Articles tagged with Parasitic Diseases
A new study led by University of Manchester biologists reveals how glucose levels in the lungs control immune responses during inflammation. The research found that blocking sugar receptors may reduce inflammation in chronic conditions, while inhalation therapy could enhance immune response against some infections.
Researchers discovered a recently evolved, human specialised subspecies of the Cryptosporidium parasite, which can spread more easily between people. This finding will help public health interventions aimed at preventing the spread of diarrheal disease.
The Ecological Society of America's Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment journal publishes research on parasites hidden in museum specimens that can teach us about past and present diseases. A review reveals non-native species contribute to more plant and animal extinctions than native species.
A new study by Christian Lodberg Hvas shows that faeces transplantation is an effective treatment for Clostridium difficile, curing 22 out of 24 patients after a single procedure. In contrast, only 10 out of 24 patients were cured using the antibiotic fidaxomicin, highlighting the potential life-saving benefits of this treatment.
Researchers identified interleukin 10 receptor (IL-10R) as key player in regulating immune response to parasitic whipworms. The discovery helps understand the signalling mechanism maintaining a balance between host, parasite, and gut bacteria.
A new antibiotic called Ramizol shows promise in treating drug-resistant bacteria in the intestines, particularly for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The research indicates that Ramizol is well-tolerated and effective against lethal doses of the bacteria.
Kinetoplastid and apicomplexan parasites are targeted by inhibiting thymidylate biosynthesis, leading to decreased dTTP levels and cell death. Novel inhibitors with anti-parasitic activity have been identified in the review.
Scientists have observed a previously unrecognized swarming behavior in Spironucleus vortens, a single-celled parasite infecting ornamental fish. The swarm exhibits highly coordinated movement, suggesting interactions between the flagellates, which may contribute to its life cycle and lead to novel treatments.
A Rutgers study suggests that a protein produced in response to parasitic intestinal worms can suppress harmful inflammation linked to emphysema and control its progression. The study provides new insights into possible treatments for the deadly disease, which currently has no cure but can be managed through treatment.
Researchers found that forest fragmentation decreases transmission of a parasitic nematode in the pale-flecked garden sunskink, with infected skinks being 75% less likely to carry the parasites. Habitat disruption can lead to dramatic changes in ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers have pinpointed details of a signal that enables parasites to change form and be transmitted by flies, offering a new way to tackle the disease. Disrupting this process with drugs could limit drug resistance and provide a treatment option.
A study led by Paul Brindley is examining the cellular link between liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer. The research aims to understand why worm infections cause liver cells to transform into cancer.
A new model developed by scientists at the University of Bristol aims to help farmers tackle multi-million losses due to liver fluke infestations. The model explicitly links liver fluke prevalence with key environmental drivers like soil moisture, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on grazing and treatment.
A research team led by Nicholas V. DiPatrizio and Meera G. Nair found that parasitic worms produce cannabis-like molecules during infection, reducing pain and inflammation in the host. This discovery could lead to therapeutic treatments for worm infections and improve outcomes.
Researchers have found that a subset of people with helminth infections experience changes to their gut microbiome when treated for the infection. This change specifically affects Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes levels.
Death rates from heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers are higher in low- and middle-income tropical countries compared to high-income Western nations. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, account for 90% of deaths in Western countries due to late diagnosis and inadequate treatments.
Researchers have developed a new approach for studying Cryptosporidium using lung and intestinal organoids, which support the complete life cycle of the parasite. This tool enables the testing of drugs and identification of vaccine candidates, providing hope for developing effective treatments.
A team of evolutionary biologists discovered that tapeworms increase the tendency of three-spined sticklebacks to venture into open waters and exhibit risk-friendly behavior. Healthy fish in groups with infected members imitate their changed behavior, while infected fish do not take cues from cautious behavior in healthy fish.
A new probiotic mix of natural and engineered bacteria can diagnose and treat cholera by detecting a specific molecule and producing an enzyme that kills the bacteria. This approach offers an inexpensive and quick means to track the disease and provide treatment, potentially replacing traditional antibiotics.
Researchers found that haemosporidians impede migratory performance in infected birds, causing them to arrive later at breeding grounds. Infected individuals have elevated white blood cell counts, indicating an immune response that may divert resources from migration.
A Stanford-led study reveals high levels of tapeworm infection among school-age children in China, which can cause cognitive deficits and epilepsy. The researchers propose solutions to reduce infections and improve education outcomes, including community education and medication distribution.
Researchers have found a strain of trichomonosis in myna bird populations in Pakistan, infecting around 20% of the birds. The disease is carried by a parasite primarily found in pigeons and larger birds of prey, posing a risk to other species due to the invasive nature of myna birds.
A low-cost deworming drug has been shown to improve physical fitness in female farmers with hookworm infections, even at low infection levels. The benefits of the drug albendazole could be especially important in regions where women are the primary food producers.
Researchers found norovirus infects tuft cells, which multiply virus quickly and set off severe infections. Targeting these cells with a vaccine or drug may prevent or treat norovirus infections.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals a significant racial and ethnic disparity in Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection rates in the US population. TV infection disproportionately affects black individuals, with higher prevalence rates among black males and females, particularly those living below poverty level.
Human-provided food resources can alter animal migration patterns and increase disease transmission, as they allow some animals to forego migration and form resident populations. This can lead to a longer parasite transmission season and support more virulent parasites, posing risks to public health and conservation.
A study found that gut microbes influence parasitic worm infection severity and recurrence in developing countries. The researchers identified specific gut bacteria associated with increased inflammation, which may make it harder for worms to establish themselves.
Research by Weill Cornell Medicine scientists reveals that the nervous system can dampen excessive inflammation in the gut and lungs, which may lead to new treatments for diseases like asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. The study also found that beta-adrenergic receptors play a crucial role in controlling the immune response.
Researchers have documented a strange relationship between periodical cicadas and a fungus called Massospora cicadina that hijacks their behavior and causes them to spread the fungus' spores. The infected cicadas exhibit unusual behaviors, such as wing flicking and attempting to mate with uninfected females.
A 26-year-old Oregon woman became the first known human to be infected with Thelazia gulosa, a type of cattle eyeworm, after possibly being bitten by an infected fly while fishing in Alaska. She underwent treatment at OHSU and removed all 14 worms from her eye over the course of a month.
A parasite has evolved to mimic human proteins, breaking down cell barriers and making nutrients available for opportunistic bacteria. This discovery provides new insights into the disease-causing mechanisms of giardiasis.
Researchers found that beneficial bacteria on mouse skin work with the immune system to defend against disease-causing microbes and accelerate wound healing. This study suggests untangling similar mechanisms in humans may improve approaches to managing skin wounds and treating other damaged tissues.
Boris Striepen has received a $1.8-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support drug development efforts against cryptosporidiosis, a disease that sickens approximately 750,000 people annually in the US. The project aims to identify and validate therapeutic targets to guide medicinal chemistry.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science proposes a new regulatory approach for fecal transplant treatments. Stool banks would be required to report patient outcomes, while doctors and laboratories could distribute stool for CDI treatment at their discretion.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has discovered a molecule that can suppress the lethal form of infection in a mouse model of Strongyloides stercoralis. By using this molecule, they were able to prevent the formation of larvae that trigger a persistent cycle of infection in the host.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have uncovered the physiochemical 'fingerprint' profile of Necator americanus, a parasitic worm infecting hundreds of millions worldwide. This discovery enables the development of more effective treatments and earlier interventions.
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.
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.
A study found that fecal transplant using oral capsules was as effective as colonoscopy in preventing recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. The treatment prevented CDI recurrence in 96% of patients after 12 weeks.
A team of researchers at the Broad Institute has created a high-resolution census of the small intestine's cellular composition, revealing new insights into gut biology and its connection to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. The atlas uses single-cell RNA sequencing and provides a reference for studying th...
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.
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 identified levofloxacin as an effective antibiotic to prevent infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, reducing fever and bloodstream infections by 70%. The study found no increase in antibiotic resistance despite greater use of levofloxacin.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to determine optimal prevention and treatment strategies for patients co-infected with cryptosporidiosis and HIV. The model shows significant positive impact of dual strategy on reducing both diseases.
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.
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.
Scientists recommend reducing disease impacts on honeybees by limiting colony mixing and supporting natural bee behaviors. This approach could help reduce parasite transmission and promote disease resistance among the bees.
A recent study by researchers at UMass Amherst found that anabasine, a natural alkaloid, has deleterious effects on infected bees and exacerbates the negative effects of combined stressors on pollinator health. The compound was previously thought to have potential as a self-medicating agent against intestinal parasites in bumble bees.
Researchers have confirmed that a Dutch isolate of the parasite Cystoisospora suis is resistant to toltrazuril, a common treatment used in Europe. This development highlights the need for increased hygiene measures and monitoring of resistance to prevent the spread of resistant parasites.
New research finds that antibiotic use reduces the diversity of microbes in the gut, making it harder for the immune system to fight off infections. This disruption can compromise the intestinal barrier and leave the gut vulnerable to severe infection.
Researchers from CU Anschutz and UC San Diego found that creosote bush compounds exhibit potent anti-parasitic activity against Giardia and Naegleria fowleri, two deadly parasites responsible for giardiasis and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The discovery could lead to a more effective treatment option for these infections.
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...
Researchers developed an algorithm that identifies the most influential people in social networks, known as 'hubs', and targeting them can effectively isolate a contagion. The approach shows promising results in controlling diseases like parasitic worm infections by treating fewer households.
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 UCR discovered that infected insects emit an odor called prenol that repels nematodes looking for a new host. This finding supports the use of nematodes as a tool for controlling crop pests.
Researchers studied the relationship between an African forest bat, a novel virus, and a parasite, identifying all three as potentially new species. The study found that the parasite plays a crucial role in transmitting the virus, with the fly serving as a 'chauffeur' to help the virus spread.
Researchers warn of increased risk of cryptosporidiosis due to drought conditions and inadequate water storage. Collaboration is key to reducing infection cases, say experts from the Australian National University.
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 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 recent joint statement highlights the critical lack of knowledge on the worldwide distribution of disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Macroecologists propose creating a data network to close these gaps and predict future outbreaks.