...lack of access to preventive medicine leads to increased risk of underlying health conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes-—comorbidities that have been linked to more severe ...COVID-19 manifestations 9,12–15. ...depending on their mode of entry into the US, many immigrants may be at risk for excessive stress related to poverty, trauma, and poor social support, which leads to mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety 18. ...immigrant communities with limited English skills may be less likely to receive and understand public health messages, warnings, and updates. ...there is much concern that the COVID-19 pandemic will result in particularly high rates of unemployment and financial strain within immigrant communities 26.
Ascariasis is one of the most common infections in the world and associated with significant global morbidity. Ascaris larval migration through the host's lungs is essential for larval development ...but leads to an exaggerated type-2 host immune response manifesting clinically as acute allergic airway disease. However, whether Ascaris larval migration can subsequently lead to chronic lung diseases remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that a single episode of Ascaris larval migration through the host lungs induces a chronic pulmonary syndrome of type-2 inflammatory pathology and emphysema accompanied by pulmonary hemorrhage and chronic anemia in a mouse model. Our results reveal that a single episode of Ascaris larval migration through the host lungs leads to permanent lung damage with systemic effects. Remote episodes of ascariasis may drive non-communicable lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic anemia in parasite endemic regions.
Helminth infections, including soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis, remain one of the most common infections in the world with over 1 billion people infected. These infections cause ...significant morbidity, particularly in young children, that may last a lifetime, including growth and cognitive stunting. There is an urgent need for the control and elimination of helminth infections from areas of poverty to reduce morbidity in children. Mass drug administration programs were adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2001 and have evolved to provide coverage with multiple anthelmintic medications in a single rapid impact package and more extensive coverage within a community.
Fungal airway infection (airway mycosis) is an important cause of allergic airway diseases such as asthma, but the mechanisms by which fungi trigger asthmatic reactions are poorly understood. Here, ...we leverage wild-type and mutant Candida albicans to determine how this common fungus elicits characteristic Th2 and Th17 cell-dependent allergic airway disease in mice. We demonstrate that rather than proteinases that are essential virulence factors for molds, C. albicans instead promoted allergic airway disease through the peptide toxin candidalysin. Candidalysin activated platelets through the Von Willebrand factor (VWF) receptor GP1bα to release the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) to drive Th2 and Th17 cell responses that correlated with reduced lung fungal burdens. Platelets simultaneously precluded lethal pulmonary hemorrhage resulting from fungal lung invasion. Thus, in addition to hemostasis, platelets promoted protection against C. albicans airway mycosis through an antifungal pathway involving candidalysin, GP1bα, and Dkk-1 that promotes Th2 and Th17 responses.
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•Candida albicans drives Th2 and Th17 responses through candidalysin•Candidalysin signals through platelet-expressed GP1bα to promote Dkk-1 release•Platelet-derived Dkk-1 drives Th2 and Th17 responses and allergic airway disease•Platelet-dependent T cell and hemostatic responses protect against C. albicans
Candida albicans causes Th2 and Th17 cell-dependent allergic airway disease, but the pathogenesis is obscure. Wu, et al., reveal an allergic effector pathway in which the C. albicans factor candidalysin signals through platelet-expressed GP1bα to drive release of dickkopf 1 (Dkk-1) that in turn promotes antifungal T cell responses.
Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus endemic in many areas around the world. HTLV-1 can induce the development of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) or myelopathy/tropical spastic ...paraparesis (HAM/TSP). We report a patient who presented to our outpatient clinic with massive splenomegaly, weight loss, urinary retention, and lower extremity weakness for the previous 3 years. The patient was found to have positive HTLV-1 by ELISA and Western blot from peripheral blood. Evaluation of the spleen demonstrated T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia consistent with ATL. In addition to progressive lower extremity weakness, hyperreflexia and clonus, cerebral spinal fluid was positive for HTLV-1 by ELISA and had a reversed CD4-to-CD8 ratio consistent with HAM/TSP. These findings suggest HTLV-1 induced ATL and HAM/TSP presenting simultaneously in the same patient.
Ascariasis is the most prevalent helminth infection in the world and leads to significant, life-long morbidity, particularly in young children. Current efforts to control and eradicate ascariasis in ...endemic regions have been met with significant challenges including high-rates of re-infection and potential development of anthelminthic drug resistance. Vaccines against ascariasis are a key tool that could break the transmission cycle and lead to disease eradication globally. Evolution of the Ascaris vaccine pipeline has progressed, however no vaccine product has been brought to human clinical trials to date. Advancement in recombinant protein technology may provide the first step in generating an Ascaris vaccine as well as a pan-helminthic vaccine ready for human trials. However, several roadblocks remain and investment in new technologies will be important to develop a successful human Ascaris vaccine that is critically needed to prevent significant morbidity in Ascaris-endemic regions around the world.
Coiled Encapsulated Trichinella Larva Kaplan, Julika; Finch, Christie J; Weatherhead, Jill E
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene,
11/2020, Letnik:
103, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
A 51-year-old man with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer underwent modified neck dissection with excision of the strap muscle. In addition to malignancy, histopathology demonstrated an encapsulated ...cyst containing a larva with bacillary bands within the skeletal muscle consistent with Trichinella species. Bacillary bands are rows of single gland cells traversing the length of the larva and are described in Trichinella, Trichuris, and Capillaria nematodes. Trichinella is transmitted to humans by consumption of raw or undercooked meat of infected animals. Trichinellosis from domestic pork is rare in the US because of extensive legislation and public health campaigns. False-negative tests can occur if the infectious load is minimal or if the assay is performed years after initial infection. It should also be noted that serologic assays can yield false-positive results from cross-reactivity with other parasitic infections.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, and neuropsychiatric diseases cause significant global morbidity and mortality which ...disproportionately affect those living in low resource regions including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In order to reduce NCD morbidity and mortality in LMIC it is imperative to understand risk factors associated with the development of NCDs. Certain infections are known risk factors for many NCDs. Several parasitic helminth infections, which occur most commonly in LMICs, have been identified as potential drivers of NCDs in parasite-endemic regions. Though understudied, the impact of helminth infections on the development of NCDs is likely related to helminth-specific factors, including species, developmental stage and disease burden. Mechanical and chemical damage induced by the helminth in combination with pathologic host immune responses contribute to the long-term inflammation that increases risk for NCD development. Robust studies from animal models and human clinical trials are needed to understand the immunologic mechanisms of helminth-induced NCDs. Understanding the complex connection between helminths and NCDs will aid in targeted public health programs to reduce helminth-induced NCDs and reduce the high rates of morbidity that affects millions of people living in parasite-endemic, LMICs globally.
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