Articles tagged with Parasitic Diseases
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Scientists at UCR have discovered a new species of nematode parasite that infects and kills tarantulas, exhibiting strange behaviors like walking on tiptoe and loss of fang control. The parasite, Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi, is named after actor Jeff Daniels, who saved fictional spiders in the 1990 film Arachnophobia.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how praziquantel works, a key to treating schistosomiasis. The discovery highlights new opportunities for drug development and may help combat this debilitating disease affecting over a billion people worldwide.
Two independent teams of researchers have found the molecular mechanism of action of praziquantel, the only approved drug to treat schistosomiasis. The drug binds to a specific type of channel in the cell membrane, causing calcium ions influx and resulting in worm paralysis and death.
Phages weigh all options and make an informed decision whether to exit the dormant state and attack their bacterial host. The study found that some phage families have developed a complex decision-making strategy, receiving information from neighboring bacteria and controlling communication via arbitrium.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a potential cure for strongyloidiasis, a deadly tropical disease caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Combining dafachronic acid and ivermectin increased survival rates to 85% in animal models, offering a new therapeutic target for parasitic nematode diseases.
A collaborative research study found Cryptosporidium prevalence to be 20-25% across Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, posing a serious threat to dairy cattle and human life. The parasite is concerning due to its ability to become infectious in chlorine, increasing the risk of infection through traditional methods.
Researchers have made progress towards a new diagnostic test for schistosomiasis, which could help interrupt transmission and eventually eliminate the disease. The test targets proteins produced by the parasite and can detect even low-intensity infections.
A new study by Royal Holloway University of London found that glyphosate has no significant effect on bumble bee mortality, reproduction, or sucrose consumption. The research also suggests that the pesticide does not make parasite infections more intense at environmentally realistic concentrations.
Researchers have developed a database of parasite-host interactions among ancient ocean animals, shedding light on the evolution of biodiversity and the impact of parasitism on ecosystems. The study suggests that parasites can positively stabilize coastal ecosystems, making them more stable despite individual harm to hosts.
A new study reveals that mice infected with bacteria or parasites develop a unique tolerance mechanism to shield their enteric neurons from death. This finding has potential clinical implications for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, where neuronal loss can lead to severe gastrointestinal disease.
A breakthrough oral vaccine candidate has been developed to prevent hookworm infection, which affects half a billion people worldwide. The vaccine triggers a strong immune response and reduces worm numbers by up to 94% in mice trials.
A study by the University of Georgia's Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases identified contaminated water as the most common driver of large-scale zoonotic disease outbreaks. The researchers analyzed over 4,400 outbreaks and found that unusual weather patterns and changes in vector abundance were also significant contributors.
Researchers find hookworms resistant to multiple drugs used to treat them, with high prevalence in racing greyhounds. The study's results highlight the importance of regular deworming and caution against dog parks as potential breeding grounds for drug-resistant parasites.
A new study led by Rachel Penczykowski investigates the hydra effect in water fleas, where parasite infections trigger a counterintuitive increase in population density. The researchers found that infected water fleas consume less algae, leading to an abundance of resources for uninfected individuals.
A team of researchers has discovered a new group of coral-infecting microbes called Corallicolida. Despite lacking photosynthetic genes, they express chlorophyll genes and may still play a role in their host cells. The authors propose that Corallicolida could be an ancient parasite that lost its photosynthetic machinery.
Researchers at Kanazawa University have identified a new vaccine platform that targets liver cells to induce anti-malaria immunity. The AAV8 vaccine platform was found to be more effective in eliciting a T cell-mediated response in the liver, providing sterile protection against malaria in a murine model.
A recent study has identified a nematode attractant in flax seeds, which can be used to develop sustainable and environmentally-friendly agriculture methods. The attractant, consisting of cell wall polysaccharides, is found to contain L-galactose sidechains that are critical for nematode attraction.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a combination of seasonal vaccination with RTS,S/AS01 E and antimalarial drugs significantly reduces clinical episodes, hospital admissions, and deaths from malaria. The results show a 70% reduction in these outcomes compared to current interventions.
A new study led by ISGlobal has identified a gene called PfAP2-HS that allows the malaria parasite to defend itself from febrile temperatures and other adverse conditions within the host. The study found that this gene activates a protective response against high temperatures, helping the parasite survive in the host's environment.
Researchers found that parasitic hairworms in praying mantis infected with parasites are attracted to horizontally polarized light and enter the water. This manipulation of host behavior is a remarkable example of how parasites can alter their hosts' morphology and behavior for their own benefit.
Research from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that Toxoplasma-infected hyena cubs are more bold and approach lions from closer distances, leading to a higher risk of death. The parasite has a direct and detrimental impact on hyena fitness.
A new study reveals that a changing parasite is behind the intensification of oyster disease in the Chesapeake Bay region. The emergence of a more virulent form of Perkinsus marinus, caused by evolutionary pressures from a non-native parasite MSX, led to a sharp increase in disease prevalence and deadliness.
Ant workers infected with a tapeworm live significantly longer than uninfected nest-mates, resembling the lifespan of ant queens. The parasites alter expression of ant genes and release antioxidants, contributing to their extended lifespan.
A recent study found that conservation efforts have led to an increase in mountain gorilla population densities, which may raise their risk of infectious diseases. The research also discovered striking geographic differences in parasite infections across the entire range of the mountain gorilla.
A study by Brandi Wren found that monkeys carrying whipworm parasites exhibit reduced social grooming and cuddling, implying a link between infections and behavioral changes. This research opens new avenues for understanding animal behavior and human health, particularly in the context of social distancing and contagion.
Researchers can use eDNA and eRNA analysis to determine the presence of human and wildlife pathogens, providing timely insights into disease spread. This approach has been successfully used to track large-scale outbreaks of COVID-19, allowing for proactive measures to be taken.
A study by Universities of Cape Town and Bonn found that helminth-infected mice developed severe symptoms after infection with a genital herpes virus. This remote effect is thought to be caused by misdirected immune response, where eosinophil granulocytes accumulate in the vagina and secrete cell-damaging enzymes.
A recent study warns that moving endangered species to new locations can accidentally spread diseases and parasites, putting populations at risk of collapse. The researchers recommend stricter quarantine periods and relocation strategies to mitigate this risk.
Researchers have uncovered a molecular reason why faecal transplants are effective in treating C. diff infections, suggesting new therapeutic targets. The study identified specific microRNAs that contribute to disease pathogenesis and protect bowel cells from bacterial toxins.
A new laboratory study has identified five herbal medicines with potent activity against Babesia duncani, a malaria-like parasite causing babesiosis. The herbal medicines included Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua, Scutellaria baicalensis, Alchornea cordifolia, and Polygonum cuspidatum.
A new study finds that the high cost of antiparasitic drugs used to treat hookworm and other soil-transmitted parasites is driving up patient costs and decreasing the quality of care. In rural areas, these diseases are more prevalent, and patients often receive inadequate treatment.
Researchers have confirmed that parasites can parasitize newly-recorded snail species in Thailand, posing a risk of food-borne zoonotic diseases. The study highlights the need for further research on the biodiversity and biology of these snails to improve public health understanding.
The parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium infects marine crustaceans globally, resulting in mortalities due to organ malfunction. The pathogen has developed into an emerging epidemic threat to China's sustainable crab culture and wild populations.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine discovered that gut cells lining intestines send warning signals to the immune system upon parasite invasion. The discovery sheds light on early stages of pathogen recognition and response.
A study published in Science Immunology reveals that the activity of IL-33, an immune signaling molecule, depends on which cell type releases it. This discovery opens up a new direction for understanding its involvement in various health conditions such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma.
Researchers found high rates of nematode and cestode infections in Medieval Europe, with infection rates most common among children. The study suggests that past living conditions may inform modern intervention campaigns.
Researchers investigating the decline of Norway's sea trout populations have found 11 disease-causing factors. They plan to survey the entire coast using advanced analysis methods and tag 150 fish with electronic tags to study behavior and migration patterns.
Researchers in Spain studied bird nests to understand how insects and parasites detect gas concentrations, finding a positive correlation between carbon dioxide and biting midges. The study also found that methane concentration was related to bacteria in nesting materials.
A global conservation plan for parasites is proposed to recognize the value of biological diversity. Research suggests that parasites play critical ecological roles, regulating wildlife populations, and propose identifying and conserving half of world's parasites within the next decade.
A team of researchers at West Virginia University has uncovered the manipulative qualities of a fungal parasite that infects cicadas, allowing it to transmit disease effectively. The fungus, Massospora, tricks male cicadas into mimicking female behavior, luring in unsuspecting males and eventually infecting them.
A Cornell University study found that one in eight individual bees had at least one parasite, with social bees more susceptible to infection. The researchers identified five common parasites transmitted through flowers, highlighting the importance of flower abundance and bee diversity in controlling disease spread.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered how the Toxoplasma gondii parasite hijacks host cells to spread throughout the body. The parasite triggers an alarm system that leads to the activation of a protein called IRE1, connecting it to the cytoskeleton and causing hypermigration.
Two new species of parasite have been discovered in crabs, which could potentially harm commercially important crustaceans. The researchers' findings suggest that the shore crab's habitat may influence the presence and prevalence of pathogens.
A new UK study found that faecal microbial transplantation (FMT) is more effective than antibiotics in treating Clostridium difficile infection, with higher cure rates and lower recurrence rates. FMT was also shown to be significantly more cost-effective, reducing hospitalization days and offering better quality of life for patients.
Researchers studied how Toxoplasma parasites move rapidly through tissues using high-resolution imaging and force microscopy. They found that the parasites form specific attachments with collagen fibers, resulting in contractile forces that propel them forward.
Researchers from Kumamoto University identified a plant gene that balances growth with defense mechanisms to protect against nematode infections. The DEL1 gene helps plants allocate energy to growth rather than defense, leading to increased yields and resistance to pests.
Researchers found that parasitic fungi infect cyanobacteria, reducing their growth and making them easier prey for small organisms. The fungi also serve as a food supplement for zooplankton, connecting different levels of aquatic food webs.
A study analyzing trends in muskrat mortality found associations with viruses, fungal infections, and toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides. The research provides a baseline for understanding potential role of pathogens and contaminants in declining muskrat populations across North America.
Researchers found that high-protein diets increased the survival of infected caterpillars by causing osmotic stress, which slows down bacterial growth. This mechanism may offer a new avenue for understanding how diet affects parasitic blood infections in humans.
A study found that great gray owl populations in California and Oregon have lower genetic diversity due to range discontinuity, leaving them susceptible to diseases and environmental stressors. The researchers propose that conservation efforts may be necessary to protect these vulnerable populations.
A recent study from the University of Washington explores how parasites respond to climate change, revealing complex relationships between hosts, parasites, and their communities. The research suggests that pulse warming events can have sudden and profound impacts on disease transmission, leading to a 'choppy sea' of outbreaks.
Researchers investigate how macrophages mediate tissue repair and promote lung stem-cell growth in response to worm infections. Their findings may have relevance for understanding and treating COVID-19-related lung damage.
A newly released study by Clemson University scientists provides evidence that disrupting heme production in Toxoplasma gondii could be an effective therapeutic strategy. Researchers found that using herbicides to inhibit the parasite's growth can deny it an essential nutrient, potentially leading to a cure.
A new freeze-resistant Trichinella species has been found in wolverines, highlighting the need for improved food safety measures. The species, named Trichinella chanchalensis, was discovered in 14 of 338 wolverine samples tested and is estimated to be around 6 million years old.
Australian researchers discovered that Toxoplasma-infected male mice passed altered epigenetic signatures to their offspring, affecting brain development and behavior. The study raises concerns about potential long-term impacts of infections in human fathers on their children's health.
Research shows that grey squirrels carrying a parasitic helminth negatively impact native red squirrel behavior, reducing their activity and altering relationships with native parasites. This study highlights the effects of parasite-mediated competition on red squirrels' personality and foraging efficiency in invaded habitats.
A study by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin reveals that the amoeba Entamoeba gingivalis plays a key role in periodontitis, causing inflammation and tissue destruction. The parasite's elimination may improve treatment outcomes for patients with gum disease.
A new study reveals that Toxoplasma gondii parasite alters the behavior of microglia, leading to a loss of inhibitory signaling in the brain. This can result in seizures, personality changes, and vision problems, similar to neuropsychiatric disorders.
A recent study found that only half of all surfaces in an animal hospital were adequately cleaned during a 5.5-week period, with human-touch surfaces being the least likely to be disinfected. The researchers recommend creating checklists and educating staff on proper cleaning practices to protect animal and human health.
Researchers found a parasite from opossums infecting sea otters along the West Coast, with infected otters in British Columbia's northern Vancouver Island. The study suggests pathogens can travel long distances via water runoff and prey species like clams.