High prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum by perfusion in naturally exposed water buffalo in a region of the Philippines endemic for human schistosomiasis.

In the past decade, ecological surveys emphasized rats and dogs as the most significant animal reservoirs for Schistosoma japonicum (S.j) in the Philippines. However, recent studies demonstrated 51-91% prevalence of schistosomiasis among water buffalo using qPCR in the Sj endemic regions in the Philippines.

[Endemic status and control of animal schistosomiasis in China].

This paper describes the damages caused by animal schistosomiasis and the role of animals in the transmission of schistosomiasis in China and reviews the progress of animal schistosomiasis control and the endemic status of animal schistosomiasis at various stages. Although the endemic situation of animal schistosomiasis has been effectively controlled, there are still multiple factors that affect the transmission of schistosomiasis, and there are still risks leading to reemergence or rebounding of schistosomiasis in local areas. Strengthening of schistosomiasis surveillance as well as the prevention and control effects in key areas, consolidation of schistosomiasis control achievements, resolving of key technical problems in the elimination of animal schistosomiasis and development of precise technical measures and strategies are needed to accelerate the progress towards the elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

Vaccination with recombinant paramyosin in Montanide ISA206 protects against Schistosoma japonicum infection in water buffalo.

Background: Schistosomiasis japonica is a zoonosis and presents significant public health problems in China and the Philippines. Vaccines targeting domestic animals constitute attractive control measures.

Methods: We conducted three vaccine trials to evaluate the protective efficacy of recombinant full-length paramyosin (rSj97) in water buffalo.

Nested-PCR assay for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infection in domestic animals.

Background: Schistosomiasis japonica is a common zoonosis. Domestic animals are the primary source of infection and play an important role in disease transmission. The prevalence and infectivity of this disease in domestic animals in China have significantly decreased and, for this reason, diagnostics with a higher sensitivity have become increasingly necessary.

[Strengthening the control of goat schistosomiasis to facilitate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China].

Although great success has been achieved in schistosomiasis control, schistosomiasis japonica remains a publichealth concern in China. is found to naturally infect over 40 mammalian animals. The implementation of the integrated schistosomiasis control strategy emphasizing infectious source control since 2004, which integrates replacement of bovines with machines, breeding domestic animals in fences, building safe pastures and chemotherapy of infected bovines, results in a clear-cut reduction in the prevalence of infection in both humans and bovines, as well as the areas of infected snail habitats, and the national schistosomiasis control program is moving from transmission control towards transmission interruption and elimination.

[Development of colloidal gold immunochromatography assay strip for schistosomiasis diagnosis in domestic animals].

Objective: To develop a quick and easy colloidal gold immunochromatography assay (GICA) strip for schistosomiasis diagnosis in domestic animals.

Methods: The reconstruction of Streptococcal Protein G (SPG) was designed and its gene was subcloned into plasmid pET-28a(+) to express in Escherichia coli. The recombinant SPG was purified and labeled with colloidal gold.

SjHSP70, a recombinant Schistosoma japonicum heat shock protein 70, is immunostimulatory and induces protective immunity against cercarial challenge in mice.

High levels of protective immunity can be induced in different animals immunized with radiation-attenuated (RA) Schistosoma cercariae or schistosomula. However, the schistosome-derived molecules responsible for the strong protective effect elicited by RA schistosome larvae have not been identified or characterized. The 70-kDa heat shock proteins of schistosomes are considered major immunogens, and may play an important role in stimulating high levels of innate and adaptive immune responses in an RA schistosome vaccine model.

[Distribution characteristics of deposited eggs and pathological changes in viscera of New Zealand white rabbits infected with Schistosoma japonicum at different time].

Objective: To study the distribution characteristics of deposited eggs and pathological changes in the viscera of animal infected with Schistosoma japonicum at different time.

Methods: New Zealand white rabbits were infected artificially with quantitative S. japonicum miracidia, then the distribution characteristics and the hatchability of schistosome eggs as well as the pathological changes of the corresponding viscera of the rabbits 42 and 60 d post-infection were observed and compared.

Elimination of schistosomiasis japonica from formerly endemic areas in mountainous regions of southern China using a praziquantel regimen.

Schistosomiasis japonica is a major public health problem in China. Domestic animals play a major role in the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum to humans. To better understand the epidemiology of schistosomiasis japonica in domestic animals in the mountainous areas of China, we performed a 5-year longitudinal study of schistosomiasis in cattle and horses in Yunnan Province from 2009 to 2013.

The molecular characterization and RNAi silencing of SjZFP1 in Schistosoma japonicum.

During development, Schistosoma japonicum undergoes many morphological and physiological transformations as a result of profound changes in gene expression. Proteins containing zinc finger motifs usually play an important role in DNA recognition, RNA packaging, and transcriptional activation. In our current study, we cloned the open reading frame (ORF) of SjZFP1 of S.

[Cloning, expression and immuno-protection analysis of a gene encoding troponin T of Schistosoma japonicum (SjTnT)].

Objective: To clone cDNA encoding troponin T of Schistosoma japonicum (SjTnT), and evaluate the protective efficacy induced by recombinant SjTnT in BALB/c mice against S. japonicum challenge infection.

Methods: The SjTnT gene was amplified from 28-day-schistosome cDNAs by PCR and then subcloned into pET28a(+).

Molecular characterization and identification of Th1 epitopes of a Schistosoma japonicum protein similar to prosaposin.

The tegument of schistosomula contains T cell antigens that might simulate the protective mechanisms of the radiation-attenuated vaccine in a mouse model of schistosomiasis. Immune mechanisms mediated by the CD4+ Th1 response are important in the RAV model. To rapidly identify Th1 epitopes in molecules from the Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula tegument, this study analyzed S.

Seasonal dynamics of Schistosoma japonicum infection in buffaloes in the Poyang Lake region and suggestions on local treatment schemes.

Schistosomiasis japonica remains a major public health problem and the Poyang Lake region in Jiangxi province is one of the worst affected endemic areas. Buffaloes play a major role in the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum to humans. The aim of the present study was to increase understanding of the epidemic characteristics of schistosomiasis japonica in water buffaloes in the Poyang Lake region, after achieving the national mid-term goal, and to provide a basis for further interventions.

[Longitudinal observation of epidemic dynamics of schistosomiasis in bovine in two mountainous endemic regions].

Objective: To understand the endemic situation dynamics of schistosomiasis in domestic animals (mainly bovine) in mountainous endemic regions, so as to provide the reference for evaluating the control effect and improving control strategy.

Methods: Two representative pilots (Renmei and Dacang) in mountainous schistosomiasis endemic regions were selected for survey. The schistosome infection status of bovine was investigated by the miracidium hatching method, the pasture of bovine were investigated by home visiting, and the distributions of wild feces and Oncomelania snails, and the snail schistosome infection status were also investigated in April and September every year.

[Identification and preliminary analysis of a novel full-length cDNA encoding retinoid X receptor 2 from Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To clone and preliminarily analyze the full-length cDNA encoding retinoid X receptor 2 (RXR2) from Schistosoma japonicum.

Methods: The rapid amplification cDNA ends (RACE)was applied to get a full-length cDNA encoding retinoid X receptor 2 from S. japonicum (SjRXR2).

[Cloning, expression and immune function analysis of a gene encoding inositol monophosphate in Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To clone and express a full-length cDNA encoding inositol monophosphate of Schistosoma japonicum (SjIM), and to access its immunoprotection in BALB/c mice for schistosomisis.

Methods: A full-length cDNA encoding the S. japonicum inositol monophosphate was isolated from 42 d schistosomes cDNAs.

[Screening and verification on characteristic differentially expressed genes of Schistosoma japonicum from three reservoir hosts].

Objective: To get the characteristic differentially expressed genes of Schistosoma japonicum from three important reservoir hosts: yellow cattle, water buffalo and goat, so as to find the genetic markers to identify the various sources of the parasite reservoir hosts.

Methods: The 49 d worms were collected from artificially infected animals, and the total RNA(s) of worms were extracted and reverse-transcripted to cDNA, and then hybridized with custom-built microarray to screen characteristic differentially expressed genes of every host, and the microarray results were validated by the real-time PCR method.

Results: From results of microarray, we got 3 characteristic differentially expressed genes of S.

[Function analysis of Sj34.9 gene based on RNAi and microarray].

Objective: To analyze the function of Sj34.9 gene, so as to provide the reference for future studies.

Methods: The Sj34.

Identification of Th1 epitopes within molecules from the lung-stage schistosomulum of Schistosoma japonicum by combining prediction analysis of the transcriptome with experimental validation.

The lung-stage schistosomulum has been regarded as the main target of protective immunity induced by radiation-attenuated vaccines (RAV) in the mouse model of schistosomiasis, and immune mechanisms mediated by the CD4+ Th1 response play a major role in the RAV model. To identify Th1 epitopes rapidly within molecules from the lung schistosomulum of Schistosoma japonicum, in the present study we analyzed transcriptome data from normal and radiation-attenuated lung schistosomula of S. japonicum and Schistosoma mansoni.

[Screening interaction protein of Schistosoma japonicum gynecophoral canal protein by phage display].

Objective: To search the interaction protein of Schistosoma japonicum gynecophoral canal protein (SjGCP).

Methods: The recombinant rSjGCP was used as a target to search the T7 phage display cDNA library from 44-day adult Schistosoma japonicum.

Results: A total of 70 ESTs were obtained.

In silico prediction of binding of promiscuous peptides to multiple MHC class-II molecules identifies the Th1 cell epitopes from secreted and transmembrane proteins of Schistosoma japonicum in BALB/c mice.

It has not so far been possible to identify rapidly and effectively the anti-schistosomiasis Th cell epitopes that are capable of simulating IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma)-mediated Th1-type protective immunity in response to radiation-attenuated schistosome cercaria. With the advance of the omics studies of schistosomes, an approach that used reverse vaccinology probably resolved the above problems. In this "proof-of-principle" study, first, we selected 31 secreted or transmembrane protein sequences sampled from sequences of the transcriptome of Schistosoma japonicum, and analyzed characteristics of these proteins by using conventional bioinformatics tools.

[Evaluation on the immuno-protective efficacy of the recombinant antigen SjPGAM-SjEnol against Schistosoma japonicum in mice].

Objective: To construct and express the recombinant plasmid pET32a-SjPGAM-SjEnol and evaluate its immuno-protective efficacy against the infection of Schistosoma japonicum in mice.

Methods: The peptides of SjPGAM and SjEnol containing the multivalent epitopes with higher binding capacity of human MHC II and mouse H2-dII but low homology with the host were analyzed and screened through bioinformatics. The corresponding nucleotide sequence of selected epitopes was spliced and the recombinant plasmid pET32a-SjPGAM-SjEnol was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 cells.

RNAi silencing of calcium-regulated heat-stable protein of 24 kDa in Schistosoma japonicum affects parasite growth.

The calcium-regulated heat-stable protein of 24 kDa (CRHSP-24) is a major calcineurin phosphoprotein that functions in multiple signal transduction pathways in cell metabolism. Schistosomes are multicellular parasites that infect 200 million people worldwide, even though treatment has been available for two decades. To determine the function of schistosome CRHSP-24 (SjCRHSP-24), we successfully knocked down SjCRHSP-24 in Schistosoma japonicum by RNA interference (RNAi).

Wnt4, the first member of the Wnt family identified in Schistosoma japonicum, regulates worm development by the canonical pathway.

The Wnt signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signal transduction pathway used extensively during animal development. We aim, by increasing our understanding of the Wnt signaling pathway, to find a key gene or protein present in schistosomes that can be developed into vaccine candidate or drug target. We therefore isolated the Wnt4 gene from Schistosoma japonicum.