The high percentage of Vermamoeba was found in tap water in Korea. This study investigated whether Vermamoeba induced allergic airway inflammation in mice. We selected 2 free-living amoebas (FLAs) isolated from tap water, which included Korean FLA 5 (KFA5; Vermamoeba vermiformis) and 21 (an homolog of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis KA/ E2). We axenically cultured KFA5 and KFA21. We applied approximately 1 × 106 to mice’s nasal passages 6 times and investigated their pathogenicity. The airway resistance value was significantly increased after KFA5 and KFA21 treatments. The eosinophil recruitment and goblet cell hyperplasia were concomitantly observed in bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue in mice infected with KFA5 and KFA21. These infections also activated the Th2-related interleukin 25, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokines gene expression in mouse lung epithelial cells. The CD4+ interleukin 4+ cell population was increased in the lung, and the secretion of Th2-, Th17-, and Th1-associated cytokines were upregulated during KFA5 and KFA21 infection in the spleen, lung-draining lymph nodes, and BAL fluid. The pathogenicity (allergenicity) of KFA5 and KFA21 might not have drastically changed during the long-term in vitro culture. Our results suggested that Vermamoeba could elicit allergic airway inflammation and may be an airway allergen.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
First report of biological contaminants in household water in the Philippines and long-term viability of Acanthamoeba species in one-year-old household water sediment Frederick R. Masangkay, Rafaella Maxine N. Almeda, Alianna Louise M. Abustan, Sarah Veronica F. Almendrala, Jan Camille B. Bathan, Jowey Shekainah C. Belandres, Maria Allana Angela M. Buenaventura, Lea May F. Cabansag, Gemina Bienne V. Caralian, Mikhaella Science of The Total Environment.2025; 989: 179818. CrossRef
Presence and diversity of free-living amoebae and their potential application as water quality indicators Areum Choi, Ji Won Seong, Jeong Hyun Kim, Jun Young Lee, Hyun Jae Cho, Shin Ae Kang, Mi Kyung Park, Mi Jin Jeong, Seo Yeong Choi, Yu Jin Jeong, Hak Sun Yu Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2024; 62(2): 180. CrossRef
Global prevalence of free-living amoebae in solid matrices – A systematic review with meta-analysis Beni Jequicene Mussengue Chaúque, Thaisla Cristiane Borella da Silva, Denise Leal dos Santos, Guilherme Brittes Benitez, Leosvilda Gomes Henriques Chaúque, Antônio Domingues Benetti, Régis Adriel Zanette, Marilise Brittes Rott Acta Tropica.2023; 247: 107006. CrossRef
Felids are the unique definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii. The intestine of felid is the only site for initiating Toxoplasma gondii sexual reproduction. T. gondii excretes millions of infectious oocysts from the intestine, which are the primary source of infection. There are many difficulties in developing vaccines and drugs to control oocyst excretion due to the lack of an appropriate experimental model. Here, we established an in vitro feline intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) infection system and an efficient animal model of T. gondii Chinese 1 genotype, Wh6 strain (TgCtwh6). The Kunming mice brain tissues containing TgCtwh6 cysts were harvested 42-day post-infection. The bradyzoites were co-cultured with cat IECs in vitro at a ratio of 1:10. Five 3-month-old domestic cats were orally inoculated with 600 cysts each. The oocysts were detected by daily observation of cat feces by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. We found that the parasite adhered and invaded cat IECs in vitro, transformed into tachyzoites, and then divided to form rose-like structures. These parasites eventually destroyed host cells, escaped, and finished the asexual reproduction process. Schizonts associated with sexual reproduction have not been observed during development in vitro cultured cells. However, schizonts were detected in all infected cat intestinal epithelial cells, and oocysts were presented in all cat feces. Our study provides a feasible cell model and an efficient infection system for the following studies of T. gondii sexual reproduction, and also lays a foundation to develop drugs and vaccines for blocking excretion and transmission of oocysts.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in environmental samples in Gaza, Palestine: A combined parasitological and molecular approach Zuhair Dardona, Adnan Al Hindi, Mohamed Hafidi, Ali Boumezzough, Fadel Sharif, Samia Boussaa One Health Bulletin.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
The development and excretion of Toxoplasma gondii oocyst manipulate the gut microbiota in its definitive host Gui-Hua Zhao, Bei-Bei Zhou, Zhi-Heng Cao, Ting Xiao, Ya-Nan Li, Wen-Ju Zhu, Hang Sun, Huan-Huan Xie, Xiao-Man Xie, Jun-Mei Zhang, Qi Wang, Xin Zhang, Jin-Jing Xie, Hong-Jie Dong, Chao Xu, Kun Yin Parasites & Vectors.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Toxoplasma gondii alters gut microbiota and systemic metabolism in cats: A multi-omics approach Ji-Xin Zhao, Xue-Yao Wang, Xuancheng Zhang, Lu-Yao Tang, Shi-Chen Xie, Yi-Han Lv, Zhi Zheng, Ying-Qian Gao, Jing Jiang, Xiao-Xuan Zhang, He Ma The Veterinary Journal.2025; 314: 106455. CrossRef
Proteomics analysis of Toxoplasma gondii merozoites reveals regulatory proteins involved in sexual reproduction Guihua Zhao, Hongjie Dong, Lisha Dai, Huanhuan Xie, Hang Sun, Junmei Zhang, Qi Wang, Chao Xu, Kun Yin Microbial Pathogenesis.2024; 186: 106484. CrossRef
Vincristine (VCR) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used in treatment of malignancies. However, VCR has a limitation in use since it commonly causes a painful neuropathy (VCR-induced peripheral neuropathy, VIPN). Inflammatory cytokines secreted by immune cells such as macrophages can exacerbate allodynia and hyperalgesia, because inhibiting the inflammatory response is a treatment target for VIPN. In this study, we investigated whether Trichinella spiralis, a widely studied helminth for its immunomodulatory abilities, can alleviate VCR-induced allodynia. Von Frey test showed that T. spiralis infection improved mechanical allodynia at 10 days after VCR injection. We further observed whether the difference was due to mitigated axon degeneration, but no significant difference between the groups in axonal degeneration in sciatic nerves and intra-epidermal nerve fibers was found. Conversely, we observed that number of infiltrated macrophages was decreased in the sciatic nerves of the T. spiralis infected mice. Moreover, treatment of T. spiralis excretory-secretory products caused peritoneal macrophages to secrete decreased level of IL-1β. This study suggests that T. spiralis can relieve VCR-induced mechanical allodynia by suppressing neuroinflammation and that application of controllable degree of helminth may prove beneficial for VIPN treatment.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Therapeutic potentials of Trichinella spiralis in immune disorders: From allergy to autoimmunity Minkyoung Cho, Hak Sun Yu Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2025; 63(2): 123. CrossRef
Alleviation of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inducing IDO Expression with Trichinella spiralis Recombinant Protein 43 Xiao Ma, Dongming Liu, Wenhao Yu, Caixia Han, Arif Siddiqui Journal of Immunology Research.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Helminth-Derived Products: Potential Applications and Challenges in Diabetes Mellitus Management Yunhuan Zhu, Xintong Chen, Hezheng Zheng, Qiman Ma, Keda Chen, Hongyu Li Journal of Inflammation Research.2024; Volume 17: 11789. CrossRef
Heliminthic paramyosin is a multifunctional protein that not only acts as a structural protein in muscle layers but as an immune-modulatory molecule interacting with the host immune system. Previously, we found that paramyosin from Clonorchis sinensis (CsPmy) is bound to human complement C9 protein (C9). To analyze the C9 binding region on CsPmy, overlapping recombinant fragments of CsPmy were produced and their binding activity to human C9 was investigated. The fragmental expression of CsPmy and C9 binding assays revealed that the C9 binding region was located at the C-terminus of CsPmy. Further analysis of the C-terminus of CsPmy to narrow the C9 binding region on CsPmy indicated that the region flanking731Leu–780 Leu was a potent C9 binding region. The CsPmy fragments corresponding to the region effectively inhibited human C9 polymerization. These results provide a precise molecular basis for CsPmy as a potent immunomodulator to evade host immune defenses by inhibiting complement attack.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Transmission-Blocking Vaccines against Schistosomiasis Japonica Chika P. Zumuk, Malcolm K. Jones, Severine Navarro, Darren J. Gray, Hong You International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2024; 25(3): 1707. CrossRef
What about the Cytoskeletal and Related Proteins of Tapeworms in the Host’s Immune Response? An Integrative Overview Diana G. Ríos-Valencia, Javier Ambrosio, Rocío Tirado-Mendoza, Julio César Carrero, Juan Pedro Laclette Pathogens.2023; 12(6): 840. CrossRef
This study provides an overview of the current status of clonorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and their relationship in Korea during 2012-2020. Data were obtained from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service of Korea. Cluster, trend, and correlation analyses were performed. Gyeongsangnam-do and Seoul had the highest average number of cases (1,026 and 4,208) and adjusted rate (306 and 424) for clonorchiasis and CCA, respectively. The most likely clusters (MLC) for clonorchiasis and CCA were Busan/Gyeongsangnam-do/Ulsan/Daegu/Gyeongsangbuk-do (Relative Risk; RR = 4.55, Likelihood Ratio; LLR = 9,131.115) joint cluster and Seoul (RR = 2.29, LLR = 7,602.472), respectively. The MLC for clonorchiasis was in the southeastern part of Korea, while that for CCA was in the southern part. Clonorchiasis showed a decreasing trend in the southeastern districts, while increased in the southwestern districts. Cities in the central region had a decreasing trend, while the western districts had an increasing trend. In most adults (30-59), infection rate of clonorchiasis showed a significant decrease until 2018, while thereafter increased, although not significant. CCA showed a sharply decreasing tendency. The incidence of clonorchiasis and CCA were positively correlated. In general, the correlation was weak (r = 0.39, P < 0.001), but it was strongly positive around the 4 river basins (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). This study might provide an analytic basis for developing an effective system against clonorchiasis and CCA.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
International trends in biliary tract cancer–related mortality, 2000–2022: An observational study of the World Health Organization Mortality Database Quynh Thi Vu, Yoshito Nishimura, Ko Harada, Hiroki Ito, Tsukasa Higashionna, Akinari Maruo, Keisaku Harada, Tatsuaki Takeda, Hirofumi Hamano, Yoshito Zamami, Hideharu Hagiya, Toshihiro Koyama Hepatology.2025; 82(3): 626. CrossRef
Carcinogenic parasites: insights into the epidemiology and possible mechanisms of cancer Shabir Ahmad Rather, Zahoor Ahmad Wani, Rashaid Ali Mustafa, Pooja Bharti, Rukhsana Kousar, Mohammad Vikas Ashraf, Shoeb Ahmad, A A Shah, M A Hannan Khan Mutagenesis.2025; 40(3): 465. CrossRef
GalNAc-siRNA conjugates mediate the silencing of the parasite-derived lncRNA: A novel therapeutic approach for liver fluke-induced liver fibrosis Yangyuan Qiu, Xue Bai, Jingna Gao, Bin Tang, Mingyuan Liu, Jing Ding, Xiaolei Liu International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.2025; 319: 145580. CrossRef
Clonorchiasis misdiagnosed as hepatic space-occupying lesion: a case report Peng Son, Fen Yeong Chen, Jun Er Chin Benedick, Ruiling Hui, Simin Guo Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease.2025; 113(4): 117027. CrossRef
Ivermectin Identified Using a High-Throughput Screening System Exhibits Anti-Clonorchis sinensis Activity in Rats Soon-Ok Lee, Hyeryon Lee, Ki Back Chu, Jianhua Li, Sung-Jong Hong, Sung Soo Kim, Joo Hwan No, Fu-Shi Quan Antibiotics.2025; 14(8): 837. CrossRef
Can flukes cause cancer? Insight into molecular links between parasites and carcinogenesis Maria Paluch, Maja Cudzik, Aleksandra Kędra, Martyna Olszyna, Agata Dziura, Paulina Jaskulska, Grzegorz Król, Wioleta Kondziołka Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology.2025; 264: 111707. CrossRef
Genome-wide identification of histone lysine methyltransferases and their implications in the epigenetic regulation of eggshell formation-related genes in a trematode parasite Clonorchis sinensis Min-Ji Park, Woon-Mok Sohn, Young-An Bae Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2024; 62(1): 98. CrossRef
A novel kit for enrichment of fecal helminth eggs Eunsol Lee, Seon-Ok Back, Young-Ju Lee, Jung-Won Ju, Hee-Il Lee, Myoung-Ro Lee Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2024; 62(3): 323. CrossRef
Risk factors for Clonorchis sinensis infections and control measures reinforced with focused interviews Soon-Ok Lee, Fuhong Dai, Eun Joo Park, Yun Pyo Hong, Fu-Shi Quan, Jin-Ho Song, Sung-Jong Hong Parasitology Research.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Laelapinae mites are involved in transmission of microbial diseases between wildlife and humans, with an impact on public health. In this study, 5 mite members in the subfamily Laelapinae (laelapin mites; LM) were morphologically identified by light microscopy, and the phylogenetic relationship of LM was analyzed in combination with the sequence information of part of the LM cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene. The morphological identification revealed that 5 mites belonged to the genera Laelaps and Haemolaelaps, respectively. Sequence analysis showed that the ratio of non-synonymous mutation rate to synonymous mutation rate of LM was less than 1, indicating that the LM cox1 gene had undergone purifying selection. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Laelapinae is a monophyletic group. The genera Haemolaelaps and Hyperlaelaps did not separated into distinct clades but clustered together with species of the genus Laelaps. Our morphological and molecular analyses to describe the phylogenetic relationships among different genera and species of Laelapinae provide a reference for the improvement and revision of the LM taxonomy system.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
First Record of Phoretic Mite from Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugiuneus (Olivier,1790) from Basrah, Southern Iraq Shurooq Abdullah Najim, Hussain Ali Jabbar, Basil Yousuf Mahdi Ibn AL-Haitham Journal For Pure and Applied Sciences.2024; 37(1): 94. CrossRef
The first complete mitochondrial genome of the genus Laelaps with novel gene arrangement reveals extensive rearrangement and phylogenetics in the superfamily Dermanyssoidea Bili Yuan, Gangxian He, Wenge Dong Experimental and Applied Acarology.2024; 93(3): 515. CrossRef
Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genome of Dermacentor steini from different regions in China Huijuan Yang, Ting Chen, Wenge Dong Parasitology.2023; 150(2): 195. CrossRef
The first complete mitochondrial genome of the genus Echinolaelaps reveals mitochondrial genome rearrangement type and evolution of Gamasida Bili Yuan, Gangxian He, Wenge Dong Parasitology.2023; 150(7): 644. CrossRef
The complete mitochondrial genome of Eulaelaps huzhuensis (Mesostigmata: Haemogamasidae) Hui-Juan Yang, Zhi-Hua Yang, Tian-Guang Ren, Wen-Ge Dong Experimental and Applied Acarology.2023; 90(3-4): 301. CrossRef
Molecular Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Laelapidae Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) Evelina Kaminskienė, Jana Radzijevskaja, Loreta Griciuvienė, Michal Stanko, Justina Snegiriovaitė, Dalytė Mardosaitė-Busaitienė, Algimantas Paulauskas Animals.2023; 13(13): 2185. CrossRef
Malaria continues to be one of the most crucial infectious burdens in endemic areas worldwide, as well as for travelers visiting malaria transmission regions. It has been reported that 8-aminoquinolines are effective against the Plasmodium species, particularly primaquine, for anti-hypnozoite therapy in P. vivax malaria. However, primaquine causes acute hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Therefore, G6PD deficiency testing should precede hypnozoite elimination with 8-aminoquinoline. Several point-of-care devices have been developed to detect G6PD deficiency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a novel, quantitative G6PD diagnostics based on a metagenomic blue fluorescent protein (mBFP). We comparatively evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the G6PD diagnostic modality with standard methods using 120 human whole blood samples. The G6PD deficiency was spectrophotometrically confirmed. The performance of the G6PD quantitative test kit was compared with that of a licensed control medical device, the G6PD strip. The G6PD quantitative test kit had a sensitivity of 95% (95% confidence interval (CI): 89.3-100%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 94.3-100%). This study shows that the novel diagnostic G6PD quantitative test kit could be a cost-effective and time-efficient, and universally mandated screening tool for G6PD deficiency.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Performance of quantitative point-of-care tests to measure G6PD activity: An individual participant data meta-analysis Arkasha Sadhewa, Ari Winasti Satyagraha, Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Wondimagegn Adissu, Anup Anvikar, Germana Bancone, Praveen K. Bharti, Vinod K. Bhutani, Santasabuj Das, Muzamil Mahdi Abdel Hamid, Mohammad Sharif Hossain, Nitika Nitika, Bernard A. Okech, Ly PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.2025; 19(3): e0012864. CrossRef
Utilization of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Test and the Prevalence of Enzyme Deficiency in Korea Rihwa Choi, Wonseo Park, Gayoung Chun, Sang Gon Lee, Eun Hee Lee Journal of Clinical Medicine.2023; 12(9): 3179. CrossRef
Blastocystis is a genus of unicellular heterokont parasites belonging to a group of organisms known as Stramenopiles, which includes algae, diatoms, and water molds. Blastocystis includes several species that habitat in the gastrointestinal tracts of organisms as diverse as humans, farm animals, birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and cockroaches. It is important to public health and distributed globally, but its prevalence in dogs in Korea has not been reported to date. Here, we collected 787 canine fecal samples and assessed Blastocystis infection by age, sex, region, season, and diarrhea symptoms. We determined Blastocystis subtypes using phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA gene sequences. We identified, 10 Blastocystis positive samples (1.3%). A higher proportion of infected dogs was asymptomatic; however, infection rates did not significantly differ according to region, age, sex, and season. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Blastocystis sp. identified belonged to 4 subtypes (STs), ST1, ST5, ST10, and ST14, thus revealed the genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in dogs Korean. This is first report on the presence of Blastocystis sp. in dogs Korean. This study revealed a lower infection rate than expected and differed from previous studies in STs. Further studies are warranted to observe the national infection status of Blastocystis in dogs and the genetic characteristics of this genus.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Prevalence and molecular characterization of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs from South Korea You-Jeong Lee, Beoul Kim, Gyeonghyeon Lee, Yong-Myung Kang, Dongmi Kwak, Min-Goo Seo Research in Veterinary Science.2025; 188: 105620. CrossRef
High prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in farmed sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Northern China Zhen-Qiu Gao, Yang Gao, Hong-Di Zhuang, Guang-Rong Bao, Jing Liu, Jian-Ming Li, Nian-Yu Xue, Hong-Wei Cao, Shuo Liu Frontiers in Veterinary Science.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Molecular analysis of Rickettsia spp. and related tick-borne pathogens detected in dogs in Korea Kyoo-Tae Kim, Min-Goo Seo Acta Tropica.2023; 243: 106934. CrossRef
First identification of Blastocystis sp. subtypes in Rex rabbits in China Miaomiao Zhang, Junchen Zhang, Jingjing Sun, Shuying Zhu, Huiyan Xu, Xiaoying Li, Longxain Zhang, Junqiang Li Parasitology Research.2023; 122(5): 1079. CrossRef
Malaria elimination and control require prompt and accurate diagnosis for treatment plan. Since microscopy and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) are not sensitive particularly for diagnosing low parasitemia, highly sensitive diagnostic tools are required for accurate treatment. Molecular diagnosis of malaria is commonly carried out by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 18S rRNA gene, while this technique involves long turnaround time and multiple steps leading to false positive results. To overcome these drawbacks, we compared highly sensitive cytochrome oxidase gene-based single-step multiplex reaction with 18S rRNA nested PCR. Cytochrome oxidase (cox) genes of P. falciparum (cox-III) and P. vivax (cox-I) were compared with 18S rRNA gene nested PCR and microscopy. Cox gene multiplex PCR was found to be highly specific and sensitive, enhancing the detection limit of mixed infections. Cox gene multiplex PCR showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97%. This approach can be used as an alternative diagnostic method as it offers higher diagnostic performance and is amenable to high throughput scaling up for a larger sample size at low cost.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Therapeutic mucosal vaccination of herpes simplex virus type 2 infected guinea pigs with an adenovirus-based vaccine expressing the ribonucleotide reductase 2 and glycoprotein D induces local tissue-resident CD4+ and CD8+ TRM cells associated with protect Afshana Quadiri, Swayam Prakash, Hawa Vahed, Jimmy Medhat Tadros, Miyo Sun, Kathy K. Hormi-Carver, Swena Jignesh Patel, Lbachir BenMohamed Frontiers in Immunology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Validation of real-time PCR assays for detecting Plasmodium and Babesia DNA species in blood samples Luz Helena Patiño, Sergio Castañeda, Milena Camargo, Li Yong Cao, Bernadette Liggayu, Alberto Paniz‐Mondolfi, Juan David Ramírez Acta Tropica.2024; 258: 107350. CrossRef
Comparative Analysis of Multiplex/Semi-nested PCR and Microscopy for Accurate Human Malaria Species Diagnosis Aram Khezri, Mehdi Nateghpour, Haleh Hanifian, Leila Farivar, Afsaneh Motevalli Haghi Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
First
Prev
