Moderate protection is induced by a chimeric protein composed of leucine aminopeptidase and cathepsin L1 against Fasciola hepatica challenge in sheep

Leucine aminopeptidase (FhLAP) and cathepsin L1 (FhCL1) of Fasciola hepatica play a critical role in parasite feeding, migration through host tissue, and immune evasion. These antigens have been tested for immune protection as single components with variable degrees of success. The chimeric-protein approach could improve protection levels against fasciolosis. Previously, we reported the design and construction of a chimeric protein composed of antigenic sequences of FhLAP and FhCL1 of F. hepatica. The goal of the present study was to express and evaluate the immune-protective capacity of this chimeric protein (rFhLAP-CL1) in sheep. Animals were randomly allocated into five groups with five animals in each group. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were immunized twice with 100 μg, 200 μg and 400 μg of rFhLAP-CL1 emulsified with Quil A adjuvant, whereas groups 4 and 5 were the adjuvant control and infection control groups, respectively. The animals were then challenged with 200 metacercariae two weeks after the rFhLAP-CL1 booster. The fluke burden was reduced by 25.5%, 30.7% (p < 0.05) and 46.5% (p < 0.01) in sheep immunized with 100 μg, 200 μg and 400 μg of chimeric protein, respectively, in comparison to the infection control group. There was a reduction of 22.7% (p < 0.05) and 24.4% (p < 0.01) in fecal egg count in groups 2 and 3, respectively, compared to the infection control group. Sheep immunized with chimeric protein produced F. hepatica excretion-secretion product-specific total IgG antibody, which were increased after challenge. Moreover, the levels of rFhLAP-CL1-specific IgG1 and IgG2 isotypes in immunized sheep increased rapidly two weeks after the first immunization and were significantly more elevated than those of the control groups, indicating a mixed Th1/Th2 response. This is a preliminary evaluation of the chimeric protein rFhLAP-CL1 as a possible immunogen against F. hepatica infection in sheep.     

CASE OF FASCIOLIASIS: EXTRACTION WITH ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOGRAPHY

Fascioliasis is a worldwide zoonotic infection with fasciola hepatica and fasciola gigantica. The zoonoses are particularly endemic in sheep‐raising countries and are also endemic in Turkey. Clinical features of fascioliasis relate to the stage and intensity of infection. Fasciola hepatica infection comprises two stages: hepatic and biliary, with different signs and symptoms. Cholestatic symptoms may be sudden, but, in some cases, they may be preceded by a long period of fever, eosinophilia and vague gastrointestinal symptoms. We reported a case with fever and upper‐quadrant abdominal pain since 3 months that comes from an area endemic for fasciola hepatica, with suspected imaging about fasciola hepatica in common bile duct on ultrasonography. After that, fasciola hepatica was extracted with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.     

温州地区鼠类肝毛细线虫流行学和生物学研究

目的：了解温州地区鼠体肝毛细线虫的感染情况,为肝毛细线虫病防治提供科学依据,并探讨肝毛线虫幼虫经皮肤和经腹腔注射感染小白鼠的可行性。方法：从温州境内部分地区收集鼠体以检查肝毛细线虫虫卵,分离虫卵并培养成幼虫作感染小白鼠试验。结果：温州地区鼠及臭 毛细线虫总感染率是１８．３％,不同鼠种和硒居范围不同的鼠体感染率不同,鼠体感染率和感染度随鼠体年龄增大而增高（强）。肝毛细线虫幼虫经皮肤和经腹腔注射感染小     

Capillaria hepatica parasitism

Capillaria hepatica is rarely encountered in humans, with fewer than 30 documented cases. The clinico-pathological features of capillaria hepatica infection, diagnosed on liver biopsy of a 6-year-old child are discussed. Pathologically, it is characterised by prominent granulomatous lesions in the liver surrounding the eggs, which on cursory examination may be confused withSchistosoma mansoni.     

Impact of colour Doppler sonography on detection of thrombosis of the hepatic artery and the portal vein after liver transplantation

Sixty patients who received 75 consecutive liver grafts and had routine Doppler sonography monitoring in the early postoperative period (three times a day) were reviewed for vascular complications. Thrombosis of the hepatic artery was detected in seven patients (3, 4, 20, 24, 48, 70 and 84 h after liver transplantation) and was then confirmed by emergency laparotomy in six cases. In one patient, thrombosis was verified by angiography before laparotomy. In two patients thrombectomy was successful, in five patients retransplantation had to be performed. Portal vein occlusion was detected in three patients (24, 26 and 90 h after transplantation) and all were successfully treated by thrombectomy and partial arterialization of the portal vein. Colour Doppler sonography was associated with no false-positive or -negative results. The specificity was 100% for the diagnosis of hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis. In our opinion colour Doppler sonography will be able to replace time-consuming angiography in vascular diagnostics in the early postoperative phase after liver transplantation. Furthermore, there is evidence that frequent use of this non-invasive technique permits early detection of clinically unsuspected vascular complications and subsequent immediate relaparotomy, which is linked to a reduction in the rate of retransplantation.

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Bedeutung der farbdopplersonographie für die entdeckung einer thrombose der A. hepatica und der V. portae nach Lebertransplantation

Zusammenfassung Bei 60 Patienten nach Lebertransplantation (75 Transplantate) wurde in der ersten postoperativen Woche dreimal täglich eine farbcodierte Dopplersonographie zum Ausschlu vaskulärer Komplikationen durchgeführt. Eine Thrombose der Leberarterie wurde bei 7 Patienten diagnostiziert (3, 4, 20, 24, 48, 70 und 84 h nach der Transplantation). Die Diagnose wurde intraoperativ bei Relaparotomie bestätigt, bei einem Patienten erfolgte vor der Revisionsoperation eine Angiographie. Zweimal war eine Thrombektomie der Leberarterie erfolgreich, bei fünf Patienten mute retransplantiert werden. Eine Pfortaderthrombose wurde bei drei Patienten (24, 26 und 90 h nach der Transplantation) diagnostiziert. Immer war eine Thrombektomie mit partieller Arterialisierung der Pfortader erfolgreich. Falsch negative bzw. falsch positive Befunde wurden nicht erhoben, so da die farbcodierte Dopplersonographie mit einer hohen Sensitivität bei einer Spezifität von 100% in der Diagnose von Gefäßkomplikationen nach Lebertransplantation verbunden ist. In der Diagnostik von Gefäßkomplikationen während der frühen postoperativen Phase nach Lebertransplantationen kann die Angiographie durch die farbcodierte Dopplersonographie ersetzt werden. Die Diagnose insbesondere von klinisch noch nicht manifesten Gefäßkomplikationen ist durch engmaschigen Einsatz der Methode möglich und kann durch frühzeitige Relaparotomie zu einer Senkung der Retransplantationsrate führen.

     

Secreted products of Fasciola hepatica inhibit the induction of T cell responses that mediate allergy

There is evidence from epidemiology studies of a negative association between infection with helminth parasites and the development of allergy and asthma. Here, we demonstrate that the excretory/secretory products of the helminth Fasciola hepatica (FHES) protected mice against ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced allergic asthma when administered at time of allergen sensitization. FHES reduced the accumulation of mucus, eosinophils and lymphocytes into the airways of allergen‐challenged mice. Furthermore, FHES treatment suppressed Th2 responses in the airways. Interestingly, systemic administration of FHES at allergen challenge had no effect on airway inflammation, demonstrating that alum‐induced Th2 response is set following initial allergen sensitization. Our findings highlight the immunomodulatory potential of molecules secreted by F. hepatica.     

Protection to Fasciola hepatica in the gut mucosa of immune rats is associated with infiltrates of eosinophils,IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies around the parasites

We investigated the immune effector mechanisms that underlie protection against F. hepatica in the gut wall of immune rats, using (immuno)histochemistry. In the lamina propria of immune Wistar rats, four weeks after oral infection, frequencies of IgE-positive cells, eosinophils and mucosal mast cells were significantly increased, compared with naïve rats. These factors represent the traditional effector mechanisms against helminths. No significant differences were detected between the two groups in frequencies of IgM-, IgG2a-, IgG1- and IgA- positive cells, CD4- and CD8-positive cells, NK cells, macrophages, neutrophils or goblet cells. Upon challenge of immune rats with F. hepatica in an ex vivo gut segment, NEJs that migrated through the (sub)mucosa were coated with IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies and surrounded by eosinophils. No IgE or IgA antibodies were detected on the parasites. The onset of these immune effector responses, two h after challenge, was related to the expression of protection. These results suggest that NEJs are killed by an eosinophil-mediated cytotoxic response involving IgG antibodies. These antibodies were not produced in the intestine, but infiltrated the gut upon challenge. The observed immune effector responses were not restricted to the site where the primary infection is located, namely the small intestine, but were also detected in the large intestine. The presence of the protective immune mechanisms in two other rat strains demonstrates the pivotal importance of these responses, irrespective the genetic background of the host.     

Prevalence and outcomes of acute-on-chronic liver failure among cirrhotic patients admitted for an acute decompensation

BackgroundAcute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a common syndrome that occurs in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. It consists of the rapid failure of various organs and is associated with high short-term mortality. We aim to describe the main features and outcomes of inpatients who developed ACLF and to identify the factors associated with in-hospital and 28-day mortality.Patients and methodsAll patients meeting ACLF criteria with advanced chronic liver disease admitted for decompensation from January 2014 to December 2016 were identified. Clinical and biological data were collected at the time of ACLF diagnosis and at 3–7 days thereafter, as well as in-hospital and 28-day mortality.ResultsEighty nine out of 354 admission episodes (28%) developed ACLF, which was present at the time of admission in 72% of cases. A precipitating factor was identified in 83% of cases, the most frequent being infection (53%) and gastrointestinal bleeding (19%). In the multivariate regression analysis, the ACLF grade at 3–7 days after diagnosis was predictive of in-hospital mortality and 28-day mortality, and lower creatinine and bilirubin levels at the time of ACLF diagnosis and a precipitating factor other than bacterial infection were associated with ACLF reversion at 3–7 days.ConclusionsACLF is a frequent complication among patients with chronic liver disease admitted for acute decompensations and is associated with a high mortality rate and is related to the number of organs involved. Bacterial infection is the most frequent precipitating factor of ACLF and probably entails a worse prognosis.     

Fasciola hepatica IN BOVINES IN BRAZIL: DATA AVAILABILITY AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION

Fasciolosis is a disease of importance for both veterinary and public health. For the first time, georeferenced prevalence data of Fasciola hepatica in bovines were collected and mapped for the Brazilian territory and data availability was discussed. Bovine fasciolosis in Brazil is monitored on a Federal, State and Municipal level, and to improve monitoring it is essential to combine the data collected on these three levels into one dataset. Data were collected for 1032 municipalities where livers were condemned by the Federal Inspection Service (MAPA/SIF) because of the presence of F. hepatica. The information was distributed over 11 states: Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Pará, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and São Paulo. The highest prevalence of fasciolosis was observed in the southern states, with disease clusters along the coast of Paraná and Santa Catarina and in Rio Grande do Sul. Also, temporal variation of the prevalence was observed. The observed prevalence and the kriged prevalence maps presented in this paper can assist both animal and human health workers in estimating the risk of infection in their state or municipality.     

长江江滩武汉段鼠类肝毛细线虫感染调查

目的 目的 了解长江江滩武汉段鼠类肝毛细线虫感染状况。方法 方法 选择长江江滩武汉江岸段, 通过捕鼠夹捕获江 滩野鼠, 解剖肝脏肉眼观察肝脏病变和肝组织压片显微镜镜检虫卵。结果 结果 调查点依自然条件分6个片区, 每个调查片 区分别放置60个捕鼠夹, 共360个, 回收360个鼠夹, 共捕获31只野鼠, 平均鼠密度为8.61％, 1只鼠检出肝毛细线虫, 感 染率为3.23%。 31只野鼠中黑线姬鼠24只, 褐家鼠3只, 鼩鼱4只, 感染率分别为0、 33.3%和0。结论 结论 长江江滩武汉段 鼠体有肝毛细线虫感染, 为肝毛细线虫病的自然疫源地。