Articles tagged with Parasites
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a chemical that suppresses the lethal form of a parasitic infection caused by roundworms. The study developed a mouse model susceptible to the full range of infection and found that a synthetic steroid called Δ7-dafachronic acid significantly reduced worm burden.
A research group at Osaka University has identified key molecules involved in severe malaria. The study found that RIFIN proteins expressed on infected erythrocytes suppress the host immune response by binding to an inhibitory receptor, contributing to the pathogenesis of severe malaria.
Scientists found that parasitic nematodes use odors from host mice as cues to position themselves where they have a higher chance of being eaten. The worms are attracted to fresh mouse feces and can migrate towards new hosts based on odorants produced by mammalian skin, feces, or urine.
Researchers investigate pretreatment with etanercept to manage post-treatment inflammation in neurocysticercosis, a major cause of epilepsy worldwide. Etanercept suppresses inflammatory pathways involved in treatment-induced inflammation.
Scientists demonstrate that Leishmania adaptation results from frequent and reversible chromosomal amplifications, which enables the parasite to maintain genetic diversity while selecting for new alleles. This study has important consequences for understanding human Leishmania infection and identifying parasite drug resistance mechanisms.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a previously unknown mechanism by which immune responses are regulated. The discovery found that Th2 cells express EGFR, releasing defense molecules only in response to parasites, preventing tissue damage.
A recent study has identified a fatty molecule in human blood that controls the malaria parasite's decision to switch from replicating in humans to transmitting to mosquitoes. This discovery improves understanding of a critical stage in the Plasmodium life cycle and may lead to new strategies for controlling and treating malaria.
A research team led by Charissa de Bekker found that the fungus has its own biological clock, which may be driving the timing of when it infects and manipulates the ants. The study reveals how the parasite controls the ants' behavior to spread its spores more effectively.
Portuguese researchers have identified a crucial defence mechanism used by the malaria parasite to survive inside its host's liver cells. The protein UIS3 binds to LC3, forming a protective shield against autophagy, allowing the parasite to evade the host's cellular defence mechanism.
A study on guppy fish reveals how their immune genes evolve to resist parasites while maintaining critical function over millions of years. The research sheds light on the evolutionary dynamics of the immune system and its ability to adapt to new threats.
A recent study found that populations of Plasmodium vivax in the Americas are as genetically diverse as those in Southeast Asia, contradicting previous assumptions. The research suggests that P. vivax may have originated from Africa, Europe, and Asia, and its genetic diversity was retained upon arrival in the Americas.
Researchers have identified two essential proteins, plasmepsin IX and X, which play critical roles in the life cycle of malaria parasites. Targeting these proteins could lead to the development of effective anti-malaria drugs.
Scientists have discovered five new targets that can help create an effective malaria vaccine by reducing the parasite's ability to invade red blood cells. The study suggests combining these multiple factors could lead to a more effective vaccine.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have made a significant discovery on how a harmful parasite harnesses energy, which could lead to new treatments. The study reveals that targeting a key enzyme linked to metabolism could be an effective way to kill the parasite without harming humans.
A new study suggests that reducing nutrient pollution in salt marshes could help prevent human disease. The research found that nutrient enrichment increased the number and biomass of parasites in a specific host species, which may have implications for human health.
Researchers have identified two microRNAs, miR-294 and miR-721, that are upregulated in macrophages infected with Leishmania parasites, potentially inhibiting the immune system's response. By analyzing the expression of these microRNAs, scientists hope to identify molecular targets for developing new treatments against leishmaniasis.
Researchers have discovered how Leishmania donovani uses physiological response to low oxygen levels to establish a chronic infection. The parasite induces the expression of HIF-1α, a master regulator of cellular response to hypoxia, in monocytes and macrophages.
Research has found that most Central American 'kissing bugs' infect people with just two strains of the Chagas disease parasite, TcI and TcIV. The study identified a high level of genetic variation within these strains, which may impact vaccine development and treatment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University engineered GM mosquitoes with altered microbiota that suppresses human malaria-causing parasites. The trait was successfully passed along to multiple generations of offspring, even when combined with wild mosquitoes, and maintained for 7 years.
Researchers found that metabolism directly impacts malaria development and severity. A study by Instituto de Medicina Molecular revealed that dietary shifts can lead to a 90% reduction in parasite load.
Researchers at UC are studying tick populations to develop strategies for preventing tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. The study focuses on the distribution of four species in southwest Ohio, their ability to withstand winters, and the diseases they carry.
Research shows fish modify behaviors to avoid parasites, with behaviorally-modified individuals displaying increased surface activities and reduced swimming. This discovery could lead to new strategies for preventing parasite infections in aquaculture.
Researchers have identified new hosts for Chagas Disease vectors, including tayras, monkeys, sloths, porcupines, and coatis, using DNA analysis. This discovery increases knowledge of Chagas disease transmission in rural environments and will support efforts to control the disease, particularly in poor, rural populations in South America.
Researchers discovered that carbohydrates on malaria parasites play a critical role in infecting human and mosquito hosts. The study suggests steps for improving the malaria vaccine, which has been only partially effective in preventing the disease.
Researchers use NASA satellite data to predict malaria outbreaks in the Amazon Rainforest by tracking mosquito breeding grounds and human movement. The tool combines land surface modeling, vegetation maps, and deforestation data to identify areas at high risk of outbreaks.
Researchers found connections between Toxoplasma infection and neurodegenerative diseases, including altered GABAergic signaling and manipulated human olfactory receptors. The study also identified potential mechanisms by which the parasite may cause disease, providing insights for designing medicines and vaccines.
Researchers seek to understand how trypanosome parasites cause long-term infections in cattle, with potential to develop novel ideas for prevention and treatment. The project aims to target the parasite's defences using drug therapy or vaccines.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that Leishmania parasite infections are controlled by internal body clocks, leading to varying severities depending on the time of day. The research, led by Professor Nicolas Cermakian, discovered that the immune response is strongest at night, making it an ideal time for the parasite t...
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals that nerve cells in the gut play a crucial role in triggering an immune response to infection. The researchers found that these nerve cells communicate with immune system cells through a protein called neuromedin U, enabling them to rapidly respond to threats.
Researchers found that neurons at mucosal tissues can detect an infection and prompt immune cells to produce a substance that acts like adrenaline, rapidly activating a protective response. This discovery highlights the important role of peripheral nervous cells in mounting immune responses and preserving health.
A global analysis suggests that climate change could lead to the extinction of up to a third of parasite species by 2070. The study used museum collections and GPS coordinates to understand conservation risks. Parasite diversity is a key indicator of ecosystem health, highlighting their critical role in maintaining balance.
A new class of compounds, hexahydroquinolines (HHQs), shows promise in preventing Plasmodium falciparum parasite transmission from infected hosts to mosquitoes. HHQs also enhance the effectiveness of existing antimalarial treatments, making it harder for drug-resistant parasites to emerge.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh studied two species of trypanosome parasites that can co-infect animals at once. Communication between the species may aid their survival by controlling numbers and optimizing transmission, potentially leading to more severe human infections.
Researchers confirm zoonotic transmission of Plasmodium simium in 28 human cases in the Atlantic Forest region of southern Brazil, where malaria was previously thought to be eliminated. The study highlights the need for further investigation into the natural history and biology of the parasites in their non-human primate hosts.
Researchers found that wood frogs with pesticide tolerance are more susceptible to a deadly virus and a parasitic worm, while those far from agriculture have reduced susceptibility. This study highlights the complexity of pesticide-parasite interactions and the need to consider multiple stressors in environmental conservation.
Researchers used X-ray fluorescence microscopy and soft X-ray tomography to study malaria parasites in liquid nitrogen, gaining insights into their ravaging mode of operation. The findings suggest a potential mechanism controlling the speed of hemoglobin digestion and crystallization, which could be targeted with new medication.
Research finds that boat noise affects cleaner fish behavior, leading to increased cheating and decreased cleaning efficiency. This study highlights the need to control man-made noise in protected habitats.
Schistosoma mansoni parasite is a major cause of human schistosomiasis, with $1.9-million NIH grant aimed at understanding its prevalence and exploring new control methods. Researchers plan to domesticate competitor parasites to combat the spread of the disease.
Researchers highlight the crucial role of outreach and education in disease elimination programs. In Thailand's successful liver fluke control model, educational efforts, including comics and songs, have led to significant reductions in human infection rates. The campaign's focus on community empowerment and addressing social factors h...
Scientists discover dodder parasite transmits insect feeding-induced signals among different hosts, triggering defense reactions in neighboring plants. The parasitic plant's vascular system connects with its hosts, enabling the transfer of warning signals.
Research reveals that dodder plants transmit herbivory-induced signals among host plants, triggering defense responses and reducing insect growth. The discovery showcases the complex ecological interactions between parasitic plants and their hosts.
A study found that 7% of healthy Santa Barbara residents tested positive for raccoon roundworm antibodies, highlighting a previously undetected human infection risk. The parasite can survive over a year in the environment and cause severe health effects, including blindness or brain damage.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have decisively classified Dicyemida, a microscopic parasite in cephalopods, as part of the Spiralia clade and closest to Orthonectida. This classification sheds new light on the evolutionary history of Spiralia and the process of evolution.
Researchers found that amphibian susceptibility to parasites varies with proximity to agriculture and evolutionary responses to pesticides. Wood frogs living closer to agriculture with high baseline tolerance had lower trematode loads, while those far from agriculture with inducible pesticide tolerance had higher viral loads.
A recent study analyzing over half of the malaria parasite's genes found that two thirds are essential for survival, opening up new avenues for antimalarial drug development. The researchers developed a method to decipher gene function by switching off and counting the growth of genetically modified parasites.
Researchers at The Francis Crick Institute and The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine identified a key protein involved in malaria parasite escape. Disrupting this protein reduces the efficiency of parasite escape, slowing down infection rate.
Researchers at the University of York have found that parasites responsible for leishmaniasis are mainly acquired from the skin rather than through blood transfusions. This discovery challenges current treatment methods and highlights the importance of measuring parasite levels in the skin to assess treatment success.
A new study reveals that malaria parasites actively adapt to a host's nutritional status, with mice eating 30% fewer calories showing significantly lower parasite loads. The parasite's rate of replication depends on the host's calorie intake, potentially dictating the outcome of a malaria infection.
A research team used micro-computer tomography to investigate the relationship between parasite and host masses, finding a positive correlation. This suggests that larger hosts support larger parasites. The study also sheds light on the life-cycle of parasitic barnacles, revealing two groups with different competitive strategies.
Researchers have adapted a diagnostic test for malaria to predict post-treatment anemia risk with 89% sensitivity and 73% specificity. The BinaxNOW malaria kit measures HRP2 remnants on red blood cells, offering a potential alternative to mandatory monitoring for high-risk patients.
A study found that mice eating 30% fewer calories had a lower parasite load and lived longer. The parasite adapts by slowing its replication in response to host's nutritional status.
Researchers have discovered rat lungworm in five Florida counties, with nearly 23% of rats testing positive for the parasitic nematode. The parasite can cause meningitis in humans and animals if ingested, highlighting concerns over climate change's impact on its spread.
A study by the University of Zaragoza found Giardia and Cryptosporidium in 55% and 70% of drinking water plants, posing a public health risk despite low concentrations. The pathogens are resistant to chlorination and can trigger diarrheic outbreaks.
Three distinct parasite strains show varying ability to infect human liver cells, with some causing more severe symptoms. Future antimalarial vaccine trials should use multiple strains to accurately predict efficacy.
The UW-led Malaria Evolution in South Asia research center is one of 10 NIH-supported International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research. Researchers are studying the genetic diversity of malaria parasites in India, which shows more variation than elsewhere globally, making standard laboratory tests less accurate.
Researchers at U-M Medical School discovered that a molecule called cathepsin protease L is crucial to the parasite's ability to survive the cyst phase and cause disease. Interfering with this protein can stop the parasite, offering new hope for treatments. The study suggests that targeting the 'stomach' of the parasite may be key to p...
A new genetic technique developed by Upeksha Rathnapala and colleagues at the University of Melbourne could enhance research into potential drug targets for malaria treatment. By using a novel approach involving fluorescent markers, scientists can identify metabolic processes essential for Plasmodium development in host animals.
A newly described protein, PfAP2-I, regulates a number of genes involved with the parasite's invasion of red blood cells, making it an effective target for new antimalarial drugs. Preventing PfAP2-I from binding to DNA and initiating the expression of invasion genes could stop an infection before it reaches the red blood cell stage.
A new study has identified human factors that could be targeted by elimination interventions for 'monkey malaria', a complex and potentially life-threatening parasite. Adult male farmers in the Sabah region are more likely to contract Plasmodium knowlesi malaria due to their outdoor work on plantations.
Researchers at LSTM and partners have developed a molecule, E209, effective against parasites with artemisinin resistance. The fully synthetic molecule is designed to be fast-acting and slowly eliminated, offering hope as a single-dose cure.