Day 3 :
Keynote Forum
Mohammad Hossien Feiz Hadad
Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Keynote: Presence of multiple waterborne parasites related to different water resources, Dehloran, Southwest, Iran, 2016
Time : 10:00-10:30
Biography:
Mohammad Hossien Feiz Hadad completed his PhD from Bradford University, England in Pharmaco-parasitology on biopharmaceutical and standard drugs mechanisms of action for blood and intestinal parasites. He completed gis postdoctoral studies at Nottingham Trent University, England on Leishmania vaccine focus on peptide sub-unit, DNA vaccines, centrin genes and immuno-modifier molecules OX40L: TNF super family member expressing on activated dendritic cells and involved in T cell activation. He is Supervising Msc and PhD projects in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran, on evaluation of anti-protozoal drug combinations, drug resistance and Protozoal ultra-structure studies. His recent research activities focused in water-borne parasites and Water treatment technologies to remove effectively parasitic elements.
Abstract:
Introduction: Without clean water there is no secure for health and social welfare. Water is the most important element in the universe and preventing of water pollution is vital for creature survival health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affirm that numerous microorganisms as well as parasitic agents can be passing on by different sources of water which may contaminate human beings and animals. This study intended to investigate the presence of parasitic elements in Dehloran water resources applying Lugol's iodine and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain methods.
Materials & Methods: A total of 36 water samples were examined from water resources within the study district. The samples were collected from pits by accumulated water and channel water. In another study, according to similarity of population density, 50 household filter systems were collected randomly from five districts of the city (10 filter of each district; North, South, East, West and center). Three samples were prepared from each filter; one liter of pre-filtration, one liter of post-filtration and one sample of the filter system itself. Collected samples were examined for parasitic agents by Lugol's iodine and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain methods using light microscopic.
rnrn Results: None parasitic element was identified using above methods inprepared samples from household filter systems. However, examined 36 collected water samples from other sources revealed 5 different strains of active stages of parasitic organisms, of which 3 strains (60%) were potentially pathogenic and 2 (40%) non-pathogenic. Infective stage strains included Entamoeba histolytic/dispar, Entamoeba coli, Blastocysts hominies, Giardia cyst and Cryptosporidium oocyst like. The study also confirmed that distance between water sources and starting place of contamination, type of water samples and chlorination status had significantly statistical relationship with prevalence of contamination (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Water resources (groundwater and surface water) could directly bond with each other. If there is a contaminated source in the vicinity of a healthy source, potential for pollution is very high. Consequently, in line with the outcomes and in view of the direct connection between safe water and human health, proper performance of providing hygienic drinking water should be imposed.
- Track: Medical Parasitology
Track Approaches: Parasitic Disease Control
Location: Manchester
Session Introduction
Michael J Coyne
Scottish Parasite and Diagnostic Reference Laboratory (SPDRL),UK
Title: Implementing an inter-laboratory exchange program for parasitology: Improving quality and strengthening links between two national diagnostic centres
Time : 10:30-11:00
Biography:
Michael J Coyne is currently a Lab Manager at SPDRL, where he has been based since 2007. He is also an IT Manager at Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratories, Glasgow and has a keen interest in systems development. His recent publications include C. hominis diversity in Scotland and Acanthamoeba keratitis diagnosis.
Abstract:
Quality Assurance (QA) schemes are an essential requirement for accredited diagnostic laboratories, ensuring confidence in the tests performed. The Scottish Parasite Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory (SPDRL) subscribe to a wide range of QA schemes including UK NEQAS, molecular testing schemes for Cryptosporidium and Plasmodium species and an in-house internal quality assurance scheme (IQA). The UK NEQAS offer a broad range of parasitology schemes that SPDRL subscribe to; however no formal schemes exist for a small number of essential parasitology tests. In order to ensure quality is maintained in all areas of testing, an exchange scheme was established between SPDRL and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) in October 2014. This includes tests not covered in any other scheme available in the UK. The schedule includes three additional serological tests (Trypanosoma brucei gambiense IgG, Leishmania IgG, Fasciola IgG), one fecal antigen test (E. histolytica adhesin) and recently introduced assays for the molecular detection of Leishmania DNA. The scheme has been in operation for 18 months with each site alternating between issuing samples for testing on a monthly basis. The scheme has been beneficial in a number of ways: It has helped to satisfy the quality requirements of our accreditation bodies and has contributed to the consolidation of links between both centres, facilitating further collaboration such as the validation of new methodologies and the sharing of rarer sample material. This has been a very positive experience and we aim to continue to encourage this scheme to promote excellence, further collaborations and sharing of expertise.
Amany A Abd El-Aal
Cairo University, Egypt
Title: Toxoplasmosis and abortion: Pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines gene expression of the host immune cells
Time : 11:00-11:30
Biography:
Amany A 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:
This work aimed to study gene expression profile of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in Toxoplasma sero-positive women presenting with repeated abortion compared to Toxoplasma sero-positive multiparous women with no history of abortions. The study groups included; group I: 19 cases of repeated abortions with no successful pregnancy, group II: 28 multiparous women, without any abortions and group III: 14 multigravida with successful pregnancies & suffered few abortions. All samples were positive for anti Toxoplasma IgG and IgM. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) system was optimized to measure gene expression of pro-inflammatory IFN-γ & TNF-α and anti-inflammatory IL-10 & TGF-β cytokines. All studied cytokines were significantly up-regulated in group I, with remarkable bias towards IFN-γ, denoting a predominant inflammatory state in group I, compared to the other groups. In group II; the 4 tested cytokines were approximately in a balanced state with a little shift towards the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 & TGF-β). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was detected between pro-inflammatory together (p=0.002, r=0.96) and between anti-inflammatory cytokines together (p=0.0008, r=0.99) in group II, indicating the harmonized and synchronized expression of both pro & anti-inflammatory cytokines. In group III, IL-10 was relatively higher versus other cytokines with negative correlation with IFN-γ (p=0.006, r=0.93), indicating the possible regulatory role of IL10 in saving some of pregnancies’ outcomes in group III. The results of the present study suggests a potential role of these cytokines in the upcoming prognostic or/and therapeutic concerns in women suffering from repeated abortion associated with chronic toxoplasmosis.
Mohammad Yousuf Mubarak
Kabul Medical University, Afghanistan
University of Michigan, USA
Title: Hygienic practices and diarrheal illness among persons living in at-risk settings in Kabul, Afghanistan: A cross sectional study
Time : 11:50-12:20
Biography:
Mohammad Yousuf Mubarak has completed his MD from Kabul Medical University and MPH studies from National Institute of Public Health in Japan. He has also completed two research fellowships at Purdue University in Indiana and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Michigan, United States respectively. He is a Faculty Member and the Head of Microbiology Department at Kabul Medical University in Kabul, Afghanistan, a Governmental Higher Education and Research organization. He has published more than 11 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of Afghan Medical Journal (AMJ).
Abstract:
Background: Sustained civil and military conflict, resulting in large numbers of internally displaced persons (IDP) in combination with rapid urbanization has severely strained public health and sanitation within cities in Afghanistan. In order to examine the association between preventive sanitary behaviors and diarrhea within two high risk settings located within Kabul, Afghanistan, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hygienic practices and diarrheal illness in an IDP camp and an urban slum.
Methods: In this cross sectional study, a convenience sample of residents of an IDP camp and an urban slum in Kabul, Afghanistan was used. Participants were asked to describe their hygienic practices and interviewers independently documented household sanitation. The knowledge and attitudes about and practice of hygienic activities to prevent diarrhea were compared between the two settings and associations between preventive factors and household diarrhea in the past three months was evaluated using logistic regression.
Results: Two hundred participants, 100 from each setting were enrolled. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding hygienic activities to prevent diarrhea were greater among the slum dwellers than the IDP. Slum dwellers were more likely to wash their hands with soap before eating (P=0.006) or after defecating (P=0.0022), compared to those in the IDP camp, though fewer than half did so in either setting. Diarrhea in the household within the past 3 months was more common in the IDP camp (54%) than the slum (20%) (P=0.0022). In the fully adjusted model, only setting was significantly associated with diarrheal illness (IDP camp vs. slum OR: 5.39, 95% CI: 2.45, 11.86).
Conclusions: Even though certain sanitary and hygienic practices were more common among slum dwellers than IDPs, the high absolute burden of diarrhea and lack of hygienic activities in both setting indicates that interventions to change behavior, like increasing the availability of soap and encouraging hand washing are needed. Any initiative will have to be developed in the context of pervasive illiteracy among persons in both of these settings.
Oluyomi Sowemimo Abayomi
Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Title: Prevalence of Toxocara eggs in hair and faecal samples from dogs in Southwest Nigeria
Time : 12:20-12:50
Biography:
Oluyomi Sowemimo is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. He is also the Deputy Director of a registered charity organisation St. Andrew’s Clinic for Children, Ile Ife (STACCILEIFE) based in the Department of Zoology, OAU. His main research interest is in the epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminths including Toxocara and Ascaris. His research efforts have also focussed on epidemiology of schitosomiasis. He is a recipient of a number of awards including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Travel Award which he enjoyed for four years (2006, 2008, 2009 and 2014).
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Toxocara eggs on hair and faecal samples of domestic dogs from Ibadan and Ilesa, Southwest Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from a total of 477 dogs and hair samples collected from neck, back and anal region of 267 dogs and examined for the presence of Toxocara canis eggs by a standardised technique. T. canis eggs were recovered from faecal samples of 144 dogs giving a prevalence of 30.2% and hair samples of 48 (18.0%) dogs. The prevalence of T. canis eggs in faecal samples was greater than those detected in hair samples (P < 0.05). A total of 118 eggs were recovered from the hair samples with neck region having the highest (95 eggs) recovered. Eggs of T. canis recovered from the hair samples were classified as unembryonated while both embryonating and embryonated eggs were recovered from the faecal samples. Dogs less than six months old were observed to harbour more eggs in their faecal samples than other age groups while dogs aged 7-12 months harbour more eggs in their hair samples. This study has revealed that dogs without intestinal infections harboured T. canis eggs on their hair and so uninfected animals can also pose a threat in terms of the eggs present on their hair, although a small risk.
Xinyue Cheng
Beijing Normal University, China
Title: RNAi delivery by feeding in the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Time : 13:30-14:00
Biography:
Xinyue Cheng has obtained her PhD degree in the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1998 and presently she is working as a Professor at Beijing Normal University. Her current researches focus on biology, ecology and molecular biology of invasive species, mainly plant parasitic nematodes and insects.
Abstract:
RNA interference (RNAi) is a valuable tool for studying gene function in vivo and provides a functional genomics platform in a wide variety of organisms. The pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a prominent invasive plant-parasitic nematode and has become a serious worldwide threat to forest ecosystems. Currently, we constructed an effective silencing vector, pDH-RH, which contains a transcriptional unit for a hairpin loop structure. Utilizing this vector, double-stranded (ds) RNAs with sequences homologous to the target genes can be expressed in a transformed ï¬lamentous fungus via Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation technology and can subsequently induce the knockdown of target gene mRNA expression in B. xylophilus by allowing the nematode to feed on the fungal transformants. Dumpy related genes were used as targets to detect RNAi efficiency. By allowing the nematode to feed on target gene transformed Fusarium oxysporum strains, target transcripts were knocked down significantly compared with those feeding on the wild type strain as determined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Morphological RNAi phenotypes were observed, displaying obviously reduced body length; weak dumpy or small (short and thin) body size or general abnormalities. Moreover, compensatory regulation and non specific silencing of dpy genes were found in B. xylophilus. Our results indicate that RNAi delivery by feeding in B. xylophilus is a successful technique. This platform may provide a new opportunity for undertaking RNAi-based, genome wide gene functional studies in vitro in B. xylophilus. This platform may also be applicable to other parasitic nematodes that have a facultative, fungivorous habit.
Liqing M A
Qinghai University, China
Title: Cryptosporidium and Giardia in drinking water and waste water reservoirs in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau Area (TPA) in Qinghai Province, NW of China
Time : 14:00-14:30
Biography:
Liqing M A has been awarded his BSc in Agriculture from the Qinghai College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science in China. He has practiced at the Clinical Veterinary at Hudong Breeding Sheep Farm of Qinghai Province and he was an Assistant Researcher at Qinghai Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Xining, Qinghai. Later he attended the Department of Preventable Veterinary, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University & awarded the degree of coordination MSC in Agriculture, Gansu Province. From 2003-2004, he was JICA Participant at the National Research Center for Protozoan Disease, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan and he has been awarded the Certificate in Protozoan Diseases. From 2002-2006, he has worked as Vice Researcher at Qinghai Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Xining, Qinghai and since 2006, he is a Guest Researcher in the same Academy. In 2013, he was a Visiting Scholar at Utah State University, USA. His main research interests are in the field of animal disease diagnosis and control and he has worldwide research activities focused in how to control animal disease and quality of animal products in balance with the environment.
Abstract:
Investigations about degree of contamination of drinking and waste waters in Qinghai Province are rare. Between June 2014 and June 2016, in total 421 samples from drinking water (n=158) reservoirs and slaughter house waste water (n=263) have been collected and investigated by IFT and nPCR for Cryptosporidium and Giardia oocysts contamination. 39 out of the 421 samples were positive for Cryptosporidium and 3 out of 421 samples were positive for Giardia spp., by IFT. Using nPCR, 35 out of the 421 samples were positive for Cryptosporidium and 54 out of 421 positive for Giardia spp. All positive samples have been subjected to sequencing. 27 out of 35 positive by PCR for Cryptosporidium have been sequenced. After sequencing the following species have been identified: Cryptosporidium andersoni; C. struthioni ,C. hominis; C. environmental unknown species; C. parvum; C. viatorum. 41 out of 54 Giardia positive by PCR have been sequenced, all the identified species belong to the Giardia lamblia Assemblage 2. These research investigations are still ongoing. This study reveals a significant contamination of municipal slaughter waste water effluents. A great portion of oocysts still reaches the environment daily with the discharge of untreated effluent into the water body, resulting in risks of parasite transmission to humans and animals. The high density of parasites in the investigated sewage sludge represents a high threat for public health and highlights the need of control of effluents and sludge from municipal slaughter house waste waters. Adequate sanitation on site is urgently needed.
Yuan Dong Mei
Sichuan University, China
Title: Redescription of Chinese Leishmania isolates based on morphology and molecular phylogeny
Time : 14:30-14:55
Biography:
Yuan Dong Mei has obtained her Master’s degree at Southwest University in 2014. She is currently a Doctoral candidate at the Department of Parasitology, College of Basic and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, China.
Abstract:
Leishmaniasis are a complex range of diseases caused by infection with protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, which is still endemic in the west and northwest frontier regions of China. The previous phylogenetic studies based on COII, 18 S rRNA and 7SL RNA of Chinese Leishmania isolates indicate that the isolates from China may have had a more complex evolutionary history and an undescribed Leishmania species does exist in China. The Chinese representative isolates morphology were characterized and compared by cell and flagellum length, subpellicular microtubules counts using optical and electron microscopy. The Hsp 70 gene and cyt b gene sequences of Chinese isolates, two reliable markers for the species discrimination and phylogenetic analysis within the genus Leishmania were sequenced after PCR amplification. Then the sequences were aligned and the method of Bayesian inference was used for phylogenetic analysis. Through light microscopic observation, there existed differences among 5 Leishmania representatives from different foci of China in shape in the same period. Through electron microscopy, the promastigotes of 5 strains showed roughly identical intracellular structures except that the Golgi apparatus has not yet been observed in the isolate MHOM/ CN/90/SC10H2. 11 Hsp 70 sequences and 15 cyt b sequences were obtained in this study and then analyzed with 54 Hsp 70 sequences and 36 cyt b sequences retrieved from Genbank, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Chinese Leishmania isolates occurred in four groups: L. donovani complex, L. tropica complex, L. major complex and Sauroleishmania. In conclusion, there are morphological differences among Leishmania isolates from different foci of China. The undescribed Leishmania sp. of China, which was most closely related to L. tarentolae belongs to Sauroleishmania. The ultrastructure characteristic of Leishmania sp. (MHOM/ CN/90/SC10H2) provides evidence to support it.
Biography:
Qin Han Xiao was graduated from Sichuan University in 2014 and is currently a Postgraduate student at the Department of Parasitology, College of Basic and Forensic Medicine, Sichuanz University and his main research contents is Toxoplasma gondii infection and behavior modification.
Abstract:
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligated intracellular parasites which impact almost one third of world’s population and this infectious trend has been increased since more and more families keep pet especially feline, the definitive host of T. gondii; this high viability parasite has ability to infect almost all karyocyte. Immunocompetent human infected with T. gondii often shows changes in temper, memory and character, probably for the reason that the tissue cysts existed in brain exerts some influence on nervous system such as regulation of the level of dopamine, 5-HT and serotonin etc. Our research established a time gradient infection model using heterozygous female/male KM mice (Mus musculus) inoculated with T. gondii RH strain, following by detection of gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, the rate limiting enzyme of biosynthesis of dopamine) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK, phosphorylate the 31 Ser of TH). The results confirmed the existence of the effects that T. gondii imposed on mice mesocephalous dopamine system, meanwhile, the gene expression curve of TH and ERK shows a fluctuant variation. Subsequently protein measurement of those enzyme supported aforementioned results. Statistic analysis also present a significant difference between the expression of female TH gene and male TH gene after infection, which suggest that there might be a different responding mechanism to T. gondii infection between female and male mice. These changes in brain along with other signal path might cause behavior modification eventually.
- E-posters
Location: Manchester
Session Introduction
Jesca Nakayima
National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Uganda
Title: Genotyping of infectious bronchitis viruses and blood parasites in free ranging and commercial chickens in Uganda
Biography:
Jesca Nakayima is a PhD graduate from Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan (2014). She is specialized in Molecular Epidemiology. She holds a Master of Wildlife Health & Management (MWHM) and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) from Makerere University, in 2006 and 2002 respectively. She joined National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)/National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) in June 2006, where she is working till date. She has worked under the Biotechnology section then later Livestock health Program. She has participated in the surveillance and control of Trypanosomiasis. She has also worked on the molecular epidemiology of zoonoses, protozoan parasites, helminthes, wildlife diseases, tick-borne diseases, viruses, among others.
Abstract:
The poultry sub-sector is crucially important in the context of agricultural growth and improvement of diets of the people in Uganda. The sub-sector is particularly important; in that it is a significant source for the supply of protein and nutrition in households’ nutritional intake. It is an attractive economic activity as well, especially to women and poor population. However, the poultry industry faces several challenges among which are diseases. I intend to survey both free ranging and commercial chicken for infectious bronchitis, a production disease, blood parasites and zoonotic pathogens. I intend to evaluate Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification LAMP for the diagnosis of some of the zoonotic pathogens. I will also undertake a comparative evaluation of pathogens of Guinea fowl which is a wildlife avian species but is semi domesticated in northern Uganda; these could be a reservoir of pathogens to domestic poultry. Gastrointestinal parasites of the birds will also be analyzed.
Manana Lortkipanidze
Ilia State University, Georgia
Title: Entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control of Musca domestica L (Insecta: Diptera: Muscidae)
Biography:
Manana Lordkipanidze has completed her PhD from Ilia State University, Institute of Zoology. She is the main Investigator of entomopathogens. She has more than 70 papers published in reputed journals.
Abstract:
This paper presents the results of using entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control of house fly Musca domestica L (Insecta: Diptera: Muscidae) in field conditions. The house fly, Musca domestica Linnaeus, is a well known cosmopolitan pest of both farm and home. This species is always found in association with humans or the activities of humans. The biological agents’ entomopathogenic nematodes of the Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae families are pathogenic for a range of pests. These nematodes are symbiotically associated with entomopathogenic bacteria Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus. For the experiment we used pupae and larvae of fly (50-50) colonized 2 kg cattle dung. For infestation of insects the nematode suspension with certain concentration 10000 nematodes/ml was prepared. Three test samples were taken, to each dung sample was added 70, 50, 25 ml from the mentioned suspension. Appropriately, in test sample-I the number of nematodes was 350 per 1 g dung, in test sample-II: 250 and in test sample-III: 125. As the result showed in sample-I pupae and larvae mortality achieved 88.2-78%, in sample-II, mortality was 43.5-40% and in test sample-III, was approximately 32.3-28.3%. The insects died mostly in the pupa stage. The analysis of the experiments conducted by us provide evidence that the most efficient dose of the nematode suspension applied against pupae and larvae of fly colonized on cattle dung is 350 IJs/g. Both species of entomopathogenic namatodes produced mortality of experimental insects, although the S. feltiae was more significant than H. bacteriophira.
Asmaa M I Abuzeid
Suez Canal University, Egypt
Title: Studies on the trematode parasites of stray dogs in Egypt
Biography:
Asmaa M I Abuzeid has completed her MSVSc from Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University. She is an Assistant Lecturer of Parasitology in Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University.
Abstract:
In a study on trematodes of stray dogs in Ismailia Province, Egypt, 50 stray dogs of different sexes and ages were humanely euthanized, necropsied and examined for trematodes. The total prevalence of trematodes was 36%. Fourteen trematode species were recorded as the following; Prohemistomum vivax (4%), Mesostephanus appendiculatus (16%), Mesostephanus melvi (6%), Mesostephanus sp. (2%), Echinochasmus liliputans (16%), Heterophyes dispar (14%), Pygidiopsis genata (20%), Pygidiopsis summa (4%), Ascocotyle rara (4%), Phagicola longus (6%), Phagicolla longicollis (4%), Metagonimus yokogawai (4%), Haplorchis pumilio (6%) and Apophallus donicus (4%). Pygidiopsis summa and Ascocotyle rara were recorded for the first time in Ismailia Province and this may be the first time to be recorded among the Egyptian dogs. Mesostephanus spp., had the highest intensity 95.5 (18-170) followed by Pygidiopsis spp. 26.7 (10-40), Echinochasmus liliputans 19 (10-36), Heterophyes dispar 13 (5-20), Phagicola longus 5.7 (2-10), Prohemistomum vivax 3 (1-5), Ascocotyle rara and Haplorchis pumilio 3 (2-4) each, Metagonimus yokogawai 2.5 (2-3), Phagicola longicollis and Apophallus donicus 2 (1-3) each. There was a highly significant difference (p<0.01) in the prevalence of trematodes between different ages (60% in adult and 0% in young dogs), while there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of the detected trematodes in relation to the sex of dogs. From this study, it could be concluded that stray dogs in Ismailia City carry a multitude trematode parasites, thus posing a risk for the human population and companion dogs.
Biography:
Isaia Sotiriadou has completed her PhD at the University of Cologne. She was an Associate Researcher on several FP7 projects funded by the EU and she is currently appointed as a Supervisor in the Interdisciplinary Laboratory at the Polyclinic of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology. She has authored and co-authored several papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
There is an ongoing demand for the development of different molecular tools with the aim of realizing an efficient method that is simple, fast and economic for the effective detection of life threatening microorganisms in water. In principle, the loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has been advocated as a unique, easy and low cost genetic analysis tool for resource-poor settings with increased sensitivity and specificity for the accurate detection of human pathogenic waterborne protozoan in the field or at the point of care by clinicians. LAMP has been successfully applied for several taxa including Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica and matrices like stool, blood, tissues and environmental samples. Here, we demonstrate the most significant waterborne parasites that are detectable using LAMP. A unified strategy showing the investigation procedure comprises of sample collection, purification, segmentation and molecular analysis will be presented, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of LAMP assay in comparison to PCR assay. The synergy of using this innovative and rapid assay indicates the important impact in the event of outbreaks caused by life threatening pathogens and for tracking the source of contamination. The combination of the LAMP together with the already existing PCR, and the sequencing and genotyping of the end product, provides valuable information to scientists and physicians for prevention, safety and the health of the population. LAMP assay is valuable for medical outcomes (diagnoses), for tracking the source of infections and for monitoring purposes. Its economic importance is also significant for the detection of parasites at the earliest possible stage in the field.
Galina A Yakovleva
Institute of Biology of Karelian Research Centre of RAS, Russia
Title: Trematode Apophallus muehlingi (Jagerskiold, 1899) Luhe, 1909 in gulls in Northwest Russia
Biography:
Galina A Yakovleva has completed her PhD from Petrosavadsk State of University. She is the Research Associate of Institute of Biology of Karelian Research Centre of RAS. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
The study focused on the quantitative assessment of the trematode Apophallus muehlingi (Jagerskiold, 1899) infection in gull species living on Lake Ladoga shores (61°12′N; 32°54′E). A. muehlingi is actively dispersing northwestwards and metacercariae of this species can cause epizootic events in fish. Gulls (81 specimens) were surveyed in spring and autumn in the period between 2010 and 2015. The sample set included 7 species: Larus argentatus, L. canus, L. fuscus, L. minutus, L. ridibundus, Sterna hirundo, S. paradisaea. Mature trematodes A. muehlingi were detected only in L. canus and L. minutes in spring, instantly after their return from wintering grounds. The highest infection rates were found in Common Gull, which yielded 12% prevalence and mean intensity 5.1, whereas the rates in Little Gull were 6% and 0.7, respectively. The birds examined in autumn were free of the trematode infection, suggesting that A. muehlingi cannot yet complete its life cycle along Ladoga shores because local waters lack the snail Lithoglyphus naticoides (the first intermediate host of parasite). Over the past 50 years this snail from the Black Sea has spread from the downstream Volga up to Rybinskoye impoundment reservoir. If L. naticoides continues dispersing at the current rate, the mollusk may soon reach the waters in the Onego and Ladoga catchments. This intervention would generate the conditions required for A. muehlingi to complete life cycle and thus results in epizooty of local fish species with trematode metacercariae.
Julia A Loos
National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina
Title: Preventive and clinical efficacies of metformin against experimental cyst echinococcosis
Biography:
Julia A Loos is graduated in Biological Science (National University of Mar del Plata, 2011) and she is pursuing her PhD under the direction of Prof. Dr. Andrea Cumino. She has been serving as assistant teacher for subjects such as Histology, General Microbiology and Farmacology, that are part of the Biology and Biochemistry courses of study. She participates in several research projects on Parasitology and has published original articles. Currently, her research is focused on the study of intermediary metabolism and energy control in the larval stage of Echinococcus spp.
Abstract:
Metformin (Met) is an antihyperglycemic and a potential anticancer agent which may exert its anti-proliferative effects, both indirectly through the systemic reduction of insulin levels and directly, via the induction of energetic stress, involving the inhibition of ATP production, the activation of AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the inhibition of the target of rapamycin complex (TORC1). The drug shows good oral bioavailability (50-60%), is stable and not metabolized and its pharmacokinetics is regulated by transporters of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). The aim of this study was to test the in vitro effect of Met alone or in combination with low concentrations of albendazole (ABZ) on Echinococcus granulosus larval stage and to report on their effects in vivo employing murine cyst echinococcosis infection model. Viable protoscoleces (PTS, N=3000) and metacestodes (MTC, N=20) were cultured in vitro in 199 medium and mortality was calculated daily. To determine the in vivo clinical and chemoprophylactic efficacies, mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with viable PTS and then treated once daily by intragastric administration for 60 days with the Met (50 mg kg-1 day-1) and ABZ (5 mg kg-1 day-1), separately and in combination (both Met at 50 mg kg-1 day-1 and ABZ at 50 mg kg-1 day-1). Next, the hydatid cysts collected from the peritoneal cavity of the animals were weighed and analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, determining also the Met intracyst concentration. Administration of Met to cultured PTS and MTC showed significant dose and time dependent killing effects and the combination of Met and ABZ-SO, (the main active metabolite of ABZ), had an synergistic effect from day 12 or 4 in PTS and MTC, respectively. RT-PCR analysis indicated expression of the five genes encoding for Echinococcus organic cation transporters in PTS and MTC. In Met treated MTC an overexpression of all studied genes was observed, except for Eg-slcD; while that in PTS no changes in the transcriptional expression level of these genes was detected, except for Eg-slcE. In the clinical efficacy study, the weight of hydatid cysts was significantly decreased upon treatment with each drug (P<0.01), but the decrease was more prominent in the group receiving the combined treatments than that with either drug alone (p<0.05). In the chemoprophylactic study statistical differences (p<0.01) were registered in the weight of the cysts obtained from untreated mice compared with mice treated with Met. In addition, Met concentration was estimated in cysts obtained from Met or Met plus ABZ treated mice. Drug concentration was 43% higher in samples from animals treated with both drugs (60±5 μg/cyst g) compared to those receiving Met alone (35±7 μg/cyst g). Our results indicate that Met has anti-echinococcal effects and its combination with ABZ has significant additive effects, therefore both drugs may improve the anti-parasitic therapy.
Ranjit Sah
Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Title: Reporting of Fasciola hepatica in Nepal for the first time
Biography:
Ranjit Sah is a Resident at Institute of Medicine of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal. He has been undergoing researches regarding various clinical cases during his study period. He has done research on differentiation of Taenia species by simple ZN stain and the article was published in JIOM with title “Identification of Taenia in a 6 year old childâ€. He has identified for the first time cases in Nepal like Acanthamoeba in corneal scraping of a patient with keratitis and Toxoxoplasma parasite (tachyzoite and bradyzoites) demonstrated in vitreous fluid etc.
Abstract:
Introduction: Fascioliasis is an infection caused by Fasciola hepatica, the sheep or common liver fluke. Fascioliasis includes biliary colic, with vomiting, persistent diarrhea, jaundice and a tender hepatomegaly with peripheral eosinophilia (40-85%). Infection occurs following the ingestion of the encysted cercariae (metacercaria) of the fluke commonly found in water-cress. This is a common mode of infestation of the definitive host (sheep, goat and cattle) of the parasite. Humans also get infected in the same manner; intermediate host is Snails of genus Lymnaea.
rnrn Case Report-1: We have detected first case of Fasciola hepatica in Nepal. Adult worm was found in the biliary tract of the patient during ERCP and their eggs (ova) were found during stool examination. For treatment, we used Nitazoxanide which was not found in Nepal and was brought from India. After 7 days of medication, patient’s condition improved and follow up of 3 stool-examinations showed no eggs of Fasciola hepatica. Prior to the visit to our hospital (TUTH Kathmandu Nepal), she had already visited to different hospitals of Nepal and also India and was admitted with different provisional diagnosis like hepatocellular carcinoma, obstructive jaundice, cirrhosis of liver. She belongs to a poor family (daily labor) but has done all the required investigations for her provisional diagnosis with expenditure of Rs. 3-5 lakhs, yet her diagnosis was not confirmed. She has history of consumption of water cresses from river bank of her village which supported our diagnosis.
rnrn Case Report-2: Few weeks later, we found second case of Fasciola hepatica. Adult worm was found in the antrum of stomach (unusual site) on endoscopy. Endoscopy was done for melaena. On stool examination, we found ova of Fasciola hepatica along with the larva of Strongyloides stercolis co-infection. Again we brought Nitazoxanide (500 mg BD 7 days) from India for Fasciola hepatica and abendazole 400 mg BD 3 days for Strongyloides. On follow up of stool examination, no eggs of Fasciola hepatica seen but larva of Strongyloides stercoralis were numerous. We the treated the patient with Ivermectine and on further follow up examination there were no eggs of Fasciola hepatica and larva of Strongyloides stercoralis. This case also gives the history of consumption of water cresses from Local River.
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Eva Wong
Caritas Medical Centre, Hong Kong
Title: Parasitic eyelid infection in two Chinese patients
Biography:
Eva Wong has obtained her MBChB degree at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2014. She is currently a Resident trainee at the Department of Ophthalmology, Caritas Medical Centre in Hong Kong.
Abstract:
Diagnosis and treatment of parasitic eye infections remains to be a diagnostic challenge in developed countries due to its rarity and often atypical clinical presentation. We describe two cases of pathologically confirmed parasitic eyelid infection initially presented as pre-septal cellulitis of the orbit in two Chinese adult patients in 2015. No signs of intra-ocular infection were demonstrated. Therapeutic trials of oral antibiotics showed suboptimal clinical improvement which prompted further investigations regarding the nature of peri-orbital swelling. Both patients underwent extensive systemic workup, including serological tests, radiological imaging and excisional biopsy of the eyelid mass for diagnostic purposes and treatment. Parasitic infestation with granulomatous inflammatory reactions was confirmed upon histopathology report. Both patients had no signs of systemic microfilaraemia and anti-helminthic agents were not required. Satisfactory post-operative outcomes were achieved with no recurrences reported.
Olga S Koutsoni
Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Greece
Title: Assessment of potential adjuvanticity of recombinant Leishmania infantum
Biography:
Olga S Koutsoni has obtained her BSc in Biological Sciences and completed her PhD in the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. She is working in the field of development of novel vaccines at the Laboratory of Cellular Immunology in Hellenic Pasteur Institute. She has published 6 papers in international scientific journals and counts 17 participations in world and national conferences.
Abstract:
One important goal in a successful vaccine formulation is to identify adjuvants that promote the appropriate immune responses and are safe for use in humans. The majority of adjuvants elicit humoral responses instead of the desired strong cellular responses, while the most potent possess high toxicity. Consequently, the development of novel adjuvants remains an urgent need. The Leishmania eukaryotic initiation factor (LeIF) antigen is considered as a natural Th1-type adjuvant that has the ability to induce cytokine secretion by immune cells of healthy individuals. In this study, we evaluated the adjuvant properties of the recombinant Leishmania infantum eIF (rLieIF) by co-administering it along with OVA antigen in the peritoneal cavity of BALB/c mice. The positive control group received alum (a widely used adjuvant in humans) plus OVA. At 6 and 24 hours post-immunization, the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) were harvested and the phenotype of recruited immune cells was determined. Moreover, we evaluated their capacity to produce NO upon in vitro stimulation with rLieIF and/or IFN-γ and/or LPS, as wells as their uric acid levels. Moreover, at 2 hours post-immunization, we identified the relative gene expression of the IL-1β that is associated in alum's mechanism of action. Mice that received OVA-rLieIF exhibited significant recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes in the peritoneal cavity at 24 hours post-immunization. Furthermore, PEC derived from OVA-rLieIF-immunized mice produced significant amounts of NO when stimulated with rLieIF or rLieIF-IFN-γ. Moreover, rLieIF induced a 50-fold augmentation of IL-1β gene expression, while it did not affect the levels of uric acid. In conclusion, this study brings additional knowledge on the adjuvant activity of LieIF that involves the IL-1β gene expression and suggests that LieIF may play a dual role in vaccination strategies.
Biography:
Agata Carolina Cevey has completed her Bachelor of Science from University of Buenos Aires, School of Exact and Nature Sciences. Currently she is performing PhD studies in School of Medicine from University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has published one paper as first author and two as co-author in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is the main cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in the Americas. Antiparasitic treatment mostly relies on benznidazole (Bzl) due to Nifurtimox shortage or unavailability. Both induce adverse drug effects (ADE) of varied severity in many patients, leading to treatment discontinuation or abandonment. Since dosage may influence ADE, we aimed to assess Bzl efficacy in terms of parasiticidal and anti-inflammatory activity, using doses lower than those previously reported. BALB/c mice infected with the T. cruzi RA strain were treated with different doses of Bzl. Parasitaemia, mortality and weight change were assessed. Parasite load, tissue infiltrates and inflammatory mediators were studied in the heart. Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity was determined as a marker of heart damage. The infection-independent anti-inflammatory properties of Bzl were studied in an in vitro model of LPS-treated cardiomyocyte culture. Treatment with 25 mg/Kg/day Bzl turned negative the parasitological parameters induced a significant decrease in IL-1β, IL-6 and NOS2 in the heart and CK activity in serum, to normal levels. No mortality was observed in infected treated mice. Primary cultured cardiomyocytes treated with Bzl showed that inflammatory mediators were reduced via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. A Bzl dose lower than that previously reported for treatment of experimental Chagas disease exerts adequate antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory effects leading to parasite clearance and tissue healing. This may be relevant to reassess the dose currently used for the treatment of human Chagas disease, aiming to minimize ADE.
Raul N Ondarza-Vidaurreta
National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico
Title: Drug effects and drug targets from human pathogenic amoebas Entamoeba histolytica, Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Naegleria fowleri
Biography:
Raul N Ondarza-Vidaurreta is a Professor of Biochemistry at Faculty of Medicine, UNAM and Medical Researcher at National Institute of Public Health, currently teaching Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and directing research theses in both Master’s and Doctor’s degree in the Faculties of Sciences and Medicine of the UNAM. He has published more than 50 scientific papers. He has completed his Postgraduate in Biochemistry, Glasgow University, Scotland, Great Britain and Doctor in Biology (Biochemistry) Faculty of Sciences, UNAM, Mexico and he was a Fellow of John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Dr. Honoris Causa, Republique Francaise, Académie de Créteil, Universitè Paris XIII. He was a Visiting Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego at La Jolla, California.
Abstract:
In our laboratory we have been working for several years searching and identifying thiol compounds such as Trypanothione in human pathogenic amoebas like E. histolytica, A. polyphaga and N. fowleri as well as on the inhibition of their enzyme NADPH-dependent Trypanothione reductase as a drug target, by neuroleptics, anti-mycotics, antibiotics and other drugs with antiproliferative effects. It is worth to be mentioned that E. histolytica, at least in 60 hours cultures, contains as much as four times more reduced cysteine than T(SH)2. Contrariwise, T. cruzi and Crithidia luciliae do not contain appreciable amounts of reduced cysteine. T. cruzi however, contains a much higher amount of T(SH)2 (559 nmol/g) than E. histolytica (29 nmol/g) when expressed by wet weight of the pellet, but the opposite is true when the amount is calculated in relation to the number of cells (T. cruzi=0.202 nmol/L×106 epimastigotes and E. histolytica=0.961 nmol/L×106 trophozoites). There is no doubt that the thiol compound trypanothione, which was previously thought to occur only in Kinetoplastida, is also present in these human pathogens, as well as in the non-pathogenic euglenozoan E. gracilis. The presence of the trypanothione/trypanothione reductase system in these amoebas creates the possibility of using this enzyme as a new "drug target" for rationally designed drugs to eliminate the parasite without affecting the human host.