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Parasitology 2021 Dec 9;148(14):1795-1805. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Ascariasis is the most prevalent helminth infection in the world and leads to significant, life-long morbidity, particularly in young children. Current efforts to control and eradicate ascariasis in endemic regions have been met with significant challenges including high-rates of re-infection and potential development of anthelminthic drug resistance. Vaccines against ascariasis are a key tool that could break the transmission cycle and lead to disease eradication globally. Read More

Exp Parasitol 2022 May 10;238:108267. Epub 2022 May 10.

Laboratory of Immunology and Genomics of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Human ascariasis is one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases worldwide. The immune response during human ascariasis is characterized by Th2 polarization and a mixed Th2/Th17 response during the pathogenesis of experimental larval ascariasis. Cytokines and other pro-inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), are involved in helminthic infections. Read More

PeerJ 2022 5;10:e13401. Epub 2022 May 5.

Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Hosts and their microbiota and parasites have co-evolved in an adaptative relationship since ancient times. The interaction between parasites and intestinal bacteria in terms of the hosts' health is currently a subject of great research interest. Therapeutic interventions can include manipulations of the structure of the intestinal microbiota, which have immunological interactions important for modulating the host's immune system and for reducing inflammation. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2022 May;60(3):461-479

Alliar Group, Rua Ernesto Nazaré, 389 - Alto de Pinheiros, São Paulo, São Paulo 05462-000, Brazil.

Although many of the thoracic infections endemic to Africa are also present around the world, this article focuses on entities that are emerging or disproportionately affect populations living in sub-Saharan Africa. Important emerging or reemerging viral and bacterial diseases that commonly affect the lung include dengue fever, plague, leptospirosis, and rickettsioses. Most parasitic infections endemic to Africa can also manifest within the thorax, including malaria, amebiasis, hydatid disease, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis, ascariasis, strongyloidiasis and cysticercosis. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2022 May;60(3):429-443

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Infectious diseases, including parasitic diseases, which are commonly associated with poverty and poor sanitation, continue to cause significant morbidity, disability, and mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean region. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and cardiothoracic imaging manifestation of several communicable diseases endemic to this region. Read More

Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022 Apr 28;76:103522. Epub 2022 Mar 28.

Department of Cardiology, Mohammed VI University Hospital of Oujda, Mohammed First University of Oujda, Morocco.

Introduction: and importance: is a nematode parasite that causes ascariasis Cardiac involvement in ascariasis is uncommon and rarely reported in the literature.

Case Presentation: We present the case of 45 years-old man, with previous medical history of ascaris infection one week before his admission to the emergency department for acute chest pain. The electrocardiogram revealed ST-segment and T wave abnormalities in septo-apico-lateral and inferior leads, along with high levels of troponin T and eosinophil blood cells count, while transthoracic echocardiography showed lateral and inferior walls motion abnormalities. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2022 11;2022:5908938. Epub 2022 Apr 11.

Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760 Gujarat, India.

The three main intestinal helminth infections (IHIs), ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm, are common clinical disorders worldwide. These IHIs are more prevalent in tropics and subtropical countries especially in developing countries like sub-Saharan Africa responsible for morbidity, mortality, and physical as well as intellectual growth retardation in children. In Ethiopia, the burden of IHIs appears in all ages mainly due to factors like lack of education, low socio-economic status, and inadequate supply of drugs and proper awareness. Read More

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2022 Apr 6. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.

Background: In Cameroon, considerable research has been conducted on human ascariasis, but no studies have been undertaken to determine whether pigs contribute to the persistence of the infection in children or to unravel the evolutionary relationship between human-derived and pig-derived Ascaris.

Methods: DNA was extracted from adult Ascaris worms collected from humans and pigs. Segments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes were sequenced and analysed for 83 worms to dissect the local transmission dynamics of Ascaris in Cameroon. Read More

J Parasitol Res 2022 16;2022:3584861. Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.

Background: Nonhygienic living conditions give rise to parasitic infections. Intestinal parasitosis is a serious public health problem in Ethiopia. It is more common in the poor part of the population with low-income, poor personal, and environmental sanitation and limited clean water supply. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 03 25;16(3):e0010092. Epub 2022 Mar 25.

Schistosomiasis Control Initiative Foundation, London, United Kingdom.

Background: Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are known to be endemic in Yemen. However, the distribution of both diseases had not previously been assessed by a well-structured national mapping study covering all governorates. The main aim of this study was, therefore, to map the prevalence of SCH and STH in Yemen in order to better inform implementation of effective national control and elimination interventions. Read More

Cureus 2022 Feb 7;14(2):e21968. Epub 2022 Feb 7.

Department of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Nazareth Hospital, Shillong, IND.

We report a surprising case of intraoperatively detected worm obstruction of a hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis. The patient presented with acute cholangitis including fever, abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice and sepsis. Six years earlier, she had undergone open cholecystectomy with a right subcostal incision. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 Jan 18;16(1):e0010131. Epub 2022 Jan 18.

Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

Background: We previously demonstrated that serology holds promise as an alternative diagnostic tool to copromicroscopy to monitor and evaluate deworming programs targeting soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). Here we explored the dynamics of anti-Ascaris antibodies (Ab) and evaluated the Ab-isotype of choice to assess the longitudinal exposure to Ascaris in Ethiopian school children.

Methodology: Between October 2018 and February 2020, stool and blood samples were collected every four months from school children (4 to 6 years of age). Read More

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022 03 11;47(3):915-922. Epub 2022 Jan 11.

Department of Radiology, University of California-San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA.

To report the radiological features of intestinal ascariasis and to review the clinical implications of this re-emerging disease for adult population of the USA. This retrospective observational study involved 12 adult patients, whose radiological examinations disclosed unsuspected presence of ascaris in their intestinal tract. They were evaluated by computed tomography of the abdomen with oral contrast, small bowel series with barium, and magnetic resonance enterography. Read More

Mymensingh Med J 2022 Jan;31(1):124-128

Dr Mohammed Mirazur Rahman, Junior Consultant (Medicine), Upazila Health Complex, Kaliganj, Gazipur, Bangladesh; E-mail:

The history of ascariasis is very old. It is endemic in various parts of Bangladesh. Hepatobiliary ascariasis is a well-known complication of the intestinal ascariasis. Read More

Vet Parasitol 2022 Feb 4;302:109646. Epub 2022 Jan 4.

School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

The discovery of hybrids between Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum has complicated our understanding of the relationship between the two species. We examined the same Ascaris specimens (48 from humans and 48 from pigs) using two methods: microsatellite markers combined with Bayesian clustering and PCR-RFLP of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region. The results obtained by the two methods were inconsistent but showed that hybrid Ascaris identified through both approaches could infect pigs. Read More

Parasitol Res 2022 Jan 6;121(1):1-10. Epub 2022 Jan 6.

Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.

Trichuriasis is one of the most common soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, affecting populations globally. The condition is particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas with low levels of sanitation and poor living conditions. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection in Asia at the country and region level. Read More

Front Immunol 2021 21;12:788185. Epub 2021 Dec 21.

Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Control of human ascariasis, the most prevalent neglected tropical disease globally affecting 450 million people, mostly relies on mass drug administration of anthelmintics. However, chemotherapy alone is not efficient due to the high re-infection rate for people who live in the endemic area. The development of a vaccine that reduces the intensity of infection and maintains lower morbidity should be the primary target for infection control. Read More

Korean J Parasitol 2021 Dec 22;59(6):607-613. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649, Korea.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still a considerable challenge in Myanmar. We undertook a control program for STH infections (especially Trichuris trichiura) among schoolchildren in Myanmar using mass drug administration (MDA) and health education. Around 1,700 schoolchildren from 15 primary schools in 3 suburban districts (Shwe Pyi Thar, Twantay, and Kyauktan) of the Yangon Region were subjected in this study during 2017-2019. Read More

Cureus 2021 Nov 22;13(11):e19808. Epub 2021 Nov 22.

Emergency Medicine, Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Health Education and Research Institute, Charleston, USA.

Enteric fever and helminth infestation coinfection is commonly seen among children below the age of 5, living in areas with poor sanitation in Africa. These can be explained due to the fact that both enteric fever and ascariasis, are contracted via fecal-oral routes. Although the immune system of children is presumed to be stronger and capable of eliminating several infectious agents, it is not applicable to children below the age of 5. Read More

VideoGIE 2021 Dec 14;6(12):540-542. Epub 2021 Oct 14.

Institute of Gastrosciences & Liver, Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Video 1Video demonstrating the EUS-rendezvous technique for biliary access and removal of a long biliary ascariasis. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 12 16;15(12):e0010050. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Ascariasis is one of the most common infections in the world and associated with significant global morbidity. Ascaris larval migration through the host's lungs is essential for larval development but leads to an exaggerated type-2 host immune response manifesting clinically as acute allergic airway disease. However, whether Ascaris larval migration can subsequently lead to chronic lung diseases remains unknown. Read More

Pathogens 2021 Nov 1;10(11). Epub 2021 Nov 1.

Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany.

, the most important pig parasite, also infects humans as a zoonotic pathogen. Malabsorption upon infection probably results from impaired nutrient transport, presumably mediated by the parasite's excretory-secretory (ES) or cuticle somatic (CSO) antigens. The present study investigated the electrogenic transport (ΔI) of glucose, alanine and the dipeptide glycyl-l-glutamine (glygln), as well as glucose net flux rates in pig jejunal tissue after in vitro exposure to adult total ES or CSO antigens in Ussing chambers. Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2021 10;34:101552. Epub 2021 Nov 10.

Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Iraq.

Background: There is strong evidence for a causal relationship between helminthes infection and allergic disease like asthma due to the similarity in the way they respond. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ascaris infection on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to reveal the relationship between ascariasis and asthma in children.

Patients And Methods: This a randomized-control study conducted in Basrah City, Iraq, in which four groups of a total of 490 children were enrolled: Group1 included 120 normal children; Group 2 included 135 asthmatic children; Group 3 who were 150 Ascaris infected children and group G4 included 85 asthmatic and Ascaris infected. Read More

IDCases 2021 8;26:e01333. Epub 2021 Nov 8.

Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Gall bladder ascariasis is a rare entity. The causative organism for gall bladder ascariasis is Ascaris lumbricoides It usually presents as acute acalculous cholecystitis. Conservative management with anti-helminthic drugs is preferred while sometimes the patient may need surgical intervention. Read More

Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2021 Jan.-Mar;19(73):35-40

Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.

Background Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography is a reliable and highly sensitive imaging modality in the diagnosis of Obstructive jaundice. Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography as compared to Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography. Method A prospective, analytical study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging at Dhulikhel Hospital between October 2018 and December 2020. Read More

Infect Immun 2022 02 22;90(2):e0059521. Epub 2021 Nov 22.

Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Ascariasis is a neglected tropical disease that is widespread in the world and has important socioeconomic impacts. The presence of various stages of worm development in the pulmonary and intestinal mucosae induces a humoral and cellular immune response. However, although there is much evidence of the protective role of mucosal immunity against various pathogens, including helminths, there is still a gap in the knowledge about the immune response and the mechanisms of action that are involved in protection against diseases, especially in the initial phase of ascariasis. Read More

Pediatr Clin North Am 2022 02;69(1):129-139

Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Pediatric Infectious Disease, Valleywise Health Medical Center, 2601 East Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. Electronic address:

Intestinal nematode infections caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STH), such as the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, the whipworm Trichuris trichiura, and the hookworms Ancylostoma duodenale, and Necator americanus, infect more than 1 billion people throughout the world. School-aged children tend to harbor the greatest numbers of intestinal worms, and as a result, experience more adverse health consequences, such as poor growth, anemia, and cognitive decline. Clinicians should maintain a high degree of suspicion in endemic areas when patients present with surgical abdomens, particularly children. Read More

PLoS Pathog 2021 11 16;17(11):e1010067. Epub 2021 Nov 16.

Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Human ascariasis is the most prevalent but neglected tropical disease in the world, affecting approximately 450 million people. The initial phase of Ascaris infection is marked by larval migration from the host's organs, causing mechanical injuries followed by an intense local inflammatory response, which is characterized mainly by neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration, especially in the lungs. During the pulmonary phase, the lesions induced by larval migration and excessive immune responses contribute to tissue remodeling marked by fibrosis and lung dysfunction. Read More

Int J Parasitol 2021 12 10;51(13-14):1243-1253. Epub 2021 Nov 10.

Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

The major soil-transmitted helminths that infect humans are the roundworms, whipworms and hookworms. Soil-transmitted helminth infections rank among the most important neglected tropical diseases in terms of morbidity, and almost one billion people are still infected with at least one species. While anthelmintic drugs are available, they do not offer long term protection against reinfection, precipitating the need for vaccines that provide long-term immunologic defense. Read More

Acta Trop 2022 Apr 5;228:106229. Epub 2021 Nov 5.

Laboratório de Paleoparasitologia e de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Professor Hernani Melo 101 São Domingos, Niterói, RJ, 24210-130, Brazil.. Electronic address:

Most parasitologists face a conundrum throughout their careers: 'which parasite eggs are more resistant to environmental stress, Ascaris spp. or Trichuris spp.?' In this analysis, our experimental and statistical analyses demonstrated that Trichuris sp. Read More