Advances in the research on the interaction between human parasites and gut microbiota / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Human parasites may interact with the microbiome parasitizing in human and mammalian intestines. The interplay between intestinal parasites and gut microbiota and its potential impacts have been widely reported; however, some parasites that do not parasitize in intestines may also affect the characteristic of gut microbiota. Hereby, we review the advances in the research on the impacts of parasites inside and outside of human intestines on the gut microbiota.

Evidence-based therapies of Chinese medicine for chronic urticaria: Where do we stand and where are we going? / 中国结合医学杂志

Chronic urticaria (CU) is characterized by repeated occurrence of wheals or itching for more than 6 weeks. When urticaria symptoms repeatedly occur despite taking Western medicines such as antihistamines, Chinese medicine (CM) has been shown to relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence. However, the lack of robust evidence from the evidence-based medicine perspective is hindering acceptance of CM by the Western medicine community. In recent years, more and more evidence-based studies of CU treatment by CM were report in English literatures, including acupuncture, herbs, and food, although some of evidence is still with low quality. These progress in CM treatment of CU will inspire high quality evidences via randomized, controlled trials assessing effificacy and safety of CM treatment of CU.

Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in mice: An experimental study / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To establish an animal model of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis and to study the role of immune suppression in Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) infection. Methods: Twenty-four BALB/c mice were equally randomized into 2 groups: immunocompetent group and immunocompromised group. C. neoformans isolate, B3501, was intradermaly inoculated at a concentration of 5 × 107/ml into all mice. Mycology and histopathology examinations of the skin were done to confirm the infection. The skin damage courses were recorded and compared in 2 groups. Results: Different manifestations of skin infection, such as nodule, papule, ulcer and lesions mimicking molluscum contagiosum appeared 2-9 d after inoculation, with a mean of (3.42±1.17) d in immunocompromised group and (4.25±1.42) d in immunocompetent group. The lesions became self-cured 22-44 d after their onset, with a mean of (36.75±4.20) d in immunocompromised group and (29.00±4.75) d in immunocompetent group (P<0.05). Cryptococcal infection was confirmed by mycology culture and histopathology examination. Conclusion: Intradermal inoculation with C. neoformans is feasible for establishing a cutaneous cryptococcosis model in BALB/c mice. Immnunosupressent state may not be a key factor for primary cutaneous cryptococcosis.

Dissemination of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in Balb/C mice / 中华传染病杂志

0.05).Mean time for lesion healing in immunocompromised and immunocompenent mice was 36.8 d and 29.0 d respectively(P0.05).Conclusions Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis may lead to dissemination of the infection in immunocompromised mice and our data suggest that skin is a possible route for dissemination of cryptococcal infection.