Research progress of long non-coding RNA in medical parasitology / 中华地方病学杂志

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is defined as non-protein coding transcript longer than 200 nucleotides. In the form of RNA, it affects gene expression at the epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, and is widely involved in the body's pathophysiological processes. This review summarizes the research progress of lncRNA in the field of parasitology in order to find new targets for the prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases.

Molecular Identification of Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense from 3 Human Cases in Heilongjiang Province with a Brief Literature Review in China

Human diphyllobothriasis is a widespread fish-borne zoonosis caused by the infection with broad tapeworms belonging to the genus Diphyllobothrium. In mainland China, so far 20 human cases of Diphyllobothrium infections have been reported, and the etiologic species were identified as D. latum and D. nihonkaiense based on morphological characteristics or molecular analysis. In the present study, proglottids of diphyllobothriid tapeworms from 3 human cases that occurred in Heilongjiang Province, China were identified as D. nihonkaiense by sequencing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) genes. Two different cox1 gene sequences were obtained. One sequence showed 100% homology with those from humans in Japan. The remaining cox1 gene sequence and 2 different nad5 gene sequences obtained were not described previously, and might reflect endemic genetic characterizations. D. nihonkaiense might also be a major causative species of human diphyllobothriasis in China. Meanwhile, the finding of the first pediatric case of D. nihonkaiense infection in China suggests that infants infected with D. nihonkaiense should not be ignored.

Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium ryanae isolate from dairy cows in Harbin / 中国人兽共患病学报

One Cryptopsoridium isolate from a 3 month-old calf in a dairy cow farm of Harbin was identified by molecular method, in which the common genes of 18S rRNA and actin used in Cryptosporidium genotyping were selected, the primers were designed, and the approximate 840 bp and 1066 bp fragments of these two genes were amplified respectively by nested PCR. The PCR products were sequenced by two directions, and then the sequences were analyzed by using the soft wares of ClustlX, DNAstar, and PHLIP. The experimental result showed that in the 18SrRNA gene, there was the highest identities compared to other reported isolates of cow-derived C. ryanae (DQ871345, AY587166, and EU410344), with 100% of similarity. Likewise, at actin locus, the present isolate also had 100% similarity with an American cow-derived C. ryanae isolate (EU410345) and a deer-like genotype isolate (AY741309). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the present isolate shared the same evolution branch in the two gene loci. These analyses demonstrated that the present isolate belonged to C. ryanae. These results provide a significant reference for the study on the species distribution and assessment in the public health significance of Cryptosporidium in cow milk in China.

Regulation of Th1 and Th2 Type Cytokines in the NCC Patients Treated with Praziquantel / 热带医学杂志

Objective To explore immunological mark and the outcome of disease after pharmacological treatment in human NCC with praziquantel. Methods 35 patients were treated with praziquantel for 6 months. Levels of serum IL-2,IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-5, IL-10 and TNF-α were measured before and after treatment. Results Th1 type cytokines IL-2, IFN-γand IL-12 were up regulated after treatment( P ＜ 0. 01 ) . Levels of TNF-α and Th2 type cytokines IL-5 and IL-10 were remarkable decreased after treatment( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The levels of IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-12 from the patients with good response to the treatment is higher than those with no response to the treatment. Conclusion Th1 type cytokines were up regulated while Th2 type cytokines were down regulated in the NCC patients treated with praziquantel. The protective immunity may be related to the Thl cell activation.