Taenia solium is a zoonotic helminth which is thought to be one of the leading causes of acquired epilepsy in the developing world. T. solium cysticercosis infections in pigs and humans and human taeniasis were diagnosed using antigen-capture ELISAs. The parasite was found to be endemic in the study site, with cysticercosis being detected by HP10 Ag-ELISA in 6.6% of human samples (95% C.I. 5.6-7.8%) and 17.2% (95% C.I. 10.2-26.4%) of porcine samples. Human taeniasis was detected by Copro-Ag ELISA in 19.9% (95% C.I. 18.2-21.8%) of faecal samples. The study site was found to be co-endemic with a large selection of other neglected tropical diseases, including soil transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis and amoebiasis. Potential control measures for this parasite have been modeled and the exclusion of infective pork from the food chain through the use of a pre-slaughter test for pig farmers, traders and slaughtermen was found to have the potential to avoid 72.6% (95% C.I. 62.1-80.9%) of infective meals consumed in the area at an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $0.25 (0.2-0.35). Such a diagnostic tool is currently under development and its performance was evaluated as part of this thesis. The novel, user-friendly lateral flow assay, utilising the HP10 monoclonal antibody, was evaluated using a Bayesian framework and was estimated to perform with a Sensitivity of 82.7% (95% B.C.I. 72.5-91.9%) and Specificity of 87% (95% B.C.I. 80.2-93.4), results which demonstrate the potential utility of this test in epidemiological studies and in control strategies. Free-ranging pig production has been previously demonstrated to be a key risk factor for porcine cysticercosis and is commonly practised in this study region. A study carried out as part of this thesis found that these pigs have a home range of 15,085m2 which is almost 10 times the average area of a homested. This work indicates that pigs can be exposed to infective eggs from any human T. solium carriers within that homerange area, greatly assisting transmission of this parasite. Western Kenya is a severely deprived region where pig production is becoming hugely popular and is seen as a major tool for economic development, yet the data presented in this thesis indicates an area with endemic status for the harmful parasite T. solium, for which effective control strategies are desperately required.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la transmisión de anticuerpos maternos de cerdas inmunizadas con el antígeno Tsol18 expresado en la pichia pastoris (vacuna Tsol18 IIL) hacia sus lechones y la persistencia de estos anticuerpos contra la oncósfera de la Taenia solium. Para este trabajo se usaron 50 lechones que fueron divididos en 4 grupos. Los grupos 1, 2 y 3 con 11, 12 y 11 lechones que procedían de cerdas inmunizadas con dos dosis de la vacuna Tsol18 IIL a las 6 y 2 semanas antes del parto. El grupo 4 con 16 lechones que procedían de cerdas no inmunizadas. La inmunización de las crías fue con la misma vacuna que recibió la madre. El grupo 1 fue vacunado da los 8 y 12 semanas, el grupo 2 fue vacunado a los 12 y 16 semanas, el grupo 3 y grupo 4 fueron los controles. Las muestras de sangre fueron tomadas a las 2, 8, 12, 16 y 20 semanas de edad de la cual se obtuvieron los sueros que fueron evaluados con la prueba de ELISA indirecta estandarizada con el antígeno Tsol18. El valor de la densidad óptica (DO) representan los niveles de anti-Tsol18 en el suero de los cerdos, que posteriormente este valor fue expresado en función al porcentaje de positividad para evaluar los niveles de anticuerpos. Al inicio del estudio, Los lechones procedentes de cerdas inmunizadas poseen niveles altos de anticuerpos maternos IgG, cuando pasaron las semanas, estos anticuerpos descendieron debido a los procesos metabólicos normales del animal, se comparó la diferencia en el incremento en los niveles de anticuerpos entre el grupo 1 y 2, obteniendo como resultado que entre la semana 8 y 12 permanecen los anticuerpos maternos, pero en niveles bajos con la capacidad de interferir en el efecto de la vacuna con el antígeno Tsol18. Palabras claves: Taenia solium, Cysticercus cellulosae, Tsol 18 IIL, inmunidad materna, Anticuerpos Maternos, ELISA. / --- The aim of this study was to determine maternal antibodies transmission from Tsol18 immunized with antigen expressed in Pichia pastoris (vaccine Tsol18 IIL) sows to piglets and the persistence of these antibodies in piglets against oncosphere of Taenia solium. To do this study it was necessary to use fifty piglets with two doses of the vaccine Tsol18 IIL at 6 and 2 weeks before birth, which were divided into 4 groups. Group 1, 2 and 3 containing 11, 12 and 11 piglets respectively came from vaccinated sows. Group 4 containing 16 piglets came from unvaccinated sows. The first group was vaccinated at 8 and 12 weeks old, the group 2 at 12 and 16 weeks and group 3 and 4 were control groups. Blood samples were taken at 2, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks old. Were obtained serums that were assessed with standardized indirect ELISA with antigen Tsol18The results were expressed according to the percentage of positive individuals, The value of antibody titers were expressed according to the percentage of positive which was obtained from the optical density (OD) of each serum sample between the OD of a standard positive control. At the beginning of the study, piglets from immunized sows had high levels of maternal antibodies Ig G. As the weeks passed, these antibodies were decreasing due to normal metabolic process. comparing the difference in the increase in antibody levels between groups 1 and 2, the result being that between week 8 and 12 remain maternal antibodies, but at low levels, with the ability to interfere with the effect of vaccination with antigen Tsol18. Keywords: Taenia solium, Cysticercus cellulosae, Tsol 18 IIL, maternal immunity, maternal antibodies, ELISA. / Tesis

Thesis (doctoral)--Rijksuniversiteit te Utrecht, 1980. / Dutch summary. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic disease caused by the larva of the zoonotic cestode Taenia solium. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the distribution of presenting clinical manifestations of NCC, to evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics of NCC patients, to compare quality of life of individuals diagnosed with NCC with an age and sex matched control population and to estimate the non-monetary burden of NCC in Mexico. In order to accomplish these objectives, a case series of NCC patients was conducted in two neurology referral hospitals in Mexico City, Mexico during 2007-2008. Information on clinical manifestations associated with NCC was obtained via medical chart reviews of NCC patients. Information on socio-demographic characteristics of NCC patients was obtained through the administration of questionnaires. In addition, a cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the quality of life of NCC patients to an age and sex matched control population using the short form 12 v2 (SF-12 v2) survey. Non-monetary burden of NCC in Mexico was estimated using disability adjusted life years (DALYs), incorporating morbidity due to both NCC-associated epilepsy and severe headache and mortality due to NCC-associated epilepsy. NCC patients presented to the neurology referral hospitals with numerous clinical manifestations, with severe headache and epilepsy being the most common. Lack of knowledge of T. solium transmission was common among NCC patients, with 25 percent of patients not knowledgeable about tapeworm infections in humans. Of those that were aware that tapeworm infections do occur, 57 percent were not aware of how the worms were transmitted to humans. The SF-12 v2 general health survey showed that individuals with NCC had a significantly lower score for all eight domains of health evaluated (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, vitality, general health, social functioning, role emotional and mental health) compared with the age and sex matched population from the same region (p< 0.05). The mean total number of DALYs lost due to NCC in Mexico was estimated to be 99,866 (95 percent CR: 43,187 –189,182), with a mean of 0.95 (95 percent CR: 0.4–1.8) DALYs lost per thousand persons per year.

Taenia solium is a cestode that has a two-hosts life cycle. The adult tapeworm causes an asymptomatic disease known as taeniasis whereas the larval stage causes a disease called cysticercosis. In humans, the most common localization for the larvae is the central nervous system where it produces the neurological disorder neurocysticerco-sis. Previous works by several research groups around the world have shown that T. so-lium is a potentially eradicable parasite. Control programs have included treatment of human and pig populations with antihelmintics in conjunction with health education and are now considering vaccination of naïve piglets. The potential of a live vector vaccine system to deliver Taenia solium Tsol18, a proven protective antigen, to prevent transmission of cysticercosis was investigated. An attenuated strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium χ9402 was used to develop an oral delivery system. Tsol18 gene was cloned downstream from the β-lactamase signal sequence in a multicopy asd + plasmid vector pYA3620 to yield plasmid pYA3620/Tsol18 and then transformed into the vaccine strain. The recombinant atte-nuated salmonella vaccine construct was stable for 50 generations and expressed rTsol18. Immunization of mice either with one or two doses of 109 CFU of the recombi-nant vaccine strain carrying plasmid pYA3620/Tsol18 elicited specific antibody response to Salmonella self antigens and to rTsol18. Moreover, oral immunization of piglets with 1012 CFU of the vaccine construction significantly reduced the numbers of viable cysts after challenged. The development of a quantitative assay to detect specific antibodies against Tsol18 is also presented here. The Falcon assay screening test –enzyme linked immu-noabsorbant assay (FAST-ELISA) format was used to develop a quantitative antibody detection assay. We have cloned, expressed and purified rTsol18. With purified porcine IgGs we constructed a standard curve that can be used to quantify the immune re-sponse. Our Fast-ELISA was able to follow the kinetics of the immune response in vac-cinated pigs from an experimental trial. The data we present here provides the basis for a safe, affordable and easy vaccine delivery system that can be used as an adjunct in control programs.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Tropical Medicine))--Mahidol University, 2003.

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are the most abundant and widely-distributed wild felid species in North America. The current increase of population densities of bobcats raises concerns about their importance as reservoirs of pathogens and parasites that may affect the wildlife community. Although many parasites found in bobcats also infect other wild and domestic animals, knowledge of bobcat parasites and potential impacts on other species has received relatively little attention. My objectives were to determine the endoparasite species present in Illinois bobcats, compare them to previous records in the United States, and predict their potential presence in southern Illinois using the program MAXENT. To complete these goals, necropsies were performed on 67 road-killed or trapped bobcats collected during 2003-12. I found infections caused by cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes including Taenia rileyi (70.1%), Toxocara cati (25.3%), and Alaria marcianae (41.7%). The highest mean abundance was found for Alaria marcianae (81) followed by Taenia rileyi (4) and Toxocara cati (3). Alaria marcianae had the highest intensity (193) with a range of 1-2,872. The comparison of parasite communities across 10 geographic locations using Jaccard's similarity index showed low similarity among all regions with the most similar community between Nebraska and Texas (0.53) and Arkansas being the most similar to southern Illinois (0.74). Parasite presence data were then used with environmental data layers of water, soil, land cover, human density, and climate variables in MAXENT to create maps of potential presence of 3 parasite species in a 46,436-km2 portion of southern Illinois. Precipitation of seasonality, the change of average rainfall seasonally, and average precipitation were the highest contributing variables used by MAXENT when creating probability maps of Taenia rileyi (55.1%) and Alaria marcianae (58.4%). For Toxocara cati land cover (40.6%) and soil (27.6%) were the highest contributing variables. With the addition of a sampling bias layer (i.e., bobcat presence) all climatic variables were low contributors (0.0-2.0%) while land cover remained important for Alaria marcianae (7.6%) and Toxocara cati (6.3%); human density (4.8%) was of secondary importance for Taenia rileyi after including the bias layer. Variables of importance likely represent habitat requirements necessary for the completion of parasite life cycles. Larger areas of potential presence were found for generalist parasites such as Taenia rileyi (85%) while potential presence was less likely for parasites with complex life cycles such as Alaria marcianae (73%). My study provides information to wildlife biologists and health officials regarding the potential impacts of growing bobcat populations in combination with complex and changing environmental factors.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T16:53:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-12-05Bitstream added on 2015-05-14T16:59:06Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000826915_20151206.pdf: 375653 bytes, checksum: adf2f78838ae81a4890f0a8019e9a279 (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2015-12-07T09:44:40Z: 000826915_20151206.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-12-07T09:45:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000826915.pdf: 1970838 bytes, checksum: 21816dd741b5f8f0d7c95dc3e252725a (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Rede Nanobiotec / A cisticercose bovina é uma zoonose cosmopolita e presente nos rebanhos bovinos de corte no Brasil, que ocorre em países em desenvolvimento, onde a infraestrutura sanitária inadequada e as más práticas na criação de gado permitem a contaminação de pastagem e água com fezes humanas contendo ovos do parasita. Os prejuízos financeiros decorrem da condenação ou tratamento (salga ou da congelação) das carcaças infectadas, dependendo da intensidade da infecção. O diagnóstico da cisticercose bovina é realizado durante o abate, pela inspeção das carcaças e realização de cortes em locais de predileção do parasita como a língua, masseter, coração e diafragma. Assim, a fim de promover o diagnóstico ante-mortem e permitir o tratamento adequado de animais infectados, muitos estudos foram realizados utilizando-se técnicas de detecção de anticorpos ou antígenos em amostras de soro bovino. O teste ELISA baseado em anticorpos monoclonais (MAbs) para a detecção de antígeno circulante (Ag-ELISA) tem sido estudado, mas apresenta baixa sensibilidade em animais com infecção leve, e permite a sua realização apenas em laboratórios bem equipados. O uso de biossensores em medicina tem crescido nos últimos anos, permitindo a detecção e quantificação de metabólitos, bem como o uso de diversos biopolímeros como matriz de imobilização como quitosana e fibroína da seda. Imunossensores são biossensores cuja resposta bioquímica relaciona-se à interação antígeno-anticorpo, que podem ser utilizados para detectar anticorpos ou antígenos, tendo sido utilizados no diagnóstico de enfermidades. Nesta pesquisa, desenvolveu-se o primeiro imunossensor para o diagnóstico da cisticercose bovina, com filmes produzidos camada por camada (LbL) contendo um MAb dirigido contra antígeno bruto de metacestódeos de T. saginata (TAEB) e fibroína de seda (SF), imobilizados, que mostrou-se promissor ... / Bovine cysticercosis is a cosmopolitan zoonosis and very widespread in the Brazilian beef cattle. Cysticercosis usually occurs in developing countries, where poor sanitation and bad raising cattle practices allows the contamination of the pasture and water with human feces containing eggs. The financial losses are due to condemnation or treatment (salting or freezing) of infected carcasses, depending on the intensity of infection. Diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis is routinely done during slaughter by meat inspection of carcasses and incisions in predicted sites of muscles such as tongue, masseter, heart and diaphragm. Thus, in order to promote the ante-mortem diagnosis and allow appropriate treatment of infected animals, many studies have been performed using techniques to detect antibodies or antigens in bovine serum. ELISA using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for the detection of circulating antigen (Ag-ELISA) has been studied, but presents low sensitivity in animals with low parasite burden, and allows its realization only in well-equipped laboratories. The use of biosensors in medicine has grown in recent years, allowing detection and quantification of numerous metabolites, such as immobilization matrix having the most diverse biopolymers such as chitosan and silk fibroin. Immunosensors are biosensors which biochemical response is related to antigen-antibody interaction and can be used to detect antibodies or antigens, and has been tested for diseases diagnosis. In this research, we developed the first immunosensor for bovine cysticercosis diagnosis, produced with layer-by-layer (LbL) films containing a monoclonal antibody against crude Taenia saginata metacestode antigens (TAEB) and silk fibroin (SF) immobilized. Immunosensor showed to be a promising tool for further application in the ante-mortem bovine cysticercosis diagnosis

Made available in DSpace on 2014-11-10T11:09:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-02-12Bitstream added on 2014-11-10T11:57:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000790988.pdf: 3864323 bytes, checksum: 0d9d5a2b5347d82bb1f6537f75882016 (MD5) / Objetivou-se determinar os fatores epidemiológicos envolvidos com a ocorrência da cisticercose em propriedades fornecedoras de bovinos para um abatedouro-frigorífico exportador do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, verificar o cumprimento quanto à adoção das Boas Práticas Agropecuárias (BPA) pelas propriedades aptas a exportação de carne bovina à União Europeia e realizar a estimativa de perda econômica aos pecuaristas devido às penalizações impostas pela indústria. Para isso, foram utilizados dados do Sistema de Inspeção Federal (SIF) de ocorrência da enfermidade, de acordo com origem da propriedade fornecedora durante o ano de 2012, avaliados estatisticamente pelos métodos do qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher. Também foram elaborados mapas epidemiológicos da ocorrência da enfermidade em 106 propriedades através do Software Google Earth®. Ainda, através de um estudo do tipo caso-controle com aplicação de questionários em 48 propriedades, foram determinados os fatores de risco através da odds-ratio e seus limites, testados estatisticamente pelo teste exato de Fisher a 5% de significância. Determinou-se frequência de cisticercose em 2,26% entre o total de 190.903 bovinos abatidos, dos quais 34,54% dos cisticercos se apresentavam vivos. Foi estimada uma perda econômica de 709.533,00 reais aos pecuaristas. Observou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os animais oriundos dos Estados de São Paulo (2,92%), Minas Gerais (1,81%), Goiás (0,71%) e Mato Grosso do Sul (1,11%). Pode-se determinar que os animais eram oriundos de 164 municípios e 556 propriedades, dos quais 81,71% (134/164) e 58,45% (325/556) respectivamente, registraram a enfermidade, demonstrando a ampla dispersão dessa zoonose. As propriedades habilitadas à exportação para a União Europeia apresentaram menor ocorrência com diferença estatística comparativamente àquelas não habilitadas ... / This study aimed to determine the epidemiological factors involved with the cysticercosis occurrence in cattle farms suppliers to an exporter slaughterhouse, located in São Paulo State, Brazil, check the enforcement of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) adoption by the farms authorized to export for European Union and estimate the economic losses by the farmers due industries penalization. Was utilized data of the disease occurrence, from Federal Inspection Service (SIF) by the origin of the supplier farm during 2012, tested statistically by Chi Square Method or Fisher’s exact test. Was elaborated epidemiological maps of the disease occurrence in 106 farms by the Software Google Earth®. Also, by a case-control study with questionnaires interviews in 48 farms, was determined the epidemiological factors by the odds-ratio and corresponding limits, tested statistically by Fisher’s exact test at 5% significance. Was determined the cysticercosis frequency of 2.26% among the 190.903 bovines slaughtered in the period, which 34.54% were live. The economical lost estimated was 709.533,00 reals to the farmers at the study period. Significant statistical difference was observed among the animals from São Paulo (2.92%), Minas Gerais (1.81%), Goiás (0.71%) e Mato Grosso do Sul (1.11%) States. Could be determined that the animals were from 164 county and 556 farms, which 81.71% (134/64) and 58.45% (325/556) respectively, registered the disease, demonstrating the cysticercosis wide dispersion. The European Union apt farms evidenced fewer occurrence with statistical difference comparatively to those inapt to this market, demonstrating that prophylactic measures are better implanted. Through epidemiological maps was observed a farm with high occurrence concentration next the Represa de Promissão (Rio Tietê), Represa de Água Vermelha (Rio Grande) e Represa de Itumbiara (Rio Paranaíba), regions known ...

Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T13:40:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-11-04. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-09-27T13:45:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000870647.pdf: 1368263 bytes, checksum: dbbed6b733deb8dc0c8f5c1073fd25c8 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Taenia saginata representa uma ameaça à segurança alimentar e à saúde pública devido à infecção pela ingestão de carne mal cozida e contaminada. Esta zoonose está amplamente distribuída, afetando humanos, os hospedeiros definitivos, e bovinos, hospedeiros intermediários. Além disto, a cisticercose bovina é responsável por perdas econômicas significativas devido à condenação de carcaças infectadas. A estratégia fundamental para o controle do complexo teníase-cisticercose consiste em interromper o ciclo evolutivo do parasita, evitando assim a infecção nos animais e no homem. Assim, a principal medida praticada no Brasil tem sido a inspeção de carcaças durante o abate, a qual é também a forma mais comum de diagnóstico. A insuficiente informação molecular de T. saginata tem dificultado o avanço das pesquisas para o aprimoramento de testes diagnósticos, o desenvolvimento de vacinas e a identificação de novas drogas para tratamento. Com o intuito de adquirir informação sobre o estágio de desenvolvimento metacestóide do parasita, foi utilizada a tecnologia de RNAseq para a montagem do transcriptoma de metacestóide de T. saginata. Estes dados serão úteis para estudos futuros envolvendo triagem para diagnóstico e marcadores imunoprofiláticos para a cisticercose bovina / Taenia saginata represents a threat to food security and public health in consequence of human infection by ingestion of contaminated undercooked meat. This zoonosis is worldwide distributed, affecting human, definitive host, and bovine, intermediate host. Besides, bovine cysticercosis is responsible for significant economic losses due to the condemnation of infected carcasses. The main strategy to control taeniasis-cysticercosis complex consists of interrupting the parasite's biological cycle, thus preventing human and animal infection. Therefore, in Brasil the main control measure has been the carcass inspection during the slaughter, which is also the most common diagnostic practice. Insufficient T. saginata molecular information makes difficult consistent advances to the improvement of diagnostic tests, vaccine development and the identification of new drugs for treatment. In order to gain insights about the parasite's metacestode developmental stage, RNAseq technology was used to assemble the whole transcriptome of a T. saginata metacestode. These data will also be useful for the next generation screening studies of diagnostic and immunoprophylatic markers for bovine cysticercosis