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Emerging Insights in Pathogenesis of Infectious Protozoa and Algae

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A special issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (ISSN 2414-6366). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 18715

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yoshi Odaka

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Guest Editor

Biology Department, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College, Blue Ash, OH 45236, USA
Interests: naegleria; prototheca; angiogenesis; TOR kinase

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue, we widely seek original research, case reports, and systematic reviews focusing on the pathogenesis of protozoan infection, one of the most significant public health problems. Today, more than twenty species of protozoa (out of 30,000 species) are documented as pathogens and claim a million deaths annually while more than a billion people are infected. The phylogenetically and structurally diverse group of unicellular pathogens undergo a complex lifecycle (e.g., morphological transformation and mode of reproduction and locomotion), making protozoan infections challenging to prevent and treat. Moreover, the appearance of drug-resistant strains and increasing cases in new regions is a growing concern, especially when the invention of new antiprotozoals has not been as fruitful. However, in recent years, we witnessed technological advances in automation, bioinformatics, computational biology, structural biology, omics, and genome editing. Consequently, a considerable amount of data has started to accumulate. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to compile and organize current knowledge on the pathogenesis of protozoa, including rare species, to promote the development of effective means to prevent, diagnose, and treat protozoan infections.

Similarly, in addition to protozoa, we also invite articles that present new perspectives in medical phycology, notably protothecosis of achlorophyllic alga, Prototheca. Although phylogenetically distant, non-photosynthetic P. wickerhamii and free-living amoebae share common ground in treatment schemes. We envision the two research areas bringing new findings and relevant ideas that mutually benefit and take the research to the next level.

Dr. Yoshi Odaka
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

parasite
free-living amebae
amebic encephalitis
vector borne diseases
food borne diseases
fecal oral route
intestinal protozoa

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Asymptomatic Cryptosporidiosis in Children Living with HIV

by Ajib Diptyanusa, Ika Puspa Sari and Agnes Kurniawan

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2022, 7(11), 352; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/tropicalmed7110352 - 04 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1681

Abstract

Children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of opportunistic Cryptosporidium infection. Cryptosporidium usually causes chronic diarrhea that may lead to impaired growth and cognitive function in children. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in children, describe its clinical characteristics, and the risk factors. A cross-sectional study involving children aged 6 months to 18 years old with confirmed HIV infection was carried out in Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta. Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis was made by PCR of 18S rRNA after being screened by microscopic examination. The clinical characteristics and risk factors were obtained from medical records and structured questionnaires. A total of 52 participants were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 42.3%. Approximately 68% of the HIV children with cryptosporidiosis were asymptomatic, while those who reported symptoms showed weight loss and diarrhea. Independent risk factors of cryptosporidiosis were diarrhea (AOR 6.5; 95% CI 1.16–36.67), well water as drinking water source (AOR 6.7; 95% CI 1.83–24.93), and drink untreated water (AOR 5.8; 95% CI 1.04–32.64). A high prevalence of asymptomatic cryptosporidiosis was observed among children with HIV infection and PCR screening of Cryptosporidium in high-risk children is advisable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights in Pathogenesis of Infectious Protozoa and Algae)

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Review

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16 pages, 3234 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Extracellular Vesicles and Their Impact on the Biology of Protozoan Parasites

by Manu Sharma, Daniela Lozano-Amado, Debabrata Chowdhury and Upinder Singh

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(9), 448; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/tropicalmed8090448 - 15 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3098

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-membrane-bound structures produced naturally by all cells and have a variety of functions. EVs act as vehicles for transporting important molecular signals from one cell to another. Several parasites have been shown to secrete EVs, and their biological functions have been extensively studied. EVs have been shown to facilitate communication with the host cells (such as modulation of the host’s immune system or promoting attachment and invasion into the host cells) or for communication between parasitic cells (e.g., transferring drug-resistance genes or factors modulating stage conversion). It is clear that EVs play an important role in host–parasite interactions. In this review, we summarized the latest research on the EVs secreted by protozoan parasites and their role in host–parasite and parasite–parasite communications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights in Pathogenesis of Infectious Protozoa and Algae)

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24 pages, 2473 KiB

Open AccessReview

Knobs, Adhesion, and Severe Falciparum Malaria

by Mark F. Wiser

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(7), 353; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/tropicalmed8070353 - 04 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2500

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum can cause a severe disease with high mortality. A major factor contributing to the increased virulence of P. falciparum, as compared to other human malarial parasites, is the sequestration of infected erythrocytes in the capillary beds of organs and tissues. This sequestration is due to the cytoadherence of infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells. Cytoadherence is primarily mediated by a parasite protein expressed on the surface of the infected erythrocyte called P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1 (PfEMP1). PfEMP1 is embedded in electron-dense protuberances on the surface of the infected erythrocytes called knobs. These knobs are assembled on the erythrocyte membrane via exported parasite proteins, and the knobs function as focal points for the cytoadherence of infected erythrocytes to endothelial cells. PfEMP1 is a member of the var gene family, and there are approximately 60 antigenically distinct PfEMP1 alleles per parasite genome. Var gene expression exhibits allelic exclusion, with only a single allele being expressed by an individual parasite. This results in sequential waves of antigenically distinct infected erythrocytes and this antigenic variation allows the parasite to establish long-term chronic infections. A wide range of endothelial cell receptors can bind to the various PfEMP1 alleles, and thus, antigenic variation also results in a change in the cytoadherence phenotype. The cytoadherence phenotype may result in infected erythrocytes sequestering in different tissues and this difference in sequestration may explain the wide range of possible clinical manifestations associated with severe falciparum malaria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights in Pathogenesis of Infectious Protozoa and Algae)

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19 pages, 1324 KiB

Open AccessReview

Diversity and Plasticity of Virulent Characteristics of Entamoeba histolytica

by Yasuaki Yanagawa and Upinder Singh

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(5), 255; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/tropicalmed8050255 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4217

Abstract

The complexity of clinical syndromes of amebiasis, caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, stems from the intricate interplay between the host immune system, the virulence of the invading parasite, and the surrounding environment. Although there is still a relative paucity of information about the precise relationship between virulence factors and the pathogenesis of Entamoeba histolytica, by accumulating data from clinical and basic research, researchers have identified essential pathogenic factors that play a critical role in the pathogenesis of amebiasis, providing important insights into disease development through animal models. Moreover, the parasite’s genetic variability has been associated with differences in virulence and disease outcomes, making it important to fully understand the epidemiology and pathogenesis of amebiasis. Deciphering the true mechanism of disease progression in humans caused by this parasite is made more difficult through its ability to demonstrate both genomic and pathological plasticity. The objective of this article is to underscore the heterogeneous nature of disease states and the malleable virulence characteristics in experimental models, while also identifying persistent scientific issues that need to be addressed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights in Pathogenesis of Infectious Protozoa and Algae)

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14 pages, 805 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Trichomonas tenax: A Neglected Protozoan Infection in the Oral Cavities of Humans and Dogs—A Scoping Review

by Maurice A. Matthew, Nawu Yang, Jennifer Ketzis, Samson Mukaratirwa and Chaoqun Yao

Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(1), 60; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/tropicalmed8010060 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6186

Abstract

Trichomonas tenax is a flagellated protozoan parasite found in the oral cavities of humans and animals and has been associated with periodontal disease, the most prevalent inflammatory disease affecting them all. Studies have shown that T. tenax can cause damage to mammalian cells and secretes virulent proteins, such as cysteine. It is presently considered zoonotic. Despite the few studies that have been done, the pathogenicity of this oral protozoan is still not fully understood. A database search was performed in July 2022 using PubMed and Google Scholar to retrieve data eligible for this study. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed to conduct this scoping review. A total of 321 articles were found with 87 included in this review after applying the exclusion criteria. Due to its increasing prevalence worldwide in both humans and dogs, detecting and elucidating the pathogenicity of this parasite is paramount for effective global control and prevention of periodontal disease. However, there is a paucity in the literature on this neglected zoonotic trichomonad, which is in large contrast to the closely related human pathogen T. vaginalis. Here, we comprehensively review the history, morphology and reproduction, host, prevalence, diagnosis, pathogenicity, control, and prevention of T. tenax. Hopefully, this article will call attention to both medical and veterinary professionals as well as epidemiologists on this most neglected and zoonotic protozoan. More epidemiological and clinical studies need to be conducted on T. tenax to gain a better understanding of its pathogenicity, to increase the chances of developing effective drugs to aid in the control of this oral parasite, and reduce the spread of periodontal disease worldwide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights in Pathogenesis of Infectious Protozoa and Algae)

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