Molecular and biological characterization of transforming growth factor-β homolog derived from Trichinella spiralis.

The cytokine homologs, particularly transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, is a crucial immunomodulatory molecule and involved in growth and developmental processes in several helminths. In this study, the basic properties and functions of T. spiralis TGF-β homolog 2 (TsTGH2) were characterized using bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches.

Improved environmental DNA detection sensitivity of Opisthorchis viverrini using a multi-marker assay.

Opisthorchiasis, caused by the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini, is endemic to Southeast Asian countries and constitutes a major health problem as it increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. However, owing to the complicated life cycle of O. viverrini, there is no rapid method for monitoring the risk of infection in the environment.

Identification of the protease inhibitory domain of Trichinella spiralis novel cystatin (TsCstN).

The Trichinella spiralis novel cystatin (TsCstN) inhibits cathepsin L (CatL) activity and inflammation of macrophages during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction. To identify the protease inhibitory region, this study applied an in silico modeling approach to simulate truncation sites of TsCstN (Ts01), which created four truncated forms, including TsCstN∆1-39 (Ts02), TsCstN∆1-71 (Ts03), TsCstN∆1-20, ∆73-117 (Ts04), and TsCstN∆1-20, ∆42-117 (Ts05). The superimposition of these truncates modeled with AlphaFold Colab indicated that their structures were more akin to Ts01 than those modeled with I-TASSER.

Ov-RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay for the detection of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in field-collected human feces.

Background: Opisthorchis viverrini infection is traditionally diagnosed using the Kato-Katz method and formalin ethyl-acetate concentration technique. However, the limited sensitivity and specificity of these techniques have prompted the exploration of various molecular approaches, such as conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR, to detect O. viverrini infection.

Venom-gland transcriptomics of the Malayan pit viper () for identification, classification, and characterization of venom proteins.

The Malayan pit viper () is a hemotoxic snake widely found in Southeast Asia and is responsible for the majority of poisoning cases in this region, including Thailand. However, a comprehensive knowledge of the venom protein profile and classification, as well as novel venom proteins, of this viper is still limited. Recently, the detailed composition of several snake venoms has been discovered through the use of transcriptome analysis.

Transcriptome profiling of male and female Ascaris lumbricoides reproductive tissues.

Background: Ascaris lumbricoides causes human ascariasis, the most prevalent helminth disease, infecting approximately 1 billion individuals globally. In 2019 the global disease burden was estimated to be 754,000 DALYs and resulted in 2090 deaths. In the absence of a vaccination strategy, treatment of ascariasis has relied on anthelminthic chemotherapy, but drug resistance is a concern.

Serine protease inhibitor derived from (TsSERP) inhibits neutrophil elastase and impairs human neutrophil functions.

During early infection with , host neutrophils destroy newborn larvae migrating in the bloodstream, preventing infection. However, parasites secrete various immunomodulatory molecules to escape the host's defense mechanisms, allowing them to infect the host and live for long periods. secretes serine protease inhibitors (TsSERPs), which are key inhibitory molecules that regulate serine proteases involved in digestion and inflammation.

Gut bacteriome and metabolome of Ascaris lumbricoides in patients.

The most frequent intestinal helminth infections in humans are attributed to Ascaris lumbricoides, and there are concerns over the anthelminthic resistance of this species. The gut microbiota has essential roles in host physiology. Therefore, discovering host-parasite-microbiota interactions could help develop alternative helminthiasis treatments.

Clinical helminth infections alter host gut and saliva microbiota.

Background: Previous reports show altered gut bacterial profiles are associated with helminth infected individuals. Our recently published molecular survey of clinical helminthiases in Thailand border regions demonstrated a more comprehensive picture of infection prevalence when Kato Katz microscopy and copro-qPCR diagnostics were combined. We revealed that Opisthorchis viverrini, hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were the most predominant helminth infections in these regions.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of Schistosoma mekongi neuroglobin homolog.

Schistosomes are blood-dwelling parasites that are constantly exposed to high-level oxidative stress arising from parasite-intrinsic and host defense mechanisms. To survive in their hosts, schistosomes require an antioxidant system to minimize with oxidative stress. Several schistosome antioxidant enzymes have been identified and have been suggested to play indispensable antioxidant roles for the parasite.

Sand fly identification and screening for Leishmania spp. in six provinces of Thailand.

Background: Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of Leishmania spp. At least 27 species of sand flies have been recorded in Thailand. Although human leishmaniasis cases in Thailand are mainly imported, autochthonous leishmaniasis has been increasingly reported in several regions of the country since 1999.

Clinical helminthiases in Thailand border regions show elevated prevalence levels using qPCR diagnostics combined with traditional microscopic methods.

Background: Under-regulated national borders in Southeast Asia represent potential regions for enhanced parasitic helminth transmission and present barriers to helminthiasis disease control.

Methods: Three Thailand border regions close to Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia were surveyed for clinical parasitic helminth disease. In-field microscopy was performed on stools from 567 individuals.

Asymptomatic Human Paragonimiasis among the Karen People in Tak Province, Thailand: A Case Report.

During the mobile clinic activities in Tak Province, Thailand, Paragonimus sp. eggs were found in a fecal sample of a 72-year-old Karen resident. Paragonimus DNA was amplified from the stool sample and identified to P.

Molecular cloning and characterization of serine protease inhibitor from food-borne nematode, Gnathostoma spinigerum.

Gnathostoma spinigerum is a causative agent of human gnathostomiasis and infects people residing in endemic areas as well as travelers. Cutaneous and visceral larval migrants cause clinical manifestations, resulting in severe morbidity and mortality. To survive in hosts, these parasites have evolved various immune evasion mechanisms, including the release of regulatory molecules.

Proteomic analysis of adult Schistosoma mekongi somatic and excretory-secretory proteins.

Schistosoma mekongi is a causative agent of human schistosomiasis. There is limited knowledge of the molecular biology of S. mekongi and very few studies have examined drug targets, vaccine candidates and diagnostic biomarkers for S.

Recent advances in Schistosoma mekongi ecology, transcriptomics and proteomics of relevance to snail control.

Mekong schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mekongi is a public health problem that occurs along the border between southern Laos and northern Cambodia. Given its restricted distribution and low prevalence, eventual eradication via an effective control program can be expected to be successful. To achieve this goal detailed knowledge of its basic biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and pathology is urgently required.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of the Schistosoma mekongi Ca-dependent cysteine protease (calpain).

Background: Schistosoma mekongi, which causes schistosomiasis in humans, is an important public health issue in Southeast Asia. Treatment with praziquantel is the primary method of control but emergence of praziquantel resistance requires the development of alternative drugs and vaccines. Calcium-dependent cysteine protease (calpain) is a novel vaccine candidate that has been studied in S.

Transcriptome and excretory-secretory proteome of infective-stage larvae of the nematode Gnathostoma spinigerum reveal potential immunodiagnostic targets for development.

Background: Gnathostoma spinigerum is a harmful parasitic nematode that causes severe morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Effective drugs and vaccines and reliable diagnostic methods are needed to prevent and control the associated diseases; however, the lack of genome, transcriptome, and proteome databases remains a major limitation. In this study, transcriptomic and secretomic analyses of advanced third-stage larvae of G.

Transcriptomic analysis of male and female Schistosoma mekongi adult worms.

Background: Schistosoma mekongi is one of five major causative agents of human schistosomiasis and is endemic to communities along the Mekong River in southern Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) and northern Cambodia. Sporadic cases of schistosomiasis have been reported in travelers and immigrants who have visited endemic areas. Schistosoma mekongi biology and molecular biology is poorly understood, and few S.

Molecular and immunological characterization of cathepsin L-like cysteine protease of Paragonimus pseudoheterotremus.

Cathepsin L is a cysteine protease belonging to the papain family. In parasitic trematodes, cathepsin L plays essential roles in parasite survival and host-parasite interactions. In this study, cathepsin L of the lung fluke Paragonimus pseudoheterotremus (PpsCatL) was identified and its molecular biological and immunological features characterized.

Triplex polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of major soil-transmitted helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Necator americanus, in fecal samples.

Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Necator americanus are medically important soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) occurring frequently worldwide including Thailand. Fecal examination using a microscope has been recommended as the gold standard for diagnosis of STH infections, but suffers from low sensitivity. Recently, highly sensitive and specific assays, such as multiplex quantitative PCR, has been established, but the high cost and need for special instruments are still barriers limiting their applications in routine diagnosis.

Genetic Variation and Population Genetics of Taenia saginata in North and Northeast Thailand in relation to Taenia asiatica.

Taenia saginata is the most common human Taenia in Thailand. By cox1 sequences, 73 isolates from four localities in north and northeast were differentiated into 14 haplotypes, 11 variation sites and haplotype diversity of 0.683.

Genetic diversity of Taenia asiatica from Thailand and other geographical locations as revealed by cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 sequences.

Twelve 924 bp cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial DNA sequences from Taenia asiatica isolates from Thailand were aligned and compared with multiple sequence isolates from Thailand and 6 other countries from the GenBank database. The genetic divergence of T. asiatica was also compared with Taenia saginata database sequences from 6 different countries in Asia, including Thailand, and 3 countries from other continents.

Prevalence and clinical aspects of human Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection in Lao PDR.

There have been few studies on human trichostrongyliasis in Southeast Asia, information on its clinical manifestations is also sparse. Trichostrongyliasis occurs predominantly in areas where poor hygiene is common especially where human/animal feces are used as a fertilizer, thereby contaminating vegetables and stream water. The intimate coexistence of domestic animals and humans explains the prevalence of Trichostrongylus infection in such areas.