemia in different strains of semi-immune mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA.

BACKGROUND: Malaria anaemia is still a major public health problem and its pathogenesis still unclear. Interestingly, the progression of anaemia is at relatively low parasitaemia with some mortality in the semi-immune individuals in the endemic areas despite adequate erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis. A recent study has shown that treatment with exogenous anti-erythropoietin (anti-EPO) antibodies (Ab) of infected mice gives protection against malaria infection, suggesting an important role for anti-EPO Ab in malaria. The objective of the study was to evaluate anti-EPO antibody levels in anaemic condition of different strains of semi-immune mice with malaria. METHODOLOGY: Semi-immune status was attained in four mice strains (Balb/c, B6, CBA and NZW) by repeated infections with 104Plasmodium berghei ANKA, and treatment with chloroquine/pyrimethamine. ELISA was used to measure anti-EPO Ab, transferrin and EPO while inflammatory cytokines measurement was done using bead-based multiplex assay kit. RESULTS: The mean anti-EPO Ab levels in the mice strains [Optical Density (OD) values at 450 nm: Balb/c (2.1); B6 (1.3); CBA (1.4) and NZW (1.7)] differed (p = 0.045), and were significantly higher when compared with uninfected controls, p < 0.0001, and mean anti-EPO Ab levels in the mice strains at recovery [OD values at 450 nm: Balb/c (1.8); B6 (1.1); CBA (1.5) and NZW (1.0) also differed (p = 0.0004). Interestingly, EPO levels were significantly high in NZW and low in Balb/c mice (p < 0.05), with those of B6 and CBA of intermediary values. Again, NZW were highly parasitaemic (20.7%) and the other strains (Balb/c, B6 and CBA) ranged between 2.2-2.8% (p = 0.015). Anti-EPO Ab correlated positively with extent of Hb loss (r = 0.5861; p = 0.003). Correlation of anti-EPO antibody with EPO was significant only in Balb/c mice (r = -0.83; p = 0.01). Significant levels of IL6 and IFNγ (p < 0.0001), both known to be associated with erythropoiesis suppression were observed in the Balb/c. Transferrin was significantly lower in Balb/c (p < 0.0001) when compared with the other mice strains (B6, CBA and NZW). CONCLUSION: This is the first ever report in estimating endogenous anti-EPO antibodies in malaria anaemia. The data presented here suggest that anti-EPO Ab is produced at infection and is associated with Hb loss. Host factors appear to influence anti-EPO antibody levels in the different strains of mice.

Origin of a novel protein-coding gene family with similar signal sequence in Schistosoma japonicum.

BACKGROUND: Evolution of novel protein-coding genes is the bedrock of adaptive evolution. Recently, we identified six protein-coding genes with similar signal sequence from Schistosoma japonicum egg stage mRNA using signal sequence trap (SST). To find the mechanism underlying the origination of these genes with similar core promoter regions and signal sequence, we adopted an integrated approach utilizing whole genome, transcriptome and proteome database BLAST queries, other bioinformatics tools, and molecular analyses. RESULTS: Our data, in combination with database analyses showed evidences of expression of these genes both at the mRNA and protein levels exclusively in all developmental stages of S. japonicum. The signal sequence motif was identified in 27 distinct S. japonicum UniGene entries with multiple mRNA transcripts, and in 34 genome contigs distributed within 18 scaffolds with evidence of genome-wide dispersion. No homolog of these genes or similar domain was found in deposited data from any other organism. We observed preponderance of flanking repetitive elements (REs), albeit partial copies, especially of the RTE-like and Perere class at either side of the duplication source locus. The role of REs as major mediators of DNA-level recombination leading to dispersive duplication is discussed with evidence from our analyses. We also identified a stepwise pathway towards functional selection in evolving genes by alternative splicing. Equally, the possible transcription models of some protein-coding representatives of the duplicons are presented with evidence of expression in vitro. CONCLUSION: Our findings contribute to the accumulating evidence of the role of REs in the generation of evolutionary novelties in organisms' genomes.

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) polymorphism associated with symptomatic malaria: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In areas mesoendemic for malaria transmission, symptomatic individuals play a significant role as reservoirs for malaria infection. Understanding the pathogenesis of symptomatic malaria is important in devising tools for augmenting malaria control. In this study, the effect of TLR9 polymorphisms on susceptibility to symptomatic malaria was investigated among Ghanaian children. METHODS: Four hundred and twenty nine (429) healthy Ghanaian children, aged three to eleven years (3-11 years), were enrolled into a cohort study and actively followed up for symptomatic malaria for one year. Four TLR9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) namely: rs187084 (C-1486 T), rs5743836(C-1237 T), rs352139 (G + 1174A) and rs352140 (G + 2848A) were genotyped by direct sequencing, and their attributable and relative risks for symptomatic malaria determined. TLR9 haplotypes were inferred using the PHASE software and analysed for the risk of symptomatic malaria. A luciferase assay was performed to investigate whether the TLR9 haplotypes influence TLR9 promoter activity. RESULTS: The rs352139 GG genotype showed a significantly increased relative risk of 4.8 for symptomatic malaria (P = 0.0024) and a higher mean parasitaemia (P = 0.04). Conversely, the rs352140 GG genotype showed a significantly reduced relative risk of 0.34 (P = 0.048). TLR9 haplotypes analyses showed that TTAG haplotype was significantly associated with reduced relative risk of 0.2 for symptomatic malaria (P = 4×10⁻6) and a lower mean parasitaemia (0.007), while CTGA haplotype had an increased relative risk of 3.3 (P = 0.005). Functional luciferase reporter gene expression assay revealed that the TTA haplotype had a significantly higher promoter activity than the CCG, CTG and TCG haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings indicate a significant association of TLR9 gene polymorphisms with symptomatic malaria among Ghanaian children in Dangme-West district.

Estimation of rooting depth of 137Cs uptake by plants.

Understanding the soil-to-plant transfer process of 137Cs is essential for predicting the contamination levels of plants in contaminated areas. The rooting depth is considered one of the key factors explaining the difference in the activity concentration of 137Cs in different plant species. In this study, the distributions of 137Cs and 133Cs in soils and plants were investigated, and the plants' rooting depth of 137Cs uptake was estimated using the 137Cs/133Cs ratios in exchangeable fractions of soils and biological samples. The results showed that different plant species accumulate different levels of 137Cs and 133Cs. The 137Cs/133Cs ratios were fairly constant in plants of the same species. The average 137Cs/133Cs ratios in bamboo grasses and ferns were 0.015 ± 0.009 (n = 5) and 0.13 ± 0.04 Bq ng-1 (n = 10) in Yamakiya, respectively. The percentage of 137Cs in the exchangeable fraction of the uppermost soil layer was lower than that in the deeper soil layers. The activity concentrations of 137Cs in the soil profiles decreased sharply with depth, whereas the depth distributions of 133Cs were uniform. Therefore, the 137Cs/133Cs ratios were driven mainly by the 137Cs activity concentrations in soil. The plants' rooting depths of 137Cs uptake were estimated on the basis of the relationships between the averaged 137Cs/133Cs ratio in the soil layer and the 137Cs/133Cs ratio in the plant. The results indicate that the deeper-rooted species such as bamboo grasses have a lower accumulation of 137Cs than the superficial-rooting species such as ferns. The soil-to-plant transfer factors would be determined using rooting depth by calculating the averaged activity concentration of 137Cs within the estimated rooting depth.

Leishmania major Strain-Dependent Macrophage Activation Contributes to Pathogenicity in the Absence of Lymphocytes.

Infection of C57BL/6 wild-type mice with Leishmania major 5-ASKH or Friedlin strains results in relatively similar pathogenicity with self-healing lesions within weeks. Parasite clearance depends on nitric oxide production by activated macrophages in response to cytokines produced mainly by CD4+ Th1 cells. In contrast, C57BL/6 Rag2 knockout mice, which lack T and B lymphocytes, show distinct pathologies during infection with these strains. Despite of the similar parasite number, the 5-ASKH infection induced severe inflammation rather than the Friedlin. To determine the immunological factors behind this phenomenon, we infected C57BL/6 Rag2 knockout mice with these two strains and compared immune cell kinetics and macrophage activation status. Compared with the Friedlin strain, the 5-ASKH strain elicited increased pathology associated with the accumulation of CD11bhigh, Ly6Ghigh neutrophils by week four and increased the expression of macrophage activation markers. We then analyzed the differentially expressed transcripts in infected bone marrow-derived macrophages by RNA sequencing. It showed upregulation of multiple inflammatory transcripts, including Toll-like receptor 1/2 (TLR1/2), CD69, and CARD14, upon 5-ASKH infection. Our findings suggest that different L. major strains can trigger distinct macrophage activation, contributing to the disease outcome observed in the absence of lymphocytes but not in the presence of lymphocytes. IMPORTANCE Disease manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) range from self-healing cutaneous lesions to chronic forms of the disease, depending on the infecting Leishmania sp. and host immune protection. Previous works on mouse models of CL show the distinct pathogenicity of Leishmania major strains in the absence of lymphocytes. However, the mechanisms of this pathology remain uncovered. In the trial to understand the immunological process involved in lymphocyte-independent pathology, we have found a specific induction of macrophages by different L. major strains that affect their ability to mount innate responses leading to neutrophilic pathology when lymphocytes are ablated.

Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatic Fibrosis in Schistosomiasis Japonica Patients in the Philippines.

Host-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis. This study analyzed selected serum miRNAs among Filipino schistosomiasis japonica patients with ultrasound (US)-detectable hepatic fibrosis. A prospective cohort study design with convenience sampling was employed from 2017 to 2019. The study sites were eight endemic barangays in Leyte, Philippines. Eligible chronic schistosomiasis patients with varying severities of hepatic fibrosis were enrolled in the cohort and serially examined at 6, 12, and 24 months from baseline. Baseline serum miR-146a-5p, let-7a-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-93-5p, and miR200b-3p were measured using RT-qPCR. A total of 136 chronic schistosomiasis patients were included in this prospective cohort study. Approximately, 42.6% had no fibrosis, 22.8% had mild fibrosis, and 34.6% had severe fibrosis at baseline The serum levels of the antifibrotic miR-146a (p < 0.0001), miR-150 (p = 0.0058), and let-7a (p < 0.0001) were significantly lower in patients with hepatic fibrosis while the profibrotic miR-93 (p = 0.0024) was elevated. miR-146a-5p (AUC = 0.90, 95% CI [0.84, 0.96], p < 0.0001) has the most promising potential to differentiate patients with (n = 78) versus without (n = 58) hepatic fibrosis. The baseline level of serum miR-146-5p was significantly different in patients with progressive fibrosis (n = 17) compared to those who never developed fibrosis (n = 30, p < 0.01) or those who had fibrosis reversal (n = 20, p < 0.01) after 24 months. These findings demonstrate the potential utility of serum miRNAs, particularly of miR-146a, as a supplementary tool for assessing hepatic fibrosis in chronic schistosomiasis japonica patients.

Diagnostic Performance of Parasitological, Immunological, Molecular, and Ultrasonographic Tests in Diagnosing Intestinal Schistosomiasis in Fieldworkers From Endemic Municipalities in the Philippines.

Schistosomiasis remains to ha/ve a significant public health impact in the Philippines. The Kato-Katz (K-K) technique is the reference standard and most used technique for definitive diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis for control programs in endemic regions. However, this has a very low sensitivity when applied in areas of low endemicity and patients with light infection. Hence, this study determined the diagnostic performance of immunological, molecular, parasitological, and ultrasonographic tests in diagnosing intestinal schistosomiasis in endemic municipalities in the Philippines. We performed a community-based cross-sectional study to determine the positivity of schistosomiasis in Leyte, Philippines. The diagnostic performance of five different detection techniques: (1) three stool K-K with duplicate smears; (2) soluble egg antigen IgG ELISA; (3) urine point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test; (4) detection of Schistosoma japonicum circulating DNA (SjcDNA) in serum and urine samples; (5) focused abdominal ultrasound (US), were also obtained in this study. Multiple stool examinations enhanced the sensitivity of K-K from 26.2% (95% CI [16.4, 38.8]) with single stool to 53.8% (95% CI [41.1, 66.1]) and 69.2% (95% CI [56.4, 80.0]) with two and three stools from consecutive days, respectively. Among the SjcDNA nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)-based detection assays, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) PCR using sera had the highest sensitivity at 92.3% (95% CI [82.2, 97.1]) with LAMP consistently identifying more positive cases in both serum and urine samples. This study showed that single stool K-K, which remains the only diagnostic test available in most endemic areas in the Philippines, had low sensitivity and failed to identify most patients with light infection. SjcDNA detection assay and POC-CCA urine test were more sensitive than stool microscopy in detecting schistosomiasis. On the other hand, US was less sensitive than the widely utilized K-K technique in diagnosing schistosomiasis. This study emphasizes the need to revisit the use of single stool K-K in the surveillance and case detection of schistosomiasis in endemic areas of the Philippines. The availability of advanced and more sensitive diagnostic tests will help better control, prevent, and eliminate schistosomiasis in the country.

Histopathological studies in two strains of semi-immune mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA after chronic exposure.

To mimic a human malaria infection in the endemic condition, two strains of mice (Balb/c and CBA) were infected and treated several times to generate so-called semi-immune status. As previously reported, neither mice (Balb/c and CBA) strain showed cerebral malaria, even in the susceptible C57BL/6 (B6). The significant difference between the mice strains in our previous study was the rate of destruction of uninfected red blood cells (uRBCs) at infection. After the established repeated cycles of infection and treatment and the final challenge with 10(4) Plasmodium berghei ANKA until minimum Hb, Balb/c and CBA mice were sacrificed. The spleen, liver, brain, kidney, lung, heart, and muscle were removed, stained with hematoxylin-eosin and analyzed with light microscopy. Previous observation suggested that Balb/c destroyed uRBC at much higher rate than the other strains although the parasitemia was very low. Pathological investigation carried out in this study revealed that this destruction was mainly contributed by the uRBCs as no parasite sequestration was observed in any of the organs. However, malaria pigment deposition was observed in spleen and liver of all the semi-immune mice strains. This histopathological study in the severe malaria anemia model, which is difficult to conduct in humans, will be helpful in taking into account different responses to malaria infection when designing therapeutic interventions and vaccine studies.

Potential of antibody test using Schistosoma mansoni recombinant serpin and RP26 to detect light-intensity infections in endemic areas.

Schistosomiasis remains a worldwide public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The World Health Organization targets the goal for its elimination as a public health problem in the 2030 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Roadmap. Concerted action and agile responses to challenges will be necessary to achieve the targets. Better diagnostic tests can accelerate progress towards the elimination by monitoring disease trends and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions; however, current examinations such as Kato-Katz technique are of limited power to detect light-intensity infections. The point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test shows a higher sensitivity compared to the reference standard, Kato-Katz technique, but it still lacks sufficient sensitivity with low infection intensity. In this study, we examined antibody reactions against recombinant protein antigens; Schistosoma mansoni serine protease-inhibitor (SmSerpin) and RP26, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in plasma samples with light-intensity infection. The sensitivity using the cocktail antigen of recombinant SmSerpin and RP26 showed 83.7%. The sensitivity using S. mansoni soluble egg antigen (SmSEA) was 90.8%, but it showed poor specificity (29.7%), while the cocktail antigen presented improved specificity (61.4%). We conclude that antibody detection to the SmSerpin and RP26 protein antigens is effective to detect S. mansoni light-intensity infections. Our study indicates the potential of detecting antibody against recombinant protein antigens to monitor the transmission of schistosomiasis in low endemicity contexts.

Study on association between genetic polymorphisms of haem oxygenase-1, tumour necrosis factor, cadmium exposure and malaria pathogenicity and severity.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is the most important public health problems in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Haem oxygenase (HO) enzyme and the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF) have been proposed as one of the factors that may play significant role in pathogenicity/severity of malaria infection. HO is the enzyme of the microsomal haem degradation pathway that yields biliverdin, carbon monoxide, and iron. In this study, the association between malaria disease pathogenicity/severity and (GT)n repeat polymorphism in the promoter region of the inducible HO-1 including the effect of cadmium exposure (potent inducer of HO-1 transcription) as well as polymorphism of TNF were investigated. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 329 cases non-severe malaria with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria (UM) and 80 cases with Plasmodium vivax malaria (VM), and 77 cases with severe or cerebral malaria (SM) for analysis of genetic polymorphisms of HO-1 and TNF and cadmium levels. These patients consisted of 123 (25.3%) Thai, 243 (50.0%) Burmese and 120 (24.7%) Karen who were present at Mae Sot General Hospital, Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand. RESULTS: The number of (GT)n repeats of the HO-1 gene in all patients varied between 16 and 39 and categorized to short (S), medium (M) and long (L) GTn repeats. The genotype of (GT)n repeat of HO-1 was found to be significantly different among the three ethnic groups of patients. Significantly higher frequency of S/L genotype was found in Burmese compared with Thai patients, while significantly lower frequencies of S/S and M/L but higher frequency of M/M genotype was observed in Burmese compared with Karen patients. No significant association between HO-1 and TNF polymorphisms including the inducing effect of cadmium and malaria pathogenicity/severity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Difference in the expression of HO-1 genotype in different ethnic groups may contribute to different severity of malaria disease. With this limited sample size, the finding of the lack of association between malaria disease pathogenicity/severity genetic polymorphisms of HO-1 (GT)n repeat as well as TNF observed in this study may not entirely exclude their possible link with malaria disease pathogenicity/severity. Further study in larger sample size is required.

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate concentration to distinguish bacterial from aseptic meningitis: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Making a differential diagnosis between bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis is a critical clinical problem. The utility of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate assay for this purpose has been debated and is not yet routinely clinically performed. To adequately evaluate this assay, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of the CSF lactate concentration as a marker for both bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis was performed. METHODS: Electronic searches in PubMed, Scopus, the MEDION database and the Cochrane Library were conducted to identify relevant articles published before March 2009. A manual search of reference lists from selected articles was also conducted. Two reviewers independently selected relevant articles and extracted data on study characteristics, quality and accuracy. RESULTS: Twenty-five articles were identified that met the eligibility criteria. Diagnostic odds ratios were considerably homogenous (Chi-square P = 0.1009, I(2) = 27.6%), and the homogeneity was further confirmed by a Galbraith plot and meta-regression analysis using several covariates. The symmetrical summary receiver-operator characteristic curve (SROC), fitted using the Moses-Shapiro-Littenberg method, was positioned near the upper left corner of the SROC curve. The Q value and area under the curve were 0.9451 and 0.9840, respectively, indicating excellent accuracy. The diagnostic accuracy of the CSF lactate concentration was higher than those of other four conventional markers (CSF glucose, CSF/plasma glucose quotient, CSF protein, and CSF total number of leukocytes) using a head to head meta-analysis of the 25 included studies. CONCLUSIONS: To distinguish bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis, CSF lactate is a good single indicator and a better marker compared to other conventional markers.

Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells Exacerbate Amebic Liver Abscess in Mice.

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite in the lumen of the human large intestine, occasionally spreads to the liver and induces amebic liver abscesses (ALAs). Upon infection with E. histolytica, high levels of type 2 cytokines are induced in the liver early after infection. However, the sources and functions of these initial type 2 cytokines in ALA formation remain unclear. In this study, we examined the roles of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in ALA formation. Hepatic ILC2 numbers were significantly increased and they produced robust levels of IL-5. The in vivo transfer of ILC2s into Rag2-/-common γ chain (γc)-/- KO mice aggravated ALA formation accompanied by eosinophilia and neutrophilia. Furthermore, IL-33-deficient mice and IL-5-neutralized mice had less ALA formations. These results suggest that ILC2s contribute to exacerbating the pathogenesis of ALA by producing early type 2 cytokines and promoting the accumulation of eosinophils and neutrophils in the liver.

Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi: Snail intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in the Philippines.

Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi is the snail intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in the Philippines. It was discovered by Dr. Marcos Tubangui in 1932 more than two decades after the discovery of the disease in the country in 1906. This review, the first for O. h. quadrasi, presents past and present works on the taxonomy, biology, ecology, control, possible paleogeographic origin of the snail intermediate host and future in research, control and surveillance of the snail. Extensive references are made of other subspecies of O. hupensis such as the subspecies in China for which majority of the advances has been accomplished. Contrasting views on whether the snail is to be considered an independent species of Oncomelania or as one of several subspecies of Oncomelania hupensis are presented. Snail control methods such as chemical methods using synthetic and botanical molluscicides, environmental manipulation and biological control are reviewed. Use of technologies such as Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System and landscape genetics is stressed for snail surveillance. Control and prevention efforts in the Philippines have consistently focused on mass drug administration which has proved inadequate in elimination of the disease. An integrated approach that includes snail control, environmental sanitation and health education has been proposed. Population movement such as migration for employment and economic opportunities and ecotourism and global climate change resulting in heavy rains and flooding challenge the gains of control and elimination efforts. Concern for possible migration of snails to non-endemic areas is expressed given the various changes both natural and mostly man-made favoring habitat expansion.

Meningitis patients with Angiostrongylus cantonensis may present without eosinophilia in the cerebrospinal fluid in northern Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic meningitis (EM) is a rare clinical syndrome caused by both infectious and noninfectious diseases. In tropical pacific countries, Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the most common cause. However, the EM definition varies in the literature, and its relation to parasitic meningitis (PM) remains unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Adult and adolescent patients of 13 years old or above with suspected central nervous system (CNS) infections with abnormal CSF findings were prospectively enrolled at a tertiary referral hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam from June 2012 to May 2014. Patients with EM or suspected PM (EM/PM) were defined by the presence of either ≥10% eosinophils or an absolute eosinophil cell counts of ≥10/mm3 in the CSF or blood eosinophilia (>16% of WBCs) without CSF eosinophils. In total 679 patients were enrolled: 7 (1.03%) had ≥10% CSF eosinophilia, 20 (2.95%) had ≥10/mm3 CSF eosinophilia, and 7 (1.03%) had >16% blood eosinophilia. The patients with ≥10% CSF eosinophilia were significantly younger (p = 0.017), had a lower body temperature (p = 0.036) than patients with ≥10/mm3 CSF eosinophilia among whom bacterial pathogens were detected in 72.2% (13/18) of those who were tested by culture and/or PCR. In contrast, the characteristics of the patients with >16% blood eosinophilia resembled those of patients with ≥10% CSF eosinophilia. We further conducted serological tests and real-time PCR to identify A. cantonensis. Serology or real-time PCR was positive in 3 (42.8%) patients with ≥10% CSF eosinophilia and 6 (85.7%) patients with >16% blood eosinophilia without CSF eosinophils but none of patients with ≥10/mm3 CSF eosinophilia. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of PM in northern Vietnam is A. cantonensis. The eosinophil percentage is a more reliable predictor of parasitic EM than absolute eosinophil count in the CSF. Patients with PM may present with a high percentage of eosinophils in the peripheral blood but not in the CSF.

What does soil-transmitted helminth elimination look like? Results from a targeted molecular detection survey in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Japan is one of the few countries believed to have eliminated soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). In 1949, the national prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was 62.9%, which decreased to 0.6% in 1973 due to improvements in infrastructure, socioeconomic status, and the implementation of national STH control measures. The Parasitosis Prevention Law ended in 1994 and population-level screening ceased in Japan; therefore, current transmission status of STH in Japan is not well characterized. Sporadic cases of STH infections continue to be reported, raising the possibility of a larger-scale recrudescence of STH infections. Given that traditional microscopic detection methods are not sensitive to low-intensity STH infections, we conducted targeted prevalence surveys using sensitive PCR-based assays to evaluate the current STH-transmission status and to describe epidemiological characteristics of areas of Japan believed to have achieved historical elimination of STHs. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 682 preschool- and school-aged children from six localities of Japan with previously high prevalence of STH. Caregivers of participants completed a questionnaire to ascertain access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and potential exposures to environmental contamination. For fecal testing, multi-parallel real-time PCR assays were used to detect infections of Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichiura. RESULTS: Among the 682 children, no positive samples were identified, and participants reported high standards of WASH. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first STH-surveillance study in Japan to use sensitive molecular techniques for STH detection. The results suggest that recrudescence of STH infections has not occurred, and that declines in prevalence have been sustained in the sampled areas. These findings suggest that reductions in prevalence below the elimination thresholds, suggestive of transmission interruption, are possible. Additionally, this study provides circumstantial evidence that multi-parallel real-time PCR methods are applicable for evaluating elimination status in areas where STH prevalence is extremely low.