Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Dr.Hong You
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Keynote: Schistosome insulin signalling pathway.
Time : 9.45-10.30
Biography:
Hong You has completed her PhD in 2010 from University of Queensland and Postdoctoral studies from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia. She is a current Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellow. As CIA, she has obtained NHMRC project grant and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre (AID) seed grants in 2014 and 2015. She has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Schistosomiasis remains one of the most prevalent and serious of the tropical parasitic diseases. Improved understanding of how schistosomes exploit host nutrients, neuro-endocrine hormones and signalling pathways for parasite growth/development/fecundity may provide novel insights for schistosomiasis control. We discuss the potential intervention value of insulin signalling, which plays an important role in glucose uptake in schistosomes, a major nutrient essential for worm survival. Previous microarray analysis demonstrated that host insulin is crucial in schistosome insulin signalling by stimulating glucose metabolism through upregulation of the PI3K sub-pathway and in worm fecundity by activation of the MAPK sub-pathway. We identified an endogenous insulin-like peptide (ILP) in schistosomes which possesses conserved features of the insulin/insulin-like family proteins. The oriental schistosome, Schistosoma japonicum, ILP has stronger bind affinity with its insulin receoptors (SjIRs) compared with human insulin, but the SjIRs function in a similar role in activating the MAPK pathway of the parasite. We had previously identified two types of insulin receptors in S. japonicum (SjIR1 and 2) that can bind to both schistosome ILP and human insulin. We used the purified recombined protein of the ligand domains of SjIR1 and 2 in independent murine vaccine/challenge trials. Encouragingly, we found the recombinant SjIRs conferred highly significant reductions in fecal eggs (56-67%), stunting of adult worms (12-42%), and a reduction in the numbers of mature intestinal eggs (75%) compared with placebo controls. These data emphasize the potential of the SjIRs as veterinary transmission blocking vaccine candidates against zoonotic schistosomiasis japonica in China and the Philippines.
Keynote Forum
Dr.Yuan Gu
Capital Medical University, China
Keynote: Vaccination with a multi-epitope protein vaccine encoding T and B-cell epitopes of Trichinella spiralis paramyosin elicits partial protection in mice
Time : 10.50-12.45
Biography:
Yuan Gu has completed her PhD in 2007 from Capital Medical University, China. She is an Associate Professor of Capital Medical University. She has published about 15 papers in reputed journals and two patents have been granted.
Abstract:
Trichinellosis is a world widespread zoonosis caused by infection of Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) through ingesting contaminated pork or other meat. Interrupting parasite transmission via vaccination of livestock with potent vaccine is a practical approach to prevent trichinellosis in China. Paramyosin of T. spiralis (Ts-Pmy) has been proved to be a good vaccine candidate against trichinellosis according to our previous work. As humoral immunity plays an important role in the elimination of the parasite, a synthetic gene containing a protective B-cell epitope and four Th2 epitopes of Ts-Pmy identified before was cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pET-28a and the recombinant multi-epitope protein (rMEP) was purified. Mice immunized with rMEP formulated with ISA50v2 adjuvant exhibited a significant reduction in muscle larvae burden (55.4%) after a challenge with T. spiralis compared to the adjuvant control group (p<0.01). The rMEP-induced protection was associated with a high level of specific anti-rMEP IgG antibodies and a Th1/Th2 mixed immune response. This research laid a foundation for designing effective epitope-based multivalent subunit vaccine against trichinellosis.
Keynote Forum
Dr.Hong You
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Keynote: Functional characterisation of Schistosoma japonicum acetylcholinesterase
Time : 12.45-13.15
Biography:
Hong You has completed her PhD in 2010 at University of Queensland and is undertaking postdoctoral studies at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia. She is a current Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellow. As CIA, she obtained a NHMRC project grant and an Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre (AID) seed grant in 2014 and 2015. She has published 25 papers in peer-reviewed international journals.
Abstract:
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important metabolic enzyme of schistosomes present in the musculature and on the surface of the blood stage. As both target for the antischistosomal drug metrifonate and as a potential vaccine candidate, AChE has been characterized in the schistosome species Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium and S. bovis but not S. japonicum. In this study, we report the full-length cDNA sequence and describe phylogenetic and molecular structural analysis to facilitate understanding of the biological function of AChE (SjAChE) in S. japonicum. The protein has high sequence identity (88%) with the AChEs in S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. bovis and has 25% sequence similarity with human AChE, suggestive of a highly specialized role for the enzyme in both parasite and host. We immunolocalized SjAChE and demonstrated its presence on the surface of adult worms and schistosomula, as well as its lower expression in parenchymal regions. The relatively abundance of AChE activity (90%) present on the surface of adult S. japonicum when compared with that reported in other schistosomes suggests SjAChE may be a more effective drug or immunological target against this species. We also demonstrate that the classical inhibitor of AChE, BW285c51, inhibited AChE activity in tegumental extracts of paired worms, single males and single females by 59%, 22% and 50%, respectively. These results build on previous studies in other schistosome species indicating major differences in the enzyme between parasite and mammalian host and provide further support for the design of an anti-schistosome intervention targeting AChE.
Keynote Forum
Dr.Elena Dotsika
Hellenic Pasteur Institute ,Greece.
Keynote: Vaccines Drug Development and Control Measure of protozoa (Leishmania spp).
Time : 13.45-14.15
Biography:
Eleni Dotsika is the Head of the Cellular Immunology Laboratory and responsible for the National Reference Centre of Leishmaniasis in Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI, Athens, Greece). She has received her DVM degree from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece, PhD in Immunology from the Medical School of the Bristol University, Bristol, UK and she undertook Postdoctoral training in Immunology of Parasites at National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London UK. Since 1988 she is working in HPI in the field of developing novel therapeutic approaches against infectious diseases. She has been a regular Reviewer in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has published over 43 refereed publications.
Abstract:
Up today, no vaccine exists against any form of leishmaniasis; not safe, effective and inexpensive drugs. Until recently, a plethora of data showed that the existing anti-leishmanial drugs have numerous disadvantages such as systemic toxicity, development of resistance, long hospitalization and high cost. Thus, identifying new, effective and safer anti-leishmanial drugs is of paramount importance. To this end, much research effort has been focused on investigating new compounds derived from low-cost sources, such as natural products, for treating leishmaniasis. Oleuropein, which derives from numerous plants, particularly from the olive tree, Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae), is a biophenol with many biological activities. Our studies revealed that oleuropein exhibits in vitro inhibitory effect in both promastigotes and amastigotes of various Leishmania spp. Furthermore, when tested in vivo in an experimental visceral leishmaniasis model of L. donovani infected BALB/c mice, it was capable of reducing the parasitic burden. The exact mechanism that oleuropein uses in order to abrogate parasitic multiplication in vitro and in vivo has been investigated and the mode of oleuropein-driven cell death showed that is able to promote a ROS-independent cell death in promastigotes which is documented by typical features of apoptotic-like cell death. Moreover, the ability of oleuropein to promote a Th1 type immune response in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice, points towards the candidacy of this bioactive compound as an immunomodulatory agent that may complement Leishmania therapeutic approaches.
- Vaccines, Drug Development and Control Measures
Chair
Dr.Yuan Gu
Capital Medical University, China
Co-Chair
Dr.Hong You
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Session Introduction
Dr.Elena Dotsika
Hellenic Pasteur Institute ,Greece.
Title: Vaccines Drug Development and Control Measure of protozoa (Leishmania spp).
Biography:
Eleni Dotsika is the Head of the Cellular Immunology Laboratory and responsible for the National Reference Centre of Leishmaniasis in Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI, Athens, Greece). She has received her DVM degree from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece, PhD in Immunology from the Medical School of the Bristol University, Bristol, UK and she undertook Postdoctoral training in Immunology of Parasites at National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London UK. Since 1988 she is working in HPI in the field of developing novel therapeutic approaches against infectious diseases. She has been a regular Reviewer in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has published over 43 refereed publications.
Abstract:
Up today, no vaccine exists against any form of leishmaniasis; not safe, effective and inexpensive drugs. Until recently, a plethora of data showed that the existing anti-leishmanial drugs have numerous disadvantages such as systemic toxicity, development of resistance, long hospitalization and high cost. Thus, identifying new, effective and safer anti-leishmanial drugs is of paramount importance. To this end, much research effort has been focused on investigating new compounds derived from low-cost sources, such as natural products, for treating leishmaniasis. Oleuropein, which derives from numerous plants, particularly from the olive tree, Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae), is a biophenol with many biological activities. Our studies revealed that oleuropein exhibits in vitro inhibitory effect in both promastigotes and amastigotes of various Leishmania spp. Furthermore, when tested in vivo in an experimental visceral leishmaniasis model of L. donovani infected BALB/c mice, it was capable of reducing the parasitic burden. The exact mechanism that oleuropein uses in order to abrogate parasitic multiplication in vitro and in vivo has been investigated and the mode of oleuropein-driven cell death showed that is able to promote a ROS-independent cell death in promastigotes which is documented by typical features of apoptotic-like cell death. Moreover, the ability of oleuropein to promote a Th1 type immune response in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice, points towards the candidacy of this bioactive compound as an immunomodulatory agent that may complement Leishmania therapeutic approaches.
Dr.Hong You
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Title: Functional characterisation of Schistosoma japonicum acetylcholinesterase
Biography:
Hong You has completed her PhD in 2010 from University of Queensland and Postdoctoral studies from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia. She is a current Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellow. As CIA, she has obtained NHMRC project grant and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre (AID) seed grants in 2014 and 2015. She has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important metabolic enzyme of schistosomes present in the musculature and on the surface of the blood stage. As both target for the antischistosomal drug metrifonate and as a potential vaccine candidate, AChE has been characterized in the schistosome species Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium and S. bovis but not S. japonicum. In this study, we report the full-length cDNA sequence and describe phylogenetic and molecular structural analysis to facilitate understanding of the biological function of AChE (SjAChE) in S. japonicum. The protein has high sequence identity (88%) with the AChEs in S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. bovis and has 25% sequence similarity with human AChE, suggestive of a highly specialized role for the enzyme in both parasite and host. We immunolocalized SjAChE and demonstrated its presence on the surface of adult worms and schistosomula, as well as its lower expression in parenchymal regions. The relatively abundance of AChE activity (90%) present on the surface of adult S. japonicum when compared with that reported in other schistosomes suggests SjAChE may be a more effective drug or immunological target against this species. We also demonstrate that the classical inhibitor of AChE, BW285c51, inhibited AChE activity in tegumental extracts of paired worms, single males and single females by 59%, 22% and 50%, respectively. These results build on previous studies in other schistosome species indicating major differences in the enzyme between parasite and mammalian host and provide further support for the design of an anti-schistosome intervention targeting AChE.
Dr.Mona Timan Idriss Gassab
Sudan International University, Sudan
Title: Antiviral activity and possible mechanisms of action of Acacia nilotica against influenza A virus
Biography:
Dr.Mona Timan Idriss is an Assistant professor in the Sudan International University.Sudan.
Abstract:
We investigated the anti-influenza virus activity of Acacia nilotica and possible mechanisms of action in vitro. We found that Acacia nilotica has anti-influenza-virus activity and both pre-incubation of virus prior to infection and post-exposure of infected cells with Acacia nilotica extract significantly inhibited virus yields. Influenza-virus-induced hemagglutination of chicken red blood cells was inhibited by Acacia extract treatment, suggesting that Acacia can inhibit influenza A virus infection by interacting with the viral hemagglutinin. Furthermore, Acacia extract significantly affect nuclear transport of viral nucleoprotein (NP). To best of our knowledge, this study revealed for the first time that Acacia nilotica extract can inhibit both viral attachment and replication and offers new insights into its underlying mechanisms of antiviral action. The fruit husk of Acacia nilotica collected from Sudan and extracted with 70% methanol. The crude extract was screened for its cytotoxicity against MDCK cell line by alamarBlue assay and WST-1 assay. Antiviral properties of the plant extract were determined by cytopathic effect inhibition assay and virus yield reduction assay (plaque assay). Time of addition assay and nuclear export mechanism were also performed.
Dr.Mona Timan Idriss Gassab
Sudan International University, Sudan
Title: Antiviral activity and possible mechanisms of action of Acacia nilotica against influenza A virus
Biography:
Dr.Mona Timan Idriss is an Assistant professor in the Sudan International University.Sudan.
Abstract:
We investigated the anti-influenza virus activity of Acacia nilotica and possible mechanisms of action in vitro. We found that Acacia nilotica has anti-influenza-virus activity and both pre-incubation of virus prior to infection and post-exposure of infected cells with Acacia nilotica extract significantly inhibited virus yields. Influenza-virus-induced hemagglutination of chicken red blood cells was inhibited by Acacia extract treatment, suggesting that Acacia can inhibit influenza A virus infection by interacting with the viral hemagglutinin. Furthermore, Acacia extract significantly affect nuclear transport of viral nucleoprotein (NP). To best of our knowledge, this study revealed for the first time that Acacia nilotica extract can inhibit both viral attachment and replication and offers new insights into its underlying mechanisms of antiviral action. The fruit husk of Acacia nilotica collected from Sudan and extracted with 70% methanol. The crude extract was screened for its cytotoxicity against MDCK cell line by alamarBlue assay and WST-1 assay. Antiviral properties of the plant extract were determined by cytopathic effect inhibition assay and virus yield reduction assay (plaque assay). Time of addition assay and nuclear export mechanism were also performed.
- Medical Helminthology
Chair
Dr.Yuan Gu
Capital Medical University, China
Co-Chair
Dr.Hong You
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Session Introduction
Dr.Nirbhay Kumar Singh
Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory,USA.
Title: Prospects for Biological Control of Cattle Fever Ticks by Natural Enemies along the Texas - Mexico border
Biography:
Dr. N. K. Singh Assistant Professor, Veterinary Parasitology, GADVASU, Ludhiana has completed his Ph.D in 2012. He is currently a visiting scientist to USDA-ARS, Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, Edinburg, TX under the Raman Post Doctoral Fellowship by University Grants Commission, New Delhi. He has contributed significantly in the areas of acaricide resistance status and its underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms and development of herbal acaricide. Besides 34 accession numbers obtained from Genbank, NCBI, he has published 103 research articles in national and international journals, 33 extension articles, authored one book along with 10 laboratory manuals.
Abstract:
Cattle fever ticks (CFT), Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus annulatus are vectors of babesiosis which can be lethal to cattle and causes significant production losses. These ticks are not native to the U.S. and have been eradicated but are endemic to Mexico and continue to re-invade the U.S. along the Texas - Mexico border. Resistance to acaricides, presence of wildlife hosts such as nilgai antelope and whitetailed deer, along with exotic vegetation along the international border that favors survival of cattle fever ticks are challenging the continued success of the cattle fever tick eradication program. Classical biological control uses naturally occurring species of living organisms as antagonists to reduce pest populations. Augmenting populations of existing antagonists or importing exotic antagonists to reduce the density of a pest population is required to achieve this goal. For the control of cattle ticks, candidate methods include ants, predatory mites, chickens, parasitoid waspd, Bacillus thuringiensis, entomopathogenic nematodes and oxpeckers. Biological control using specialist parasitoids, predators and/or nematodes from the native ranges of CFT is not a stand-alone strategy but could complement existing strategies such as acaricides and vaccines in the transboundary region between Mexico and Texas. It could thus reduce invasion pressure from Mexico and may be the only method for CFT control on wild hosts such as whitetailed deer and exotic nilgai, which have become important for the spread ticks in the region. Work is in progress on means to discover and evaluate natural enemies of CFT needed to investigate the potential for classical biological control. These methods must be able to detect parasitism and predation on all life stages (eggs, larvae, nymphs, adults) of CFT, both on and off the host animal. Here we discuss the challenges in identification of candidate biological control agents and develop methods to be used in foreign exploration in the native ranges of CFT.
- General Parasitology
Chair
Dr.Yuan Gu
Capital Medical University, China
Co-Chair
Dr.Hong You
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Session Introduction
Dr.Mehru Nisha
University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Title: Determining the pattern of gastrointestinal parasitic infections among Orang Asli at Kg. Serendah, Selangor, Malaysia using molecular and parasitological methods
Biography:
Mehru Nisha is currently a Medical Parasitology Lecturer at University of Kuala Lumpur (MESTECH), Malaysia. She has obtained her PhD in Parasitology from International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia in 2015. She is among the Young Medical Parasitology Researcher in Malaysia with high research spirit despite being an Academician. Her main research is to investigate prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) among refugees in Malaysia, foreign workers in Malaysia, aborigine community and also parasites found in organic farms. She also investigates the drug resistant among these parasites using molecular methods. She has presented her work both in local and international conference and has few publications.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections have a global distribution and a major impact on the socioeconomic and public health of the world’s poorest people. In Malaysia, the Orang Asli community is prone to these infections due to environmental and personal hygiene practices. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of GIP and potential risk factors for infection among the Orang Asli community at Kg. Serendah in Malaysia. Stool samples were collected from 110 villagers. Both microscopy and molecular methods were used to identify the parasites in stool. All the participants in the survey were treated as follows: 400 mg of albendazole for above 2 years old and 200 mg of albendazole for ≤2 years old. After deworming exercise, the villagers were examined at 1 and 6 months post treatment. The prevalence for GIP found in this study was 67% and the parasites detected were Trichuris trichiura (50%), Ascaris lumbricoides (39%), Blastocystis hominis (10%), Cryptosporidium parvum (7.2%), Taenia spp., (2.7%) and Microsporidia (2.7%). Higher GIP prevalence was observed among children below 6 years compared to the adults. Multivariate analysis showed that not using the toilet and drinking non boiled water was predictive of GIP infection in this study area. Overall cure rate post treatment for A. lumbricoides was higher than T. trichiura. In summary, combination of infrastructure development particularly with reference to sanitary sewage systems and portable water supply, coupled with poverty eradication programs and increase in health awareness and access to medical care the prevalence of intestinal parasites can be controlled.
Dr.Mona Abdulafattah
Ain Shams University ,Egypt
Title: Predominance of Blastocystis hominis Subtype I among Colorectal Cancer Patients in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Biography:
Mona Abd El-Fattah Ahmed has completed her MD from Ain Shams University, Egypt. She is an Associate Consultant and Head of Clinical Parasitology Section and Laboratory Training and Education Coordinator at the Laboratory Department, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, KSA, since June 2010 to till date. She is also a Professor of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University since 2015. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals and serving as a Reviewer of reputed journals
Abstract:
The putative role of infectious agents in causing gastrointestinal disorders is undeniable. In this regard, Blastocystis hominis has increasingly been implicated for diarrheal illness in immunocompromised individuals including colo-rectal cancer (CRC). Blastocystis is a genetically diverse intestinal parasite with controversial pathogenic potential. It has been shown recently that the antigen of certain Blastocystis subtypes could facilitate the proliferation of colon cancer cells. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of Blastocystis in CRC patients and to genetically identify Blastocystis subtypes commonly associating CRC in Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. A total of 218 stool samples were collected from suspected patients including 74 CRC, 64 Cancer other than colon (COC) and 80 non-cancer (NC) patients. Collected stool samples were initially examined for detection of Blastocystis infection using culture technique. Blastocystis-positive isolates were further genetically subtyped using multiplex polymerase chain reaction with sequence-tagged site primers (PCR-STS). Out of the total examined stool specimens, Blastocystis were conventionally identified in 22.9% (50 out of 218). This included 29.7%, 25% and 15% among CRC, COC and NC patients, respectively. Using PCR-STS, obtained Blastocystis isolates were genetically categorized into 3 different subtypes; subtype I (38%), subtype II (44%) and subtype V (22%). While subtype II was predominantly detected in both COC and NC patients (43.7% and 58.3%, respectively), interestingly, subtype I was most predominant in CRC patients (54.5%). To the best of our knowledge, the study is the first to genetically determine the Blastocystis hominis subtypes associating CRC in Makkah region, Saudi Arabia.