A newly developed reagent strip assay for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis based on parasite antigen detection in urine of infected individuals was evaluated. The test uses the principle of lateral flow through a nitrocellulose strip of the sample mixed with a colloidal carbon conjugate of a monoclonal antibody specific for Schistosoma circulating cathodic antigen (CCA). The strip assay to diagnose a group of highly infected schoolchildren in Mwanza, Tanzania, demonstrated a high sensitivity and association with the intensity of infection as measured both by egg counts, and by circulating anodic antigen and CCA levels determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A specificity of ca. 90% was shown in a group of schistosome-negative schoolchildren from Tarime, Tanzania, an area where schistosomiasis is not endemic. The test is easy to perform and requires no technical equipment or special training. The stability of the strips and the conjugate in the dry format lasts for at least 3 months at ambient temperature in sealed packages, making it suitable for transport and use in areas where schistosomiasis is endemic. This assay can easily be developed to an end-user format.Diagnosis of schistosomiasis, one of the major parasitic diseases in tropical areas, is usually performed by parasitological (microscopic detection of eggs), and/or immunological methods (antibody and antigen detection) (11). The demonstration of parasite eggs in urine or feces directly indicates the presence of the worms, but the disadvantages of this approach include a high fluctuation in egg counts, easily missed low infections, and a relatively time-consuming methodology. Immunological methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) usually require more advanced laboratory settings but may yield a higher sensitivity (particularly for antibody detection). However, for antibody detection, specificity may be a problem, and the efficacy of treatment remains difficult to determine since specific antibodies continue to be present long after the worms have disappeared. In this respect, detection of parasite antigens (such as circulating anodic antigen [CAA] and circulating cathodic antigen [CCA]) by ELISA (1, 3, 11) shows many advantages, such as the demonstration of active infections or of the effect of treatment, and has a high specificity. However, ELISA procedures (total assay time of ca. 3 h) remain relatively slow, even in an optimized and standardized format, and they require skilled personnel and well-equipped laboratories. In most studies involving the CAA and/or CCA ELISA on serum and urine samples, the best diagnostic performance was achieved with the urine CCA assay, with sensitivities ranging from 80 to 100% (11). For this reason and because of the relative ease of obtaining urine samples, we have investigated ways to develop a rapid field-applicable test for the detection of CCA in the urine of schistosome-infected individuals. Here, we describe the development of a lateralflow assay with carbon-labeled anti-CCA monoclon...

Inducing apoptosis is an interesting therapeutic approach to develop drugs that act against helminthic parasites. Researchers have investigated how curcumin (CUR), a biologically active compound extracted from rhizomes of Curcuma longa, affects Schistosoma mansoni and several cancer cell lines. This study evaluates how CUR influences the induction of apoptosis and oxidative stress in couples of adult S. mansoni worms. CUR decreased the viability of adult worms and killed them. The tegument of the parasite suffered morphological changes, the mitochondria underwent alterations, and chromatin condensed. Different apoptotic parameters were determined in an attempt to understand how CUR affected adult S. mansoni worms. CUR induced DNA damage and fragmentation and increased the expression of SmCASP3/7 transcripts and the activity of Caspase 3 in female and male worms. However, CUR did not intensify the activity of Caspase 8 in female or male worms. Evaluation of the superoxide anion and different antioxidant enzymes helped to explore the mechanism of parasite death further. The level of superoxide anion and the activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) increased, whereas the activity of Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), Glutathione reductase (GR), and Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) decreased, which culminated in the oxidation of proteins in adult female and male worms incubated with CUR. In conclusion, CUR generated oxidative stress followed by apoptotic-like-events in both adult female and male S. mansoni worms, ultimately killing them.

Anisakiasis is an emerging marine food-borne zoonosis resulting from the accidental ingestion of Anisakis larvae, through the consumption of raw or undercooked infected seafood products. The first case of human gastric hyperinfection by Anisakis simplex with an unusual and severe presentation, occurring in a Portuguese woman, is described in this article. Over 140 anisakid larvae were removed by gastroscopy. Massive infection is uncommon in areas where the consumption of raw fish is not part of the traditional diet, as is the case in Portugal. The increased consumption of raw seafood products is considered a health determinant in the rise in cases of anisakiasis. However, clinicians should be aware of the emergence of these infections, not only because of the new dietary habits of the population, but also because of the high prevalence of Anisakis larvae in the different fish species usually consumed by the population, collected on the Portuguese coast.

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