Articles tagged with Parasitic Protozoa
The single-celled parasite Entamoeba histolytica infects 50 million people each year and can kill nearly 70,000. Researchers have discovered that it damages tissue through a process called trogocytosis, where it takes bites out of human cells and ingests their fragments to evade the immune system.
A new parasitic euglenid species has been discovered within four animal species collected from a Japanese rice field. The flagellate displayed active metaboly without flagella inside the host body, but extended its flagella upon leaving the host to swim.
Researchers identified a protozoan parasite as the cause of mass sea urchin die-offs in the Caribbean, which has devastating effects on coral reefs and fish populations. Healthy coral means healthy fish, and their positive impacts continue up the food chain.
The AFFI Food Safety Forum brought together global experts to explore detection methods for foodborne non-cultivable pathogens, their limitations, and policy implications. The event provided an overview of current PCR-based detection methodologies and guidance for prevention and control strategies among growers and food processors.
A study published in Lancet Regional Health – Americas found that malaria in pregnancy is still a major public health problem in the North of Brazil, with younger women being most at risk. The researchers believe that expansion of healthcare services and inclusion of artemisinin in therapeutic schemes contributed to the decline in cases.
Researchers have discovered a protein that plays a key role in the malaria parasite, leading to a potential new way to fight the disease. Deactivating this protein reduces the growth of the parasite by over 75%, making it a promising target for treatment development.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered a potential cure for both acute and chronic forms of Chagas disease in mice using the small molecule VNI. The treatment achieved 100% survival without toxic side effects.