Biological Implications of Polyparasitism

Keusch, Gerald T.; Migasena, P

doi:10.1093/4.4.880

Cited by 43 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 3 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Polyparasitism is a common phenomenon worldwide, and while its effects are often clinically inapparent, multiple parasite species infections may exacerbate clinical manifestations (1). For example, malaria parasites, intestinal helminths and protozoan may co-exist in an individual causing micro-nutrient deficiencies, anaemia, and contribute to retarded growth and development (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intestical polyparasitism in a rural Kenyan community

Nguhiu¹,

Hc²,

Jk³

et al. 2010

E Af Med Jrnl

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Polyparasitism seems to be a common feature in human populations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, very little is known about its epidemiological significance, its long term impact on human health or the types of interactions that occur between the different parasite species involved. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and co-occurrence of intestinal parasites in a rural community in the Kibwezi, Makueni district, Kenya. Design: A cross sectional study. Setting: Kiteng'ei village, Kibwezi, Makueni district, between May and September 2006. Subjects: One thousand and forty five who comprised of 263 adult males, 271 adult females> 15 years of age and 232 boys, and 279 girls < 15 years of age. Interventions: All infected members of the community were offered Praziquantel (at dosages of 40 mg/ kg body weight) for Schistosomiasis and Albendazole (600 mg) for soil transmitted helminths. Results: A total of ten intestinal parasite species (five protozoan and five helminth parasite species) were present in this community and polyparasitsm was common in individuals 5-24 years of age with no gendar related differences. Most of the infections were mild. The protozoan parasites of public health significance present were Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia with prevalence of 12.6% and 4.2%, respectively. The helminth parasites of public health significance in the locality were Schistosoma mansoni with a prevalence of 28%, and hookworms prevalence of 10%. About 53% of the study population harboured intestinal parasite infections, with 31 % of the infected population carrying single parasite species infections, and 22% harbouring two or more intestinal parasite species per individual. Significant positive associations (p values <0.05) were observed between S. mansoni and hookworms, hookworms and Hymenolepis. nana and Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba coli. Conclusion: Intestinal polyparasitism was common in the Kiteng'ei community, particularly in individuals aged of 5-24 years old. An integrated control programme of approach would be recommended for the control of S. mansoni, hookworms and Entamoeba histolytica for this community.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intestical polyparasitism in a rural Kenyan community

Nguhiu¹,

Hc²,

Jk³

et al. 2010

E Af Med Jrnl

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The seminal studies of Buck et al [144][145][146][147] highlighted the problems of assessing morbidity due to multiple parasite infections in highly endemic foci. Keusch and Migasena [148] also emphasised that polyparasitism was the rule rather than the exception, and that the possibility of either synergistic or antagonistic effects must be considered in planning public health intervention programs. Yet this phenomenon has been overshadowed for many years by the widespread use of the DALY measuring system to determine the impact on health of parasitic disease, which does not take into consideration the "comorbidities of polyparasitism" [149].…”

Section: Polyparasitismmentioning

confidence: 99%

The molecular epidemiology of parasite infections: Tools and applications

Lymbery

Thompson

2012

Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Molecular epidemiology, broadly defined, is the application of molecular genetic techniques to the dynamics of disease in a population. In this review, we briefly describe molecular and analytical tools available for molecular epidemiological studies and then provide an overview of how they can be applied to better understand parasitic disease. A range of new molecular tools have been developed in recent years, allowing for the direct examination of parasites from clinical or environmental samples, and providing access to relatively cheap, rapid, high throughput molecular assays. At the same time, new analytical approaches, in particular those derived from coalescent theory, have been developed to provide more robust estimates of evolutionary processes and demographic parameters from multilocus, genotypic data. To date, the primary application of molecular epidemiology has been to provide specific and sensitive identification of parasites and to resolve taxonomic issues, particularly at the species level and below. Population genetic studies have also been used to determine the extent of genetic diversity among populations of parasites and the degree to which this diversity is associated with different host cycles or epidemiologically important phenotypes. Many of these studies have also shed new light on transmission cycles of parasites, particularly the extent to which zoonotic transmission occurs, and on the prevalence and importance of mixed infections with different parasite species or intraspecific variants (polyparasitism). A major challenge, and one which is now being addressed by an increasing number of studies, is to find and utilise genetic markers for complex traits of epidemiological significance, such as drug resistance, zoonotic potential and virulence.

show abstract

“…1) could convey a selective advantage, particularly to parasites infecting host populations that display a high frequency of compromised immune function. In areas where schistosome infection is endemic, two possible causes of immune dysfunction are prevalent-(i) malnutrition (Desai et al, 1980), and (ii) co-infection with other pathogens (Keusch and Migasena, 1982;Ashford et al, 1992;Chunge et al, 1995;Thiong'o et al, 2001;Keiser et al, 2002)-suggesting that schistosome infection and compromised immune function might coincide in the same patients at high frequency. In a study that examined the relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and S. mansoni egg excretion rates in a population of co-infected patients in Western Kenya (Karanja et al, 1997), it was shown that HIV infection and subsequent depletion of circulating CD4 + T cell numbers correlated with a reduction in faecal egg output.…”

Section: Developmental Responses In Schistosomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental plasticity in schistosomes and other helminths

Davies

McKerrow

2003

International Journal for Parasitology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Developmental plasticity in helminth life cycles serves, in most cases, to increase the probability of transmission between hosts, suggesting that the necessity to achieve transmission is a prominent selective pressure in the evolution of this phenomenon. Some evidence suggests that digenean trematodes from the genus Schistosoma are also capable of limited developmental responses to host factors. Here we review the currently available data on this phenomenon and attempt to draw comparisons with similar processes in the life cycles of other helminths. At present the biological significance of developmental responses by schistosomes under laboratory conditions remains unclear. Further work is needed to determine whether developmental plasticity plays any role in increasing the probability of schistosome transmission and life cycle propagation under adverse conditions, as it does in other helminth life cycles.

show abstract

Biological Implications of Polyparasitism

Cited by 43 publications

References 3 publications

Intestical polyparasitism in a rural Kenyan community

Intestical polyparasitism in a rural Kenyan community

The molecular epidemiology of parasite infections: Tools and applications

Developmental plasticity in schistosomes and other helminths

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About