Real-time observation of pathophysiological processes during murine experimental Schistosoma japonicum infection using high-resolution ultrasound imaging

Abstract

BackgroundHepatosplenic lesion formation is one of the typical clinical symptoms of schistosomiasis japonica. Although it is established that circum-oval granuloma formation mediated by T lymphocytes is the key event triggering the formation of hepatic lesions, the time-course kinetics of disease progression remains to be fully elucidated.MethodsThe real-time process of the pathophysiology of schistosomiasis japonica from the early to late clinical phase was non-invasively observed in a murine experimental infection model using high-resolution ultrasonography. Together with clinical parameters, including body weight and the levels of serum markers of hepatic damage or fibrosis, ultrasonography was used to assess changes in the liver parenchyma and diameter of the portal vein and portal blood flow velocity. In parallel, parasitological parameters were observed, including egg number in the feces and maturation of parasites.ResultsAbnormal high-echo spot patterns in the liver parenchyma, reflecting hepatic fibrosis in ultrasonography, appeared in the liver at 4 weeks post-infection and the pattern became more enlarged and severe over time. This finding was concordant with parasite maturation and initial egg excretion. The serum M2BPGi level markedly increased from 8 weeks post-infection, suggesting sharp deterioration of hepatic fibrosis. At the same time, the diameter of the portal vein, reflecting portal hypertension, became enlarged and reached the peak level at 8 weeks post-infection. Ascites were apparent around the spleen at 9 weeks post-infection, and dilatation of the splenic vein was noted at 10 weeks post-infection. Live adult worms seemed to be detected in the portal vein at 4 weeks post-infection by ultrasonography.ConclusionsWe obtained real-time imaging of the development of hepatosplenic lesions of schistosomiasis japonica in mice. The time-course kinetics of the onset, development, and modulation of each symptom was uncovered. These results are expected to provide new clues for understanding the pathophysiology of human schistosomiasis japonica.

Regional Analysis of Associations between Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and Diarrhoea in Indian Children

“…Mothers were asked whether the child under the age of five years had experienced symptoms of diarrhoea in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. In our study, the measurement of diarrhoea was specific to the child age group for each of the IYCF indicators, and this method was consistent with previously published studies [ 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…The exposure variables were the IYCF indicators, defined in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition for assessing IYCF practices in populations [ 31 ]. These IYCF indicators were selected based on past studies from LMICs, which showed that these indicators were associated with diarrhoea [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. EIBF or timely initiation of breastfeeding was defined as the proportion of children within 0–23 months of age who were breastfed within one hour of birth.…”

“…The potential confounding factors included child, maternal, family, media, health service, environmental and community-level factors, selected based on evidence from past studies [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Child factors included sex, immunization status, birth order and perceived size of the baby at birth.…”

Schistosoma “Eggs-Iting” the Host: Granuloma Formation and Egg Excretion

“…However, the initial interaction of the egg with the immune system–when it is deposited in the blood stream–will not be accessible by this system. High-resolution ultrasonography has been recently shown to be applicable for noninvasive time-course observations of hepatic lesions in S. japonicum infection in mice ( 172 ). Furthermore, the development of other noninvasive techniques, such as small-animal PET-MRI or intravital 2-photon microscopy may be helpful tools to study early events of granuloma formation, as undertaken in the liver ( 173 ).…”

Self-reported functional, communicative, and critical health literacy on foodborne diseases in Accra, Ghana

“…Although significant progress has been made in the reduction of global diarrheal deaths, there is still much work to be done [ 6 , 7 ]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates show that there are significant geographic variations in the global burden of foodborne illnesses given mortality estimates across sub-regions [ 8 ]. Africa experienced the highest burden per population, followed by South East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean, primarily due to inadequate food safety knowledge [ 9 – 11 ].…”