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Evaluation of Urine Reagent Strips to Detect Schistosoma Haematobium Infection

Sun, 2010-02-21 08:00
 Evaluation of Urine Reagent Strips to Detect Schistosoma Haematobium InfectionAlex BhaswaraPersonal Health Blog, (08 Jan 2010)Have you ever encountered urinalysis in your life? Oftentimes, this test occurs if a patient is suffering from kidney troubles and other related diseases. In some instances, when a patient is suffering...Posted by margobenk to strips reagent Urine Haematobium schistosoma on Fri Jan 08 2010 at 14:16 UTC | info | related
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Omega-1, a glycoprotein secreted by Schistosoma mansoni eggs, drives Th2 responses

Sun, 2010-02-21 08:00
 Omega-1, a glycoprotein secreted by Schistosoma mansoni eggs, drives Th2 responsesBart Everts et al.The Journal of Experimental Medicine 206 (8), (03 Aug 2009)info:pmid/19635864 | info:doi/10.1084/jem.20082460Soluble egg antigens of the parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni egg antigen [SEA]) induce strong Th2 responses both in vitro and in vivo. However, the specific molecules that prime the development of Th2 responses have not been identified. We report that omega-1, a glycoprotein which is secreted from S. mansoni eggs and present in SEA, is capable of conditioning human monocyte-derived dendritic cells in vitro to drive T helper 2 (Th2) polarization with similar characteristics as whole SEA. Furthermore, using IL-4 dual reporter mice, we show that both natural and recombinant omega-1 alone are sufficient to generate Th2 responses in vivo, even in the absence of IL-4R signaling. Finally, omega-1–depleted SEA displays an impaired capacity for Th2 priming in vitro, but not in vivo, suggesting the existence of additional factors within SEA that can compensate for the omega-1–mediated effects. Collectively, we identify omega-1, a single component of SEA, as a potent inducer of Th2 responses.Posted by NatureRevMicrobiol to adaptive immunity Th2 schistosoma on Sun Aug 23 2009 at 14:57 UTC | info | related
Categories: schisto news feeds

Cracking the schistosome egg

Sun, 2010-02-21 08:00
 Cracking the schistosome eggMitch LeslieThe Journal of Experimental Medicine 206 (8), (03 Aug 2009)info:pmid/19635857 | info:doi/10.1084/jem.2068iti4Schistosoma worms are experts at concealment, but now researchers have revealed one of their biggest secrets. Two groups have nabbed a long-sought protein in the worms’ eggs that polarizes helper T cells. The eggs that female schistosome worms pump out at a rate of 300 per day can spark a Th2 response. This immune reaction appears to be a lifesaver for the host, as parasitized mice that can't activate Th2 die from excessive inflammation. However, pinning down the polarization trigger has been tricky because an egg secretes several hundred proteins. Using different techniques, the two groups homed in on an RNA-slicing enzyme called omega-1. After pinpointing the size of the Th2 trigger, Steinfelder et al. (page 1681) purified the protein from the supernatant of worm egg cultures, which was easier to sift through because it contains fewer kinds of proteins than whole egg extracts. Everts et al. (page 1673) simply went after the most abundant egg secretions, omega-1 and another protein called IPSE/{alpha}-1. In cultures of human dendritic and helper T cells, omega-1 was a Th2 polarizer, whereas IPSE/{alpha}-1 wasn't.Posted by NatureRevMicrobiol to adaptive immunity Th2 schistosoma on Sun Aug 23 2009 at 14:55 UTC | info | related
Categories: schisto news feeds

Sequencing unlocks secrets of blood parasites - on articles in Nature

Sat, 2010-02-20 06:00
 Sequencing unlocks secrets of blood parasites - on articles in NatureSequencing unlocks secrets of blood parasitesKerri SmithNature News, (15 Jul 2009)info:doi/10.1038/news.2009.692Possible drug targets revealed in flatworms that cause schistosomiasis ... Researchers have sequenced the genomes of two species of flatworm that cause the tropical disease schistosomiasis, revealing potential weaknesses that could be exploited by drug developers. Schistosomiasis — also called bilharzia — is transmitted by water-borne snails, and affects more than 200 million people, many of whom live in Africa. Infections are usually chronic, rather than fatal. There is currently only one drug, praziquantel, in use against schistosomiasis and, although it is effective, scientists don't understand exactly how it works. An international team led by Matthew Berriman at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK, and Najib El-Sayed at the University of Maryland in College Park has sequenced the genome of the parasite found throughout Africa (Schistosoma mansoni). The Asian strain (S. japonicum) was tackled by the Schistosoma japonicum Genome Sequencing and Functional Analysis Consortium.Posted by NatureRevMicrobiol to flatworms Schistosoma japonicum schistosomiasis schistosoma Schistosoma mansoni genomes on Thu Jul 16 2009 at 03:35 UTC | info | related
Categories: schisto news feeds