Immunization with the recombinant myosin regulatory light chain (FhrMRLC) in Adjuplex® adjuvant elicits a Th1-biased immune response and a reduction of parasite burden in Fasciola hepatica infected rats.

The aim of this study was to assess the immune response and the protective efficacy elicited by the vaccination with the recombinant Fasciola hepatica myosin regulatory light chain (FhrMRLC) in Adjuplex® adjuvant against the infection with F. hepatica in rats. Four groups of 15 animals each were used for the study, one group was immunized with the recombinant F. hepatica MRLC in Adjuplex® adjuvant and the other groups remained as adjuvant, positive and negative control groups. The parasitological study showed that a statistically significant reduction of 65.1% and 82.1% in fluke burden and fecal egg count, respectively, was detected in vaccinated animals. In addition, vaccination with FhrMRLC induced a well-defined humoral and cellular immune response characterized by a significant production of specific IgG and IL-2, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ; which confirms the immunogenic capacity of the FhrMRLC.

Characterization and differential expression of cathepsin L3 alleles from Fasciola hepatica.

Fasciola hepatica infections cause significant global problems in veterinary and human medicine, including causing huge losses in cattle and sheep production. F. hepatica host infection is a multistage process and flukes express papain-like cysteine proteases, termed cathepsins, which play pivotal roles in virulence through host entry, tissue migration and immune evasion. Expression of these proteases is developmentally regulated. Recent studies indicate that excystment of infective larvae is dependent on cysteine proteases and together FhCL3 and FhCB account for over 80% of total protease activity detectable in newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) fluke. This paper focuses on members of the cathepsin L gene family, specifically those belonging to the CL3 clade. The cDNA of two novel cathepsin L3 proteases--FhCL3-1 and FhCL3-2 were cloned. The mRNA transcript expression levels for these enzymes were significantly different at various time points in life development stages obtained in vitro, from dormant metacercariae to NEJ 24h after excystment. Maximum expression levels were observed in NEJ immediately after excystment. In all stages examined by Real Time PCR, FhCL3-2 was expressed at a higher level compared to FhCL3-1 which was expressed only at very low levels. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis also indicated higher expression of the FhCL3-2 allele and its secretory nature. The ability of antibody responses from rats and sheep challenged with F. hepatica to recognize recombinant FhCL3-1 and FhCL3-2 was shown to differ. Differences were also confirmed through the use of anti-rFhCL3-1 and anti-rFhCL3-2 sera in Western blot analysis of juvenile excretory/secretory (ES) material separated by 2D electrophoresis. These results indicate analysis of relative expression of parasite virulence factors from different populations is required, as this will likely impact the effectiveness of vaccines based on these antigens.

Increased AST/ALT ratio in azotaemic dogs infected with Babesia canis.

The AST/ALT ratio was estimated in 182 dogs infected with Babesia canis. Among these dogs 65 had anaemia and 68 were azotaemic. Student's t test was used to compare means of the AST/ALT ratio in anaemic and non-anaemic dogs, and in azotaemic and non-azotaemic dogs (p < 0.05). The differences in AST/ALT ratio between anaemic (1.52 +/- 1.15) and non-anaemic (1.76 +/- 1.34) dogs were statistically insignificant (p = 0.23), however, the comparison of AST/ALT ratio between azotaemic (2.68 +/- 1.52) and non-azotaemic (1.08 +/- 0.53) dogs revealed a significantly higher value of this index in azotaemic dogs (p = 0.00). The present results suggest that kidney injury contributed to increased AST activity in these dogs.

Changes in the SUSPPUP ratio and fractional excretion of strong monovalent electrolytes in hospitalized dogs with canine babesiosis.

In this study an increased SUSPPUP ratio and fractional excretion of potassium in dogs infected with Babesia canis suggested mineralocorticoid excess in canine babesiosis. A significant increase in strong monovalent electrolyte fractional excretions in azotaemic dogs infected with B. canis probably resulted from acute tubular necrosis.

In vivo studies of the early, peritoneal, cellular and free radical response in rats infected with Fasciola hepatica by flow cytometric analysis.

Early recruitment of the peritoneal cell population was observed during migration of newly excysted juvenile flukes. The peritoneal lavages were examined for T cells, cytotoxic NK cells (CNK) and free radicals production of rats at an early stage of infection by Fasciola hepatica. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with 50 metacercariae of F. hepatica and non-infected controls were euthanized 2, 4 and 7 days post infection (d.p.i.), respectively. The peritoneal fluid of experimental animals was analyzed by flow cytometry to estimate cell phenotypes. The peritoneal areas were infiltrated by inflammatory cells, particularly from numerous neutrophils, eosinophils and CD4+ lymphocytes, which were significantly higher for infected rats than non-infected. CNK cells dominated in the peritoneal fluid of infected rats as early as 2d.p.i. However, after 4d.p.i. there was a decreased level of CNK cells which may indicate a change from a cytotoxic natural killer (NK) to a regulatory NK response. The challenged group generated very high in vivo levels of inducible nitric oxide (NO) from eosinophils. Superoxide expression was very high in macrophages and neutrophils compared to the uninfected control. In conclusion, our studies suggest that early F. hepatica infection could directly affect lymphoid cells and generate a high in vivo NO production by eosinophils in the peritoneal cavity. Moreover juvenile flukes could stimulate the macrophages and neutrophils to generate H(2)O(2) radicals. The host parasite interactions resulting from immune response regulation by effector cells and immune evasion are discussed.

Detection of the DNA of Borrelia afzelii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia canis in blood samples from dogs in Warsaw.

Each month, from March 2003 to February 2004, 34 blood samples from dogs were randomly selected from the blood samples delivered to two veterinary laboratories in Warsaw and tested for the DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia canis and Hepatozoon canis. Borrelia DNA was detected in seven of the 408 dogs, A phagocytophilum DNA was found in two, and B canis DNA was found in 48 (11.8 per cent). The DNA of H canis was not found in any of the blood samples. Sequencing of the seven Borrelia amplicons showed that only the genospecies Borrelia afzelii was present, the first time it has been detected in dogs in Poland.

New localities of Dermacentor reticulatus tick (vector of Babesia canis canis) in central and eastern Poland.

Dermacentor reticulatus tick is a vector and final host of Babesia canis canis, protozoan parasite of the dog. In Poland and other European countries, endemic regions for canine babesiosis caused by B. canis canis are the same as endemic regions for D. reticulatus. In many of these regions, canine babesiosis is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in dogs. In Europe, increasing range of geographical distribution of D. reticulatus is observed. A consequence of this fact may be increasing range of canine babesiosis. D. reticulatus is one of the most common ticks occurring in Poland, however, it occurs mainly in the north-eastern and eastern part of the country, and there are many areas in which this species has not been reported yet. In this study, D. reticulatus ticks were collected from March 2007 to November 2008 in central and eastern Mazowsze region, and in some localities in Bialystok and Lublin regions. Twenty four new sites for D. reticulatus, mainly in central and eastern regions of Mazowsze Province have been found. 18 localities are placed on banks of the fishing ponds or in river valleys and 6 are forests borders or barren lands and meadows, not situated near rivers or other water reservoirs. All tick-rich sites are localized in river valleys or on pond banks. However, statistical analysis showed that there were no differences in the density of ticks between groups of areas. These results show that the occurrence of D. reticulatus in newly detected areas has became endemic. Probably woodless, unregulated river valleys are important migration tracts for this species of tick and enable them to penetrate new territories. It seems likely that geographical range of D. reticulatus is widening from east to west of Poland what can induce an increase in the number of canine babesiosis cases in areas non-endemic for B. canis canis and its vector. Climate change may be also partially responsible for earlier beginning of tick's seasonal activity as well as for bigger faunal diversity (more potential host species both for adults and immature stages).

Azithromycin in the treatment of a dog infected with Giardia intestinalis.

Giardia intestinalis infection is a common cause of diarrhoea in humans and other mammalian species throughout the world. This report describes a case of a dog suffering from diarrhoea, infected with G. intestinalis, effectively treated with azithromycin. Azithromycin is an azalide, semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic having a large spectrum of activity against bacterial pathogens and some protozoa. In this case, Giardia infection in a dog was confirmed by microscopic examination and PCR. Sequencing of the detected Giardia amplicon confirmed infection with assemblage A-I. The dog received azithromycin administered at dose of 10 mg/kg per os, once a day for 5 days. After the therapy, the diarrhoea stopped. Effectiveness of the treatment was also confirmed by PCR and microscopic examination. This is the first report on the therapy of canine giardiosis with azithromycin. It seems that azithromycin can be considered as promising antibiotic for the control of Giardia infection in dogs.

Vaccine potential of inclusion bodies containing cysteine proteinase of Fasciola hepatica in calves and lambs experimentally challenged with metacercariae of the fluke.

Despite intensive research efforts, progress in the development of effective anti-Fasciola hepatica vaccine has not been satisfactory. However, it has been found that cysteine proteinases of F. hepatica are very important candidates for a vaccine antigen because of their role in fluke biology and in the host-parasite relationship. In our previous experiments we found that recombinant cysteine proteinase which we have cloned from adult F. hepatica (CPFhW) can protect rats against the liver fluke infection when administered intramuscularly or when given intranasally in the form of cDNA. In the present experiments we aimed to evaluate the protectivity of the mucosal vaccination in calves and lambs with inclusion bodies containing recombinant CPFhW using different vaccination doses and various sites of antigen delivery. Female calves vaccinated intranasally with two doses of 300 microg of the recombinant CPFhW showed 54.2% protection against the subsequent challenge of 400 metacercariae (mc). Flukes which developed in vaccinated calves showed a reduction of reproductive potential. Male Corriedale lambs vaccinated at the age of 4 months demanded three doses of the antigen to gain 56.5% of protection to a challenge with 250 mc of F. hepatica. Vaccinated animals showed significantly lower blood eosinophil counts. No correlation was found between serum and mucosal IgG or IgA reacting with F. hepatica ES antigens and the protection level.

Biochemical abnormalities observed in serum of dogs infected with large Babesia in Warsaw (Poland).

Biochemical abnormalities observed in canine babesiosis are related to the severity of the disease. The primary biochemical abnormalities found in affected dogs are: increase of the serum activity of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, azotemia, and hypoglycemia. The purposes of this study were: 1) to estimate biochemical abnormalities in dogs infected with large Babesia in Warsaw and 2) to evaluate statistically changes observed during canine babesiosis in dogs from Warsaw. Samples of serum were collected from dogs naturally infected with large Babesia. Among 2023 positive samples, 202 were randomly selected. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total serum protein (TSP), albumin and blood glucose concentration were determined with a clinical chemistry analyser. Elevated activity of ALT, AST and ALP was detected accordingly in: 64.9, 92.6 and 31.7% of dogs. Elevated creatinine concentration and BUN were detected accordingly in 30.7 and 62.4% of dogs. Decrease of TSP, albumin, BUN, and hypoglycemia was detected accordingly in: 19.8, 32.7, 1.5 and 18.3% of dogs. The most common biochemical abnormalities found in affected dogs were: increase of activity of transaminases and ALP, elevated creatinine concentration, hypoalbuminemia and hypoglycemia. These abnormalities resulted from hepatopathy, renal failure and fasting.

The immune response of rats to vaccination with the cDNA or protein forms of the cysteine proteinase of Fasciola hepatica.

Our previous experiments have shown that intramuscular injection of Sprague-Dawley rats with a pcDNA 3.1 vector carrying cDNA encoding for a cysteine proteinase (CP) of F. hepatica may induce a high level of protection against subsequent infection with F. hepatica metacercariae (mc). The aim of the present study is to compare the immune response of Sprague-Dawley rats vaccinated intranasally with plasmid containing cDNA of CP of the fluke and intramuscularly or intraperitoneally with the recombinated enzyme protein to challenge with fluke metacercariae. In addition, protection following intranasal DNA vaccination was evaluated. Two experiments were carried out. In the first experiment rats were vaccinated twice with 50microg of cDNA containing plasmid or with 100microg protein of recombinated CP. Three weeks after the second vaccination rats were challenged orally with 25 mc. On days 0, 21, 42 and 63 after the challenge blood samples were collected for the evaluation of white blood cell, eosinophil and specific antibody responses. During the second experiment groups of five male and female rats were vaccinated twice intranasally with CPcDNA then challenged with 30 mc and dissected 5 weeks later. Results obtained in the experiments suggested that intranasal immunisation of rats with CPcDNA seems to favour a Th2 regulated antibody response. Intramuscular or intraperitoneal injections of CP protein stimulate both Th1 and Th2-dependent antibodies. Mean worm burdens found in rats vaccinated intranasally 5 or 10 weeks after the challenge were reduced by 61-75% in comparison with the challenge controls which suggests that intranasal vaccination with CPcDNA may protect hosts against F. hepatica infection.

c-DNA vaccination against parasitic infections: advantages and disadvantages.

Recently developed technology for DNA vaccination appears to offer the good prospect for the development of a multivalent vaccines that will effectively activate both the humoral and cell mediated mechanisms of the immune system. Currently, DNA vaccination against such important parasitic diseases like malaria, leishmaniosis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, schistosomosis, fasciolosis offers several new opportunities. However, the outcome of vaccination depends very much on vaccine formulations, dose and route of vaccine delivery, and the species and even strain of the vaccinated host. To overcome these problems much research is still needed, specifically focused on cloning and testing of new c-DNA sequences in the following: genome projects: different ways of delivery: design of vectors containing appropriate immunostimulatory sequences and very detailed studies on safety.

Preliminary analysis of the proteolytic enzymes in the excretory-secretory products of the adult stages of the dog hookworm Uncinaria stenocephala.

The paper describes an introductory characterisation of proteinases present in the excretory-secretory products (ESP) of adult Uncinaria stenocephala. In SDS-PAGE gelatine substrate gels ESP resolved as a six bands of proteolytic activity, with a molecular weight of 182, 159, 98, 50, 39 and 26 kDa. The 98 and 39 kDa components were serine proteinases. The 50 kDa band was sensitive to a metalloproteinase inhibitor. The 26 kDa component was highly sensitive to cysteine proteinase inhibitors and was also partially inhibited in the presence of EDTA. The bands of 182 and 159 kDa were sensitive to a Zn-metalloproteinase inhibitor. The enzymes present in ESP showed the highest proteolytic activity at pH 8-9. Quantitative analysis revealed maximum proteolytic activity of the polypeptides of 159 and 182 kDa at pH 7; 98 and 26 kDa at pH 8 while the 50 kDa and 39 kDa components showed the highest activity at pH 9.

Humoral response in hamsters following vaccination with cDNA encoding acey-1 cysteine proteinase of Ancylostoma ceylanicum.

The humoral response in hamsters following vaccination against Ancylostoma ceylanicum infections with DNA construct was investigated. Groups of hamsters were injected intramuscularly with plasmid pcDNA 3.1. containing cDNA of ACEY-1 cysteine proteinase. Vaccination resulted in IgG antibody response to somatic extracts of adult A. ceylanicum. The highest level of antibodies was observed seven weeks after vaccination.

[Usefulness of the molecular techniques for detecting and/or identifing of parasites and fungi in humans and animals or pathogens transmitted by ticks (Part I)]. / Zastosowanie technik molekularnych do wykrywania i/lub identyfikacji pasozytów i grzybów u ludzi i zwierzat oraz pa- togenów przenoszonych przez kleszcze. Czesc.

After a long period of using basic microscopic, immunological and biochemical methods for diagnosis, rapid development of nucleic acids investigation enabled introduction of specific and sensitive methods of detection of pathogenic agents on the molecular level. Among others, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), discovered in mid of 80'ies and then automatized, offered an attractive alternative to conventional testing systems. In this paper we describe reliable diagnostic tests widely used in the world, including Poland, and capable of detecting different disease agents as parasites and fungi in clinical specimens and pathogens of emerging zoonotic diseases in ticks. The possibilities of using molecular methods for determination of Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance is also discussed. Moreover, the report offers information concerning kinds of molecular tests and institutions in which there are executed.

Successful DNA immunisation of rats against fasciolosis.

The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica contributes to great economic and health losses in the cattle industry in many countries, including Poland. Unfortunately, no vaccine against fasciolosis is commercially available. We have designed a DNA vaccine and tested it in rats. Groups of male or female rats received one intramuscular injection of 50 microg of a pcDNA 3.1 vector carrying cDNA encoding for a cysteine proteinase of F. hepatica. The plasmid was diluted in saline containing 0.05% bupivacaine. Control rats were injected with empty plasmid or not injected at all. All rats were challenged with 45 metacercariae of the fluke on day 28 of the experiment. Seven weeks after the challenge infection fluke burdens were evaluated in vaccinated and control rats. Male rats vaccinated with cysteine proteinase cDNA revealed 100% protection against F. hepatica infection. Females immunised in the same way exhibited the reduction of fluke burden by 74%.

Molecular cloning of a cysteine proteinase cDNA from adult Ancylostoma ceylanicum by the method of rapid amplification of cDNA ends using polymerase chain reaction.

The hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a parasite of great importance in human and veterinary medicine. The most promising vaccination trials against hookworm infections are based on antigens belonging to the proteinase family. The aim of the present research was to isolate a cysteine proteinase gene from A. ceylanicum. This was achieved by rapid amplification of cDNA ends using polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). A set of consensus oligonucleotide primers was designed to anneal to the conserved coding regions of cysteine proteinase. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The novel sequence displayed a high degree of homology with genes of cysteine proteinases known from other hookworm species. In the coding region the nucleotide identity with accp-1, the cysteine proteinase gene of A. caninum, reaches 84.3%. Analysis of the expression of acey-1. the cysteine proteinase gene of A. ceylanicum, suggests that it is produced exclusively in the gland cells of either adult worms or blood-feeding stages of A. ceylanicum.

[Usability of PCR-based techniques for diagnosis of parasitic infections in ruminants]. / Przydatnosc metody PCR i jej modyfikacji do diagnozowania inwazji pasozytniczych u przezuwaczy.

Sensitivity and specificity are the two most important criteria that define the quality of a diagnostic technique. DNA probes and PCR-based techniques may simplify the diagnosis of parasitic infections. PCR is a powerful diagnostics tool. The method enables detection of even a very small amount of DNA. An extreme sensitivity of the PCR, being a major advantage of the method is also a cause of potentially false positive results. To achieve reliable diagnostic results several modifications have been introduced to the classic PCR procedure. PCR and PCR-based techniques are currently increasingly used for detection of parasitic infections, to differentiate closely related species which are difficult to be recognised with traditional methods, for estimation of parasite burdens, and for the detection of drug resistant strains.