Treatment of Chilomastix mesnili infection with traditional Chinese medicine: a case report / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This paper reports a case with Chilomastix mesnili infections, and summarizes the diagnosis and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.

Molecular and Biochemical Properties of a Cysteine Protease of Acanthamoeba castellanii

Acanthamoeba spp. are free-living protozoa that are opportunistic pathogens for humans. Cysteine proteases of Acanthamoeba have been partially characterized, but their biochemical and functional properties are not clearly understood yet. In this study, we isolated a gene encoding cysteine protease of A. castellanii (AcCP) and its biochemical and functional properties were analyzed. Sequence analysis of AcCP suggests that this enzyme is a typical cathepsin L family cysteine protease, which shares similar structural characteristics with other cathepsin L-like enzymes. The recombinant AcCP showed enzymatic activity in acidic conditions with an optimum at pH 4.0. The recombinant enzyme effectively hydrolyzed human proteins including hemoglobin, albumin, immunoglobuins A and G, and fibronectin at acidic pH. AcCP mainly localized in lysosomal compartment and its expression was observed in both trophozoites and cysts. AcCP was also identified in cultured medium of A. castellanii. Considering to lysosomal localization, secretion or release by trophozoites and continuous expression in trophozoites and cysts, the enzyme could be a multifunctional enzyme that plays important biological functions for nutrition, development and pathogenicity of A. castellanii. These results also imply that AcCP can be a promising target for development of chemotherapeutic drug for Acanthamoeba infections.

Large trophozoites in blood smear of falciparum malaria:one case report / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This paper reports one case of atypical falciparum malaria imported from Africa,whose blood smear contains many large trophozoites,with punctiform or massive brown pigment granules,the body shape of the plasmodium is similar to that of Plas-modium vivax and Plasmodium ovale. After the gene detection by PCR,the case was diagnosed as falciparum malaria. As large tro-phozoites were rarely seen in the peripheral blood of non-severe falciparum malaria cases,much attention should be paid to the identification of Plasmodium falciparum and other plasmodia in microscopic examinations.

Perforación intestinal secundaria a amebiasis / Amebiasis intestinal perforation secondary

La amebiasis intestinal es una enfermedad frecuente en países en desarrollo, que es común en regiones tropicales y subtropicales, así como en regiones con servicios sanitarios deficientes. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 74 años de edad, sexo masculino, originario y residente de la ciudad de Guatemala, quién cursó una diarrea y dolor abdominal. Fue intervenido quirúrgicamente por abdomen agudo, con resección intestinal extensa por perforaciones. En el estudio de anatomía patológica se realizó el diagnóstico de colitis amebiana con perforaciones y peritonitis.

Intestinal amoebiasis is a disease common indeveloping countries, which is common in tropicaland subtropical regions, as well as in regions withpoor sanitation. We report the case of a 74-year-oldmale, resident of Guatemala City, who presented withdiarrhea and abdominal pain. He had a laparatomy foracute abdomen, undergoing wide intestinal resectiondue to perforations. The pathology diag-nosis wasamoebic colitis with perforations and peritonitis.

Detection of Entamoeba histolytica in experimentally induced amoebic liver abscess：comparison of three staining methods

Objective: To compare the efficacy of three different tissue stains, namely haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) and immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for detection of Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) trophozoites in abscessed liver tissues of hamster.Methods:Amoebic liver abscess was experimentally induced in a hamster by injecting 1 × 106 of axenically cultured virulent E. histolytica trophozoites (HM1-IMSS strain) into the portal vein. After a week post-inoculation, the hamster was sacrificed and the liver tissue sections were stained with H&E, PAS and IHC stains to detect the amoebic trophozoite. Results: The three stains revealed tissue necrosis and amoebic trophozoites, but with varying clarity. H&E and PAS stained the trophozoites pink and magenta, respectively, however it was difficult to differentiate the stained trophozoites from the macrophages because of their similarity in size and morphology. On the other hand, IHC stain revealed distinct brown appearance of the trophozoites in the infected liver tissues. Conclusions: It can be concluded that out of the three stains, IHC is the best for identification of E. histolytica trophozoites in tissue sections.

Detection of Entamoeba histolytica in experimentally induced amoebic liver abscess: comparison of three staining methods

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy of three different tissue stains, namely haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) and immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for detection of Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) trophozoites in abscessed liver tissues of hamster.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Amoebic liver abscess was experimentally induced in a hamster by injecting 1 × 10(6) of axenically cultured virulent E. histolytica trophozoites (HM1-IMSS strain) into the portal vein. After a week post-inoculation, the hamster was sacrificed and the liver tissue sections were stained with H&E, PAS and IHC stains to detect the amoebic trophozoite.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The three stains revealed tissue necrosis and amoebic trophozoites, but with varying clarity. H&E and PAS stained the trophozoites pink and magenta, respectively, however it was difficult to differentiate the stained trophozoites from the macrophages because of their similarity in size and morphology. On the other hand, IHC stain revealed distinct brown appearance of the trophozoites in the infected liver tissues.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It can be concluded that out of the three stains, IHC is the best for identification of E. histolytica trophozoites in tissue sections.</p>

Balantidium coli in an Asymptomatic Patient: A Case Report / 대한진단검사의학회지

Balantidium coli is widely distributed in hogs, particularly in warm and temperate climates, and in monkeys in the tropics. B. coli is the only pathogenic ciliate and is the largest protozoan parasitizing humans. Some individuals with B. coli infections are totally asymptomatic, whereas others have symptoms of severe dysentery similar to those seen in patients with amebiasis. We report a 5-year-old girl with asymptomatic balantidiasis. The patient was suffering from herpes zoster for several days. She did not have symptoms of dysentery or urinary tract infection. Motile trophozoites of B. coli were observed in the urinary sediment. This is the first report of asymptomatic balantidiasis in Korea.

Gimenez Staining: A Rapid Method for Initial Identification of Legionella pneumophila in Amoeba Trophozoite / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Objective To establish a rapid staining method for facilitating initial identification of Legionella pneumophila in amoebal trophozoite. Methods Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Legionella pneumophila were co-cultured under laboratory condition. At consecutive time points during the culture, smears of the cultured products were made on glass slides for staining purposes. Different types of stainings including Gram′s staining, Gimenez staining, Giemsa staining and immunofluorescence were used to determine the best method for the identification of amoebal pathogens. Results Gimenez staining technique is simpler and yields better results as compared with the other three stainings. Gimenez stain gives the best color and contrast for amoeba and amoebal Legionella Amoeba trophozoites and/or cysts showed a distinct purplish blue with amoebal Legionella in red. Amoebal Legionella can be distinguished clearly at an earlier time of co-culture, providing a proper sensitivity. It takes only 10 minutes to finish the operation. The other techniques require the use of expensive reagents, are relatively time-consuming, and involve complex staining procedures. Conclusion Gimenez staining is of value for the initial identification of amoebal pathogens, and it is suitable for laboratory diagnosis.

Lipid requirements for axenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica.

Fatty acids, cholesterol and glucose present in axenic medium are utilized by growing Entamoeba histolytica but the amoeba is unable to synthesize cholesterol from [U —14 C — ] glucose although the label is incorporated into the fatty acids and non-saponifiable fractions of the organism. Exogenously-added sonicated dispersions of cholesterol, β-sitosterol, lanosterol, lecithin and lauric, palmitic, linoleic and stearic acids are ingested by the amoebae with subsequent loss in amoeboid movement. After a few hours the movement is regained. Cholesterol, lecithin and the fatty acids stimulate amoebic multiplication but are unable to replace serum in the medium either singly or in combination.

Effect of cholesterol on multiplication, lipid metabolism and lysosomal enzymes of Hartmanella culbertsoni.

Addition of sonicated dispersions of cholesterol to peptone-salt-vitamin medium resulted in the metabolism of the sterol by Hartmanella culbertsoni. Trophozoite multiplication was stimulated at 1–5 mg/litre, but retarded at 10-20 mg/litre. When cholesterol was added to the medium, incorporation of [1,2—14C] –acetate into neutral lipid, phospholipid, non-saponifiable and cholesterol fractions of the amoebae was significantly reduced. Cholesterol ester was detected in the medium but phospholipids were not released. Addition of cholesterol stimulated the activity of lysosomal acid phosphatase, acid deoxyribonuclease and cathepsin Β but did not affect 5'-nucleotidase, adenosine triphosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome C oxidase.