Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli modulates the virulence and pathogenicity of Entamoeba dispar.

Amoebiasis is a disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica, affecting the large intestine of humans and occasionally leading to extra-intestinal lesions. Entamoeba dispar is another amoeba species considered commensal, although it has been identified in patients presenting with dysenteric and nondysenteric colitis, as well as amoebic liver abscess. Amoebic virulence factors are essential for the invasion and development of lesions. There is evidence showing that the association of enterobacteria with trophozoites contributes to increased gene expression of amoebic virulence factors. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is an important bacterium causing diarrhea, with high incidence rates in the world population, allowing it to interact with Entamoeba sp. in the same host. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the influence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on ACFN and ADO Entamoeba dispar strains by quantifying the gene expression of virulence factors, including galactose/N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-binding lectin, cysteine proteinase 2, and amoebapores A and C. Additionally, the study assesses the progression and morphological aspect of amoebic liver abscess and the profile of inflammatory cells. Our results demonstrated that the interaction between EPEC and ACFN Entamoeba dispar strains was able to increase the gene expression of virulence factors, as well as the lesion area and the activity of the inflammatory infiltrate. However, the association with the ADO strain did not influence the gene expression of virulence factors. Together, our findings indicate that the interaction between EPEC, ACFN, and ADO Entamoeba dispar strains resulted in differences in vitro and in vivo gene expression of Gal/GalNAc-binding lectin and CP2, in enzymatic activities of MPO, NAG, and EPO, and consequently, in the ability to cause lesions.

Estado nutricional e segurança alimentar de famílias em vulnerabilidade social no município de Contagem, Minas Gerais, 2014 / Nutritional status and food security of socially vulnerable families in the municipality of Contagem, Minas Gerais, 2014

Este é um estudo transversal avaliando estado nutricional e insegurança alimentar em uma comunidade vulnerável de Contagem, região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. Um total de 273 indivíduos de 67 famílias foram avaliados. Para a avaliação antropométrica, determinou-se o peso, a estatura, o índice de massa corporal, a circunferência da cintura e a razão cintura-estatura. A insegurança alimentar foi analisada por meio da Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar. As concentrações de colesterol total, triglicerídeos, glicose e albumina sérica também foram determinadas. Das 67 famílias avaliadas, 51% (n = 34) apresentaram insegurança alimentar, sendo 79,4% leve, 17,7% moderada e 2,9% grave. Em crianças e adolescentes, sobrepeso e obesidade foram diagnosticados em 9,3% (n = 4) e 19,5% (n=16), respectivamente. Entre os adultos, 34,1% (n = 42) foram classificados com sobrepeso, 27,6% (n = 34) com obesidade grau I e 59,3% (n = 73) apresentaram risco aumentado de doenças cardiovasculares. Nos idosos, o excesso de peso foi diagnosticado em 44,0% (n = 11) e 80,0% (n = 20) apresentaram risco aumentado para doenças cardiovasculares. Hiperglicemia, hipercolesterolemia e hipertrigliceridemia foram diagnosticadas em 17, 45 e 72% da população, respectivamente. Houve correlação positiva entre os parâmetros antropométricos e bioquímicos, com exceção da albumina e glicose, que apresentaram correlação negativa em crianças e adultos. Nosso estudo confirma o impacto da vulnerabilidade social na ocorrência de elevadas proporções de insegurança alimentar, ocasionando alta prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade e risco aumentado para desordens cardiovasculares. Além disso, nossos achados endossam o uso de concentrações séricas de albumina como indicador de alterações no metabolismo da glicose.

This is a cross-sectional study evaluating nutritional status and food insecurity in a vulnerable community in Contagem, in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. A total of 273 individuals from 67 families were evaluated. For the anthropometric assessment, weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio were determined. Food insecurity was analyzed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and serum albumin concentrations were also determined. Of the 67 families evaluated, 51% (n = 34) had food insecurity, of which 79.4% were mild, 17.7% were moderate, and 2.9% were severe. In children and adolescents, overweight and obesity were diagnosed in 9.3% (n = 4) and 19.5% (n = 16), respectively. Among adults, 34.1% (n = 42) were classified as overweight, 27.6% (n = 34) had grade I obesity, and 59.3% (n = 73) had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In the elderly, overweight was diagnosed in 44.0% (n = 11), and 80.0% (n = 20) had an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were diagnosed in 17, 45, and 72% of the population, respectively. There was a positive correlation between anthropometric and biochemical parameters, with the exception of albumin and glucose, which showed a negative correlation in children and adults. Our study confirms the impact of social vulnerability on the occurrence of high proportions of food insecurity, leading to a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, our findings support the use of serum albumin concentrations as an indicator of changes in glucose metabolism.

Comorbidities involving parasitic diseases: A look at the benefits and complications.

Parasitic infections acquired by the population cause substantial morbidity worldwide, with individuals from developing countries being most affected. Some parasites remain in the host for long periods, settling in different organs, manipulating the flow of nutrients and metabolites, and influencing the immune response, favoring their adaptation. The host attempts to counteract the metabolic and immunological alterations and the possible damage caused by infection. These metabolic and immunological changes experienced by the host can influence the progression of other existing morbidities or those that will be acquired in the future. Cancer and metabolic diseases are also frequent causes of morbidity in the world population. The large numbers of individuals affected by cancer and metabolic diseases and the high prevalence of morbidity caused by parasitic diseases favor the development of comorbidity involving these pathologies. This review provides an overview of major advances in research on cancer and metabolic diseases associated with parasitic infections. Information about hosts and parasites such as alterations of the immune response, metabolism and adaptation mechanisms of the parasites, and parasitic molecules with therapeutic potential is provided, as well as the beneficial results or complications related to the comorbidities discussed herein. We emphasize the need to conduct additional studies addressing comorbidities associated with parasitic infections to improve the understanding of the impact of this association on the progression of morbidities, as well as the possibility of the therapeutic use of and therapeutic approaches involving parasites.

South American Entamoeba dispar strains produce amoebic liver abscesses with different pathogenicities and evolutionary kinetics.

Amoebiasis is a protozoan disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica, and presents a geographic distribution of worldwide amplitude, high incidence, sometimes accompanied by severe clinical manifestations such as amoebic colitis and Amoebic Liver Abscess (ALA), remaining as a public health problem in developing countries. Entamoeba dispar is another species of amoeba that infects approximately 12% of the world's population, and it has previously been classified as noninvasive. However, E. dispar has already been isolated from patients with symptomatic non-dysenteric colitis, as well as its DNA sequences were detected and genotyped in samples from patients with dysenteric colitis, and patients with ALA, suggesting that this species could also be involved in the development of lesions in the large intestine and liver of human beings. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the ability of isolated strains of Entamoeba dispar in South America to cause liver damage, and to better characterize histopathological findings in 3, 8, 12 and 16 days after infection (DAI). Firstly, we assessed whether trophozoites from MCR, ACFN, ICS, ADO and VEJ E. dispar strains, and EGG Entamoeba histolytica strain differed in their in vitro phagocytosis ability, being related to greater ability to phagocyte with greater virulence. Then, we investigate and characterize histopathological changes present in the liver of mice induced by different strains of E. dispar. Our results demonstrated that trophozoites from E. dispar strains are capable of phagocyting human erythrocytes, but in lower amounts than Entamoeba histolytica. In addition, we described and characterized the lesions in different periods after infection by different E. dispar strains, and identified ACFN as the most pathogenic strain, followed by MCR. The large areas of necrosis produced by the ACFN strain as the eighth DAI, which also show high parasitism, led to 100% mortality. On the other hand, the ICS, ADO and VEJ strains did not produce mortality, and this was correlated with the presence of well-developed chronic granulomatous inflammation, necrosis absorption throughout the infection, and regeneration of the liver parenchyma. The greater pathogenicity of the ACFN strain strongly suggests that this strain could be producing higher levels of virulence factors. As the experimental infection, the heterogeneity of biological behavior of different Entamoeba dispar strains could be involved in the development of undiagnosed human clinical conditions.