Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Marina Clare Vinaud
Federal University of Goias, Brazil
Keynote: Experimental neurocysticercosis: Immunopathological studies
Time : 09:30-10:05
Biography:
Marina Clare Vinaud has completed her PhD at the Federal University of Goias, Brazil. She is a Professor and Researcher at the Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute of the Federal University of Goias, Member of the Brazilian Society of Parasitology and Associate Editor of the Revista de Patologia Tropical (Tropical Pathology Journal). She has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Neurocysticercosis is the most severe disease of the central nervous system caused by a parasite due to its clinical features that may lead to death and to the difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. Therefore experimental models that help the understanding of the pathological aspects of the host parasite relationship are of utmost importance. Our research group has developed an experimental model of neurocysticercosis with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci, ORF strain, in mice. The inoculation of the parasite is stereotaxically performed within the ventricles through a hole made in the skull of different lineages of mice, BALB/c and C57BL/6. At the early phase of the infection there was a predominance of polymorphonuclear cells in the inflammatory infiltration which was gradually substituted by mononuclear cells. There was an increase of IL-4 during the experimental infection. IL-10 and IFN-gamma concentrations were higher at the initial phases of the infection. IL-17 was detected uniformly throughout the experiment. Therefore there was a mixed Th1/Th17 immune response through systemic cytokines dosage at the acute phase of the infection, at a late phase of the infection there was a predominance of a Th2 immune profile and mononuclear cells infiltration surrounding the parasite. The location of the cysticerci may lead to ventriculomegaly and ependymitis. BALB/c mice presented inflammatory lesions with greater intensity, inducing necrosis on late stage parasites and with an acute inflammation pattern, while C57BL/6 mice showed greater capability on provoking early necrosis in the cysticerci which showed a chronic inflammation pattern.
Keynote Forum
Luiz Euribel Prestes Carneiro
Universidade do Oeste Paulista, Brazil
Keynote: Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis infection in an emerging area of São Paulo’s western region, Brazil
Time : 10:05-10:40
Biography:
Luiz Euribel Prestes Carneiro was graduated in Medicine at Oeste Paulista University (Presidente Prudente); Infectious Diseases Specialist at Ipiranga Hospital (São Paulo) and has completed his PhD at São Paulo University, Brazil. He is currently a Professor of Medicine and a Master’s course Professor at UNOESTE. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of 2 Brazilian journal, 8 international scientific journals and acts as reviewer for 16 scientific international journals.
Abstract:
Brazil harbors about 90% of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Latin America and in addition, the disease is nationwide spreading. Located in the western of São Paulo state, the region is considered an emerging area of VL. The first case was described in 2005 and by 2014, from the 45 municipalities, 33 (73.3%) have reported the sandfly, 23 (51.1%) canine leishmaniasis and 17 (37.7%) human VL-392 human reported cases and 22 deaths. The Regional Hospital of Presidente Prudente is a public reference center for VL diagnosis and treatment. From 2006 to 2014, 352 patients with the average age of 28.5±25.5 years were diagnosed. Splenomegaly 98%, fever 95% and hepatomegaly 92%, were some general factors strongly associated with VL diagnosis. Children ≤18 years old represented 44.9% of the population. Individuals ≤4 years old (26.7%) and ≥65 years old (9.9%) formed the susceptible population. Twenty-one individuals died of the underlying or VL-associated causes. With a tropical climate, dry winters and wet summers, the region is one of the poorest of the state, consisting of dozens of small towns and villages. Local environmental factors including extensive sugarcane plantations, huge amount of watersheds flowing into three big rivers and nine big lakes may be involved as well as the overlapping possibility of VL and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Increase measures need to be addressed to complement curative practices. Otherwise in preventive, this region will be depicted to the framework of sustained endemic foci of VL in Brazil.
- Special Session on Waterborne and food-borne parasites By Panagiotis Karanis, University of Cologne, Germany
Qinghai University, China
Location: Manchester
Session Introduction
Panagiotis Karanis
Qinghai University, China
Title: Waterborne and food-borne parasites
Biography:
Panagiotis Karanis has obtained his PhD in Parasitology from Bonn University. Following Post-doctoral research activities in Germany, Greece, Australia, Japan, Kanada, Thailand and China he has been working in the field of medical, epidemiological and molecular Parasitology taken into account both the pathogen and the disease. His worldwide research activities focused in the control of water-borne and vector-borne parasitic diseases including the development of diagnostic assays useful for basic and clinical platforms in the field of biomedicine. He was the main speaker of the Nobel-Days-Lecture during the Nobel-Days-Festivities at the Orebro University in Sweden in December 10th, 2012, focused on Malaria vaccine development.
Abstract:
Despite a large number of reports and significant resulting data for water and food-borne protozoan parasites exist, many questions remain. Although, knowledge concerning the objectives and technological tools for monitoring has been substantially improved questions regarding the most effective methodology remain. In this workshop, we address topics on the occurrence and distribution, epidemiology, disease, detection and control measures of various water and food-borne protozoan parasites. These protozoan parasites are cosmopolitan and they have main routes of transmission via water and food. Some waterborne protozoa are well known, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. We give priority on the methodology developed and applied mainly for monitoring of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in water over the last 40 years. There is a plethora of information regarding these two pathogens, including their distribution/detection in water and related outbreaks. In contrast, insufficient information is available for Cyclospora cayetanensis, Toxoplasma gondii, Isospora belli, Blastocystis hominis, Balantidium coli and Free-Living Amoebae (FLA). All of these parasites have water and food-borne transmission and they can be significant pathogens for animals and/or humans. The available detection tools applied for the water and food surveillance of the most common but also the neglected water and food-borne protozoa as mentioned above will be addressed, including the consequences of their presence in water and food and provide future perspectives.
- Track: Water Parasites
Track: Veterinary Parasitology
Track: Experimental Immunoparasitology
Track: Structural & Molecular Parasitology
Location: Manchester
Chair
Ashild K Andreassen
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
Co-Chair
Patrick Scheid
Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service, Germany
Session Introduction
Vyacheslav Yurchenko
University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
Title: Functional genomics of novel virulence factors in Leishmania infection
Time : 11:30-12:00
Biography:
Vyacheslav Yurchenko is an Associate Professor and Head of Laboratory of Molecular Protozoology at the Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava. His lab is involved in research on Leishmania parasites and their monoxenous relatives. He has published over 55 peer-reviewed papers and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member for several scientific journals.
Abstract:
Leishmania parasites cause a broad range of clinical manifestations from self-healing skin lesions to systemic tissue damage and death. The current study is focused on functional genomics approach aimed to identify and characterize novel virulence factors that are shared between several different Leishmania species. They are critical for rational drug design for therapies against leishmaniases. In this work we compared expression profiles of the virulent and avirulent strains of L. major and infective (metacyclics and amastigotes) and non-infective (procyclics) developmental stages of L. mexicana. In addition to some known proteins, this analysis revealed a number of novel targets potentially implicated in Leishmania virulence. To gain insight into their functional roles, genes encoding 3 of these putative virulence factors were ablated using conventional and CRISPR/Cas9 mediated techniques. Parasites' phenotypes, development and infectivity will be discussed in the framework of anti Leishmania drug design.
Luiz Euribel Prestes Carneiro
Universidade do Oeste Paulista, Brazil
Title: Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis infection in an emerging area of São Paulo’s western region, Brazil
Biography:
Luiz Euribel Prestes Carneiro was graduated in Medicine at Oeste Paulista University (Presidente Prudente); Infectious Diseases Specialist at Ipiranga Hospital (São Paulo) and has completed his PhD at São Paulo University, Brazil. He is currently a Professor of Medicine and a Master’s course Professor at UNOESTE. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of 2 Brazilian journal, 8 international scientific journals and acts as reviewer for 16 scientific international journals.
Abstract:
Brazil harbors about 90% of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Latin America and in addition, the disease is nationwide spreading. Located in the western of São Paulo state, the region is considered an emerging area of VL. The first case was described in 2005 and by 2014, from the 45 municipalities, 33 (73.3%) have reported the sandfly, 23 (51.1%) canine leishmaniasis and 17 (37.7%) human VL-392 human reported cases and 22 deaths. The Regional Hospital of Presidente Prudente is a public reference center for VL diagnosis and treatment. From 2006 to 2014, 352 patients with the average age of 28.5±25.5 years were diagnosed. Splenomegaly 98%, fever 95% and hepatomegaly 92%, were some general factors strongly associated with VL diagnosis. Children ≤18 years old represented 44.9% of the population. Individuals ≤4 years old (26.7%) and ≥65 years old (9.9%) formed the susceptible population. Twenty-one individuals died of the underlying or VL-associated causes. With a tropical climate, dry winters and wet summers, the region is one of the poorest of the state, consisting of dozens of small towns and villages. Local environmental factors including extensive sugarcane plantations, huge amount of watersheds flowing into three big rivers and nine big lakes may be involved as well as the overlapping possibility of VL and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Increase measures need to be addressed to complement curative practices. Otherwise in preventive, this region will be depicted to the framework of sustained endemic foci of VL in Brazil.
Patrick Scheid
Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service, Germany
Title: Free-living amoebae as vectors of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa
Time : 12:00-12:30
Biography:
Patrick L. Scheid (Ph.D.) is a lecturer of Zoology/Parasitology at the University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany. He is head of the Laboratories of Parasitology and Cell-Culture (Virology) at the Central Institute of the German Military Medical Service at Koblenz.Currently his researches focus on the so called free living amoebae (FLA) either as human pathogens or reservoirs and vehicles of pathogenic microorganisms. He holds the greatest collection of free-living amoebae in Germany and collaborates with researchers worldwide. He published more than 100 articles in scientific journals and scientific books on infectious diseases so far.
Abstract:
Free-living amoebae (FLA) can be found in specimen both in the environment and in samples from patients. In addition to their role as pathogens, FLA are known to serve as host and vehicles for the transfer of various intracellular organisms (fungi, viruses, bacteria, other eucaryotes), some of them being natural human pathogens. They act as reservoir or vehicle of microorganisms like Legionella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium sp., Cryptosporidium sp. and members of the Parachlamydiaceae. In the cyst-stage of the FLA these intracellular organisms are protected against any adverse environment (FLA as “Trojan horse”). This may lead to risks to health in terms of the development of pathogenicity/virulence and antibiotic resistance (FLA as “Trainings ground”). In most documented cases the microscopic observation of the host amoebae and their endocytobionts or endoparasites has been based on cultural methods. Light microscopy followed by electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy are the suitable methods to decide whether the microorganisms are really able to proliferate within their host amoebae (FLA as reservoirs) or whether they are only transported (FLA as vectors). “Cocultivation” of different microorganisms with a range of pathogenic and apathogenic FLA is a promising approach to determine the role of FLA in the field of emerging pathogens. Furthermore these microorganisms within the FLA may serve as interesting parasite-host-models. This approach will be proven by our findings regarding several intracellular bacteria and viruses, especially the so called Giant viruses (e.g. Mimiviruses and Pandoraviruses). Similar to the Mimiviruses the story of Pandoraviruses which infect FLA began years before their genomic affiliation with the investigation of a keratitis patient that led to the isolation of obligate intra-amoebal microorganisms from the contact lens cases. This endocytobiont was described in 2008, without understanding (or even having the idea of) their affiliation to viruses at that time. These Pandoraviruses had low similarity on the morphological or genomic level with other previously described viral families or species. The characteristic structure of the Pandoravirus virion was unique and unexpected. It was documented that the Pandoraviruses, similar to the Mimiviruses, replicated concomitantly within the Acanthamoebae. Their size of >1μm, their unusual morphology, and their genome with approximately 2.5 MB make them extraordinary viruses. Their genome is as unparalleled as it is large, and exceeds even that of parasitic microsporidia, for example Enterozytozoon sp. In any case, Pandoravirus replaced Mimivirus, as the largest known virus so far, as regards the genome.
Key words: Free-living amoebae, vectors, endocytobionts, endosymbionts, parasite-host-model; giant viruses.
Akiko Yamazaki
Iwate University, Japan
Title: The enterotoxic activity of Sarcocystis fayeri 15 kDa protein
Time : 12:30-13:00
Biography:
Akiko Yamazaki has completed his PhD in 2011 at Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University and worked at National Institute of Health Sciences Japan as a Young Researcher. She is working as an Assistant Professor at Iwate University from 2015. Her major areas of research are veterinary public health, food hygiene and zoonosis.
Abstract:
Genus Sarcocystis is a protozoa which has two-host life cycle. Herbivores are main intermediary hosts and genus Sarcocystis forms sarcocysts in their muscle tissue. Sarcocystosis has been known as a problem of economic loss in cattle but nowadays it is also known as a causative factor of food poisoning. The symptom of sarcocystic food poisoning is mainly gastroenteritidis but neurologic manifestation is also found. The pathogenic causing mechanism is not yet investigated in details, but we found a toxic candidate protein of 15 kDa molecular mass from the cysts of Sarcocystis fayeri. S. fayeri is identified a causative pathogen for food poisoning by eating raw horse meat. Now we tried to examine its function in more detail. First, we determined an amino acid sequence of the 15 kDa size protein and identified it as an actin depolymerizing factor (ADF). Then we synthesized a recombinant ADF protein. It showed an enterotoxic activity in a rabbit illeal loop test but did not cause any damages on viability of L929, Raw264 and Caco-2 cells. For further examination of enterotoxic activity we tried cytokine assay of recombinant ADF. The culture supernatant of RAW264 cells treated with the recombinant ADF for 24 hours was added into the medium for L929 fibroblast cells which are sensitive to TNF-alpha. After 24 hour culture, the viability of the L929 cells was found to be dead, suggesting TNF alpha production. In this study, we confirmed the enterotoxic activity of parasitic toxic candidate protein but further research will be necessary to elucidate the mechanism for neurotoxic aspect.
Caroline Ajonina
Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Germany
Title: Application of the Loop mediated isothermal amplification for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in freshwater bivalvia
Time : 13:50-14:20
Biography:
Caroline Ajonina is a Molecular Biologist and Researcher at the Institute of Wastewater Management and Water Protection, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). Her main research areas include developing innovative methods for the identification of pathogens in wastewater effluents and the biological monitoring of water quality. She has worked on wastewater management in the public, private and non-profit sectors in Africa and Germany. In her current research, she investigates the downstream survival and dissemination of protozoans in bivalvia spread by wastewater effluents, focusing on the Rhine and Elbe river courses.
Abstract:
A study is on-going to investigate the epidemiology of three major protozoan parasites of public health significance: Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, and Cryptosporidium spp. It has been shown that surface waters are frequently contaminated by effluents from wastewater treatment plants, livestock farming and straying animals. Due to the ability of bivalves to recover and concentrate environmentally derived human pathogens, they can therefore be used for the estimation of environmental hygiene. In this study prior evaluated loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays are used for highly specific, efficient, simple and rapid detection of these protozoans in mussels which are collected in the catchment area of the Lower Rhine downstream of wastewater discharges. With sets of six primers each to target the Giardia EF1A gene, the Cryptosporidium SAM-1 gene and the E. histolytica hemolysin gene HLY6 DNA fragments are amplified by LAMP. The amplification of DNA in the LAMP mixture is monitored either directly for the presence of turbidity and colorimetric change under ambient light and confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. In comparison to conventional PCR, LAMP assay is beneficial and therefore most convinient for the detection of these parasites in the aquatic environment including tissues from filter feeding invertebrates. Additionally we could demonstrate that mussels are suitable biomonitors for statutory neglected hygiene parameters like waterborne protozoan parasites.
Abdalla Fadlalla Azrug
Agriculture & Marine Resources Affairs, Bahrain
Title: Epidemiological studies on nematode helminthes in horses from different management systems in Bahrain
Time : 14:20-14:50
Biography:
Abdalla Fadlalla Azrug has completed his BVSc at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Assuit, Egypt in 1995. He has then finished his MVSc in the field of Camel Gastrointestinal Helminthes at the College of Graduate Studies, Bahr El Ghazal University, Sudan in 2005. He has obtained his PhD in the field of Bovine Nematode Helminthes at the Department of Veterinary Helminthology, Institute of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Turkey in 2011. He has been the Director of two regional veterinary research laboratories of Nyala and El Fashir in western Sudan from 1999-2005. Since 2012 he is the Director of Central Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture and Marine Resources Affairs, Manama, Bahrain where he is working as Laboratory Manager and Researcher in his Veterinary Parasitology. He has participated in many international parasitological conferences and published many papers especially in the field of camel parasitic diseases.
Abstract:
Bahrain is one of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC countries which divided into 4 provinces occupying an area of about 770 km² extending from 25.32 and 26.20 N , 50.20 and 50.50 E with mainly two seasons represented by a short cold winter and long hot-humid summer. The total population of horses in Bahrain is estimated as 4760 where the majority of horses are kept under well-built and controlled private stable farms are used as racing competition horses. A cross sectional study was conducted during 2015-2016 for the purpose of studying the species of gastrointestinal parasites that found in horse population in various areas of Bahrain. A total of 372 horses from 54 different stable farms were randomly selected and fresh fecal samples collected and examined in Bahrain Central Veterinary Laboratory during the one year study period. Many parasitological techniques were applied in the laboratory involving Direct Fresh Fecal Smear, Floatation, Sedimentation McMaster Chamber Parasitic Egg Counting and Baerman apparatus methods for the detection and identification of parasitic eggs and larval stages. The overall prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites in Bahrain horses was found to be 42.7% (159 out of 372 horses shown having different species of gastrointestinal parasites most frequently Strongyle infections either as single or mixed infections). The Strongyle prevalence rate was the highest showing 29% where 108 from the 372 horses were infected with Strongyle either as single infection (13%) or mixed with other parasites (16%). Oxyuris equi was 4.1%, Parascaris equorum was 3.6%, Dicyocaulus arnifieldi larva was detected in 12 horses (3.4%), Trichostrongylus axei was 1.8% and Eimeria leukarti was 0.8%. The highest parasitic egg count per gram (epg) of feces was detected in a 7 months age foal where it was estimated at 4300 epg of mixed Strongyle and Parascaris eggs. About 45% of the farms were known applying systematic deworming program at least twice per year. Regular deworming, good housing and feeding management was affected positively on the reduction of parasitic prevalence rates among the examined farms. There was also significance shown among the ages of animals where young ages were mostly affected with Parascaris, Eimeria and Dictyocaulus but the aged animals mostly were infected with Strongyle and Oxyuris species. There was no definitive significance shown among the breeds or sexes. As a conclusion of this study it is highly recommended that further carpological survey in necessary for the determination of an accurate end-parasitic fauna in horses in Bahrain and the real situation for the expected anthelmintic resistance due to the excessive uncontrolled application of anthelmintic drugs in large scale of equine raring sectors allover Bahrain.
Ã…shild K Andreassen
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
Title: Tick-borne diseases – the search for TBE virus and related pathogens in Norway
Time : 14:50-15:20
Biography:
Ashild K Andreassen has completed her PhD at the age of 35 years from University of Oslo and postdoctoral studies from Norwegian Institute of Public Health. She is the senior Scientist at department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health. She has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals in molecular studies of Cancer genes, toxicology, reproduction and virology.
Abstract:
TBEV (Tick-borne encephalitis virus) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato are among the most important pathogens causing vector-borne diseases that are emerging. They are the main infections transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks in Europe. I. ricinus is known to transmit other pathogenic microorganisms as louping ill virus, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and endosymbionts like Wolbachia pipientis and Midichloria mitochondrii that may have an influence of the pathogenesis in humans and animals. Factors like climate change, human behavior and migrating animals are involved in the distribution of diseases. The main route of TBEV transmission is through tick bites, but there is also evidence of infection of TBEV through alimentary system by consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. The knowledge of natural foci and prevalence of these infectious microorganisms is important for risk assessment of human disease. Wild and production animals can be used as sentinels for transmission. Preliminary results from nymph and adult ticks collected in Norway were analyzed for TBEV, LIV, B. burgdorferi s.l., A. phagocytophilum, W. pipientis, M. mitochondrii. A subset of these ticks was analyzed for co-infections. Sera from host animals are valuable epidemiological parameters for TBEV like cow milk and serum from sheep, cows and deer to verify what is circulating in the tick areas. The combination of these data may help us to give better advices concerning risk and vaccine recommendations to the general public and health authorities.
Marina Clare Vinaud
Federal University of Goias, Brazil
Title: Experimental neurocysticercosis: Immunopathological studies
Biography:
Marina Clare Vinaud has completed her PhD at the Federal University of Goias, Brazil. She is a Professor and Researcher at the Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute of the Federal University of Goias, Member of the Brazilian Society of Parasitology and Associate Editor of the Revista de Patologia Tropical (Tropical Pathology Journal). She has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Neurocysticercosis is the most severe disease of the central nervous system caused by a parasite due to its clinical features that may lead to death and to the difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. Therefore experimental models that help the understanding of the pathological aspects of the host parasite relationship are of utmost importance. Our research group has developed an experimental model of neurocysticercosis with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci, ORF strain, in mice. The inoculation of the parasite is stereotaxically performed within the ventricles through a hole made in the skull of different lineages of mice, BALB/c and C57BL/6. At the early phase of the infection there was a predominance of polymorphonuclear cells in the inflammatory infiltration which was gradually substituted by mononuclear cells. There was an increase of IL-4 during the experimental infection. IL-10 and IFN-gamma concentrations were higher at the initial phases of the infection. IL-17 was detected uniformly throughout the experiment. Therefore there was a mixed Th1/Th17 immune response throughsystemic cytokines dosage at the acute phase of the infection, at a late phase of the infection there was a predominance of a Th2 immune profile and mononuclear cells infiltration surrounding the parasite. The location of the cysticerci may lead to ventriculomegaly and ependymitis. BALB/c mice presented inflammatory lesions with greater intensity, inducing necrosis on late stage parasites and with an acute inflammation pattern, while C57BL/6 mice showed greater capability on provoking early necrosis in the cysticerci which showed a chronic inflammation pattern.
Weidong Peng
Nanchang University, China
Title: Pig Ascaris: An important source of human ascariasis in China
Biography:
Weidong Peng has completed his MD in 1983 from Jiangxi Medical College, China and postdoctoral researches at University of Glasgow, UK. He has published more than 60 papers in international reputed journals and in Chinese national academic journals.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study is to detect the frequency and distribution of cross infection and hybridization of human and pig Ascaris in China. Twenty high polymorphic microsatellite loci were selected to screen 258 Ascaris worms from humans and pigs from 6 provinces in China. The software programs STRUCTURE, BAPS and NEWHYBRIDS were used to determine the case of cross infection and hybridization of human and pig Ascaris. Results showed that cross infection was detected in all sampled locations and of the total 20 cross infection cases, 19 were identified as human infections by pure-bred pig type Ascaris in contrast to only one case of pig infection by pure-bred human type Ascaris. Similar to the findings in cross infection, hybrid Ascaris was also detected in all locations and both host species and most of hybrids (95%) were detected from human host. The distribution of cross infection and hybrids showed significant difference between the two host species and among three categories of genotype in terms of G1, G2 and G3, and also between the south and north regions (for hybrids only). The results strongly suggest pig Ascaris as an important source of human ascariasis in endemic area where both human and pig Ascaris exist. In consideration of current control measures for human ascariasis targeting only infected people, it is urgently needed to revise current control measures by adding a simultaneous treatment to infected pigs in the sympatric endemics. The results are important for public health, and enlightening on the understanding of genetic evolution, taxonomy and molecular epidemiology of Ascaris.
Diane Akudo Avoaja
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Nigeria
Title: Prevalence of geohelminth parasites among pupils in selected school in Obizi-Ezinihitte local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria
Biography:
Diane Akudo Avoaja holds a PhD degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. She is the Professor of Zoology and a Lecturer in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. She has held many position in the University (Head of Department and Dean), including Chairperson and Member of several committees. She is also a Member of several professional societies/associations with more than forty (40) publications in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Prevalence of geohelminth parasites among three randomly selected primary schools (Town, Central and Migrant) in Obizi-Ezinihitte local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria was undertaken. Study was carried out from March to August, 2014. A total of 429 soil samples from school compounds and 429 stool samples from pupils were examined first using unaided eyes, then direct saline, iodine wet mount and saturated sodium chloride floatation techniques. Overall results showed 42 (9.8%) soil and 257 (60.0%) stool samples positive. Prevalence of soils, first using unaided eyes, then microscopically showed Ascaris lumbricoides 26 (6.1%) and hookworm eggs 14 (3.3%) with 2 (0.5%) hookworm larvae. Stool showed eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides 144 (32.9%) and hookworms 108 (25.2%). Multiple infections 16 (3.7%) were observed. Regularly and occasionally geophagists recorded high prevalence 102 (76.1%) and 81 (57.7%) respectively than non-geophagists 74 (47.7%). Prevalence was in that order, Central school 93 (58.1%), Migrant 59 (46.7%) and Town 97 (11.6%). Prevalence was higher among females 144 (61.5%) than males 113 (57.9%) though not statistically significant (p>0.05) with ANOVA. Pupils aged 8-10 years had highest prevalence of 104 (61.9%) while 11-13 years had lowest 81 (56.6%). Pupils in primary two had highest prevalence 32 (64.0%) while primary five had lowest 32 (48.5%). Traders’ and farmers’ children had highest prevalence 90 (61.2%) and 125 (59.0%) respectively. Findings indicated helminth parasites in soils. Health education and regular de-worming programs could be methods of control measures.
Ngele Kalu Kalu
Federal University Ndufu–Alike Ikwo, Nigeria
Title: The effects of Ilex kudincha extracts of methanol, chloroform and a combination of methanol with chloroform administered on Swiss albino rats infected intraperitoneally with T. brucei brucei
Biography:
Ngele Kalu Kalu has obtained his BSc in Zoology in 1999. He has completed his PhD in Medical Parasitology from the University of Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria in 2010. He has published more than 30 articles in reputable journals. He has presented paper in both national and international conferences. His major areas of research interest include; Parasitology, Entomology, Epidemiology, Malariology, Schistosomiasis, Filariasis etc. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Ilex kudingcha leaf extracted with methanol, chloroform and a combination of methanol with chloroform was investigated for its in vivo activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the causative agent of African animal trypanosomiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa was tested on Swiss albino rats infected with I. brucei brucei. The leave extracts were administered 3 days post infection at peak parasitaemia level of 104 trypanosomes per ml at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg by oral administration once daily for 6 days. Parasitaemia, packed cell volume (PCV), mean survival time and change in body weight were used as indices for monitoring the efficacy of the extracts by comparing with the positive control (2 ml of diaminazene aceturate) and negative control (water treated group). The extracts of methanol and combination of methanol with chloroform had a lethal dose greater than 2000 mg/kg. There was no evidence of acute toxicity at the doses tested. While the chloroform extract alone had no effect on the parasitaemia level on the Swiss albino rats infected intraperitoneally with I. bruceibrucei parasites. Highly significant (p>0.001) reduction in pretreatment parasitaemia by 13.66±4.91; increase in (PCV) by 12.00±0.57 were recorded. Body weight improvement by 177.73±7.51 and mean survival rate of 30.50±0.70 days were also observed in the groups treated with 400 mg/kg methanol and combinations of methanol with chloroform leaf extracts of Ilex kudingcha. There was a relapse of parasitaemia almost at the end of the work, which was due to trypanocidal drug resistance. The results obtained suggest pharmacological usefulness of I. kudingcha when extracted with methanol or combination of methanol with chloroform. The chloroform extract alone shows no reduction in parasitaemia against I. bruceibrucei, because it could not extract the active ingredient from the I. kudingcha which should act against the I. brucei brucei. A further study on the pharmacological importance of the plant is recommended.
- Poster Presentation
Location: Manchester
Session Introduction
Eman Alshehri
University of Liverpool, UK
Title: Comparative and functional genomics analysis of T. gondii and N. Caninum
Biography:
Eman Alshehri is currently pursuing PhD in Comparative Genomics in T. gondii and N. caninum at the University of Liverpool, UK.
Abstract:
Recent comparative analysis of T. gondii and the closely related N. caninum has identified a set of species-specific genes in T. gondii. These species-specific genes are largely hypothetical proteins with no predicted function. However, in other parasites such species-specific genes are often associated with host interaction and therefore we hypothesis that these genes are play an important role in infection to infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts and to avoid the host immune response. Understanding the distribution of these genes within species will also be of interest as genes that are evolving rapidly may be expected to vary among strains, similar to Var genes in Plasmodium or VSG genes in trypanosomes. In this study, we identified 300 species-specific genes in T. gondii and 60 species-specific genes in N. caninum. Most of our findings were hypothetical proteins and there were some ribosomal proteins and GRA11 that may play an important role in wide range host in T. gondii that was absent in N. caninium.
Babett Oesterreich
EUROIMMUN AG, Germany
Title: Comparison of antigens from Strongyloides papillosus versus S. ratti for diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis by ELISA
Biography:
Babett Oesterreich was recruited by the Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, Wurzburg, Germany as a Doctoral student to investigate an antibody based therapy against multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. After receiving her Doctorate in 2015, she is employed as Developer by EUROIMMUN AG, Germany. Her work is focused on the development of detection systems for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases.
Abstract:
Human infection by Strongyloides stercoralis can cause dermatological, intestinal and pulmonal symptoms often passing into a chronic disease. Coproscopic diagnosis is often flawed due to low parasitic loads and discontinuous excretion of larvae. Serodiagnosis is a sensitive tool to overcome these limitations though some available assays based on native antigens from S. ratti larvae lack specificity. We tested whether antigens from S. papillosus is a more specific alternative. Purified native antigens from S. papillosus and S. ratti larvae were tested in IgG ELISA. The following serum panels were used: A patient collective with 22 serum samples positive for anti-Strongyloides IgG, a control panel encompassing 84 serum samples from adult blood donors (n=56), pregnant women (n=12) and children (n=16) and a cross reactivity panel with 92 serum samples from patients infected with other parasites. The ELISA applying S. ratti antigens exhibited a sensitivity of 95% at a specificity of 81% with respect to the control group. Furthermore, the ELISA was reactive in 25% of the cross reactivity panel but not with the 10 Ascaris lumbricoides infected patient samples. When using S. papillosus antigens, the ELISA showed a sensitivity of 91% at a specificity of 92%. Within the cross reactivity panel, it revealed positive reactions in 12% of the samples excluding specimens infected with Trichomonas ssp., Trypanosoma ssp., or Ascaris lumbricoides. Thus, native antigens from S. papillosus larvae exhibit more specificity in the serological diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.
Joanne Atkinson
Northumbria University, UK
Title: A preliminary assessment of the current state of resistance/susceptibility to the active compounds used in acaricides for poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, in the United Kingdom
Biography:
Joanne Atkinson has completed her degree in Biomedical Science with first class honors at from Northumbria University and she is currently pursuing her PhD also at Northumbria University. During the summers of her undergraduate degree, she was employed by external companies to test novel pesticidal products on the poultry red mite, which ultimately lead to her interest in the field.
Abstract:
Dermanyssus gallinae, the poultry red mite (PRM), is a haematogous, ectoparasitic pest which presents a significant threat to British poultry production both for animal welfare and economic reasons, in the latter case due to heavy production losses through the downgrading of eggs and reduced laying. Control of PRM is typically achieved through programs incorporating biosecurity measures, cleaning and the use of synthetic acaricides. Despite the importance of the use of acaricides in controlling populations, poultry farmers are faced with growing incidences of pesticide resistance. It is critical that the efficacy of existing acaricides for PRM be maintained to ensure their continued benefit to the industry. To achieve this goal resistance must be monitored and managed wherever possible through considered application of these acaricides. The first step towards achieving this is gaining information on the current status. Therefore in this project a survey was carried out to determine the occurrence of perceived resistance/acaricide usage across the UK. The information obtained has been used to rank and map PRM resistance/susceptibility in the target areas and statistical analysis carried out to determine differences between areas. Mites are currently being collected from selected farms to allow laboratory toxicity testing to be performed to independently verify these observations. This data will facilitate comment on the impact of previous acaricide use on the development of resistance in PRM and allow recommendations to be made for ‘best practice’ treatment programs. Additionally, it will also serve as a baseline for future study and comparison with data from across Europe.
Lisa Connelly
Scottish Parasite and Diagnostic Reference Laboratory (SPDRL),UK
Title: Molecular diversity of Cryptosporidium species from human cases in Scotland
Biography:
Lisa Connelly is Biomedical Scientist at SPDRL, where she has been based since 2005. She has keen interest in research and development. Her recent publications include the molecular characterization of C. parvum isolates from human cryptosporidiosis cases in Scotland and Cryptosporidium species from human immunodeficiency-infected patients with chronic diarrhea in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Abstract:
Cryptosporidium, a coccidian parasite has been implicated in numerous waterborne and foodborne outbreaks associated with human and livestock disease. As part of outbreak investigations, the Scottish Parasite Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, Glasgow (SPDRL) apply a glycoprotein (GP60) PCR/DNA sequencing-based approach to determine Cryptosporidium species/subtypes from human isolates in Scotland. In 2014, 79 samples were speciated and shown to be C. parvum (n=48), C. hominis (n=29) and C. meleagridis (n=2). Eleven C. parvum isolates were sub-typed as part of outbreak investigations and consisted soley of the IIa family with 6 subtypes identified, namely IIaA13G1R2 (n=1), IIaA15G2R1 (n=2), IIaA16G2R1 (n=3), IIaA17G1R1 (n=3), IIaA18G2R1 (n=1) and IIaA21G4R1 (n=1). Eleven C. hominis isolates sub-typed as part of the same outbreak investigation were shown to be IbA10G2 (n=4) and IbA6G3 (n=7). The age of the infected patients ranged from <1-10 years (n=24), 11-20 (n=13), 21-30 (n=20), 31->60 (n=22). More females (n=48) than males (n=31) were infected and only 4 cases had travel history stated. A peak of C. parvum cases occurred during April (n=14) and May (n=12), whereas most C. hominis cases occurred later in the year during October (n=5) and November (n=13). This update demonstrates the high degree of diversity of Cryptosporidium subtypes within Scotland.
Anzhelika Butenko
University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
Title: Comparative metabolism of kinetoplastids
Biography:
Mgr. Anzhelika Butenko is a PhD student at the Life Science Resaerch Centre, University of Ostrava. The topic of her research is comparative genomics of kinetoplastid protists. She has published several seminal papers in prestigious journals.
Abstract:
Kinetoplastids (Euglenozoa, Kinetoplastea) is a widespread group of single-cell eukaryotes, which includes free-living kinetoplastids and parasitic trypanosomatids. Trypanosomatids can be restricted to one host (monoxenous) or have a life cycle involving two hosts (dixenous). The latter group contains Trypanosoma and Leishmania species pathogenic for vertebrates, and plant parasites Phytomonas. Comparative genomic analysis of a free-living kinetoplastid, Bodo saltans and several trypanosomatids has illuminated some key traits accompanying emergence of parasitism in thios group. Our analysis of 13 kinetoplastid genomes (including the genomes of Leptomonas pyrrhocoris, Leptomonas seymouri, Blechomonas ayalai and Paratrypanosoma confusum sequenced by us) revealed that the adoption of the parasitic lifestyle led to the loss of about 50% of the genes. Among these are genes belonging to metabolic pathways of lysine and histidine catabolism and aromatic amino-acid degradation. The acquisition of novel genes for pteridine reduction, threonine dehydration, the urea cycle, protection against ROS, and diaminopimelate metabolism was also documented. B. saltans and trypanosomatids still share some metabolic traits such as glycosomes, a unique set of the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway genes, an ATP-phosphofructokinase, an alternative oxidase, synthesis of fatty acids via a set of elongases and a few others. We also searched for meiosis-associated genes and performed the recombination analysis using genomes of 6 L. pyrrhocoris isolates originated from Central America. The results indicate the presence of meiosis-related genes in L. pyrrhocoris surprisingly accompanied by the absence of recombination.
Michael J. Coyne
Scottish Parasite and Diagnostic Reference Laboratory (SPDRL),UK
Title: An evaluation of three commercial assays for the rapid diagnostic testing of imported malaria within Scotland
Biography:
Michael Coyne is Lab Manager at SPDRL, where he has been based since 2007. He is also IT manager at Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratories, Glasgow and has a keen interest in systems development. Recent publications include C. hominis diversity in Scotland and Acanthamoeba keratitis diagnosis.
Abstract:
Malaria, a life-threatening parasitic disease requires a timely, accurate diagnosis to allow prompt administration of effective treatment. Rapid dipstick tests (RDTs) are commonly used in laboratories throughout the UK and elsewhere to assist with identification. These are particularly useful in settings where microscopy expertise is lacking or where parasitaemia is low which is common in travelers who have visited malaria endemic regions. Using microscopy for comparison, the Scottish Parasite Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, Glasgow (SPDRL) examined the performance of three commercial RDTs, two of which are commonly used in Scottish Hematology laboratories, namely the OptiMAL-IT and BinaxNOW and a third, more recent product, the Humasis RDT. The performance of each RDT was examined using 65 EDTA-whole blood samples submitted by Hematology laboratories as part of the Scottish Malaria Surveillance Program at SPDRL. In addition to antigen detection, thick and thin blood films were examined for the presence of Plasmodium species. Forty nine samples were microscopy positive for Plasmodium species and 16 negative. Fifteen of those samples were negative by the OptiMAL-IT and Humasis kits and 14 using BinaxNOW. Of the 49 microscopy positive samples, agreement was reached with 45, 44 and 42 samples using BinaxNOW, OptiMAL-IT and Humasis kits respectively. Additional positives were detected using all three kits (BinaxNOW, n=2; OptiMAL-IT, n=1; Humasis, n=1). This study provides supportive evidence for the use of RDTs in assisting with a malaria diagnosis and highlights that their use should be combined with the microscopic examination of blood films to achieve a rapid and accurate malaria diagnosis.
Piyanan Taweethavonsawat
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Title: The efficacy of selamectin in treatment of Ancylostoma ceylanicum experimental infection in cats
Biography:
Piyanan Taweethavonsawat is an Assistant Professor in Veterinary Parasitology from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. His fields of interested are Helminthology and Vector borne disease. He has completed his PhD from Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University. Currently he is the Head of Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University.
Abstract:
The efficacy of selamectin single tropical dose against adult of Ancylostoma ceylanicum in cats following induced infections was assessed. Twelve cats were each inoculation with 300 infective third-stage larvae of A. ceylanicum. Cats were randomly allocated by egg count into control and treatment groups. The cats in the treatment group were each treated with a spot on selamectin administered topically at recommended label dose rates. The cats in the control group were not treated. Egg counts were performed until the end of the study period and compared for the treated and control groups. No eggs were detected in the treated group of cats within 4 days of treatment and fecal samples from this group remained negative throughout the rest of the study, resulting in a treatment efficacy (egg reduction) of 100% (P<0.0001). The mean egg counts remained high (558±231 eggs per gram) in the untreated control group for the rest of the study period. This study showed that based on fecal egg count reduction, the spot on selamectin given at the recommended dose is highly effective against infection with A. ceylanicum in cats.
Raafat Taha Mohamed Makhlof
Umm Al-Qura University, KSA
Title: Genetic diversity of human Blastocystis isolates in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Biography:
Raafat Taha Mohamed Makhlof has completed his PhD in 1999 at Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo University, Japan and Postdoctoral studies from 2001-2003 at Department of Molecular Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan as a Postdoctoral Fellow. He is one of the Staff Members at Department of Medical Parasitology. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Blastocystis spp. is commonly found in the feces of human worldwide. Infection has been reported as asymptomatic, acute symptomatic and chronic symptomatic. This wide range of responses to infection could be related to the genetic diversity. Since the genotype of human Blastocystis hominis isolates is highly polymorphic, PCR-based genotype classification using known sequence-tagged site (STS) primers would allow the identification or classification of different genotype. This study was done on 650 stool samples collected from patients referred to two major hospitals in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia in 2014-2015. All microscopically positive samples were subjected to in vitro culture using D-MEM media with 20% horse serum and antibiotics with incubation at 37 oC anaerobically. The screening of Blastocystis organisms in 3 to 4 days old cultures was done observing the typical vascular or granular forms, then sub-culturing more than 2 times and freezing for DNA extraction. PCR was done using seven kinds of STS primers. One hundred forty isolates were confirmed positive using diagnostic primers. Ninety-nine out of 140 isolates were identified as subtype-I genotype (ST1) followed by 24 isolates identified as subtype-II genotype (ST2) while 14 isolates identified as subtype-III genotype (ST3). Only two isolates were negative with all the STS primers, the phylogenetic position was inferred from the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) genes with the known sequence data of 20 Blastocystis isolates. In conclusion, the ST1 is the predominant genotype among Saudi patients.
Faezeh Norouzinejad
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Title: A three-year epidemiological study on cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ilam Province, Iran
Biography:
Faezeh Norouzinejad was graduated in Community Health Nursing from the University of Medical Sciences and currently she is on the Faculty of the University of Medical Sciences. She is interested in research on diseases endemic in Iran.
Abstract:
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a major public health problem throughout the world and particularly in Iran. Because the rural form of this disease is endemic to Ilam and other Iranian provinces, the present study sought to determine the epidemiological status of leishmaniasis over a three-year period (2011-2013). Based on the national protocol for leishmaniasis control, samples were collected from suspicious lesions. Therapeutic Educational Center personnel completed forms to provide information on patients’ personal information and disease related characteristics. This information was converted to Excel spreadsheets and were analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that 2026 leishmaniasis cases occurred from 2011 to 2013. The disease’s annual incidence rate for each year was 154 (2011), 94.23 (2012) and 98.52 (2013) cases per 100,000 persons. The majority of patients (55.8%) suffered from rural cutaneous leishmaniasis. By gender, the incidence rates of the disease for 2011, 2012 and 2013 were 194.34, 113.39 and 62.92 cases per 100,000 population among men and 112.05, 74.50 and 70.22 cases per 100,000 among women, respectively. The age group of 15-24 year olds consisted of the highest proportion of patients (22.3%), followed by children under 15 years (19.6%). Most of the cases occurred in three cities: Dehloran (960), Mehran (562) and Ilam (197). Although the results of this study showed that the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ilam Province has been declining, there is a possibility for the province’s disease burden to increase.
Amany Ahmed Abd El-Aal
Cairo University, Egypt
Title: Immunomodulatory impression of anti and pro-inflammatory cytokines in relation to humoral immunity in human scabies
Biography:
Amany Ahmed Abd El Aal has completed her MD degree in Medical Parasitology from Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University in collaboration with NAMRU-3 (Navy American Military Research Unit-3), Abbasia, Cairo, from 1990 to 1995. She is a Professor since 2006 and currently working in Medical Parasitology Department as well as Army Forces of College of Medicine (AFCM). She is a Member in the scientific committee responsible for promotion of professor & assistant professor working in the field of Medical Parasitology in Egyptian universities. She has published more than 45 papers, about 20 of them in international journals.
Abstract:
The chief manifestations of scabies are mediated through hypersensitivity-like reactions and immune responses which are so far not well understood and remain poorly characterized. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines in relation to humoral immunity in patients with scabies. Serum levels of total IgE, specific IgG, IL-10, IL-6, INF-γ, and TNF-α were investigated in a cross-sectional study including 37 patients with manifestations suggestive of scabies and serologically positive for anti Sarcoptes IgG, in addition to 20 healthy controls. The median value of total IgE was 209 (range, 17-1219 IU/mL), reflecting its wide range within our cases. IL-10 showed significant higher levels (28.7±13.9) in infected cases than in controls (17.4±11.32). A positive correlation was reported between total IgE and severity of manifestations (r=0.429, P<0.005). A significant positive correlation was observed between total IgE and both IgG and IL-6. On the contrary, a negative correlation was recorded between IL-6 and TNF-α which makes us, suggested anti-inflammatory rather than pro-inflammatory effect of IL-6 in the current study. Moreover, a negative correlation was noticed between the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and severity of manifestations, specific IgG, total IgE and INF-γ. Therefore, the current study theorized a regulatory role of IL-10 in inflammatory responses of scabietic patients, suggesting further future analysis of its therapeutic potential.
Faezeh Norouzinejad
Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Title: The analysis of the 3-year trend of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan Province (Iran)
Biography:
Faezeh Norouzinejad was graduated in Community Health Nursing from the Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran and currently, he is the Faculty and Member of the research council at the Babol University of Medical Sciences in Mazandaran, Iran. He is interested in research on endemic diseases in Iran.
Abstract:
Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Considering that Isfahan Province is one of the most important focuses for rural leishmaniasis, this study was conducted to determine the epidemiologic status and the importance of controlling the disease in this province.
Methods: We studied the three-year trend of leishmaniasis in Isfahan province (2011-2013). Based on the national protocol of leishmaniasis control, the samples of suspicious lesions were collected and the related forms were filled out by educational and therapeutic centers' personnel. Personal Information and disease-related characteristics were recorded on the forms in EXCEL software. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Findings: Total number of cases analyzed was 8786. The annual incidence of the disease from 2011 to 2013 was 58.01, 59.85 and 60.30 per 100,000 respectively. 89.8% of patients were suffering from the rural leishmaniasis. The highest percentage of patients (26.3%) was found in the age group of 15-24 years. The highest number of cases were found in Isfahan (4833 cases), Ardestan (1099 cases) and Kashan (963 cases). 50.1% of cases were reported in September and October. 38.8% of lesions were found in hands. 77.9% of lesions were wet. The smear result of 86.8% of cases was reported positive. Systemic meglumine treatment was given for 48.2% patients. After treatment, 23.9% had recovered.
Discussion: The increasing trend of rural cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province requires special attention of policy makers in the field of reviewing the disease control protocol, environmental actions.
Panagiotis Karanis
Qinghai University, China
University of Cologne, Germany
Title: Parasitic and bacterial infections in patients at Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital in Xining, Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai Province, China
Biography:
Panagiotis Karanis has obtained his PhD in Parasitology from Bonn University following Post-doctoral research activities in Germany, Greece, Australia, Japan, Canada, Thailand and China. He has been working in the field of medical, epidemiological and molecular parasitology taken into account both the pathogen and the disease. His worldwide research activities focused in the control of water-borne and vector-borne parasitic diseases including the development of diagnostic assays useful for basic and clinical platforms in the field of biomedicine. He was the main speaker of the Nobel-Days-Lecture during the Nobel-Days-Festivities at the Orebro University in Sweden in December 10th, 2012, focused on malaria vaccine development.
Abstract:
The present survey investigated patients hospitalized in the Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital (QUAH) in Xining, Tibetan Plateau of Qinghai Province, Northwest of China. Two studies were designed to find out, if unexpected and not-detected pathogens could be found in faecal samples and other body fluids from Chinese diarrhoeal patients: The samples were investigated for the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections since these pathogens and parasites in general were not included in the hospital laboratory’s routine microbiological screening program. Giardia: 5 (4 stool, 1 sputum sample, generated from 3 patients) of 143 samples have been found to be positive by IFT, from which 2 have been highly positive. 11 stool samples have been found to be positive by nested PCR based on SSU rRNA, 2 based on TPI and 1 based on GDH gene. In microscopically analyzed body fluids no Giardia cysts have been found as expected, except for one sputum sample by IFT. By sequencing, 4 of these samples have been determined as Giardia intestinalis assemblage B. Cryptosporidium: 6 out of 143 samples, which are 1 sputum and 5 stool samples, were found to be positive by IFT, two out of these six positive samples are also positive by m-ZN. 2 samples have been positive by n-PCR based on SSU rRNA and two others based on TRAP C2. One case of double-infection with Giardia and Cryptosporidium was special because of the presence of Giardia in sputum. The third part presents the case study of extra pulmonary tuberculosis (epTB) of the shoulder joint of a 49 years old man, pointing out that tuberculosis often remains undetected even in a country known as second high risk country for TB worldwide. In the present case report, delayed anti-TB treatment has led to serious destruction of the shoulder joint. Physical disability, accompanied by depression, unemployment and social decline are the consequences. Early and clear diagnosis of epTB, adequate management and therapy in Q-T Plateau area still need improvement and the government’s attention.
Syeda Azra Qamar
Government College of Women Sahahra-e-Liaquat, Pakistan
Title: Finding of different Plasmodium spp., in blood samples by polymerase chain reaction in Karachi, Pakistan
Biography:
Syeda Azra Qamar has completed her PhD from the University of Karachi, Pakistan and partial work of Ph.D. was completed at the University of Arizona, U.S.A. She is currently working as an Associate Professor at the Department of Zoology, Government College for Women Shahra-e-Liaquat, Karachi, Pakistan. She has also accomplished BDV course from Mexico in 2003, First International Training Course on Functional Genomics Applied to Insect Vectors of human diseases from Thailand in 2005 and Practical short course on Infectious Disease Modeling from Thailand in 2012 organized by Oxford University. She has actively participated and presented research papers in different international conferences including 1st Geneva forum at Geneva, Switzerland 2006, XI ICOPA at Glasgow, Scotland, 6th European Congress at Verona Italy, XII ICOPA at Melbourne, Australia, 4th conference of the Scandinavian-Baltic Society of Parasitology, Oslo, Norway. 2011, 15 ICID at Bangkok, Thailand, 2012, 5th Congress of European Microbiologists Leipzig, Germany, and has visited twice as a research Scholar at Pasture Institute of Iran, serving as a Reviewer for journal articles and also a Member of South South Initiative For Tropical Diseases Research (SSI) from 2003 and Member of advisory board of Annals of tropical medicine and public health from 2009, She has published 10 papers in reputed journal.
Abstract:
Vector-borne diseases are widespread throughout the world. Malaria is still one of the chief vectors-borne diseases and fear for millions of people due to deprived health conditions throughout the world. The comparative investigation of different species of Plasmodium was conducted in different areas of Karachi, Pakistan, based on finding and identification of Plasmodium species in blood smears and finding of species specific parasite DNA in a blood samples using a PCR method for the comparison. The determination and comparison of high frequency of Plasmodium species was made by microscopic examination and circum sporozoite gene extracted from the blood samples which were collected from 250 patients between the age of 5-60 males (148) and females (102) with high temperature and severe headache complains, residing in Karachi, Pakistan during one year. The blood was directly taken by pricking finger onto a slide. Microscopic test (oil immersion objective at 1000 x magnification) was performed with Giemsa stained thick and thin blood smears whereas PCR was performed on dried blood removed from the slides and filter papers used for species specific parasite deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of 250 Giemsa stained slides 63 were positive for malaria parasites in which 39 and 17 were identified as a P. vivax and P. falciparum infections respectively; whereas 07 were having mixed infections of P. vivax and P. falciparum examined by microscopy and P. vivax (34), P. falciparum (18) and 11 mixed infections through the PCR. The recent investigation revealed that, the nested PCR is more effective and helpful; it can be successfully applied for the finding of P. vivax and P. falciparum particularly in highly infected areas.
Zhanna Shapiyeva
Scientific-Practical Centre for Sanitary-Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring, Kazakhstan
Title: Malaria in Kazakhstan
Biography:
Zhanna Shapiyeva has completed her PhD in 2007 from National Centre of Biological Research and Postdoctoral studies from Institute for Medical Research in Malaysia. Presently, she is the Head of Parasitology Department of SPC SEEM that is the leading Centre of SanEpid Surveillance in Kazakhstan. She has published 86 abstracts and papers in proceedings of international conferences and reputed journals.
Abstract:
Malaria has historically represented the medical and social problem in Kazakhstan. Natural conditions are favorable for malaria transmission in the southeast of the country and the total population at risk is 4.5 million. Mainly imported and sporadic autochthonous cases were registered in the country after the malaria elimination in the USSR. In the 90th years, the political and economic destabilization in the former republics of the USSR, malaria epidemics in Tajikistan and Azerbaijan had a major impact on malaria situation in Kazakhstan. In 1992-2001, 467 cases of malaria were reported in the country, including 17 autochthonous cases. The last seven cases of autochthonous malaria were reported in 2000 and only 51 imported cases were registered during 2003-2013. Kazakhstan had demonstrated a strong political commitment to the Tashkent Declaration “The Move from Malaria Control to Elimination”, which was endorsed by the country in 2005. The country level malaria elimination initiative was supported by the Ministry of Health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. In 2012, Kazakhstan has been certified by the WHO as malaria free. WHO certification has a political decision, a positive impact on the socioeconomic situation in the country and will promote international trade and tourism. The successful implementation of preventive measures and strong surveillance were preceded for WHO decision. At present, malaria related activities include disease prevention, training, surveillance, operational research and community education. For today, the main strategy of malaria related activities in country is disease control and prevention of malaria reintroduction.