Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm

Bethony, Jeffrey M.; Brooker, Simon; Albonico, Marco; Geiger, Stefan Michael; Loukas, Alex; Diemert, David; Hotez, Peter J.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(06)68653-4

Cited by 2,141 publications

(2,090 citation statements)

References 110 publications

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“…Trichuriasis is a soil-transmitted helminth infection that affects almost 500 million people worldwide [1,42,43]. In addition to the pathogenicity associated with the disease, the infection can also cause physical and intellectual retardation [1,44].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Trichuris muris secreted proteins and extracellular vesicles provides new insights into host–parasite communication

Eichenberger

Talukder

Field

et al. 2018

J of Extracellular Vesicle

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112

145

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Whipworms are parasitic nematodes that live in the gut of more than 500 million people worldwide. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining parasite material, the mouse whipworm Trichuris muris has been extensively used as a model to study human whipworm infections. These nematodes secrete a multitude of compounds that interact with host tissues where they orchestrate a parasitic existence. Herein we provide the first comprehensive characterization of the excretory/secretory products of T. muris. We identify 148 proteins secreted by T. muris and show for the first time that the mouse whipworm secretes exosome-like extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can interact with host cells. We use an Optiprep® gradient to purify the EVs, highlighting the suitability of this method for purifying EVs secreted by a parasitic nematode. We also characterize the proteomic and genomic content of the EVs, identifying >350 proteins, 56 miRNAs (22 novel) and 475 full-length mRNA transcripts mapping to T. muris gene models. Many of the miRNAs putatively mapped to mouse genes are involved in regulation of inflammation, implying a role in parasite-driven immunomodulation. In addition, for the first time to our knowledge, colonic organoids have been used to demonstrate the internalization of parasite EVs by host cells. Understanding how parasites interact with their host is crucial to develop new control measures. This first characterization of the proteins and EVs secreted by T. muris provides important information on whipworm–host communication and forms the basis for future studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Trichuris muris secreted proteins and extracellular vesicles provides new insights into host–parasite communication

Eichenberger

Talukder

Field

et al. 2018

J of Extracellular Vesicle

Self Cite

112

145

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“…Intestinal nematodes are among the most common and widely distributed animal parasites of humans, estimated to infect over 2.5 billion of the world's population, the majority of infections occurring in children 1, 2. Among the most prevalent intestinal worms are the hookworm ( Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus ), roundworm ( Ascaris lumbricoides ) and whipworm ( Trichuris trichiura ) , which are typically found endemic in developing and tropical countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A sticky end for gastrointestinal helminths; the role of the mucus barrier

Sharpe

Thornton

Grencis

2018

Parasite Immunology

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SummaryGastrointestinal (GI) nematodes are a group of successful multicellular parasites that have evolved to coexist within the intestinal niche of multiple species. It is estimated that over 10% of the world's population are chronically infected by GI nematodes, making this group of parasitic nematodes a major burden to global health. Despite the large number of affected individuals, there are few effective treatments to eradicate these infections. Research into GI nematode infections has primarily focused on defining the immunological and pathological consequences on host protection. One important but neglected aspect of host protection is mucus, and the concept that mucus is just a simple barrier is no longer tenable. In fact, mucus is a highly regulated and dynamic‐secreted matrix, underpinned by a physical hydrated network of highly glycosylated mucins, which is increasingly recognized to have a key protective role against GI nematode infections. Unravelling the complex interplay between mucins, the underlying epithelium and immune cells during infection are a major challenge and are required to fully define the protective role of the mucus barrier. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on mucins and the mucus barrier during GI nematode infections, with particular focus on murine models of infection.

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“…Standard diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminth infections relies on microscopic examination of stool samples [8], typically prepared with the Kato-Katz method [9], whereas diagnosis of S. haematobium relies on microscopy of urine samples, prepared with various techniques of filtering and sedimentation [10]. As the vast majority of these NTDs occur in rural areas where high-quality microscopy services often are lacking [11], the need for novel diagnostic techniques is abundant [12]. Furthermore, the manual microscopic examination for the detection of helminths in a traditional stool sample is time-consuming, requiring on average 8–10 min for a skilled microscopist to reliably evaluate a sample [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Point-of-care mobile digital microscopy and deep learning for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma haematobium

Holmström

Linder

Ngasala

et al. 2017

Global Health Action

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Background: Microscopy remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases. As resource limited, rural areas often lack laboratory equipment and trained personnel, new diagnostic techniques are needed. Low-cost, point-of-care imaging devices show potential in the diagnosis of these diseases. Novel, digital image analysis algorithms can be utilized to automate sample analysis. Objective: Evaluation of the imaging performance of a miniature digital microscopy scanner for the diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma haematobium, and training of a deep learning-based image analysis algorithm for automated detection of soil-transmitted helminths in the captured images. Methods: A total of 13 iodine-stained stool samples containing Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm eggs and 4 urine samples containing Schistosoma haematobium were digitized using a reference whole slide-scanner and the mobile microscopy scanner. Parasites in the images were identified by visual examination and by analysis with a deep learning-based image analysis algorithm in the stool samples. Results were compared between the digital and visual analysis of the images showing helminth eggs. Results: Parasite identification by visual analysis of digital slides captured with the mobile microscope was feasible for all analyzed parasites. Although the spatial resolution of the reference slide-scanner is higher, the resolution of the mobile microscope is sufficient for reliable identification and classification of all parasites studied. Digital image analysis of stool sample images captured with the mobile microscope showed high sensitivity for detection of all helminths studied (range of sensitivity = 83.3–100%) in the test set (n = 217) of manually labeled helminth eggs. Conclusions: In this proof-of-concept study, the imaging performance of a mobile, digital microscope was sufficient for visual detection of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma haematobium. Furthermore, we show that deep learning-based image analysis can be utilized for the automated detection and classification of helminths in the captured images.

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Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm

Cited by 2,141 publications

References 110 publications

Characterization of Trichuris muris secreted proteins and extracellular vesicles provides new insights into host–parasite communication

Characterization of Trichuris muris secreted proteins and extracellular vesicles provides new insights into host–parasite communication

A sticky end for gastrointestinal helminths; the role of the mucus barrier

Point-of-care mobile digital microscopy and deep learning for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma haematobium

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