A possible circulation of a dominant Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis haplotype in Japan revealed by molecular analysis of clinical tapeworm samples.

Human diphyllobothriasis, caused by Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis, is prevalent globally, especially in regions where raw fish is consumed. Recent molecular diagnostic techniques have made species identification of tapeworm parasites and the determination of genetic variations among parasite populations possible. However, only a few studies done over a decade ago, have reported on the genetic variation among D. nihonkaiensis in Japan. The present study employed PCR-based mitochondrial DNA analysis to specifically detect D. nihonkaiensis from archived clinical samples, and to determine any genetic variation that may exist among the Japanese broad tapeworms from patients of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Target genes were amplified from DNA extracted from the ethanol- or formaldehyde-fixed samples by PCR. Further sequencing and comparative phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial COI and ND1 sequences were also performed. In our results, all PCR-amplified and sequenced samples were identified as D. nihonkaiensis. Analysis of COI sequences revealed two haplotype lineages. However, clustering of almost all COI (and ND1) sample sequences into one of the two haplotype clades, together with reference sequences from different countries worldwide, revealed a common haplotype among D. nihonkaiensis samples in our study. Our results suggest a possible presence of a dominant D. nihonkaiensis haplotype, with a global distribution circulating in Japan. Results from this study have the potential to improve the management of clinical cases and establish robust control measures to reduce the burden of human diphyllobothriasis in Japan.

RNA activation in ticks.

RNA activation (RNAa) is a burgeoning area of research in which double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) or small activating RNAs mediate the upregulation of specific genes by targeting the promoter sequence and/or AU-rich elements in the 3'- untranslated region (3'-UTR) of mRNA molecules. So far, studies on the phenomenon have been limited to mammals, plants, bacteria, Caenorhabditis elegans, and recently, Aedes aegypti. However, it is yet to be applied in other arthropods, including ticks, despite the ubiquitous presence of argonaute 2 protein, which is an indispensable requirement for the formation of RNA-induced transcriptional activation complex to enable a dsRNA-mediated gene activation. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time the possible presence of RNAa phenomenon in the tick vector, Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian longhorned tick). We targeted the 3'-UTR of a novel endochitinase-like gene (HlemCHT) identified previously in H. longicornis eggs for dsRNA-mediated gene activation. Our results showed an increased gene expression in eggs of H. longicornis endochitinase-dsRNA-injected (dsHlemCHT) ticks on day-13 post-oviposition. Furthermore, we observed that eggs of dsHlemCHT ticks exhibited relatively early egg development and hatching, suggesting a dsRNA-mediated activation of the HlemCHT gene in the eggs. This is the first attempt to provide evidence of RNAa in ticks. Although further studies are required to elucidate the detailed mechanism by which RNAa occurs in ticks, the outcome of this study provides new opportunities for the use of RNAa as a gene overexpression tool in future studies on tick biology, to reduce the global burden of ticks and tick-borne diseases.

Ambivalent Roles of Oxidative Stress in Triangular Relationships among Arthropod Vectors, Pathogens and Hosts.

Blood-feeding arthropods, particularly ticks and mosquitoes are considered the most important vectors of arthropod-borne diseases affecting humans and animals. While feeding on blood meals, arthropods are exposed to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) since heme and other blood components can induce oxidative stress. Different ROS have important roles in interactions among the pathogens, vectors, and hosts. ROS influence various metabolic processes of the arthropods and some have detrimental effects. In this review, we investigate the various roles of ROS in these arthropods, including their innate immunity and the homeostasis of their microbiomes, that is, how ROS are utilized to maintain the balance between the natural microbiota and potential pathogens. We elucidate the mechanism of how ROS are utilized to fight off invading pathogens and how the arthropod-borne pathogens use the arthropods' antioxidant mechanism to defend against these ROS attacks and their possible impact on their vector potentials or their ability to acquire and transmit pathogens. In addition, we describe the possible roles of ROS in chemical insecticide/acaricide activity and/or in the development of resistance. Overall, this underscores the importance of the antioxidant system as a potential target for the control of arthropod and arthropod-borne pathogens.

Characterization of the RAGE-binding protein, Strongyloides venestatin, produced by the silkworm-baculovirus expression system.

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) recognizes Ca++-binding proteins, such as members of the S100 protein family released by dead or devitalized tissues, and plays an important role in inflammatory responses. We recently identified the Ca++-binding protein, venestatin, secreted from the rodent parasitic nematode, Strongyloides venezuelensis. We herein characterized recombinant venestatin, which is abundantly produced by the silkworm-baculovirus expression system (silkworm-BES), particularly in its interaction with RAGE. Venestatin from silkworm-BES possessed a binding capacity with Ca++ ions and vaccine immunogenicity against S. venezuelensis larvae in mice, which is similar to venestatin produced by the E. coli expression system (EES). Venestatin from silkworm-BES had a higher affinity for human recombinant RAGE than that from EES, and their affinities were Ca++-dependent. RAGE in the mouse lung co-immunoprecipitated with venestatin from silkworm-BES administered intranasally, indicating that it bound endogenous mouse RAGE. The present results suggest that venestatin from silkworm-BES affects RAGE-mediated pathological processes.

Positive phototropism is accelerated in Biomphalaria glabrata snails by infection with Schistosoma mansoni.

Parasite-induced behavioral changes in their hosts favor to complete the lifecycle of parasites. Schistosome infection is also known to cause physiological changes in infected freshwater snail intermediate hosts. Here, we report, a novel phenomenon in which Schistosoma mansoni, a highly debilitating worm affecting millions of people worldwide, alters the phototropic behavior of Biomphalaria glabrata, the vector snail. S. mansoni-infection enhanced positive phototropism of vector snails and infected snails spent significantly more time in light. Possibly, these behavioral changes help the parasite to be released efficiently from the infected intermediate hosts, and to infect mammalian hosts.

Venestatin, a Ca++-binding protein from the parasitic nematode Strongyloides venezuelensis, is involved in the larval migration process.

The secretory EF-hand Ca++-binding proteins act as calcium signaling molecules for control of cell functions, but those proteins from parasitic helminths are poorly understood. Here, we have identified and characterized an EF-hand Ca++-binding protein from the rodent nematode, Strongyloides venezuelensis, termed 'venestatin', which is highly conserved in Strongyloides spp. Canonical two EF-hand domains and a signal peptide are present in venestatin. A gel mobility shift assay and Ruthenium red staining indicated that the recombinant venestatin possesses binding ability with Ca++ ions. Endogenous venestatin was seemingly localized in the hypodermis and gut of the worms and was found in the excretory-secretory products. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR data showed that venestatin-specific transcript was upregulated in the parasitic stages of S. venezuelensis, and the upregulation occurred promptly after larval invasion through the host's skin, but not in the case of in vitro incubation. Immunization of mice with recombinant venestatin caused a 55% reduction in larval migration to the lungs, and lung hemorrhaging was mild compared with non-immunized groups, suggesting that anti-venestatin sera may interfere with larval migration from skin to lung. Our results suggest that venestatin is secreted from the hypodermis and gut of S. venezuelensis, and has pivotal roles in larval migration.

Initial development of Babesia ovata in the tick midgut.

The initial development of Babesia ovata in the midgut of the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis has been demonstrated through in vitro and in vivo studies. Although the research on the partial developmental cycles of B. ovata in the tick midgut was performed in our previous study by using ticks fed on experimentally B. ovata-infected cattle, detailed information on the developmental stages of B. ovata in H. longicornis was limited. This report describes the sequential development of stages of B. ovata in an in vitro study using B. ovata-infected erythrocytes and tick midgut contents. The in vivo study also confirmed the developmental stages in the midgut contents of artificially B. ovata-infected ticks. In this observation, we have recognized the distinct forms of B. ovata developmental stages in the tick midgut; the aggregation forms and ray bodies with shorter spikes and light-stained cytoplasm were shown by Giemsa staining. The similarities and differences of the stages as compared to previous reports have been discussed.

A cysteine protease from Spirometra erinaceieuropaei plerocercoid is a critical factor for host tissue invasion and migration.

Sparganosis in humans caused by the plerocercoid larvae of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei is found worldwide, especially in Eastern Asia and the Far East. Previous studies have suggested that dissolution of plerocercoid body, plerocercoid invasion of host tissue, and migration are important processes for sparganosis progression. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes have yet to be determined. Here, we demonstrated the enzymatic property and involvement of a native 23kDa cysteine protease (Se23kCP), purified from plerocercoids, in sparganosis pathogenesis. Se23kCP is mature protease consisting of 216 amino acids and has a high sequence similarity with cathepsin L in various organisms. Se23kCP conjugated with N-glycans, which have a core fucose residue. Both cysteine and serine protease-specific activities were determined in Se23kCP and their optimal pHs were found to be different, indicating that Se23kCP has a wide range of substrate specificity. Se23kCP was secreted from tegumental vacuoles of the plerocercoid to host subcutaneous tissues and degraded human structural proteins, such as collagen and fibronectin. In addition, the plerocercoid body was lysed by Se23kCP, which facilitated larval invasion of host tissue. Our findings suggest that Se23kCP induces host tissue invasion and migration, and might be an essential molecule for sparganosis onset and progression.

Establishment of a novel tick-Babesia experimental infection model.

Ticks are potent vectors of many deadly human and animal pathogens. Tick-borne babesiosis is a well-recognized malaria-like disease that occurs worldwide and recently has attracted increased attention as an emerging zoonosis. Although the proliferation of Babesia organisms is essential in the vectors, their detailed lifecycle with time information for migration in ticks remains unknown. A novel study model for the elucidation of the migration speed of Babesia parasites in their vector tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, has been developed using an artificial feeding system with quantitative PCR method. The detectable DNA of Babesia parasites gradually disappeared in the tick midgut at 1 day post engorgement (DPE), and in contrary increased in other organs. The results indicated that the Babesia parasite passed the H. longicornis midgut within 24 hours post engorgement, migrated to the hemolymph, and then proliferated in the organs except the midgut. This time point may be an important curfew for Babesia parasites to migrate in the tick lumen. We also visualized the Babesia parasites in the experimentally infected ticks and in their eggs using IFAT for detecting their cytoskeletal structure, which suggested the successful tick infection and transovarial transmission of the parasite. This model will shed light on the further understanding of tick-Babesia interactions.

Collection methods of trematode eggs using experimental animal models.

Although observing the eggs of human parasitic helminth is essential for medical education in parasitology, opportunities for collection of the eggs are limited. Collection of the eggs using experimental animal models is needed for a sustainable supply. The metacercariae of three trematode species, Paragonimus westermani, Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus yokogawai, were collected from the second intermediate hosts: freshwater crabs and fishes, which were obtained using online shopping in Japan, and inoculated to experimental animal rat and dog. Consequently, eggs of the three trematode species were obtained abundantly from the feces of the animals. The eggs are being used for student training in several Japanese universities. In this article, we introduce the collection procedures for trematode eggs.