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Kabululu ML, Johansen MV, Lightowlers M, Trevisan C, Braae UC, Ngowi HA. Aggregation of Taenia solium cysticerci in pigs: Implications for transmission and control. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2023; 22:e00307. [PMID: 37261135 PMCID: PMC10227459 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasite aggregation within hosts is a fundamental feature of parasite distributions, whereby the majority of parasites are harboured by a minority of hosts. Parasite aggregation can influence their transmission and hence control. In this narrative review, possible sources of aggregation of Taenia solium cysticerci in pigs are discussed, along with implications for control of the parasite. While heavy T. solium infections in pigs could most likely be associated with ingestion of high doses of infective parasite eggs, consistent with coprophagic behaviour of pigs, lighter infections indicate a role of indirect routes of transmission to pigs, mostly from lower infection doses. Light infections are likely to be missed by commonly used diagnostic methods - tongue examination or meat inspection - and end up in the food chain. Hence, they entail a 'hidden' risk and are of a particular public health concern, especially in areas where meat is consumed raw or undercooked. To be effective and sustainable, control strategies against T. solium likely require a broader understanding of, and consideration for parasite transmission dynamics. More importantly, a holistic One Health approach incorporating interventions on humans, pigs and the environment will likely have a larger, more successful and sustainable impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marshall Lightowlers
- Department of Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Uffe C. Braae
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Helena A. Ngowi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Southall WR, Southall MS, Aldaas MB, Sagi V, Akella PV. Triggered: Discovery of Neurocysticercosis Following Self-Administered Albendazole. Cureus 2023; 15:e43746. [PMID: 37727167 PMCID: PMC10506364 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A 25-year-old man with no medical history presented with a seizure one month after taking a self-administered dose of albendazole. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed multiple ring-enhancing lesions, and the workup confirmed neurocysticercosis (NCC). Treatment with antiparasitics was delayed due to concern for worsening symptoms from the presence of cysts in the midbrain and hippocampus. The balance between treating NCC and limiting cerebral inflammation is delicate and relies on judgment from a multispecialty clinical team. In this case, corticosteroids and antiepileptics alone prevented additional seizures but failed to reduce the overall inflammation of cysts and the progression of the disease. Evidence of new cysts on MRI at week 13 from the onset of symptoms was evidence of an acute, evolving infectious process. Treatment with albendazole and praziquantel was initiated at 13 weeks from the onset of symptoms, and by 31 weeks, nearly all cysts had resolved with minimal residual inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohamad B Aldaas
- Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, USA
| | - Vishwanath Sagi
- Neurology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, USA
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Garcia HH, Verastegui MR, Arroyo G, Bustos JA, Gilman RH. New animal models of neurocysticercosis can help understand epileptogenesis in neuroinfection. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1039083. [PMID: 36466808 PMCID: PMC9708716 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1039083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hector H. Garcia
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru,Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru,Asociación Benéfica PRISMA, Lima, Peru,*Correspondence: Hector H. Garcia
| | - Manuela R. Verastegui
- Alberto Cazorla School of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Gianfranco Arroyo
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru,Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Javier A. Bustos
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru,Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Robert H. Gilman
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Sitali MC, Schmidt V, Mwenda R, Sikasunge CS, Mwape KE, Simuunza MC, da Costa CP, Winkler AS, Phiri IK. Experimental animal models and their use in understanding cysticercosis: A systematic review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271232. [PMID: 35853079 PMCID: PMC9295976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cysticercosis and Neurocysticercosis (NCC) can be studied using several animal species in experimental models which contributes to the understanding of the human form of the disease. Experimental infections of Taenia spp. are vital in explaining the modes of transmission of the parasite and helps the understanding of transmission of the parasite in humans and thus may be useful in designing therapeutic and immune-prophylactic studies to combat the disease. Thus, this systematic review aims to explore the existing experimental animal models to the understanding of cysticercosis in both humans and animals and elucidate the risk factors of cysticercosis and identify the Taenia spp. used in these models. METHODOLOGY We systematically identified all publications from the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Pubmed regarding experimental animal models using Taenia spp. that cause cysticercosis in both humans and animals. 58 studies were identified for eligibility. Of these, only 48 studies met the inclusion criteria from which data extraction was done and presented descriptively. RESULTS Pigs, cattle, gerbils, mice, rats, voles, monkeys, cats, dogs, and goats were used in which T. solium, T. saginata, T. saginata asiatica, T. crassiceps and T. asiatica were studied. The routes used to induce disease were; oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intraarterial, intracranial, intraduodenal, and surgical routes using eggs, oncospheres, and proglottids. Besides, the establishment of infection using eggs and oncospheres was affected by the route used to induce infection in the experimental animals. The cysticerci recovery rate in all the experimental studies was low and the number of animals used in these experiments varied from 1 to 84. Although not analysed statistically, sex, age, and breed of animals influenced the cysticerci recovery rate. Additionally, the cysticerci recovery rate and antibody-antigen levels were shown to increase with an increase in the dose of oncospheres and eggs inoculated in the animals. Contrasting results were reported in which the cysticerci recovery rate decreased with an increase in the dose of eggs inoculated. CONCLUSION This review describes the various animal experiments using Taenia species that cause cysticercosis highlighting the animals used, age and their breed, the routes of infection used to induce disease and the sample size used, and the cysticerci recovery rate in these animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muloongo C. Sitali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Racheal Mwenda
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chummy S. Sikasunge
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kabemba E. Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Martin C. Simuunza
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Clarissa P. da Costa
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea S. Winkler
- Department of Neurology, Centre for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Isaac K. Phiri
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Arroyo G, Toribio L, Vargas-Calla A, Calcina JF, Bernal E, Chile N, Zambrano M, Gomez-Puerta LA, Chacaltana J, Marzal M, Bustos JA, Verastegui MR, Gilman RH, O’Neal SE, Gonzalez AE, Garcia HH. Porcine model of neurocysticercosis by intracarotid injection of Taenia solium oncospheres: Dose assessment, infection outcomes and serological responses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010449. [PMID: 35653367 PMCID: PMC9162370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the infection of the human central nervous system (CNS) by Taenia solium larvae that cause significant neurological morbidity. Studies on NCC pathophysiology, host-parasite interactions or therapeutic agents are limited by the lack of suitable animal models. We have previously reported that carotid injection of activated T. solium oncospheres directs parasites into the CNS and consistently reproduces NCC. This study assessed the minimal dose required to consistently obtain NCC by intracarotid oncosphere injection and compared antigen and antibody response profiles by dose-group. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Three groups of pigs were infected with either 2500 (n = 10), 5000 (n = 11), or 10000 (n = 10) oncospheres. Two pigs died during the study. Necropsy exam at day 150 post-infection (PI) demonstrated viable NCC in 21/29 pigs (72.4%), with higher NCC rates with increasing oncosphere doses (4/9 [44.4%], 9/11 [81.8%] and 8/9 [88.9%] for 2500, 5000, and 10000 oncospheres respectively, P for trend = 0.035). CNS cyst burden was also higher in pigs with increasing doses (P for trend = 0.008). Viable and degenerated muscle cysticerci were also found in all pigs, with degenerated cysticerci more frequent in the 2500 oncosphere dose-group. All pigs were positive for circulating parasite antigens on ELISA (Ag-ELISA) from day 14 PI; circulating antigens markedly increased at day 30 PI and remained high with plateau levels in pigs infected with either 5000 or 10000 oncospheres, but not in pigs infected with 2500 oncospheres. Specific antibodies appeared at day 30 PI and were not different between dose-groups. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Intracarotid injection of 5000 or more oncospheres produces high NCC rates in pigs with CNS cyst burdens like those usually found in human NCC, making this model appropriate for studies on the pathogenesis of NCC and the effects of antiparasitic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Arroyo
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Luz Toribio
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- * E-mail:
| | - Ana Vargas-Calla
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Juan F. Calcina
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Edson Bernal
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory Research-LID, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Nancy Chile
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory Research-LID, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Miguel Zambrano
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Luis A. Gomez-Puerta
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Juan Chacaltana
- Department of Imaging Diagnosis, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas de Lima, Lima, Peru
| | - Miguel Marzal
- School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Javier A. Bustos
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Manuela R. Verastegui
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory Research-LID, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Robert H. Gilman
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Seth E. O’Neal
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Sciences University-Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Armando E. Gonzalez
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Hector H. Garcia
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru
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Andrade-Mogrovejo DA, Gonzales-Gustavson E, Ho-Palma AC, Prada JM, Bonnet G, Pizzitutti F, Gomez-Puerta LA, Arroyo G, O’Neal SE, Garcia HH, Guitian J, Gonzalez A. Development of a dose-response model for porcine cysticercosis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264898. [PMID: 35286329 PMCID: PMC8920259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium is an important cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide and remains endemic in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Transmission of this parasite is still poorly understood despite the design of infection experiments to improve our knowledge of the disease, with estimates for critical epidemiological parameters, such as the probability of human-to-pig infection after exposure to eggs, still lacking. In this paper, a systematic review was carried out and eight pig infection experiments were analyzed to describe the probability of developing cysts. These experiments included different pathways of inoculation: with ingestion of proglottids, eggs, and beetles that ingested eggs, and direct injection of activated oncospheres into the carotid artery. In these experiments, different infective doses were used, and the numbers of viable and degenerated cysts in the body and brain of each pig were registered. Five alternative dose-response models (exponential, logistic, log-logistic, and exact and approximate beta-Poisson) were assessed for their accuracy in describing the observed probabilities of cyst development as a function of the inoculation dose. Dose-response models were developed separately for the presence of three types of cysts (any, viable only, and cysts in the brain) and considered for each of the four inoculation methods ("Proglottids", "Eggs", "Beetles" and "Carotid"). The exact beta-Poisson model best fit the data for the three types of cysts and all relevant exposure pathways. However, observations for some exposure pathways were too scarce to reliably define a dose-response curve with any model. A wide enough range of doses and sufficient sample sizes was only found for the "Eggs" pathway and a merged "Oral" pathway combining the "Proglottids", "Eggs" and "Beetles" pathways. Estimated parameter values from this model suggest that a low infective dose is sufficient to result in a 50% probability for the development of any cyst or for viable cyst infections. Although this is a preliminary model reliant on a limited dataset, the parameters described in this manuscript should contribute to the design of future experimental infections related to T. solium transmission, as well as the parameterization of simulation models of transmission aimed at informing control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A. Andrade-Mogrovejo
- Department of Animal and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Eloy Gonzales-Gustavson
- Department of Animal and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
- Tropical and Highlands Veterinary Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
- * E-mail:
| | - Ana C. Ho-Palma
- Department of Human Medicine, School of Human Medicine, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo, Peru
| | - Joaquín M. Prada
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Gabrielle Bonnet
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University and Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Francesco Pizzitutti
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University and Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Luis A. Gomez-Puerta
- Department of Animal and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Gianfranco Arroyo
- Center for Global Health Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, San Martín de Porres, Peru
| | - Seth E. O’Neal
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University and Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- Center for Global Health Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, San Martín de Porres, Peru
| | - Hector H. Garcia
- Center for Global Health Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, San Martín de Porres, Peru
- Cysticercosis Unit, National Institute of Neurological Sciences, Lima, Peru
| | - Javier Guitian
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Armando Gonzalez
- Department of Animal and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
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Dixon MA, Winskill P, Harrison WE, Basáñez MG. Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis: From parasite biology and immunology to diagnosis and control. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 112:133-217. [PMID: 34024358 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Infection with the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is responsible for a substantial global burden of disease, not only restricted to its impact on human health, but also resulting in a considerable economic burden to smallholder pig farmers due to pig cysticercosis infection. The life-cycle, parasitology and immunology of T. solium are complex, involving pigs (the intermediate host, harbouring the larval metacestode stage), humans (the definitive host, harbouring the adult tapeworm, in addition to acting as accidental intermediate hosts) and the environment (the source of infection with eggs/proglottids). We review the parasitology, immunology, and epidemiology of the infection associated with each of the T. solium life-cycle stages, including the pre-adult/adult tapeworm responsible for human taeniasis; post-oncosphere and cysticercus associated with porcine and human cysticercosis, and the biological characteristics of eggs in the environment. We discuss the burden associated, in endemic settings, with neurocysticercosis (NCC) in humans, and the broader cross-sectoral economic impact associated both with NCC and porcine cysticercosis, the latter impacting food-value chains. Existing tools for diagnostics and control interventions that target different stages of the T. solium transmission cycle are reviewed and their limitations discussed. Currently, no national T. solium control programmes have been established in endemic areas, with further work required to identify optimal strategies according to epidemiological setting. There is increasing evidence suggesting that cross-sectoral interventions which target the parasite in both the human and pig host provide the most effective approaches for achieving control and ultimately elimination. We discuss future avenues for research on T. solium to support the attainment of the goals proposed in the revised World Health Organisation neglected tropical diseases roadmap for 2021-2030 adopted at the 73rd World Health Assembly in November 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Dixon
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Schistosomiasis Control Initiative Foundation (SCI Foundation), London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Winskill
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy E Harrison
- Schistosomiasis Control Initiative Foundation (SCI Foundation), London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria-Gloria Basáñez
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Garcia HH, Gonzalez AE, Gilman RH. Taenia solium Cysticercosis and Its Impact in Neurological Disease. Clin Microbiol Rev 2020; 33:e00085-19. [PMID: 32461308 PMCID: PMC7254859 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00085-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium neurocysticercosis (NCC) is endemic in most of the world and contributes significantly to the burden of epilepsy and other neurological morbidity. Also present in developed countries because of immigration and travel, NCC is one of few diseases targeted for eradication. This paper reviews all aspects of its life cycle (taeniasis, porcine cysticercosis, human cysticercosis), with a focus on recent advances in its diagnosis, management, and control. Diagnosis of taeniasis is limited by poor availability of immunological or molecular assays. Diagnosis of NCC rests on neuroimaging findings, supported by serological assays. The treatment of NCC should be approached in the context of the particular type of infection (intra- or extraparenchymal; number, location, and stage of lesions) and has evolved toward combined symptomatic and antiparasitic management, with particular attention to modulating inflammation. Research on NCC and particularly the use of recently available genome data and animal models of infection should help to elucidate mechanisms of brain inflammation, damage, and epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector H Garcia
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Armando E Gonzalez
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Robert H Gilman
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article discusses select helminthic parasitic infections that may affect the central nervous system and reviews the epidemiology, neurologic presentation, recommended diagnostic testing, and treatment approach to these infections. RECENT FINDINGS Emigration from and travel to areas endemic for helminthic infections that affect the nervous system has led to increased incidence of parasitic neurologic disease in developed countries, necessitating that neurologists be familiar with the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to these diseases. Evidence is emerging on the optimal treatment for neurocysticercosis, which varies based on the form of the disease in the nervous system. SUMMARY Parenchymal neurocysticercosis is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide, and extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis is responsible for many cases of hydrocephalus. Recognition of the different stages and locations of neurocysticercosis is essential for proper management. Similarly, schistosomiasis constitutes a major cause of myelopathy in endemic areas and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid permanent deficits.
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Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) occurs following brain infection by larvae of the cestode Taenia solium. It is the leading cause of preventable epilepsy worldwide and therefore constitutes a critical health challenge with significant global relevance. Despite this, much is still unknown about many key pathogenic aspects of the disease, including how cerebral infection with T. solium results in the development of seizures. Over the past century, valuable mechanistic insights have been generated using both clinical studies and animal models. In this review, we critically assess model systems for investigating disease processes in NCC. We explore the respective strengths and weaknesses of each model and summarize how they have contributed to current knowledge of the disease. We call for the continued development of animal models of NCC, with a focus on novel strategies for understanding this debilitating but often neglected disorder.
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Alroy KA, Arroyo G, Gilman RH, Gonzales-Gustavson E, Gallegos L, Gavidia CM, Verastegui M, Rodriguez S, Lopez T, Gomez-Puerta LA, Alroy J, Garcia HH, Gonzalez AE, For The Cysticercosis Working Group In Peru. Carotid Taenia solium Oncosphere Infection: A Novel Porcine Neurocysticercosis Model. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 99:380-387. [PMID: 29893202 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC), the infection of the human central nervous system (CNS) with larval cysts of Taenia solium causes widespread neurological morbidity. Animal models are crucial for studying the pathophysiology and treatment of NCC. Some drawbacks of current NCC models include differences in the pathogenesis of the model and wild-type parasite, low rates of infection efficiency and lack of reproducibility. We describe a novel porcine model that recreates infection in the CNS with high efficiency. Activated oncospheres, either in a high (45,000-50,000) or low (10,000) dose were inoculated in the common carotid artery of 12 pigs by ultrasound-guided catheterization. Following oncosphere injection, either a high (30 mL) or low (1-3 mL) volume of saline flush was also administered. Cyst burden in the CNS was evaluated independently according to oncosphere dose and flush volume. Neurocysticercosis was achieved in 8/12 (66.7%) pigs. Cyst burden in the CNS of pigs was higher in the high versus the low oncosphere dose category (median: 4.5; interquartile ranges [IQR]: 1-8 and median: 1; IQR: 0-4, respectively) and in the high versus the low flush volume category (median 5.5; IQR: 1-8 and median: 1; IQR: 0-2, respectively), although not statistically different. All cysts in the CNS were viable, whereas both viable and degenerated cysts were found in the musculature. Carotid injection of activated oncospheres in pigs is effective in reproducing NCC. Oncosphere entry into the CNS by way of vasculature mimics wild-type infection, and provides a useful alternative for future investigations on the pathogenesis and antiparasitic treatment of NCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Alroy
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gianfranco Arroyo
- School of Public Health and Management, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Robert H Gilman
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Linda Gallegos
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Cesar M Gavidia
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Manuela Verastegui
- Departments of Pathology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Silvia Rodriguez
- Microbiology of the School of Science, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Teresa Lopez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Luis A Gomez-Puerta
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Joseph Alroy
- School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hector H Garcia
- Microbiology of the School of Science, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Armando E Gonzalez
- Microbiology of the School of Science, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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Arora N, Tripathi S, Kumar P, Mondal P, Mishra A, Prasad A. Recent advancements and new perspectives in animal models for Neurocysticercosis immunopathogenesis. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28467600 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC), one of the most common parasitic diseases of the central nervous system, is caused by Taenia solium. This parasite involves two hosts, intermediate hosts (pig and human) and a definitive host (human) and has various stages in its complex life cycle (eggs, oncosphere, cysticerci and adult tapeworm). Hence, developing an animal model for T. solium that mimics its natural course of infection is quite challenging. We have reviewed here the animal models frequently used to study immunopathogenesis of cysticercosis and also discussed their usefulness for NCC studies. We found that researchers have used mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, cats and pigs as models for this disease with varying degrees of success. Mice and rats models have been utilized extensively for immunopathogenesis studies due to their relative ease of handling and abundance of commercially available reagents to study these small animal models. These models have provided some very exciting results for in-depth understanding of the disease. Of late, the experimentally/naturally infected swine model is turning out to be the best animal model as the disease progression closely resembles human infection in pigs. However, handling large experimental animals has its own challenges and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Arora
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - S Tripathi
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - P Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - P Mondal
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - A Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, India
| | - A Prasad
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
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Identifying wildlife reservoirs of neglected taeniid tapeworms: Non-invasive diagnosis of endemic Taenia serialis infection in a wild primate population. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005709. [PMID: 28704366 PMCID: PMC5526605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the global distribution and public health consequences of Taenia tapeworms, the life cycles of taeniids infecting wildlife hosts remain largely undescribed. The larval stage of Taenia serialis commonly parasitizes rodents and lagomorphs, but has been reported in a wide range of hosts that includes geladas (Theropithecus gelada), primates endemic to Ethiopia. Geladas exhibit protuberant larval cysts indicative of advanced T. serialis infection that are associated with high mortality. However, non-protuberant larvae can develop in deep tissue or the abdominal cavity, leading to underestimates of prevalence based solely on observable cysts. We adapted a non-invasive monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect circulating Taenia spp. antigen in dried gelada urine. Analysis revealed that this assay was highly accurate in detecting Taenia antigen, with 98.4% specificity, 98.5% sensitivity, and an area under the curve of 0.99. We used this assay to investigate the prevalence of T. serialis infection in a wild gelada population, finding that infection is substantially more widespread than the occurrence of visible T. serialis cysts (16.4% tested positive at least once, while only 6% of the same population exhibited cysts). We examined whether age or sex predicted T. serialis infection as indicated by external cysts and antigen presence. Contrary to the female-bias observed in many Taenia-host systems, we found no significant sex bias in either cyst presence or antigen presence. Age, on the other hand, predicted cyst presence (older individuals were more likely to show cysts) but not antigen presence. We interpret this finding to indicate that T. serialis may infect individuals early in life but only result in visible disease later in life. This is the first application of an antigen ELISA to the study of larval Taenia infection in wildlife, opening the doors to the identification and description of infection dynamics in reservoir populations. Although tapeworm parasites of the genus Taenia are globally distributed and inflict enormous socioeconomic and health costs on their hosts, which include humans, little is known about taeniid tapeworms that infect wildlife. This gap in knowledge prevents an assessment of the potential for these parasites to infect humans and production animals and is largely due to the difficulty of conducting standard diagnostic tests on wildlife. To address this gap, we adapted a standard diagnostic assay to be used with dried urine samples. We used urine from geladas, primates endemic to Ethiopia, which are frequently infected with the larval stage of a taeniid tapeworm and exhibit protuberant cysts during advanced infection. The use of this diagnostic test in a wild gelada population allowed us to detect that individuals can be infected without exhibiting observable cysts, and that some individuals may control infection in its early stages. This tool provides information about how a neglected tapeworm functions in a wildlife system and opens the door to the non-invasive identification of tapeworm reservoir hosts that may threaten humans.
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Gonzalez AE, Bustos JA, Garcia HH, Rodriguez S, Zimic M, Castillo Y, Praet N, Gabriël S, Gilman RH, Dorny P. Successful Antiparasitic Treatment for Cysticercosis is Associated with a Fast and Marked Reduction of Circulating Antigen Levels in a Naturally Infected Pig Model. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2015; 93:1305-10. [PMID: 26392159 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium cysticercosis is a common parasitic infection of humans and pigs. We evaluated the posttreatment evolution of circulating parasite-specific antigen titers in 693 consecutive blood samples from 50 naturally infected cysticercotic pigs, which received different regimes of antiparasitic drugs (N = 39, 7 groups), prednisone (N = 5), or controls (N = 6). Samples were collected from baseline to week 10 after treatment, when pigs were euthanized and carefully dissected at necropsy. Antigen levels decreased proportionally to the efficacy of treatment and correlated with the remaining viable cysts at necropsy (Pearson's p = 0.67, P = 0.000). A decrease of 5 times in antigen levels (logarithmic scale) compared with baseline was found in 20/26 pigs free of cysts at necropsy, compared with 1/24 of those who had persisting viable cysts (odds ratio [OR] = 76.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.1-3308.6, P < 0.001). Antigen monitoring reflects the course of infection in the pig. If a similar correlation exists in infected humans, this assay may provide a minimally invasive and easy monitoring assay to assess disease evolution and efficacy of antiparasitic treatment in human neurocysticercosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando E Gonzalez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Javier A Bustos
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hector H Garcia
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Silvia Rodriguez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mirko Zimic
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yesenia Castillo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicolas Praet
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert H Gilman
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú; Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Unidad de Bioinformática, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Perú; Instituto Peruano de Parasitología Clínica y Experimental, Lima, Perú; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Fleury A, Trejo A, Cisneros H, García-Navarrete R, Villalobos N, Hernández M, Villeda Hernández J, Hernández B, Rosas G, Bobes RJ, S. de Aluja A, Sciutto E, Fragoso G. Taenia solium: Development of an Experimental Model of Porcine Neurocysticercosis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003980. [PMID: 26252878 PMCID: PMC4529300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human neurocysticercosis (NC) is caused by the establishment of Taenia solium larvae in the central nervous system. NC is a severe disease still affecting the population in developing countries of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. While great improvements have been made on NC diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, the management of patients affected by extraparenchymal parasites remains a challenge. The development of a T. solium NC experimental model in pigs that will allow the evaluation of new therapeutic alternatives is herein presented. Activated oncospheres (either 500 or 1000) were surgically implanted in the cerebral subarachnoid space of piglets. The clinical status and the level of serum antibodies in the animals were evaluated for a 4-month period after implantation. The animals were sacrificed, cysticerci were counted during necropsy, and both the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of cysts were described. Based on the number of established cysticerci, infection efficiency ranged from 3.6% (1000 oncospheres) to 5.4% (500 oncospheres). Most parasites were caseous or calcified (38/63, 60.3%) and were surrounded by an exacerbated inflammatory response with lymphocyte infiltration and increased inflammatory markers. The infection elicited specific antibodies but no neurological signs. This novel experimental model of NC provides a useful tool to evaluate new cysticidal and anti-inflammatory approaches and it should improve the management of severe NC patients, refractory to the current treatments. Neurocysticercosis (NC) is caused by the implantation of the larval stage of Taenia solium in the human central nervous system. Although NC diagnosis, treatment, and prevention have clearly improved in the last 40 years, the disease still causes significant morbidity and mortality in endemic regions of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. In industrialized countries, the number of diagnosed cases has increased in recent years due to immigration. In this paper, we introduce a new experimental model of T. solium neurocysticercosis in pigs. Activated oncospheres were surgically implanted in the subarachnoid space of the cerebral convexity in piglets. Then, the animals were observed during 4 months. An increase in anti-cysticercal antibodies was detected, along with an inflammatory reaction surrounding the established parasites. This experimental model of T. solium NC will improve our knowledge on the pathogenesis of the disease; additionally, it will let us evaluate new promising treatments for inflammation and improve the effectiveness of cysticidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnès Fleury
- Unidad Periférica del Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en el Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
- Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Secretaría de Salud, México D.F., México
- * E-mail:
| | - Armando Trejo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
| | - Humberto Cisneros
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
| | - Roberto García-Navarrete
- Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, México D.F., México
- Hospital General Naval de Alta Especialidad, Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR), México D.F., México
| | - Nelly Villalobos
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
| | - Marisela Hernández
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
| | | | - Beatriz Hernández
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
| | - Gabriela Rosas
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Morelos, México
| | - Raul J. Bobes
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
| | - Aline S. de Aluja
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
| | - Edda Sciutto
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
| | - Gladis Fragoso
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México
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Abstract
The infection of the nervous system by the cystic larvae of Taenia solium (neurocysticercosis) is a frequent cause of seizure disorders. Neurocysticercosis is endemic or presumed to be endemic in many low-income countries. The lifecycle of the worm and the clinical manifestations of neurocysticercosis are well established, and CT and MRI have substantially improved knowledge of the disease course. Improvements in immunodiagnosis have further advanced comprehension of the pathophysiology of this disease. This knowledge has led to individualised treatment approaches that account for the involvement of parenchymal or extraparenchymal spaces, the number and form of parasites, and the extent of degeneration and associated inflammation. Clinical investigations are focused on development of effective treatments and reduction of side-effects induced by treatment, such as seizures, hydrocephalus, infarcts, and neuroinjury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector H Garcia
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru; Centre for Global Health-Tumbes and Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
| | - Theodore E Nash
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Oscar H Del Brutto
- School of Medicine, Universidad Espíritu Santo-Ecuador, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Department of Neurological Sciences, Hospital-Clínica Kennedy, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Rojas R, Segovia C, Trombert AN, Santander J, Manque P. The effect of tunicamycin on the glucose uptake, growth, and cellular adhesion in the protozoan parasite Crithidia fasciculata. Curr Microbiol 2014; 69:541-8. [PMID: 24894907 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-014-0620-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Crithidia fasciculata represents a very interesting model organism to study biochemical, cellular, and genetic processes unique to members of the family of the Trypanosomatidae. Thus, C. fasciculata parasitizes several species of insects and has been widely used to test new therapeutic strategies against parasitic infections. By using tunicamycin, a potent inhibitor of glycosylation in asparaginyl residues of glycoproteins (N-glycosylation), we demonstrate that N-glycosylation in C. fasciculata cells is involved in modulating glucose uptake, dramatically impacting growth, and cell adhesion. C. fasciculata treated with tunicamycin was severely affected in their ability to replicate and to adhere to polystyrene substrates and losing their ability to aggregate into small and large groups. Moreover, under tunicamycin treatment, the parasites were considerably shorter and rounder and displayed alterations in cytoplasmic vesicles formation. Furthermore, glucose uptake was significantly impaired in a tunicamycin dose-dependent manner; however, no cytotoxic effect was observed. Interestingly, this effect was reversible. Thus, when tunicamycin was removed from the culture media, the parasites recovered its growth rate, cell adhesion properties, and glucose uptake. Collectively, these results suggest that changes in the tunicamycin-dependent glycosylation levels can influence glucose uptake, cell growth, and adhesion in the protozoan parasite C. fasciculata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Rojas
- Nucleus for Microbiology and Immunity, Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Campus Huechuraba, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile,
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Singh AK, Prasad KN, Prasad A, Tripathi M, Gupta RK, Husain N. Immune responses to viable and degenerative metacestodes of Taenia solium in naturally infected swine. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:1101-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Rasamoelina-Andriamanivo H, Porphyre V, Jambou R. Control of cysticercosis in Madagascar: beware of the pitfalls. Trends Parasitol 2013; 29:538-47. [PMID: 24145061 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2013.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Taenia solium cysticercosis is a zoonosis of public health importance in areas where the disease is endemic, with significant economic impacts on human health and the swine industry. Several gaps remain in the epidemiology of the parasite and the strategies of control in developing countries. We detail the key factors to consider in Madagascar in terms of the porcine husbandry system, Taenia transmission cycle, and diagnosis of cysticercosis in pigs, in order to better estimate the sanitary and economic impacts of this parasitic disease as well as to define an integrated control program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harentsoaniaina Rasamoelina-Andriamanivo
- FOFIFA, Département de Recherches Zootechniques et Vétérinaires, Antananarivo, Madagascar; Département Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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20
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Gavidia CM, Verastegui MR, Garcia HH, Lopez-Urbina T, Tsang VCW, Pan W, Gilman RH, Gonzalez AE. Relationship between serum antibodies and Taenia solium larvae burden in pigs raised in field conditions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2192. [PMID: 23658848 PMCID: PMC3642188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serological tests have been used for the diagnosis of Taenia solium infection in pigs. However, those serological results do not necessarily correlate with the actual infection burden after performing pig necropsy. This study aimed to evaluate the Electro Immuno Transfer Blot (EITB) seropositivity with infection burden in naturally infected pigs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In an endemic area of Peru, 476 pigs were sampled. Seroprevalence was 60.5 ± 4.5% with a statistically higher proportion of positive older pigs (>8 months) than young pigs. The logistic model showed that pigs >8 month of age were 2.5 times more likely to be EITB-positive than ≤ 8 months. A subset of 84 seropositive pigs were necropsied, with 45.2% (38/84) positive to 1-2 bands, 46.4% (39/84) to 3 bands, and 8.3% (7/84) to 4+ bands. 41 out of 84 positive pigs were negative to necropsy (48.8%) and 43 (51%) had one or more cysts (positive predictive value). Older pigs showed more moderate and heavy infection burdens compared to younger pigs. In general, regardless of the age of the pig, the probability of having more cysts (parasite burden) increases proportionally with the number of EITB bands. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The probability of being necropsy-positive increased with the number of bands, and age. Therefore, the EITB is a measure of exposure rather than a test to determine the real prevalence of cysticercosis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar M Gavidia
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, San Borja, Lima, Peru.
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Immunodiagnosis of neurocysticercosis: ways to focus on the challenge. J Biomed Biotechnol 2011; 2011:516042. [PMID: 22131808 PMCID: PMC3205906 DOI: 10.1155/2011/516042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Revised: 08/22/2011] [Accepted: 08/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a disease of the central nervous system that is considered a public health problem in endemic areas. The definitive diagnosis of this disease is made using a combination of tools that include imaging of the brain and immunodiagnostic tests, but the facilities for performing them are usually not available in endemic areas. The immunodiagnosis of NCC is a useful tool that can provide important information on whether a patient is infected or not, but it presents many drawbacks as not all infected patients can be detected. These tests rely on purified or semipurified antigens that are sometimes difficult to prepare. Recent efforts have focused on the production of recombinant or synthetic antigens for the immunodiagnosis of NCC and interesting studies propose the use of new elements as nanobodies for diagnostic purposes. However, an immunodiagnostic test that can be considered as "gold standard" has not been developed so far. The complex nature of cysticercotic disease and the simplicity of common immunological assumptions involved explain the low scores and reproducibility of immunotests in the diagnosis of NCC. Here, the most important efforts for developing an immunodiagnostic test of NCC are listed and discussed. A more punctilious strategy based on the design of panels of confirmed positive and negative samples, the use of blind tests, and a worldwide effort is proposed in order to develop an immunodiagnostic test that can provide comparable results. The identification of a set of specific and representative antigens of T. solium and a thorough compilation of the many forms of antibody response of humans to the many forms of T. solium disease are also stressed as necessary.
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22
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Sciutto E, Rosas G, Cruz-Revilla C, Toledo A, Cervantes J, Hernández M, Hernándezt B, Goldbaum FA, de Aluja AS, Fragoso G, Larralde C. Renewed hope for a vaccine against the intestinal adult Taenia solium. J Parasitol 2010; 93:824-31. [PMID: 17918361 DOI: 10.1645/ge-1018r1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Review of experimental and observational evidence about various cestode infections of mammalian hosts revives hope for the development of an effective vaccine against adult intestinal tapeworms, the central protagonists in their transmission dynamics. As for Taenia solium, there are abundant immunological data regarding cysticercosis in humans and pigs, but information about human taeniasis is scarce. A single publication reporting protection against T. solium taeniasis by experimental primo infection and by vaccination of an experimental foster host, the immunocompetent female hamster, kindles the hope of a vaccine against the tapeworm to be used in humans, its only natural definitive host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edda Sciutto
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 70228, DF México.
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23
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Neurocysticercosis, IgG immunoglobulins, and nitric oxide. Parasitol Res 2010; 106:1287-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1793-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2009] [Accepted: 02/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Bobes RJ, Fragoso G, Reyes-Montes MDR, Duarte-Escalante E, Vega R, de Aluja AS, Zúñiga G, Morales J, Larralde C, Sciutto E. Genetic diversity of Taenia solium cysticerci from naturally infected pigs of central Mexico. Vet Parasitol 2009; 168:130-5. [PMID: 19963321 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2009] [Revised: 10/29/2009] [Accepted: 11/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to explore if each individual case of naturally acquired porcine cysticercosis, living in different geographic rural areas of central Mexico, is caused by one or more different specimens of Taenia solium tapeworm. The genetic variability among cysticerci from the same pig and that from different pigs was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers (RAPDs), through the percentage of polymorphic loci, the number of effective alleles, the expected heterozygosity and the Shannon index. The parasite population's reproductive structure was estimated through the association index (I(A)), and the degree of genetic differentiation and variation was determined using AMOVA. Using six different random primers, and a total of 181 cysticerci from 14 pigs, 88 different loci were amplified: 85% were polymorphic between pigs and 24% within pigs. The phenogram grouped the cysticerci into eight major clusters, with differences in the genetic distances among all cysticerci from 14 pigs ranging from 0.78 to 1. Most of the cysticerci grouped in accord with their different geographical origin and with their pig of origin. The similarity matrix produced from the phenogram (obtained by UPGMA) and the original similarity matrix yielded a good cophenetic correlation (r=0.82317, P=0.0004), which suggests that the phenogram accurately represents the original genetic similarities between isolates. The combination of I(A) (0.0-0.089) with the genetic diversity index (0.009-0.073) supports the idea that DNA diversity in T. solium cysticerci of naturally infected pigs is within the range expected from a recombination process occurring during sexual reproduction. The small genetic diversity found within the cysticerci of each pig (33.81%), when compared with that between pigs (66.19%), indicates that pigs are rarely infected by different tapeworms. It would then appear that porcine cysticercosis courses with effective concomitant immunity, as occurs in ovine cysticercosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl J Bobes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., Mexico.
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Conlan JV, Vongxay K, Fenwick S, Blacksell SD, Thompson RA. Does interspecific competition have a moderating effect on Taenia solium transmission dynamics in Southeast Asia? Trends Parasitol 2009; 25:398-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2009.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2008] [Revised: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 06/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Gomes AB, Soares KA, Bueno EC, Espindola NM, Iha AH, Maia AAM, Peralta RHS, Vaz AJ. Comparative evaluation of different immunoassays for the detection of Taenia solium cysticercosis in swine with low parasite burden. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2007; 102:725-31. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762007005000085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2007] [Accepted: 06/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Prabhakaran V, Rajshekhar V, Murrell KD, Oommen A. Conformation-sensitive immunoassays improve the serodiagnosis of solitary cysticercus granuloma in Indian patients. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2006; 101:570-7. [PMID: 17169388 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2006.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2006] [Revised: 10/12/2006] [Accepted: 10/12/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC), infection of the central nervous system with larva of Taenia solium, presents in over 60% of patients in India as a solitary cysticercus granuloma (SCG). The low cyst number in these patients frequently results in an insignificant humoral response. Consequently, serological tests for patients with SCG must consider the detection of low antibody levels. Lentil lectin-specific T. solium glycoproteins of molecular weights 50, 38, 24, 18, 14 and 13 kDa are specific antigens for cysticercus antibodies in serological tests for NCC, however they do not detect antibodies in 40% of patients with SCG. To improve this rate of detection, the conformations of these protein antigens were altered to unmask additional epitopes available for antibody binding. Secondary structures of the proteins induced by reduction of disulfide bonds led to the loss of conformational epitopes necessary for cysticercus antibody recognition. Urea-induced tertiary conformations of the antigenic proteins led to the detection of antibodies in 46% of 60 patients with SCG who were serologically negative on immunoblots when the antigens were used in quaternary conformation. Conformation-sensitive immunoassays show potential for serodiagnosis of patients with SCG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasudevan Prabhakaran
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632 004, India
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Prasad KN, Chawla S, Prasad A, Tripathi M, Husain N, Gupta RK. Clinical signs for identification of neurocysticercosis in swine naturally infected with Taenia solium. Parasitol Int 2006; 55:151-4. [PMID: 16516537 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2006.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2005] [Revised: 01/10/2006] [Accepted: 01/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Taenia solium infection is a zoonotic disease and swine is the natural intermediate host. Till date no literatures have described clinical signs in swine indicative of brain involvement by cysticerci. In the present study we describe such clinical signs of porcine neurocysticercosis (NCC). These signs were excessive salivation, excessive blinking and tearing, and subconjunctival nodule. A total of 30 swine (18 with 2 or all 3 clinical signs and 12 without any sign) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All 18 swine with above signs had NCC on MRI along with variable involvement of other organs that were subsequently confirmed by ex vivo MRI, necropsy and histopathology, while none of the 12 animals without any sign had NCC. As development of a porcine NCC model has proved difficult, we propose that naturally infected swine can be identified on the basis of these clinical signs and thus used as a model for further research on NCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashi N Prasad
- Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow-226014, India.
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Soares K, Silva M, Poleti M, Maia A. Imunodiagnóstico da cisticercose em suíno experimentalmente infectado com ovos de Taenia solium, utilizando antígeno de escólex de Cysticercus cellulosae. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2006. [DOI: 10.1590/s0102-09352006000100003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Colheu-se sangue de sete suínos infectados com ovos de Taenia solium, semanalmente, durante 140 dias, para realizar ELISA no soro, utilizando antígeno de escólex (Es-Tso) de C. cellulosae. Em todos os animais, após o 21º dia pós-infecção, houve incremento significativo de anticorpos IgG, que assim se mantiveram até o final do experimento. A sensibilidade do ELISA variou entre 87,5 e 100%. À necropsia, foram identificados 238 cisticercos. Seis suínos apresentaram pelo menos um cisto no coração, língua ou masseter. Não se observou correlação entre concentração de anticorpos e número de cisticercos identificados.
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de Aluja AS, Villalobos NM, Nava G, Toledo A, Martínez JJ, Plancarte A, Rodarte LF, Fragoso G, Sciutto E. Therapeutic capacity of the synthetic peptide-based vaccine against Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs. Vaccine 2005; 23:4062-9. [PMID: 15927324 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2004.11.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2004] [Revised: 10/25/2004] [Accepted: 11/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The S3Pvac synthetic vaccine composed of three peptides (GK1, KETc1 and KETc12) effectively protect against pig cysticercosis. Preliminary results point to an additional cysticidal capacity induced by S3Pvac or GK1 immunization. Herein, clear evidences of the cysticidal effect of S3Pvac but not of GK1 are presented. S3Pvac immunization of already experimentally infected pigs induced a reduction in the parasite load, in the vesicular cysticerci and in their viability. It also substantially increases the percent of histological damaged cysticerci more importantly in muscles than in brains, with a concomitant reduction in the antibody levels. Thus, S3Pvac represents a powerful means of controlling cysticercosis infection in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline S de Aluja
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 México, DF, México.
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