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Muzarabani KC, Carolus H, Schols R, Hammoud C, Barson M, Huyse T. An update on snail and trematode communities in the Sanyati Basin of Lake Kariba: New snail and trematode species but no human schistosomes. Parasitol Int 2024; 99:102830. [PMID: 38016629 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The construction of Lake Kariba brought about a rise in the incidence of schistosomiasis in its surrounding towns of Kariba (Zimbabwe) and Siavonga (Zambia). After extensive control programs in Kariba, schistosomiasis prevalence dropped significantly. The objective of this study was to revisit the same localities sampled by Chimbari et al. (2003), and provide an update on the snail community and prevalence of trematodes in the Northern shore of Lake Kariba while focusing on planorbid species. METHODS Monthly sampling of snails at 16 sites along the Northern shoreline of Lake Kariba, near Kariba town, was undertaken for one year. Minimum one specimen per morphotype was identified using molecular barcoding (sequencing a fragment of cytochrome c oxidase I subunit (COI)). The infection status of snails was assessed by Rapid Diagnostic PCRs (RD-PCR), and trematode infections were genotyped by sequencing COI and 18S rDNA markers. RESULTS We collected and identified seven snail species: Bulinus truncatus, Bulinus forskalii, Gyraulus sp., Physella acuta, Bellamya sp., Radix affinis plicatula and Pseudosuccinea columella. Physella acuta was the most abundant snail species (comprising 56.95% of the total snail count) and present at all sites. The B. truncatus population was found to be infected with the stomach fluke Carmyerius cruciformis, a Petasiger sp. and a trematode species belonging to the family Notocotylidae. No Schistosoma sp. infections were detected in our collected snail specimens. CONCLUSIONS We report B. truncatus as an intermediate snail host for Carmyerius cruciformis, and the presence of three non-schistosome trematode species that have not been reported in Lake Kariba before. Furthermore, we detect a possible shift in the snail community when compared to the report by Chimbari et al. (2003): this is the first record of Gyraulus sp. in Lake Kariba, and we did not observe the previously reported B. pfeifferi, B. globosus and Radix natalensis. Although this shift in snail communities might have contributed to the absence of Schistosoma spp. detection in this study, further monitoring of final and intermediate hosts across the Kariba basin is essential to prove a decrease of schistosomiasis in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kudzai C Muzarabani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
| | - Hans Carolus
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ruben Schols
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Cyril Hammoud
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Limnology Research Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maxwell Barson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Tine Huyse
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
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Kameni M, Musaigwa F, Kamguia LM, Kamdem SD, Mbanya G, Lamberton PHL, Komguep Nono J. Harnessing Schistosoma-associated metabolite changes in the human host to identify biomarkers of infection and morbidity: Where are we and what should we do next? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012009. [PMID: 38512811 PMCID: PMC10956858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is the second most widespread parasitic disease affecting humans. A key component of today's infection control measures is the diagnosis and monitoring of infection, informing individual- and community-level treatment. However, newly acquired infections and/or low parasite burden are still difficult to diagnose reliably. Furthermore, even though the pathological consequence of schistosome egg sequestration in host tissues is well described, the evidence linking egg burden to morbidity is increasingly challenged, making it inadequate for pathology monitoring. In the last decades, omics-based instruments and methods have been developed, adjusted, and applied in parasitic research. In particular, the profiling of the most reliable determinants of phenotypes, metabolites by metabolomics, emerged as a powerful boost in the understanding of basic interactions within the human host during infection. As such, the fine detection of host metabolites produced upon exposure to parasites such as Schistosoma spp. and the ensuing progression of the disease are believed to enable the identification of Schistosoma spp. potential biomarkers of infection and associated pathology. However, attempts to provide such a comprehensive understanding of the alterations of the human metabolome during schistosomiasis are rare, limited in their design when performed, and mostly inconclusive. In this review, we aimed to briefly summarize the most robust advances in knowledge on the changes in host metabolic profile during Schistosoma infections and provide recommendations for approaches to optimize the identification of metabolomic signatures of human schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille Kameni
- Unit of Immunobiology and Helminth Infections, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Bamenda, Bambili, North-West Region, Cameroon
| | - Fungai Musaigwa
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Leonel Meyo Kamguia
- Unit of Immunobiology and Helminth Infections, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Severin Donald Kamdem
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Gladice Mbanya
- Unit of Immunobiology and Helminth Infections, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Poppy H. L. Lamberton
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Justin Komguep Nono
- Unit of Immunobiology and Helminth Infections, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Division of Immunology, Health Science Faculty, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Zhou M, Xu L, Xu D, Chen W, Khan J, Hu Y, Huang H, Wei H, Zhang Y, Chusongsang P, Tanasarnprasert K, Hu X, Limpanont Y, Lv Z. Chromosome-scale genome of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mekongi and its implications for public health. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:104. [PMID: 38017557 PMCID: PMC10683246 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01160-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma mekongi is a human blood fluke causing schistosomiasis that threatens approximately 1.5 million humans in the world. Nonetheless, the limited available S. mekongi genomic resources have hindered understanding of its biology and parasite-host interactions for disease management and pathogen control. The aim of our study was to integrate multiple technologies to construct a high-quality chromosome-level assembly of the S. mekongi genome. METHODS The reference genome for S. mekongi was generated through integrating Illumina, PacBio sequencing, 10 × Genomics linked-read sequencing, and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) methods. In this study, we conducted de novo assembly, alignment, and gene prediction to assemble and annotate the genome. Comparative genomics allowed us to compare genomes across different species, shedding light on conserved regions and evolutionary relationships. Additionally, our transcriptomic analysis focused on genes associated with parasite-snail interactions in S. mekongi infection. We employed gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis for functional annotation of these genes. RESULTS In the present study, the S. mekongi genome was both assembled into 8 pseudochromosomes with a length of 404 Mb, with contig N50 and scaffold N50 lengths of 1168 kb and 46,759 kb, respectively. We detected that 43% of the genome consists of repeat sequences and predicted 9103 protein-coding genes. We also focused on proteases, particularly leishmanolysin-like metalloproteases (M8), which are crucial in the invasion of hosts by 12 flatworm species. Through phylogenetic analysis, it was discovered that the M8 gene exhibits lineage-specific amplification among the genus Schistosoma. Lineage-specific expansion of M8 was observed in blood flukes. Additionally, the results of the RNA-seq revealed that a mass of genes related to metabolic and biosynthetic processes were up-regulated, which might be beneficial for cercaria production. CONCLUSIONS This study delivers a high-quality, chromosome-scale reference genome of S. mekongi, enhancing our understanding of the divergence and evolution of Schistosoma. The molecular research conducted here also plays a pivotal role in drug discovery and vaccine development. Furthermore, our work greatly advances the understanding of host-parasite interactions, providing crucial insights for schistosomiasis intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Biosafety, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Dahua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Wen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Translational Medicine, Medical School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Jehangir Khan
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Biosafety, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Biosafety, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Biosafety, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiqing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Biosafety, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Phiraphol Chusongsang
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanthi Tanasarnprasert
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Xiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Zhiyue Lv
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Biosafety, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Agniwo P, Boissier J, Sidibé B, Dembélé L, Diakité A, Niaré DS, Akplogan A, Guindo H, Blin M, Dametto S, Ibikounlé M, Spangenberg T, Dabo A. Genetic profiles of Schistosoma haematobium parasites from Malian transmission hotspot areas. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:263. [PMID: 37542265 PMCID: PMC10403946 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05860-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although schistosomiasis is a public health issue in Mali, little is known about the parasite genetic profile. The purpose of this study was to analyze the genetic profile of the schistosomes of Schistosoma haematobium group in school-aged children in various sites in Mali. METHODS Urine samples were collected from 7 to 21 November 2021 and subjected to a filtration method for the presence S. haematobium eggs. The study took place in two schistosomiasis endemic villages (Fangouné Bamanan and Diakalèl), qualified as hotspots according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition. Molecular genotyping on both Cox1 and ITS2/18S was used for eggs' taxonomic assignation. RESULTS A total of 970 miracidia were individually collected from 63 school-aged children and stored on Whatman FTA cards for molecular analysis. After genotyping 42.0% (353/840) and 58.0% (487/840) of miracidia revealed Schistosoma bovis and S. haematobium Cox1 profiles, respectively; 95.7 (885/925) and 4.3% (40/925) revealed S. haematobium and S. haematobium/S. curassoni profiles for ITS/18S genes, respectively. There was a significant difference in the Cox1 and ITS2/18S profile distribution according to the village (P < 0.0001). Overall, 45.6% (360/789) were hybrids, of which 72.0% (322/447) were from Diakalèl. Three hybrids' profiles (Sb/Sc_ShxSc with 2.3%; Sb/Sc_ShxSh with 40.5%; Sh_ShxSc with 2.8%) and one pure profile (Sh_ShxSh with 54.4%) were identified. CONCLUSION Our findings show, for the first time to our knowledge, high prevalence of hybrid schistosomes in Mali. More studies are needed on population genetics of schistosomes at the human and animal interface to evaluate the parasite's gene flow and its consequences on epidemiology of the disease as well as the transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Privat Agniwo
- Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Environnement, Santé, Sociétés (USTTB/UCAD/UGB/CNRST/CNRS), BP 1805, IRL 3189, Bamako, Mali
- IHPE, University Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Recherche pour la lutte contre les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales (CReMIT/TIDRC), Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- IHPE, University Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Bakary Sidibé
- Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Environnement, Santé, Sociétés (USTTB/UCAD/UGB/CNRST/CNRS), BP 1805, IRL 3189, Bamako, Mali
| | - Laurent Dembélé
- Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Environnement, Santé, Sociétés (USTTB/UCAD/UGB/CNRST/CNRS), BP 1805, IRL 3189, Bamako, Mali
| | - Assitan Diakité
- Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Environnement, Santé, Sociétés (USTTB/UCAD/UGB/CNRST/CNRS), BP 1805, IRL 3189, Bamako, Mali
| | - Doumbo Safiatou Niaré
- IHPE, University Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Ahristode Akplogan
- Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Environnement, Santé, Sociétés (USTTB/UCAD/UGB/CNRST/CNRS), BP 1805, IRL 3189, Bamako, Mali
| | - Hassim Guindo
- Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Environnement, Santé, Sociétés (USTTB/UCAD/UGB/CNRST/CNRS), BP 1805, IRL 3189, Bamako, Mali
| | - Manon Blin
- IHPE, University Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Sarah Dametto
- IHPE, University Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Moudachirou Ibikounlé
- Centre de Recherche pour la lutte contre les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales (CReMIT/TIDRC), Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
| | - Thomas Spangenberg
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Route de Crassier 1, 1262, Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Abdoulaye Dabo
- Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Environnement, Santé, Sociétés (USTTB/UCAD/UGB/CNRST/CNRS), BP 1805, IRL 3189, Bamako, Mali.
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Huguenin A, Kincaid-Smith J, Depaquit J, Boissier J, Ferté H. MALDI-TOF: A new tool for the identification of Schistosoma cercariae and detection of hybrids. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0010577. [PMID: 36976804 PMCID: PMC10081743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected water-born parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma affecting more than 200 million people. Introgressive hybridization is common among these parasites and raises issues concerning their zoonotic transmission. Morphological identification of Schistosoma cercariae is difficult and does not permit hybrids detection. Our objective was to assess the performance of MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assistated Laser Desorption-Ionization–Time Of Flight) mass spectrometry for the specific identification of cercariae in human and non-human Schistosoma and for the detection of hybridization between S. bovis and S. haematobium. Spectra were collected from laboratory reared molluscs infested with strains of S. haematobium, S. mansoni, S. bovis, S. rodhaini and S. bovis x S. haematobium natural (Corsican hybrid) and artificial hybrids. Cluster analysis showed a clear separation between S. haematobium, S. bovis, S. mansoni and S. rodhaini. Corsican hybrids are classified with those of the parental strain of S. haematobium whereas other hybrids formed a distinct cluster. In blind test analysis the developed MALDI-TOF spectral database permits identification of Schistosoma cercariae with high accuracy (94%) and good specificity (S. bovis: 99.59%, S. haematobium 99.56%, S. mansoni and S. rodhaini: 100%). Most misidentifications were between S. haematobium and the Corsican hybrids. The use of machine learning permits to improve the discrimination between these last two taxa, with accuracy, F1 score and Sensitivity/Specificity > 97%. In multivariate analysis the factors associated with obtaining a valid identification score (> 1.7) were absence of ethanol preservation (p < 0.001) and a number of 2–3 cercariae deposited per well (p < 0.001). Also, spectra acquired from S. mansoni cercariae are more likely to obtain a valid identification score than those acquired from S. haematobium (p<0.001). MALDI-TOF is a reliable technique for high-throughput identification of Schistosoma cercariae of medical and veterinary importance and could be useful for field survey in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Huguenin
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, EA7510 ESCAPE, Reims, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, pôle de Biopathologie, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Julien Kincaid-Smith
- IHPE, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
- CBGP, IRD, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Depaquit
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, EA7510 ESCAPE, Reims, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, pôle de Biopathologie, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- IHPE, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Hubert Ferté
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, EA7510 ESCAPE, Reims, France
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Berger DJ, Léger E, Sankaranarayanan G, Sène M, Diouf ND, Rabone M, Emery A, Allan F, Cotton JA, Berriman M, Webster JP. Genomic evidence of contemporary hybridization between Schistosoma species. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010706. [PMID: 35939508 PMCID: PMC9387932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization between different species of parasites is increasingly being recognised as a major public and veterinary health concern at the interface of infectious diseases biology, evolution, epidemiology and ultimately control. Recent research has revealed that viable hybrids and introgressed lineages between Schistosoma spp. are prevalent across Africa and beyond, including those with zoonotic potential. However, it remains unclear whether these hybrid lineages represent recent hybridization events, suggesting hybridization is ongoing, and/or whether they represent introgressed lineages derived from ancient hybridization events. In human schistosomiasis, investigation is hampered by the inaccessibility of adult-stage worms due to their intravascular location, an issue which can be circumvented by post-mortem of livestock at abattoirs for Schistosoma spp. of known zoonotic potential. To characterise the composition of naturally-occurring schistosome hybrids, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 21 natural livestock infective schistosome isolates. To facilitate this, we also assembled a de novo chromosomal-scale draft assembly of Schistosoma curassoni. Genomic analyses identified isolates of S. bovis, S. curassoni and hybrids between the two species, all of which were early generation hybrids with multiple generations found within the same host. These results show that hybridization is an ongoing process within natural populations with the potential to further challenge elimination efforts against schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis is a chronic and debilitating major neglected tropical disease affecting both humans and livestock. Increasingly, zoonotic spillover of livestock infections, facilitated by hybridization between different Schistosoma species, is increasingly being recognised as a risk to human health. Multiple surveys conducted within endemic regions have found a high prevalence of these hybrid lineages. However, it is often unclear whether these lineages are derived from recent hybridization events, suggesting hybridization is ongoing and may be linked to anthropogenic environmental change, or simply indicators of introgression from ancient hybridization events. To understand the origin and evolution of these hybrid lineages, we produced a chromosomal-scale assembly of Schistosoma curassoni and performed whole-genome sequencing of 21 natural livestock-infective S. curassoni, S. bovis and hybridized schistosome isolates, including multi-stage sampling from the same hosts. Our analyses exclusively identified early generation hybrid lineages, including multiple unrelated generations within the same hosts, suggesting that these hybrids are viable and derived from multiple independent hybridization events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan J. Berger
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DB); (EL); (MB); (JPW)
| | - Elsa Léger
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DB); (EL); (MB); (JPW)
| | | | - Mariama Sène
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences Agronomiques, d’Aquaculture et de Technologies Alimentaires, Université Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal
| | - Nicolas D. Diouf
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences Agronomiques, d’Aquaculture et de Technologies Alimentaires, Université Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal
| | - Muriel Rabone
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan Emery
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Allan
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
- Pelagic Ecology Research Group, Scottish Oceans Institute, Gatty Marine Laboratory, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - James A. Cotton
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DB); (EL); (MB); (JPW)
| | - Joanne P. Webster
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DB); (EL); (MB); (JPW)
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Webb AJ, Allan F, Kelwick RJR, Beshah FZ, Kinung’hi SM, Templeton MR, Emery AM, Freemont PS. Specific Nucleic AcId Ligation for the detection of Schistosomes: SNAILS. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010632. [PMID: 35881651 PMCID: PMC9355235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever, is a debilitating neglected tropical disease (NTD), caused by parasitic trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, that has an annual mortality rate of 280,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Schistosomiasis is transmitted via contact with water bodies that are home to the intermediate host snail which shed the infective cercariae into the water. Schistosome lifecycles are complex, and while not all schistosome species cause human disease, endemic regions also typically feature animal-infecting schistosomes that can have broader economic and/or food security implications. Therefore, the development of species-specific Schistosoma detection technologies may help to inform evidence-based local environmental, food security and health systems policy making. Crucially, schistosomiasis disproportionally affects low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries and for that reason, environmental screening of water bodies for schistosomes may aid with the targeting of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions and preventive chemotherapy to regions at highest risk of schistosomiasis transmission, and to monitor the effectiveness of such interventions at reducing the risk over time. To this end, we developed a DNA-based biosensor termed Specific Nucleic AcId Ligation for the detection of Schistosomes or ‘SNAILS’. Here we show that ‘SNAILS’ enables species-specific detection from genomic DNA (gDNA) samples that were collected from the field in endemic areas. Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease, caused by the parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. Schistosomiasis is endemic to regions within Africa, Asia and South America with at least 250 million people infected and a further 779 million at risk of infection. The lifecycle of schistosomes are complex and involve specific freshwater intermediate snail hosts which shed infective cercariae into the waterbodies they inhabit. Schistosomiasis is subsequently transmitted to humans or animals that contact cercariae contaminated water. In Africa, human disease is largely caused by Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. However, endemic regions also typically feature animal-infecting schistosomes that can have broader economic and/or food security implications. Therefore, the development of species-specific Schistosoma detection technologies may help to inform local environmental, food security and health programmes. To this end, we re-purposed a nucleic acid detection technology to enable the detection of different schistosome species. Our DNA-biosensor, abbreviated as ‘SNAILS’, employs carefully designed probes that recognise species-specific DNA sequences, coupled with enzymatic amplification steps, and a fluorescent signal-dye to indicate a positive detection. ‘SNAILS’ successfully differentiates between S. mansoni and S. haematobium samples and could conceivably be employed within future global health programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander James Webb
- Section of Structural and Synthetic biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Allan
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. R. Kelwick
- Section of Structural and Synthetic biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Feleke Zewge Beshah
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Arat Kilo, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Michael R. Templeton
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan Mark Emery
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AME); (PSF)
| | - Paul S. Freemont
- Section of Structural and Synthetic biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation and Innovation Hub, White City Campus, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AME); (PSF)
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Joof E, Sanneh B, Sambou SM, Wade CM. Species diversity and distribution of schistosome intermediate snail hosts in The Gambia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009823. [PMID: 34606509 PMCID: PMC8516291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need for recent information on intermediate snail hosts of schistosomes in The Gambia; the previous studies were conducted over three decades ago. This study assessed the incidence, species diversity, distribution and infection status of schistosome intermediate snail hosts in the country. Malacological surveys were conducted in all 5 regions of The Gambia: Central River Region (CRR), Upper River Region (URR), Western Region (WR), Lower River Region (LRR) and North Bank Region (NBR). Sampling of snails was undertaken at 114 sites that included permanent water bodies such as streams (bolongs), rice fields, irrigation canals and swamps; and temporal (seasonal) laterite pools. Ecological and physicochemical factors of sites were recorded. Snails were identified morphologically and screened for schistosome infections using molecular techniques. Freshwater snails were found at more than 50% (60/114) of sites sampled. While three species of Bulinus were collected, no Biomphalaria snails were found in any of the sites sampled. Of the total 2877 Bulinus snails collected, 75.9% were identified as Bulinus senegalensis, 20.9% as Bulinus forskalii and 3.2% as Bulinus truncatus. Seasonal pools produced the largest number of snails, and CRR was the region with the largest number of snails. Bulinus senegalensis was found more in seasonal pools as opposed to permanent sites, where B. forskalii and B. truncatus were observed to thrive. Bulinus snails were more common in seasonal sites where aquatic vegetation was present. In permanent sites, the abundance of snails increased with increase in water temperature and decrease in water pH. Bulinus senegalensis was found infected with both S. haematobium and S. bovis, while B. forskalii and B. truncatus had only S. bovis infection. While the human parasite S. haematobium was restricted to just four sites, the livestock parasite S. bovis had a much more widespread geographical distribution across both CRR and URR. This new information on the distribution of intermediate snail hosts of schistosomes in The Gambia will be vital for the national schistosomiasis control initiative. Several studies were conducted on intermediate snail hosts of schistosomes in The Gambia between the 1950s and 1980s, but there are few reports of similar studies in recent times. After The Gambia initiated its national control programme for schistosomiasis in 2014, the need arose for more and current information on schistosomiasis and the intermediate snail hosts involved indirectly in its transmission. We undertook a malacological survey of freshwater sites in all five regions (CRR, URR, WR, LRR and NBR) of The Gambia. While no Biomplalaria snails were found in any of the 114 sites sampled, three species of Bulinus snails were found. Of the total 2877 Bulinus snails collected, 75.9% were identified as Bulinus senegalensis, 20.9% as Bulinus forskalii and 3.2% as Bulinus truncatus. CRR had the highest number of snails amongst the regions and seasonal pools yielded the most snails amongst the habitat types sampled. Habitat type, water temperature and pH of sites were observed to have an influence on snail abundance. All three Bulinus snails were found infected with schistosome parasites. The human parasite (Schistosoma haematobium) had a much more restricted distribution as opposed to the livestock parasite (Schistosoma bovis) which had a wider geographical range. The study provides the first malacological report of intermediate snail hosts of schistosomes in The Gambia in over 3 decades and will be useful to the national schistosomiasis control programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrima Joof
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- National Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Banjul, The Gambia
- * E-mail: (EJ); (CMW)
| | - Bakary Sanneh
- National Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Sana M. Sambou
- Epidemiology and Disease Control Department, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Christopher M. Wade
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (EJ); (CMW)
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Thiangtrongjit T, Simanon N, Adisakwattana P, Limpanont Y, Chusongsang P, Chusongsang Y, Reamtong O. Identification of Low Molecular Weight Proteins and Peptides from Schistosoma mekongi Worm, Egg and Infected Mouse Sera. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11040559. [PMID: 33920436 PMCID: PMC8070599 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mekongi is found in the lower Mekong river region and causes schistosomiasis. Low sensitivity of diagnosis and development of drug resistance are problems to eliminate this disease. To develop novel therapies and diagnostics for S. mekongi, the basic molecular biology of this pathogen needs to be explored. Bioactive peptides have been reported in several worms and play important roles in biological functions. Limited information is available on the S. mekongi peptidome. Therefore, this study aimed to identify S. mekongi peptides using in silico transcriptome mining and mass spectrometry approaches. Schistosoma peptide components were identified in adult worms, eggs, and infected mouse sera. Thirteen neuropeptide families were identified using in silico predictions from in-house transcriptomic databases of adult S. mekongi worms. Using mass spectrometry approaches, 118 peptides (from 54 precursor proteins) and 194 peptides (from 86 precursor proteins) were identified from adult worms and eggs, respectively. Importantly, eight unique peptides of the S. mekongi ubiquitin thioesterase, trabid, were identified in infected mouse sera 14, 28, and 56 days after infection. This protein may be a potential target for diagnosis of schistosomiasis. The S. mekongi peptide profiles determined in this study could be used for further drug and diagnostic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tipparat Thiangtrongjit
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Nattapon Simanon
- National Omics Center (NOC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand;
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.L.); (P.C.); (Y.C.)
| | - Phiraphol Chusongsang
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.L.); (P.C.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yupa Chusongsang
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.L.); (P.C.); (Y.C.)
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-(0)-2306-9138; Fax: +66-(0)-2306-9139
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Kamel B, Laidemitt MR, Lu L, Babbitt C, Weinbaum OL, Mkoji GM, Loker ES. Detecting and identifying Schistosoma infections in snails and aquatic habitats: A systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009175. [PMID: 33760814 PMCID: PMC8021170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We were tasked by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the following question: What techniques should be used to diagnose Schistosoma infections in snails and in the water in potential transmission sites? Our goal was to review and evaluate the available literature and provide recommendations and insights for the development of WHO's Guidelines Development Group for schistosomiasis control and elimination. METHODOLOGY We searched several databases using strings of search terms, searched bibliographies of pertinent papers, and contacted investigators who have made contributions to this field. Our search covered from 1970 to Sept 2020. All papers were considered in a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, and retained papers were grouped by technique and subjected to our GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) evidence assessment profile determined in consultation with WHO. We also considered issues of sensitivity, specificity, coverage, cost, robustness, support needs, schistosome species discrimination, and relevant detection limits. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Our PRISMA process began with the perusal of 949 articles, of which 158 were retained for data extraction and evaluation. We identified 25 different techniques and for each applied a GRADE assessment considering limitations, inconsistency, imprecision, indirectness, and publication bias. We also provide advantages and disadvantages for each category of techniques. CONCLUSIONS Our GRADE analysis returned an assessment of moderate quality of evidence for environmental DNA (eDNA), qPCR and LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification). No single ideal diagnostic approach has yet been developed, but considerable recent progress has been made. We note a growing trend to use eDNA techniques to permit more efficient and replicable sampling. qPCR-based protocols for follow-up detection offer a versatile, mature, sensitive, and specific platform for diagnosis though centralized facilities will be required to favor standardization. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) can play a complementary role if inhibitors are a concern, or more sensitivity or quantification is needed. Snail collection, followed by shedding, is encouraged to provide specimens for sequence verifications of snails or schistosomes. LAMP or other isothermal detection techniques offer the prospect of less expensive and more distributed network of analysis but may face standardization and verification challenges related to actual sequences amplified. Ability to detect schistosome infections in snails or in the water is needed if control and elimination programs hope to succeed. Any diagnostic techniques used need to be regularly verified by the acquisition of DNA sequences to confirm that the detected targets are of the expected species. Further improvements may be necessary to identify the ideal schistosome or snail sequences to target for amplification. More field testing and standardization will be essential for long-term success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishoy Kamel
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Martina R. Laidemitt
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Caitlin Babbitt
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Ola Liota Weinbaum
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Gerald M. Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
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Rey O, Toulza E, Chaparro C, Allienne JF, Kincaid-Smith J, Mathieu-Begné E, Allan F, Rollinson D, Webster BL, Boissier J. Diverging patterns of introgression from Schistosoma bovis across S. haematobium African lineages. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009313. [PMID: 33544762 PMCID: PMC7891765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization is a fascinating evolutionary phenomenon that raises the question of how species maintain their integrity. Inter-species hybridization occurs between certain Schistosoma species that can cause important public health and veterinary issues. In particular hybrids between Schistosoma haematobium and S. bovis associated with humans and animals respectively are frequently identified in Africa. Recent genomic evidence indicates that some S. haematobium populations show signatures of genomic introgression from S. bovis. Here, we conducted a genomic comparative study and investigated the genomic relationships between S. haematobium, S. bovis and their hybrids using 19 isolates originating from a wide geographical range over Africa, including samples initially classified as S. haematobium (n = 11), S. bovis (n = 6) and S. haematobium x S. bovis hybrids (n = 2). Based on a whole genomic sequencing approach, we developed 56,181 SNPs that allowed a clear differentiation of S. bovis isolates from a genomic cluster including all S. haematobium isolates and a natural S. haematobium-bovis hybrid. All the isolates from the S. haematobium cluster except the isolate from Madagascar harbored signatures of genomic introgression from S. bovis. Isolates from Corsica, Mali and Egypt harbored the S. bovis-like Invadolysin gene, an introgressed tract that has been previously detected in some introgressed S. haematobium populations from Niger. Together our results highlight the fact that introgression from S. bovis is widespread across S. haematobium and that the observed introgression is unidirectional. Hybridization is a fascinating evolutionary phenomenon that raises the question of how species maintain their integrity. Inter-species hybridization occurs between certain Schistosoma species that can cause important public health and veterinary issues. In particular hybrids between Schistosoma haematobium and S. bovis associated with humans and animals respectively are frequently identified in Africa. Recent genomic evidence indicates that some S. haematobium populations show signatures of genomic introgression from S. bovis. Here we conducted a comparative genomic study to assess the genomic diversity within S. haematobium and S. bovis species and genetic differentation at the genome scale between these two sister species over the African continent. We also investigated traces of possible ancient introgression from one species to another. We found that S. haematobium display low genetic diversity compared to S. bovis. We also found that most S. haematobium samples harbor signature of past introgression with S. bovis at some genomic positions. Our results strongly suggest that introgression occurred long time ago and that such introgression is unidirectional from S. bovis within S. haematobium. Such introgresssion event(s) result in diverging patterns of genomic introgression across S. haematobium lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Rey
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Eve Toulza
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, Perpignan, France
| | | | | | - Julien Kincaid-Smith
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, Perpignan, France
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED), Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences (PPS), Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Campus, Herts, United Kingdom
| | | | - Fiona Allan
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Rollinson
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, Perpignan, France
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Sturt AS, Webb EL, Phiri CR, Mweene T, Chola N, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PLAM, Wessels E, Stothard JR, Hayes R, Ayles H, Hansingo I, van Lieshout L, Bustinduy AL. Genital self-sampling compared with cervicovaginal lavage for the diagnosis of female genital schistosomiasis in Zambian women: The BILHIV study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008337. [PMID: 32663222 PMCID: PMC7360036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the potentially causal association of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) with HIV-1 infection, improved diagnostics are urgently needed to scale-up FGS surveillance. The BILHIV (bilharzia and HIV) study assessed the performance of home-based self-collection methods (cervical and vaginal swabs) compared to cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) for the detection of Schistosoma DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS Between January and August 2018, a consecutive series of female participants from the Population-Cohort of the previous HIV prevention trial HPTN 071 (PopART), resident in Livingstone, Zambia were invited to take part in BILHIV if they were 18-31 years old, non-pregnant and sexually active. Genital self-collected swabs and a urine specimen were obtained and a questionnaire completed at home visits. CVL was obtained at clinic follow-up. RESULTS 603 women self-collected genital swabs. Of these, 527 women had CVL performed by a mid-wife during clinic follow-up. Schistosoma DNA was more frequently detected in genital self-collected specimens (24/603, 4.0%) compared to CVL (14/527, 2.7%). Overall, 5.0% (30/603) women had female genital schistosomiasis, defined as a positive PCR by any genital sampling method (cervical swab PCR, vaginal swab PCR, or CVL PCR) and 95% (573/603) did not have a positive genital PCR. The sensitivity of any positive genital self-collected swab against CVL was 57.1% (95% CI 28.9-82.3%), specificity 97.3% (95.5-98.5%). In a subset of participants with active schistosome infection, determined by detectable urine Circulating Anodic Antigen (CAA) (15.1%, 91/601), positive PCR (4.3%, 26/601), or positive microscopy (5.5%, 33/603), the sensitivity of any positive self-collected specimen against CVL was 88.9% (51.8-99.7%). CONCLUSIONS Genital self-sampling increased the overall number of PCR-based FGS diagnoses in a field setting, compared with CVL. Home-based sampling may represent a scalable alternative method for FGS community-based diagnosis in endemic resource limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S. Sturt
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily L. Webb
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Govert J. van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Els Wessels
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Hayes
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amaya L. Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Dessein H, Duflot N, Romano A, Opio C, Pereira V, Mola C, Kabaterene N, Coutinho A, Dessein A. Genetic algorithms identify individuals with high risk of severe liver disease caused by schistosomes. Hum Genet 2020; 139:821-831. [PMID: 32277285 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02160-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomes induce severe hepatic disease, which is fatal in 2-10% of cases, mortality being higher in cases of co-infection with HBV or HCV. Hepatic disease occurs as a consequence of the chronic inflammation caused by schistosome eggs trapped in liver sinusoids. In certain individuals, the repair process leads to a massive accumulation of fibrosis in the periportal spaces. We and others have shown that genetic variants play a crucial role in disease progression from mild to severe fibrosis and explain why hepatic fibrosis progresses rapidly in certain subjects only. We will review here published findings concerning the strategies that have been used in the analysis of hepatic fibrosis in schistosome-infected individuals, the genetic variants that have associated with fibrosis, and variants in new pathways crucial for fibrosis progression. Together, these studies show that the development of fibrosis is under the tight genetic control of various common variants with moderate effects. This polygenic control has made it possible to develop models that identify schistosome-infected individual at risk of severe hepatic disease. We discuss the performances and limitations of these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélia Dessein
- BILHI Genetics, 60 Avenue André Roussin, 13016, Marseille, France
- UMR_S906-Génétique Et Immunologie Des Maladies Parasitaires, Aix Marseille Université-INSERM, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Duflot
- BILHI Genetics, 60 Avenue André Roussin, 13016, Marseille, France
- UMR_S906-Génétique Et Immunologie Des Maladies Parasitaires, Aix Marseille Université-INSERM, Marseille, France
| | - Audrey Romano
- BILHI Genetics, 60 Avenue André Roussin, 13016, Marseille, France
- UMR_S906-Génétique Et Immunologie Des Maladies Parasitaires, Aix Marseille Université-INSERM, Marseille, France
| | - Christopher Opio
- Department of Medicine, Mulago Hospital, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Valeria Pereira
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Fundaçao Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Professor Moraes Rego, S/N Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, 50740-465, Brazil
| | - Carla Mola
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Fundaçao Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Professor Moraes Rego, S/N Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, 50740-465, Brazil
| | - Narcis Kabaterene
- Vector Control Division Uganda, Ministry of Health, Queen's Ln, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ana Coutinho
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Rio de Janeiro, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Alain Dessein
- BILHI Genetics, 60 Avenue André Roussin, 13016, Marseille, France.
- UMR_S906-Génétique Et Immunologie Des Maladies Parasitaires, Aix Marseille Université-INSERM, Marseille, France.
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Webster BL, Alharbi MH, Kayuni S, Makaula P, Halstead F, Christiansen R, Juziwelo L, Stanton MC, LaCourse EJ, Rollinson D, Kalua K, Stothard JR. Schistosome Interactions within the Schistosoma haematobium Group, Malawi. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1245-1247. [PMID: 31107237 PMCID: PMC6537718 DOI: 10.3201/eid2506.190020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular analysis of atypical schistosome eggs retrieved from children in Malawi revealed genetic interactions occurring between human (Schistosoma haematobium) and livestock (S. mattheei and S. bovis) schistosome species. Detection of hybrid schistosomes adds a notable new perspective to the epidemiology and control of urogenital schistosomiasis in central Africa.
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Platt RN, McDew-White M, Le Clec’h W, Chevalier FD, Allan F, Emery AM, Garba A, Hamidou AA, Ame SM, Webster JP, Rollinson D, Webster BL, Anderson TJC. Ancient Hybridization and Adaptive Introgression of an Invadolysin Gene in Schistosome Parasites. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 36:2127-2142. [PMID: 31251352 PMCID: PMC6759076 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introgression among parasite species has the potential to transfer traits of biomedical importance across species boundaries. The parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis in humans across sub-Saharan Africa. Hybridization with other schistosome species is assumed to occur commonly, because genetic crosses between S. haematobium and livestock schistosomes, including S. bovis, can be staged in the laboratory, and sequencing of mtDNA and rDNA amplified from microscopic miracidia larvae frequently reveals markers from different species. However, the frequency, direction, age, and genomic consequences of hybridization are unknown. We hatched miracidia from eggs and sequenced the exomes from 96 individual S. haematobium miracidia from infected patients from Niger and the Zanzibar archipelago. These data revealed no evidence for contemporary hybridization between S. bovis and S. haematobium in our samples. However, all Nigerien S. haematobium genomes sampled show hybrid ancestry, with 3.3-8.2% of their nuclear genomes derived from S. bovis, providing evidence of an ancient introgression event that occurred at least 108-613 generations ago. Some S. bovis-derived alleles have spread to high frequency or reached fixation and show strong signatures of directional selection; the strongest signal spans a single gene in the invadolysin gene family (Chr. 4). Our results suggest that S. bovis/S. haematobium hybridization occurs rarely but demonstrate profound consequences of ancient introgression from a livestock parasite into the genome of S. haematobium, the most prevalent schistosome species infecting humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy N Platt
- Disease Intervention and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
| | - Marina McDew-White
- Disease Intervention and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
| | - Winka Le Clec’h
- Disease Intervention and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
| | - Frédéric D Chevalier
- Disease Intervention and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
| | - Fiona Allan
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan M Emery
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amadou Garba
- Réseau International Schistosomoses, Environnement, Aménagement et Lutte (RISEAL-Niger), Niamey, Niger
| | - Amina A Hamidou
- Réseau International Schistosomoses, Environnement, Aménagement et Lutte (RISEAL-Niger), Niamey, Niger
| | - Shaali M Ame
- Public Health Laboratory - Ivo de Carneri, Pemba, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Joanne P Webster
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Rollinson
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bonnie L Webster
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J C Anderson
- Disease Intervention and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
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Portet A, Pinaud S, Chaparro C, Galinier R, Dheilly NM, Portela J, Charriere GM, Allienne JF, Duval D, Gourbal B. Sympatric versus allopatric evolutionary contexts shape differential immune response in Biomphalaria / Schistosoma interaction. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007647. [PMID: 30893368 PMCID: PMC6443186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective pressures between hosts and their parasites can result in reciprocal evolution or adaptation of specific life history traits. Local adaptation of resident hosts and parasites should lead to increase parasite infectivity/virulence (higher compatibility) when infecting hosts from the same location (in sympatry) than from a foreign location (in allopatry). Analysis of geographic variations in compatibility phenotypes is the most common proxy used to infer local adaptation. However, in some cases, allopatric host-parasite systems demonstrate similar or greater compatibility than in sympatry. In such cases, the potential for local adaptation remains unclear. Here, we study the interaction between Schistosoma and its vector snail Biomphalaria in which such discrepancy in local versus foreign compatibility phenotype has been reported. Herein, we aim at bridging this gap of knowledge by comparing life history traits (immune cellular response, host mortality, and parasite growth) and molecular responses in highly compatible sympatric and allopatric Schistosoma/Biomphalaria interactions originating from different geographic localities (Brazil, Venezuela and Burundi). We found that despite displaying similar prevalence phenotypes, sympatric schistosomes triggered a rapid immune suppression (dual-RNAseq analyses) in the snails within 24h post infection, whereas infection by allopatric schistosomes (regardless of the species) was associated with immune cell proliferation and triggered a non-specific generalized immune response after 96h. We observed that, sympatric schistosomes grow more rapidly. Finally, we identify miRNAs differentially expressed by Schistosoma mansoni that target host immune genes and could be responsible for hijacking the host immune response during the sympatric interaction. We show that despite having similar prevalence phenotypes, sympatric and allopatric snail-Schistosoma interactions displayed strong differences in their immunobiological molecular dialogue. Understanding the mechanisms allowing parasites to adapt rapidly and efficiently to new hosts is critical to control disease emergence and risks of Schistosomiasis outbreaks. Schistosomiasis, the second most widespread human parasitic disease after malaria, is caused by helminth parasites of the genus Schistosoma. More than 200 million people in 74 countries suffer from the pathological, and societal consequences of this disease. To complete its life cycle, the parasite requires an intermediate host, a freshwater snail of the genus Biomphalaria for its transmission. Given the limited options for treating Schistosoma mansoni infections in humans, much research has focused on developing methods to control transmission by its intermediate snail host. Biomphalaria glabrata. Comparative studies have shown that infection of the snail triggers complex cellular and humoral immune responses resulting in significant variations in parasite infectivity and snail susceptibility, known as the so-called polymorphism of compatibility. However, studies have mostly focused on characterizing the immunobiological mechanisms in sympatric interactions. Herein we used a combination of molecular and phenotypic approaches to compare the effect of infection in various sympatric and allopatric evolutionary contexts, allowing us to better understand the mechanisms of host-parasite local adaptation. Learning more about the immunobiological interactions between B. glabrata and S. mansoni could have important socioeconomic and public health impacts by changing the way we attempt to eradicate parasitic diseases and prevent or control schistosomiasis in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Portet
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Richard Galinier
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Nolwenn M. Dheilly
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Julien Portela
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Guillaume M. Charriere
- Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE), UMR 5244, CNRS, Ifremer, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-François Allienne
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hôtes Pathogènes Environnements UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, affects approximately 207 million people worldwide. Among the five main species infecting humans, Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum are responsible for the majority of hepatointestinal schistosomiasis. Human settlements near fresh water sites that lack proper sanitary systems often contribute to the transmission of disease. This risk particularly impacts on travellers or immigrants who come into contact with larvae-contaminated water. This review discusses the central features of schistosomiasis; including clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatments, and the preventive measures available for the control of this disease. The description of the Malaysian schistosome species Schistosoma malayensis and the current status of schistosomiasis in Malaysia including the compilation of cases diagnosed from 1904 to 2015 are also discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candy Chuah
- School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
| | - Geoffrey N Gobert
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Baha Latif
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chong Chin Heo
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute of Pathology, Laboratory & Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Level 4, Academic Building, Faculty of Medicine, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chiuan Yee Leow
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Oey H, Zakrzewski M, Gravermann K, Young ND, Korhonen PK, Gobert GN, Nawaratna S, Hasan S, Martínez DM, You H, Lavin M, Jones MK, Ragan MA, Stoye J, Oleaga A, Emery AM, Webster BL, Rollinson D, Gasser RB, McManus DP, Krause L. Whole-genome sequence of the bovine blood fluke Schistosoma bovis supports interspecific hybridization with S. haematobium. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007513. [PMID: 30673782 PMCID: PMC6361461 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenteric infection by the parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma bovis is a common veterinary problem in Africa and the Middle East and occasionally in the Mediterranean Region. The species also has the ability to form interspecific hybrids with the human parasite S. haematobium with natural hybridisation observed in West Africa, presenting possible zoonotic transmission. Additionally, this exchange of alleles between species may dramatically influence disease dynamics and parasite evolution. We have generated a 374 Mb assembly of the S. bovis genome using Illumina and PacBio-based technologies. Despite infecting different hosts and organs, the genome sequences of S. bovis and S. haematobium appeared strikingly similar with 97% sequence identity. The two species share 98% of protein-coding genes, with an average sequence identity of 97.3% at the amino acid level. Genome comparison identified large continuous parts of the genome (up to several 100 kb) showing almost 100% sequence identity between S. bovis and S. haematobium. It is unlikely that this is a result of genome conservation and provides further evidence of natural interspecific hybridization between S. bovis and S. haematobium. Our results suggest that foreign DNA obtained by interspecific hybridization was maintained in the population through multiple meiosis cycles and that hybrids were sexually reproductive, producing viable offspring. The S. bovis genome assembly forms a highly valuable resource for studying schistosome evolution and exploring genetic regions that are associated with species-specific phenotypic traits. In this article we detail the assembly and functional annotation of the Schistosoma bovis genome. S. bovis is a parasitic flatworm that primarily infects bovines, with important economic consequences in affected countries. However, it is also a close relative of the human carcinogenic parasite Schistosoma haematobium which is a serious health issue in many endemic countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The close relationship and overlapping geographical distribution of S. bovis and S. haematobium allows these to hybridise in the wild increasing their genetic diversity and presenting the risk of zoonotic transmission, i.e. the transmission from animals to humans. The hybridization between human and ruminant schistosomes is of particular interest as interspecific hybridization may have dramatic impacts on transmission rates, disease dynamics, control interventions and parasite evolution. By whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics we present evidence that fertile hybrids are indeed present in the wild, presenting the potential risk of transmission from animal reservoirs to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Oey
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Martha Zakrzewski
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kerstin Gravermann
- Faculty of Technology and Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Neil D. Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Pasi K. Korhonen
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Geoffrey N. Gobert
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Sujeevi Nawaratna
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shihab Hasan
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David M. Martínez
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Martin Lavin
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark A. Ragan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jens Stoye
- Faculty of Technology and Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Ana Oleaga
- Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- Natural History Museum, Life Sciences Department, Parasites and Vectors Division, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Natural History Museum, Life Sciences Department, Parasites and Vectors Division, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Rollinson
- Natural History Museum, Life Sciences Department, Parasites and Vectors Division, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lutz Krause
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Affiliation(s)
- José M. Peralta
- Departmento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta G. Cavalcanti
- Departmento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Serviço de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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20
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Picard MAL, Cosseau C, Ferré S, Quack T, Grevelding CG, Couté Y, Vicoso B. Evolution of gene dosage on the Z-chromosome of schistosome parasites. eLife 2018; 7:e35684. [PMID: 30044216 PMCID: PMC6089595 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
XY systems usually show chromosome-wide compensation of X-linked genes, while in many ZW systems, compensation is restricted to a minority of dosage-sensitive genes. Why such differences arose is still unclear. Here, we combine comparative genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics to obtain a complete overview of the evolution of gene dosage on the Z-chromosome of Schistosoma parasites. We compare the Z-chromosome gene content of African (Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium) and Asian (S. japonicum) schistosomes and describe lineage-specific evolutionary strata. We use these to assess gene expression evolution following sex-linkage. The resulting patterns suggest a reduction in expression of Z-linked genes in females, combined with upregulation of the Z in both sexes, in line with the first step of Ohno's classic model of dosage compensation evolution. Quantitative proteomics suggest that post-transcriptional mechanisms do not play a major role in balancing the expression of Z-linked genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Celine Cosseau
- University of Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University MontpellierPerpignanFrance
| | - Sabrina Ferré
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, Inserm, BIG-BGEGrenobleFrance
| | - Thomas Quack
- Institute for Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center SeltersbergJustus-Liebig-UniversityGiessenGermany
| | - Christoph G Grevelding
- Institute for Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center SeltersbergJustus-Liebig-UniversityGiessenGermany
| | - Yohann Couté
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, Inserm, BIG-BGEGrenobleFrance
| | - Beatriz Vicoso
- Institute of Science and Technology AustriaKlosterneuburgAustria
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21
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Bais S, Berry CT, Liu X, Ruthel G, Freedman BD, Greenberg RM. Atypical pharmacology of schistosome TRPA1-like ion channels. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006495. [PMID: 29746471 PMCID: PMC5963811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma cause schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease estimated to affect over 200 million people worldwide. Praziquantel is the only antischistosomal currently available for treatment, and there is an urgent need for new therapeutics. Ion channels play key roles in physiology and are targets for many anthelmintics, yet only a few representatives have been characterized in any detail in schistosomes and other parasitic helminths. The transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily comprises a diverse family of non-selective cation channels that play key roles in sensory transduction and a wide range of other functions. TRP channels fall into several subfamilies. Members of both the TRPA and TRPV subfamilies transduce nociceptive and inflammatory signals in mammals, and often also respond to chemical and thermal signals. We previously showed that although schistosomes contain no genes predicted to encode TRPV channels, TRPV1-selective activators such as capsaicin and resiniferatoxin elicit dramatic hyperactivity in adult worms and schistosomula. Surprisingly, this response requires expression of a S. mansoni TRPA1-like orthologue (SmTRPA). Here, we show that capsaicin induces a rise in intracellular Ca2+ in mammalian cells expressing either SmTRPA or a S. haematobium TRPA1 orthologue (ShTRPA). We also test SmTRPA and ShTRPA responses to various TRPV1 and TRPA1 modulators. Interestingly, in contrast to SmTRPA, ShTRPA is not activated by the TRPA1 activator AITC (allyl isothiocyanate), nor do S. haematobium adult worms respond to this compound, a potentially intriguing species difference. Notably, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a host-derived, inflammatory product that directly activates mammalian TRPA1, also activates both SmTRPA and ShTRPA. Our results point to parasite TRPA1-like channels which exhibit atypical, mixed TRPA1/TRPV1-like pharmacology, and which may also function to transduce endogenous host signals. Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms that infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. They cause schistosomiasis, a disease with major consequences for human health and economic development. There is only a single drug available for treatment and control of this highly prevalent disease, and there is an urgent need for development of new treatments. TRP ion channels play key roles in sensory (and other) functions. One type of TRP channel, TRPV1, is activated by capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers. However, schistosomes do not have any TRPV-like channels. Nonetheless, we previously showed that capsaicin and similar compounds induce dramatic hyperactivity in schistosomes, and that this response is abolished by suppressing expression of SmTRPA, a schistosome TRPA1-like channel. Mammalian TRPA1 channels are not sensitive to capsaicin. Here, we show that the SmTRPA channel itself responds to capsaicin, resulting in an influx of Ca2+ into cells. ShTRPA, a TRPA1-like channel from another schistosome, S. haematobium, is also sensitive to capsaicin. Thus, the pharmacology of schistosome TRPA1 channels apparently differs from that of host mammalian channels, a characteristic that could indicate mixed TRPA/TRPV functionality and might be exploitable for development of new antischistosomal drugs. Furthermore, we show that schistosome TRPA1-like channels are activated by host-derived compounds, perhaps indicating a mechanism by which the parasite can respond to host signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Bais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Corbett T. Berry
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gordon Ruthel
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Bruce D. Freedman
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Greenberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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Gurarie D, Lo NC, Ndeffo-Mbah ML, Durham DP, King CH. The human-snail transmission environment shapes long term schistosomiasis control outcomes: Implications for improving the accuracy of predictive modeling. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006514. [PMID: 29782500 PMCID: PMC5983867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic trematode disease that affects over 240 million people worldwide. The Schistosoma lifecycle is complex, involving transmission via specific intermediate-host freshwater snails. Predictive mathematical models of Schistosoma transmission have often chosen to simplify or ignore the details of environmental human-snail interaction in their analyses. Schistosome transmission models now aim to provide better precision for policy planning of elimination of transmission. This heightens the importance of including the environmental complexity of vector-pathogen interaction in order to make more accurate projections. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We propose a nonlinear snail force of infection (FOI) that takes into account an intermediate larval stage (miracidium) and snail biology. We focused, in particular, on the effects of snail force of infection (FOI) on the impact of mass drug administration (MDA) in human communities. The proposed (modified) model was compared to a conventional model in terms of their predictions. A longitudinal dataset generated in Kenya field studies was used for model calibration and validation. For each sample community, we calibrated modified and conventional model systems, then used them to model outcomes for a range of MDA regimens. In most cases, the modified model predicted more vigorous post-MDA rebound, with faster relapse to baseline levels of infection. The effect was pronounced in higher risk communities. When compared to observed data, only the modified system was able to successfully predict persistent rebound of Schistosoma infection. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE The observed impact of varying location-specific snail inputs sheds light on the diverse MDA response patterns noted in operational research on schistosomiasis control, such as the recent SCORE project. Efficiency of human-to-snail transmission is likely to be much higher than predicted by standard models, which, in practice, will make local elimination by implementation of MDA alone highly unlikely, even over a multi-decade period.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gurarie
- Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Nathan C Lo
- Division of Epidemiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Martial L Ndeffo-Mbah
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - David P Durham
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Charles H King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Stroehlein AJ, Young ND, Gasser RB. Improved strategy for the curation and classification of kinases, with broad applicability to other eukaryotic protein groups. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6808. [PMID: 29717207 PMCID: PMC5931623 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the substantial amount of genomic and transcriptomic data available for a wide range of eukaryotic organisms, most genomes are still in a draft state and can have inaccurate gene predictions. To gain a sound understanding of the biology of an organism, it is crucial that inferred protein sequences are accurately identified and annotated. However, this can be challenging to achieve, particularly for organisms such as parasitic worms (helminths), as most gene prediction approaches do not account for substantial phylogenetic divergence from model organisms, such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, whose genomes are well-curated. In this paper, we describe a bioinformatic strategy for the curation of gene families and subsequent annotation of encoded proteins. This strategy relies on pairwise gene curation between at least two closely related species using genomic and transcriptomic data sets, and is built on recent work on kinase complements of parasitic worms. Here, we discuss salient technical aspects of this strategy and its implications for the curation of protein families more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J Stroehlein
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
| | - Neil D Young
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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Léger E, Garba A, Hamidou AA, Webster BL, Pennance T, Rollinson D, Webster JP. Introgressed Animal Schistosomes Schistosoma curassoni and S. bovis Naturally Infecting Humans. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 22:2212-2214. [PMID: 27869609 PMCID: PMC5189150 DOI: 10.3201/eid2212.160644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Andrade G, Bertsch DJ, Gazzinelli A, King CH. Decline in infection-related morbidities following drug-mediated reductions in the intensity of Schistosoma infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005372. [PMID: 28212414 PMCID: PMC5333910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since 1984, WHO has endorsed drug treatment to reduce Schistosoma infection and its consequent morbidity. Cross-sectional studies suggest pre-treatment correlation between infection intensity and risk for Schistosoma-related pathology. However, evidence also suggests that post-treatment reduction in intensity may not reverse morbidity because some morbidities occur at all levels of infection, and some reflect permanent tissue damage. The aim of this project was to systematically review evidence on drug-based control of schistosomiasis and to develop a quantitative estimate of the impact of post-treatment reductions in infection intensity on prevalence of infection-associated morbidity. Methodology/Principal findings This review was registered at inception with PROSPERO (CRD42015026080). Studies that evaluated morbidity before and after treatment were identified by online searches and searches of private archives. Post-treatment odds ratios or standardized mean differences were calculated for each outcome, and these were correlated to treatment-related egg count reduction ratios (ERRs) by meta-regression. A greater ERR correlated with greater reduction in odds of most morbidities. Random effects meta-analysis was used to derive summary estimates: after treatment of S. mansoni and S. japonicum, left-sided hepatomegaly was reduced by 54%, right-sided hepatomegaly by 47%, splenomegaly by 37%, periportal fibrosis by 52%, diarrhea by 53%, and blood in stools by 75%. For S. haematobium, hematuria was reduced by 92%, proteinuria by 90%, bladder lesions by 86%, and upper urinary tract lesions by 72%. There were no consistent changes in portal dilation or hemoglobin levels. In sub-group analysis, age, infection status, region, parasite species, and interval to follow-up were associated with meaningful differences in outcome. Conclusion/Significance While there are challenges to implementing therapy for schistosomiasis, and praziquantel therapy is not fully curative, reductions in egg output are significantly correlated with decreased morbidity and can be used to project diminution in disease burden when contemplating more aggressive strategies to minimize infection intensity. Schistosomiasis is the disease caused by infection with Schistosoma parasitic flukes. Depending on the infecting species, chronic Schistosoma infection can cause a variety of pathologies including liver and spleen enlargement, fibrosis and hypertension of the portal vein of the liver, or bladder ulceration and deformities and kidney blockage. Infection can also cause anemia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and decreased physical fitness. In our study, we quantified the reductions in prevalence of infection-related morbidities among populations with Schistosoma infection, as achieved by giving one or more drug treatments. We systematically reviewed 71 available reports of Schistosoma-related morbidity reduction and determined, based on a meta-analysis of the primary data, that the odds of persisting morbidity progressively decrease when greater post-treatment reductions in parasite burden are achieved, as reflected by reduced egg counts in standard diagnostic testing. This suggests that repeated or more effective anti-parasite drug treatment will be a valuable tool for greater reduction of Schistosoma-related patient morbidities in affected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele Andrade
- Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - David J. Bertsch
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Andrea Gazzinelli
- Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Charles H. King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Devkota R, Brant SV, Loker ES. A genetically distinct Schistosoma from Radix luteola from Nepal related to Schistosoma turkestanicum: A phylogenetic study of schistosome and snail host. Acta Trop 2016; 164:45-53. [PMID: 27542535 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
During a survey of freshwater snails in the Terai region of southern Nepal, 16 of 2588 specimens of Radix luteola from 4 different habitats were found to be shedding schistosome cercariae. None of the 1411 specimens of Radix acuminata we collected were positive for schistosomes. Analysis of 28S, cox1, 16S and 12S sequences indicated that all the R. luteola-derived schistosomes were genetically very similar to one another and, although unambiguously grouping most closely to the widespread Asian species Schistosoma turkestanicum, were clearly genetically distinct from it. We lack information from other life cycle stages to verify the specific identity of these cercariae, but it is possible they are of Schistosoma bomfordi or Schistosoma dattai, both species previously known only from northern India, the latter species known to infect R. luteola. This study provides sequence evidence for a third genetically distinct lymnaeid-transmitted Schistosoma lineage in Asia (to go along with S. turkestanicum and S. incognitum). As a close relative of S. turkestanicum, it provides the first direct molecular evidence to accompany morphological results from earlier studies for the presence of a S. turkestanicum species group in Asia. It increases to five the number of known or suspected mammalian schistosome species to be present in the Terai region of Nepal. Radix luteola and R. acuminata were identified and differentiated using conchological features and by molecular phylogenetic analyses of cox1 and 16S genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Devkota
- Navajo Technical University Chinle Site, PO box 849, Chinle, AZ 86503, USA.
| | - Sara V Brant
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Division of Parasitology, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Eric S Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Division of Parasitology, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Kincaid-Smith J, Boissier J, Allienne JF, Oleaga A, Djuikwo-Teukeng F, Toulza E. A Genome Wide Comparison to Identify Markers to Differentiate the Sex of Larval Stages of Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma bovis and their Respective Hybrids. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005138. [PMID: 27861520 PMCID: PMC5115654 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
For scientists working on gonochoric organisms, determining sex can be crucial for many biological questions and experimental studies, such as crossbreeding, but it can also be a challenging task, particularly when no sexual dimorphism is visible or cannot be directly observed. In metazoan parasites of the genus Schistosoma responsible for schistosomiasis, sex is genetically determined in the zygote with a female heterogametic ZW/ZZ system. Adult flukes have a pronounced sexual dimorphism, whereas the sexes of the larval stages are morphologically indistinguishable but can be distinguished uniquely by using molecular methods. Therefore, reliable methods are needed to identify the sex of larvae individuals. Here, we present an endpoint PCR-based assay using female-specific sequences identified using a genome-wide comparative analysis between males and females. This work allowed us to identify sex-markers for Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis but also the hybrid between both species that has recently emerged in Corsica (France). Five molecular sex-markers were identified and are female-specific in S. haematobium and the hybrid parasite, whereas three of them are also female-specific in S. bovis. These molecular markers will be useful to conduct studies, such as experimental crosses on these disease-causing blood flukes, which are still largely neglected but no longer restricted to tropical areas. Current global changes (environmental and anthropogenic) are expected to promote the spread and transmission of infectious diseases. One of the direct consequences of such changes is the modification of the geographical distribution of species, enabling natural hybridization. Such hybridization is already known to occur in schistosomes, and offspring have been shown to have superior virulence and invasive capacities. The recent outbreak of a hybrid between the human- and animal- infecting schistosomes, S. haematobium x S. bovis, in Europe (Corsica, France) clearly demonstrates this invasive capacity and raises the risk of zoonotic transmission. Therefore, it is important to study such hybrids, and experimental crosses are critical to address this issue. Here, we developed molecular sex markers for S. haematobium and S. bovis in order to distinguish gender and to be able to generate differentially introgressed hybrids, allowing us to investigate parasite fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Kincaid-Smith
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-François Allienne
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Ana Oleaga
- Parasitology Laboratory, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, Spain
| | | | - Eve Toulza
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, France
- * E-mail:
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Masamba P, Adenowo AF, Oyinloye BE, Kappo AP. Universal Stress Proteins as New Targets for Environmental and Therapeutic Interventions of Schistosomiasis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13:E972. [PMID: 27706050 PMCID: PMC5086711 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13100972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In spite of various control measures and eradication methods that have been in progress, schistosomiasis still prevails as one of the most prevalent debilitating parasitic diseases, typically affecting the poor and the underprivileged that are predominantly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasitic schistosome blood fluke responsible for causing the disease completes its complex developmental cycle in two hosts: humans and freshwater snails, where they physically undergo gross modifications to endure the different conditions associated with each host. Just like any other organism, the worm possesses mechanisms that help them respond to environmental insults. It has been hypothesized that a special class of proteins known as Universal Stress Proteins (USPs) are up-regulated during sudden environmental changes, thus assisting the worm to tolerate the unfavourable conditions associated with its developmental cycle. The position of praziquantel as the drug of choice against all schistosome infections has been deemed vulnerable due to mounting concerns over drug pressure and so the need for alternative treatment is now a matter of urgency. Therefore, this review seeks to explore the associations and possible roles of USPs in schistosomiasis as well as the functioning of these proteins in the schistosomulae stage in order to develop new therapeutic interventions against this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Masamba
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
| | - Abiola Fatimah Adenowo
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
| | - Babatunji Emmanuel Oyinloye
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
- Department of Biochemistry, Afe Babalola University, PMB 5454, Ado-Ekiti 360001, Nigeria.
| | - Abidemi Paul Kappo
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
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Marszewska A, Cichy A, Heese T, Żbikowska E. The real threat of swimmers' itch in anthropogenic recreational water body of the Polish Lowland. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3049-56. [PMID: 27083184 PMCID: PMC4958134 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5060-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
After numerous reports the local press about the “stinging water” in created on the Dzierżęcinka River—Water Valley reservoir and recognizing in bathers the symptoms of swimmers’ itch, environmental study on the presence of bird schistosome larvae in snail hosts was conducted. Snails belonging to Lymnaeidae and Planorbidae were collected at two sites: (i) part of anthropogenic reservoir (192 individuals) and (ii) the river part (37 individuals). Higher prevalence of Digenea was observed in snail populations living in Water Valley (29.8 %) compared to Dzierżęcinka River (21.3 %). The larvae of bird schistosomes were recorded in both localities in 1.8 % of collected snails. The prevalence of bird schistosomes reached 2.9 % in Planorbarius corneus, 2.8 % in Radix auricularia, and 5.9 % in Radix balthica/labiata. Laboratory tests have shown that at 19 °C the number of bird schistosome cercariae released from snail hosts significantly exceeded the number of cercariae of other identified Digenea species. It is worth underlining that despite the low prevalence of bird schistosomes, the high number of released cercariae was sufficient to create a real threat of swimmers’ itch in bathers. As indicated by the example presented, anthropogenic reservoirs create excellent conditions for Digenea species including bird schistosomes. In view of the real risk of people using the waters, tests on presence of the parasites in snail hosts should be included to the standard procedure of security control in bathing places.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Marszewska
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, Nicolas Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Anna Cichy
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, Nicolas Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Tomasz Heese
- Department of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental and Geodetic Sciences, Koszalin University of Technology, Koszalin, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Żbikowska
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, Nicolas Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland.
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Qian L, Chuan-Xin Y. [Progress of researches on diagnostic methods of current Schistosoma infection]. Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2016; 28:220-224. [PMID: 29469310 DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2015238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Now schistosomiasis is still a serious zoonosis which affects human health and hinders the economy development in endemic areas. Accurate diagnosis of the infection of Schistosoma is very significant in reducing hazards to human health and controlling the epidemic of schistosomiasis. This review summarizes recent advances in the laboratory diagnostic methods for current schistosome infection (including pathogenic, immunologic and molecular biologic methods) so as to provide the reference for prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Qian
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases; Key Laboratory on Technology for Parasitic Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Technology for Parasite and Vector Control, Wuxi 214064, China
| | - Yu Chuan-Xin
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases; Key Laboratory on Technology for Parasitic Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Technology for Parasite and Vector Control, Wuxi 214064, China
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Chen SB, Ai L, Hu W, Xu J, Bergquist R, Qin ZQ, Chen JH. New Anti-Schistosoma Approaches in The People's Republic of China: Development of Diagnostics, Vaccines and Other New Techniques Belonging to the 'Omics' Group. Adv Parasitol 2016; 92:385-408. [PMID: 27137453 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A new national schistosomiasis elimination programme will be implemented for the period 2016-20. To support this approach, we have performed a systematic review to assess anti-schistosome approaches in The People's Republic of China and defined research priorities for the coming years. A systematic search was conducted for articles published from January 2000 to March 2015 in international journals. Totally 410 references were published in English between 2000 and 2015 related to schistosomiasis after unrelated references and reviews or comments were further excluded. A set of research priorities has been identified for the near future that would improve the progress toward schistosomiasis elimination in The People's Republic of China. In particular, there is a lack of sensitive and specific tests for the detection of schistosomiasis cases with low parasite burdens, as well as an effective vaccine against schistosomiasis, and there is a need for surveillance tools that can evaluate the epidemic status for guiding the elimination strategy. Hence, we think that schistosomiasis control and elimination will be improved in The People's Republic of China through development of new tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-B Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - L Ai
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - W Hu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Fudan University, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - J Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - R Bergquist
- Geospatial Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Z-Q Qin
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
| | - J-H Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China; WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, The People's Republic of China
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Li J, Zhao GH, Lin R, Blair D, Sugiyama H, Zhu XQ. Rapid detection and identification of four major Schistosoma species by high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:4225-32. [PMID: 26253799 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4660-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by blood flukes belonging to several species of the genus Schistosoma, is a serious and widespread parasitic disease. Accurate and rapid differentiation of these etiological agents of animal and human schistosomiasis to species level can be difficult. We report a real-time PCR assay coupled with a high-resolution melt (HRM) assay targeting a portion of the nuclear 18S rDNA to detect, identify, and distinguish between four major blood fluke species (Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, and Schistosoma mekongi). Using this system, the Schistosoma spp. was accurately identified and could also be distinguished from all other trematode species with which they were compared. As little as 10(-5) ng genomic DNA from a Schistosoma sp. could be detected. This process is inexpensive, easy, and can be completed within 3 h. Examination of 21 representative Schistosoma samples from 15 geographical localities in seven endemic countries validated the value of the HRM detection assay and proved its reliability. The melting curves were characterized by peaks of 83.65 °C for S. japonicum and S. mekongi, 85.65 °C for S. mansoni, and 85.85 °C for S. haematobium. The present study developed a real-time PCR coupled with HRM analysis assay for detection and differential identification of S. mansoni, S. haematobium, S. japonicum, and S. mekongi. This method is rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive. It has important implications for epidemiological studies of Schistosoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510640, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Hui Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - RuiQing Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - David Blair
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Hiromu Sugiyama
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 113-8421, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China.
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Li N, Li Q. Identification and characterization of endogenous viral elements for the three key schistosomes of humans. Pak J Pharm Sci 2015; 28:375-382. [PMID: 25631516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) are widely distributed throughout eukaryotic genomes, and their evolution and potential function have attracted a lot of interest. Draft genome sequences for Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma haematobium are now available; however, information about EVEs in blood flukes of the genus schistosoma is scanty. Here, genome-wide survey into the putative EVE sequences of the three key schistosome genomes were present. Totally 4, 117 gene sequences were identified, including retrovirus-like gypsy elements, RNA viruses and dsDNA viruses. Compared with S. japonicum and S. haematobium, S. mansoni appeared to greatly out numbered by gypsy members. Phylogenetic analysis revealed one novel endogenous retrovirus element in S. mansoni. This initial characterization of schistosomes showed that schistosomes harbour distinct EVEs that may have played an important evolutionary role. Studies of schistosomes' endogenous viruses helped us to glance at an earlier viral event in the class Trematoda, greatly broadening the field of palaeovirology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- School of Bioscience and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Guangdong, China
| | - Quhuan Li
- School of Bioscience and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Guangdong, China
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Poole H, Terlouw DJ, Naunje A, Mzembe K, Stanton M, Betson M, Lalloo DG, Stothard JR. Schistosomiasis in pre-school-age children and their mothers in Chikhwawa district, Malawi with notes on characterization of schistosomes and snails. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:153. [PMID: 24690282 PMCID: PMC4230191 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To complement ongoing schistosomiasis control within national control programmes (NCPs) that administer praziquantel to school-age children, assessing the risk and extent of schistosomiasis in pre-school-age children (PSAC) is important. METHODS In June 2012, schistosomiasis in Chikhwawa district, Malawi was assessed across 12 villages examining pre-school-age children (PSAC) and their mothers by serological and parasitological diagnosis, as supplemented with urine-antigen and questionnaire-interview methods. Urinary tract morbidity was inferred by haematuria and albuminuria assays. RESULTS In total, 49.5% (CI₉₅ 42.6-56.4) of 208 PSAC and 94.5% (CI₉₅ 90.9-98.1) of 165 mothers were seropositive for schistosomiasis, in 2 villages seroprevalence exceeded 75% in PSAC. Egg-patent urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis was observed; 17.7% (CI₉₅ 12.4-23.2) of PSAC and 45.1% (CI₉₅ 37.4-52.8) of mothers having active schistosomiasis by parasitological and urine-antigen testing combined. PSAC often had extensive daily water contact and many (~25%) had haematuria and albuminuria. As eggs with an atypical morphology of Schistosoma haematobium were observed, a general selection of schistosome eggs was characterized by DNA barcoding, finding Group I S. haematobium and Group IV and V S. mansoni. Malacological surveys encountered several populations of Bulinus globosus but failed to find Biomphalaria. CONCLUSIONS Both PSAC and their mothers appear to be at significant risk of schistosomiasis and should be considered for treatment within the NCP of Malawi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Poole
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Dianne J Terlouw
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, PO Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Andrew Naunje
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, PO Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Kondwani Mzembe
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, PO Box 30096, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Michelle Stanton
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Martha Betson
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - David G Lalloo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - J Russell Stothard
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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36
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Zheng SY, Li F. [Research progress of molecular genetic analysis in Schistosoma variation]. Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2014; 26:90-105. [PMID: 24800578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The development of molecular biology techniques makes important contributions to the researches of heritable variation of Schistosoma. In recent years, the molecular genetic analysis in the Schistosoma variation researches mainly includes the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), random amplified polymorphism technology (RAPD), microsatellite anchored PCR (SSR-PCR), and polymerase reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). This article reviews the research progress of molecular genetic analysis in Schistosoma variation in recent years.
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37
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Chen B, Wen JF. [Progress of research on parasitic adaptability of schistosome and its application value]. Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2014; 26:84-89. [PMID: 24800577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The larval and adult schistosomes can effectively establish the stable parasitic relationship with their final hosts and then maintain the parasitism for a long time, due to the successful adaptation to their parasitic lifestyle. This paper reviews the progress of research on parasitic adaptability of schistosomes in several respects, and demonstrates the application value of schistosomal genes related to parasitic adaptability in schistosomiasis control and exploitation of natural active molecules.
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38
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Steinauer ML, Christie MR, Blouin MS, Agola LE, Mwangi IN, Maina GM, Mutuku MW, Kinuthia JM, Mkoji GM, Loker ES. Non-invasive sampling of schistosomes from humans requires correcting for family structure. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2456. [PMID: 24069499 PMCID: PMC3777896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
For ethical and logistical reasons, population-genetic studies of parasites often rely on the non-invasive sampling of offspring shed from their definitive hosts. However, if the sampled offspring are naturally derived from a small number of parents, then the strong family structure can result in biased population-level estimates of genetic parameters, particularly if reproductive output is skewed. Here, we document and correct for the strong family structure present within schistosome offspring (miracidia) that were collected non-invasively from humans in western Kenya. By genotyping 2,424 miracidia from 12 patients at 12 microsatellite loci and using a sibship clustering program, we found that the samples contained large numbers of siblings. Furthermore, reproductive success of the breeding schistosomes was skewed, creating differential representation of each family in the offspring pool. After removing the family structure with an iterative jacknifing procedure, we demonstrated that the presence of relatives led to inflated estimates of genetic differentiation and linkage disequilibrium, and downwardly-biased estimates of inbreeding coefficients (FIS). For example, correcting for family structure yielded estimates of FST among patients that were 27 times lower than estimates from the uncorrected samples. These biased estimates would cause one to draw false conclusions regarding these parameters in the adult population. We also found from our analyses that estimates of the number of full sibling families and other genetic parameters of samples of miracidia were highly intercorrelated but are not correlated with estimates of worm burden obtained via egg counting (Kato-Katz). Whether genetic methods or the traditional Kato-Katz estimator provide a better estimate of actual number of adult worms remains to be seen. This study illustrates that family structure must be explicitly accounted for when using offspring samples to estimate the genetic parameters of adult parasite populations. Genetic epidemiology uses genetic data to uncover patterns of disease processes. To acquire data for these analyses, individual pathogens are collected and scored at genetic markers, and the resultant data are analyzed to infer biological patterns about the pathogen populations. In lieu of invasive sampling of adult pathogens in humans, researchers have relied on non-invasive sampling of parasite offspring (often shed in fecal samples). One potential problem with this approach is that analyses using the offspring data will be biased because many of the offspring are related and family sizes are likely to be unequal. We show that this sampling issue is relevant in a natural transmission zone in western Kenya and that it yields biases in three important parameters: genetic differentiation, inbreeding coefficients, and estimates of the amount of non-random association between loci (linkage disequilibrium). We also develop a method to remove these biases by removing the sibling structure present in the dataset. Finally, we suggest that our measure of family number, as well as other genetic measures, may be useful measures of the worm burdens in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L. Steinauer
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Mark R. Christie
- Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Blouin
- Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Lelo E. Agola
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ibrahim N. Mwangi
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Geoffrey M. Maina
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Martin W. Mutuku
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph M. Kinuthia
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald M. Mkoji
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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Buro C, Oliveira KC, Lu Z, Leutner S, Beckmann S, Dissous C, Cailliau K, Verjovski-Almeida S, Grevelding CG. Transcriptome analyses of inhibitor-treated schistosome females provide evidence for cooperating Src-kinase and TGFβ receptor pathways controlling mitosis and eggshell formation. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003448. [PMID: 23785292 PMCID: PMC3681755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosome parasites cause schistosomiasis, one of the most prevalent parasitemias worldwide affecting humans and animals. Constant pairing of schistosomes is essential for female sexual maturation and egg production, which causes pathogenesis. Female maturation involves signaling pathways controlling mitosis and differentiation within the gonads. In vitro studies had shown before that a Src-specific inhibitor, Herbimycin A (Herb A), and a TGFβ receptor (TβR) inhibitor (TRIKI) have physiological effects such as suppressed mitoses and egg production in paired females. As one Herb A target, the gonad-specifically expressed Src kinase SmTK3 was identified. Here, we comparatively analyzed the transcriptome profiles of Herb A- and TRIKI-treated females identifying transcriptional targets of Src-kinase and TβRI pathways. After demonstrating that TRIKI inhibits the schistosome TGFβreceptor SmTβRI by kinase assays in Xenopus oocytes, couples were treated with Herb A, TRIKI, or both inhibitors simultaneously in vitro. RNA was isolated from females for microarray hybridizations and transcription analyses. The obtained data were evaluated by Gene Ontology (GO) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), but also by manual classification and intersection analyses. Finally, extensive qPCR experiments were done to verify differential transcription of candidate genes under inhibitor influence but also to functionally reinforce specific physiological effects. A number of genes found to be differentially regulated are associated with mitosis and differentiation. Among these were calcium-associated genes and eggshell-forming genes. In situ hybridization confirmed transcription of genes coding for the calcium sensor hippocalcin, the calcium transporter ORAI-1, and the calcium-binding protein calmodulin-4 in the reproductive system pointing to a role of calcium in parasite reproduction. Functional qPCR results confirmed an inhibitor-influenced, varying dependence of the transcriptional activities of Smp14, Smp48, fs800, a predicted eggshell precursor protein and SmTYR1. The results show that eggshell-formation is regulated by at least two pathways cooperatively operating in a balanced manner to control egg production. As one of the most prevalent parasitic infections worldwide, schistosomiasis is caused by blood-flukes of the genus Schistosoma. Pathology coincides with egg production, which is started upon pairing of the dioeciously living adults. A constant pairing contact is required to induce mitoses and differentiation processes in the female leading to the development of the gonads. Although long known, the molecular processes controlling gonad development or egg-production in schistosomes or other platyhelminths are largely unknown. Using an established in vitro-culture system and specific, chemical inhibitors we have obtained first evidence in previous studies for the participation of signal transduction processes playing essential roles in controlling mitoses, differentiation and egg production. In the present study we applied combinatory inhibitor treatments combined with subsequent microarray and qPCR analyses and demonstrate for the first time that cooperating Src-Kinase- und TGFβ-signaling pathways control mitoses and egg formation processes. Besides direct evidence for managing transcription of eggshell-forming genes, new target molecules of these pathways were identified. Among these are calcium-associated genes providing a first hint towards a role of this ion for reproduction. Our finding shed first light on the signaling mechanisms controlling egg formation, which is important for life-cycling and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Buro
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Katia C. Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Silke Leutner
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Svenja Beckmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Colette Dissous
- CIIL - Center of Infection and Immunity of Lille, Université Lille Nord de France, Inserm U1019, CNRS-UMR 8204, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Katia Cailliau
- Laboratoire de Régulation des Signaux de Division, Université Lille 1 Sciences et Technology, EA 4479, IFR 147, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
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40
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Fernández-Soto P, Velasco Tirado V, Carranza Rodríguez C, Pérez-Arellano JL, Muro A. Long-term frozen storage of urine samples: a trouble to get PCR results in Schistosoma spp. DNA detection? PLoS One 2013; 8:e61703. [PMID: 23613907 PMCID: PMC3628586 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 03/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human schistosomiasis remains a serious worldwide public health problem. At present, a sensitive and specific assay for routine diagnosis of schistosome infection is not yet available. The potential for detecting schistosome-derived DNA by PCR-based methods in human clinical samples is currently being investigated as a diagnostic tool with potential application in routine schistosomiasis diagnosis. Collection of diagnostic samples such as stool or blood is usually difficult in some populations. However, urine is a biological sample that can be collected in a non-invasive method, easy to get from people of all ages and easy in management, but as a sample for PCR diagnosis is still not widely used. This could be due to the high variability in the reported efficiency of detection as a result of the high variation in urine samples’ storage or conditions for handling and DNA preservation and extraction methods. Methodology/Principal Findings We evaluate different commercial DNA extraction methods from a series of long-term frozen storage human urine samples from patients with parasitological confirmed schistosomiasis in order to assess the PCR effectiveness for Schistosoma spp. detection. Patientś urine samples were frozen for 18 months up to 7 years until use. Results were compared with those obtained in PCR assays using fresh healthy human urine artificially contaminated with Schistosoma mansoni DNA and urine samples from mice experimentally infected with S. mansoni cercariae stored frozen for at least 12 months before use. PCR results in fresh human artificial urine samples using different DNA based extraction methods were much more effective than those obtained when long-term frozen human urine samples were used as the source of DNA template. Conclusions/Significance Long-term frozen human urine samples are probably not a good source for DNA extraction for use as a template in PCR detection of Schistosoma spp., regardless of the DNA method of extraction used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Fernández-Soto
- IBSAL-CIETUS (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- * E-mail: (PFS); (AM)
| | - Virginia Velasco Tirado
- IBSAL-CIETUS (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Cristina Carranza Rodríguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - José Luis Pérez-Arellano
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Antonio Muro
- IBSAL-CIETUS (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- * E-mail: (PFS); (AM)
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41
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Tang CL, Dong HF, Jiang MS. [Progress of research on mechanism of growth and development of schistosomula of Schistosoma]. Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2012; 24:591-606. [PMID: 23373275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The specific molecular targets of schistosomula have been investigated for being new vaccine candidates. The mechanism of the growth and development of the skin-stage, lung-stage and hepatic schistosomula may be related to the immune regulation, signal transduction, sex-differentiation and apoptosis. Actin et al are important molecules which related to the growth and development of schistosomula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Lian Tang
- Department of Laboratory, Wuhan Municipal Wuchang hospital, Hubei Province, Wuhan 430063, China
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42
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Wilson RA. The cell biology of schistosomes: a window on the evolution of the early metazoa. Protoplasma 2012; 249:503-518. [PMID: 21976269 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-011-0326-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This review of schistosome cell biology has a dual purpose; its intent is to alert two separate research communities to the activities of the other. Schistosomes are by far and away the best-characterised platyhelminths, due to their medical and economic importance, but seem to be almost totally ignored by researchers on the free-living lower metazoans. Equally, in their enthusiasm for the parasitic way of life, schistosome researchers seldom pay attention to the work on free-living animals that could inform their molecular investigations. The publication of transcriptomes and/or genomes for Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum, the sponge Archimedon, the cnidarians Nematostella and Hydra and the planarian Schmidtea provide the raw material for comparisons. Apart from interrogation of the databases for molecular similarities, there have been differences in technical approach to these lower metazoans; widespread application of whole mount in situ hybridisation to Schmidtea contrasts with the application of targeted proteomics to schistosomes. Using schistosome cell biology as the template, the key topics of cell adhesion, development, signalling pathways, nerve and muscle, and epithelia, are reviewed, where possible interspersing comparisons with the sponge, cnidarian and planarian data. The biggest jump in the evolution of cellular capabilities appears to be in the transition from a diploblast to triploblast level of organisation associated with development of a mobile and plastic body form.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Alan Wilson
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
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43
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Swain MT, Larkin DM, Caffrey CR, Davies SJ, Loukas A, Skelly PJ, Hoffmann KF. Schistosoma comparative genomics: integrating genome structure, parasite biology and anthelmintic discovery. Trends Parasitol 2011; 27:555-64. [PMID: 22024648 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2011.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 09/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma genomes provide a comprehensive resource for identifying the molecular processes that shape parasite evolution and for discovering novel chemotherapeutic or immunoprophylactic targets. Here, we demonstrate how intragenus and intergenus comparative genomics can be used to drive these investigations forward, illustrate the advantages and limitations of these approaches and review how post-genomic technologies offer complementary strategies for genome characterisation. Although sequencing and functional characterisation of other schistosome/platyhelminth genomes continues to expedite anthelmintic discovery, we contend that future priorities should equally focus on improving assembly quality, and chromosomal assignment, of existing schistosome/platyhelminth genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin T Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
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44
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Mo XJ, Feng Z, Hu W. [Application and progress of fluorescence in situ hybridization in schistosome biology]. Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi 2011; 29:224-232. [PMID: 21970116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the most serious parasitic diseases. Schistosome genes research provides the basis for study of schistosomiasis diagnosis, vaccine and drug targets. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in schistosome focuses on researches of location of functional genes on chromosomes, genome physical mapping and chromosome identification. This article reviews the application of FISH in schistosome biology and its potential development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jin Mo
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China
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45
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Abstract
Schistosomes are parasitic platyhelminths that currently infect over 200 million people globally. The parasites can live for years in a putatively hostile environment - the blood of vertebrates. We have hypothesized that the unusual schistosome tegument (outer-covering) plays a role in protecting parasites in the blood; by impeding host immunological signaling pathways we suggest that tegumental molecules help create an immunologically privileged environment for schistosomes. In this work, we clone and characterize a schistosome alkaline phosphatase (SmAP), a predicted ∼60 kDa glycoprotein that has high sequence conservation with members of the alkaline phosphatase protein family. The SmAP gene is most highly expressed in intravascular parasite life stages. Using immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopy, we confirm that SmAP is expressed at the host/parasite interface and in internal tissues. The ability of living parasites to cleave exogenous adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and generate adenosine is very largely abolished when SmAP gene expression is suppressed following RNAi treatment targeting the gene. These results lend support to the hypothesis that schistosome surface enzymes such as SmAP could dampen host immune responses against the parasites by generating immunosuppressants such as adenosine to promote their survival. This notion does not rule out other potential functions for the adenosine generated e.g. in parasite nutrition. Schistosomes are parasitic worms that live for many years in the blood stream of ∼200 million people globally. How they manage to avoid getting killed by host immune mechanisms is a puzzle. We hypothesize that molecules in their skin (tegument), e.g. the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (SmAP), help them in this regard. In this work, we characterize SmAP. It is predicted to be a ∼60 kDa glycoprotein that is most highly expressed in those parasite life stages that live inside a mammalian host. We confirm that SmAP is expressed at the host/parasite interface as well as in internal tissues. To monitor the function of the enzyme, we have suppressed the expression of the SmAP gene using RNA interference. These parasites largely loose their ability to cleave the added substrate AMP (adenosine monophosphate) to generate adenosine. Since adenosine is very efficient at dampening host immune mechanisms, our work lends support to the idea that one function for tegumental SmAP is to generate the immunosuppressant adenosine so that the worms can remain unperturbed by host immune effectors. Our results do not preclude other functions for the generated adenosine. For example it could also be taken up as a nutrient by the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bhardwaj
- Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Patrick J. Skelly
- Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kasinathan RS, Greenberg RM. Pharmacology and potential physiological significance of schistosome multidrug resistance transporters. Exp Parasitol 2011; 132:2-6. [PMID: 21420955 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Revised: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 03/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes are the causative agents of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting hundreds of millions worldwide and a major global health burden. Current control of schistosomiasis depends largely on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). One potential physiological target for new antischistosomal drugs is the parasite's excretory system, which removes wastes and xenobiotics. Multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters that are members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of proteins are ATP-dependent efflux pumps involved in removal of toxins and xenobiotics from cells. They mediate the phenomenon of multidrug resistance, in which cells resistant to one drug show cross-resistance to a broad range of other agents, and are also associated with reduced drug susceptibility in parasitic helminths. In this review, we survey the different types of ABC transporter genes present within the schistosome genome, and examine recent evidence indicating that at least some of these transporters may play a role in fine-tuning susceptibility of schistosomes to PZQ. Disruption of their function may therefore provide a strategy for enhancing drug action or overcoming or attenuating drug resistance. Furthermore, dissection of the roles these transporters may play in normal schistosome physiology could potentially lead to identification of highly "druggable" targets for new antischistosomals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi S Kasinathan
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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47
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Gobert GN. Better understanding of anti-schistosomal strategies through microarray analysis. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2010; 10:251-257. [PMID: 20429867 DOI: 10.2174/187152610791591601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2009] [Accepted: 11/21/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a wide-spread parasitic disease of many tropical and sub-tropical countries. The current central control measure is the use of single drug praziquantel, although the mode of action is not fully realised and the possibility resistance is a concern. The preferred alternative control strategy would involve a target vaccine, which unfortunately hasn't yet been realised. A useful research tool for better understanding the immunological elimination of an active infection is vaccination with live, radiation attenuation parasites. Both of these important research approaches, whether defining the current drug regime or the immunological interactions between the host and parasite, can be better understood through the profiling of the transcriptional status of the parasite. This review will present some of the recent microarray based studies examining the Schistosoma parasite under chemotherapy or immunological stress. Finally some suggestions on how microarray analyses may better help to identify new detoxification or immuno-evasion mechanisms of the parasite and what subsequent functional validations will be needed to support transcriptional findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey N Gobert
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
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Xiao JY, Cai LS, Mitsuru N, Shinji T, Jarilla Blanca R, Masaaki S, Blair D, Takeshi A. [Study on molecular phylogeny of Schistosoma bovis based on mitochondrial DNA sequence and gene order]. Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi 2010; 28:252-256. [PMID: 21137306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the nucleotide sequence of the partial mitochondrial (mt) genome and the order of the mitochondrial protein-coding genes for Schistosoma bovis for analysis of possible phylogenetic position of this species in the genus Schistosoma. METHODS The genomic DNA of adult worms were extracted by the GNT-K method. The target regions were amplified by PCR using a degenerated primer and specific primer. The PCR products were purified before ligating into the pGEM1 T-vector system. Recombinant plasmids were amplified in Escherichia coli, extracted and purified using routine methods. The nucleotide sequences were determined with an ABI PRISM 3100-Avant DNA sequencer using a BigDye Terminators v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Bio-systems, CA, U.S.A.) with two T-vector specific primers (T7 and SP6). Positive colonies were sequenced with two internal specific primers to obtain the full sequence of each fragment on both strands by means of primer walking. Sequences of related schistosomes were retrieved from GenBank and aligned with our data. Gene trees were constructed using neighbor joining methods. RESULTS The nucleotide sequence was determined and the gene order of this region in S. bovis was found as follows: NADHdehydrogenase4 (nad4)-trnQ (Gln)-trnK(Lys)-NADH dehydrogenase 3(nad3)-trnD (Asp)-NADH dehydrogenase 1(nad1). The gene order covering such region of S. bovis was similar to that of the African Schistosoma species, but strikingly different from the Asian species. Phylogenetic trees inferred from the alignment including partial nad4, nad3, partial nad1 and partial nad4+nad3+nad1 sequence for other 8 Schistosoma spp., respectively, revealed that S. bovis is placed proximally to S. haematobium in the African sub-group, which is identical with those placed by gene order in the African clade. CONCLUSION The mtDNA analysis based on mitochondrial DNA sequence and the gene order strongly support the hypothesis that S. bovis belongs to the African schistosome clade rather than the Asian Schistosoma species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-ying Xiao
- Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi 783-5805, Japan
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Lopatkin AA, Khrisanfova GG, Voronin MV, Zazornova OP, Beér SA, Semenova SK. [Polymorphism of the cox1 gene in bird schistosome cercaria isolates (Trematoda, Schistosomatidae) from ponds of Moscow and Moscow oblast]. Genetika 2010; 46:981-989. [PMID: 20795503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphism of a 8 10-bp mitochondrial cox1 gene region was studied in 16 cercaria isolates of bird schistosomes (family Schistosomatidae), which were collected in water bodies of Moscow and Moscow oblast and represented three species: Trichobilharzia szidati, T. franki, and T. regenti. A substantial predominance of AT (65.4%) was characteristic of the cox1 sequences in all three species. Rare single nucleotide substitutions determined low (0.2-0.9%) intraspecific nucleotide and amino acid sequence diversity. Haplotype diversity h was high (80-100%) in all three species, suggesting a unique character for almost all cox1 sequences in the sample. Phylogenetic trees based on the nucleotide and amino acid sequence variations were constructed to study the relationships of the three schistosome species. A high support was observed for the main branching node that reflects differentiation of the monophyletic group Trichobilharzia and species of the genera Bilharziella (B. polonica), Dendritobilharzia (D. pulverulenta), and Gigantobilharzia (G. huronensis). Based on the nucleotide substitutions and amino acid polymorphisms, two groups of isolates, which infect Lymnaea stagnalis (T. szidati) and snails of the group Radix (T. franki and T. regenti) respectively, were isolated in the genus Trichobilharzia. The time of divergence between the two schistosome groups infecting snails of the genera Radix and Lymnaea was calculated from the cox1 nucleotide substitution rate, which is known for Asian and Indian blood flukes from the genus Schistosoma and is 2-3% per million years on average. Divergence of the three bird schistosome species under study and divergence of the Asian species of mammalian schistosome were almost concurrent, dating back to 2.5-3.8 Myr ago. Factors responsible for the lack of intraspecific subdivision with respect to the cox1 gene in bird schistosomes and the lack of separation between two species (T. franki and T. regenti) are discussed.
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Zhang GJ, Qiu CP, Qiu DC, Xia MY. [Study on molecular phylogeny of Schistosoma sinensium based on mitochondrial genes]. Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi 2010; 20:10-3. [PMID: 12567532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the phylogenetic position of Schistosoma sinensium in the genus Schistosoma using mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase 1 (CO1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1(ND1) as molecular markers. METHODS The genomic DNA of adult worms were extracted by the GNT-K method. The target regions were amplified by PCR using specific primers. The PCR products were purified before ligation into the plasmid Zero-Blunt. Recombinant plasmids were amplified in E. coli, extracted and purified using routine methods and then sequenced using M13 primers (F/R) on a Licor long-read auto-sequencer. Sequences of related schistosomes were retrieved from GenBank and aligned with our data in the sequence editor ESEE. Gene trees were constructed in PHYLIP and MEGA using both maximum parsimony and neighbor-joining methods. For parsimony analysis, all characters were treated as unordered and with equal weights. At least 3,000 cycles of bootstrapping were carried out. For analysis in MEGA, all gap columns were deleted. The third position of codon was included. RESULTS The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of CO1 and ND1 of S. sinensium were obtained. CONCLUSION The phylogenetic trees from these molecular data suggested that S. sinensium belongs to the Asian schistosome group, and the results coincided with the previous rDNA (ITS2 & LSU) analysis results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-jun Zhang
- Institute for Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prenention, Shanghai 200025
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