81 research outputs found
Rapid label-free analysis of Opisthorchis viverrini eggs in fecal specimens using confocal Raman spectroscopy.
No full textOpisthorchis viverrini, a human liver fluke, is highly prevalent in Southeast Asia. Definitive diagnosis of infection is usually achieved parasitologically through the discovery of fluke eggs in feces. However, the eggs of O. viverrini are difficult to differentiate morphologically from those of other minute intestinal flukes in fecal samples, even for experienced technicians. The present study developed a label-free optical methodology for analysis of O. viverrini eggs using Raman spectroscopy. Raman features of O. viverrini eggs were reported that can be used as marker bands for the efficient analysis of O. viverrini eggs in fecal specimens. The methodology presented here allows for the rapid detection of O. viverrini egg infection and can be readily and practicably applied in any clinical setting, even those in which a trained parasitologist is not available
Human liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini (Trematoda, Opisthorchiidae) in Central Myanmar: New records of adults and metacercariae identified by morphology and molecular analysis
No full textHigh prevalence of anti-Strongyloides antibody in SARS-CoV-2-infected human sera in a Thai hospital: Rapid serological screening
No full textCOVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can stimulate a systemic inflammatory response with severe lung involvement, multisystem dysfunction, and death in some cases. Immunosuppressive treatments have been proposed for management of COVID-19 patients, but these bring the risk of flare-up of pre-existing infections. Strongyloidiasis can become severe or fatal in immunocompromised individuals. This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of anti-Strongyloides IgG antibody in sera collected from SARS-CoV-2 infected persons in a tertiary-care Thai hospital from January 2021 to January 2022. The survey was conducted using a rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) kit based on a recombinant antigen of Strongyloides stercoralis known to be IgG-immunoreactive. High prevalence of anti-Strongyloides IgG antibody was found. Out of 297 SARS-CoV-2-infected patients 117 (39.4 %, 95 % CI 33.8–45.2 %) were positive for S. stercoralis according to the ICT kit. In areas where strongyloidiasis is endemic, we suggest using this point-of-care ICT kit for routine rapid screening in seriously ill COVID-19 patients who will be subjected to immunosuppressive treatment. Prompt anthelminthic treatment should be administered to prevent serious systemic strongyloidiasis in at-risk patients
Development and evaluation of a rapid diagnostic immunochromatographic device to detect antibodies in sera from intestinal capillariasis cases
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Gut microbiota diversity in human strongyloidiasis differs little in two different regions in endemic areas of Thailand.
No full textHuman gastrointestinal helminthic infections have a direct and/or indirect effect on the composition of the host gut microbial flora. Here, we investigated the effect of infection with a soil-transmitted intestinal nematode, Strongyloides stercoralis, on the gut microbiota of the human host. We also investigated whether composition of the microbiota in infected persons might vary across endemic regions. Fecal samples were obtained from volunteers from two areas endemic for strongyloidiasis, Khon Kaen Province in northeastern Thailand and Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in southern Thailand. Samples from Khon Kaen were from infected (SsNE) and uninfected (NegNE) individuals. Similarly, samples from the latter province were from infected (SsST) and uninfected (NegST) individuals. DNA sequences of the V3-V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were obtained from the fecal samples. No statistical difference in alpha diversity between groups in terms of richness or diversity were found. Statistical difference in beta diversity was observed only between NegNE and NegST. Some significant differences in species abundance were noted between geographical isolates. The SsNE group had a higher abundance of Tetragenococcus holophilus than did the SsST group, whereas Bradyrhizobium sp. was less abundant in the SsNE than the SsST group. For the uninfected groups, the NegNE had a higher abundance of T. holophilus than the NegST group. Our data showed that S. stercoralis infection leads to only minor alterations in the relative abundance of individual bacterial species in the human gut: no detectable effect was observed on community structure and diversity
Investigating the microbiota of fermented fish products (Pla-ra) from different communities of northeastern Thailand.
No full textDNA-sequencing was performed on the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA genes to investigate the microbial diversity of five samples of fermented freshwater fish (pla-ra) from three provinces in northeastern Thailand. The samples had salt concentrations ranging from 7 to 10%, pH values from 4.83 to 7.15, and D-/L-lactic acid concentrations of 90 to 450 mg/l. A total of 598 operational taxonomic units were annotated at various taxonomic ranks based on the SILVA Database. The lactic-acid and halophilic genera Tetragenococcus, Halanaerobium and Lactobacillus were among the dominant taxa of bacteria. The top 20 non-redundant taxa were considered in more detail. In two pla-ra samples, Tetragenococcus muriaticus was commonly identified. Halanaerobium fermentans was the most abundant species in a third sample and co-dominant in another sample. Lactobacillus rennini was dominant in the pla-ra sample from Roi Et Province. Additionally, other beneficial bacteria were detected including Staphylococcus nepalensis, Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus pentosus, Weissella confusa, and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Differences between samples may be due to use of different raw materials, salt concentrations, recipes, processes and fermentation periods. The microbial communities in pla-ra provide a better understanding of the production outcomes of traditional products. Further optimization of the fermentation process, for example by using dominant bacterial taxa in starter cultures, may improve processes of food fermentation, food quality and flavor control, providing useful guidelines for industrial applications
Lateral Raman scanning of an individual <i>O</i>. <i>viverrini</i> egg.
No full text(A) Raman spectra were taken at different spots, as shown in (B), within an O. viverrini egg vs. outside the egg boundary, i.e., within the region containing fecal debris. Spectra were offset for clarity of presentation.</p
Comparison of averaged Raman peak intensities between the CCA and healthy groups.
No full textThe Raman peak height values were calculated using a Gaussian–Lorentzian function. Data shown represent mean ± standard error of the measurements (150 total measurements for each group). Significant differences (p-value ≤ 0.05) are indicated by *. ν: stretching mode.</p
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