Ascaridia
Ascaridiasis
Ascaridia galli fatty acid-binding protein, a member of the nematode polyprotein allergens family. (1/22)
A fatty acid-binding protein from the nematode Ascaridia galli was characterized. The gene was isolated and recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli. According to the deduced amino acid sequence A. galli fatty acid-binding protein (AgFABP) belongs to the family of nematode polyprotein allergens, as shown by Western blotting and PCR analysis with genomic DNA and cDNA. Both native and recombinant proteins bind fatty acids and retinoids with high affinity. The fluorescent fatty acid analogue 11-[(5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)amino] undecanoic acid (DAUDA) shows substantial changes in its emission spectrum when bound to AgFABP; this binding is reversed by fatty acids such as oleate. Moreover, changes of the intrinsic fluorescence of retinol and retinoic acid confirm retinoid binding activity of AgFABP. Fluorescence titration experiments with DAUDA indicate stoichiometric binding to a single binding site per monomer unit with affinities (Kd) of 1.6 and 1.8 x 10(-7) m for native and the recombinant protein, respectively. The apparent binding affinities of the nonfluorescent ligands were calculated in displacement experiments with DAUDA and values in the same range were obtained for myristic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic and retinoic acid. Additionally, the binding affinity of AgFABP for oleate and palmitate was determined by direct and indirect radiochemical analysis and the values obtained were similar to those from the fluorescent experiments. Both proteins show a preference for the binding of long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, but not for short chain (C3-C12) and branched fatty acids, cholesterol and tryptophan. (+info)Cerebral larva migrans in a raccoon (Procyon lotor). (2/22)
During 1997, gross and histopathologic examinations were performed on an adult female raccoon (Procyon lotor) that was live-trapped in Corvallis, Oregon. Multifocal eosinophilic granulomas indicative of neural and visceral larva migrans were observed. However, within these granulomas, the presence of parasitic larva was seen only in the cerebrum. Morphologic characteristics indicated that the nematode was an ascarid larva. However, it was smaller than the larva of Baylisascaris sp. This appears to be the first documented case of cerebral larva migrans in a raccoon. (+info)Cephaibols, new peptaibol antibiotics with anthelmintic properties from Acremonium tubakii DSM 12774. (3/22)
Two groups of new peptaibol-type antibiotics termed cephaibols have been isolated from the fungus Acremonium tubakii, DSM 12774. These 16- or 17-unit straight-chain peptides, whose structures were characterized by amino acid analyses, 2-D NMR experiments, and by mass spectrometric sequencing, have a high content of the unusual amino acids aminoisobutyric acid and isovaline. The principal constituent of the novel peptaibol mixture is cephaibol A, which is formed in abundance in cultures of the wild strain. The striking biological property of cephaibol A is its pronounced anthelmintic action and activity against ectoparasites. (+info)Conformational and functional analysis of the lipid binding protein Ag-NPA-1 from the parasitic nematode Ascaridia galli. (4/22)
Ag-NPA-1 (AgFABP), a 15 kDa lipid binding protein (LBP) from Ascaridia galli, is a member of the nematode polyprotein allergen/antigen (NPA) family. Spectroscopic analysis shows that Ag-NPA-1 is a highly ordered, alpha-helical protein and that ligand binding slightly increases the ordered secondary structure content. The conserved, single Trp residue (Trp17) and three Tyr residues determine the fluorescence properties of Ag-NPA-1. Analysis of the efficiency of the energy transfer between these chromophores shows a high degree of Tyr-Trp dipole-dipole coupling. Binding of fatty acids and retinol was accompanied by enhancement of the Trp emission, which allowed calculation of the affinity constants of the binary complexes. The distance between the single Trp of Ag-NPA-1 and the fluorescent fatty acid analogue 11-[(5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1- sulfonyl)amino]undecanoic acid (DAUDA) from the protein binding site is 1.41 nm as estimated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. A chemical modification of the Cys residues of Ag-NPA-1 (Cys66 and Cys122) with the thiol reactive probes 5-({[(2-iodoacetyl)amino]ethyl}amino) naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (IAEDANS) and N,N'-dimethyl-N-(iodoacetyl)-N'-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)ethylenediamin e (IANBD), followed by MALDI-TOF analysis showed that only Cys66 was labeled. The observed similar affinities for fatty acids of the modified and native Ag-NPA-1 suggest that Cys66 is not a part of the protein binding pocket but is located close to it. Ag-NPA-1 is one of the most abundant proteins in A. galli and it is distributed extracellularly mainly as shown by immunohistology and immunogold electron microscopy. This suggests that Ag-NPA-1 plays an important role in the transport of fatty acids and retinoids. (+info)The highly abundant protein Ag-lbp55 from Ascaridia galli represents a novel type of lipid-binding proteins. (5/22)
Lipid-binding proteins exhibit important functions in lipid transport, cellular signaling, gene transcription, and cytoprotection. Their functional analogues in nematodes are nematode polyprotein allergens/antigens and fatty acid and retinoid-binding proteins. This work describes a novel 55-kDa protein, Ag-lbp55, purified from the parasitic nematode Ascaridia galli. By direct N-terminal sequencing, a partial amino acid sequence was obtained that allowed the design of oligonucleotide primers to obtain the full-length cDNA sequence. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of an N-terminal signal peptide of 25 amino acid residues and a FAR domain at the C terminus. Data base searches showed almost no significant homologies to other described proteins. The secondary structure of Ag-lbp55 was predominantly alpha-helical (65%) as shown by CD spectroscopy. It was found to bind with high affinity fatty acids (caprylic, oleic, and palmitic acid) and their fluorescent analogue dansylaminoundecanic acid. Immunolocalization showed that Ag-lbp55 is a highly abundant protein, mainly distributed in the inner hypodermis and extracellularly in the pseudocoelomatic fluid. A similar staining pattern was observed in other pathogenic nematodes, indicating the existence of similar proteins in these species. (+info)A new anthelmintic cyclodepsipeptide, PF1022A. (6/22)
The novel anthelmintic cyclodepsipeptide PF1022A was isolated from cultured mycelia of Mycelia Sterilia PF1022 (FERM BP-2671). It showed strong anthelmintic activities against Ascaridia galli in chickens. The structure of PF1022A was determined to be cyclo(D-lactyl-L-N-methylleucyl-D-3-phenyllactyl-L-N-meth ylleucyl-D-lactyl-L-N- methylleucyl-D-3-phenyllactyl-L-N-methylleucyl) by spectroscopic analyses and chemical studies. (+info)Prevalence and chemo-therapeutical investigations of gastrointestinal nematodes in domestic pigeons in Lahore, Pakistan. (7/22)
The prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was studied in 143 (80 male and 63 female) domestic pigeons. Faecal samples were collected to determine the gastrointestinal nematodes of domestic pigeons through qualitative and quantitative faecal examinations. A total of 48 (male 33 and 25 female) naturally infected domestic pigeons were divided into G1 (albendzdole) and G2 (fenbendazole) treatment-groups along with one control group (C). The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was 40.5% (58/143) in domestic pigeons. Likewise, the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in males and females was found 41.3% (33/58) and 39.7% (25/58) respectively. The overall prevalence of Capillaria obsignata and Ascaridia columbae was found to be 67.2% and 32.8%, respectively. The prevalence of C. obsignata and A. columbae in males was 72.7% (24/33) and 27.8% (9/33) and in females was 60% (15/25) and 40% (10/25), respectively. There was no significant sex related difference seen in the prevalence of C. obsignata (p>0.56) and A. columbae (p>0.40) in domestic pigeons, respectively. The overall efficacy of albendazole and fenbendazole was calculated to be 66% and 71%. A remarkable significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in eggs per gram before and after treatment in both G1 and G2 treated-groups. The efficacy of fenbendazole was found to be more significant (p<0.02) than albendazole. (+info)Structure-activity relationship of anthelmintic cyclooctadepsipeptides. (8/22)
The relationship between cyclooctadepsipeptides and their anthelmintic efficacy was examined by converting the natural products, PF1022A, PF1022E and PF1022H. Some analogues substituted at the para position of the phenyllactate moiety showed higher or equivalent activity against the parasitic nematode, Ascaridia galli in chicken when compared with the parent compounds. It is suggested that lipophilicity and the polar surface area, in addition to structural requirements of the derivatives, influenced the anthelmintic efficacy in vivo. (+info)"Ascaridia" is a genus of parasitic roundworms that infect the gastrointestinal tract of various animals, including birds and mammals. The most common species to infect humans is Ascaris lumbricoides, also known as the "human roundworm."
Ascaridia infections can cause a range of symptoms, depending on the severity of the infestation. Mild infections may not cause any noticeable symptoms, while more severe infections can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. In extreme cases, Ascaris worms can obstruct the intestines or migrate to other parts of the body, causing potentially life-threatening complications.
Ascaridia infections are typically transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water that contains eggs shed by infected individuals. Once inside the body, the eggs hatch and release larvae that migrate to the lungs, where they mature before being coughed up and swallowed, eventually settling in the small intestine and developing into adult worms.
Preventive measures include practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet or handling soil, and cooking food thoroughly to kill any potential parasites. In areas where Ascaridia infections are common, preventive treatment with anthelmintic medications may be recommended for high-risk populations.
Ascaridiasis is a medical condition caused by an infection with the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. This type of infection, also known as ascariasis, occurs when the parasite lays eggs in the small intestine, which then hatch into larvae that can migrate through the body and cause a variety of symptoms.
Common symptoms of ascariasis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. In severe cases, the infection can lead to intestinal obstruction, malnutrition, or even death.
Ascariasis is typically diagnosed through a stool sample that is examined for the presence of Ascaris eggs. Treatment usually involves medication to kill the parasites, such as albendazole or mebendazole. Preventive measures include good hygiene practices, such as washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before eating, and avoiding contact with contaminated soil or water.
Helminthiasis, in general, refers to the infection or infestation of humans and animals by helminths, which are parasitic worms. When referring to "Animal Helminthiasis," it specifically pertains to the condition where animals, including domestic pets and livestock, are infected by various helminth species. These parasitic worms can reside in different organs of the animal's body, leading to a wide range of clinical signs depending on the worm species and the location of the infestation.
Animal Helminthiasis can be caused by different types of helminths:
1. Nematodes (roundworms): These include species like Ascaris suum in pigs, Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina in cats, and Toxocara canis in dogs. They can cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss.
2. Cestodes (tapeworms): Examples include Taenia saginata in cattle, Echinococcus granulosus in sheep and goats, and Dipylidium caninum in dogs and cats. Tapeworm infestations may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea or constipation and may also cause vitamin deficiencies due to the worm's ability to absorb nutrients from the host animal's digestive system.
3. Trematodes (flukes): These include liver flukes such as Fasciola hepatica in sheep, goats, and cattle, and schistosomes that can affect various animals, including birds and mammals. Liver fluke infestations may cause liver damage, leading to symptoms like weight loss, decreased appetite, and jaundice. Schistosome infestations can lead to issues in multiple organs depending on the species involved.
Preventing and controlling Helminthiasis in animals is crucial for maintaining animal health and welfare, as well as ensuring food safety for humans who consume products from these animals. Regular deworming programs, good hygiene practices, proper pasture management, and monitoring for clinical signs are essential components of a comprehensive parasite control strategy.