The "hygiene hypothesis" is a theory try to explain the dramatic increases in the prevalence of autoimmune and allergic diseases over the past two to three decades in developed countries. According to this theory, reduced exposure to parasites and microorganisms in childhood is the main cause for the increased incidences of both T helper 1 (Th1)-mediated autoimmunity and Th2-mediated allergy. I...

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis remains a major public health problem in China. The major endemic foci are the lake and marshland regions of southern China, particularly the regions along the middle and lower reach of the Yangtze River in four provinces (Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Anhui). The purpose of our study is to assess the effect of a new integrated strategy emphasizing infection source contr...

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by small trematode worms called schistosomes, amongst which Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) is endemic in Asia. In order to understand the schistosome-induced changes in the host metabolism so as to facilitate early diagnosis of schistosomiasis, we systematically investigated the dynamic metabolic responses of mice biofluids and liver tissues ...

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, treatment trial was conducted in Sichuan, China to investigate the unique and combined effects on the cognitive function (working memory) of children after treating geohelminth infections with albendazole and treating Schistosoma japonicum infection with praziquantel. One hundred eighty-one children 5-16 years of age participated. At baseline, the praziquante...

The global spread of human infectious diseases is of considerable public health and biomedical interest. Little is known about the relationship between the distribution of ancient parasites and that of their human hosts. Schistosoma japonicum is one of the three major species of schistosome blood flukes causing the disease of schistosomiasis in humans. The parasite is prevalent in East and Sout...

Understanding disease transmission dynamics in multihost parasite systems is a research priority for control and potential elimination of many infectious diseases. In China, despite decades of multifaceted control efforts against schistosomiasis, the indirectly transmitted helminth Schistosoma japonicum remains endemic, partly because of the presence of zoonotic reservoirs. We used mathematical...

Water buffalo are less susceptible to Schistosoma japonicum infection than yellow cattle. The factors that affect such differences in susceptibility remain unknown. A Bos taurus genome-wide gene chip was used to analyze gene expression profiles in the peripheral blood of water buffalo and yellow cattle pre- and post-infection with S. japonicum. This study showed that most of the identified diff...

BACKGROUND Human waste is used as an agricultural fertilizer in China and elsewhere. Because the eggs of many helminth species can survive in environmental media, reuse of untreated or partially treated human waste, commonly called night soil, may promote transmission of human helminthiases. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We conducted an open cohort study in 36 villages to evaluate the associ...

The binding of a hybridoma-derived antibody (designated IPH.134-18-6) to an extract of the adult worn of Schistosoma japonicum has been further characterized. This antibody has immunodiagnostic potential for detection of infection with S. japonicum in the Philippines since the binding of labeled hybridoma antibody to a crude adult worm extract in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) is inhibite...

Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis refers to the major complication of chronic infection with Schistosoma mansoni, S japonicum and S mekongi, schistosomal portal hypertension. Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis is usually, but not invariably, associated with enlargement of the liver and spleen, and reversible hepatosplenomegaly may occur in early infections not complicated by the development of portal hy...