Table of Content

30 October 2013, Volume 31 Issue 5

Previous Issue    Next Issue

Effect of Immune Response Mediated by ICOS Signaling Pathway on Hepatic Fibrosis in Mice Infected with Schistosoma japonicum

WANG Yu1, CAI Ru1, WANG Bo2, XIA Chao-ming2 *

2013, 31(5):  1-329-336. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (11246KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To investigate the effect of Th2 polarization mediated by ICOS signaling pathway on hepatic fibrosis in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.  Methods  ICOS transgenic （ICOS-Tg） mice and wild-type FVB/NJ mice were used as experimental schistosomiasis model. The sera, livers and spleen lymphocytes of mice were collected, and spleen lymphocytes were stimulated with SEA for 72 h on the day before infection （0 week）, and at 4, 7, 12, 16 and 20 weeks post-infection. The concentrations of Th1 cytokines （IFN-γ and IL-12） and Th2 cytokines（IL-4 and IL-13） in the culture supernatants were measured with sandwich ELISA kit. The levels of SEA-specific antibodies of IgG and its subtypes（IgG1 and IgG2a） in mice sera were measured by ELISA. The concentrations of hyaluronic acid （HA） and hydroxyproline （HYP） in mice sera were measured with sandwich ELISA kit. The expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1 and collagen-Ⅰin livers from ICOS-Tg/wild-type mice were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Liver granulomatous pathology and fibrosis level in ICOS-Tg/wild-type mice was dynamically observed with hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson trichrome staining, respectively.  Results  The levels of Th2-type cytokines（IL-4 and IL-13） of ICOS-Tg mice were significantly higher than that of wild-type FVB/NJ mice on 7, 12, 16, and 20 weeks post-infection（P<0.05）. However, Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12 showed no significant difference between the two groups（P>0.05）. Th2 differentiation index of ICOS-Tg mice was significantly higher than that of wild-type mice on 7, 12, 16 and 20 weeks post-infection（P<0.05 or P<0.01）. Compared with wild-type mice, the levels of SEA-specific antibodies of IgG and its subtypes （IgG1 and IgG2a） in ICOS-Tg mice increased significantly （P<0.05 or P<0.01, except IgG on 4 and 7 weeks post-infection）. Moreover, the ratio of IgG1/IgG2a in ICOS-Tg mice （5.75±0.94, 4.96±0.98） were significantly higher than that of wild-type mice （4.31±0.81, 3.41±0.83） on 12 and 16 weeks post-infection （P<0.05）. The levels of HA on 7, 12, 16, and 20 weeks post-infection （P<0.05 or P<0.01） and HYP on 12, 16, and 20 weeks post-infection （P<0.05） in ICOS-Tg mice were significantly higher than that of wild-type mice. Immunohistochemical staining showed, from 7 to 20 weeks post-infection, α-SMA and TGF-β1 expression in liver of ICOS-Tg mice was significantly higher than that of wild-type mice（P<0.05 or P<0.01）; collagen-Ⅰ level was also higher than wild-type mice. However, there was a significant difference in collagen-Ⅰ level between the two groups on 20 weeks post-infection （P<0.05）. Furthermore, HE staining showed, on 7, 12, and 16 weeks post-infection, single-egg granuloma volume of ICOS-Tg mice ［（28.72±6.68）×106, （20.47±5.09）×106 and （12.77±4.86 ）×106 μm3］ was significantly higher than that of wild-type mice ［（18.04±6.21）×106, （15.28±4.87）×106 and （11.24±4.38）×106 μm3］. Masson staining showed that level of hepatic fibrosis in ICOS-Tg mice were higher than that of wild-type mice, but the fibrosis scores showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups（P>0.05）.  Conclusion  Th2 immune response is up-regulated in ICOS-Tg mice infected with S. japonicum, and the degree of hepatic fibrosis and related indicators increase. These findings suggest that Th2 polarization mediated by ICOS signaling plays a role in hepatic fibrosis formation in mice infected with S. japonicum.

Therapeutic Effect of Resveratrol as well as Resveratrol Combined with Praziquantel on the Liver Fibrosis due to Schistosoma japonicum Infection in Mice

CHEN Yan*，XIAO Zheng

2013, 31(5):  2-337-341. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (6459KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To study the therapeutical effect and mechanisms of resveratrol and its combination with praziquantel on the liver fibrosis due to Schistosoma japonicum infection.  Methods  Eighty mice infected with 25 S. japonicum cercariae for 6 weeks were randomly divided into four groups named as praziquantel group （A）, resveratrol group（B）, resveratrol+praziquantel group （C） and infection group （D）. Mice in groups A and B were treated with praziquantel［500 mg/（kg·d）］ for 2 d, and resveratrol［20 mg/（kg·d）］ for 6 weeks, respectively. Mice in group C were treated with resveratrol［20 mg/（kg·d）］ for 6 weeks after praziquantel treatment［500 mg/（kg·d）×2 d］. Group D served as infection control. Twenty normal mice were taken as normal control group（Group E）. At the 12th week post-infection, all mice were sacrificed and the liver tissues were removed. Histopathological changes were observed in the liver of all groups. RT-PCR was used to detect the relative VEGF mRNA level in liver tissue. Maleic dialdehyde （MDA） content and superoxide dismutase（SOD） activity in liver were measured by ELISA. The expressions of VEGF, typeⅠ and type Ⅲ collagen were examined by immunohistochemistry.  Results  After treatment, the degrees of liver fibrosis in groups A, B and C decreased. The hepatic expression of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein levels in groups A（0.37±0.06, 0.69±0.42）, B （0.23±0.01, 0.38±0.42）, C（0.11±0.00, 0.12±0.17） and E（0.06±0.03， 0.04±0.02） were lower than that of group D （0.60±0.03， 0.97±0.36）（P<0.01）, those in groups A and B were significantly lower than that of group C（P<0.01 or P<0.05）, and those in group A were lower than in group B（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in liver SOD activity and MDA content between group A（13.56±2.56, 7.62±2.30） and group B（14.28±1.56, 6.63±2.31）（P>0.05）. Compared with group C（22.36±1.55, 2.31±1.31）, mice in groups A and B exhibited decreased an SOD activity, but increased MDA content （P<0.05）. SOD activity of groups A, B, and C was higher than that of group D （P<0.05 or P<0.01）, and MDA content in the above three groups was lower than that of group D（P<0.05 or P<0.01）.  Conclusion  Resveratrol has an antifibrogenic effect through inhibiting the expression of VEGF and reducing oxidative stress in mice with Schistosoma japonicum egg-induced liver fibrosis. Resveratrol and praziquantel show a synergistic action in antifibrosis treatment.

Investigation and Treatment of Newly Discovered Advanced Schistosomiasis Cases in Hunan Province in 2011

CHEN Wu-zhao1, XU Hui-lan1 *, LIU Zhao-chun1，2, ZHU Jin-hua2

2013, 31(5):  3-342-345. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (3775KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To understand the epidemiological characteristics and current status of newly comfirmed advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province in 2011.  Methods  The cases previously diagnosed or suspected as advanced schistosomiasis in Hunan Province were the subjects of this investigation. Questionnairing （demographical information, disease history, etc.）, clinical examination （ascites syndrome, abdominal palpation）, laboratory examination, and abdomenal ultrasonography were used to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment was given to the patients.  Results  In 2011, there were 620 newly discovered advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province, mainly distributed in Yueyang （300 cases, 48.4%）, Changde （193 cases, 31.1%） and Yiyang （123 cases, 19.8%）. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4 ∶ 1. The average age of the patients was 60.4±12.4. 69.7% （432/620） of the patients were illiterate or with primary school education. 90.3% （560/620） of them were farmers. 162（26.1%） cases were labour incapacity and 442 cases （71.3%） were with a weak labor ability before receiving medical treatment. The average time from discovery of schistosome infection to diagnosis of advanced schistosomiasis was （24.9±14.3） years. Among the 620 patients, 418 cases were with ascites（67.4%）, 201 cases with splenomegaly（32.4%）, and 1 case with multiple granuloma in the colon（0.2%）. 172 cases （27.7%） were with visible abdominal vein, 144 cases （23.2%） with a hard liver texture, and 3.4% （21/620） cases with a hard spleen texture. Abdominal ultrasonography showed that 59.4% （368/620） of the patients were with grade Ⅲ hepatic fibrosis. 577 cases（93.1%） received medical treatments and 43 cases （6.9%） received surgical treatment. After the treatment, the clinical symptoms and signs of 410 cases（66.1%） were improved and 210 cases （33.9%） needed further treatment.  Conclusion  Newly comfirmed advanced schistosomiasis patients in Hunan Province are mostly distributed in historically endemic areas, mainly middle-aged and older farmers, and generally in poor health when diagnosed.

Evaluation of an Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay Kit for the Dectetion of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG

LU Zhi-min1，WANG Yan1，ZHANG Zi-yang2，TANG Hong-wei1，SUO Xun3 *

2013, 31(5):  4-346-351. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (4752KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To develop an indirect immunofluorescence assay （IFA） kit for detecting anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG.  Methods  Based on the established IFA method, we established an IFA kit for the detection of human T. gondii infection. The optimal working concentrations of T. gondii IgG-positive human serum and FITC-labeled goat anti-human IgG antibody were determined. Sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and storage period of this kit were studied, and compared with an imported kit.  Results  The optimal working concentration of T. gondii IgG-positive human serum and FITC-labeled goat anti-human IgG antibody was 1 ∶ 40 and 1 ∶ 100, respectively. The maximum dilution of T. gondii IgG-positive human serum that the kit can detect was 1 ∶ 640. No cross reaction was observed with sera from patients with vivax malaria, falciparum malaria, schistosomosis, echinococcosis, or cysticercosis. Cross reaction was observed to the rheumatoid factor positive sera. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, concordance, Youden index of this kit was 90.9%, 100%, 100%, 96.2%, 97.2%, and 0.91, respectively; and that of the imported kit was 100%, 98%, 95.7%, 100%, 98.6%, and 0.98, respectively. There was no significant difference in sensitivity and specificity between the two kits (P＞0.05).  Conclusion  The IFA kit shows adequate sensitivity and specificity for detection of anti-T. gondii IgG.

Cloning and Expression of Actin Gene of Toxoplasma gondii

LI Run-hua1，2, HAO Hai-xia2, WANG Hai-long2, MENG Xiao-li2, SHEN Jin-yan2, YIN Guo-rong2 *

2013, 31(5):  5-352-356. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (3770KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To clone and express the actin gene of Toxoplasma gondii, and analyze the immunoreactivity of the recombinant protein.  Methods  Total RNA was extracted from tachyzoites of RH strain of T. gondii. The open reading frame of TgACT gene was amplified with a pair of specific primers which were designed according to the coding sequence of TgACT gene（Accession No. XM_002369622.1）. The RT-PCR product was cloned into the prokaryotic expression pET-30a（+） vector. The recombinant pET30a-TgACT plasmid was transformed into E. coli DH5α. The positive clones were selected through the colony-PCR and confirmed by the double restrict enzyme digestion and sequencing. The correct pET30a-TgACT plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21（DE3） and induced by IPTG. The expressed proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Western blotting assay was performed with anti-poly-histidine tag （anti-His） antibody or rabbit anti-T. gondii serum.  Results  The product of RT-PCR was with 1 100 bp. The recombinant plasmid pET30a-TgACT was confirmed by colony-PCR, double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. SDS-PAGE results showed that the target protein was expressed in E. coli BL21（DE3） in the form of inclusion bodies with a rough molecular weight of 49 000. The purified soluble protein was obtained by using denaturation, renaturation and purification. Western blotting revealed that rTgACT can be recognized by anti-His antibody and rabbit anti-T. gondii serum.  Conclusion  The recombinant plasmid pET30a-TgACT has been successfully constructed, and the recombinant protein TgACT is produced in E. coli and maintains specific immunoreactivity.

Preliminary Evaluation on the Diagnostic Performance of Five Native Antigens from Echinococcus granulosus

JIAO Wei*，FU Chen，LIU Wan-li，CHAI Jun-jie

2013, 31(5):  6-357-362. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (6426KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To evaluate the diagnostic potential of 5 native antigens obtained from Echinococcus granulosus.  Methods  The cyst fluid and protoscoleces were collected from infected livers of slaughtered sheep near Urumqi. The protoscolex somatic soluble antigen（EgPS）, crude hydatid cyst fluid antigen（EgHF）,  partially purified hydatid fluid antigen（Burstein’s antigen, EgBu） and the native antigen B（EgAgB） were prepared. Echinococcus granulosus adult worms were collected from experimentally infected dogs, and then used to prepare adult somatic soluble antigen（EgAS）. Serum samples from patients with cystic echinococcosis（369 cases）, alveolar echinococcosis（14 cases）, cysticercosis（20 cases）, schistosomiasis（50 cases）, paragonimiasis westermani（10 cases）, visceral leishmaniasis（5 cases）, and healthy individuals（366 cases） were examined for the antibodies against 5 native antigens with indirect ELISA. A ROC analysis was performed to determine a cut-off value for each native antigen.  Results  EgPS presented the highest AUCROC（0.958±0.067）, sensitivity（88.7%）, positive predictive value（0.96）, positive likelihood ratio（16.61）, diagnostic efficiency（91.7%）, and odds ratio（138.475）. The specificity of EgBu（96.1%） was the highest, followed by EgAgB（95.7%）, EgPS（94.7%）, EgAS（89.0%）, and EgHF（80.4%）. The Youden index was ranked in order of EgPS＞EgBu＞EgHF＞EgAS＞EgAgB. The antibody reactive intensity of EgBu-ELISA was highest（4.055±1.365） and the EgAS-ELISA was lowest（2.947±1.276）, and there was no significant difference between them（P＞0.05）. The five native antigens presented high cross-reactivity with sera from alveolar echinococcosis（9/14～12/14）and from cysticercosis（8/20～16/20）.  Conclusion  There are significant differences among the five native antigen-ELISA. The EgPS antigen has the best diagnostic performance , which is followed by EgBu and EgAgB.

Cloning，Expression and Identification of Der f 7 gene from Dermatophagoides farinae and its Immunological Characteristics

ZHENG Man-yin, WU Yu-lan, YAN Hao, JI Kun-mei, LIU Zhi-gang*

2013, 31(5):  7-363-366. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (3674KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To clone and express Der f 7 gene of Dermatophagoides farinae, and identify its immunogenicity.  Methods  Total RNA was extracted from D. farinae mites. A reference sequence （Accession No. AY283292） was used to design specific primers. The Der f 7 gene fragment was amplified by RT-PCR, and cloned into pET-32a vector. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21 （DE3） and induced with IPTG for protein expression. The recombinant protein was purified by Ni2+ chelating affinity chromatography and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.  Results  The Der f 7 gene fragment was about 650 bp, and shared 99% homology with the published one （Accession No. FJ436108）. SDS-PAGE result showed its relative molecular weight （Mr） of 23 000. The recombinant protein showed appropriate combination ability with IgE in sera of mite allergic patients.  Conclusion  Der f 7 gene has been expressed in prokaryotic expression system and shows allergenicity.

Capillaria hepatica Infection in Rodents from Anning Prefecture of Yunnan Province and Experimental Research on Host Animals

GUO Yan-mei1,2, HU Jun-jie2 *, YANG Yan-fen2, YANG Yan2, ZUO Wei-wei3, ZHOU Ben-jiang1

2013, 31(5):  8-367-371. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (6851KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To investigate the prevalence of Capillaria hepatica in rodents from Anning Prefecture， Yunnan, and observe the susceptibility of C. hepatica to SD rats and KM mice.  Methods  Rodents were trapped in a cultivated filed of Wenquan Town, Annning from March 2010 to March 2012. The species of rodents were identified. The liver was examined and a microscopic examination of tissue was performed by the tissue press technique for the presence of the typical bipolar eggs, adults or larval stages. The prevalence of C. hepatica in rodents was calculated. C. hepatica eggs were collected and cultured in vitro. Each SD rat or KM mouse was orally infected with approximately 1 000 C. hepatica eggs. The control groups with 4 SD rats or 4 KM mice received only normal saline. The experimental animals were euthanized at the 30th and 80th day post infection. Collected liver samples were processed for gross pathological and histological section examination.  Results  A total of 115 rodents were captured and examined. C. hepatica eggs were found in 26 （22.6%） rodents. There was no significant difference in the prevalence between female （22.5%, 18/80） and males （22.9%, 26/115）（P>0.05）. The highest prevalence was found in Rattus norvegicus （10/11）. Pathological findings showed numerous white-yellow small nodules ranged from 0.1-0.2 cm in diameter. Under light microscope, C. hepatica eggs were ovoid ［（50-65） μm×（25-30） μm］. At the 30th day post-infection, there were several adult worms and their eggs delimited by a fibrous capsule, and septal fibrosis formations occurred in the liver of SD rat. No worm or eggs were found in the mouse liver, but the liver presented inflammatory cell infiltration. At the 80th day post-infection, live worms disappeared from the focal lesions in the liver of SD rat, being replaced by partially calcified worm debris. Mature worms and eggs were seen in the KM mouse liver, however, septal fibrosis was absent.  Conclusion  This study has documented a high prevalence of C. hepaticum in R. norvegicus from Anning Prefecture. SD rat and KM mouse are the susceptible hosts of C. hepatica.

Cloning，Expression of TSO45W-4B Gene from Taenia solium and Preparation of Its Polyclonal Antibody

ZHOU Bi-ying1 *, ZHOU Ling2, LIU Mei-chen1, LIU Hui1, ZHANG Xi1

2013, 31(5):  9-372-375. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (3556KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

 Objective  To clone and express TSO45W-4B gene of Taenia solium, and prepare the rabbit antiserum against the recombinant protein TSO45W-4B.  Methods  The gene encoding TSO45W-4B antigen was synthesized and cloned into the expression vector pGEX-1λT. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli ArcticExpress（DE3）, and followed by the expression of the protein induced by IPTG. The recombinant protein was purified by GST affinity chromatography and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The rabbits were immunized with the purified recombinant protein. The titer of the antibody against TSO45W-4B was detected by ELISA. The specificity of anti-TSO45W-4B antibody was determined by Western blotting.  Results  It was demonstrated that TSO45W-4B gene （351 bp） was synthesized. The gene was inserted into pGEX-1λT and confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the relative molecular mass （Mr） of the expressed recombinant protein was approximately 40 000. The purity of the recombinant protein with an affinity chromatography column was about 90%. The titer of the antibody against TSO45W-4B was 1 ∶ 512 000. The recombinant protein reacted with the anti-TSO45W-4B antibody by Western blotting.  Conclusion  The TSO45W-4B gene of Taenia solium is efficiently expressed in E. coli. The recombinant protein TSO45W-4B and its rabbit antiserum are successfully prepared.

Survey on Clonorchis sinensis Infection and Bile Component of Gallstone Patients from the Pearl River Delta Region in Guangdong Province

LUO Xiao-bing, QIAO Tie*, MA Rui-hong, ZHENG Pei-ming, LUO Zhen-liang,

2013, 31(5):  10-376-381. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (4388KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To evaluate the prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis and bile components of gallstone patients from the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province.  Methods  From June 2011 to November 2012, 406 gallstone patients from the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province were enrolled in the study. Fecal specimens, bile and gallbladder stone samples were examined for the presence of C. sinensis eggs by the Kato-Katz method, centrifuged sediment smear microscopy, and triturated stone microscopy, respectively. The blood samples were detected for the antibody against C. sinensis by using colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay. Total calcium, ionized calcium, HCO3-, magnesium, pH, total bilirubin（TBIL）, total bile acid（TBA）, total cholesterol（CHO）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST）, gamma-glutamyltransferase （GGT）, alkaline phosphatase （ALP）, and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） were analyzed quantitatively in bile of gall bladder.  Results  The overall C. sinensis infection rate was 52.2% （212/406）. The proportion of males infected with C. sinensis was 64.7%（130/201）， higher than that of females (40.0%, 82/205）. The content of TBIL ［（1 458.0±681.0） μmol/L］, CHO ［（4.1±1.3） mmol/L］ and magnesium ［（4.8±1.8） mmol/L］ in the bile from the patients under 30 years old, tatal calcium ［（3.0±1.3） mmol/L］, ionized calcium［（1.5±0.7） mmol/L］, TBA ［（114.6±54.5） mmol/L］, CHO ［（5.1±1.7） mmol/L］, TBIL ［（1 396.0±615.0） μmol/L］, GGT ［（1 562.0±583.0） U/L］ and ALP ［（263.0±94.0） U/L］ in 31-40 years-old, or CHO ［（5.4±2.2） mmol/L］ in 41-50 years-old in egg-positive group was lower than that of the corresponding negative groups ［（2 759.0±969.0） μmol/L, （7.5±2.5）, （7.5±2.2）, （3.8±1.6）, （1.9±1.0）, （144.1±63.4）, and （9.9±2.5） mmol/L, （1 892.0±584.0） μmol/L, （2 457.0±988.0） and （535.0±196.0） U/L, and （7.9±2.3） mmol/L］, respectively （P<0.05）. While, the content of HCO3- ［（22.7±5.1） mmol/L］, pH （7.6±0.4） in 31-40 years-old group and pH （7.6±0.4） in the patients aged above 50 years-old was higher than that of the negatives ［（17.3±6.9） mmol/L, 7.4±0.2, and 7.5±0.3］ （P<0.05）.  Conclusion  In the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province, C. sinensis prevalence is high in the gallstone patients. There are differences in bile components between C. sinensis-infected and non-infected patients.

Serum Level of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Patients with Clonorchiasis and its Impact on Liver Function

CAI Lian-shun1 *，WANG Shu-qing2，LUO Lan3，DAI Yue1，ZHU Li-ling4，BI Sheng3，CHE Shi-wei1

2013, 31(5):  11-382-384. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (4388KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To investigate the serum level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1（ICAM-1） in patients with clonorchiasis, and the relationship between ICAM-1 and liver function.  Methods  Fifty untreated clonorchiasis patients and 20 normal controls were subjected in the present study. Plasma levels of total bilirubin（TBIL）, albumin （ALB） and alanine aminotransferase（ALT） were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer. The patients were divided into three experiment groups（Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ） by Child-Pugh classification. Serum level of sICAM-1 was determined by double-antibody sandwich ELISA. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect the content of interleukin-4（IL-4）, interleukin-6（IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） in serum. LAL tripeptide substrate staining quantitative method was used to detect the level of bacterial lipopolysaccharide（LPS） in plasma.  Results  The level of sICAM-1, LPS, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, TBIL, and ALT ［（729.34±75.67） μg/ml, （0.18±0.08） Eu/ml, （3.46±0.38） ng/ml, （223.48±46.90） pg/ml, （1.39±0.62） ng/ml, （15.45±10.81） μmol/L, and （39.25±8.82）IU/L, respectively］ in serum or plasma of clonorchiasis patients were significantly higher than that of the control group ［（269.15±38.21） μg/ml, （0.07±0.03） Eu/ml, （0.74±0.22） ng/ml, （106.06±32.96） pg/ml, （0.56±0.14） ng/ml, （6.31±4.70） μmol/L, （18.43±9.81） IU/L］（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Plasma level of ALB［（28.35±5.38） g/L］ was significantly lower than that of the control ［（39.43±7.91） g/L］（P＜0.05）. Correlation test showed that the sICAM-1 level in patients’ sera was positively correlated with TBIL， ALT, and LPS（r=0.662, 0.514, 0.499， P＜0.01）， while negatively correlated with ALB（r=-0.423， P<0.01）. IL-4 level did not correlate with liver function parameters（P>0.05）. According to the Child-Pugh classification, the more serious the liver function damaged, the higher level of  sICAM-1, LPS, IL-6 and TNF-α in the experiment groups. Significant differences were found between groups Ⅲ and Ⅰ（P<0.01）.  Conclusion  Higher serum levels of sICAM-1, LPS, IL-6, and TNF-α in patients with clonorchiasis take part in the process of liver injury induced by Clonorchis sinensis.

Pidotimod Inhibits Activation of Latent Toxoplasma gondii Infection Induced by Dexamethasone in Mice

WANG Wei-wei, HUO Xing-xing, KONG Lan-ting, ZHANG Qian, CHEN He, LI Min, SHEN Ji-long*

2013, 31(5):  12-385-389. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (5287KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

 Objective  To study the inhibition effect of pidotimod (PT) on dexamethasone (Dem)-induced reactivated toxoplasmosis in mice.  Methods  A total of 96 female BALB/C mice were infected orally with 30 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii TgCtwh6 strain(genotype Chinese 1).  4 weeks later the mice were divided into three groups(A, B, and C). Mice of group A(Dem+NS) were given Dem[6 mg/(kg·d)]intraperitoneally and 200 μl normal saline given orally. Mice of group B(Dem+PT) were orally given pidotimod [100 mg/（kg·d）] and intraperitoneally injected with Dem [6 mg/(kg·d)] simultaneously. Each mouse in group C received 200 μl normal saline intraperitoneally. The mice were injected and given by gavage for 5 weeks. After treatment, three mice in each group were scarified weekly, and the survival time of the mice was recorded in days. Brain parasite burden and T. gondii DNA copies in serum were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. T cell subsets, cytokine profiles in each group were analyzed by flow cytometry, and CBA kit, respectively.  Results  On the second week after Dem administration, parasitemia appeared in group A; in 5 weeks 50% mice had parasitemia again, and 17 mice died. Comparatively, in group B parasitemia appeared on the third week after PT and Dem administration, in 5 weeks 25% mice had parasitemia again, and 7 mice died. Parasitemia did not appear in Group C. On the 21st day after Dem administration, T. gondii DNA copies in brain tissues of group A was(209±12)×109, significantly higher than(62±10)×109 in group B treated with PT (n=3, P<0.01). Flow cytometry test showed that on the 21st day after Dem administration, the proportions of Th1, Th2 and Treg cells in groups A and B were (4.0±1.5)% and (6.1±1.0)%, (0.6±0.1)% and (0.5±0.2)%, and (5.0±0.9)% and (7.0±1.2)%, respectively. There was siginificant difference in the percentages of Th1 and Treg between group B and A (P<0.01). The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α in group A were (2.2±0.7) pg/ml and (20.1±5.0) pg/ml, respectively, lower than that of group B [(3.6±0.6) pg/ml and(32.0±8.0) pg/ml] (P<0.01). No statistical significance was found in the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 between group A[(2.6±0.4) pg/ml, (39.0±6.0) pg/ml] and group B [(2.7±0.7) pg/ml, (40.0±8.0) pg/ml] (P>0.05).  Conclusion  Pidotimod can inhibit activation of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection induced by dexamethasone in mice. Th1 and Treg cells may contribute to the pidotimod/dexamethasone-induced immunoregulation.

Evaluation of Health Education in Primary School Students from Schistosomiasis-Endemic Areas around Poyang Lake by KAP Hierarchical Evaluation Method

ZHU Jing1,3, ZHAO An1,2 *, WANG Li-wei4, ZHANG Wen-xin1, HUANG Chao-qing1, TANG Qi-qiang1

2013, 31(5):  13-390-394. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (4455KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To quantitatively evaluate the intervention effect of schistosomiasis health education on the knowledge, attitude and behavior（KAP） among the primary school students.  Methods  A questionnaire was designed to collect baseline data. Questionnairing was conducted among students of grades 3 and 4 from the Central Primary School, Liyuzhou Primary School, and Meichi Primary School in Wuxing Farm of Nanchang City in June 2010. Eighty-four students from Central Primary School were selected as experiment group, and 62 students in the other two schools served as control group. Health education intervention（knowledge lectures, information dissemination, intensive education and so on） was conducted for the students in experiment group from September 2010 to October 2011. Final KAP questionnaire survey was carried out after intervention. A KAP hierarchical evaluation method was used to calculate the KAP scores in the two groups before and after intervention.  Results  After health education, the total KAP score in experiment group increased from 8.40 before education to 9.36（t=2.994 4, P<0.01）,  higher than that of the control （8.53, t=5.335 5, P<0.01）. The scores of knowledge, attitude and behavior of schistosomiasis control increased from 6.16, 9.10, and 8.67 before education to 8.12, 9.86, and 9.45 after education in experiment group（t=5.716 8， P<0.01; t=3.2764， P<0.01; t=3.276 4， P<0.01）, respectively. Compared to the experiment group, after health education the scores of knowledge（6.34, t=3.517 5, P<0.01） and attitude of schistosomiasis control（9.43, t=2.311 9, P<0.05） were lower in control group; but no significant difference was found on the score of behavior between the two groups. After health education, the scores of 26 indices in experiment group were higher than that of the control and before education.  Conclusion  The health education intervention is effective for schistosomiasis control in the experiment school.

Geographical Distribution of Chigger Mites on Rattus flavipectus in Yunnan Province

ZHU Qiong-rui, GUO Xian-guo*, HUANG Hui, DONG Wen-ge, ZHAO Nan

2013, 31(5):  14-395-399. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (4696KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Objective  To investigate species composition of chigger mites on Rattus flavipectus in different zoogeographical subregion of Yunnan Province.  Methods  The field investigation was carried out in 25 counties of Yunnan Province during 2001-2012. Some conventional statistical methods were adopted to calculate the species of collected chigger mites, constituent ratio （Dr）, mite infestation rate （RM）, mean abundance （MA）, mean intensity　（MI）, species richness （S） and species diversity index （H′） of chigger mites in five zoogeographical subregions. The hierarchical cluster analysis was used to compare the similarity of chigger mite communities on the rats in the subregions.  Results  A total of 2 118 R. flavipectus were captured. 11 040 individuals of chigger mites were identified as 3 subfamilies, 17 genera and 114 species. The overall RM, MA and MI of chigger mites were 19.6%（416/2 118）， 5.2 mites per examined rat and 26.5 mites per infested rat, respectively. The species richness, species composition and dominant species of chigger mites on R. flavipectus were not identical among the subregions. The RM（28.9%， 179/620）, MA（10.6） and MI（36.6） of chigger mites in the mountainous subregion of southern Yunnan were the highest among the five subregions. There was a significantly linear positive correlation between the number of R. flavipectus and the species of chigger mites （r=0.942, P＜0.05）. The similarity of chigger mite communities between plateau subregion of western Yunnan and mountainous subregion of southern Yunnan was the highest, and the dominant species of chigger mites was Leptotrombidium deliense. The main dominant species of chigger mites in middle subregion and southern subregion of Hengduan Mountains, and eastern plateau subregion of Yunnan were Ascoschoengastia indica and Schoengastiella ligula. 　Conclusion  The infestation of chigger mites on R. flavipectus is common with a high species diversity. The composition of chigger mite community in different geographical subregions is siginificantly different.

The Role of Transforming Growth Factor β1 RⅡ and Interleukin 13 Rα2 in Schistosomiasis-induced Hepatic Fibrosis

ZHOU Chao-qun1，WANG Yong-yang1，WANG Xue-long 2 *

2013, 31(5):  15-400-405. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (5957KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis results from excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components which are produced from the activated hepatic stellate cells in liver. Cytokine network disorder is the essential cause of the development of schistosomiasis liver fibrosis. Transforming growth factor β1（TGF-β1） and interleukin 13 （IL-13）  promote fibrosis through hepatic stellate cell membrane-specific receptor. This paper reviews the effects of TGF-β1 type Ⅱ（TGF-β1 RⅡ） receptor and IL-13 receptor α2（IL-13 Rα2）on hepatic fibrosis．

Research Progress on Cathepsin F of Parasitic Helminths

QU Zi-gang，FU Bao-quan*

2013, 31(5):  16-406-409. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (4528KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Cathepsin F is an important member of papain-like subfamily in cysteine protease family. Cathepsin F of helminth parasites can hydrolyze the specific substrate, degrade host protein such as hemoglobin for nutrition, and be involved in invasion into host tissue. Therefore, cathepsin F serves as a potential target for parasitic disease immunodiagnosis, vaccine design and anti-parasite drug screening. This article reviews the structural characteristics and mechanisms of cathepsin F, and research advances on cathepsin F of parasitic helminths.

Investigation of Pinworm Infection among Kindergarten Children in Jurong City，Jiangsu Province

JIANG Cheng-gong, LI Shui-ming

2013, 31(5):  17-355-356. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (1798KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

In order to understand pinworm infection of kindergarten children in Jurong City, Jiangsu Province, a total of 1 088 children were sampled for the survey from September 2011 to October 2012. The cellophane tape swab technique was used to examine pinworm eggs. The infection rate of pinworm was 1.1% （12/1 088）. The rate in boys and grils was 1.3% （7/551） and 0.9% （5/537）, respectively. Higher infection rate was in the senior class （1.4%，5/370）, and no significant difference was found with gender, as well as among different classes （P＞0.05）. Evidently, pinworm prevalence is at a low level in the kindergarten children of Jurong.

Diagnosis and Analysis of the First Imported Ovale Malaria Case in Wenzhou City

ZHANG Xiao-he1，NI Qing-xiang1，CHEN Yi1，YAO Li-nong2，LU Qiao-yi2，

2013, 31(5):  18-380-381. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (1892KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

 The first imported case of Plasmodium ovale infection in Wenzhou City was confirmed by microscopy and PCR test. The patient returned from the People′s Republic of Congo to Wenzhou for three and a half months presented a history of fever with chills and rigors on April 30, 2012. The results from peripheral blood smear examination and PCR analysis comfirmed a diagnosis of P. ovale infection. The patient was treated with chloroquine plus primaquine for eight days and the symptoms improved.

Genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii Isolates from HIV Positive Patients in Yunnan Province

NIE Da-ping1，2，JIA Yu-xi1，CHEN Ling-juan1，YOU Ying-xia1，LI Wei1，SHEN Li-jie3 *

2013, 31(5):  19-410-411. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (2136KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

 One hundred and fifty serum samples of HIV positive patients were collected in western Yunnan Province from September 2011 to December 2012. Toxoplasma gondii B1 gene was amplified by nested PCR. Genotyping of T. gondii isolates were performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism（RFLP） with Pm1Ⅰ and XhoⅠ. 13 samples were found positive with the B1 gene （530 bp） amplification and belonged to type Ⅰ. The sequencing results showed that 4 T. gondii B1 gene positive samples were identical, with 3 nucleotide variation compared with T. gondii strain RH （type Ⅰ） B1 gene （GenBank No. AF179871）, and in the other sample a “G→A” mutation at 230 bp was detected. The results indicated that the genotype of Toxoplasma gondii in HIV positive patients in Yunnan Province is type Ⅰ.

Epidemiological Analysis of Imported Malaria in Guangzhou from 2008 to 2012

LIU Xiao-ning, REN Wen-feng, ZHONG Fei, ZHANG Hao, XU Cong-hui, CHEN Shou-yi

2013, 31(5):  20-412. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (287KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

The epidemiological features of 298 imported malaria cases during 2008-2012 in Guangzhou were analyzed. Among the cases, 169（56.7%） were falciparum malaria, 106 （35.6%） were vivax malaria, and 23 （7.7%） were unidentified. The proportion of falciparum malaria cases was raising gradually in the last 5 years. Most of the cases were infected in malaria endemic regions of Africa and South-East Asia. Among them, 160（53.7%） were business services, 78 （26.2%） were export laborers, 20 （6.7%） were peasants, and 18 （6.0%） were others.